Zoom H1??

[pmk396]

I am looking to buy a simple audio device for recording audio while filming with my GH1 camera. I was thinking of getting a Zoom H4n because it seems a popular choice for a number of users on this forum. However, I was looking for some feedback from anyone who has tried and tested the new Zoom H1. I know that it doesn't have the XLR inputs like the H4n but, by saving nearly €200 to sacrifice the XLRs, I was wondering if the H1 would do the job? I don't plan on getting something expensive as I am just looking for a half decent audio recorder that would get the job done. Any suggestions??

 

[JordanBlock]

In any of the handheld units, the onboard mics are not particularly directional, and thus are generally not great for recording dialog, so the ability to use an external mic is a fairly important feature, and pro mics are pretty guaranteed to use XLR. You could use a non-xlr recorder with a beachtek / juicelink box, but then you're spending just as much as an H4n or DR100 or whatever other cheap XLR recorder you look at.

All that said, you can probably get a passable result out of the onboard mics if you get it nice and close, kill any sort of automatic gain control, and keep a close eye and ear on you levels to make sure you're happy with what you're recording. You can always use the h1 or whatever as a backup recorder should you later decide to move up to an XLR equipped recorder.