Zoom H2 or H4? « Videomaker Forums

schweersvp
Member

I'm looking to purchase the Zoom Digital Audio recorder. I heard they do wonders. Does anybody have any advice they could share with me on which one I should buy? I found the H2 for $179.95 and the H4 for $229.95. I'm doing a seminar in early October and would appreciate any feedback on which one to buy. Thanks everyone.

Posted 2 months ago # Login to Send PM
EarlC
Moderator

I have four Zoom H2 units and use them all the time. I love them and they do what I need done, efficiently, effectively and 98 percent of the time without a hitch.

I use them for podiums at funerals and other speaking engagements. I use them in the pockets of roving speakers (some who LOVE to move around) with a hardwired mic. I use them suspended, on mic stands, hidden in areas near or around speakers, live musicians, readers at weddings, etc. I use them placed strategically around sections or instruments in music, instructional and band/orchestra performances.

I use the "normalize" feature quite extensively. I also often ingest the audio into my mac system and burn an audio CD, then use the CD aiff files converted with Toast to further adjust, edit and place the audio where needed during the editing process.

Had I initially had the funds to do so, and prices then what they are now for the H4 I would likely go with the higher model due to added capabilities. You can visit the Zoom H2/H4 sites for specific information regarding the differences of the two.

But I have to say I've NO regrets going with the H2s and they have constantly saved my bacon. I've read and heard of various problems regarding them (somebody somewhere complains about pretty much ANY system in one way or another) from audio "officianadoes" but have not experienced ANY serious problems myself. Only once did I inadvertently do the wrong thing while formatting one of my cards so I can honestly chalk that one up to operator error. I was not prepared with backup, having become overly confident, and during a series of commercial recordings using the H2 as a backup, I messed up. It will not happen again, and I will have extra cards already formatted next time - turn it off, insert new tested card, turn on set it and record. Voila.

You would do very well, most especially for narrative, vocal, speaking tracks, with the lower-priced model.

Posted 2 months ago # Login to Send PM
schweersvp
Member

Thanks EarlC...much appreciated!

Posted 2 months ago # Login to Send PM
starcityfame
Member

Hi EarlC!! I do a lot of live bands and musicians. The first time I used the on-board mic with my XHA1 during a loud rock concert, I messed up not using the attenuator. The on-board is usually 1/2 decent if I am stationary and not at some hi-decible gig. Then I goofed using a sub-out TRS from a soundboard, adapted to XLR, then into the XHA1, because either the signal was too hot or I did not swith the selector to Line-in (??)... Recently I purchased a small mixer. Not sure if that was necessary.

Anyway, I too am looking at the H4 (latest version) and hope that it grabs even loud gigs well. I just don't know for certain whether to grab a feed from the soundmixer, and feed 2 ambient mics as well to this H4... say for a rock concert as an example. I see it accepts 4 channels.

Is this overkill or is there a better way? It would be AWESOME not to run around with 100' of XLR on and off-stage. I need to get the best audio possible with bands, especially when I am NOT going to be fixed using a tripod.

Thanks man, I appreciate your suggestions!

http://starcityfame.com (Roanoke, VA)

Posted 1 month ago # Login to Send PM
composite1
Moderator

Schweers / Star,

Here's a video with one of the Zoom recorders on a windy day at Hawaii's North Shore. I have seen and played with the Zoom recorders at conventions since they came out but never was convinced until now.

Get the Video Plugins

.

Posted 1 month ago # Login to Send PM
starcityfame
Member

thank you composite1. i will likely get and test one of these to see how well it handles a blasting concert. it seems to do well on the windy beach. still not sure how it handles hi db's though, and would need to experiment on placement...

i read EarlC's post just before to NOT to go line in with XLR off the board to the camera. i guess that's why my audio came out distorted even though the gain was set as low as one or two bars on the display. live and learn. (lucky the camera audio still works.)

Posted 1 month ago # Login to Send PM
composite1
Moderator

Star,

You're welcome. That fuzzy muff made such clean recording possible. Far as 'running audio inline from mixer to camera via XLR isn't such a hot idea without a field mixer. The typical audio you get from the mainboard is usually Master out so it's mixed with whatever the engineer gives you. If you have a field mixer then you can far more control over the sound going into your camera.

During a concert, attenuators are mandatory because there is just too much 'wild sound' bombarding your mics. So for your 'cut cameras' don't forget the attenuation and fuzzy muffs.

