Customer Reviews for Zoom H4n Handy Recorder
Zoom H4n Handy Recorder
Model: H4N
SKU: 9281957
UPC: 884354007959
Record your music with this recorder that features 4-channel simultaneous recording and a digitally-controlled, high-quality microphone preamp for improved audio quality. The built-in reference speaker allows you to check recordings as you work.
Average Customer Rating:
4.9
out of 5
(10 Reviews) 10
Rating Snapshot 10 reviews
5 stars
9
4 stars
1
3 stars
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100% of customers would recommend this product to a friend
(
10 out of
10)
Customer Reviews for Zoom H4n Handy Recorder
Review 1 for Zoom H4n Handy Recorder
The Zoom H4n makes my videos sound so much better!
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: Anonymous
from Houston
on 05/29/2012
Value for Price
5.0
Sound Quality
4.0
Durability
4.0
Craftsmanship
5.0
What's great about it: Compact, versatile, and sound quality is great.
What's not so great: Battery life isn't amazing, but "stamina" mode fixes that problem.
I am a conductor and often video tape my performances and rehearsals. The camera must be placed facing me, therefore, it is placed behind the orchestra (usually next to percussion or horns) which is not ideal for sound. Not to mention the fact that built in camera microphones generally stink. That’s where the Zoom comes in.
In instances when there isn’t a professional recording, I place the Zoom on a mic stand (I use an MXL MT-001 Hard Mount and the included mic handle that screws into the bottom of the zoom) and press record. Later, using my SD card reader on my computer, I pull the WAV file and sync the audio and video in my editing program. (The Zoom records onto SD cards) If I am able, I clap during the recording to make syncing easier. There's also an option to plug the Zoom directly into your camera if you have a mic input. I've not tried this, but you need shielded audio cable with 1/8" plugs (like headphones) - I've also seen that you might need a -25 db attachment to avoid distortion, but I don't think this is true, because you can adjust the volume levels from the Zoom (headphone volume level). This could be nice if you mount the zoom directly on your camera, but since I generally place the Zoom 50ft away from my camera, it doesn't seem worth the hassle. In addition, you lose some of the sound quality in the process.
Generally, the built-in mics aren’t made for this type of large musical setting (large orchestra), but they work great regardless. My voice (if I’m rehearsing and talking to the orchestra) can be a little difficult to hear, but it’s not a big problem. If I had a lavaliere mic, I could place it on my lapel and plug it into one of the two inputs on the Zoom, then I could hear my voice as clearly as I hear the orchestra. I don’t plan on buying additional mics anytime soon, but it’s nice to have the option for the future. You could also plug in condenser mics, if you want to get professional quality sound. The multi-track option is nice, too. I haven't messed with any of these more complicated configurations, but I imagine they work as flawlessly as the device on its own.
It’s easy to adjust the gain (called "rec level"), too. For instrumental settings I find around 50 (out of 100) to be the best setting. Experimentation is the best way to figure out what works. Just turn the mics on by pressing the record button, watch the levels on the handy little screen and make sure it doesn't peak in the loud moments. Then, once you're ready, press play to start recording. Keep in mind that any adjustments being made on the Zoom (clicking buttons) during recording can be heard in playback, so it’s best to figure out your settings before you hit record/play. The headphone jack is nice if you want to check the sound while recording.
Simply put, whether you want an easy to use handy recorder or a device that has nearly unlimited versatility, this is the device to buy!
I am so incredibly happy I bought it!!
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
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Review 2 for Zoom H4n Handy Recorder
Great option for all those DSLR video people!
Customer Rating
5.0
Value for Price
5.0
Sound Quality
5.0
Durability
4.0
Craftsmanship
5.0
What's great about it: Ease of use, options for recording, price, sound quality
What's not so great: haven't found anything yet
This is very handy and gives you a lot of options for recording sound. I use it the most shooting with my Canon T3i. I have two wireless mics hooked up with the XLR inputs. I also have used it for recording Voice Overs when I don't have access to the sound booth. I'm a television producer and it fits right into what we are doing.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
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Review 3 for Zoom H4n Handy Recorder
So good, it surprises me everytime
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: OnBothSides
on 02/23/2012
I use this mainly for musical ideas, but when I play it back, sometimes I'm just blown away at the clarity of the recording. Easy to use, decent on batteries, sounds so great, I could probably record a whole album on this device.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+3points
3out of 3found this review helpful.
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Review 4 for Zoom H4n Handy Recorder
Pro-level equipment
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: tepeco
from Ofallon, Missouri
on 09/15/2011
Value for Price
5.0
Sound Quality
5.0
Durability
5.0
Craftsmanship
5.0
What's great about it: Flexibility, quality build and quality sound
What's not so great: Absolutly nothing to complain about. No downside.
This recorder is high-end quality with great ergonomics, heft and feel. The sound quality and the ability to be so versatile in recording situations is beyond my expectations. I would recommend this product to anyone in need of quality field recording and flexibility. And the price is a bargain.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+3points
5out of 7found this review helpful.
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Review 5 for Zoom H4n Handy Recorder
Awesome Audio Recorder - Solid Built-In Mics!
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: WesP
from MA
on 08/10/2011
Value for Price
4.0
Sound Quality
5.0
Durability
5.0
Craftsmanship
5.0
What's great about it: Built-In Microphones, Easy to set up
What's not so great: Somewhat short battery life,
We've been shooting sketches with the H4n, and until we step up and get our own dedicated shotgun mic (we've been borrowing one occasionally), we've been just using the built-in microphones for everything from dialogue to ambient sound, and it's pretty amazing! If you can boom the H4n close enough, you can get a crisp, clean signal that sounds awesome! There's still a ton of headroom for expanding (room for two XLRs and another line-in mic to replace the built-in microphones, but I have a feeling we won't need to do that anytime soon)
I would recommend this to a friend!
