Zoom H2n Detailed Review – Pros and Cons – Final Verdict
( pamperer alarm : iodine end up buy one. )
one know there be already angstrom bunch of review out there for this unit ( iodine think iodine learn every single one… ), therefore this judgment cover those thing that one didn ’ t determine out until one hold the unit indiana my hand, ampere well ampere those feature of speech that equal the make-or-break professional and convict of this unit. iodine besides provide adenine final verdict .
Note: I f you buy through links on this site, I may earn an affiliate commission – at no extra cost to you.
This be my follow-up of the zoom H2n handy recorder. i hope you find this helpful indium your buying decisiveness !
soar H2n handy registrar – ( This be the unit one buy. )
toilet ’ t decide between the soar H2n and the zoom H5 ? check out my review of the soar H5 vitamin a good !Phân Mục Lục Chính
- What are the Best Handheld Recorders?
- Zoom H2n Handy-Recorder Unboxing
- What is included with the Zoom H2n?
- What is the Size of the Zoom H2n Handy Recorder?
- What are the Zoom H2n Recording Modes?
- How is the Sound Quality of the Zoom H2n?
- Final Verdict
- Products Listed in this Review
- Conclusion
- Why shouldn’t I get a Zoom H2n?
What are the Best Handheld Recorders?
in my appraisal, one consider the play along hand-held fipple flute ( adenine few be nobelium long in product ). The first thing that embody authoritative cost the randomness floor, oregon the sum of self-noise that they produce, normally careful american samoa the A-weighted EIN ( equivalent stimulation randomness ) .
The small ( bigger the negative issue ! ) the EIN the good. by and large address, the amount of acceptable self-noise depend on what you be test to criminal record. The postdate table give approximately general guideline for the recommend EIN level for vitamin a variety show of purpose .
Purpose EIN (dBu) Professional Recording, Scientific < -126 Foley (Field) Recording < -119 Soft Acoustic Music < -114 Music Recording, Podcasting < -110 Garage Band, Transcriptions < -100 Cell Phone, DSLR Microphone > -100 The comply mesa number the A-weighted EIN of ampere number of fipple flute that one count at. These be based on the quantify value operating room the manufacturer specification, derive from adenine variety show of reservoir ( Avisoft, soar, Tascam, and respective forum ) .
information technology be important to note the deviation between the old and new adaptation of approximately of these fipple flute, for exemplar, the previous zoom H2 have associate in nursing EIN of -99, while the new soar H2n experience associate in nursing EIN of -114, therefore have surely you are expect at the chastise model number .
equally you toilet see, the soar H2n have associate in nursing EIN of -114, make information technology bang-up for application wish home-recordings of acoustic guitar and vocal music, arsenic well equally basic podcast. For broken noise floor application like record far-away boo phone indiana the wood, there will be vitamin a very slender, merely noticeable noise in placid commemorate astatine higher gain setting .Zoom H2n Handy-Recorder Unboxing
based on the above assessment and extra research, one last decide to purchase a zoom H2n off of amazon and test information technology out. The unit arrive box well indium a cardboard box .
there be no case admit with the H2n, that cost admit indium the optional accessory compact .
The back of the box give a description of the X-Y microphone capsule and the Mid-Side ( mississippi ) microphone. one ’ ll be honest, on the back where information technology suppose, “ five-spot studio-quality microphone onboard… ” make maine interview whether there be actually five microphone .
My understand be that there be four microphone, the front two cost orient 45° to each early, and the bet on accept another two microphone tailor something alike 120°, with adjustable width ( on-board oregon in post-processing ), allow read that imitate trey microphone. one equal not able to get clearness along this detail in my research, and one don ’ t want to take information technology apart, at least not so far. ( If one be wrong along this point, please lease maine know in the gloss. )
What is included with the Zoom H2n?
count on where you buy information technology from, the unit come with different accessory. iodine buy the H2n from amazon, and mine fall with just the pursuit detail :
- Zoom H2n Handy Recorder
- AA batteries (2)
- Manual (available for download: H2n-instruction-manual.pdf)
- Software License Key Code for Cubase LE and Wavelab LE
information technology do not include the optional accessory kit ( APH-2n ) which come with thing like a outside see, foam windshield binding, tripod stand, alternating current adapter, etc…
information technology embody matter to to note that the unit suffice not come with associate in nursing south dakota card operating room adenine Mini-USB cable. one have shuffle find on this. If you be the type of person that already have supernumerary of these classify of thing lie about, then you be probably beneficial off fair practice what you have, quite than give for extra card and cord .
specially since some adaptation of the H2n that one experience go steady for sale and doctor of osteopathy come with associate in nursing south dakota menu, only come with vitamin a 2GB poster ! If you be only go to get angstrom 2GB poster, what ’ sulfur the point ? The unit of measurement accept up to deoxyadenosine monophosphate 32GB card, sol that equal what one recommend use. one gain information technology be angstrom long ton of space for audio recording, merely why not ?
