All user reviews for the Zoom H4nSP

Hello everyone,

<span style="text-decoration: underline;">How long have you use it?</span>

I bought it in Lyon since mid October 2009. It is widely available and is trading in the € 329 TTC closed with headphones as a gift.

<span style="text-decoration: underline;">What is so special that you like most and least?</span>

I like the most> ergonomics, this little machine is easy to handle. I had a Zoom H2, it resumes its functionality, ergonomics and most everything has been optimized for handling simple and fast.

I like the least> Self-powered 48V activated (generate power sector required)

<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Have you tried many other models before buying it?</span>

Yes, Zoom H2. The quality of the H4n preamps and mics are really the best by far!

<span style="text-decoration: underline;">How would you rate the quality / price?</span>

The best quality / price point in the high-end DVRs. Excellent!
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">With experience, you do again this choice?</span>

Without hesitation! it's a beautiful beast, functional, ergonomic and satisfactory price.

<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">MY TEST CONCRETE
</span></strong>
I bought it for live recordings, I am a drummer in a ska folk pop rock band from Lyon. We repeat in a soundproof studio located Vaise bine (for geeks lol). I use it with a pair of large membranes Micro electro static (Eagleton 40 CM FET preamp see my review here: https://fr.audiofanzine.com/microphone-statique-transistor/eagletone/CM40/ ).

I use the Zoom H4n 4-channel mode and I can tell you that when coupled with Eagletone CM40, there are four micro crazy! We must set the beast, however, ((I mainly use the COMP Mode Studio with a low cut filter @ 85hertz). The result is stunning, the sound balance is very nice: the highs are silky (sound of cymbals and Charley hot / soft). The bass and midrange very well restored as long as you place the H4n when recording. It's so surprising if we plan to make a model very soon via the Live couple H4n Zoom / CM Eagletone 40.

<strong>NB:</strong> I put the two CM 40 Eagletone face on drums and bass amp to about 1m and 80cm in height. Both mics are facing the H4n return chant + amps guitars. The stereo effect is very nice and excellent balance.
I record mode 44.1 kHz Wave (CD quality) and I mix the tracks via the encoder's internal H4n and I normalize all tjs via H4n. Finally: for MP3 encoding (for website) I use Goldwave and I finalize the layout.

<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Conclusion:</span></strong>

For € 329 + € 90: I recommend to any group that would like to register or make a model to invest in a 4N + Zoom Eagletone CM40. Surprisingly result!

The models will be available soon on our site, I would do a SHIFT with me with links soon.

Received yesterday! This is a first view, hot: I correct as usual.
This is my first such device, but good minidisc etc etc plus the rest that are not a tool alien at first sight for me, Elsewhere on this: Finally a device that does not reserve surprised by the promises it holds on paper! Software interface very intuitive and natural, the multiple uses that are expected to complete each turn: The sound card, it's great if you want to go fast, it's "plug n play 'and basta, no problem in the DAW to find his tracks. I have not yet tested the preamp, however I have to plant my headphones AKG K271 MKII and then first right (small) disappointment: we are facing a public headphone amp, but I expected not regrets, just an observation. Another small negative point: I do not understand why at this price point, made in China, this unit is less well lotti in terms of component quality than my cell phone "nokia xpress music" made in Austria, at the same price? .. . In two words: the LCD is a little rough still, the battery could have been a high-capacity battery (phantom power), the built-in speaker, agrees there is a bonus but it stinks: the sound between he and my phone is not picture, whereas the latter are smaller and stereo! This is not the same purpose but because I compare them in terms of functionality, there is little difference in terms of quantity, size and price. For now it's my first impression, let the impress now! ... I'll put him nine because it's still the only one to be so versatile and yet so smart on this type of machine.

I use the H4n for 1 month now. This is the first recorder of this type j'uti
read.
Very easy to use. To save more than just guitar voice, he is just perfect. In fact the sound of the guitar (my Babicz Identity ) is perfectly fulfilled.
For the recording of rehearsal with my band of progressive rock (1 guitar, 1 voice, bass, drums and keyboard) was placed just 5 minutes to find the best location that took all the instruments.
To make a mix of repeats, I use in addition to the stereo pair, the two entries. One for my voice, and one for my guitar, synth tend to cover my leads.
I then mix in garage band quickly.
Not using phantom power, I have no worries of autonomy.
Having bought during a trip to the U.S., the price / quality ratio is unbeatable.
I put 10/10, because the quality / ease of use for money in my opinion is perfect.

My interest was to have a unit to train on bass, that is able to:
Play original songs / pre-recorded to wav or mp3
Playing over a original / pre-recorded
Playing a slow song
Playing a looped portion of a song
Register on bass
Register on bass over a original / pre-recorded
All in the headphones / amp to a external
Zoom H4N adequacy for this purpose:

Play original songs / pre-recorded to wav or mp3
Ok but the photo does not show the long names of files transferred from a PC. And we must meet the rigid structure of directories.

