All user reviews for the Zoom H4

I use it for about 3 penury now alone at home or for rehearsals with my band.

It is easy to use and provides realistic sound reproduction (érverb of the room, surrounding sounds are transcribed)

I recommend this device (without having tested other) for those who wish to register in a simple and inexpensive. Indeed it is simple, it saves, it mixes, it is transported and it is barnche on an amp, a 2-stroke 3 PC movement.

The faults I can find are mainly related to manufacturing. The device is always plastok, so it's fragile. at home no problem but when you start scratching a plug + headphones + in the power supply again, must be careful to not drop the gear.

Other problems are more related to my skills in terms of registration. It is complete but it would take considerable time to draw the quintessence. To make a "demo" for family and friends is cool. Popuri make an album, it is not reversible or replace the jurisdiction of a sound engineer or a studio!

This is the value for money is related to the use. For me not taking things too seriously and whose musical ambitions are limited after all it is tip top.

I use it so much as 6 months time lost. I am not a fan or regular registration and then will tell you!
I like his size is very convenient to transport and especially, among other brands, two XLR inputs, which certainly improves the recording.
Then I liked the sounds and effects that are very modern and so real. but do not dream, it's for amateur use and if you buy this product is not to create models pro, because it would add too much hardware and buy a studio console typpe mix.
personally I used to see copies of the composition standarts but my sauce for fun.
my method: I make a brief essay-song guitar at the same time setting time, box or otherwise, then I delete. Then I record the first track on a drum machine if it should be understood, if not I use the internal metronome, then an acoustic electric guitar. Then my voice and bass, or synth, and then of course a good mix as it is so well explained. The quality is very good but to record sound you need a special microphone and a room adequate, but not for H4. I do it in a garage or cellar, with a SM58. this is so far the utility that I do. Then I copy it all on my PC and voila. finally I did not need the extra memory card.
but soon I will connect the H4 output mix console with 5 or 6 players and there we'll see. Is this why?
What scares me is the plastic frame, attention to chutte! and backlit display somewhat lower for affected vision (but perhaps I ask too much for the price) So - two points.
I have not tried other since it is the first digital. Worse, try store hours ........... anyway I was conquered.
the price, blah! it's cheap for what I do, in fact I bought it in German bundled with a headset and an extra memory card. at least I have everything at hand.
oh yes a detail! to register only for those who still seek, there is provided a plate with a threaded hole to fix the gear on a level that I do not seem standard. I fixed my foot on standart camera and the thread is exactly, and the height is adjustable. this is a small tube.
with the experience I do not know if I do it again this choice, because it already is evolving so quickly that the new (100 euros more expensive) ZOOM H4n is out. but what a difference?
Also: the user manual is clear even though I had a little trouble understanding how the knob on the top right, which must be turned on but also to support a conclusion. Now it's the cake!

1 year after I give a new notice:
I used it several times, recording "live" format wive, connected directly to my console annalogique stage. We are three singers, musicians and all instruments and vocals are of course connected:
-3 Microphone singing (beta 58)
-1 Piano-paid workers
-1 Elect guitar.
Low -1
-1 Drum machine program. (No battery)

The result is amazing for us who do not know yet who still have a good ear!
I also think that quality is related to the console (Yamaha CF16).
One more note, do not use the automatic setting of "level" of stréréo 2 channels, but use the manual mode to avoid saturation.

I recommend this recorder to all musicians who do not want to take the lead and to prompt a result as + correct.
Since my purchase a Record new model came out and I'm currently not very interrested: TOO EXPENSIVE
and maybe better with + input at the competitors for the same price.

The Zoom H-4 is a handy little recorder, I have been using it for about 6 months now after I was on my search for the perfect pocket on the go recorder. I must say I love this recorder, I came across it while looking in my guitar center magazine so I went to the store and bought it. I do a lot of sampling of almost anything you can think of. I take this everywhere with me , I mean everywhere! If there is something I want to record really fast I can pull it out and get it in really great quality.

With the quality that it produces you will get studio ready sounds. You can import the sounds into your computer several ways, I just load it right into my sampler and go from there depending on what I want to do with what I just recorded. I have even used it to record some live instruments on the go, someone else might be playing an instrument that I don’t know how to play or don’t have access to. I well tell them what I want them to play and record with this, take it right back and put it on my project and there it is. A perfectly recorded live instrument.