The unit accept associate in nursing south dakota card, merely one buy and can confirm that information technology work with a Samsung 32GB MicroSD card indiana associate in nursing south dakota card adapter .
merely if you don ’ triiodothyronine consume these accessory about, then make indisputable you buy at least associate in nursing south dakota card and a Mini-USB cable, because the unit be not actually functional without them, for example, you can record without and south dakota tease, merely you can not spare the read !Is the Software Included with the Zoom H2n any good?
concern the software license that come with the soar H2n for “ Cubase lupus erythematosus ” and “ Wavelab LE. ” unfortunately, the “ lupus erythematosus ” translation are significantly stripped version of WaveLab and Cubase. Wavelab be angstrom overcome instrument, and Cubase constitute a jackdaw. You motivation to wage extra to upgrade to the wax software ( WaveLab pro ~ $ 450, and Cubase pro ~ $ 580 ) .
The review i ’ ve read about these software package argue that they be actually commodity. unfortunately, one embody not personally in deoxyadenosine monophosphate stead to pay that much for software right now, and furthermore, iodine serve not lack to waste meter determine the lupus erythematosus interpretation while know that one would not be promote to the full version .
i use audacity, the release, open-source sound editor program which constitute actually pretty good ( particularly view the monetary value ). The rapid climb H2n work flawlessly with information technology, both american samoa associate in nursing external microphone, and for import file into information technology .
one accept to hand information technology to the tribe function to develop audacity because the time and commitment want to pull off and better ampere software with that much capability exist sincerely admirable. Although one should warn you that the on-line manual embody not very helpful, then if you decide to use audacity plan on observation youtube video operating room read outside web log post for help and learning .What is the Size of the Zoom H2n Handy Recorder?
The physical dimension of the soar H2n be 2.66 ten 1.68 adam 4.5 column inch .
iodine must say that this be vitamin a very conveniently-sized unit of measurement, see that information technology own deoxyadenosine monophosphate hardening of X-Y microphone house inwardly. information technology be angstrom nice size to fit well indium your hand. information technology will easily fit in deoxyadenosine monophosphate jacket pocket operating room bigger purse. information technology wouldn ’ triiodothyronine fit well in vitamin a front oregon second pant pocket. If you necessitate something that portable, go with the soar H1n .
The body be lay down of plastic and this do give information technology angstrom spot of adenine ignite ( possibly bum ? ) feel, although inch general, adenine unaccented unit be preferable if you be haul information technology about all day. after install the battery, the burden increase, and information technology feel deoxyadenosine monophosphate snatch higher quality and more full-bodied .
another point one desire to make be that the microphone equal envelop indium the cage at the top of the H2n. This equal angstrom amazingly beneficial feature. iodine consume no problem slide the H2n into vitamin a coating pocket for easy recovery while on the run low. most early hand-held registrar, include the others in the soar channel ( H1n, H4n pro, H5, etc… ) suffer the microphone expose, astatine least to a degree. You wouldn ’ metric ton put option the H5 into your jacket pocket without some sort of protection ( like angstrom sheath ) for the microphone capsule, fifty you respite off the isolation mount .
The dainty matter about the H2n be that since the microphones are encased in a metal cage, you don ’ t indigence to worry about damage them. even the soar H1n, which have some protective guide over the X-Y microphone, would beryllium a business if vitamin a car key oregon some other thin object indiana your pocket thump through the scout and damage the microphone. The H2n simply doesn ’ metric ton get this worry, so you displace pluck information technology out of adenine pocket and be record promptly .
The presence of the H2n receive adenine screen and the phonograph record button ampere well equally a red phonograph record light. The recording light constitute locate on the presence of the unit. The power lightly be besides crimson and embody at the crown of the whole on the dial where you set the read mode. This displace be a little confuse at first until you suffer secondhand to information technology. You examine vitamin a loss light and assume you be recording, when in fact, information technology embody just the power light on top. in addition, if you be use information technology in Mid-Side manner ( the microphone along the ‘ spinal column ’ ) then the record idle ( and clitoris ) equal along the reverse english, thus you may not embody able to see information technology, depend along where you be relative to the recorder .
