Zoom H4 Handy Recorder

Includes AC adapter, windshield cover, USB cable. Uses SD (Secure Digital) cards only.

Overall User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * . . . . 6 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10

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"Amazing sound, so easy to use and WOW it is so compact."

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
 
 
 
Feature:
I like the tripod holder. The screen is a little small and it would be great if you could have the backlight stay on and not turn off after a few seconds.

Quality:
I think the quality is great. Time will tell how well it holds up. I can't see any quality issues with this unit so far.

Value:
I don't know of any other product out there like this. It may seem rather expensive when you look at it and then look at the price. Try it out...hear the results and checkout other digital recording equipment out there. It would cost much more to set other equipment with the same capability and sound quality as the H4. All that and it fits in the palm of your hand!

Desirability:
I think it looks cool. In one respect it looks simple with its few buttons and display screen. On the other hand, it looks a little futuristic with its design of the crossing microphones.

Sound:
The quality of sound that this thing records is amazing. The mics are very good. I have recorded live piano music so far and if you didn't know it was a recording, you would swear that you were listening to a live performance.

Ease of Use:
This is so simple to use it is rediculous. Its like using a point and shoot camera. If you can use a digital camera, you can use this thing. It has a lot of other fetures that i haven't used and may never need. Those may take more experisnce to use but for simple record... just point and shoot.

Support:
I haven't had to use support yet... which speaks well of the the ease of use and the quality of the product.

Overall:
For what I need it for... which is recording piano solos and concerts, band practices and ensembles and creating demo CDs, I don't think I will need anything else. Plus, I can hook up my ouw mics if should choose to go that route.

28 of 28 people (100%) found this review helpful. Did you?

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"I love it!!!!!"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * . . . . 6 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
 
 
 
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Feature:
The SD card was the first thing I replaced. I use a 2 gig card and I can record for hours and hours. The batteries don't last very long, maybe 3 hours. I wish they lasted longer.

Quality:
Does seem a little cheap. I agree that the switches could be better however I am sure that would increase the price. I have had my recorder for about a year and carry it in my computer case and have had no problem.

Value:
I believe it is well worth the price. Compaired to what it would cost for other equipment, mics, software etc. for the sound quality it is worth every penny.

Desirability:
Everyone I have showed it to loves it!

Sound:
The sound is the best part of this recorder. I use it to record my big band (17) and I can hear every instrument. I have also used it to record my country band (5) and the sound is just as good as what we recorded in a studio. It recorded my big band better than a professional dat recorder with 9 mics!

Ease of Use:
For what I use it for it is very easy to use. I have not used the additional mic in puts

Support:
Don't know never had to call

Overall:
I have found exactly what I was looking for. It would have to be somthing really drasticly better for me to purchase somthing else.

23 of 23 people (100%) found this review helpful. Did you?

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"A great value and a cool product"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Feature:
I would have liked to have seen a microphone stand adapter, but the tripod adapter is very useful. Small tripods are available dirt cheap, and very helpful in isolating the unit and putting the built-in microphones in free air for best performance.

Quality:
A padded case, such as a one designed for a portable game device, is a cheap investment in adding some protection. Being mostly plastic, the device itself could probably easily break in a fall from any height. The battery cover seems easily breakable, as well. I take extra care not to stress its clasp when changing batteries or removing the SD memory card.

Value:
I believe that the price is a bargain for the breakthrough capabilities of this unit. Add in all the special capabilities in regards to powering external microphones and guitar effects, and it is a tremendous bargain if you value those capabilities. I do.

Desirability:
It is really one of only a handful of consumer level digital audio recorders at this time. If you have a need for a digital audio recorder to record music, or a multi-track recorder to compose your own works...you have to have it or one of the competing products. It is the logical replacement for minidiscs and PC software for those purposes.

Sound:
The sound in the .wav settings is phenomenal. There is currently an issue with 256k and VBR settings on .mp3 recording, which is to be addressed shortly with a firmware upgrade. When on battery power, there is a very quiet noise tone picked up from the electronics in all but the highest quality setting, but it is way down there. It is not present when on AC power. It has not been noticeable on any of my recordings, unless I'm recording a dead quiet room and listening hard for it.

