Difference between revisions of "H4 Handy Recorder"
(it reads like an advert and why is there an article on this specific product when there isn't even one on digital recorders in general?) |
DavidB4-bot (talk | contribs) (→Stereo mode: Spelling/Grammar Check, typos fixed: 44.1 KHz → 44.1 kHz) |
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[[Image:Zoom H4.JPG|right|thumb|The H4 is shorter than a pencil.]] | [[Image:Zoom H4.JPG|right|thumb|The H4 is shorter than a pencil.]] | ||
| − | The '''H4 Handy Recorder''' is [[Zoom (company)|Zoom]]'s handheld [[digital audio recorder]], featuring built-in [[condensor microphone]]s in an [[Stereo#X- | + | The '''H4 Handy Recorder''' is [[Zoom (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 | Basic 4-track recordings are possible in the field, easily accomplished | ||
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==Stereo mode== | ==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 | + | 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. | 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. | ||
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==Reviews== | ==Reviews== | ||
Bruce Bartlett wrote: | 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. <ref>http://www.proaudioreview.com/pages/s.0035/t.514.html</ref> | + | * 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.<ref>http://www.proaudioreview.com/pages/s.0035/t.514.html</ref> |
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
Latest revision as of 16:22, July 19, 2016
The H4 Handy Recorder is Zoom's handheld digital audio recorder, featuring built-in condensor microphones in an X-Y stereo pattern.[1] 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 44.1Â 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.[2]
Notes
- â "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." [1]
- â http://www.proaudioreview.com/pages/s.0035/t.514.html
External links
- Videomaker Review by Brian Peterson, March 2007