Zoom H2 and H4n

Hey, all,

My first time posting in the recording session, rock on.

I am thinking of spending some of my side income on a new mic. Uses would be:

Mmmmmaybe recording some guitar, just to keep a record of ideas I come up with. Probably not to record full songs, although the ability might be nice down the road.
Recording a voice-over demo for my acting. Something to submit to agents and maybe post online to sell my voice-over work.
Record voice exercises and practice for my voice students (theatre). I teach individuals and companies voice for theatre including accent work, accent neutralization, voice work for large venues, and iambic pentameter.


I left one out. I might like to be able to make films in the future, although it's not an immediate plan. I know that friends us the H4n for this, and with good results.


I am considering the H2, which I see on B&H right now for $120. But I think the device I am ultimately attracted to is the H4n, which is just too expensive now, unless I find an amazing deal on Craigslist.

Should I save up for the H4n?

Or should I get the H2 for now, knowing that it will serve my purposes for now, and knowing that if I decide I really need an H4n later, for example, if I decide to make my own film, that at that point I will still be able to use the H2 for less important purposes and won't have all my eggs in one basket?

I have not used the H4n (which looks great), but the H2 would probably work for everything you mention.

The only thing that I'd say is that you will probably want to use the mic stand adapter, and work on placement and have a separate pop filter for the voice/voice-over recordings. I never used my H2 as a vocal mic, but any mic setup (for that kind of work) will need some experimentation with placement. The advantage to the H4n I see there is that you can plug the mic of your choice in, but that would be even more expense (unless you've already got a mic that you favor).

I'm a big fan of the H2, and have used it as an adjunct to capture room ambiance, and also as a spot mic (sat on a music stand for piano), when I wanted to make sure I had a little something extra to mix in, in case I needed it. The key advantage I see to the H4n is the ability to plug in external mics. If that really suits your plans and needs, then save, otherwise, get an H2.

Sounds like the right answer there.

I'm going to wait and see what happens. One of my students lost a small note-taking recorder that I lent him. So he may be buying me one. If that happens, I will take the H2 and wait on the H4n until I have more cash.

I have owned the H2 and now own the H4n. H2 is simple and painless and does really nice recordings. The h4n is more versatile. I'll echo what still_fiddlin said. The ability to plug in xlr mics dynamic or condenser as well as lavs into the h4n will be a big deal if you want to do some film stuff.

H2 will probably do much of what you want and will get the job done fine. But I think having the ability to plug in a directional mic for voice work would be something you could appreciate with the h4n.

My Zoom H2 sounded great! and had so many great features! for a great price! until one day I took it out of the padded leather bag and it wouldn't turn on.

I haven't investigated to check it out, but it annoyed the $%&# out of me!

Then I just got some real mics and a recording interface.

Haven't used the H2, but I'm a videographer and have the H4n and it's awesome. Save your pennies for it. Having XLR inputs makes life so much easier. I've recording everything from band practice to interviews to voice overs with it and it just kills.

I had an h2 and now the h4n. While the h2 is really simple it does lack some features. I just sue it to record practices and ideas when they popup so the h4n is a little overkill for me.

I guess I don't have much to offer other than I agree with the above posters. h2 will do what you want but if you eventually want to more advanced stuff then the h4n for sure.

also, my h2 lasted about 5 years and then one day just wouldn't turn on as well. That seems to be about the lifespan for them.