Customer Reviews

Zoom H4 Handy Recorder

5 star:		(58)
4 star:		(72)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I got both the Zoom H4 and the Edirol R-09. The Zoom goes back, the Edirol stays, even though the Edirol cost $100 more.

Why, then, 4 stars for the Zoom? I'd really like to give it 3-1/2 stars, so it was a tossup between 3 and 4. However, if you know what you are getting into, the 4 stars are well-deserved.

The Zoom has a huge variety of features that the Edirol lacks. The Zoom may even sound the slightest bit better (more open, slightly better high end) when both are used to record with their built in mics. However, this functionality comes with a price--a much more complicated interface.

The Zoom does everything. It records directly to wav and mp3. It's a 4 track recording studio. It serves as computer interface for your guitar. It serves as an effects box. It can emulate four different types of microphones, such as the Shure SM57 and the AKG C414. It's even got a built-in metronome and tuner! If you go to the Samsontech website, you can download the manual in PDF format and be truly amazed.

In order to do all this, the Zoom H4's buttons and controls must necessarily be multi-function. On top of that, it adds a jog dial (like the wheel on a mouse: slide in either direction to change menu choices, push to select the current choice). It is necessary to go two levels deep in the menus to set recording levels manually. The Edirol R-09's interface is so simple and intuitive that many could use it without even looking at the manual. Since all I was looking for was a recorder, the Edirol was the easy choice for me.

The Edirol is quite rightly criticized for how awkward it is to insert and remove batteries. In theory, it's a lot easier to do with the Zoom H4. In practice, I found it just as awkward. I found the SD card much harder to swap out of the Zoom H4 than out of the Edirol R-09.

The Edirol R-09 has four very small rubber buttons on the back. They're too small to notice until someone bumps the surface the recorder is sitting on and the unit doesn't move! The Zoom unit has one rubber button on the back but it didn't seem to grip much.

As the side-by-side photo I uploaded shows, the Zoom H4 is a bit larger than the Edirol R-09. I did not find the H4 so much larger as to be a burden. I did find the Edirol's screen easier to read, however!

One other thing worth noting in the picture is the microphones. A quick glance gives the impression that the way the Zoom's microphones extend from the body makes them particularly vulnerable to damage. However, a closer inspection shows that there is a very stiff thick wire surrounding them, like a sports car's roll bar. They may even be better protected than the Edirol's microphones. I could imagine a problem if the Edirol were grabbed from the sides at the top in a forceful way to remove it from a carrying case.

One other Zoom plus: The Zoom has a true automatic gain control, where the Edirol's is a compressor circuit. The Zoom prevents clipping at high volume where the Edirol boosts low volumes without guarding against clipping.

A Zoom minus: Both devices have level meters. The Zoom has no peak indicator that I could find. The Edirol, in addition to its meters, has an impossible-to-miss LED that blinks when the unit peaks. This makes it very easy to adjust levels properly by using Up and Down buttons on the side of the unit, which can be done even while recording.

One final comment that won't mean much except to other die-hard MiniDisc users who stuck with the MiniDisc despite its shortcomings because its fidelity is so good. The Edirol R-09 is the unit that got me to finally abandon the MiniDisc. If you're a MiniDisc user looking for the features in the Zoom H4, I suspect you'll be very happy to abandon the MiniDisc in favor of the Zoom H4.

I am new to digital recording; I bought the Zoom to make podcasts, and I wanted both portability and good sound quality. I settled on the Zoom because the phantom power feature meant that I could use the best possible external microphone, should that be necessary. In fact the internal microphones seem to me very good, and they actually produce better sound quality than the external one I have tried (a leftover from my cassette deck days, so perhaps that doesn't mean much).

The Zoom seems to do its job very well, but I have two big reservations. The first is--and I never thought I would care about such a thing--the ergonomics. The display reminds me of my first PC; the feel of the buttons like my first plastic Walkman, and often there is no sense that one has successfully pushed a button, or made one stop and start (ending a recording is curiously delayed), though you get used to it.

