Designed by the ground breaking Zoom corporation, the Zoom h4n is one of the latest stereo recorder models. Made to withstand heavy field use on less power, this model is perfect for anyone who needs to record high quality on a regular basis. Even though the digital stereo recorder has received a great deal of praise from users and professional reviewers, it is important to learn more about the product before investing in it.
Zoom H4N Key Features
Like previous Zoom digital and stereo recorders, the h4n comes packed with a large number of features. Being aware of the key features and how they work will help you if you are working on narrowing down the number of your available choices. The key features of this recorder are:
• Durable Design
• Improved Battery Life
• Increased File Transfer Speed
• Multiple Microphones
• Remote Control Compatibility
Spending time researching the key features of any product can help you make an educated decision before making a purchase. I will explain each key feature in order to increase your chances of purchasing a recorder that you will be happy with.
Durable Design
Regardless of how careful you are during the recording process, it is not uncommon to jostle the digital recorder while it is capturing audio. The new, durable, body helps reduce and absorb shocks. Now, even if you move the recorder while capturing audio you will not have a lot of background noise caused by the movement.
Improved Battery Life
The previous Zoom stereo recorder could record continuous audio for only four hours. Zoom improved the h4n by introducing a new option that allows you to maximize the battery life of your recorder during battery powered audio capture. The recorder will capture up to 11 hours of audio in a slightly lower quality audio format.
Increased File Transfer Speed
Like its predecessor, the h4n comes with a USB cable for PC connection and transfer. However, the previous Zoom stereo recorder had a slow transfer rate that led to some customer frustration. The h4n offers high speed USB transfers that allow you to quickly upload your recordings onto your computer so that you can share your audio on a blog, personal website, social networking profile, via email.
Multiple Microphones
The majority of all audio recorders only have one or two external microphones. Failing to point your microphone in the right direction can result in you missing valuable audio. The h4n has four internal microphones, some external and others internal, that record to four different channels. During playback you have the option of using a built-in audio mixer to balance the different recordings creating a rich, surround sound ready, audio file.
Remote Control Compatibility
One of the most useful features of the h4n is the RC4 remote compatibility. The stereo recorder can be used with the remote to start and stop recordings, or listen to recorded audio. This remote is especially usefully when you would like to avoid picking up, and setting down, the recorder in order to minimize handling noises.
What’s Included
• One Zoom H4N Recoder
• One Protective Case
• One Mic Clip Adaptor
• One AC Adaptor
• One Wind Screen
• One 1GB SD Memory Card
Does the Recorder Have a Warranty?
Yes, the Zoom h4n has a 1 year limited manufacturer’s warranty.
What Are Customers Saying?
The owners of the latest Zoom digital recorder give it an average customer rating of 4.4 stars out of a total of 5 stars on Amazon.com. Most users are happy with the durable design that is a major improvement on earlier models. People who use their recorders constantly, or who are sometimes rough with their equipment, enjoy having a digital recorder that they can use without fear of seriously damaging it. Customers also rave about the high quality of the audio recording, and the many features that the recorder offers for the price. The average customer feelings are:
1. “It’s simply the best value for a handheld recorder on the market right now.”
2. “H4n is a brilliant little device with great sound and a deep set of features.”
3. “Just what I needed..”
4. “I don’t think I could have done better. Kudos to Zoom!”
5. “The H4n delivers on every front. Quality, build, ease of use and versatility.”
Anyone Complaining?
A handful of customers who decided to upgrade to the h4n were not very happy with their purchase. Though they admitted the price was good considering the features, these users felt that the sound quality was not where it should have been. Some users said that after playing with the settings they were able to get rid of background noise and get a clear audio recording. However, the majority of the reviewers who complained about the audio admitted that they had professional experience dealing with audio equipment. They felt that anyone who did not have experience with professional audio equipment would probably be satisfied with the quality of their audio recordings.
The Good and the Bad
The Zoom h4n has many good features that make it an option that any shopper should consider. However, there are a few downsides that might be potential deterrents to shoppers. Being aware of the good and bad points of the recorder is useful when you have to make a difficult final decision. The pros of the h4n are:
• Durable Design
• Multiple Microphones
• Four Separate Recording Channels
• Remote Control Compatibility
• Fast File Transfer Capabilities
The cons of the recorder are:
• Problems Blending Audio
• Inconsistent Recording Quality
Final Thoughts
The h4n digital recorder creates quality recordings in stereo sound. Choose to convert your audio files into MP3 for additional compatibility with other devices. Also, with the h4n you can edit, split, and adjust your files on your device before uploading the files to your computer. Nearly all of the people who own this recorder have been able to get consistent, quality, audio files on their first try. If you are a writer, student, or professional who needs to record audio on a regular basis, add the Zoom h4n to your list of digital recorders to consider.