![]() ![]() The two jack/XLR inputs at the bottom can serve either as mic inputs with phantom power, as line inputs, or as high-impedance inputs for connecting electric guitars and the like. Two cardioid mics, in a sort of X-Y configuration, are located at the top, protected by a little cage-like structure, on top of which sits the supplied foam windshield: a welcome addition that you will definitely need outdoors. However, there's no meter to show you how much power remains, which is a pity. Two batteries will give you about four hours' recording time, so a cheap 'Dirty Dozen' will give you a full 24 hours' recording. A 128MB card is supplied, but you can now get 2GB cards fairly cheaply. It runs on just two AA batteries, though you have the option of 9V DC power from the supplied transformer, and records onto SD cards. Once the box arrived, I took a quick spin through the manual and fired up the recorder. The entire unit measures 70 x 152.7 x 35mm, and looks rather like a device you'd use to stun the Invaders From Mars. ![]() The Zoom H4 is a handheld solid-state recorder with built-in stereo mic, two combi XLR/quarter-inch jack inputs and USB output. So, recently, I've been looking for the sound recordist's equivalent of a compact camera that I can whip out when that little interesting noise comes along, and when Sound On Sound asked if I could review the Zoom H4, how could I say no? Overview I tend to use high-end equipment designed specifically for film and TV work, but you inevitably come to a point where you're asked to achieve the near-impossible on a regular basis with the easiest (which to 'the Producers' means cheapest) of tools. How does Zoom's H4 compare?Īs a location sound recordist, it's great to have top-notch kit for recording on-set, or gathering samples to use in post-production. Thanks for reading, I hope this review has been useful and insightful.We've seen affordable field recorders from Edirol and M-Audio. I’m always open for discussions, so please, have at it! Which device are you leaning more towards? Maybe you’re already using one of them and have some of your own expertise to share? I’d also like to hear your thoughts and questions. There are still some tracks in my catalog that have been recorded with it!Ĭan you guess which ones? Let us know in the comments! If you just need a portable field recorder that will serve you just as much out there as it will in the comfort of your own recording studio, then you’ve found it! I used the Zoom H4n Pro as my audio interface and effects processor for quite some time before upgrading. Maybe you’re not looking for something that’s ready for TV/Film standards. Maybe you’re not looking for something that costs an arm and a leg! It’s like comparing apples and an orchard of oranges! ![]() However, I hope that you understand the significant leap from the Zoom H4n Pro and the Sound Devices 552. Since I started using the Sound Devices 552, nothing really compares. It might be the overwhelming user-interface, who knows… Sure, I still get excited when I see one and especially when I hold one, but I wouldn’t personally record with one anymore. I used to rave about the Zoom H4n Pro but as I’ve grown, I’ve started to realize that this device may not have been as great as I remembered. Is it suitable for professional use though? If you’re just getting started, I think the Zoom H4n Pro is the perfect recording device and the fact that it’s portable makes it that much better. I just recommend using an appropriate DI box since the inputs aren’t high-impedance. That should be expected, but you can get lots of mileage out of the Zoom H4n Pro.Īnd remember… All of this is possible while using the device as your audio interface, so you can record in zero-latency by using the onboard effects processor. The interface is similar to the Axe FX by Fractal Audio, but nowhere close in regards to sound. It isn’t the case anymore, but I used to record my electric guitar tracks using the onboard amp modelling software and effects. I used to rely quite heavily on the Zoom H4n Pro back in the day for that. What about electric guitar and bass guitar though? If you have the proper USB cable, you can also record all of this straight into your DAW! There you go, you’ve got the 4 microphone setup I discussed in this article. ![]() If you wanted to record your drum kit, you could simply use the integrated microphones as overheads, use input 1 for your kick drum and input 2 for your snare drum. However, purchasing some microphones will give you more flexibility. You don’t even need to have another microphone! For example, the fact that we have an integrated pair of stereo microphones makes this device useful right out of the box. ![]()
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