It's funny. I once bought the h2 for some field stuff and hated it. Well I normally work in a studio with real kit, like schoeps, dpa, neumann etc. I thought I'd never use the h2 again, but after getting a dslr and trying a few other mics suitable for dslr bodies I figured, that even this shitty little h2 thing sounds better than any of the rivals I tested. Seems like the H2 will get a second chance. Happy I didn't sell it right away..
The main thing that the H4 has that this doesn't is XLR/phantom powered inputs for better quality microphones. If you have condensers you wish to use that is a huge plus.
The mic clip adapter is to allow the unit to fit in a standard microphone stand and mic clip.
@photoopd1 Yes, these will connect to your computer via USB.
What I'd like to know is how, if at all possible, do you connect them to DSLR? I know the H1 can mount on the Canon T2i/T3i but I haven't seen this one as versatile.
So are you Syncing up the audio in post? I'm considering buying this tomorrow when I buy my camera tomorrow but I want something that will be good for recording outdoors as well. Would some sort of shotgun mic that plugs right in be better for me?
i think you should do a test where you put the zoom h2 where the camera is , and see how well it sounds, im sure its quality is way better then the in camera mic, but how loud it will project.
@MrSonam83 You sure can dude. I fashioned a little threaded holder that slips into my hot foot (metal clamp on that would hold an external flash on top of your rebel) to hold my zoom h4 as I record; on each clip, a snap of the fingers allows you to synch up the audio/video in post. I highly suggest using the headphone jack in the zoom to monitor the sound levels as your record video. You'll easily forget about your levels otherwise.
@thor2017 - Well, I'm not all that thrilled with my Sony WCS999. It's cheap (about $100), but the sound quality is just ok. I have just ordered a uni-directional mic off ebay from a highly rated seller out of the UK that is supposed to be VERY good quality so it'll be interesting to see if it makes a difference used with the Sony WCS999 or if I need to upgrade the wireless units as well. I'll try the new mic on the 999 as well as on my H2 to see the differences.
Once I've had a chance to evaluate the new mic and whether or not I need to replace the Sony WCS999 with a higher quality unit (may the Sony UWP or the Sennheiser), I'll do a video to let you and the other interested viewers know.
Obviously, the cheapest and easiest solution is to go with a wired lav. This is the new lav I ordered...
When you shoot aircrafts during airshows or when you're spotting, the sound sometimes goes very high and you want to catch the most realistic sound you can for the planes lovers like me. Sometimes, the big birds are also pretty far away. What is for you the best external microphone, for Nikon DSLR's, like D5100, to catch this kind of sound? (under 250 bucks). Thanks in advance :-)
what people need to remember with mics is that they will always sound better the closer they are to the subject which is one of the main reasons for having a separate mic. if that zoom was the same distance as the camera it wouldn't sound very good. Still better but not much.
@ArtoftheImage definitely I agree but if you had the mics the same distance you would hear that distance in the recording. This is why there is no point building a camera with a great on board mic. Also why sound men use the boom to get the mic as close to the action as possible. Otherwise they wouldn't bother. This is something a lot of people don't understand when they have limited experience with mics. They think owning a good mic will instantly give them good sound.
@ArtoftheImage Matt, the H2 is not pro grade. The preamps are way too noisy with ext mics, especially since it only has 1/4" connection, no balanced input or XLR. Using the H2 built in mic is fine for casual use but you can't monitor and adjust levels on the fly without handling noise. As NakedjKid says, closer is better. Not really fair to compare your DSLR which is far away to the H2 which is sitting in front of you. Also, your levels are all over on these vids. You should try using a lav mic.
@FrodoDojo I've used it too. I think maybe I've been misunderstood. It's a great product and you're right no camera mic comes close. However I feel the main reason for having a separate mic from the camera is because regardless of the quality of the camera mic you will hear the distance in the recording. It's something that lots of people overlook when they first get into video production because it's not something they've ever thought about.
@FrodoDojo The H2 is better than any camera mic. But distance makes all of the difference. If you had a camera mic right up to a speakers face, you can set levels/floor low and limit surrounding noise. But to get the same level of voice pickup from the H2 from say 7 feet away, you'd have to hike up the levels and you'd hear lots of hiss from the H2's subpar preamps and surrounding noise. In a noisy room, distance is the difference between getting usable sound and trash.
