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jean_jean « Satisfied enough, despite some annoying details »
Published on 08/22/10 at 06:35Overall 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, 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.
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, 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.
