Introduction
The Zoom ZH1 is a compact audio recorder that packs a punch. Here’s my take on its features, usability, and performance.
Design and Portability
- Compact and light, easy to carry anywhere
- Intuitive interface for hassle-free operation
- Solid build quality ensures durability
Recording Quality
- Captures crisp and clear audio
- Offers versatile recording modes for different scenarios
- Effective noise reduction technology enhances audio clarity
Connectivity and Compatibility
- USB connectivity for swift file transfer
- Compatible with various devices, including computers and smartphones
- Allows for easy integration with editing software
Recorder Battery Life
- Long-lasting battery, ideal for extended recording sessions
- Convenient power options, including AA batteries and USB power
Recorder Pros:
- Compact design for portability
- High-quality audio recording
- Versatile connectivity options
- Long-lasting battery life
Recorder Cons:
- Limited display screen functionality
- Basic accessories
- Slight learning curve for beginners
Conclusion
The Zoom ZH1 is a great option for pros who want a portable and dependable audio recorder. Although it has a few small issues, its amazing recording quality, easy-to-carry design, and ability to connect to different devices make it really impressive compared to other similar devices.
Benjamin –
I just got mine a few days ago, and so far I love it. Yes, as other reviews have said, it does feel very light and sort of fragile. Really though, if you take good care of your equipment, and keep it in some sort of case when you aren’t using it, like I do, then I don’t see why this recorder won’t last a while.
I bought this to replace my Tascam DR-07, and after testing the Zoom, I will be selling my old Tascam for sure. Here’s why:
The Zoom H1 is tiny. I’ve been keeping it in a PSP case very similar to this one:
I can fit the recorder, headphones, and a mini tripod in this case, along with a small piece of foam to place between the Zoom and the tripod because I’m overly careful about scratches.
The sound quality on the Zoom is better than the Tascam, especially with the built in mics, but also with external plug-in mics. The Tascam always seems to have a little bit of a background hiss, which I have experienced none of with the Zoom. The built-in mics on the Zoom H1 are a little bit more clear and sharp sounding than the Tascam, and their pickup pattern is much more directional. This is good and bad, depending on your usage. With the Tascam, I could pretty much place it anywhere in the middle of a group of musicians and it would pick up the whole ensemble almost evenly, with some stereo separation. With the Zoom, whatever is directly in front of the recorder is picked up louder, and centered between the left and right. Things slightly off to the sides are picked up quieter, and with much more clear stereo separation than the Tascam. So overall, I would say this is another positive for the Zoom, unless you are trying to pick up all of the sounds in all directions at once.
The buttons are easy to learn the layout of, but they are a small and recessed, making them a little bit more difficult to press than I would like. The record button has a soft feel to it, as opposed to a solid click, which is kind of a set back. The buttons could be better but they are in no way a deal-killer.
You are definitely going to want some sort of windscreen for this recorder, either foam, fur, or something. I sewed together a little sleeve out of nylon stockings and a hair elastic, and I can keep it on the recorder all the time because it takes up no space. It does less than a foam windscreen would, and much less than a fur one like a redhead would, but it cuts out a lot of the pops and noises of moving the recorder around or breathing near it.
All together, I would say this is a great little recorder, with superb sound quality, and alright build quality, that is easily worth the low price it is currently going for. For DSLR filmmakers, musicians, or anyone else, I say go for it.
Kankan –
Slip this in your pocket and jot your ideas down anywhere. The quality is surprisingly good for such a small device and it feels substantial enough to not worry about knocks and bumps.
Kankan –
Rating 4, coz in general the mic is very good. But fault in seller. Bought twice, took too long to deliver, both arrived with missing parts- aaa size batteries and softwares. Wasted my time. 2nd one came defective- left mic picks very low sound, the levels of both the left and right channels aren’t same as shown in the pic, the recorded audio is richer in right speaker and faint on the left even when the mic was placed in the centre during record. Items not received as described in the ‘included’ section in the description. Amazon must pay a compensation for wasting my time in both of these two orders. It all slowed down my work flow…
Animatum Est –
Funcionó muy bien. Buena calidad de grabación y fácil de usar.
Osvaldo nuño –
PRESENTACIÓN: En este modelo en particular, Zoom no busca sorprender al cliente con el empaque. Práctico y reciclable, la mayoría de los elementos que lo conforman son de cartón o tela biodegradable (pequeña bolsa negra que protege la grabadora dentro del empaque).
ORIENTACIÓN: Manuales con instrucciones mínimas (visuales y escritas) impresas en papel. Información disponible en inglés y chino. Para detalles e instrucciones en español, conviene referirse al sitio en línea de Zoom.
