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Reverted edits by Oikindoes (Talk); changed back to last version by DanH
[[Image:Zoom H4.JPG|right|thumb|The H4 is shorter than a pencil.]]
The '''H4 Handy Recorder''' is [[Zoom (audio company)|Zoom]]'s handheld [[digital audio recorder]], featuring built-in [[condensor microphone]]s in an [[Stereo#X-Y_technique:_intensity_stereophony|X-Y stereo]] pattern<ref>"In crossed X-Y miking, two cardioid mikes are placed one across the other ... with their elements as close together as possible.... The advantage of crossed X-Y miking is a more pronounced stereo separation than available from a stereo mike." [http://www.videomaker.com/article/1758/]</ref>. Recordings are stored on an [[SD card]] (128MB supplied), or via a [[USB]] cable to a computer running [[digital audio workstation]] software (Cubase LE supplied).
Basic 4-track recordings are possible in the field, easily accomplished
with the built-in mikes. Each of two additional input ports accepts XLR or 1/4 inch cables for external mikes or instruments.
The H4 records in either of two modes, stereo or 4-track. In stereo mode, the user has the option of WAV or compressed ([[MP3]]) format. With a 2GB card, up to 95 hours of speech-quality recording is possible, or 3 hours of [[CD-quality]] music.
==Stereo mode==
In stereo mode, the user has a wide choice of sound quality, with lower quality also taking much less room on the storage card. Only 44.1 KHz 16-bit recordings can be imported into 4-track mode. All stereo recordings share a single folder, and on playback are sequenced as one continuous output stream (no hesitation or pops between files).
Stereo recording is done through the on-board mics or by external inputs. Each input port accepts 1/4 inch or XLR plugs. A single musician can record himself playing guitar or electronic piano, while singing.
==4-track mode==
Four-track recordings can be made one or two tracks at a time. When recording in stereo, only tracks 1 & 2 or tracks 3 & 4 can be chosen. WAV recordings made in stereo mode can be imported into a project folder.
When recording, on one or two tracks, the other tracks may be played back simultaneously (see [[multi-track recording]]).
Each track can be individually panned, to create a stereo image.
Any or all tracks can be mixed down to a stereo bounce file. This can be the last step in mixing, or an intermediate step down to free up other tracks.
==Reviews==
Bruce Bartlett wrote:
* The Zoom H4 is more flexible than competing units, but as a consequence, it requires more button pressing to operate.... In general, the H4 is harder to operate than dedicated stereo recorders but offers more features. [http://www.proaudioreview.com/pages/s.0035/t.514.html]
==Notes==
<references/>
==External links==
*[http://www.proaudioreview.com/pages/s.0035/t.514.html Pro Audio Review] by Bruce Bartlett, 11.15.2005
*[http://www.videomaker.com/article/13176/ Videomaker Review] by Brian Peterson, March 2007
[[Category:Technology]]