Zoom H2 Handy Portable Stereo Recorder
Zoom H2 Handy Portable Stereo Recorder

Zoom H2 Handy Portable Stereo Recorder

Manufacturer:
Zoom

UPC:
411378073426

Retail Price:
$334.99

#Deals:

Avg. Rating:

Also check out the Zoom H4 Handy Recorder with 4-track recording.
Features:
  • Finally record 360 sound as 2ch data or 4ch data simultaneously
  • Built-in USB 2.0 port for data storage
  • Records in WAV 96kHz/48kHz/44.1kHz at 16-bit or 24-bit, MP3 to 320kbps and Variable Bit Rate (VBR) data formats
  • Time Stamp and Track Marker functions in Broadcast WAV Format (BWF)
Product Description
It's a simple idea: provide brilliant stereo recording in an easy-to-use, ultra-portable device. The H2 is the only portable recorder with 3 mic capsules onboard for mid-side recording. A directional mic is in the center (mid) and two directional mics (side) are positioned left and right. The audio is decoded instantly, bringing these three signals together for unparalleled stereo imaging. One button recording, gain controls on the side and an intuitive user interface mean you can always capture the moment. Set your levels, push record and go. The H2 records on Secure Digital (SD) media and a 512MB SD card is included. With a 4GB SD memory card, the H2 provides up to 2 hours recording at 96kHz, 6 hours at 44.1kHz, or up to a staggering 138 hours in MP3. Play your recordings on your home audio system with its 1/8" stereo output or listen to your masterpiece with headphones. Or, use the H2's USB interface to move your recordings to your Mac or PC to listen, edit and share. 512MB SD memory card included; Accommodates up to 4GB SD optional memory cards Auto Gain Control (AGC) for pristine recordings Auto Start function means you're always ready to record Low-cut filter eliminates wind noise On-board chromatic Guitar/Bass tuner Two standard alkaline AA batteries will give you 4 hours of continuous operation and a backlit display means it's always easy to use in any situation Pocketable - Weighs only 4 ounces

From the Manufacturer
It's a simple idea: provide brilliant stereo recording in an easy-to-use, ultra-portable device. Now everyone can record pristine audio in an infinite variety of applications. From seminars and conferences, to electronic news gathering (ENG) and podcasting, to musical performances, songwriting sessions and rehearsals, the H2 provides amazing recording quality. And no matter what kind of music you perform or the instrument you play, the H2 can effortlessly record it in high-quality stereo.

Why Four Mics are Better Than Two

90° Pattern
Record from the front at 90°
120° Pattern
Record from the front at 120° The H2 is the only portable recorder with 4 mic capsules on-board for 360° recording. With 4 mic capsules in a W-X/Y configuration, the audio is decoded instantly, bringing these four signals together for unparalleled stereo imaging.

But the H2 doesn't stop there. For maximum flexibility, you can record from the front of the H2 in a 90° pickup pattern or the rear of the H2 in a 120° pickup pattern at up to 96 kHz/24-bit resolution as a WAV file, or as an MP3 file at bitrates up to 320 kbps. Additionally, you can record in a 360° pickup pattern at up to 48kHz/24-bit resolution which will allow you to convert your recordings to 5.1 Surround.

Push a Button...
That's all it takes to start recording! The H2 is a remarkably robust device that is incredibly easy to use. One button recording, gain controls on the side and an intuitive user interface mean you can always capture the moment. Set your levels, push record and go. It's that simple. Or use the Auto Start and Auto Gain Control functions to ensure complete capture at the right level. And if you need to fine-tune your levels on the fly, we made it easy with gain control buttons on the front panel.

Play it Back!
Play your recordings on your home audio system with its 1/8" stereo output or listen to your masterpiece with headphones. Or, use the H2's USB interface to move your recordings to your Mac or PC to listen, edit and share.

The H2 records on Secure Digital (SD) media and a 512MB SD card is included. The unit can accommodate up to a 16GB SD card, allowing up to 24 hours of total recording time using the 16-bit/44.1kHz WAV format. At 128kbps MP3, you get an amazing 280 hours of stereo recording. Store your recordings on a PC or Mac with its USB 2.0 interface. And you can use its time stamping function for reference during production. Or use the H2 as a USB Mic for recording directly to a computer.

What's Life Without Accessories
The H2 comes with earbuds, 1/8 inch stereo to RCA cable, mic clip adapter, tripod stand, USB cable, AC adapter and a 512MB SD card.

