Zoom H1 Portable Digital Recorder, Version 2.0

Product Information

When testing the X/Y microphones, we noticed that the audio would distort when speaking too close to the device. We also took the device outside when there was a moderate amount of wind, and our recordings were dominated by wind noise. The H1 records directly to microSD and microSDHC cards, up to 32 gigabytes. The chart below shows maximum recording time with different file formats and cardsizes. For such a small unit it really can do some impressive recording and will definitely get the job done. Whether you are recording an interview or live music the H1 would be a great tool." - Videomaker Magazine The X/Y technique provides a great way to cover a wide area while still capturing sound sources in the center with clarity and definition, making it perfect for all types of live stereorecording.

It can be directly connected to a laptop or desktop computer and used as an external microphone. Battery Life: Carry extra batteries at all times Overload and distortion are prevented with the H1's Auto Level function that sets input gain automatically (input level can be set manually, too). The H1 also provides a built-in low-cut filter for the elimination of pops, wind noise, blowing, and other kinds of low-frequency rumble. WAV and MP3 SupportI find the on/off switch weird - it is a slide that you have to hold for a second or two until the machine boots up/ powers down. Annoying, but about the only critiek I can think of. I also use it for any song ideas I have, to record my singing, guitar or piano. The quality is good enough to put it into Studio One to start a new song. I pull the card out, put it into an adaptor and plug it into my laptop and transfer the audio. (Transfering audio directly from the machine is MUCH slower.) I used it for record almost every non-digital sounds. I have it for more than 6 months and I have no problems with its workflow. It has a very easy to learn and use interface. Well, pro's are absolutely the price and quality factors. You have some other options in this price range but it's one step ahead from in the segment that it belongs. In this point of view it's a god starting point for collecting audio samples and recording interviews etc. In the other hand if you want to record a direct signal for instance coming from a mixer or sound card, you do not have a line inputs. This may be a problem if you want to record a live session or a concert. For this I suggest you to buy H4 or higher versions, you can use them for both recording with build-in microphones and direct signal that comes from line-ins.

The 1.25-inch monochrome LCD display is bright and easily visible even in direct sunlight. The menus are easy to navigate, and any first-time user can get the hang of with a little bit of practice. Just above the LCD display is an analog input volume knob to control recording levels, which is an excellent feature—instead of using buttons to control volume, the knob is a nice silent way to adjust on the fly while recording is in progress. The mic's are very nice also considering the price. I've had much worse for more money! Here you get two for the price of one! Both are condenser and capture the space at a remarkable depth, depending on the set input level. To reduce the low frequency in your recordings, set your preferences using the “Low Cut” button. The “Limiter” and “Auto Level” buttons give the user further control over the quality of sound being recorded. The "Limiter" button will limit the audio signal to a specific threshold, making sure the audio that you record remains undistorted. The "Auto Level" button keeps the audio signal consistent by increasing or decreasing the audio gain. Type: Mini-B type (USB 2.0 High Speed compatible), Mass Storage Class operationFormat: 44.1 kHz/16-bit or 48 kHz/16-bit An advanced onboard Limiter offers distortion-free signal up to 120 dB SPL, cleanly recording the loudest of bands.Whether you want to build your own home theater or just learn more about TVs, displays, projectors, and more, we've got you covered. The quality od the recording is reasonably good with options of 16 bit and 24 bit recording in 48 (16 bit addiotional 44.1 khz) and 96 khz as well as mp3 recording (up to 320 kbps). There is some marginal noise present but at the price range i think it's purely negligible. Now I'm using it via the usb cable to my computer as the mic for my Skype sessions, and any computer screen recordings I do. I bought the kit, so I have the mini stand which has extension legs (I hadn't realised) & makes it a great tabletop mic. And at another day conference, I put it on an extra mic stand by the people on stage speaking, to record their talks. I also recorded what came out of the mixing desk on another machine, but used the audio from the H1n as it was clearer.

Both devices have X/Y style microphones that record up to 24-bit audio files. The PCM-A10’s microphones are adjustable for fine-tuning your audio recording whereas the Zoom H1n’s microphones are non-adjustable. Runs on only 2 standard AAA alkaline, Lithium, or NiMH rechargeable batteries, or AC adapter (AD-17) So honestly, the H1n has surpassed my expectations that were pretty high to start with. For the price of 110 eur you are sure to get:While not as robust as its older brethren, the plastic casing of the H1 is by no means flimsy, and indeed feels quite substantial in the hand. The orange LCD display is easy on the eye and allows an overview of metering and all other settings at a glance. Below the mic cage enclosure is an LED that indicates record and input peaks, while at the business end of the unit the Record button is unmistakably placed fare and square at the centre of the body. The microphones are housed in a large plastic enclosure that resembles a basket, leaving the microphones exposed for unimpeded recording. It also has a 1/8-inch mic/input port, which means you can connect it to a lapel mic for interviews or a phantom powered shotgun microphone. It's made from plastic (except microphones). It's way lighter than I thought (I was compared it with Zoom H4 and H6 on my mind) but it's steady and stabile. It works well for collect ambient, atmosphere sounds and one-hit samples. Sometimes you can catch frequencies that you don't want but by using gain adjustments and build-in eq you can decrease them. I've used the H1n to record the audio from the desk directly into the line in, at an 8 hour day conference, using a 32GB card, and it still had plenty of room on the card.

The H1's built-in X/Y microphone provides two matched unidirectional microphones set at a 90 degree angle relative to one another, optimum for most stereo recordingapplications.