Zoom H4n Handy Portable Digital Recorder

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	Hosa Microphone Cable, Dual XLR3F to Right-angle 3.5 mm TRS, 1 ft	$19.99
	Zoom RC4 Remote Control for H4n	$29.99
	Lifetime Memory 16 GB Secure Digital Memory Card	$59.99

Zoom H4n Handy Portable Digital Recorder

The Flagship of Zoom’s popular handheld portable digital recorders is the top of the line H4N Handy Recorder. It’s got an impressive list of features, first and foremost being the professional qualtity digital sound.

The Zoom H4N is a portable 4-track recording studio that fits in the palm of your hand. The built-in X/Y stereo condenser microphones capture a wide frequency range yielding professional recordings, saved to compact SD or high capacity SDHC memory cards suitable for broadcast. You can position the mics to record in a 90˚ angle or rotate them outwards for a 120˚ pattern. You can also plug in 2 additional external mics or instruments of your choice for simultaneous 4-track recording, thus making it possible for some very creative options.

The H4N has built-in studio quality preamps. You can record broadcast standard WAV files at high-end rates of up to 24-bit/96kHz or switch it to MP3 mode and easily transport and share your files via the handy built-in USB port connected to your computer. In multi-track mode (MTR) you can record 2 tracks at a time while playing back 4 tracks simultaneously at the CD standard 16-bit/44kHz rate. The built-in mixer gives you total control over individual track levels and panning as well as built-in studio quality effects such as reverb, delay, compression and chorus, enabling you to complete a full mixdown to master, all right there on the H4N!

Some of the H4N’s other unique on-board features include a phrase trainer (you can change the speed of songs without affecting the pitch enabling you to learn songs and riffs with relative ease), a vocal eliminator (use this to create instant backing tracks of your favorite songs to sing or play guitar to), a rubber shock resistant chassis, double battery life using the Stamina Mode feature, a mid-side matrix decoder for additional miking possibilities, guitar and bass modeling effects, an onboard tuner and metronome, a built-in speaker for reference, mounting options for tripod, camera, HD video, and a mono mix function. Included is a 1GB SD card, a windscreen, mic clip adaptor, USB cable and protective case. Award winning Cubase LE multi-track recording software is also included, making the possibilities for complete production even greater! There’s also an optional wired remote control available making the Zoom H4N package the most well thought out, complete, portable recording solution on the market today!

Features:

Built-in X/Y stereo mics record at either 90° or 120°

Four channel simultaneous recording using built-in and external mics

Digitally controlled, high-quality mic preamp for improved audio quality

Large 1.9-Inch LCD screen and improved user interface for easy operation

24bit/96kHz Linear PCM recording for pristine recording

MP3 recording for increased recording time

Built-in reference speaker to check recordings

Shock resistant rubberized body for improved chassis protection

Broadcast Wave Format (BWF) compatible time stamp and track marker

Records on SD/SDHC media of up to 32GB for maximum recording time

Auto-record and pre-record feature so you never miss a moment

Variable speed playback capability for “phrase training”

Stamina mode enables 10 hours of continuous battery life

Onboard mid-side matrix decoder for additional miking possibilities

Built-in mounting joint for tripod and mic stand mounting

USB 2.0 port for faster file transfer

XLR inputs with phantom power allow recording with any mic

Supports plug-in power type external mics

Hi-Z Inputs for recording guitar and bass

Studio effects onboard, including guitar and bass amp modeling

USB audio interface capability

Low-cut filter to reduce noise

Normalizing and file splitting functions

Mono mix function

Onboard tuner and metronome

Includes 1 GB SD card, wind screen, mic clip adapter, AC adapter, USB cable, protective case and Cubase LE recording software

Optional remote control (RC4) available

H4n Handy Recorder Features at a Glance

The H4n Handy Recorder is the ultimate in professional, portable recording. A large 1.9-inch, backlit display features recording levels, file format, time elapsed, file name, remaining battery life and recording time. Optional features such as low cut filter, compressor/limiter and phantom power are also shown when utilized. LEDs indicate Stereo, 4-Channel or MTR mode.