Technically this is a recorder. You can't hook this thing up to your camera and get the audio directly from it. You have to record while filming and then import and sync it up in postproduction. If you're interested in a camera mounted microphone, this is not particularly useful.
@rzr82 Seems I'm mistaken, there is in fact a monitoring output on this which should allow you to plug it into your camera if it has the appropriate input. As far as I can tell you can't mount it on your camera though, which makes it most suitable for stationary work.
@rzr82 - You can mount it on camera via camera hotshoe to an adapter into the tripod mount on the mic. You can also plug external mics into the H2, and use a lavalier with it as well. I've used my Sony wireless lavalier with it too.
@ArtoftheImage Ah, well that changes things. Even though it seems a bit clunky I am indeed very impressed with the quality of the audio. I may get one when I get a DSLR with video capability.
There is a YouTuber by the name Rickvanman that sells dead cats for the Zoom H2 much cheaper then the ones you buy from other places. He makes them him self, but he also has a video on how to make your own dead cat.
He started to make them because some of his subscribers said they really did not want to bother making them self.
@ArtoftheImage But its not as good as a Dead Cat with hair on it. I heard the sound test that Youtuber Rickvanman did. Its not bad the one that comes with the Zoom H2 but its not as good on windy days.
@ArtoftheImage It looked like the Zoom comes with a foam wind cover? "Dead cats" are usually fur based and do better, especially in windier conditions than the foam versions, I believe.
@cat325ccr - You sync it with the cameras audio in your video editing software such as Sony Vegas or Adobe Premiere Pro. Very easy to do. Just zoom in on the audio timeline and sync up the wave graph for audio.
Hey man! Thanks for the review! I have a Zoom H2, but I am looking for the Lavalier Mic to add to it. Which model do you use?
Shmangled 1 month ago
This has been flagged as spam show
you could tell me what were the settings used to make the recording?
L / M / H?
gain in db?
type of format? (mp3 or wav)
thank you
herect 1 month ago
Love my H2 it Rocks! Get the job done!
RollinsTVSyed 1 month ago
can the zoom h2 connect directly to the camcorder?
KaiWen4EVER 2 months ago
everyone STOP =P!
The H2 is great, but you need to look at the H2N, it's an audio revolution!
DoCWaSaBe 2 months ago
It's funny. I once bought the h2 for some field stuff and hated it. Well I normally work in a studio with real kit, like schoeps, dpa, neumann etc. I thought I'd never use the h2 again, but after getting a dslr and trying a few other mics suitable for dslr bodies I figured, that even this shitty little h2 thing sounds better than any of the rivals I tested. Seems like the H2 will get a second chance. Happy I didn't sell it right away..
Phunker1 2 months ago
hey mate! can you connect the Zoom h2 to the camera? i've got the nikon d5100...
thanks!
criticovago 3 months ago
How exactly is this mic connected to a D5100 or D7000?
OneZeroEnt 4 months ago
@OneZeroEnt it doesn't connect to the camera it's only audio ,
while editing you sync your audio with the video .
Ibrahim7R 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Hi,
Can you record telephone interviews with the Zoom H2?
I have an Olympus tp-7 hands-free earpiece from a previous cheaper recorder.
Also, is the Zoom H2 suitable for interviewing several people sat around a table?
How about use for recording a podcast? Do you think the sound will be a sufficient quality?
Thanks for any feedback.
artidiot 4 months ago
What are your settings?! I have the H2 and yours sounds better!!
ImagineNowEntertnmnt 5 months ago
The main thing that the H4 has that this doesn't is XLR/phantom powered inputs for better quality microphones. If you have condensers you wish to use that is a huge plus.
The mic clip adapter is to allow the unit to fit in a standard microphone stand and mic clip.
dentunes 5 months ago
hi how do you hook it up on dslr?
poknads14 5 months ago
ty for the info i plan on geting one soon
photoopd1 6 months ago
can i use this for runing off my computer for say like skpe
photoopd1 7 months ago
@photoopd1 Yes, these will connect to your computer via USB.