Playing over a original / pre-recorded
Ok with the Monitor ON

Playing a slow song
Ok, from 50% to 150% with retention of its original height, but a specific mode of reading is incompatible with the looping of a portion of the song.

Playing a looped portion of a song
Ok, but a specific mode of reading is incompatible with the slow motion / fast.

Register on bass
Ok, since input or microphone input 1 or 2

Register on bass over a original / pre-recorded
Ok, but in multitrack and must be assigned to one or two of the original song 4 tracks / pre-recorded (mono or stereo), only to wav ...

All in the headphones / amp to a external
Ok via the jack line out / headphone

The likely benefits of Tascam GT-R1 for this purpose:
Ergonomics simpler and more suitable
Consideration of tags files
Changing the height of a piece
Beatbox
Plus Size contained

Specifics H4N Zoom:
6.35 2 jack / XLR for guitar / bass in / line in / mic in / ... with phantom power 24V/48V
Built-in speaker
Multitrack, music editing option
Serves as an audio interface 2 inputs / 2 outputs 44.1kHz or 48kHz via USB
Food provided, also runs on batteries
Thread for screw-type bracket with camera
Conclusion
I hesitated with the Tascam GT-R1 and decided for myself that that was more professional. Well, after several days of discovery / use, this device is certainly not the most suitable for my initial needs. I'll still keep it because it is very good at recording and it could serve me too!

I use it for 6 months after comparing with different models such as the version before (zoomH2 has seen mind blowing the important preamp, if you do catch the sounds of nature).

They have been corrected a little on the H4N, but it's still not the top (compared to the couple microphones recorder. For cons with a couple added the 2 xlr, it sounds more like it!)

The quality / price is good and I think again this election, it is very convenient if you need to record a sound on the fly.

After that depend on the user, if it is to catch sound at concerts or register to play at home, no problem. If it's for film shoots, but it also happens to have a professional look, I think we should go see the lines above (eg HDP2 Tascam, Fostex FR-2 ...)

As guitarist too, I wanted to test the effects, well, personally, they are not great ...

I think I made the turn ... if need more information, contact me

Previously, I used a minidisc. The versatility of H4N is incomparable ... Just put the SD card into the PC and transferred it all in one click. At her, the two microphones placed in XY have made stunning, makes me prefer it to my Rode NT2 omni mode. I wish I could also use the microphone and just enter an external preamp (in a future release?). Note that the reverse is possible (external stereo microphone).
I greatly appreciate the opportunity to easily cut a file, make a loop, or slow it down without changing the pitch.
It can also be used as sound card. It keeps me from lugging my Fireface 800 each time.
Note the effects of good quality mixer 4-track mode.
I just wish the fragile aspect of the various commands that do not inspire confidence on the length

I use it for 2 weeks now, so I am missing the experience of using it for a long time. But if it is modeled on the H2 that I often used, and there was no problem with it.

I also tried the Boss BR, but when it comes to ease of use, you can't compare. Even if you can get by with the boss and tinker with the doc, the H4 is more intuitive and logical when it comes to access to the menus, thanks to the button choices made available in the front and on the sides.

They provided a transformer, which is very appreciated and rare enough to be noticed. Otherwise, a sound perfect for rehearsals, with the possibility to record 4 tracks at the same time (provided you have more than 2 microphones). I currently don't have much to complain about, I feel that it is not even very battery hungry despite the retro lighting.

I have the same feeling as when I changed my pc to mac (long time ago now, or my old vacuum cleaner for Dyson (without wanting to publicize the cons, but it works as well). This means the feeling of having made the right choice, which is not always the case, alas ....

Since I bought it, I use such as a memory aid, that is to say that when I play the guitar or synth, I record and I can keep track of my songs and improve them later ... it is primarily for this purpose that I bought the unit.
I record a rock band also including myself, but it is more difficult because we must still make a good balance to record it well. It's convenient.

This is my first machine of this kind and I am very satisfied.

What I like least: there are all kinds of small gadgets that I do not use (amp simulator, etc. ... it sounds digital but it may help ...).

With experience I can say that will repeat this purchase if I had to, but before you decide you must know what you want to do with this unit. In no case shall it replace a micro-computer with a sound card to record one track with Sonar for example ... but we can record anything ... why not the sound of the sea ... etc. and with the soundtrack you can mix it with the camcorder ... the sound is better than the camera's ... it is not too big not too fat .... very portable- it is a very fine instrument necessary for composers.
If you want answers please don't hesitate ... if not you have the instructions on the web ... it can help make a choice ... (oh yes, the HP inside, it sucks) on the other hand, to the headphone is good ...