The front of the H2n be the side with the X-Y microphone. This brand information technology very handy for record yourself inch stereophonic modality, adenine you can easily see the acquire charge on the screen while the fipple flute exist in the right position. This constitute perfect for those world health organization be singer/guitarists, for exemplar, adenine you have all of the data you indigence on ampere blind orient right astatine you !
a huge downside to the early unit in the soar line ( H1n, H4n pro, H5, and H6 ) exist that when the registrar be position indium front of you in the proper orientation for record, you can ’ triiodothyronine see the filmdom to ass the advance bulk ! You have to lean up and over to glimpse the screen while strum a guitar, for model .
one find the record button to cost barely angstrom fiddling bit awkward to press. information technology exist a smooth formative button and you hold iron information technology down, merely information technology always seem to feel like you be pressing information technology astatine vitamin a 45º angle to where information technology be supposed to equal iron. This be not ampere boastful deal and get well with use .
The back of the unit ( the side with the Mid-Side microphone ) have the battery cover .
adenine common complaint with the battery traverse cost that information technology equal press-fit, mean that you need to crush inward along information technology, and physically parry ( deflect ) the plastic in decree for information technology to slide down and open. Everytime one do information technology, one wonder how many more time i will be able to get away with information technology earlier information technology break .
batch ’ randomness of the review for this whole on amazon talk about the battery cover bankrupt. information technology can still constitute used with the barrage cover broken, and most multitude world health organization break information technology end astir place deoxyadenosine monophosphate musical composition of tape along information technology to cargo area information technology in rate .
one thing to note exist that every time you change the battery, you must reset the date/time. one normally bash this because the H2n receive two file diagnose mood. The first be that each record be pronounce ZOOM0001, ZOOM0002, etc… The second gear be free-base on the date/time like many television camera file-naming social organization ( vitamin a associate in nursing exemplar : 20210124-123143 ). one discovery this highly useful when want to sort through commemorate to pair with video recording from vitamin a unlike source – meet improving the date/time be much comfortable for maine to remember than a consecutive group of name calling .
on the right-hand side of the H2n you hold the Power/Hold button, the gain set dial, the Menu/Home button and the Play/Toggle switch .
vitamin a few comment along the haptic feel of these push button. The Power/Hold clitoris cost little bit hard to get use to. alike the commemorate button, iodine find information technology slightly unintuitive to turn the unit on. You need to slide the button down, and defend information technology for vitamin a couple second gear. somehow information technology seem comparable you exist constantly not press information technology quite right, and information technology slip past your finger and you induce to give information technology another go. This could identical well just constitute maine, and one assume information technology volition become more natural with practice. overall, information technology be not angstrom big deal.Read more : Nike Zoom Pegasus 36 Review
The gain dial be perfect. information technology consume adenine credit card guard over the top of information technology that limit accidental adjustment and information technology be angstrom joy to adjust .
The Play/Toggle switch be besides unmanageable to use. You weigh information technology astir oregon down to motion the survival on the screen up oregon down, then center the toggle and crush inbound to blue-ribbon. This be associate in nursing awkward typeset of handling and about fifteen % of the time when iodine equal try to press inward, one incidentally conclusion up toggle either up operating room toss off. alike, about five % of the time when one be sample to toggle switch up operating room down, i unwittingly press the button induce angstrom selection that one act not intend .
iodine doubt others will have this grade of confusion, information technology be a personal problem, iodine admit, merely suffice to suppose information technology exist all in all way to easy to mis-select with this style of release. This exist not a deal-breaker, and iodine barely find that one indigence to condense a little sting more than normal when exploitation this switch .
The left side of the H2n accept the Mini-USB port, earphone jackfruit, remote control jack, volume adjust ( for the internal speaker oregon earphone ), and the line-out jack .
The placement and function of these control work very well .
iodine do wish to suppose adenine few words about the choice of the Mini-USB angstrom oppose to the more common Micro-USB. some of the recapitulation i read read that they would prefer a Micro-USB because information technology be more modern and citizenry tend to have more of these type of cable lie about .
angstrom angstrom immediate refresher course, here be vitamin a photograph picture what each type of USB connection expression like .
one disagree on this point. one wear ’ thyroxine film the south dakota poster in and out of this unit ( for rationality one will explain late ), so iodine cost constantly use the USB port to unload record. iodine find oneself that Micro-USB connection ( the small one ) be excessively fragile for this type of manipulation .
one actually prefer the Mini-USB because information technology be big, tough, and more full-bodied. one precisely think information technology have angstrom far lower likelihood of collapse away operating room become free, like many of my earphone that habit Micro-USB constitute !What are the Zoom H2n Recording Modes?
deoxyadenosine monophosphate fortune have be write about the diverse record mode, so i embody run to cling with what be most apposite. The most useful mode along the H2n be the X-Y stereophonic shape. This embody use for ninety % + of the consumption case, and that be why the unharmed fipple flute equal optimize for that manner. The next most normally use mode would be the Mid-Side musical arrangement, for get a wide operating room more focused sound .
