Initially I criticized the Zoom H4 on several points:
The internal mic's are too noisy for a nature sound recordist.
My Zoom created sounds of it's own, tones and beeps and clicks, at
all recorder settings.
When using external mic's (the internal ones are too poor) - the
level setting takes too long time in the bush, as you have to go into
menus and set left channel and right channel separately.
The Zoom has no 3,5 mm plug in power input. You can buy a accessory
to be connected to the balanced input, converting the phantom power
to PIP, - but then you still have the problem of going into menus and
set the levels separately! Only the poor internal mic's have the
level setting linked to both channels.
Then I found out that the balanced inputs are really good, well good
enough for nature recording. When connecting a 10dB(A) microphone, it
was the mic noise that was audible.
And I found that the new firmware solved the problem with synthesized
sound. (knock wood...)
So at that moment, I had a very cheap recorder with no strange sound
creating and good balanced inputs.
But still there was the problem of setting the levels separately.
But the internal mic level is set with the two channels linked to one anoth=
er!
So I replaced the internal mic's with two EM21 cardioids. Really
great! It sounds as if they were connected to a Sony HiMD!
So now I have a very cheap recorder with really good integrated XY
stereo and linked level setting!
I know I am going to use it. (My new FR-2 is big, hard on batteries
and does not record MP3. I will use it only under ideal recording condition=
s.)
After these modifications - new firmware and replacing the internal
mic's, the Zoom H4 is really a good budget alternative for "daily
life" nature recording.
Klas.
S-748 96 Tobo, Sweden.
Phone & fax int + 295 310 01
email:
website: www.telinga.com
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