Just ordered a Zoom H2..

Just ordered a Zoom H2 - Anybody have one of these? Any comments, likes/dislikes, tips, etc. on these? I was pretty impressed with the sound clips - I believe someone here on the forum posted a Zoom H2 clip of his new Bugera amp, and that's kind of what sold me on the H2 - that and the generally good reviews..

I have had one for a couple years now, love this little guy! No dislikes other than swap out the stock SD card for a larger better one, the stock one will eventually cause little pops on your recordings...I use mine to record gigs, practices, guitar clips, voice tracks, you name it...it's a fantastic easy to use device. You may want to get some editing software for your computer if you don't already have something, it makes editing your recordings that much easier

Great little tool,I use mine alot.

Having a small portable MP3 recorder is now a way of life. There is no going back now.

I have 2 . One is connected to my PC audio out full time and the other is used for gig / rehearsal recording. Edirol R-1 and Boss Micro BR. But I am thinking of getting an H2 as well , nice units.

t

I just got one of these things on Thursday, bought a 4GB SansDisc card and recorded a gig Friday night. Just put the thing on a mic stand about 30 feet from the stage and pressed "record" (twice...don't forget twice).

Frankly, the results surpassed my expectations by a large margin. I totally agree with getting some editing software however. Did the editing yesterday...the only processing I had to do was a little bass roll-off at around 80Hz. Very listenable recording!! I'm totally stoked...great tool especially if you have a DAW at home to edit the tracks. I couldn't see doing it on the H2 itself though there are basic editing capabilities.

I bought this based on the reviews I've read on the net and I'm NOT disappointed...the audio equivalent of a MODERN point and shoot digital camera and every bit as easy to use.

When I got mine they said (sweetwater) that a 4 gig wasn't reliable so I use a 2 gig and I get 3 hours of WAV format.

JJ

Had one and I loved it, but returned it because the thing refused to download to my computer (user error?). Great little machine, though. I'm thinking of the larger one now. The H4, I think it's called. Might re-visit the 2 since I got a new computer.

I have it and it has become a really great tool for me...

I think they are a great value and work well.

I have it and it has become a really great tool for me...

I think they are a great value and work well.

Thanks, guys, for all the comments and info! Mine shipped Saturday so I should get it sometime this week. Will post results when I get it in.

I have an H4 which I've had for a couple of years now. It's a wonderful gadget and so easy to use as well.

I've recorded practices with a 5 piece band as well as solo acoustic guitar and vocals using the built in stereo mics with very good results.

I've also used it as a USB interface to transfer recordings off my old Korg D8 into my PC for editing and mastering. Again, easy to use.

And it came with Cubase LE as well!!!

These Zoom devices seem appealing. But I wonder how the sound quality is.

Is the sound good enough, say, for producing a professional quality or near professional quality CD of your music?

Haha...define "professional". Seriously though, the big drawback with this thing is that you have limited ability to set the recording level...you can choose from High, Medium, or Low gain. If you're clipping at the Low setting you are limited to either moving the recorder further from the source or turning down the volume of the source. (There is a level meter that can be adjusted from 1-127 but it's post A/D conversion so it's useless if you clip at the mic input.)

Having said that, the recording I made on Friday at the Low setting....rocking blues band at moderate volume....turned out REALLY well with no clipping at all. I sliced and diced the wave file into individual tracks, burned to a CD and I have to say...I've BOUGHT worse live recordings. The only processing I did was to roll off at 80 Hz about 10 dB. Didn't want to use the built-in Low-Cut on the H2 while recording in case it "wimpified" the results. Maybe I just had beginner's luck but I'm very pleased....the result:hassle ratio is very high.

Try googling "Zoom H2 forum".....lot's of good info there.
Can I get better results with my DAW using decent condenser mics? Undoubtedly. Can you make a "good enough" recording with the H2...undoubtedly!

These Zoom devices seem appealing. But I wonder how the sound quality is.

Is the sound good enough, say, for producing a professional quality or near professional quality CD of your music?

Yes. Depends on the user. Where in the room is it placed? How does the room sound? Is the band balanced & well practiced, etc...

If all is good, this machine will capture whatever you put in front of it very well.

I went to see a few shows on the JJ Cale tour this April, and the band recorded the whole tour on Zoom H2s (or actually one was Zoom H4). One for each band member, on the floor. They might release an album from those recordings. They are good, I say. I have a H4 myself, bought it 2 years ago.

big props for the H2, I record almost every gig.
easy and fun.

but the quality of the thing is really not so good. first thing i broke was the cover of the sd-slot. fixed it with some tape. and i hate the display. everything is so small and flimsy. not much fun to use for me. anyway: it works.

The Zoom H2 has been discussed here many times both in a general sense and with specific recorded examples.

Here are a few threads:


http://www.tdpri.com/forum/recording-progress/174144-recommend-digital-recorder.html


http://www.tdpri.com/forum/recording-progress/115847-any-zoom-h2-h4-love.html



http://www.tdpri.com/forum/recording-progress/131218-lazy-maybe;-zoom-h2.html



The Search function is your friend. :smile:

I've got the H4n (the very latest version) and I love it. Also, get a generation 6 SD card. It's really fast, especially with USB 2.0. I've got somethign like 16 Gb and it gives me something 20 ro 30 hours of recording (I can't recall, because I still haven't deleted anythign off it yet)

Regarding a previous comment about input recording levels, you can put it on Auto, or you can manually adjust it between 1 -100. The Auto was OK for simple stuff that doesn't vary much, but I found when recording my band I wanted to set it manually. I also don't use any of the comps and stuff because I do that on the computer.

I don't do anything super fancy - I download the files to the free Audacity for editing and I'm just fine.

Super easy, highly recommended for basic stuff, and more complex if you want to take the time.

Cheers,
Doug