Zoom H1n

I work as a journalist and have two of these recorders - one as a main and the other as a just in case. They are excellent little recorders, uncomplicated to set up and really easy to carry around. There are a couple of inaccuracies in the product description I need to point out. 1. The machine can record in mp3 or WAV to higher than CD quality (not limited to just mp3) 2. The product description mentions a max SD card capacity of 32 gigs but I have double that on my backup machine at the moment and 128 gigs on the main device. I like it allows you to add a tone at the start of new recordings for easy editing later. Dimensions - it fits in the palm of your hand. The mikes have a plastic cage around them for protection. It has a tripod screw that allows mounting on a camera or tripod. Very versatile little device and my 'go-to' when on the move.

I recently purchased the Zoom H1n Handy Recorder and have been extremely pleased with its performance. This portable recorder stands out for its user-friendly design, featuring simple instructions and an intuitive interface that allows for quick and easy setup right out of the box. Its ease of use makes it an ideal choice for both beginners and experienced users looking to capture high-quality audio recordings without fuss. The H1n proves to be a versatile piece of equipment, perfectly suited for a variety of recording needs. I bought it specifically to record ambient noise, and it has exceeded my expectations in this regard. The sound quality is impressive, capturing the nuances of the environment with clarity and depth that add a professional touch to my projects. One of the most appreciated aspects of this recorder is its portability. Its compact size makes it convenient to carry around, ensuring I never miss an opportunity to capture the sounds around me. Whether I'm in a bustling city or a tranquil natural setting, the H1n is always ready to go. However, if there's one area for improvement, it would be the inclusion of a built-in rechargeable battery. While the current battery setup is functional, a rechargeable option would enhance the convenience and sustainability of the device, making it even more appealing for long recording sessions or fieldwork. In summary, the Zoom H1n Handy Recorder is a fantastic investment for anyone looking to record high-quality audio with ease. Its simplicity, versatility, and exceptional sound quality make it a valuable tool for capturing ambient sounds or any audio recording needs. With the addition of a built-in rechargeable battery in future models, it could become unbeatable in its category.

Simply, inexpensive way to be able to record things at a high quality. I use for band practice, sound effect recording, lessons, all sorts of different things. I also use it as a real-time microphone for streaming or plugged into my video camera as a shotgun attached to SMALLRIG Microphone Shock Mount. Battery life doesn't seem that great and it seems to drain more than I would have liked when not in use considering that there is a physical switch for turning it on (so you wouldn't expect battery life to be draining away with it monitoring a soft switch waiting to be powered on). The UI is now quite dated and it's awkward to remember what you're supposed to press to do certain things as the display is so small but that's because the device is nice and small. You can't rename sound clips on the Zoom. Speaker is terrible but it's enough to check that something was recorded. Best way to use it is just press start and stop to do your recording and work out what you recorded later when you connect it to the computer (or use the micro SD Card).

As the sound recorded from my action go pro type camera is prettey useless and after doing some research it became apparent, not many decent film makers use the audio in camera. I wanted to do some decent filming myself and I like to try and do youtube videos, but the sound is aweful from most cameras. A lot of people use this to record live music and ambient sounds and due to the available mic patterns from the on board 5 mics I guess this is going to be pretty impressive, its not something I have tried as yet but will look forward to being able to record live music. I have successfully used it to record narration through a lapel mic and sync the sound to video using adobe premier elements, but you can do similar with many other programmes, imovie included. Obviously you can either use the H2N with suitable mic pattern switched on or a mono input through the socket, usually with the auto gain switched off. You then hide the H2N in your pocket etc and record your narration. When I did this I did a video of a car review, it was then easy to insert cut aways etc and the original video and sound from this, once synced, remain so during the video and during the period of the cut aways. Its a really nice piece of kit, maybe doesnt need to be shiny plastic, matt would be nicer, but it is what it is, the controls are easy to use and there are many available settings for the quality of the recording, I have not yet learned which is best for what purpose but generally leave iton the default which is good enough for my purpose. The ability to screw a handle on from the available kit is quite handy as it turns it into a handheld mic, a bit more cumbersome than most but very useful. If you are thinking of dabbling with recording sound separately, give this a try for an intro bit of kit, I think most people would be quite satisfied with it for a long time before needing to upgrade

