Testing the Zoom H4N at several locations

In this video I'll show you how easy the H4N recorder works.

I've shot this video so you'll be able to hear (and judge?) the sound quality of the H4N. I recorded:
- At the beach (with standard wind cap)
- Strumming some strings on the guitar
- Lighting a candle
- Playing the flute
- Playing the trumpet

All recorded in stereo mode with the two built-in microphones. No additional settings.

In my opinion the sound quality is pretty great. The wind cap works OK, but recording at the beach is a bit too much to ask. You will have to buy a better one.

The H4N will be ideal for:
- Live performance recording
- Field sound recording
- Recording a business meeting

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Zoom
• H4N
• Samson
• H4
• digital
• audio
• recording
• Lenie
• Stokhof
• Han
• Gerard
• Laan

[EltonJohnGigs]

Will you recommend this or the H2N for recording at concerts? I know that the H2N has 5 build-in mics, but honestly, there must be a reason for the H4N to be more expensive. I'm tilting between the H2N and the H4N and I don't know which to pick. I want the best sound, so what are your experiences with the H4N? If you have any comments to this please advise me :)

Thanks in advance!

[gtclaan]

@EltonJohnGigs Honestly, I don't have any experience with the H2N so I might not be the guy to talk with ;-) I can tell you the H4N will do the job perfectly! You'll get crystal clear sound. But if you only intent to record at concerts my guess is the H2N will do fine. The higher price of the H4N is mainly because of extra features, for instance the 2 XLR inputs which are pretty much a 'must have' during studio recordings.

[RomanticPopPunk]

2:14 Did your Zoom H4N eliminate from TV sound?

[gtclaan]

@RomanticPopPunk No not really. I wish it had a feature like that ;-). The TV was still on, but we did turn down the volume.

[nickynunn]

can it record a noisy jam in a rehearsal studio? if the sound and levels are good to the ear at the time,though loud and busy,can the hn4 reproduce this or will it be too loud?

[gtclaan]

@nickynunn This won't be a problem for the h4n. Adjust the recording levels a bit and you'll be fine. But it might be a problem if there are huge differences between the soft and loud parts in the jam. If that's the case, my advice would be to adjust the recording level to the loudest parts of the jam. The H4N mics are sensitive enough to still capture the more soft parts of the jam, but probably you will have to increase the volume a bit while editing in post.

[triggerdance]

@MaximoBrazil2000 well i was considering getting the 990 but then i discovered HOW MUCH SHIT YOU NEED TO TAKE IT AROUND WIT U:p get the zoom it is same if not better quality more options (obviosly) its stereo AND has loads of features and effects built in its a studio in the palm of your hand! get it :)

[MaximoBrazil2000]

Sorry, one more thing: what's the diference between Zoom H4N and Marantz 671?

[MaximoBrazil2000]

Do you think the sound quality of zoom H4N is better than  MXL 990?

On the beach rec I listen to much wind sound; is it possible avoiding that?

[freemancarl]

Clean & Beautiful Sound.

Worth the price. Cheers! :)

[RomanticPopPunk]

@poundpit $295??? Go to ebay