Ease of Use:
Using the built-in microphones is simply a question of selecting the mode (mp3, wav, etc), and the bit rate. Once that is done, the settings are retained. Recording is just a matter of pushing the big button once to observe levels, and again to start recording, and again to stop recording. It could not be simpler.

Support:
I have had no interaction, but from reports I've read and looking at their web presence, I have no fears about support.

Overall:
A better or more versitile product is always possible, but I am 100% certain I will use this for many years unless it breaks.

3 of 3 people (100%) found this review helpful. Did you?

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"Definitley worth checking out."

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
 
 
 
Feature:
It would have made more sense, in my opinion, if the included mount attached to a mic stand, rather than camera tripod. In any case, it's not a huge deal.

Quality:
Pulling it out of the box it immediately felt cheap. Let's be real. It's so inexpensive, they had to cut corners somewhere. That said, the built in mics were sounded surprisingly good and the quality of the recordings really blew me away.

Value:
I have to say, this was a somewhat trepidacious purchase for me, not because of cost, but because so few sites/reviews discuss ANY of the portable recorder's ability to record LOUD rock rehearsals. I was worried that this would be overloaded by the volume levels. It was not. It performed well. In fact, I had the input levels (on the side) at M and the input levels at about 80% and there was no distortion at all. (I used 2 well placed SM57s to record the full band. I can hear every instrument. I'm really quite amazed. The XLR/1/4" inputs are really handy and phantom power? Great! I haven't used that yet though, I'll be trying it out soon. This product does exactly what I hoped it would do, and does it really well. I might have paid an extra $100 though for a sturdier unit and a better interface. Be warned: the type is TINY.

Desirability:
$100 cheaper than its nearest competitor. Full 48v Phantom Power. Neutrik inputs. Very inexpensive SD media and USB? It doesn't get much better. This is a great deal.

Sound:
It's too soon for me to say, but my experience so far was really surprising. I didn't expect the sound to be so good.

Ease of Use:
I was up and running with this unit in no time. I didn't read the manual at all. Fairly easy to do, however, I agree with someone else here who mentioned that using the stick (front center) and the wheel (top right side) was a little confusing at first.

Support:
I've had no experience with Zoom/Samson.

Overall:
I wanted to get this review out to those, like me, who weren't sure about this product. I was really surprised by the quality of the recordings that I was able to achieve with very little effort. I haven't experimented with the compression, 4 tracking, or simulation, but this worked like a charm for recording a very LOUD rock band rehearsal. I just hope the thing holds up to lots of use.

5 of 5 people (100%) found this review helpful. Did you?

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"Live Cantonese opera and ambient environment work"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
 
 
 
Feature:
I was puzzled, working with a rental and 6 pages of cheat sheets that it was so hard, maybe impossible to delete a file I did not want. Later, wehn hooked up to a computer it was easy to delete copy paste rename files in the hd from the computer. The accessory package was great and well thought out. When we bought one and saw the full manual I found it to be clear and extensive. I loved the crossed mike system, its a classic UK approach and gives great definition and made my mediocre ears happy. Negatives, you cannot update the OS without the auxiliary power supply hooked up. My colleague bought one on my recommendation and brought it over to update without the power supply. I was suprised at how many of my 9v adaptors were either too hot or too low for the 300 ma requirements. We did not dare risk using a 200 or a 500 for the delicate task of upgrading the os. Why wont it boot upgrade from batteries? I also think big files on cd quality eat batteries and we went with the new lithium rechargeables (4x longer) because I don't think you'll get 4 hours continous file at 44 rate on alkalines. Carry a spare set for a work day in the field.

Quality:
For rugged fieldwork I'd like rubberized buttons and some light rain protection. I think there is a market for someone making a silicon case for these. But its so cheap buy a backup one! The accessory kit needs a belt pouch. My teenage daughter thought it was a bit big for someone raised in ipod land. I laughed at teh mickey mouse camera cradle and then was amazed at how easy it waas to use and how simple it was to borrow anyone's camera tripod and use it.

