Comments on: Zoom H4n unboxing

By: Maciej Miąsik

Maciej Miąsik — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 16:14:16 +0000

Private video – cannot watch.

By: beneaththecastle

beneaththecastle — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 16:14:16 +0000

I think in Brad's samples the D50 gives a more pleasing reproduction of his voice. But in my own tests with the H4n — listening to my own samples through a set of studio monitors — I don't hear any unbalanced tones, provided the preamp gain and microphone distance are appropriate for whatever i'm trying to capture. Also, Brad's guitar recorded with the D50 sounds too dark for my tastes — when he slides his fingers down the fretboard you can hardly hear it, but with the H4n it's quite audible.

But in all honesty, I think each of these devices sounds very good. It comes down to the price; and just I don't hear ~$150US difference to justify the Sony, not to mention the extra $500 (!) needed for proper XLR inputs.

By: Kabot

Kabot — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 16:14:15 +0000

No need for Sony.
For voice repro, get the Zoom.
Sounds really great for voice.
RE20 in external kicks booty!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:26:09 +0000

Had my Zoom H4n for a month now. I use it for recording band rehersals and live gigs. It's awesome IMO. The ability to record the condenser mics to one stereo file whilst simultaneously recording the 2 xlr's to a separate stereo file (eg a desk feed) is the killer feature for me. Once the 2 stereo files are on my pc I can mix them together to get the best of both worlds.

By: Kabot

Kabot — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 08:22:34 +0000

No need for Sony.
For voice repro, get the Zoom.
Sounds really great for voice.
RE20 in external kicks booty!

By: beneaththecastle

beneaththecastle — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 22:54:32 +0000

I think in Brad’s samples the D50 gives a more pleasing reproduction of his voice. But in my own tests with the H4n — listening to my own samples through a set of studio monitors — I don’t hear any unbalanced tones, provided the preamp gain and microphone distance are appropriate for whatever i’m trying to capture. Also, Brad’s guitar recorded with the D50 sounds too dark for my tastes — when he slides his fingers down the fretboard you can hardly hear it, but with the H4n it’s quite audible.

But in all honesty, I think each of these devices sounds very good. It comes down to the price; and just I don’t hear ~$150US difference to justify the Sony, not to mention the extra $500 (!) needed for proper XLR inputs.

By: Nick

Nick — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 23:16:21 +0000

to beneaththecastle what do you think of Brad’s samples of H4n, D50 and H4 through headphones?
To me H4n sounds over equalised (its like setting high frequency beyond the scale). Sony is smooth, more balanced and has more quality to it. Zoom h4 sounds fine at certain areas but seems to have wow/flutter like digital jitter – is the SD card not compatible or not tested; its chopping.

By: Anders M.

Anders M. — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:32:27 +0000

The H4n have too much handeling noise and background noise. I’ve only tested the build in microphones, and after reading all the ‘hiss’ talk on the other blog I could not believe that it was true. I really trusted the H4n to be what I wanted it to be. I can comfirm the noise is real, especially the handeling noise.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:20:41 +0000

your not going to perform any miracles are you. Its gonna sound the same Shit!!
So why bother?HISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

By: beneaththecastle

beneaththecastle — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 07:51:39 +0000

I actually unboxed my own one of these the other day. I spent today wandering around the university with some friends, recording whatever strange noises we came across. It's actually kind of embarrassing. At least with a camera people know what you're doing!

First impressions (and this is only using the built-in mics) are very positive. Captures voice beautifully, and does a surprisingly good job with environments (particularly some unique wind tones that I was almost certain would come out all mushy).