Transport controls include one button recording, playback and pause, forward and rewind buttons. You also have greater control over functions such as Folder, File, Speed or Format selection with the Short Cut/Track Select keys. These keys double as track selectors with the Multi-Track Recorder mode.

On the right side of the H4n, the Jog Dial and Menu Key are positioned together for easy navigation. Push the Menu Key to enter the menu and the Jog Dial to navigate through the plentiful features. Use the record level buttons to toggle your levels up or down, and replace your SDHC card by folding down the rubberized door.

The left side of the H4n contains a jack for the RC4 remote control, Phone/Line Output for monitoring and playback. Playback Volume, USB 2.0 interface, Power On and Hold.

Use the USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Interface to move your files to a PC or Mac for storage, editing or playback. And you can even use the H4n as a USB interface and record directly to your favorite digital audio software or the supplied Cubase LE software.

On the back, you will find a reference speaker, external mic input for plug-in power type mics and a tripod mount. Remove the battery cover to turn on Stamina Mode. There is also mount for a carry strap. On the bottom of the H4n is the combination XLR/Phone inputs, and the AC power input is located here as well.

The Zoom H4n is also incredibly easy to navigate and setup for the most diverse recording situations you could ever encounter. Now you can capture every sonic detail with the kind of quality and precision usually found in the finest recording studios.

Model	H4n
Power Supply	Yes
Computer Interface	Yes
Effects	Yes
Number of Tracks	4
Other Features	USB Audio Interface; large, 1.9 inch LCD screen with backlit graphic display
Simultaneous Recording Tracks	4
Microphone	Stereo
Recording Time	15+ Hrs @ 24-bit/96kHz / MP3: 550+ Hrs @ 128 kpbs
Memory Type	SD Card
File Format	PCM WAV, MP3, BWF

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

ZoomH4n Handy Portable Digital Recorder

4.7

(based on 15 reviews)

93%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Easy to use (10)
Versatile (8)
Compact (6)
Excellent sound (6)
Good audio (6)

Cons

Best Uses

Performances (9)
Outdoor events / games (8)
Home studio (7)
Amateur recording (6)
Professional recording (6)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Experienced (8), Professional musician (4)

Reviewed by 15 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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7/12/2012

5.0

I would buy this product again and again

By Change Of Life Outreach Ministries

from Chicago, Illinois

About Me Experienced

Pros

Compact
Easy To Use
Excellent Sound
Low Distortion
Powerful
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Amateur Recording
Events
Home Studio

Comments about Zoom H4n Handy Portable Digital Recorder:

I like to say that the Handy Recorder H4n is Great!!!! Easy to use. I use Handy Recorder H4n to record our church services every Sunday. The sound is off the Great!!!! I am very happy with this product.If you looking for something to record your Pastor sermon, Choir singing and put on an cd I would say get the Handy Recorder H4n

12/5/2010

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Versatile, rugged, sounds amazing

By comoelgato

from Bogotá, Colombia

About Me Professional Musician

Pros

Easy To Use
Excellent Sound
Handy
Low Distortion
Portable
Versatile

Cons

Poor MP3 encoding

Best Uses

Events
Home Studio
Interviewing
Performances
Professional Recording
Soundscape recording
Soundwalk recording
Wide track recording

Comments about Zoom H4n Handy Portable Digital Recorder:

I've had my H4n for more than a year, and I've used it for diverse uses, such as interviews for research, soundscape and soundwalk recording and composing, and as a mobile audio interface, for using it as a guitar and mic input port for Apple MainStage. I've also recorded chamber music recitals with great quality. I'm in love with this little machine.

The only thing I would complaint about is the quality of the MP3 encoder, but that doesn't quite affect my work, because I always use PCM files.