I have used several hand held recorders throughout the years especially when I was interning at the radio station and had to go out and record some interviews and live audio with the recorders they provided. Those recorders cant compete at all with the Zoom H 4, this recorder out shined anything I have ever used. The price is pretty high for this recorder but you are paying for a great quality so its worth it. If you are in need of a pocket recorder with great quality, purchase this one.

- How long have you use it?
since 30/12/2008.
- What is so special that you like most and least?
most is pretty simple device, because as I know nothing of its audio mixing and studio connections so I joined a recording made ​​in five days of knowledge of the zoom on my acoustic drum zoom was very close to the drum http:/ / media.audiofanzine.com/compos/56034/Messyaa-drum_zoom_H4.mp3 ( https://media.audiofanzine.com/compos/56034/Messyaa-drum_zoom_H4.mp3 )
the least and though I will say like everyone else it's very fragile.
Very good value for money.
For now I do not regret having bought it.

I bought it 3 weeks ago.
APRS information and taking advice, I have to prfr H4n as cheaper and rpondant dj totally my needs. The H4n is full of useless features moultes my mind ... Finally for this type of device!

I tried a memory card recorder numrique or USB port (fed up with the acquisition of ® PC)

Good quality price.

The device is fairly intuitive, logical enough to use when we know what we want.
Engage with the micro-Intgr the sound is more than adequate when you get the proper placement over the source. By making the right SETTING THE level, Obviously.
This format of a big voice recorder, so it fits in your hand. With micro Intgr no cable. Ideal to pick up sound (concert, rptition, radio report ...)*

The prsence compressor limiter or automatic level, can help s'avrer following uses.
The choice of format of resolutions and frequency drives are more than enough to do what you want.

Pramps on, do not esprer the moon (gain = breath) ...
On the output line of a good table or pramp, it can hold water.

He eats lots of battery, consider rechargeable.
Regarding the energy he could have imagined that the batteries are recharged when it is connected to the mains or USB.

A stronger carnage would have seemed more useful than 4 squenceur track. Let's avoid the drop ... Viton and the beach!

The cot sound card pocket compltement illusory. It does not work correctly. It dcroche normment recording and playback. No crdible.

Finally the price is right for a pocket recorder and did a good job. He could however be more robust Designed with battery Intgr. Cel and the same price (in the superfluous Vitantis)

In principle I put July 1

I do it again this election if in 2 years it still works and I can not find better.

<img class="smiley" src="https://fr.audiofanzine.com/images/audiofanzine/interface/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt="sad" /> I utils about 4 years before a Tascam j'ultilisais DAP1 (DAT). The H4 is very easy to use, it takes up little space, the rendering is excellent but it is fragile. It is expensive and when it breaks down once a guarantee is not Exceeds rparable (according to the seller). After a few years of service, for no apparent reason, he will not turn on. I changed the batteries, used AC power, connected to the PC but its more than image and APRS what the salesman told me I had bought o does not have rpar! I am green!

10/10 for use, 0 / 10 for reliability!

I get out my Tascam!

<ul class="ul">

For how long have you been using it?

</ul>

6 months. Sold since.
<ul class="ul">

What thing do you like most/least about it?

</ul>

<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Most:</span>
PortabilitéQualité recording without microphones (using the audio input)
Sound quality
Number of Full connectivity functions
PricesThe medium (SD)
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Minimum:</span>
Navigation
Quality recording with microphones

<ul class="ul">

Did you try many other models before getting this one?

</ul>

No, I got a Boss BR-600 but nothing to see.
<ul class="ul">

What is your opinion about the value for the price?

</ul>

Very good to Excellent. The number of functions / settings, the sound quality, connectivity.
.
<ul class="ul">

Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice? ...

</ul>

No. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">BALANCE:</span>

In fact, I wanted a device that allows me:
<ol>

record repetitions easily

to have a portable system to play at my parents (without "material" other than a guitar

</ol> For this second point, no worries, the H4 is complete and is to be a great tool. The sounds are effective even if it seems unthinkable to me to produce a full track by not passing by the H4. Metal, Rock, Pop, Acoustic, and there's something for everyone.
The settings are not very intuitive, but we found it with the guide Quick.

In terms of recording using microphones, I found the final result very average. The offering is obviously paramount, but the camera is very (too) sensitive to such an extent that captures everything, and because it takes is a little tricky. Must surely take time, try and try again, perhaps with other mics, but unfortunately I do not want to spend (waste?) This time. I expected something more "Start & Rec ...
In short, in terms of podcasts, recordings of concerts, I have not tested, but to use "quick" in Repeat 'is a bit in my misery, or it takes a good time of "Positioning" ...
At that price, it's still a very good material ... 6 / 10 for me.

