Отзывы о Диктофон ZOOM H2n
452 отзывов пользователей о ZOOM H2n
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ZOOM H2n?
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the voice and options or great
I never write reviews, but this is a great product. Don't expect to see these in use to record symphonies, but for documentation of live folk music it is damn useful and surprisingly good.
What I appreciate the most is the total control by the user; when editing as well as during recording.
I have been using for years the previous model. It continues to be as good as ever.
I've delt with microphones that had annoying cords and they are a pain in the butt to deal with and position when shooting video. This portable mic is truely amazing. It can capture audio directional (from one angle) or omni-directional (from any direction in the room. The quality is GREAT. You can set the compressor and limiter settings which will be processed on the fly while recording. That means you really don't have to dump your recorded file into a audio editing program to process for compression.
I could truly go on for hours talking about all the features, but there listed right here on the site for you to read. This thing fits in the palm of your hand and can pick up pretty much any sound you can hear with your ears in professional detail. I'm use to using big name brand mics like Rode, Neumann and manly. So, I was a little unsure about a 'Zoom' product. I've never used anything that was made by zoom until now. I have no regrets and will purchase a second if I find the need. Let me make one suggestion if I may. I highly recommend the accessory kit (an additional purchase) if you have the extra money to spend. I have found myself needing and using everything in the accessory pack. I'm sure you will too.
For me, the most useful item was the carry case. It is well made and well fitted to the H2n. I ordered the H2n and accessory pack together. The H2n went into the case as soon as I opened everything. It is a semi-rigid case, more than a cloth bag but not quite an Otterbox.
The next most useful item is the windscreen. This one is sized and designed for the H2n. For example, the windscreen cavity is sized to fit over the microphones and there are relief cuts on the side of the windscreen to access the control buttons on the H2n.
The tripod can serve multiple uses with not only the H2n but small cameras, etc.
The remote could come in handy, however given the memory capacity it may be better just to start recording and leave it record to the end. That way, one would not risk forgetting to start recording again after stopping.
The extension cord seems of limited usefulness. The recorder needs to be near the sound source. How often would someone be so far removed from the recorder and sound source that an extension cord to the remote is needed?
The USB cord is just like the half dozen or so I already have. Although, with the added cords, one can leave one at a workstation, put one in a computer case, put one in the camera bag, etc. Likewise, the AC adapter will likely see service for items other than the H2n.
Least useful to me is the mic clip adapter only because I don't have a mic clip to adapt to.
As I mentioned, the utility of the items will vary by each person's workflow. For me, I run the recorder on batteries and stay in close proximity to it while recording. Other folks may need AC power and remote control. This package can it all.
I received my H2n, unboxed it, installed the SD card and batteries and did a quick recording test with it as just about everyone who has ever purchased this recorder would do. I played back the recording using the built-in speaker and heard a large amount of hiss and crackling in the recording! Suspecting an issue with the built-in speaker, I plugged in my headphones and heard the same thing. Suspecting the playback circuitry, I offloaded the WAV file to a computer and played it - same problem. I then closely examined the recording level meters while in a quiet room. The left channel was registering something at about -35dB and the right channel was registering something at about -25 to -30dB! I monitored the recorder with headphones and heard the "cooking bacon" sound clearly in both channels, but more loudly in the right channel. I made several test recordings using different SD cards, different mic arrays, and different file formats (WAV, mp3). This confirmed that one or more of the microphones within the unit was producing a significant amount of noise. Slowly changing the orientation of the H2n (vertical, horizontal, rotating it) while monitoring the input would occasionally result in the noise stopping. Recordings made in this "window" of correct operation were the excellent, clean, clear results that other reviewers talk about.
It seems this unit slipped by quality assurance at Samson (company that makes the Zoom recorders) and has marginal or defective components for one or more of the built-in mics. Unfortunately, when I tried to arrange a replacement through Amazon, they were out of stock! Had to just setup a return and purchase the H2n from a different source. I suggest that anyone who purchases an H2n carefully test the unit using all mic patterns in case they have the same failure as the one I received.
Hint: turn the input to zero (0), when recording concerts & loud bands. I also have the concert limiter settin on, but I don't think it ever has to kick in. More of a safety net...
And, to make matters worse, when I contacted the Zoom folks about this, all they had to say was "That's Your Problem, Not Our Problem. We regret that we cannot help you"
WHAT ! ? ! ? Oh, yeah, now THAT's Real Customer Assistance !
Use xy for single interviews or group q and a, and 2 channel (premixed) for bigger conferences. Most podcasts are in mono, so even xy/ cardioid is a little overkill, the quality is so good on this. Be sure to set the hold feature, which disables everything but mic gain during recording so you don't accidentally push something! A mic gain at 5 to 6 works perfects for conferences, workshops and one on one interviews. I've only tried this for a few concerts, and they came out excellent, but I'd guess journalism and interviews are the primary niche for this little gem. One caveat: if you pick 4 channel (concerts), it will NOT premix-- you'll see all four in Audacity or Forge, a good thing if you know what you're doing!