What I'd like to know is how, if at all possible, do you connect them to DSLR? I know the H1 can mount on the Canon T2i/T3i but I haven't seen this one as versatile.
supercooled 6 months ago
If you plugged the mic strait into say the t2i would it sound the same?
Smalskin 7 months ago
So are you Syncing up the audio in post? I'm considering buying this tomorrow when I buy my camera tomorrow but I want something that will be good for recording outdoors as well. Would some sort of shotgun mic that plugs right in be better for me?
ampix0 8 months ago
i think you should do a test where you put the zoom h2 where the camera is , and see how well it sounds, im sure its quality is way better then the in camera mic, but how loud it will project.
TheSocialSensation 8 months ago
Hi, i am a small time film maker. i just started.Can i use this mic for film making also. I have a dslr canon t2i. thks
MrSonam83 9 months ago
@MrSonam83 - Sure, why wouldn't you be able to?
ArtoftheImage 9 months ago
@MrSonam83 You sure can dude. I fashioned a little threaded holder that slips into my hot foot (metal clamp on that would hold an external flash on top of your rebel) to hold my zoom h4 as I record; on each clip, a snap of the fingers allows you to synch up the audio/video in post. I highly suggest using the headphone jack in the zoom to monitor the sound levels as your record video. You'll easily forget about your levels otherwise.
chameleonicblu22 1 month ago
I like the compact look of the H2. I have the H4n which is a tad ig, but lots of features.
LEXPIX 9 months ago
Hi Mike! Great video as always! I have a question for you: what lavalier microphone do you recommend? Continue with the good work!
thor2017 9 months ago
@thor2017 - Well, I'm not all that thrilled with my Sony WCS999. It's cheap (about $100), but the sound quality is just ok. I have just ordered a uni-directional mic off ebay from a highly rated seller out of the UK that is supposed to be VERY good quality so it'll be interesting to see if it makes a difference used with the Sony WCS999 or if I need to upgrade the wireless units as well. I'll try the new mic on the 999 as well as on my H2 to see the differences.
ArtoftheImage 9 months ago
Comment removed
stavyros 7 months ago
Once I've had a chance to evaluate the new mic and whether or not I need to replace the Sony WCS999 with a higher quality unit (may the Sony UWP or the Sennheiser), I'll do a video to let you and the other interested viewers know.
Obviously, the cheapest and easiest solution is to go with a wired lav. This is the new lav I ordered...
cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280644726476&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_1237wt_905
ArtoftheImage 9 months ago
Another BIG thank you Matt.
modis67 9 months ago
Yeah I like that mic. Been hunting for it here at SG. Quite expensive still.
wewyllenium 9 months ago
awesome price on the zoom h2. and very awesome transition from the different mics it was very flush and fluid!
ithree6mafia 9 months ago
Great vid again!
When you shoot aircrafts during airshows or when you're spotting, the sound sometimes goes very high and you want to catch the most realistic sound you can for the planes lovers like me. Sometimes, the big birds are also pretty far away. What is for you the best external microphone, for Nikon DSLR's, like D5100, to catch this kind of sound? (under 250 bucks). Thanks in advance :-)
iloveairfrance 9 months ago
you should have turned on the ratings for this video. i wouldn't mind seeing you do an video on you editing 1 of your youtube vids.
artawesome 9 months ago
what people need to remember with mics is that they will always sound better the closer they are to the subject which is one of the main reasons for having a separate mic. if that zoom was the same distance as the camera it wouldn't sound very good. Still better but not much.
NakedJKid 9 months ago
@NakedJKid - Can't say I agree with that. The quality of the mics in the Zoom H2 and H4 are MUCH better than the built in mics in any DSLR.
ArtoftheImage 9 months ago
@ArtoftheImage definitely I agree but if you had the mics the same distance you would hear that distance in the recording. This is why there is no point building a camera with a great on board mic. Also why sound men use the boom to get the mic as close to the action as possible. Otherwise they wouldn't bother. This is something a lot of people don't understand when they have limited experience with mics. They think owning a good mic will instantly give them good sound.
NakedJKid 9 months ago
@ArtoftheImage Matt, the H2 is not pro grade. The preamps are way too noisy with ext mics, especially since it only has 1/4" connection, no balanced input or XLR. Using the H2 built in mic is fine for casual use but you can't monitor and adjust levels on the fly without handling noise. As NakedjKid says, closer is better. Not really fair to compare your DSLR which is far away to the H2 which is sitting in front of you. Also, your levels are all over on these vids. You should try using a lav mic.