+4points
5out of 6found this review helpful.
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Review 6 for Zoom H4n Handy Recorder
Nice sound recorder
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: soundmiester
from Tampa, FL
on 01/28/2011
Value for Price
5.0
Sound Quality
5.0
Durability
5.0
Craftsmanship
4.0
What's great about it: Small portable and easy to use
What's not so great: SD memory card can be ejected accidently. No mic Gain.
Excellent sound recorder for money. Lots of effects built in. Great built in microphones. 2 extra tracks and XLR inputs for recording from your own mics.
Cons! Just a few. Beware the SD card door. If pressed slightly will eject the SD memory card and your recording session will be toast.
Also no individual mic gain controls. Check out the TASCAM DR 100 recorder for this feature if needed.
All in all a great product.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+7points
8out of 9found this review helpful.
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Review 7 for Zoom H4n Handy Recorder
Good product but hard to understand
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: Kaschw2
from Rockport, IN
on 01/20/2011
Value for Price
4.0
Sound Quality
4.0
Durability
4.0
Craftsmanship
4.0
What's great about it: Portable, we use it for practices and to transfer files to people out of town.
What's not so great: Battery Life, Case is cheaply made.
This product works great when you can figure it out. Software that came with it was way too difficult to understand. I think the company needs to do a better job in the future with making this item more 'user friendly'. I'm not tech dummy, but this is just not easy to pick up on. You definitely can't learn to use this product without the instructions.
The case we received was very cheap and doesn't even close all the way. Not sure why they went so cheap on the case. Pretty cheesy. Mattel makes better cases.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+4points
6out of 8found this review helpful.
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Review 8 for Zoom H4n Handy Recorder
Outstanding value for the money
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: jbkiv
from Orem, UT
on 01/08/2011
Value for Price
5.0
Sound Quality
5.0
Durability
5.0
Craftsmanship
4.0
What's great about it: sound quality
What's not so great: nothing
Just like everyone else that is in the music or movie making business, I had been hearing the buzz about the H4N. I needed to step up to the next level of sound in my video work so I decided to get one. After reading and hearing all the positive reviews on the H4N, I was expecting allot from the H4N. At first I was a little disappointed in it. It did not seem to be as great as everyone was making it out to be. After using it for a few days let me just say that it is truly an amazing piece of audio gear. I could not be more happy with my purchase of the Zoom H4N.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+7points
8out of 9found this review helpful.
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Review 9 for Zoom H4n Handy Recorder
Great sound for my video and other audio projects.
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: kid2day
from Kansas City, MO
on 12/10/2010
Value for Price
5.0
Sound Quality
5.0
Durability
5.0
Craftsmanship
5.0
What's great about it: Great sound, great stereo pick up, easy to use if not mixing music.
What's not so great: 1 GB card is just a starter card, Cubase software is above the level that I need for working with sound recordings
I purchased the Zoom H4n a Best Buy store about a month ago. I was wanting to improve my sound on my videos. The Zoom H4n is doing this and more.
My first project was not a video project, but was to record a meeting of six people. The voices came out clear and I was better able to understand a couple of the persons when I played back the recording. Also the stereo was great in that I was able to hear each person in the direction that they were sitting from me. It was a lot, lot better then the $80 digital pocket recorders that I had been using. For my Granddaughter's Christmas concert, I placed the Zoom H4n on a tripod at the edge of the stage and set up the video camera in the back of the auditorium. The video camera did a great job of picking up the audience noise, but the Zoom H4n pick up a lot less and the music was great. I was unable to record the complete concert because I had not deleted several of the longer recordings that I had already made. As I found out, the 1 GB card that comes with H4n can only record about 95 minutes of sound. So the recorder stop recording when it filled up the card. I have since purchased a 16 GB SD card.
When I am doing a narration for my videos, it works great with my hand held microphone connected to the XLR ports or just the its own microphones.
There is no problem connecting to the computer through the USB port. You do have to disconnect the the USB cable each time you want to go from card storage to audio I/F
Zoom is now bundling Cubase LE 5 software with the H4n. I am having problems learning the Cubase LE5 software. I would be nice if there was a basic instructions manual with the software. The setup for the software was a bit tricky. Just closely follow the instruction on the web site.
I will not be using to the H4n for recording and mixing music, but for the several different ways that I have been using this recorder, It has more than met my expectations for my needs. Read the instruction book from front to back and you should have no problem using the recorder.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+13points
13out of 13found this review helpful.
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Review 10 for Zoom H4n Handy Recorder
Amazing Quality!
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: ChristianP
from Toledo, OH
on 05/30/2010
Value for Price
5.0
Sound Quality
5.0
Durability
5.0
Craftsmanship
5.0
What's great about it: Tons of features, lots of accessories
What's not so great: Long instruction booklet, price
This recorder is absolutely amazing! Anything you throw at it it can, and will, accomplish. Included in the box is a 1GB SD card, wind buffer, hard plastic case, USB cable, the recorder itself, instruction manual, an AC adapter, and a lite version of the Cubase recording software. I'm extremely satisfied with my purchase, but would have like to have seen the price sub-$200. I'm using it to record dialogue from short films and commercials that a group of friends and I record. You can easily switch between recording quality. The screen on the recorder clearly shows you your microphone ranges to make sure you aren't hitting your limits. I love how the microphone volume can be turned up and down. There's also an automatic volume option and you can even set it to start recording when a certain volume threshold is reached which is useful when recording yourself play a musical instrument or singing. The windscreen included with the recorder picks up a lot of wind. I suggest getting a Redhead Windscreen if you're going to be using it outside as it will block out any wind almost entirely.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+38points
38out of 38found this review helpful.
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