H4n or H6

N

nathanjrb

Active member
I was wondering what people prefer and why? I have used both a H4n and H6 (Although the H6 only very briefly) for filming and both are more than adequate as audio production tools. The extra XLR on the H6 an obvious advantage. I was slightly concerned about the dials on the H6 though and how easy they could be to knock.

I was wondering if anyone had any preferences and why?
 
Tascam's DR series recorders are a viable option in that budget range and many folks prefer them.
Allegedly, the Zoom H6 has 'better' preamps than the H4. None in that budget range even comes close to the quality level (sound and build) of Sound Devices, Zaxcom or other 'pro' gear... but experience and skills play a big part.
 
I chose a Tascam DR-60D for my cheapo recorder due to experts' (on jwsoundgroup) assertions that the preamps were of better quality and general agreement on the local Spanish forum that you shouldn't go much over 6/7 on the H6 if you want to avoid intrusive noise. Oh, and the Tascam was cheaper :happy:.

Still, if you want a lot of XLR inputs on a compact, portable device, then go for the H6. If you can have something larger, consider the Tascam DR-680.

I don't know why anyone would consider an H4n now that the H5 is out. The H5 uses the same preamps as the H6, and uses dials that are now protected against accidental movements.
 
Zoom also make a new lower cost H5 recorder that can record 4 simultaneous channels at once, and uses the same hardware as the H6 recorder.

The Zoom H4n is my least favorite low cost recorder, mainly because of it's high noise-floor ( more than 10 dB louder than the Tascam DR-40 ) and that it will not take a full LINE level input signal without adding 20 dB pads to each input.

I've been very happy with the Tascam DR-07 mkii / DR-40 / DR-100 mkii recorders, but I haven't had a chance to try one of the new Zoom H5 or H6 recorders, on paper they look quite good.
 
I use the Tascam DR 680 as my primary recorder. Had to go back to an H4N for a recent shoot and I was very frustrated even though I had used the H4N for a couple of years prior. Everytime I see an H4n on a shoot now, my heart sinks a little as I know it can rarely capture dialogue without adding a lot of hiss. The 680 isn't the most bulletproof recorder on the market, but it is the cheapest for the features. I use a sound devices mix pre-d or usppre 2 in front of it with digital out for my boom and run all of the wireless directly to the recorder. I also have DR-100 as a backup. If you want a Zoom, I'm assuming that the H5 or H6 is well worth the upgrade even without reading the specs since the H4n really has some major issues that are hard to overcome for location sound.
 
The H4n is being discontinued and being replaced with the H5, and the larger H6. For real production sound I don't like these machines and prefer something from Zaxcom or Sound Devices. Out of all of the low cost machines mentioned, the only one I have used and would use if there were limitations is the Tascam DR60D. It's pretty cool for the price and integrates well into a DSLR rig for double system sound for basic stuff. I wouldn't use it on a feature or anything like that. But basic shorts or product videos (a lot of what I do) it is great for.
 
cpreston said:
I use the Tascam DR 680 as my primary recorder. Had to go back to an H4N for a recent shoot and I was very frustrated even though I had used the H4N for a couple of years prior. Everytime I see an H4n on a shoot now, my heart sinks a little as I know it can rarely capture dialogue without adding a lot of hiss. The 680 isn't the most bulletproof recorder on the market, but it is the cheapest for the features. I use a sound devices mix pre-d or usppre 2 in front of it with digital out for my boom and run all of the wireless directly to the recorder. I also have DR-100 as a backup. If you want a Zoom, I'm assuming that the H5 or H6 is well worth the upgrade even without reading the specs since the H4n really has some major issues that are hard to overcome for location sound.
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Cool. The Tascam DR680 is the one I"m interested in cause it seems like a better soundbag option. How do you power the unit? Any other advice? I like the H6 as an option as well. The H4n that I had was a PITA so I sold that.
 
Justyn said:
Cool. The Tascam DR680 is the one I"m interested in cause it seems like a better soundbag option. How do you power the unit? Any other advice? I like the H6 as an option as well. The H4n that I had was a PITA so I sold that.
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The bag-friendly form factor is something not often considered, but it makes a big difference. The DR-680 offers a lot of bang for the buck, and the Fostex FR2-LE is a great option if you need only two record tracks. The DR-680 runs off 8xAA batteries and it also has a power adapter for running off an AC power supply.

As with many of these units, you can get a battery and power distribution system for an audio bag (based off something like the NP-1 battery) that will power multiple devices in the same bag. You need only to get the appropriate output cable to connect to the recorder. The DR-680 eats AA batteries, though I have found battery life in mine to be better than what I have seen others complain about. The reality is that any of these lower-cost recorders, and any of the handhelds, will run through batteries especially if phantom power is active. Getting the NP-1 powering system extends running time and allows for quick swaps between batteries.
 
The DR680 is much better for bag use. However external batteries are a necessity.. The internal eight AAs are only good for short run times and back-up... not to mention, accessing them in a bag requires most of the bag's other devices to be disconnected and the recorder removed to access the bottom battery compartment.. a time consuming process.
The DR680's preamps are 'OK'..for budget gear, but not in the league of the pro machines and many use external preamps.. (more power consumption) A pro battery system would typically cost as much as the recorder.. even more with a charger. There are cheaper but less reliable battery options though.
The 680 does have the advantage of (+4dB) line inputs which completely bypass the preamps. Not typical of most budget recorders. (even the more expensive Edirol/Roland R44)
 
I use the Tekkeon MP3450 as an external battery. They aren't great, but they are functional and will last a full day if they are working properly. The DR680 runs off of 12V, so it is pretty easy to find a battery solution. Plus, it will switch over to internal batteries without stopping if something happens to a less then ideal external battery source.

For a bag, I use a Petrol 617. It fits the Tascam perfectly and allows me to also fit a Sound Devices two channel mixer. The DR680 can accept both AES and SPDIF so you can send a digital signal from either the Sound Devices Mix-Pre D or USBPre 2. While neither of those mixers sound like they are in your budget range right now, the MixPre D is incredibly versatile and would be a great step up when you get the budget.
 
"it will switch over to internal batteries without stopping if something happens to a less then ideal external battery source"
- Indeed it will Casey, and if so set, the meter light will extinguish. (alerting the operator it's switched over to internal batteries)
When the internal batteries are drained, a Low Battery warning appears and saves the files prior to auto-shutdown.
 
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