Value:
Fabulous

Desirability:
This is break through gear. All it needs is someone making a waterproof or matel case for field work to bring it into film work big time.

Sound:
I used this on a camera stand to record a Cantonese Opera company. The drums had nice bass tone and the crashing cymbals and high metallic hits didn't phase it. It did a good job on the 12 striong players and picked up the already miked through PA singers with nioce definition. With almost new batteries it died after 1 hour 40 minutes at cd quality and in one 1.2 gig audio file, no gimmicks on. Worried i changed the batteries later and bingo the file was there uncorrupted. It was a piece of cake to drag and drop in sound forger or to play files from it via usb through my audio station. I also heard some pretty good ambient field work (waves with wind on a pebble beach) so the windscreen works okay. This unit was ver 1.30 and there is now a 2.3 or some such driver on the website and cubase and asio updates.

Ease of Use:
In the world of Ipod wheels I found the menu button and jog wheel that clicks on the side odd and not what I wanted in a fluid work environment. If they had that it woudl be perfect in a tactile sense.

Support:
Website www.zoom.co.jp has the updates and clear instructions. Always update yours. Don't trust the battery advice for high end big files: buy some lithium rechargables.

Overall:
Buy this one, not the H2. You wont regret it.

4 of 4 people (100%) found this review helpful. Did you?

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"AMAZING!!!!!!!Every musician should own one."

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10
 
 
 
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Feature:
The LED readout is extremely hard to read. Hope new models will use more of the face-plate area for the LED screen, and use newer, brighter technologies as we see on our cell phones. A built in self adjusting global atomic clock in each unit would be EXTREMELY helpful if you used multiple H4's at an event. This would make synchronizing tracks ad infinitum a cynch in post production, and sell a lot more units to people like me. I hope someone from ZOOM is listening!

Quality:
I have already dropped my unit twice, with pretty hard landing on the mic protecters. Both times caused the battery door to open, spilling the contents. No damage to the unit whatsoever. I'm impressed. It's also pretty forgiving of user error. At 44.1 stereo setting, fresh batteries last about 3 hours, a 2gig card record about 2.5 hours. I have not lost a recording yet due to spent batteries or used up memory.

Value:
Incredible Value. Whatever it's shortcomings, it's probably the best price/benifit item I've ever purchased.

Desirability:
I suppose it could be a little sleaker, but who cares? I've shown it to five people in the last month, and they all bought one within a week (Maybe ZOOM should give me a discount on my next one!)

Sound:
The sound from the built in mics is a bit thin, and the stereo field narrow, BUT: The signal produced with the built in mics has virtually no noise and thus lends itself very well to enhancement (reverb, spatial enhancement, etc...). By judiciously doing so after the live recording, I've gotten results that easily rival the best mics I own ($500-$1000 mics - no kidding!) It's actually a bit annoying!

Ease of Use:
Needs work on the mic stand cradle. Should be attachable to a standard audio mic stand. It is not, but luckily Edirol makes an adaptor that will solve this (for about $30. Attaching the unit to the cradle is awkward, and a bit risky if the velcro straps are not secured very well. This needs work for sure. It's basic operation is "point and shoot" You can be making excellent recordings within minutes of opening the box. From that point on how far you travel the learning curve is up to you.

Support:
Have not gone this route yet.

Overall:
Improvements I would like to see: 1) Improved (quieter)external mic input preamps 2) Digital optical in and outs 3) More readable LED screen 4) Better interface with audio mic stands, including vibration mounts 5) 4gig card supportable 6) Time stamped files using a built in atomic clock for post production syncronization of files from multiple H4s 7) Simultaneous 4 track recording abilty Other than the above, I find this an absolutely amazing unit, at almost any price. $300 is a steal.

2 of 2 people (100%) found this review helpful. Did you?