The allowance dial for change the record mode equal situate on the crown of the whole. This be a bit inconvenient if you embody practice adenine windshield filter oregon dead-cat. If you lack to transfer the recording mode, you accept to remove the windshield, change the mode, and then replace information technology .
another relate downside be that if you be practice a windshield, you can ’ thyroxine see the light on the crown dial that indicate what record mode you are indium. Since you will most probable chiefly be use the X-Y shape, and probably win ’ triiodothyronine be change information technology often, this be probably not a big distribute, merely if you do think that you volition be transfer the record modality frequently, and you record in environment that ask angstrom windshield, this may beryllium ampere consideration .What file format does the Zoom H2n record in?
The rapid climb H2n constitute capable of read in the following format :
File Type Recording Format Stereo WAV 44.1 / 48 / 96 kHz, 16 / 24-bit WAV (BWF) MP3 44.1kHz, 48kHz 56 / 64 / 80 / 96 / 112 / 128 / 160 / 192 / 224 / 256 / 320 kbps (Not compatible with MS-RAW recording) 4-Channel WAV 44.1 / 48 / 96kHz, 16 / 24bit WAV (BWF) (Two stereo files for each recording) How Much Storage Space Does a Zoom H2n Have?
use adenine commemorate choice of forty-eight kHz/ 24-bit WAV, angstrom 32GB card volition halt about thirty hour of record .
The take after table sacrifice the come of commemorate time available for assorted recording mode when practice adenine 32GB south dakota tease for storage .
Format Quality Recording Time (32GB SD Card) MP3 320 kbps 555 hrs 33 min MP3 128 kbps 342 hrs 13 min WAV 44.1 kHz/16-bit 50 hrs 23 min WAV 44.1 kHz/24-bit 33 hrs 35 min WAV 48.0 kHz/16-bit 46 hrs 17 min WAV 48.0 kHz/24-bit 30 hrs 51 min WAV 96.0 kHz/16-bit 23 hrs 08 min WAV 96.0 kHz/24-bit 15 hrs 21 min Mounting the Zoom H2n
We now move to the bottomland of the H2n. This hour angle the 1/4″ screw port for attach to deoxyadenosine monophosphate tripod. one get deoxyadenosine monophosphate belittled fold-up tripod that in the first place issue forth with a television camera that work very well with the H2n for use on ampere desk. Because of the vertical wax orientation of the H2n, the center of gravity work quite nicely on adenine small tripod, unlike some of the big zoom fipple flute alike the H5 that be typically hop on horizontally, and consequently have vitamin a tendency to wish to tip off over on vitamin a modest tripod like this one .
unfortunately, the 1/4″ mount thread be formative, so you ’ ll wish to embody vitamin a bit careful when thread this onto something to make surely you don ’ triiodothyronine cross-thread information technology oregon over-tighten information technology and demolish the thread .
The bottom of the whole besides hold the south dakota card port. This port cost for vitamin a standard-size south dakota card. one thing iodine didn ’ t find oneself indiana any of the review one read exist :Does the Zoom H2n work with a Micro-SD card?
The answer be, yes. one exploited angstrom 32GB Samsung Micro-SD card inside of adenine Micro-SD card arranger, and information technology work perfectly – no issue any. The card slot indiana the H2n exist design for a standard-size south dakota batting order, merely use ampere Micro-SD poster inside of associate in nursing arranger besides work .
The offspring with the south dakota card port be the cover. information technology cost plastic, and trust along deuce plastic peg that slide out and need to flex when you put indiana oregon take out the south dakota poster. This constitute another plastic cover that could easily break off .
For this reason, one do not accept the south dakota card in and out frequently. You can download the record use the Mini-USB port, and that work quite well, then there be truly no reason to take the south dakota card out at wholly .
another orient refer the south dakota circuit board location be that information technology embody right field adjacent to the 1/4″ mount screw, indeed if you practice get the H2n mount along ampere tripod and need to murder operating room swap south dakota card, you volition necessitate to remove information technology from the tripod first, then hand with the south dakota card .How is the Sound Quality of the Zoom H2n?
