Zoom H4 for location audio

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David W. Richardson

Chapelgrove Films
Well, I was all set to splurge on a Korg D888 for location sound recording, but at the last minute my checkbook screamed "NOOOOOO!!!!"

I was against the wall because I had a video shoot last Saturday night -- a nightclub location, videotaping the band playing live. I could've patched my two Samson C03 condenser mics into my DVX100a, but I wanted more. I wanted a feed from the house sound mixer as well.

So I went over to Sam Ash Music and bought the Zoom H4 Handy Recorder.

Okay, it's not the absolute Rolls Royce of digital recorders. But hey -- it only cost $299. It records on SD cards, has two built-in mics and two combo jacks for either 1/4" plugs or XLR's -- with phantom power to boot! According to the manufacturer, it records 24-bit/96kHz digital audio, as well as MP3 format with bitrates up to 320kbps. It will record 2 tracks simultaneously. And it comes with Cubase LE.

So I bought this thing and took it to the club. Plugged it into their mixer board and was pretty darned impressed with the results. Okay, it doesn't have an equalizer of any kind, so there's no control over those kinds of things. But as a general sound recorder for under $300, I can't complain. The built-in mics are probably useless for anything other than recording memos to myself, but the quality with condenser mics and the line from a mixer is great as far as I'm concerned.

The 128MB SD card that came with the unit only gave me about 11 minutes of recording -- 22 minutes on a 256MB card I already had. At that rate, though, I should be able to get nearly 3 hours on a 2 gig card. That ain't half bad.

So if you're looking for a cheap, battery powered (or AC) digital recorder with phantom power, I'd say give the Zoom H4 a look. I haven't used it much -- yet -- but it worked great Saturday night.
 
The built in mics ain't half bad either. Come on, try the mic modeling. The C414 sounds really good. REALLY good. The U87 is close and usable.

I especially wanted to laugh my ass off at the mic modeling (I hate models, I'm strictly a hardware guy - I *have* all the software plugs out the yin yang, but nothing comes close to the hardware), but still the mic models (think EQ actually) help a lot, and like I said, try the built-ins.

I use them, and this box, far more than I ever thought I would. I bought it as a back-up for "quick grabs" and figured I'd get the Sony later, but I don't know, it ain't broke so...ya know.

The Zooms guys should be flogged for the plastic shell and navigation hell, but eh...
 
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Yeah, and I gotta admit the manual could be better. What it covers, it covers pretty well. But it leaves stuff out -- important stuff. For instance, I setup the H4 to use the mic inputs. I didn't know that when I changed SD cards, that it would revert back to the default settings -- which included using the built-in mics. I learned that I can setup each SD card for the settings I want and then interchange at will -- the settings are stored on the card, apparently. But the manual doesn't mention this at all as far as I can tell.

It also comes with a strap-on cradle that allows mounting to a tripod, and a windscreen. The manual mentions neither of these.

But as you said, it works pretty darned well -- surprisingly well considering the price. It's light, but not too light. And relatively easy to use, once you figure out the menus.

I'm like you, I'd prefer to use the actual mics rather than the modeling. Instead of the modeling, I'd rather have had an onboard equalizer. But all things considered, the H4 is well worth the $299. I'm happy with it!
 
There's also an apdator that will convert hotshoe onto regular mic stand. Let me know if you need that link, I've got it somewhere.....

Like I said, I'm eventually going to sell mine and grab the Sony so if anybody wants one cheaper than they already are (2 GB SD card included). Not a scratch or mark, original box, manual, V 1.20 and all the accessories and warranty never filled out (I understand they WILL honor it). Not in any hurry, but eventually.
 
chapelgrovefilms said:
It would be great to have a 2nd one, but my wallet is pretty flat these days. What's your asking price?
Click to expand...

Tell me about it, just grabbed a second PSC Alphamix so I won't be ready to sell (and grab the Sony) for a few weeks.

Anyway, once I'm ready I'm asking: $225.00.
 
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Zoom H4 is ok. I have had mine for a few weeks.

The buttons suck as they are too small on the sides - whether your trying to set a level or navigate - the navigation is all a bit counter intuitive - in fact it makes my mobile phone seem totally sensible by comparison and that's saying something

But it is handy and the xlr inputs and phantom power are cool. Also the little stand that comes with it is a nice addition as you can mount it onto camera tripod thread.

I have even attached it to a sticky pod as a quick mount for inside a car and it has worked good.

Personally for field recording it would be better:

1. If they ditched trying to be a multi/ 4-track recorder and effects processor and swapped those features for better volume/ level control and buttons
2. They need to put the SD card slot somewhere you can access it without the batteries flying out at you every time you open the flap :-)
3. Make it a bit more rubberised and even a bit heavier/ sturdy in design.

Overall I think its pretty neat - it has its quirks but is kinda of useful and is affordable.
 
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