Ultimate Convenience
The H2 weighs 4 ounces and fits in your pocket for the ultimate in portability and convenience. Two standard alkaline AA batteries will give you 4 hours of continuous operation and a backlit display means it's always easy to use in any situation.

Enjoy Your Brilliance
Brilliant stereo recording in a convenient, user-friendly package means there's never been an easier way to record high quality audio. The H2 gives everyone the power to record anything and share it with anyone, anywhere. You'll be amazed by your sound.

Features:
  • W-XY mic patterns with 4 mic capsules and signal processing allows Front 90° cardioid, Rear 120° cardioid and 360° polar patterns
  • Built-in USB 2.0 interface
  • Records in WAV 96kHz/48kHz/44.1kHz at 16-bit or 24-bit, MP3 to 320kbps and Variable Bit Rate (VBR) data formats
  • Time Stamp and Track Marker functions in Broadcast WAV Format (BWF)
  • 512MB SD memory card included
  • Accommodates up to 16GB SD memory cards
  • Auto Gain Control (AGC) for pristine recordings
  • Auto Start function means you're always ready to record
  • Low-cut filter eliminates wind noise
  • On-board chromatic Guitar/Bass tuner

H2 Handy Recorder Features at a Glance
The H2 Handy Recorder brings the ultimate in functionality and versatility to portable digital recording. A clear, backlit display features recording levels, time code, file name and remaining battery life. LEDs indicate Front, Rear, 2 Channel or 4 Channel modes and the recording angle: 90°, 120° or 360°. An Active Mic LED is on the front and back of the H2. Transport controls include one button recording, playback and pause, fast forward and rewind. Use the Menu key to enter the control menu and the cursor keys to navigate through the feature sets.

Within the menu, set recording parameters such as direction and polar pattern, activate the Auto Start function and set file format. And you'll find additional settings like Auto Gain Control to make sure your recordings are always pristine. And you can fine-tune your levels on the fly with the Record Level buttons on the front.

On the left side of the H2 is a 1/8" Phone/Line Output for monitoring and playback. Playback Volume, Power On and the AC power are located here as well.

On the right side of the H2, you can plug in a powered 1/8" external stereo mic. Setting levels is easy with a Mic Gain slider for Low/Medium/High gain. You can also digitize analog recordings with the 1/8" Line In.

Use the USB 2.0 Interface to move your files to a PC or Mac for storage, editing and playback. The time stamp function is great for reference during production. And you can even use the H2 as a USB mic and record directly to your favorite digital audio software.

For brilliant stereo recording, and plenty of extras, there's never been a simpler or more functional solution than the H2 Handy Recorder from Zoom.

Please note: The Zoom H2 will not mount as a USB Drive on MAC OS X 10.5.0 Leopard unless you update to H2 Firmware version 1.2 or higher.

Choose the Right Polar Pattern for the Best Recording in any Situation


Choose the Right Polar Pattern for the Best Recording in any Situation

90° Pattern
Record from the front at 90°
120° Pattern
Record from the front at 120°

Record your band rehearsals in 360° brilliant stereo.

90° Pattern
Record from the front at 90°
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Product Specifications
Product NameZoom H2 Handy Portable Stereo Recorder
ManufacturerZoom
Product Number MPNZOO H2
Retail Price $334.99
EAN-134515260007479
EAN-1400411378073426
EAN-130884354007478
UPC411378073426
Dimensions10.5 x 6.5 x 3.6 in.
Weight2 lbs.

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Reviews
5 Star Rating  "College student/teacher gives it 5 STARS!"2008-10-05
- Reviewed By User: AG2HPJU3DKNCJ
The Zoom H2 is an excellent product for someone wanting a high quality recording with a low budget. It is easy to use and only took me a little time to read the manual and play with the settings to figure it out. The sound is great. It is very portable and ready to record in no time. Just be aware the batteries die quickly so use the power adaptor. I use the Zoom to record my own personal practice and lessons as well as recording ensembles I play in. In both cases it increaces my progress. This is an excellent buy for the money!!
 
5 Star Rating  "Great value for the money!"2008-10-03
- Reviewed By User: A2HJDR77WYIS9S
The H2 is very easy to use and sounds great. I use it to record my guitar and the band, then copy the tracks to my PC. Battery life is excellent (40+ hours on two AA's). It has features I haven't even explored yet. I love it.
 
5 Star Rating  "An amazing little product"2008-10-01
- Reviewed By jcgpe
I purchased the Zoom in August 2008 because a friend had recently bought one. My Sony Minidisc which I had for years was becoming unreliable for recording so I had to make a change. I checked out as many reviews as I could find and found very few negative comments -- most of these were minor.

