This is a replacement to an old zoom h4n that I was using. I make presentations and lots of different locations and I usually have the audio levels just set to whatever they were set to previously using my lapel mic. But I was in one location where there was so much reverb, that the microphone was being overloaded and it caused the zoom h4n to clip really badly, so I lost the entire recording. With this new zoom essential H4, you don't have to set levels. It has two HD converters that cover a huge range of audio and it just switches between the two of them depending which one will give it the headroom it needs. It also records in 32-bit float, which means it can record the tiniest sounds and the loudest sounds because it has such a huge dynamic range . So basically you never have to set the audio levels. However, one thing I didn't realize, was that means you have to adjust your recording level in post. You can use the built-in mixer and adjust the level that's recorded, but then you end up with the same problem as the h4n. So it's an extra little bit of work after you finish your shoot to adjust the levels, but the quality of the recordings are so much better. The noise floor is much lower to begin with. But the biggest thing is that it's just so easy and gives you tremendous peace of mind. I just hit record and walk away from it . Have used it with XLR shotgun mic requiring phantom power. Also a condenser voice mic with XLR. But I also use it often with 3.5mm lapel microphones that plug in on the side, and it just works really well. Like I said, just power it on, hit record and walk away. Would highly recommend it but it does require post-processing so just bad that in mind if you don't want to do that with your workflow. Read more
I've been a musician and YouTuber for many years. I'm always looking for the best quality sound for the money. I want the best but I don't want to pay pro level prices all the time. The Zoom H4 essential is a perfect medium of both price and functionality. The 32 but float recordings give you pro level audio even if you're not in ideal recording environments. In post most audio files can be edited to sound amazing. I own several zoom products and they're all excellent quality. This is no different. It's a bit bulky if youre looking for a pocket sized recorder. Id suggest going with the zoom H1 essential if you need something smaller as it is half the size. The menu is easy to navigate and the the battery life gives you plenty of time to record your projects without having to worry about running out of power. You can also power the H4 by using a battery pack. I'm happy with it. This fits right in with the rest of my pro level gear. Read more
As someone who primarily works with an audio interface and professional recording software for post-production in the studio, I’m impressed by the versatility of the Zoom H4 Essential. This new 2024 model is a significant upgrade with features that make it suitable for on-the-go recording, especially for podcasters or media creators that need a backup of their audio... Going directly to a DSLR or a Smart Phone for audio can be risky, if your audio is not being backed up somewhere else, that's because you may not see what the level is, or you may not be able to monitor through-put and DB levels on the go, and with the H4, YOU CAN ... The 32-bit floating point audio means I don’t have to worry about clipping or exceeding decibel levels, making it perfect for capturing high-quality audio without worrying about distortion. The built-in stereo microphones are surprisingly good too, they capture detailed sound with great stereo imaging (you can make this mono later if you need to) The preamps are clean, but if you’re using dynamic mics like the Shure SM57, which require a lot of gain, you may want to use a clean gain preamp before going into the ZOOM. Cloud Lifter and Triton FetHead are two I can recommend for mics like these to avoid hiss or noise on the floor from cranking the gain too much on this unit. Now, in contrast to that, condenser mics or 24V phantom-powered mics work great with the Zoom H4 Essential, and the audio quality is certainly top-notch, no noise at all. For anyone who needs versatility and portability in a recorder, this model is a fantastic choice. Read more
I have the H1n as well and I think the display and buttons are a BIT better. I still don't see why these guys don't have a snappier feel to them. In the age of high tech these things still feel a kinda squishy and slow. On the other hand, it is better and I like not worrying about settings: Push the button and go. This is really practical when you just need to get a recording going without fuss. The battery life is ok but I am still waiting for something better (do I want chargeable built it? Like a Godox light or something?). Recording quality is good. Even recording my clarinet: Sounds pretty good with the built-in mics. Gives you a good feel for tone/color etc. It's pretty convenient for checking your work-playback through head phones is easy. I think it is pretty good value for money although I can't help thinking that Zoom is holding back... I have this nagging feeling they could tick it up a notch pretty easily if they wanted to. Read more
I have had enough time to use this recorder and I can tell you it is great. I have recorded with the built in microphones and through the cable inputs. The cable inputs are superior, but the built in mics are better than average! Nice system, great function, and does the job! Read more