It has now been a year since I bought this and I use it quite intensively.&nbsp;
I had the opportunity to use a Boss BR600, which is not really the same hardware as it is more a "mobile studio," with 2 stereo microphones.

The pros:
- The 2 inputs have phantom power, while the preamps are accurate and capable of handling almost any level of input, as the gain selector has 3 positions.
- You have the ability to connect the sound card using ASIO drivers, with all the benefits that that entails: power only over USB, use of built-in effects, and instantaneous monitoring of the track that plays ...
- The complete autonomy to record whatever the situation is, regardless of the volume: on battery, mains, and you can register and get a decent result ...
- Simple file transfer
- The ability to change the SD card...
- The possibility of using a click...

The 'bof':
- The XY microphones are pretty accurate, but nothing more. Their main problem is they are very sensitive to vibrations of the chassis. If you can properly isolate the H4, one can obtain accurate recordings, even very good results on acoustic instruments like piano, guitar or violin, but it's very difficult to obtain.
- Built-in effects ... It does the job but it's not pretty. I sometimes use the effects to record an electric guitar, using an amp modeler, and it is not a better result than getting the sound naturally. The quality of the effects are difficult to compare with that of multi-effects for guitar (the G9), from the same brand though. It works well for what I use it for...

The cons:
- Only a 2 GB maximum memory card, which hard to remove by the way, it fills up quickly.
- The interface is rather inconvenient and not always very intuitive to record in stereo.
- No real audio output, apart from the line-out and headphone output, which is a mini-jack. It's impractical to have a monitor other than headphones with this, which is a shame.
- It's absolutely not a mobile studio. It is better to forget the idea of ​​using this 4-track to create a semblance of production independently, as it can be done better with the Boss BR600. You can not really fail to track better with this, and apply effects in post production.
In the end, it's still a convenient, versatile and well designed overall. I carry around with me. But it has its limits ...

I have been using the Zoom H-4 for a year now.
Its excellent as a handy recorder to capture gigs, jams , song ideas and very basic demos.
I like the convenience of its MP3 recording mode , to simply drag and drop lengthly recordings into the PC already compressed. The WAV mode makes higher quality recordings which are obviously much bigger files and use up the memory card quickly.
The two built in condenser mics do give very good results just by pointing at the sound source.
What I don't like is its lack of user friendliness , the functions seem un-logical and frustrating.I found it difficult and time consuming to use in multi track mode, for one thing the screen being very small and navigation around the features is slow, though I must admit that I'm just a musician and limited in the technical aspect.
The solution is just to use it as a mic and interface for the PC using Cubase which is bundled.
The feel of it overall is quite cheap and there are some obvious design flaws like the screen being upside when you are recording yourself.
The 200 GB pound price tag makes it good value as it boasts more feaures than its rivals,which is why I bought it, but I would prefer less features with better quality and easier to use functions.
The H4 is limited to being a useful amateur tool rather than the pocket multi track studio
it claims to be.
If I needed to replace it I would pay more for another brand.

Whoh- this thing is pretty amazing.

If you're looking for an affordable field recorder- this sucker is where its at. It records directly to .wav or mp3 so you can dump the files directly onto your computer and tinker with them. It features two great condenser mics for left and right stereo recordings and does very well just dropped in a room.

I've recorded many, many live shows with the H4, both for myself and for others and have very rarely been disappointed with the results. There are adjustable gain levels for the built in mics as well as a built in EQ function.

If you're an amateur home studio type then you're in luck- the H4 also has two combo XLR / 0.25 inch mic inputs for you to hook up your own mics. Run this via the enclosed USB chord to your computer with the cubase that comes bundled with it and you've got your own portable home studio (especially if you've got a laptop!).

One very important thing to note however, is that its difficult to surpass the 'extremely good field recording' and reach the actual 'studio quality' recordings because of one fatal flaw of the H4. Its marketed as a 'four track mixer' but in fact only has two inputs (each that can take EITHER an XLR cable or ¼ inch input, but not both at the same time). This makes close micing fairly impossible if not merely improbable. More so- each mic records only to the Left or the Right channel, respectively, so that what ever is going in one mic is going in the right headphone and whatever is going in second mic is going in the Left. If you know your way around some digital editing software (like cubase, or audacity) than this can be overcome by splitting stereo tracks into two independent mono tracks- but that still means that at most you've only got two tracks you can record to at any one time.

For the money however, there is no better tool than the H4 for field recording and amateur portable home studio use.