The second, far more important, problem is the complexity of the interface, combined with documentation that is no doubt very full, but hardly user friendly, especially for novices (who might well be an important target market, so this is odd). The combination of jod dial and (tacky) menu button is not intuitive; there seems no obvious logic to when to use the button and when to use the dial. And the manual has all the clarity of an old printer manual. Even the "Simple Recording Guide" has at a crucial stage "Adjust senstivity with [mic gain]switch," which is probably fine for an experience user but to a novice was slightly opaque. Similarly, the triumphant conclusion "Play the recorded file" is unfortunate; not just because of course there's no speaker, but because headphones gave a misleading impression of the recording levels.

I'm sure I can use this thing to do the job. But the whole experience has been a steady stream of irritations. Experienced users will perhaps be impressed; novices should simply be prepared to do a bit of homework.

I got both the Zoom H4 and the Edirol R-09. The Zoom goes back, the Edirol stays, even though the Edirol cost $100 more.

Why, then, 4 stars for the Zoom? I'd really like to give it 3-1/2 stars, so it was a tossup between 3 and 4. However, if you know what you are getting into, the 4 stars are well-deserved.

The Zoom has a huge variety of features that the Edirol lacks. The Zoom may even sound the slightest bit better (more open, slightly better high end) when both are used to record with their built in mics. However, this functionality comes with a price--a much more complicated interface.

The Zoom does everything. It records directly to wav and mp3. It's a 4 track recording studio. It serves as computer interface for your guitar. It serves as an effects box. It can emulate four different types of microphones, such as the Shure SM57 and the AKG C414. It's even got a built-in metronome and tuner! If you go to the Samsontech website, you can download the manual in PDF format and be truly amazed.

In order to do all this, the Zoom H4's buttons and controls must necessarily be multi-function. On top of that, it adds a jog dial (like the wheel on a mouse: slide in either direction to change menu choices, push to select the current choice). It is necessary to go two levels deep in the menus to set recording levels manually. The Edirol R-09's interface is so simple and intuitive that many could use it without even looking at the manual. Since all I was looking for was a recorder, the Edirol was the easy choice for me.

The Edirol is quite rightly criticized for how awkward it is to insert and remove batteries. In theory, it's a lot easier to do with the Zoom H4. In practice, I found it just as awkward. I found the SD card much harder to swap out of the Zoom H4 than out of the Edirol R-09.

The Edirol R-09 has four very small rubber buttons on the back. They're too small to notice until someone bumps the surface the recorder is sitting on and the unit doesn't move! The Zoom unit has one rubber button on the back but it didn't seem to grip much.

As the side-by-side photo I uploaded shows, the Zoom H4 is a bit larger than the Edirol R-09. I did not find the H4 so much larger as to be a burden. I did find the Edirol's screen easier to read, however!

One other thing worth noting in the picture is the microphones. A quick glance gives the impression that the way the Zoom's microphones extend from the body makes them particularly vulnerable to damage. However, a closer inspection shows that there is a very stiff thick wire surrounding them, like a sports car's roll bar. They may even be better protected than the Edirol's microphones. I could imagine a problem if the Edirol were grabbed from the sides at the top in a forceful way to remove it from a carrying case.

One other Zoom plus: The Zoom has a true automatic gain control, where the Edirol's is a compressor circuit. The Zoom prevents clipping at high volume where the Edirol boosts low volumes without guarding against clipping.

A Zoom minus: Both devices have level meters. The Zoom has no peak indicator that I could find. The Edirol, in addition to its meters, has an impossible-to-miss LED that blinks when the unit peaks. This makes it very easy to adjust levels properly by using Up and Down buttons on the side of the unit, which can be done even while recording.