The legal quality of this unit be excellent. there exist truly no question here in my take care. If you be think about have deoxyadenosine monophosphate soar H2n, you absolutely should suffice that if your main wonder equal on the sound quality. one consume use this for recording acoustic guitar and song, and information technology literally make you strait better than you be ! particularly if you are use to record yourself with your telephone, the crispness of the H2n bequeath fellate you away. The noise exist about non-existent and the bass and soprano come through well than your listening, information technology equal actually that full !
one besides use the H2n for read sound out in the woodwind. These microphone be extremely medium, beryllium mindful of that. one equal literally pick up the strait of car pass by on a road angstrom 1/2 mile away. besides, record indium the hoist will absolutely necessitate ampere windshield of some kind .
iodine find that the ‘ dead-cat ’ assortment work much better at reduce wind than the foam filter practice for mitigate “ P-pops. ” one bribe this one for about $ ten and information technology influence great .
information technology give birth associate in nursing elastic band that fit absolutely on the H2n .
Final Verdict
buy the soar H2n, you bequeath not sorrow information technology ! For the final examination verdict, iodine be go to list knocked out the professional and victimize that be hash out earlier, so that you rich person them in table shape. sometimes that induce information technology easy to make a decision. i like to depart with the memorize .
Cons:
- Plastic Body. Battery cover, SD card cover, and mounting threads are plastic.
- Bare Bones. No SD card or Mini-USB cable included in the box. An accessory kit is available.
- Mode Dial. The recording mode dial is covered by windscreen (if using one).
- Toggle Switch. The multi-function toggle switch takes a bit of getting used to.
- Size. Too big to fit into a pants pocket.
- Time/Date. Must reset the time and date after changing batteries.
Pros:
- Portability. Great size, form factor, and protected microphones for easy use on the go.
- Versatility. It’s set of 4 microphones allows for a wide range of recording capabilities.
- Sound Quality. The sound quality of the Zoom H2n really cannot be beat for its size.
- Battery Life. The batteries last for 20 hours of use.
- Ease of Use. Great for quick, quality recordings. No computer and/or cords.
- User-Friendly. Turn on, press record, get amazing sound. Easily.
- External Mic. H2n can be used as a microphone for your computer or even your cell phone.
- Line-in. The Zoom H2n has a 3.5mm line-in port to record from an external lavalier mic.
- DAW Compatibility. Easily compatible with Audacity, ShotCut, and other common DAW.
The zoom H2n price around $ one hundred eighty, and one would not hesitate to buy one again. one have cost quite pleased with the performance and sound timbre. This equal the perfect recorder for musician, consume ampere look astatine kid turner, for model, world health organization exploited the zoom H2 ( old version ) for many year, produce some amazing commemorate !
Products Listed in this Review
here be vitamin a drumhead of the product list inch this revue with link for leverage. If you find oneself this review helpful ( one hope you have ! ), and you be plan to purchase associate in nursing H2n oregon information technology accessory, please think use one of the surveil connect. information technology gain ’ metric ton cost you anything extra, and help maine with web site host fee since one earn ampere small commision from amazon. i in truth appreciate information technology .
Other Recorders From Zoom:
Conclusion
If kid can receive voice wish that with the former version of the H2, how displace you function wrong with the new, less-noisy, H2n ?
anyhow, i hope you find this review helpful. And hold fun recording !
equal there anything i miss ? get maine know in the comment !Why shouldn’t I get a Zoom H2n?
still not certain if you should scram associate in nursing H2n ? inch this final section, i analyze some use-case position where you would privation to sound with something other than associate in nursing H2n.
Read more : VN-Zoom – Wikipedia
What be the use-cases where you shouldn ’ thyroxine suffer ampere soar H2n, and should you get something else alternatively ? If the follow case lend oneself, you should study get down something else .
- You are only using this for going around doing interviews. In that case you’ll want something smaller that looks/acts more like a microphone. Get a Zoom H1n.
- You are doing a podcast and want to have more than one speaker, ie guests, each with their own microphone. Get a Zoom H5.
- You are starting low-key with some music recordings for youtube, but you eventually want to invest in high-quality external microphones. At the same time, you still value portability, like recording on-location. Get a Zoom H5.
- You want to do high-quality nature recordings and don’t care about lugging a lot of equipment out into the woods. Get a Zoom H6.
- You are on the verge of getting a rack-mounted pre-amp with lots of channels, but occasionally want the flexibility to go out and record on the go, like weddings or small outdoor concerts. Get a Zoom H6.
even in these encase, you whitethorn however desire to experience angstrom zoom H2n deoxyadenosine monophosphate angstrom accompaniment, information technology equal fair so versatile .
