Customer Reviews

Zoom H2, Handheld Digital Recorder

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was given this as a gift (at my own suggestion.) I have begun writing songs in recent years, and had nothing to record my songs or fragments thereof except some alarmingly low-fidelity cassette recorders. The Zoom H2 has a surprisingly large number of functions for such a small device. It is a little difficult to navigate at times, but it records very accurately, and can record sounds from the front, the rear, or both. One thing I wish it could do is allow multi-tracking, but for the size and price it is a bargain. Highly recommended for anyone who needs to record away from a studio.

Usage #1: Recording live music. I've used the Zoom H2 for about 2 years for recording practices and performances of my classic rock & roll band. I wouldn't be without it.

I use the built-in compression feature (set to DRUM or VOCAL) to prevent overmodulating. I start the Zoom H2 when we are setting up, and just let it record all evening. With a 8Gb/12hr chip, don't bother shutting it off between sets. For indoor practices, I use the Low mic sensitivity, with DRUM compression setting.

For outdoor performances, between songs it's sensitive enough to pick up the ambiance: a crackling bonfire, crickets, or crowd comments (a good use of the 360-degree Surround feature. I usually set the Zoom H2 to Medium mic sensitivity, put it on a microphone stand back near the sound booth/tent, with an extension cord for AC power, a small night-light (is AC still on?) and fresh batteries in case someone trips/unplugs the power cord.

I've even set the Zoom H2 in my open guitar case on the floor in a nightclub, maybe 15' from the stage, and it picked up the between-song comments of the musicians, as well as dynamite recordings of our sets.

I have a whole pack Memory Card Carrying Case, Black of SDHC cards: 2Gb (3hrs recording time, in CD-quality), 4Gb (6hrs), and my favorite, 8Gb (12hrs Transcend 8 GB SDHC Class 6 Flash Memory Card TS8GSDHC6) so I can always pop in a new one at a moment's notice. Each card has a tiny label with my name & phone, plus a card index (SD-01, etc); I keep a small printed spreadsheet to show what performance is on what card, which is available for use, etc.

Once home, I back it up the files to my laptop, then process the WAV files with Audacity (free, open-source, multiplatform utility) to do fade-in and fade-outs, pull out individual songs, normalize tracks, make demo tracks or MP3s for listening on the go.

Usage #2: Spoken audio. My spouse goes on business trips and interviews groups of people. She's used it to capture the group comments for later transcription. Here's where other Zoom H2 features are nice: the Automatic Gain Control (AGC), which bumps up the volume if the input gets too low, and the Surround feature, so you can hear everyone talk, in the audio location where they were actually sitting. I've used it for large conferences to record multi-hour presentations or speeches. Handy.

Usage #3: Converting vinyl to digital. This is a future task, but with the Zoom H2's Line-In jack, you can record from other devices (perhaps a turntable or stereo amp output?) to digitize and save records or other media for posterity. If you already have a turntable, why pay more for an additional single-purpose digitizing device when the Zoom can handle it already?

All-in-all, a great little device! Buy it!

Great item, will be of great use to our paranormal team. It produces better quality audio recordings than handheld digital voices recorders, and comes complete with tripod stand, wind buffer, electric adapter for saving battery power, earbuds, hand tripod, and audio connections. I highly recommend this item.

The sound quality is great, the price is reasonable, and it couldn't be easier to use (unless it had a slightly nicer interface). I use it to record sound for video, and it really works--if you make sure to use the correct bit rate!

I love this recorder. It is very easy to use which is great for me. The only problem I have is that it appears to be a 2 track recorder, but I can't figure out how to add the second track. Is the selling title wrong? I tried to get help and have not heard a thing.Otherwise, if you have a idea that needs to be put recorded, this is the little machine you need.

Thinking of buying a used (or possibly new) H2: Does the H2 come with a charger or do I have to buy one? Zoom H2 Handy Portable Stereo Recorder what other additional charges can I expect: more cards, etc.?