One final comment that won't mean much except to other die-hard MiniDisc users who stuck with the MiniDisc despite its shortcomings because its fidelity is so good. The Edirol R-09 is the unit that got me to finally abandon the MiniDisc. If you're a MiniDisc user looking for the features in the Zoom H4, I suspect you'll be very happy to abandon the MiniDisc in favor of the Zoom H4.

Some of you may have read other reviews that discussed skipping when the H4 is used in 96kHz/24 bit mode. Others say there is no problem for them. This mode requires a x4 speed card. Normal SD cards are not rated, but may be fast enough for 4x, or they may not be. This is why some report audio skipping and some don't. Their SD card may not be fast enough to accept 24 bit data at 96kHz. If you want to make sure you have no problems, you'll need to pay for a higher speed SD card - at least x4.

The Zoom H4 does everything its two main competitors do: the Microtrack and the Edirol. And it does more, and it does it for less money.

Its built-in mics have surprisingly good sound quality, natural without artificial sounding enhancement. I've been recording live acoustic music (flute, strings, etc.) with very good results. Its stereo separation is also decent and natural.

It can run off 2 AA batteries or line power (9V DC) recording 16 or 24 bits, 44, 48 or 96 kHz. Or it can record in MP3 format, from 48k to 320k or VBR. It takes up to 2GB SD cards, though it can be picky about which brand you use. Mine didn't like the Transcend 2GB card but likes the SanDisc. So check out Zoom's list of tested cards before just getting any card.

It is also a 4 track recorder (4 mono tracks or 2 stereo tracks) so you can record duets, trios etc. with yourself. With level, editing and mixdown (bounce) function. You can even assign a bounce file to a track and add more. And during all of this it even has a metronome that can play only in the headphones and doesn't show up in the recordings. I've found this invaluable for doing solo multitrack work.

It accepts external mics via dual 1/4" jacks or dual XLR jacks. It has true 48V phantom power, and can do 24V if you don't need full 48V and want to save batteries. It provides 3 gain settings combined with level fine tune 0-127. The maximum possible gain is +42dB and the mic preamps are pretty clean: aggregate noise varies from -80 to -50 dB depending on gain. I measured a noise spectrum and at the highest gain, the biggest single frequency spike is about 680Hz at about -70 dB. Most of the rest of the spectrum is down around -114 dB!

In my tests it runs for about 4 hours on a pair of NiMH rechargeable AAs (2300 mAH) using the internal mics at medium to high gain.

The display and interface has a lot to it because of the huge amount of features, but is reasonably intuitive - took me less than an hour to figure out how to do everything.

There are two ways to transfer its files to your computer. One, hook up the H4 with the included USB cable and it looks like an external USB drive. However, this works only in Windows XP and blue screens on Windows 2000 (even though that same Win 2K box works perfectly with other UMS / external USB devices like MP3 players). Two, remove the SD card and use a card reader. This is what I do because it's a fast and universal solution for all my various devices.

Overall this is a fabulous recorder especially for the price. NOTE: there is a bug in the 1.0 firmware in which certain MP3 bit rates are distorted. There is 1.1 firmware out already to fix this. I've read the latest H4s ship from the factory with 1.1 firmware.

NOTE: April 2007: with the latest firmware - version 1.3 - the H4 does not crash Win 2k anymore. It works perfectly now as a USB device.

So this is really the question on many peoples minds right.

I hate long reviews so I'll be brief and describe my main application.

I record lessons and jam sessions.... That's the main reason for the device. I used to have a Zoom PS-02 and I also used that when I travelled (headphone amp and drum beats).

The most important feature to me was recording to MP3 directly. I really hate pulling and converting leson files. Also, I wanted something to record onto a modern SD or CF card (not the SMart media that PS-02 used).

I am happy to say that both units have a very easy quick mp3 record. You basically turn on the unit, hit record to put in standby and then hit one more button and its recording.

When you stop and start again, the unit starts recording a new MP3 file. I love this feature since I hate 1 hour lesson recordings where you have 15 minutes of me fiddleing with a lick and then I have to figure out how to slice up a huge mp3 and spend a bunch of time editing (which none of us have time for.)