You can even combine MS with a separate mic, using two to four of the onboard mics with your own condenser to capture both the room or audience and your interview! Plug in headphones (NOT noise cancelling) to listen in real time to "what you hear/ what you get."
Cons, it's a battery eater if you use it extensively (advertised at 20 hours, more like 12-- GET the A/C adapter!), an investment in rechargeable batteries would also be good. There are also dedicated MS (Midside) mics, which work to pick up more ambient sound, premixed in the recorder, than XY (cardioid/ stereo) alone, but for interviews xy works a little better than MS, unless you mix out the side features in favor of cardioid in the final MP3. The "ideal" podcast mic picks up a little reverb, albeit at lower volume from the side and back, along with the direct, front facing "stem of the apple" cardioid voices. MS can be a good option if you're in that controlled a setting.
Biggest Surprise, for its size, it really does music well, although I bought it mostly for voice podcasting. Easily formats right out of the recorder for mp3 (converts it's native WAV to Mp3, although you can also do that with your software in post if you prefer), and loads into Audacity with no sweat. Thumbs up if you're looking for a field unit for web journalism, interviews, classes you'll rebroadcast, etc.
Remember one thing: the quality of the mic also is limited by the quality of your sound card, and if you're using a laptop, you might want an intermediate mixer/ recorder rather than replacing your card. See our listmania podcast list for lots of these bells and whistles!
Wow! I read through the manual once and then started recording. I set it on an end table, played into it, and then transfered the files to my computer through the USB port (cable not included, but the one I use for my GPS unit worked) and edited them with the Wave Lab 7 software that comes bundled with the product. It was so easy I couldn't believe it. I found I could just delete the flubbed parts with a keystroke. The audio quality was so much better than what I had ever experienced with my old mic I was floored. I've already posted several videos on YouTube of my playing and they're getting some looks and likes. I won't put links here because Amazon doesn't allow self-promotion or self-identification in their reviews, which I think is a good policy.
The Wave Lab 7 software says it requires Windows 7, but I installed it on my old Win XP computer with no problem (it comes on a DVD, not a CD, so be warned if you don't have the right drive). I like the software a lot, but I think Magix or Audacity will probably work as well for you.
For voice, I also have some experience. I record textbooks for the blind and dyslexic as a volunteer activity (Learning Ally). We do that in professional quality sound booths with boom mics. The sound quality there is outstanding as you would expect. When I hear my voice played back on those I think I sound pretty good. With the small computer mic at home I sound horrible -- hoarse, higher-pitched. With the Zoom I have that same fullness, a deeper voice timbre as I do at Learning Ally.
Software that came with it wasn't great, but other free, online software options are easy to use with it.
The remote control (with extension) makes it easy to start/stop the recorder without adding the 'handling noise' when recording. Saves me time when editing multiple recordings.
The wind screen doesn't kill all wind noise, but cuts it back substantially. A better screen or 'dead kitten' cover may be necessary in windy outdoor conditions, but light breeze and air noise from moving around indoors is cut.
The case is great, but does not fit the unit well with the windscreen attached - carrying the windscreen around separately is a drag. It has a nice detachable carry strap, though, which is nice. I also wish there were an elastic pocket inside for holding an extra memory card or the remote.
The mic stand piece is great for holding the recorder on a typical microphone stand, and can be used for simple holding of the recorder without touching it. (reduces handling noise a bit, too)
The mini tripod is pretty cheap, and the legs cannot extend far enough to support the recorder if the ball head is angled very steeply. I think I can maybe get 10 or 15 degrees pitch in any given direction, but beyond that, the tripod will tip over. It comes in handy for vertical orientation now and then, but is largely useless otherwise.
The power supply comes in handy, but most of us have these USB cables & adapters in spades at home already.
Personally, I would rather have paid less and eliminated the tripod and USB cable + power adapter, but I've used them once-or-twice, so ... eh. The primary parts of this kit are great, though, so they make it worth the price.
I'd recommend using Duracell batteries in your Zoom device, as speaking to other people who regularly use sound devices for a living, they say that Duracell batteries increase the quality of recording a fraction more.
I attach my Zoom device on the end of a monopod and use it as a boom pole. Then using the front directional recorders I just tilt the front of the Zoom H2n downward above actors or twist it either way to pick up dialogue between 2 actors talking together. When you buy a boom pole your H2n should just fit right on it. Take your H2n into the store just to check first. You can also use the monopod as a steady cam and do other neat stuff with your video camera mounted on it.
10 out of 10. Love it.