I have used the zoom four times so far to record live performances of bands that I play in -- both indoors and outdoors. I've also experimented with it by downloading from and uploading to my PC.

The Zoom is easier to work with than the Sony; plus, I don't need any external equipment like a microphone or cable. The battery life is reasonably good. I also bought the 4-gig memory card for it so I never have to worry about running out of space.

Recording is simple and straightforward and, tho the screen is small, the menu is readable, and the on-screen directions as well as the instruction book are helpful. There are features I haven't used yet but I'm sure I will as I continue to find applications.

I record live music, upload to my computer, which recognizes the Zoom as an external drive, and then use a program called Audacity to process and edit the recorded .wav file. Using Sonic's "Record Now", I make an audio CD. The clarity and quality are terrific and the built-in microphones do a great job. For the money, you can't beat this as far as I'm concerned.
 
5 Star Rating  "Zoom H2 Is a Great Tool for Songwriters and Musicians"2008-09-30
- Reviewed By User: A2LPBWNT1RYUG0
The Zoom H2 is a really great recorder. It's very versatile and user friendly. I use mine for songwriting and it couldn't be more perfect. The recordings are crystal clear and it has a couple of different surround modes which really capture the room sound. Renaming your files is simple and you can dump your MP3 files onto your computer and burn them right to disc or load them to your Ipod or other MP3 player. I don't even think I've scratched the surface of what I can do with the H2. I highly recommend it. I would imagine it would be great for recording lectures, presentations or live performances as well.
 
4 Star Rating  "Great field recording tool!"2008-09-24
- Reviewed By User: A2A09UUJOYYIBJ
Purchased this very handy recorder (as the name indicates...) primarily to record choir concerts. I have not yet recorded an actual concert but I have recorded a couple of rehearsals and I must say the quality of the recordings are very good.

Operating the ZOOM H2 is a breeze, the interface is quite intuitive and easy to learn. There are quite a few settings that you CAN change, if you want, but it works just fine right out of the box. Just insert the SD card, a couple of AA batteries and you are good to go!
A note about the SD card - by a bigger card while your at it! The supplied 512MB card is only good for about 48 minutes of stereo recording in CD quality (44.1KHz/16bit) and hence if you want to record in surround mode in 4ch CD quality you only get ~24 minutes...

On the subject of surround recoding with the H2 - also works like a charm. I took a field trip and did some recordings in the naval surroundings of my home town of Karlskrona (Sweden) and then coded the 4 ch recording to DTS to play back in my home theatre system and the result is astonishing with very clear directional distinction and very clear sound with very good frequency response all over.

Updating the firmware was just as easy, my H2 was shipped with 1.30 software and a quick visit to ZOOM's home page reviled that the latest was 1.40. Simply downloaded the update, followed the instructions in the download and the H2 was updated. A Note; it is possible, although probably not recommended, to upgrade the H2 while on battery power only although the user manual states you need the AC adaptor connected. I upgraded on battery power...

Finally another "tip"; if you do not already have a stand alone, or built in, SD card reader/writer - get one! Copying to/from the H2 directly using the supplied USB cable is possible, and works fine, but it is SIGNIFICANTLY slower that using a stand alone reader/writer.

So why 4 stars and not 5?
Well, as always there are a few things that could work even better. The USB connection for one - it should be faster.
The battery indication, at least when using NiMh batteries. It reads one, or none, basically all the time but the recorded still works for like ~3 hours (and the operating time is ~4 hours when using alkaline batteries...) And yes, I have changed the settings to NiMh batteries so the H2 should be aware I'm using rechargeable batteries.

Conclusion: A very good digital recorder for field recordings of various nature. Highly recommended!
 
5 Star Rating  "Great little recorder."2008-09-24
- Reviewed By User: A887ANJP5LWG4
I purchased this unit after speaking to a person that actually owned one. He was recording a pipe organ concert in a large church and at the end of the concert I asked him how he liked it? He immediately handed me the earphones, started playing some of it back and said what do you think? Well needless to say I came home and ordered one the next day from Amazon. Great price, service and product. I don't agree with anyone that complained about the cheapness of the case. I found it no different than most MP3 players, cameras and cell phones. Their not built to be dropped and run over with a truck. I really expect to get excellent service from it for years to come as it performs up and beyond what I ever expected.

Neil MacDonald
 
5 Star Rating  "Simplicity and Power"2008-09-18
- Reviewed By User: A1XEGUEG95UALI
I cannot say enough good things about the Zoom H2 Handy Portable Stereo Recorder. You have read all the technical details and reviews by now, as I did. You have read the pro and con reviews, as I did. Here is what I have to add.

