Zoom H2

topcat

topcat

Well-known member
Just ordered a Zoom H digital recorder. Does anyone have one of these and what do you think of it? I had heard some good things about it.
 
I've had an H2 since it was released. It's a nice little basic digital recorder. The built-in mics are surprisingly good and the noise floor is fine as long as you don't switch up to high gain. Leave the recording level at 100 and don't bother with the limiters/compressors, etc., as those setting just modify the digital file (for the worse). Record on medium gain or low gain if you need to, and avoid handling noise. The low cut filter and windscreen help with wind noise. External mics need to be high output or high impedance and even then, the noise floor is a little high. An inline impedance matching transformer might help with that, I haven't had a chance to get one yet. Overall, it's a handy little recorder for the cost of an inexpensive mic.
 
If I don't receive it on Friday it should be in on Monday for sure. Can't wait try this one out. Thanks guys!
 
I have one and I would say it is of tremendous help to low budget film makers. First if if your camcorder does not have phantom power the H2 would give you that functionality. Second the H2 allows you to locate your microphone close by the actors when running cables to the camcorder is infeasible. With a shotgun mic, a boompole and a H2 you have an outdoor recording system that is autonomous from the camcorder, which is very convenient.
 
Ummm.....Ticonderoga, are you sure you don't have an H4? I don't think the H2 provides phantom power, does it?

The H4 is, indeed, excellent for the very things you mentioned.
 
The H2 can provide 2.5V of plug in power, but doesn't have phantom power. You need to use a self-powered mic like an ME66/ME64 or use a separate phantom power box. I haven't tried this, but the H2 is probably light enough to be boomed by itself.
 
I want to get one of these things to use mostly for live concert/wedding recording (which I've heard they're pretty good for with the internal mics).

I'd also like to be able to plug into the board with it at times, as well as plug in boomed mics or wired lavs (not all at the same time, of course).
Do you guys think it will work well enough, using impedance matching xlr to mini cables and a phantom power box (when needed)? Or would I be better of with an H4?
Thanks.
 
I know the H2 doesn't have XLRs but it does have 1/8 inch mic jacks.

Would an XLR --> 1/8 inch converter hurt the quality of a boomed mic a whole lot?
 
Just a quick update. I received the H2 and although I haven't had alot of time to use it, for the little time I have tried it out I think it's well worth the price. It's a very versatile little recorder for a very reasonable price. I'm very happy with it.
 
Barry S, how would you make sure the impedances aren't wildly mismatched? And since the Edirol, and this do not have an XLR in, how noisey would it be using a converter? I've contemplated this, but have sort of come to the conclusion, that I need a recorder with an XLR in.
 
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