Initial sound quality results STRONGLY favored the zoom. Crisp highs and great clarity. The Boss internal mic sounds good but not next to the stereo mics on the zoom.

However, the Boss is a Boss. It's a sexy design that seems a little better built. The screen is very cool and aestetically is my favorite.

Since I REALLY wanted to like the boss he best, I bought a Sony ECM-DS70P condensor mic to try and improve the sound. It did not really help so I have to give the live sound recording nod to the zoom. The zoom also had 48V phantom power sou you COULD set up a really nice mic if you wanted to get a very good live recording.

The 4 track on the Boss is extremely easy to use and the effects sound great. You can load MP#'s jam along, or use the Boss drum patterns. As an electric guitar headphone amp/practice tool the Boss is awesome. Much better than the PS-02 IMHO.

This is such a tough call. One of the 2 are going back but I am not sure which one yet.

The zoom has some stuff I don't need (I already have a nice computer interface) but has the best sound.

The boss sound is not as good but it has more useful features, is easy to use and seems better built.

Sinal comment. When I saw the SD card location for the zoom I was shocked. It sits between the two batteried so you have to open the flimsy battery compartment to get at the card.

However, Boss one upped them by putting the card BEHIND the battery. You actually have to remove them to get at the card.

One thing. These devices have a VERY similar footprint. The zoom is thicker so it might not fit in your pocket but the Boss is not ipod size (sort of like it looks in the pictures).

If live sound recording is your main concern, I think the zoom is the pick. If you are ok with not quite as good a sound then the Boss does everything else really well.

I was a little reluctant to purchase this after reading some of the reviews complaining about the complexity of the interface. I'm glad I went ahead with the purchase anyway, because the issues mentioned are minor.

I want to stress that I am not a pro audio person (although I do work with pros who use m-audio and other brands); I use recorded audio in a few of my online projects and for for use with photo slideshows and video.

Pros:
Quality of recorded sound is superb. I haven't heard better.
Price is among the lowest for the type of product.
Many sample rate options, recording mode options and effects.
Automatic level controls (if you want it), compression and limiting.
Takes an ordinary SD card and ordinary AA batteries (a big plus).
USB connection with the ability to function as a USB microphone.

Cons:
You need to spend maybe 5 minutes with the manual to get started.
A bit of a cheap plastic feel to the case.
Bit of a clumsy tripod mount case.

To learn all of the options, more than 5 minutes is required. However any ordinary person spending just a few minutes can figure out how to use the basic features (seriously). The major problem with the interface is only that you must use the side jog wheel to scroll through the menu, and the middle joystick to click on a menu item -- a bit strange, but very minor; when you understand this the rest is easy. If you don't know to use the side jog wheel, then it could be a real brain teaser (but if you read this you know).

Ironically the biggest negative for me is really just the accessories. The tripod case requires velcro staps and seems a little "fiddly". The carrying case for it is just a little cloth bag. Some nicer accessories would be great.

Personally I think other reviewers have strongly overstated any interface issues; the cons are really very minor compared to the important stuff: the quality of the sound recorded. I'm giving it 5 stars not because it is the best all-around, but because it is without a doubt the best value (and really good quality, among the best).

The quality of the mics and 96 24 bit recordings make for amazing recordings from portable battery operated package. Despite it's cheap appearance and toys r us plastic enclosure, it has a few design feature that turn out to be quite cool. I like multi-use buttons for selecting sample and bit rate and track arming. I like the big red single button access to rec, standby and stop. I can carry out an interview with the device in my shirt pocket and access the button without removing it. The mics stick out just enough to rise above my pocket opening. perfect!

I use it to record recitals and interviews. It is nice to be able to set a huge range of recording levels. I have not tried setting levels on the fly due to the noise that the mics would pick up. But I give generous overhead because digital clipping is virtually unfixable and it is so quiet, I can boost levels in post.

