Zoom H4 Handy Recorder

Field recording with H4 on a simple tripod

The H4 Handy Recorder is a handheld digital audio recorder from Zoom, featuring built-in condenser microphones in an X-Y stereo pattern,^[1] priced from around US$280 depending upon memory capacity as of 2011^[update].

Recordings are stored on an SD card (128 MB supplied), or via a USB cable to a computer running digital audio workstation software (Cubase LE supplied).

Applications and recording formats[edit]

The H4 can record in stereo or four-track mode.^[2] In stereo mode WAV or compressed (MP3) files may be made. A 2GB card will store 95 hours of speech-quality or 3 hours of CD-quality recording. With device firmware from version 2.0, SDHC cards up to 32GB in size are supported, storing 16 hours at the highest-quality setting (uncompressed PCM WAV, 24 bit, 96 kHz, stereo).^[3]

Basic four-track recordings can be made in the field with the built-in microphones and two additional input ports which accept external signal sources via XLR or 1/4-inch connectors.

Stereo mode[edit]

In stereo mode, the user has a wide choice of sound quality, with lower quality requiring less storage space. Only 44.1 kHz 16-bit recordings can be imported into four-track mode. All stereo recordings share a single folder, and on playback are sequenced as one continuous output stream with no pause between files.

Stereo recording can use the built-in microphones or external input via 1/4-inch or XLR plugs.

4-track mode[edit]

Four-track recordings can be made of one or two tracks at a time. When recording in stereo, only tracks 1 and 2, or 3 and 4, can be chosen. Four-track recordings are limited to 16-bit/44.1 kHz WAV files. WAV recordings made in stereo mode can be imported into a project folder.

When recording on one or two tracks, the other tracks may be played back simultaneously (see multi-track recording). Each track can be individually panned, to create a stereo image.

Any or all tracks can be mixed down to a stereo bounce file. This can be the last step in mixing, or an intermediate step to free up other tracks.

Effects[edit]

The H4 incorporates a 32-bit DSP that provides various effects as well as modelling of different types of microphone and guitar amplifiers. Up to 60 effects patches can be stored.

Internal clock issue[edit]

It has been reported that all H4 recorders have a serious flaw: the internal clock is not precise, with a typical error of a few seconds per hour. As a result, recorded audio is out of sync with other devices (e.g., camcorders) and has to be stretched in order to achieve synchronization.[2] [3]

References[edit]

^ "In crossed X-Y miking, two cardioid mikes are placed one across the other ... with their elements as close together as possible.... The advantage of crossed X-Y miking is a more pronounced stereo separation than available from a stereo mike." [1]
^ "Zoom H4". Sound On Sound. December 2006. Archived from the original on 9 June 2015.
^ "H4 Operation Confirmed SD Cards". 22 January 2012. Archived from the original on 22 January 2012.

External links[edit]

Official website
Pro Audio Review by Bruce Bartlett, November 2005
O'Reilly Digital Media Review by Mark Nelson, February 2007; the same reviewer also tested the Edirol R-09 and M-Audio MicroTrack recorders
Videomaker Review by Brian Peterson, March 2007
Sonic Studios Review The reviewer measures noise/frequency performance of the H4.

[1] "In crossed X-Y miking, two cardioid mikes are placed one across the other ... with their elements as close together as possible.... The advantage of crossed X-Y miking is a more pronounced stereo separation than available from a stereo mike." [1]

[2] "Zoom H4". Sound On Sound. December 2006. Archived from the original on 9 June 2015.

[3] "H4 Operation Confirmed SD Cards". 22 January 2012. Archived from the original on 22 January 2012.

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