JakeTMarks 9 months ago
@ArtoftheImage Is it possible to mount this mic on top of a dslr camera???
cc17201 3 months ago
@NakedJKid I've used the H2 as well. There is no camera mic that can come close, regardless of distance.
FrodoDojo 9 months ago
@FrodoDojo I've used it too. I think maybe I've been misunderstood. It's a great product and you're right no camera mic comes close. However I feel the main reason for having a separate mic from the camera is because regardless of the quality of the camera mic you will hear the distance in the recording. It's something that lots of people overlook when they first get into video production because it's not something they've ever thought about.
NakedJKid 9 months ago
Comment removed
JakeTMarks 9 months ago
@FrodoDojo The H2 is better than any camera mic. But distance makes all of the difference. If you had a camera mic right up to a speakers face, you can set levels/floor low and limit surrounding noise. But to get the same level of voice pickup from the H2 from say 7 feet away, you'd have to hike up the levels and you'd hear lots of hiss from the H2's subpar preamps and surrounding noise. In a noisy room, distance is the difference between getting usable sound and trash.
JakeTMarks 9 months ago
can you please show your recording set up you know like a video behind the scenes
CAIDMASTEROFPYRO 9 months ago
Technically this is a recorder. You can't hook this thing up to your camera and get the audio directly from it. You have to record while filming and then import and sync it up in postproduction. If you're interested in a camera mounted microphone, this is not particularly useful.
rzr82 9 months ago
@rzr82 Seems I'm mistaken, there is in fact a monitoring output on this which should allow you to plug it into your camera if it has the appropriate input. As far as I can tell you can't mount it on your camera though, which makes it most suitable for stationary work.
rzr82 9 months ago
@rzr82 - You can mount it on camera via camera hotshoe to an adapter into the tripod mount on the mic. You can also plug external mics into the H2, and use a lavalier with it as well. I've used my Sony wireless lavalier with it too.
ArtoftheImage 9 months ago
@ArtoftheImage Ah, well that changes things. Even though it seems a bit clunky I am indeed very impressed with the quality of the audio. I may get one when I get a DSLR with video capability.
rzr82 9 months ago
Do you really always have to put every camera in the title all the every time? (Does not mean to sound angry at all, but) it's quite ridiculous.
However, cool when you changed to in-camera mic, super clear difference. And sounded really cool when you touched it.
johanneswingerlang 9 months ago
I have the h4 =)
Inattuale 9 months ago
@Inattuale - H4 is a SWEET mic!
ArtoftheImage 9 months ago
There is a YouTuber by the name Rickvanman that sells dead cats for the Zoom H2 much cheaper then the ones you buy from other places. He makes them him self, but he also has a video on how to make your own dead cat.
He started to make them because some of his subscribers said they really did not want to bother making them self.
mp4podcastDOTcom 9 months ago
The Zoom H2 comes with one as I show in the video.
ArtoftheImage 9 months ago
@ArtoftheImage But its not as good as a Dead Cat with hair on it. I heard the sound test that Youtuber Rickvanman did. Its not bad the one that comes with the Zoom H2 but its not as good on windy days.
mp4podcastDOTcom 9 months ago
@ArtoftheImage It looked like the Zoom comes with a foam wind cover? "Dead cats" are usually fur based and do better, especially in windier conditions than the foam versions, I believe.
mrman17 9 months ago
How do you sync it up with the video?
Thanks!
cat325ccr 9 months ago
@cat325ccr - You sync it with the cameras audio in your video editing software such as Sony Vegas or Adobe Premiere Pro. Very easy to do. Just zoom in on the audio timeline and sync up the wave graph for audio.
ArtoftheImage 9 months ago
Comment removed
akaANUNAKI 9 months ago
over 300$ in Russia... lol...
akaANUNAKI 9 months ago
what do you think of the nikon ME-1?
thanks for the review!
forumpaul 9 months ago
@forumpaul - I haven't tried it, but from what I saw of Jared Polin's test, the Rode Shotgun mic is better.
ArtoftheImage 9 months ago