Posted 1 month ago # Login to Send PM
EarlC
Moderator

I place them around like audio recording "bombs" picking sweet spots on speakers, next to performers or instruments and setting them accordingly. The 4s are cool, but I've really saved the bacon time and again with the 2s and they are sweet for the price.

Another thing I've done is dedicate one to the board (these things have a line in) and taken my chances with that as well as using the others for my usual setup. I almost always come out with difficulties from the board hookup. Eternal optimist, I guess. Composite shared some good with you and you know where I stand. Sorry so late in responding, but have been going at it around here last couple of days.

Posted 1 month ago # Login to Send PM
Kemper
Member

Earl,

You mentioned using a hard wired Mic with the H2. What mic do you use?

Posted 1 month ago # Login to Send PM
EarlC
Moderator

Mostly lapel mics - Sony ECM (or is that PCM) models. I also have set it up with my Azden wireless system with excellent results. I use a couple of Azden handhelds hardwired to it, and wireless, and I have a Sennheiser shotgun (cannot remember the model No. off top of my head but it isn't the more expensive ones.

A lot depends on what you want to record - instruments, vocals (a combination usually, I know) close mic, ambient, general background sounds, speakers. Most of the mid-range mics and the longtime Shure faves work well. I am not as happy with the intensity of the electret (condenser) battery powered mics - too sensitive. Probably dynamic mics or shotguns - the shorter ones.

Sweetwater sound, guitar center, musicians friend and Sam Ash are good places to check out. Also B&H Photo Video. Prices are all over the board, but you probably do not want to purchase the low-end jobbies at Radio Shack. Stick with brands such as Sure SM57 & SM58s longtime favorites.

The Audix i5 is a good dynamic instrument mic I have used. They run about same as the 57-58 in the $100 range. I have one Electrovoice RE-20, but you're talking close to 5 bills for that one. I've got/used other stuff but those are pretty much the ones I've plugged into the H2 - adapters of course.

Posted 1 month ago # Login to Send PM
starcityfame
Member

Thanks to both EarlC and Composite1 - I will experiment much the same Mr Earl, running a combination to this H2 or H4 (if the H2 has XLR in, tho I do have a Peavey unit that switches up RCA, TRS, and XLR ins and outs with a db cutter) and I can then pull sound to it using mics, boardmix and/or direct sound to the Zoom... You said you connect lapel mics, that's interesting. It hadn't occured to me! (You know sometimes it's all about how MacGuyver we can get!!) Perhaps lapel mics are easier than handhelds placed on mic stands, if I can figure out a way to set them up. My fear is people knocking over micstands, as I don't have a "crew" keeping an eye on things. (All the interns seem to want to fetch coffee for the television stations!! I am still looking for these ambitious interns, LOL! Believe me, I have work for them - and a good one would score big-time with me!)

Anyway, this gig in NC seems to be off as the artists failed to respond in over a week and I took another (local) assignment. I guess $600-700 was too much for a 3 1/2 one-way trip to shoot a full show with pro-audio and 2 cameras. (Plus editing and DVD.) They haven't even paid the balance of a work completed (not shipped, tho I cannot use their product). I think I will begin asking for full price at the start of a job - a story for another thread. Meanwhile, the new gig will be a band also... I do a lot of them in Roanoke, VA. And so it is always my greatest concern to capture good audio.

Thank you both again for addressing the H2 and H4. It'll be a worthwhile peice of gear I think.

Posted 1 month ago # Login to Send PM
EarlC
Moderator

The Zoom H2 does not have XLR. You'll have to adapt to that one. The H4 does, but for the price I opted to adapt to the H2 mini inputs.

Posted 1 month ago # Login to Send PM
starcityfame
Member

10-4 earl... might be wiser to afford 2 of the h2's rather than 1 x h4... makes sense. thank you again!

Posted 1 month ago # Login to Send PM
danosongs
Member

Well I can vouch for the H4 - I have recorded in lots of nice studios and I think the H4 can capture an acoustic performance as good as any. Its really quite amazing. I have a few songs on my home page like "crowd in the palace" and "everything begins" that I recorded with the H4.

Dan O'Connor
Royalty Free Music Producer
http://www.danosongs.com

Posted 1 month ago # Login to Send PM
vanlam
Member

I have the H4N, and I love it. The built-in mic is surprisingly good and using it with an external mic is even better. Haven't used any of the extra features (USB interface, etc), but nice to know they're there.

Two Cut Films
http://www.twocutfilms.com

Posted 2 weeks ago # Login to Send PM