Zoom H2 Digital Recorder
From SPARK
Contents |
Equipment
Description
Name of Product/Equipment: Zoom H2
Type & Format: Digital recorder
Manufacturer Name: Zoom
Website: www.zoom.co.jp
Summary
- The Zoom H2 digital recorder is the latest in the Zoom line. It is small, palm sized, and has many features for recording, producing wave or mp3 files in stereo or mono. It is in a very complete kit, including an SD 512 MB card, desk stand, mike stand attachment, and all the cables needed to record, format, and pass to a recorder for further editing of the audio files. It even has a foam windscreen made to cover the built in microphone.
Considerations
Strengths and Recommendations
- A unique feature of this unit is that the microphone is selected for recording from either front or back of the unit, when upright; and it can also record simultaneously front and back, and even four channel. See the illustrations below.
- The claim is for four hours of recording on the two AA batteries. Or the AC adapter can be used. When the unit is plugged into a computer with the USB card, it receives its power from the computer.
- External microphones can be used with the 1/8” plug. If they are condenser, they need to have their own batteries. It has a separate “line-in” jack, which blocks the built-in mics. The headphone jack is 1/8”, and gives a very adequate signal. Mic gain can be adjusted with the side switch to Lo, Med, and Hi, as well as minor adjustments during recording with the transport keys.
- Another unusual feature is that the H2 can be used as a USB mic to the computer, or as a USB interface for recording from other electronic devices.
Limitations and Cautions
- The readout screen is rather small, resulting in small characters, but it supports a very complete menu.
Evaluation
- I found the instructions a bit confusing at first, with my mindset of “record” being “record” and “reverse” and “fast forward” being “reverse” and “ fast forward”, because these same buttons are used for enter and to move the curser up and down in the menu. Once this is conquered, you can go to the many selections in the menu.
- The Zoom H2 seems to be a very satisfactory digital recorder with other handy features as well. It will be valuable for linguists and audio technicians on the field. It also could produce studio quality surround-sound music files from live sound groups. The case, although plastic, seems strong and not fragile as some are. It would serve well for recording groups, such as board meetings and conferences, if the speakers were not too far away from it. he SD card can be easily replaced to extend the recording possibilities without downloading when one card is full. Then the cards could be read to computer with a card reader or directly from the H2. I don’t think it will completely replace the traditional multiple quality mics through a mixing board, but could well supplement them as needed.
See: www.zoom.co.jp/english/products/h2/index.php
Product Details
H-2 Specifications
●Simultaneous Recording Tracks:[Stereo mode] 2, [4ch mode] 4 ●Simultaneous Playback Tracks:[Stereo mode] 2, [4ch mode] 4 ●Locator:Hours/Minutes/Seconds ●File Editing functions:Time Stamp check, Rename, Delete, Size check, Divide, Normalize ●Other functions:MP3 post-encode, A-B repeat, Lo-cut filter, AGC/compressor/limiter, Marker ●Tuner:Chromatic, Guitar, Bass, Open A/D/E/G, DADGAD ●Metronome:5 Sounds(Beat 0/4-8/4, 6/8, Tempo 40.0-250.0BPM) ●A/D Conversion:24bit, 128 times over-sampling ●D/A Conversion:24bit, 128 times over-sampling ●Signal Processing:32bit ●Recording Media:SD memory card(16MB-2GB), SDHC memory card(4GB) ●Recording Format:[Stereo mode] WAV(Quantization:16/24bit, Sampling frequency:44.1/48/96kHz), MP3(Bitrate:48/56/64/80/96/112/128/160/192/224/256/320kbps/VBR, Sampling frequency:44.1kHz), [4ch mode] WAV(Quantization:16/24bit, Sampling frequency:44.1/48kHz) ●Playback Format:[Stereo mode] WAV(Quantization:16/24bit, Sampling frequency:44.1/48/96kHz), MP3(Bitrate:32/40/48/56/64/80/96/112/128/160/192/224/256/320kbps/VBR, Sampling frequency:44.1/48kHz), [4ch mode] WAV(Quantization:16/24bit, Sampling frequency:44.1/48kHz) ●Display:128x64 pixel, back-lit LCD ●Inputs:[LINE IN] 1/8" stereo phone jack(Input impedance:10kΩ, Input level:-10dBm), [EXT MIC IN] 1/8" stereo phone jack(Plug-in powered:2.5V, Input impedance:20kΩ, Input level:-20/-30/-40dBm), [Built-in stereo mic] W-XY stereo microphone(MIC GAIN:+1.5/+17/+27dB) ●Output:[PHONES/LINE OUT] 1/8" stereo phone jack([LINE] Output load impedance:10kΩ or more, Rated output level:-10dBm / [PHONES] 15mW+15mW, into 32Ω load) ●USB Interface:Mini-B type(USB2.0 Full-Speed compatible), Mass Storage Class operation / Audio Interface operation(16bit, 44.1/48kHz) ●Power Requirements:AA size(LR6) battery x2, or Supplied AC adaptor AD-0006(DC9V/300mA/center minus type) ● Battery Life(with alkaline batteries):4 hours recording, 4.5 hours playback ●Dimensions:63.5(W)x110(D)x32(H)mm ●Weight(without batteries):110g ●Supplied Accessories:SD memory card(512MB), Desktop stand, Mic clip adaptor, Wind screen, Earbuds, USB cable, Stereo Y cable, AC adaptor(AD-0006)
- Recording an exceptionally realistic stereo image can be a challenge with a conventional mic pair. The H2 has dual X/Y configured stereo mics facing front and rear. This is ideal for capturing a wide and contiguous stereo image. There are two sets of mics - one pair facing the front and one pair facing the rear - allowing you to record at 90° from the front or 120° from the rear. You can even use both of the two pairs to produce a four-channel recording with 360° coverage. After recording, the built-in 3D panning function gives you full control over the front/rear/left/right balance. Or use commonly available authoring software to create 5.1 surround recordings. No other portable digital recorder has this ability.
Built-in Mic, Polar Pattern Frequency Response
|
| ||||||
Where to Obtain
Order From:
- Contact VMS Sales for cost.
Reviewed by: Vernon / Peter - VMS Staff
Date: October 29, 2007