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"A marvelous little "potato""

Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
 
 
 
Feature:
For what I need it for It has more features than I will ever use. I need it as a sketch pad for musical ideas and to record the concerts that I'm going to this summer. I tried to hook it up to my laptop when I first got it but it isn't compatable with the sound card on my new computer (HP Pavilion dv2109 nr)

Quality:
This is where the H4 really stumbles. The plastic feels really flimsy, the buttons feel cheap, the battery door could break off if not careful, it's odd shaped, and the bag they send with it does nothing more than keep the dust off it. I wish they would make a case for it to give it some kind of protection.

Value:
I haven't used the other similar products on the market but it is the cheapest priced unit out there and the other ZOOM (and Samson) products I own have worked well for me.

Desirability:
The technical aspect of this unit is great. It's amazing all the things this product can do and do well. As far as the sex appeal aspect it's about as sexy as a potato but I don't care. My cell phone, I-pod, and palm pc is enough sexy for me.

Sound:
I haven't used the unit much but for what I need it's sound quality seems to be quite good. I set the unit on my couch and recorded an idea I had on my acoustic guitar. In playback it sounded Quite good.

Ease of Use:
I like the various sound quality options but I think it's a little tedious setting the record levels. But other than that its basically a point and shoot.I don't know about the 4-track option though.

Support:
I haven't had to deal with them yet.

Overall:
As I said before I got this for mainly two different things. When I come up with a new song idea I find it a real pain to go into my studio, power everything up, plug in mics, set levels, program a new song into my recorder and then hit record. It's easier to grab this toy, turn it on, and hit record. For concerts, last year I tried to record on my creative zen sleek mp3 player. Nothing but static. I am sure this will work alot better.

4 of 4 people (100%) found this review helpful. Did you?

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"The little recorder that can"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
 
 
 
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Feature:
If anything, the unit has too many features. It even has a built-in metronome (does ANYONE use that?) The dowside of so many gadgets hanging off it is that you have to navigate lots of menus to get what you care about. But the things that I care about (easy stereo recoring, multitrack recoring for occasional use) are there. I do wish that multitrack recording could support 96 KHZ at 24 bits, as you can do in stereo mode. Other than that, it's all inside...

Quality:
The unit's construction is on the cheap side. The menu toggle on the front is cheesy and the door to the battery/SD card access worries me every time I have to open it. But the built-in mics are well-protected and it has held up so far (a few months of use). For the price, it's as good construction as you would expect, but no better.

Value:
The included Cubase and ability to use the unit as an audio interface for your computer to make a poor man's DAW really place this unit in a class by itself. The field recorder aspects are the bread and butter that have to be good enough for the unit to be worth buying at all. The unit satisfies in all these ways.

Desirability:
This gets a lot of jobs done pervfectly acceptably at a price that keeps you happy. It's sexiness (if that's even the right word) is in its utlity and price.

Sound:
For the size, the built-in mics are excellent and the fact that you can plug condensor mics into the unit and draw 48V phantom power for them is outstanding. Don't expect the noise floor of a large unit, but it is quite acceptable, especially if used with wall power.

Ease of Use:
For the usual things you do, it's easy. Changing the current settings is a pain, as indicated above. But, usually, you just set and forget. The unit remebers the last settings, which makes it quite acceptable. It would be nice if the volume indication was more readable from a distance and if the unit had an LED to indicate clipping. Otherwise, it is mostly user-friendly.

Support:
The company web site is useful. There are good end-user web sites (http://www.2090.org/zoom/bbs/viewforum.php?f=15 is worth checking out both beore and after you buy). I have not tried to talk to a living human for support, however.

Overall:
This little beast does a lot. If you aren't interested in creating your own multi-thousand dollar studio, this will allow you to record practices and performances, make a demo CD, and even do nature field recordings if that is your desire. For those of us who don't aspire to becoming sound engineers, it is a marvel. Buy the Samson C02s with it, and you have an incredibly versatile recording capability for a lttle over $400.

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"Amazing compact recording studio.&q