Zoom H2n Overview & Review | UniqueSquared.com

Taylor from the Unique Squared video production team walks us through the brand new Zoom H2n.

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[darude]

@TimeTravelEnthusiast Yup, same SR & bit depth, 44, 1k & 24bit. I understand the master clocks are different, but I'm really surprised that in this digital era otherwise awesome products' two clocks can be that different. I've FlexTimed the other in Logic, but that's an extra step taking time and a lot of zooming in/out. Anyway, I'm getting around that by using a H4n whose line-in & mic recordings are of course synced to eachother, and that solution works nicely for me. I love the sound quality!

[darude]

I have the H4n, I love it. I use it to record the line out of a DJ mixer and to catch the room/audience with the built-in mics, and the results are awesome. I had the H2 earlier, but when I recorded the room with it and the line with my laptop, and put them both in Logic, the recordings run out of sync over time, the H2 doesn't record the same speed EXACTLY, which makes post mixing and syncing tedious. It's doable, but it's a silly extra step. I don't know if this is now fixed, do you?

[geekanoids]

This is the best video I have seen on the H2n.

[uniquesquared]

You are exactly right about the capsule size. We addressed our mistake in previous comments.

You can however get a better recording in particular applications because of the 5 microphones and the ability to record in Mid Side mode. This is typically appealing and useful to those working in the film medium who want to capture ambient noise in a wider omni directional pattern.

Sorry for the confusion.

[uniquesquared]

Correct the H2n was not used for the vocal audio recording in this presentation. From experience I have used the H2n to record vocals and it is just as good if not better quality than the H4n. Because of the dynamic nature of the microphones, you will get some ambient room tones if you are not in a controlled audio recording environment.

At the end of the day its a really solid portable recorder and if you want to pick one up, check out the UniqueSquared website.

[uniquesquared]

Both are solid recorders for capturing live concert audio. The H2n has a sensitive microphone so I would recommend putting it on a stand to avoid any compromised fidelity issus when holding it.

[DialloKreed]

I need this mic in my life! Thanks for the demo!

[uniquesquared]

The simple answer is you cant which is what we found limiting with the H2n. The H4n is a better recorder for that type of functionality. The H2n has a lot of practical applications but connecting an XLR and using a Rode shotgun microphone is not one of them.

For the best prices on Zoom's line of portable digital recorders, check out the UniqueSquared website.

[darude]

@TimeTravelEnthusiast Ummm, maybe. Or maybe I'll just stick to what I know best and find workarounds like H4n, and let someone who knows better do the inventing... ;)

[TheScreamingFrog]

Thanks for confirming my analysis of your MS sample. Good to know I can still hear the difference :-)
My first exposure to a MS mic was in the 80s when I used a Sony 1 point MS stereo mic, for recording live concerts. Looking forward to getting my H2n in the mail soon, so I can experiment with it's new mic capabilities.
For a good/flat comparison of the mics in the H2n, I recommend avoiding the MS-RAW format and instead using the MS-Stereo mode with the Stereo spread set at various widths. Peace

[zebusao]

I bought the zoom h2 with you
I loved the product came well packaged, I recommend

[TaylorMorken]

@ao9news Thanks for the comment. These recordings have not been mixed at all. What you are hearing in the MS recording is a wide range stereo recording. The mics are super sensitive to their position in relation to the source.

[TaylorMorken]

@Bias11 The casing that houses the mic capsules is bigger due to the 5 mics. The mic capsules themselves are in fact the same size as the H2.

I apologize for the confusion.

[aonews]

The MS samples don't sound like there were mixed properly. Were these mixed in post (RAW mode), or on-the-fly by the unit?

[TaylorMorken]

@xmrtuvgs You are correct. These were uploaded in their RAW format post recording. You're explanation of the stereo conversion format is spot on and hopefully answers a lot of questions out there. The goal here was to showcase a flat and unpolished recording. Unfortunately I did not take note of the stereo width or mic position to share with you. It sounds like you are the proud owner of an H2n. Please share some recordings with that information so we can all learn more about the features.

[aonews]

@TaylorMorken As far as I understand the MS technique requires the audio to be specially mixed either after (in RAW mode), with a program like the one included, or by the unit itself. I can hear only the left channel, and very little of the right one. Unless you positioned the guitar and drums all the way to the left of course (which doesn't show in the X/Y samples).

[VideoedTechReviews]

Is there any reason to get the H4n over the H2n besides for the XLR inputs?

[TaylorMorken]

@BillySnicker Let me know If I am reading this correctly.When the mic is connected to a computer via USB, it is just an interface, and none of the features can be accessed. The compressor feature is only available when using the recorder by itself.

Hope this helps.

[Rambo]

How did this work in terms of capturing live concert audio? Does it compare to the Tascam DR-07 in that realm?

[Zenmsn]

Best review sofar! I think It has actually convinced me :D