You can record mono tracks by turning off stereo link in the 4 track mode and if you use 'always new', you can record clip after clip that are sequentially numbered. I have used a rode videomic to record interviews using the xlr input with good result.

I don't use any of the effects. I tried a 2 gig PQI 60x card and got random card errors and lost a lot of recordings. A Kingston Elite 1gig card works flawlessly, though. There are some zoom forums suggesting SD card issues as well. If someone has experience of a 2gig SD card that works well, I would appreciate hearing. The beeping described in some forums has been a non issue for me, although it says in one forum beeping was eliminated by using ac power.

It would be very useful if they could devise a remote control for use at live settings. I love this thing for field recording. But for laying down multi-tracks at home, I still prefer my MR8HD. It is just easier to see what is going on.

I had been looking for a new portable sound recorder for a reasonable price for a long time.
Previously I had used Sony MiniDisc recorder, iRiver H140 and iPod 40 gig to record sounds. Each had its plusses but the minuses were more than the plusses. The iRiver was the best of the bunch but its menu and its interface was the worst of all of them.
Flash to present. I ordered Zoom H4 from Amazon when the price dropped sufficiently low that it matched the lowest found on ebay without having to wonder if I am going to get the good thing from an ebay dealer.
I agree with the other reviewers that the overall presentation and quality seemed to be on the lower side. The buttons were cheaply made. The body was lightweight plastic. The concern I have at this time is the longevity of the battery/ memory chip door, whether it will last the frequency of closing and opening without wearing it out. If the door is not able to close, one cannot use the unit anymore as the batteries are connected to the door at one end. The size of the unit is quite large, larger than all previous units that I own. It is still pocketable in shirt pocket even though 1/8th of the unit body sticks out and even more so with the microphones.
I have tested the unit in the field by going to the local farmers market / art fair / street fair. The H4 recorded the live music quite well and it had a good imaging. It recorded the water fountain sound very good at medium gain. I found it easy enough to use and the menus were easy to find and follow. It took some to get used to the scroll wheel on the side to change the MENU but it was easy to get used to. Compare to the iRiver H140 which had the worst menu I had ever seen and I had lost recordings because of that since I could not tell which microphones setting I was using. The menu of this Zoom unit is quite small and so folks over 40 yrs of age may need magnifiers to read the menu if you are not nearsighted.
The plus of this unit is that it uses the universal AA batteries (2 of them) and it uses SD chip (officially up to 2 gig). Of course that it can also record professional XLR microphones phantom power is really a great plus! Korg came up with a pocketable field recorder that uses 1 bit chip which is far better than most portable recorders but the funny thing is that the only microphone it's able to take is the minijack kind and it costs seven hundred dollars at the store presently.
If you find yourself you need a budget priced recorder, you really cannot go wrong with this unit. The basic function of this unit is to record sounds and it is quite easy to do so without reading a book. You decide what level you want: Wav files (three settings, from CD quality to beyond) or MP3 (with different quality levels) and you press the buttons that are on the left side of the unit. Then you press RECORD and you see the levels goes on and you can adjust the mic gain from LO MI and HI. Then press RECORD button again and voilá. I thought that was simple enough.

This thing is brilliant. And CHEAP. Think the display is too small? LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THE RECORDER! How big of a display do you want for this thing? Think the interface isn't intuitive? TAKE AN HOUR AND READ THE MANUAL! Really, an hour isn't asking much. Think there are too many levels to the menus? WHAT? TOO MANY OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM? HOW DARE THEY! Come on reviewers, if you're too busy to learn how to use the Zoom H4, how'd you find time to post a review? This thing is great. It is easily worth twice the price. Oh, did I mention the sound quality of the recordings is amazing? And for what it's worth, this is coming from a guy who owns and operates a recording studio.

OK, seriously, if you need something like this and have the money to spend, get the Zoom H4. I can't compare it to its competitors since I've never used them. They might be great, I don't know. Save some cash and get the H4. 99 out of 100 people won't regret it.