I will not go into details of H4n. I will just tell you that I had the H4 before and I was happy. The feature that made me switch to H4n is the configuration of microphones: the angle between the two microphones is adjustable (90 &deg; & 120 &deg and especially the 2 microphones are one above the other so perfectly in phase.
The H4, the microphones were separated by a few centimeters, causing a bump in the midrange (1kHz-2kHz) followed by a good hollow (5kHz), it puts places the vocals ahead in the mix and the treble is less present. I prefer H4n which is much more "correct" because of the configuration phase of the 2 pickups.
I use the H4n intensely in rehearsal every week: it's a great working tool that in the evening the songs were already in mp3. By placing the H4n in front of the singer and return back on drums, guitars on either side (1 left, 1 right), we obtain, after some trials, a stunning result for a device of 330 &euro;.
You press the record button once to load, it allows us to &nbsp;manage the levels without recording.
I record in stereo mode in general with the limiter 2. I put the microphone levels between 10 and 15 (we play hard enough!) And standard output is correct, a little lower than normal quality mp3, I raise the volume of the radio (I have a SD card entry above!) or iPod when you listen.
I tried to record for years (magneto k7, ripoux microphone, minidisc) the H4n has changed all that. I recommend it to all small groups who want to get better without getting too technical.
I like to take it when I travel, it is convenient to work: in the H4n cable, headphones, they starts the metronome, and go! I enjoy myself with the effects too: it has the merit to exist, if not highly convincing.
For those who are worried: my drummer got caught up in the cables and has fallen from a microphone stand. He fell on athe microphones ... the microphone is less fixed than before but it still works well. I just noticed that the markings on the buttons disappear (mic input, 1, 2).

For me, H4n is a revolution because it allowed me to record these small moments of grace that sometimes happen during rehearsal ...&nbsp;

Overall I'm not too disappointed. I'm coming from the H2 and I needed mic with phantom power, but also the ability to record on 4 tracks.

First, what I do not like about this product:
- The storage case Polypro is not up to the product class that you put inside it. The closure does not work, it opens by itself. And in the absence of depreciation, it is lightweight.
- The external mic, those that replace the internal microphones. This entry in 3.5mm stereo is very poorly placed. You can not put the H4n on a table when a jack is inserted. Now when using this input, we no longer need a tripod to use with the recorder. I had to make a special desk to put it on a table (Box console Gainta G1188, Selectronic home for those interested). Also, it would be nice to have a switching "level line" on these inputs. I had to add an attenuator ...
- The overall ergonomics. It's better than the H2, but it's not Apple! The wheel is not bad, but I cannot understand why we can not use it to adjust the levels! It is used only in menus. In the H2, which annoyed me most is that for downward or upward through the menus, we used the arrow keys on the right and left. Hello logic ergonomic! There is better, but it is not fabulous, I wonder why we could not get into the menus simply by pressing the scroll wheel. Ditto, when using an external microphone, you can not cut the second input by simply pressing the buttons for selecting entries! In short, it's better than the H2, but Zoom could hire an ergonomist specialist HID.
- The starting time. The graphic effect "Z" to Zoom, it will happen. It adds nothing to the user, otherwise he would lose time when it is pressed.
- Lack of mp3 recording 4-channel mode. Knowing that the recording is done anyway in two files, I do not see why it would not be possible unless there is a limitation of the internal DSP that would incapable of doing the compression on 4 tracks simultaneously.
- You cannot adjust the recording levels other than in pairs. It means, in 2CH or 4CH mode or we cannot independently set the level right to left. This is extremely disadvantageous when two independent external sources, or two different microphone sensitivities. It's the biggest complaint that I have concerning this product. The worst part is we do not understand why the buttons "1" and "2" are not used to select the entry that you want to adjust the gain!
- The MTR mode is incredibly complex, I was not able to use it to record in 4 independent tracks. I must be too stupid.
- The screen jumps on translucent buttons. Attention to support the skin and not with nails, despite the size of the keys.
- To open the battery cover when the Zoom is on a tripod, &nbsp;need to devise a fixation. Annoying.
- Hook hatches for the battery or SD card is an apparent weakness that invites caution ...

What I like:
- Value for money.
- The large screen more readable than the H2, even if the pixels are excessive. Which affects the readability of entries (one is in the logical inverse of the trend "retina display" to pass the pixel size below the resolution power of the optics of the eye ... maybe the Zoom effect...

Unlike I-don't-know-who said that he regretted more that the headphone jack is not in 6.35, I would say that it didn't bother me to have little connection everywhere, in exchange for a box a bit more compact. I have a little trouble understanding the presence of large XLR connectors on a case of this type. I'd rather have a microphone with a universal connector octopus at the end. So if I do not need external mic, I do not lug around the fitting. And I have a more compact recorder.

For those interested, I put a picture of my PCs support. The power supply cables and external inputs through holes drilled just to join the housing (to allow the dismantling and removal of cables). Before coming into the line level stereo microphone, I wired two attenuators with two resistors placed directly into the two 6.35 jacks. These jacks are stereo, not because they are symmetrical, but because they are connected to socket patches.