Since launching in 2007, we’ve been impressed with Zoom’s H2 sound recording range, and the latest H2n update sees a beefier, chunkier design packing some innovative features.
Mic, mic, mic, mic and mic
Billed as the only portable recorder with five studio-quality microphones onboard, the H2n serves up no less than four unique recording modes: Mid-Side (MS) stereo (a staple of the film and broadcast industry), 90° X/Y stereo, 2-channel and 4-channel surround sound.
The recorder packs an 1.8-inch backlit LCD display supporting a new user interface, backed by a built-in reference speaker and the ability to hook it up to a USB port and record directly to a computer.
The H2n can keep on going for over 20 hours of continuous operation on just two standard AA alkaline batteries and should sell for around $199 when it ships this September.
Scroll down for the press release and official video.
Zoom H2n Handy Recorder. Enjoy the new standard.
First and only portable recorder with five studio-quality microphones onboard
Hauppauge, NY – (July 12, 2011) – Representing a new generation of portable recording, the H2n is Zoom’s most innovative handheld recorder to date. We’ve packed groundbreaking features into an ultra-portable device that allows you to record pristine audio anywhere you go.The H2n features our best microphones yet and is the only portable recorder with five studio-quality microphones onboard. This design enables the H2n to offer four unique recording modes: Mid-Side (MS) stereo, a technique used for many years in film and broadcast, 90° X/Y stereo, 2-channel and 4-channel surround sound. With its newly designed user interface, 1.8-inch backlit LCD display for crystal-clear monitoring and built-in reference speaker that allows you to playback recordings on the spot, the H2n is remarkably easy to use in any application.
“A lot of people are going to be knocked-out when they use this device, but we’re really interested in seeing the response from the film and broadcast industries,” says Scott Goodman, President of Samson. “Mid-Side miking has been used in those industries since the ’80s, but it’s never been available in a handheld recorder.”
Further enhancing its flexibility and convenience, the H2n provides over 20 hours of continuous operation on just two standard AA alkaline batteries. In addition, the H2n features a new data recovery function and a High-Speed USB 2.0 interface. You can even use the H2n as a USB microphone and record directly to your computer.
No matter the application, the H2n brings the very best in stereo recording to a convenient, user-friendly package that fits in your pocket.
Zoom H2n Handy Recorder. The new standard in portable recording. The H2n will be available September 2011 for $199.
but it doesn’t have mono recording for voiceovers?
The Zoom H2 wasn’t a very good machine with a cheap plasticky build and hissy mic pre-amps. But Zoom did make improvements to the ‘n’ version of the beefier, phantom-powering H4, and it may the same with the H2n.
I think ‘studio quality’ is a rather vague term to use when on-board recorder mics. It’s a bit like the tendency for camera accessory makers to include the word ‘Pro’ in a product name when it all signifies is that it’s not bottom-of-the-range.
The original Zoom H2 had noticeable colouration to its sound and hissy preamps, as well as indifferent build quality. But Zoom made noticeable improvements with the ‘n’ version of the H4, and it may be the same with the H2n.