Zoom H4 Handy Recorder

The H4 Handy Recorder is a handheld digital audio recorder from Zoom, featuring built-in condensor microphones in an pattern. ["In crossed X-Y miking, two cardioid mikes are placed one across the other ... with their elements as close together as possible.... The advantage of crossed X-Y miking is a more pronounced stereo separation than available from a stereo mike." [http://www.videomaker.com/article/1758/] ]

Recordings are stored on an SD card (128 MB supplied), or via a USB cable to a computer running digital audio workstation software (Cubase LE supplied).

Applications and recording formats

The H4 records in either of two modes, stereo or 4-track. In stereo mode, the user has the option of WAV or compressed (MP3) format. With a 2GB card, up to 95 hours of speech-quality recording is possible, or 3 hours of CD-quality music. These times are doubled after an upgrade of the operating system, because then the H4 supports a 4GB SD-card, resulting in a maximum recording time of 2 hours in the highest quality of 96 kHz 24bit.

Basic 4-track recordings are possible in the field, easily accomplished with the built-in mikes. Each of two additional input ports accepts XLR or 1/4 inch cables for external mikes or instruments.

tereo mode

In stereo mode, the user has a wide choice of sound quality, with lower quality also taking much less room on the storage card. Only 44.1 kHz 16-bit recordings can be imported into 4-track mode. All stereo recordings share a single folder, and on playback are sequenced as one continuous output stream (no hesitation or pops between files).

Stereo recording is done through the on-board mics or by external inputs. Each input port accepts 1/4 inch or XLR plugs. A single musician can record himself playing guitar or electronic piano, while singing.

4-track mode

Four-track recordings can be made of one or two tracks at a time. When recording in stereo, only tracks 1 & 2 or tracks 3 & 4 can be chosen. Four-track recordings are limited to 16-bit/44.1 kHz WAV files. WAV recordings made in stereo mode can be imported into a project folder.

When recording, on one or two tracks, the other tracks may be played back simultaneously (see multi-track recording).

Each track can be individually panned, to create a stereo image.

Any or all tracks can be mixed down to a stereo bounce file. This can be the last step in mixing, or an intermediate step to free up other tracks.

Effects

The H4 incorporates a 32-bit DSP processor that provides various effects as well as modelling of different types of microphone and guitar amplifiers. Up to 60 effects patches can be stored.

Popularity

Because of the dynamic extremes of drumming, recording can often be very challenging but the H4 is very popular with percussionists and drummers who find they can get excellent results quite easily with very good reproduction across the whole audible spectrum.

The level adjustments on the H4 can be set to Low (L), Medium (M) and High (H) with a slide switch, one for the built-in microphones and one for each of the external connectors. Although this is sufficient for a majority of circumstances, very loud sounds do peak even on the Low setting, so the unit needs to be set up a good distance away. One can also set the recording volume precisely by entering the input menu.

Reviews

Bruce Bartlett from "Pro Audio Review" wrote:
* The Zoom H4 is more flexible than competing units, but as a consequence, it requires more button pressing to operate.... In general, the H4 is harder to operate than dedicated stereo recorders but offers more features. [http://www.proaudioreview.com/pages/s.0035/t.514.html]

ee also

*Zoom H2 Handy Recorder

Notes

External links

* [http://www.proaudioreview.com/pages/s.0035/t.514.html Pro Audio Review] by Bruce Bartlett, November 2005
* [http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/2007/02/01/review-zoom-h4-handy-recorder.html O'Reilly Digital Media Review] by Mark Nelson, February 2007; the same reviewer also tested the Edirol R-09 and M-Audio MicroTrack recorders
* [http://www.videomaker.com/article/13176/ Videomaker Review] by Brian Peterson, March 2007

* [http://www.sonicstudios.com/zoomh4rv.htm Sonic Studios Review] The reviewer measures noise/frequency performance of the H4.