12/2/2010

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great for Classical Piano

By Browardhoward

from Hollywood, FL

About Me Professional Musician

Pros

Ease of use
Excellent Sound
Good for classical piano
Low Distortion
Powerful
Versatile

Cons

None for us

Best Uses

Live Concerts

Comments about Zoom H4n Handy Portable Digital Recorder:

I maintain a Youtube channel "miamipianofestival" for the Miami International Piano Festival. We professionally record many of our concerts but I sometimes use the Zoom for Youtube. I put the audio track on the videos. The acoustic piano is very difficult to record with the wide range and all the transients but the Zoom does a really good job Here is an example:[@] The performers who hear the recordings are really amazed.

10/5/2010

5.0

H4N-RED HOT!...YOUR MTR AINT DIDLY SQUAT

By Emmet Ray

from Morristown, NJ

About Me Experienced

Pros

Easy To Use
Excellent Sound
Low Distortion

Cons

Best Uses

Amateur Recording
Events
Home Studio
Performances
Professional Recording

Comments about Zoom H4n Handy Portable Digital Recorder:

Great sound, short learning curve, easy to transport, got it home, quickly read the instructions and took it to band practice. No fumbling with chords, no dealing with confusing displays, just put it on a mic stand and wow!!!! On a scale of 1-10, 1 being: another wasted investment of time and money, 10 being: sledgehamer to cranium best of breed...this one scores a 25...the H4N is all about results, not excuses...an excellent easy to use tool in a small easy to transport package...if I ever get married again this baby's going to be listed in my prenupt...she can have my car, my home, my dogs...but not my H4N, period!!!!!

8/27/2010

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Very Happy with this device

By NJBob

from Beverly, NJ

About Me Experienced

Pros

Easy To Use
Excellent Sound
No mechanical noise

Cons

Best Uses

Amateur Recording
Performances
Professional Recording

Comments about Zoom H4n Handy Portable Digital Recorder:

I wasn't looking for a 4 track; just a good solid 2 track with clean phantom powered XLR inputs. I couldn't find a 2 track that met my requirements. I needed the ability to record from a studio mic without any other gear humming nearby, like a PC or Mac. So the ability to run stand-alone off batteries makes this perfect for voice over work or for use with a boom mic on a video shoot.

6/24/2010

4.0

Handheld studio quality.

By LiveJ

from Philly, PA

About Me Experienced

Pros

Excellent Sound
Low Distortion
Powerful
Versatile

Cons

Unnecessary Functions

Best Uses

Amateur Recording
Home Studio

Comments about Zoom H4n Handy Portable Digital Recorder:

Bought this product so I would be able to take recording capabilities on the road. Have PC based studio at home, but not in the ideal spot to have people come by and work with me. The H4N allows me to take my work on the road and get the vocal tracks I need from the artist I wanna work with.

Its as simple as going into Card reader mode and uploading my music tracks onto the H4N. From there it's just a matter of getting an artist to do his/her lyrics over the track in multitrack mode.

The built in condensers are decent, but with the xlr inputs and phantom power I can plug my Rode NT1 right into this thing. The quality is good. Go back to card reader mode, dump it all back into the pc and edit to perfection.

Answered my needs perfectly. I've found that the background noise I have encountered so far was due to sensitivity of the mics and not being in the ideal environment. My guess is that if you were in a soundproof booth or a very quiet room, the background noise would be minimal. Doubt if its anything you can't get rid of with simple filters. Nice piece of equipment for the price.

Not a fan of the audio interface mode of the product. Plugged it up and the latency was awful, probably due the generic drivers that installed with it. Not a problem for me, but if you plan on using this as an interface, you might wanna reconsider.

5/16/2010

5.0

Great Unit !!

By Nicholas Dentato, Matt Dunn

from Madstudio, NYC

About Me Professional Musician

Pros

Clear Sound
Compact
Easy To Use
Lightweight
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Amateur Recording
Events
Home Studio
Mobile DJ
Performances
Professional Recording

Comments about Zoom H4n Handy Portable Digital Recorder:

We use this unit at all our live Jazz gigs, we go direct into 2 channels and pick up all the room ambiance as well. . Drop it into your fav. DAW and your good to go !

