ZOOM H4 Portable 4 Track Digital Recorder

ZOOM H4 Details ^top

H4 - Handy Recorder

Digital audio recording for everyone, everywhere.

Introducing the H4 Handy Digital Recorder. The next big thing from Zoom.

It’s a Mobile Field Stereo Recorder

The Zoom H4 Handy Digital Recorder fits in your palm and is ideal for recording live musical performances, interviews, podcasts, meetings, classes and seminars. The H4 allows you to record 24-bit/96 kHz digital audio as well as in MP3 format with bitrates up to 320kbps.

The H4 features two studio-quality electret condenser microphones configured in an X/Y pattern for true stereo recording. It also includes 2 combination XLR-1/4-inch input jacks with phantom power for use with any external microphones of your choice. And the H4 is loaded with onboard studio effects such as compression, limiting and mic modeling. An 1/8-inch headphone jack is also provided for monitoring.

The H4 records on to Secure Digital (SD) media, a 128MB SD card is included with the unit. With a 2GB SD memory card, the H4 provides up to 380 minutes of recording in 16-bit mode (CD Quality), and 34 hours in MP3 stereo mode. And to move your recordings to a PC or Mac, the H4 includes a USB mass-storage interface.

The H4 provides four hours of continuous recording operation from 2 AA batteries. A back-lit, 128×64 pixel LCD provides the visual interface. An AC adapter, USB cable, windshield cover and tripod adapter are also included.

It’s also a 4-Track Recorder!

Unlike other field recorders, the H4 also has a 4-track recording mode for easy-to-use mobile multi-track recording. The H4 will also render 4-track audio with CD quality, 16-bit/44.1 kHz resolution.

Songwriters and musicians can use the combination XLR-1/4-inch high-impedance phone inputs for vocals, guitars, bass or keyboards. Also onboard are Zoom’s most incredible guitar and bass amplifier modeling effects. These effects accurately reproduce the sounds of the most famous guitar amps ever made.

And by-the-way, it’s also an Audio Interface

Recording directly to your computer has never been easier than with the Zoom H4 Handy Recorder. The H4 is the only portable digital recorder that also serves as your USB audio interface, allowing direct recording of instruments and vocals to your computer. And, if you don’t already have a DAW, that’s okay because every H4 comes bundled with Cubase LE, the perfect 48-Track Digital Audio Workstation for easy editing, mixing and mastering of your recordings on either Windows or Mac.

Together, these features make the Zoom H4 Handy Digital Recorder the most versatile portable recording device ever offered.

Mobile Field Recording
Fits in the palm of your hand
Ideal for infinite variety of mobile recording applications
Records 24-bit/96 kHz digital audio as well as MP3 format with bitrates up to 320kbps
Two studio quality X/Y pattern condenser microphones for true stereo recording
Two combination XLR-1/4-inch input jacks with phantom power
Onboard studio effects compression, limiting and mic modeling
1/8-inch headphone jack provided for monitoring
128MB Secure Digital (SD) card included.
Using a 2GB SD memory card provides 380 minutes of recording with CD Quality sound
Up to 34 hours recording in MP3 stereo mode
USB mass-storage interface
Four hours of continuous recording operation from 2 AA batteries
Back-lit, 128×64 pixel LCD provides the visual interface
AC adapter, windshield cover, USB Cable and tripod adapter included

4-Track Recording
4-track audio in CD quality 16-bit PCM, 44.1 kHz sampling
Combination high-impedance phone inputs for vocals, guitars, bass or keyboards.
Built in guitar amp modeling equivalent to the Zoom G2

Audio Interface
Records directly to your computer as a USB audio interface
Bundled with Cubase LE, 48-Track Digital Audio Workstation software
Includes Windsheild cover and Tri-pod attachement.

ZOOM H4 Artists ^top

Look who uses the H4

ZOOM H4 Downloads ^top

The latest System version 1.30 is released. The major changes from previous version are as follows.

Download version 1.3

1. Supported Windows Vista for USB audio interface/USB card reader function.

2. Deleted host PC select function, as we found problems in added Win mode at Ver1.10, intended stop in recording or out of sync happen depending on performance of PC, when using downloaded ASIO driver from our website.

ZOOM H4 Video ^top

Review of ZOOM H4

RATING:

Sound Quality	9
Features	10
Ease Of Use	7
Value	10
Reliability	10
Overall	9

The h4 seems to be a nice little unit. Navigating with the Toggle is a bit confusing at first but rather simple after 15 minutes of playing with it. The Cubase editing software sent with my unit, (For Windows XP) will not recognize the H4 when plugged into the USB port rendering my recordings editless. Recordings will play through any of my other play engines such as Real Player, Windows Media Player, Itunes player, etc. When playing your recordings using Itunes, You will need to detach the USB jack before deleting from your Itunes music list or it will also delete the recording from your H4. I have contacted Zoom Technical Support on the software glitch, no answer yet. I've been waiting 4 days now and (email only support) no response. (Not happy with that)The 1 4 inch input jacks on the bottom of the unit work nice with outside mics, including my old style bullet mic. I haven't been able to try out the 4 track layering yet due to the software not working. The record button at the top front of the unit is supposed to work both as a start recording and stop recording switch. Sometimes, when using the AC power adapter, it will not stop recording when pushed to stop, and I have to power the unit down with the off switch. Data is not lost doing this. The plastic holder that comes with the unit works perfect with my camera tripod. You will need to use sound dampening material under the legs though if using the built in stereo mics, especially if the floors are wood. They are so sensitive, they will pick up footstep vibrations when recording in high gain mode.I perchased a 2 Gig SD card to replace the 128 Mg card supplied. Overall, I'm excited about the H4. If I can get the Cubase software issues resolved, I'll be extremely happy with the product. Definitely worth the money.

-Snooker
-Florida, 03/16/07

See all reviews of ZOOM H4.