I have been using Zoom microphones since around 2010 when I was using the H1 and it has always been of a high quality and standard. I started using them for University as part of a radio broadcasting course and they were great for vox pops due to their lightweight design and portability. 14 years later, I am still using Zoom and upgraded to the Zoom H1n which works just as well as the H1 did all those years ago. However, its use is somewhat different to how I was using the mic before. I use it with my phone that has a mount to it and I connect the phone and the mic via a USB C to micro USB cable. The phone can detect it and automatically change the sound recording source for both video making and voice recording. However, I do wish Zoom would upgrade its port to 2024 and use USB C as opposed to the outdated micro USB. It would make life slightly easier to use cables I already have rather than sourcing a cable with 2 different types of USB at either end. The microphone still uses batteries that need to be changed when dead and I think it would be nice to have a rechargeable built-in and charged via USB C. Though, for my use, the phone can power the mic via USB. Saying that with very few downsides, you can always count on Zoom for quality and its versatility. 9/10

I am writing this review a bit early to be honest. I have only tried the H2n briefly and certainly haven't 'put it through its paces' as yet. I must say though, it's an impressive piece of kit. The few test recordings I made sounded beautifully crisp and clear, with a good display screen to keep you informed. If I am being critical I guess that I find the multi-function main switch a little 'vague' but actually I was aware of that from reading other reviews — but I certainly don't think it's all that bad and I am sure that with regular use the traits of the switch will be forgotten. It does the job very well and so if you read other reviews which mention the 'soft, vague' switch then I wouldn't let that worry you (it's fine with me... and I am a fussy old geezer!). The overall build is nice quality and I can see me using the microphone for most of my projects. I do have more expensive and sophisticated mics but they are certainly not as portable or quick to setup as the H2n. I have since invested in the accessory kit as I feel the H2n needs a nice padded case and windshield... and the other items in the accessory kit will come in handy too I reckon. I paid just over £20 for the accessory kit on Amazon and I believe that's extremely good value. Admittedly the mini-tripod is a bit naff, but it'll do the job. The value is mainly in the lovely case, decent windshield, cute remote control (with extension lead too!), and even a main adaptor. I must say that the 'dummy mic handle' in the accessory kit is a great idea, either for slotting the H2n into a standard microphone holder... or as a 'hand-grip' for the odd occasion. I must find something to have a gripe about though! I was rather miffed to discover that in my H2n box there was a very impressive printed manual(s) which actually consisted of three manuals measuring about 1/2inch thick. Almost every language under the sun in it but no English!!! I was rather amazed. I have since obtained a PDF English Manual online but can't believe that all the documentation that came with the H2n did not include English. A lot of gadgets these days you can fathom out without a manual, but the H2n is quite a complicated device with many options and settings. I pity anyone buying this who hasn't got internet access etc. Anyway, there's the good (and the bad) about the H2n. As I mentioned, this is a very early review so I can't say I have tested the H2n much yet. Time will tell whether it continues to impress me — if I discover anything worthy of note I may add to this review at a later date. So far though, the H2n seems to be a little belter!!!!

As a recorder, I would rate it as being worthy of 5 stars but with the experience I have had, I don't feel that would be right. It is an excellent recorder with which I had some trouble because of a) my lack of digital knowledge, b) the fact that a suitable microUSB cable is not supplied with it and c) the inadequate response from the maker's customer services. I could not get the USB and card reader facilities to work. I contacted Zoom's customer services who said there was a fault, so the recorder was replaced. The replacement was no better and Zoom's customer services, who took some weeks to actually respond, were perplexed and still considered there to be a fault which would necessitate yet another replacement. A neighbour eventually solved the problem. It seems not all microUSB leads are the same - some will only charge items whilst others will both charge and carry data. Unfortunately, the leads look the same, something the computer industry has been remarkably stupid about. Long and short, I bought a microUSB cable rated to carry data and the USB and card reader facilities both work perfectly. This would not have been a problem if Zoom had supplied a suitable microUSB cable with the recorder. Not doing so might be considered penny-pinching. Neither would it have happened if the computer industry had not made identical looking microUSB leads to carry out different functions. Why not make them all capable of charging and carrying data? There is an assumption that everyone in this digital age knows what's what and what they are doing. How wrong that assumption is. How wrong of me, too, to think that customer services for a company's product would know what they were talking about. Zoom's customer services fell far short on this occasion.

It’s pretty misleading that most of the reviews here are for Zoom H1N ? Essential. This Zoom H3-VR is out of this world. By far the best ive used. It captures everything if you want? Or you can change that after. Am still with in the time to return this. But thats not happening. It’s also gone up in price. So i was very lucky. It’s perfect for field, outside. Incredible in the middle of the table and recording a four person discussion. Music. VR 360. Pretty much everything i can think of. And no am not talking about the H1N thats a very different pocket size recorder. One i also have. You can’t go wrong with this especially if you like binaural recording…