This thing is dead simple to use. It is the audio equivalent of a point-and-shoot camera. The basic operation is 1) turn it on 2) press the record button once 3) if you like what you hear in the earphones (and you most likely will) press the record button again to start recording.

Take some time to read the simple manual, experiment and familiarize yourself with all the options, and you will find a lot of power in this little recorder. But you don't need any more instructions than the above to get spectacular live recordings. You can't beat the price/performance.

Some have complained that it feels fragile. It really isn't; treat it like a digital camera instead of like an old SM57 mic and it will be fine. I bought a small camera bag which holds the H2, all of its accessories -- and still has room for a small camera.
 
4 Star Rating  "Just a few comments from a new user"2008-09-10
- Reviewed By thx1138b
There's not much I can add to the previous reviews. They sum it up pretty well. I got the H2 to record rehearsals and bird calls and general armature audio fooling around.

As a first time user of a digital recorder, I can say that I found the H2 easy to figure out. It does not win any points for usability, but once you get past the membrane and the tiny display, the commands are logical and the most used options are up front.

The manual is pretty good as those things go these days. No stupid machine translation text. One could wish for some recording tips or advice on how and when to make some settings. But the manual is clearly laid out and gives you the step-by-step to get you going.

The unit does offer a modest degree of complexity (particularly in mic set up) compared to the point-and-press voice recorders. But those extras, such as compression, panning, etc are useful even if you're just a hobbies.

I don't understand the reviews fussing about the pressing twice to record. It's great to be able to tweak setup ahead of time then pressing the 2nd time to start. I was glad to see the unit stores your recording settings so you don't have to set up each time you start in a similar situation.

Though the feature most obviously lacking is a record pause. But if you stop, you stop. Starting again creates a new file. That is a bit of a pain if you're used to analog recording, but it may be an artifact of digital technology.

I went right into 4-channel for some ambient outdoor recording and was delighted to find I could mix the 4 down to stereo in the H2 before downloading -- though be warned, this can take a few minutes. The mics are plenty sensitive (surprisingly so, in fact) for my armature outdoor use and tame down nicely for recording my rehearsals.

All the extras are useful, stand, mic grip, etc. It's not just stuffing in the box.

So if you've shopped around, compared features, I think you'll find the H2 stands out. But do some price comparison because there are better deals to be had out there and the price seems to be coming down.
 
5 Star Rating  "H2 does"2008-09-08
- Reviewed By j_p11152
I'm not a professional or amateur musician and my main reason for purchasing this recorder wasn't for music. I haven't tried this unit in its surround sound (4 channel) mode, so I can't comment on that. What I can say is that the unit performs very well for voice and other environmental sounds that I have recorded. What I've primarily used this for has been idea recording which the H2 is exceptionally well suited for. It's light weight, fits in a shirt pocket and records to a different file every time the record function is turned on. I spent maybe a half hour to an hour going through the booklet finding out how to use the controls, which are as commonly set out for any other device such as a digital camera or digital camcorder. The only thing that wasn't mention,either in the booklet or in any of the reviews that I looked at, was that if you use one of the newer SDHC (such as the 4GB SDHC ScanDisk), it won't be recognized by the normal memory card reader in your computer. Not to fear, the supplied USB cable that fits your H2 allows the H2 to be recognized as another drive device from which you can down load or up load your sound files. The only difficulty that I've had so far is in tech support, of which, as far as I can tell, doesn't exist. I tried to get in touch with them about the memory card reader difficulty before trying the USB cord (which, by the way, powers up the H2 when it's plugged in). Never got a response back. Would I buy this now knowing what I know now? In a heart beat, and the sound is great.
 
5 Star Rating  "Remarkable Bargain"2008-09-07
- Reviewed By pgkraemr
The Zoom H2 hand-held recorder is really a remarkable bargain. Not only does it work as described, but it is astonishingly easy to operate, and to learn. I bought it for my wife, who is learning an instrument - the banjo - and it has performed well beyond expectation. I first learned of the H2 at the New England Folk Festival outside of Boston this past April, where about one person in three seemed to be carrying an H2 - and those with other pocket digital recorders were looking the H2s over and wishing they had one instead of their more expensive and more complex ones.
I even know at least one musician friend who has recorded a demo record on his, cleaned and mixed it with inexpensive computer software, and is using it to get work - very successfully.
I can not recommend the H2 more highly.
 
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