3/7/2010

4.0

"Scary Good"

By Mike - The Documentorian

from Orlando, FL

About Me Professional Musician

Pros

Clear Sound
Compact
Easy To Use
Incredible audio quality
Lightweight
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

B'cast Qual Field Intervi
Performances
Professional Recording

Comments about Zoom H4n Handy Portable Digital Recorder:

I've had the Ediroll E-09 (or whatever it's model number is - I forget), still have a Zoom H-2. Ediroll is OK, not the greatest. Zoom H2 is actually GREAT! But the H4-N - - - holy cow! Over all, I'm amazed at what this thing can do - both with its on board X/Y mics & dispersion pickup etc... But also the fact you can use 1/4", XLR's and XLR Phantom with choices of voltage pawer no less. I could go on and on. But bottom line here is you could practically record a "live album" with this if you're like a grunge solo or want that TRUE live sound. I've tried it - record, load in, put it through some DAW or whatever. Just blows me away compared to what you could NOT do 10-15 years ago. If I had one suggestion to make, it would be that when you're recording with the external inputs that you had more functionality with how and where you want the tracks to behave. Meaning if you wanted to mix the two externals AND use the X/Y mics, that you could mix them all into one track. I may be the odd ball on this one because even though I am a musician, I'm thinking more along the lines of an interviewer (another "thing" I do). I'd love to be able to record using ALL teh available inputs but mix everything to one track AS you record it. This is the only reason for the 4 star rating instead of 5 star. If there was a 4 3/4 star rating, I'd have rated it as that! Would I buy this again (or a back up like I just did), SURE WOULD! It's still great and life's full of shortcomings anyway. I'll deal. And I HAVE recommended this to friends who've bought one no less. NICE JOB Zoom / Samson!

1/31/2010

5.0

WAYYY Underpriced.

By Cody G.

from Henderson, NC

About Me Experienced

Pros

Clear Sound
Compact
Easy To Use
Lightweight
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Amateur Recording
Events
Field recording
Home Studio
Performances
Professional Recording
Pro HD Audio for Video

Comments about Zoom H4n Handy Portable Digital Recorder:

I bought this recorder mainly for a video project, but it has so many more uses. This is more than just a recorder folks, it's also an fx processor. This has so many uses, that I can't even think of them all right now. There are built in fx that you can use for all kinds of instruments. I use the compression for my bass guitar when I lead worship at my youth group on Wednesday nights. You can use the built in fx for vocals (recommended), acoustic guitars, electric guitars, bass guitars, electric pianos, etc. It also has a bunch of pre-amps for electric guitars, and adjustable eq settings. There are 50 presets, and a bunch of empty slots for you to create your own presets.
But aside from that feature, It records AMAZING CLEAR audio from the built in mics. And of course you can plug in your own mics on the bottom of the unit. I've used this to record audio for countless HD video projects, and it never fails to produce bright clear audio. And the stereo on this thing is realer than real.
The battery life is amazing, and the record time is amazing and High Quality on MP3 mode. You can record in MP3 or WAV, at high resolutions or low.
This company could have easily asked for a higher price, but didn't. Just another reason to buy it.
You will not regret it.

12/8/2009

5.0

AWESOME SOUND

By cj live

from GEORGIA

About Me Experienced

Pros

Clear Sound
Compact
Easy To Use
Lightweight
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Events
Home Studio
Live gigs
Performances

Comments about Zoom H4n Handy Portable Digital Recorder:

More features than any other handheld device and actually half the price of other units in its class.This unit sounds great at anything it does. Every time I use it I'm amazed at the quality of sound!!!! I use it mainly as a live recorder as it is to small and tedious to use as a studio device. Better than expected!!!!!!!

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Zoom H4n Handy Portable Digital Recorder
The manufacturer's warranty covers parts for one year and labor for one year from date of purchase. The warranty excludes damage from misuse, abuse, and contains other exclusions.

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Zoom H4n Handy Portable Digital Recorder

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