CONTENIDOS: El modelo anterior (H1) requería una sola batería para su operación que venía incluida junto con una tarjeta genérica SD micro de 2Gb. Esta versión H1n (2018), requiere ahora dos baterías (incluidas con el producto) aunque, a cambio de proporcionar la batería adicional para su alimentación, la versión H1n, deja de incluir la tarjeta micro SD, por lo que hay que considerar la compra por separado. Aunque las baterías muestran carga completa en la pantalla de la grabadora, el manual aclara que las baterías son proporcionadas para comprobar el correcto funcionamiento del equipo.
ACABADOS: En la gran variedad de reseñas disponibles por escrito y en video de esta grabadora resalta como, en apariencia, el material que conforma el cuerpo de la grabadora (incluyendo la rosca en la parte trasera para su montaje en tripiés o soportes con rosca de 1/4″) decidieron preferir el plástico para mantener el costo bajo. La ventaja, una gran ligereza que, en combinación con su tamaño, facilitan su portabilidad y manipulación. El inconveniente, queda una sensación de fragilidad constante, por lo que es recomendable que su preparación (al insertar o cambiar baterías, al montarla o desmontarla), se haga con tiempo y cuidado. De otra forma, hay un riesgo de lastimar alguna de las pequeñas partes que conforman la carcasa de la grabadora.
PRIMER USO: Antes de encender la grabadora por primera vez, hay que verificar que se han insertado las baterías (incluidas) y la tarjeta micro SD (no incluida) de manera correcta. El sitio de Zoom incluye una relación de tarjetas de marcas conocidas, compatibles para operar con la grabadora. Yo adquirí (también en Amazon, por separado) una Samsung EVO Select de 32 Gb que, aunque no viene en la relación de tarjetas de Zoom, ha probado un buen desempeño y compatibilidad con el equipo, a precio accesible.
Para encender el equipo es necesario deslizar el interruptor lateral, y mantenerlo en deslizado por un par de segundos, hasta que encienda la pantalla. El dispositivo ofrece dos idiomas de interfaz para elegir: inglés o chino. Después solicitará ingresar fecha y hora. Para recorrer la interfaz se utilizan los botones disponibles abajo de la pantalla.
VALOR AGREGADO: Zoom incluye dos códigos para activar dos tipos de software para post-producción de audio (descargable en línea). No entraré en detalles al respecto, porque existe software gratuito en línea competente que, para mis necesidades al menos, hace innecesario el uso de software adicional. Mi idea es que le software ofrecido es un convenio con la compañía “steinberg”, para ofrecer al cliente una versión mínima de sus productos, con miras a que pruebe y opte por sus versiones más completas (de paga).
OPERACIÓN: Para mantener un nivel de grabación que oscile entre los -12dB y los -18dB, la grabadora (montada en un tripié de mesa a unos 10 cms. de mi boca), requirió mover la rueda de ganancia al nivel 6 ( 7 usando un capuchón de pelo sintético para exteriores). La calidad de monitoreo con audífonos es clara y el volumen de reproducción puede controlarse.
CONCLUSIÓN: Precio “accesible” (dentro de productos similares en la gama). Desempeño competente dedicado a principiantes y aficionados en registro sonoro o grabación de audio para producción. El buen trato y cuidado del equipo puede prolongar su vida y dar valor a la inversión. Esto implica prever necesidades y escenarios de trabajo para evitar que la manipulación a la carrera de la grabadora provoque una caída o la rotura de algún componente plástico. Si el uso será constante, es recomendable conseguir un estuche rígido (de venta por separado) para su transportación. Si el uso es poco frecuente, es recomendable sacar las baterías de la grabadora antes de guardarla por un periodo de tiempo prolongado. El software incluido para edición de audio… no resulta indispensable, pero está ahí para quien deseé explorarlo.
J. Booth –
Me encantó la calidad de Audio que maneja yo la uso en las iglesias para eventos sociales como quinceañeras y la verdad graba excelente y la pila le dura muchísimo no tengo nada malo que decir
David in Mississippi –
I evaluated quite a number of digital recorders before deciding on the Zoom H1n. And I’m glad I selected this one.
The two main reasons I wanted a digital recorder are for recording live music concerts and for recording GOOD voice audio to put with videos I shoot.
I have only used this a few times for recording voice audio, but I can say right now this records the BEST audio of any method I have tried yet. These other methods number probably a dozen, including cheaper digital recorders, computer-based recorders, camera-integrated sound recordings, and loads of microphones.
Before we go any farther, you need to know that a good audio recording is principally captured by the MICROPHONE you use, but the recorder you use will also make a big difference.
The things I LIKE about the Zoom H1n are:
– the size – very easy to carry, hold, and use;
– ease of use – like all digital gadgets, you have to learn how to use it, which means you have to RTFI (military acronym for “read the freaking instructions!”), and you need to practice with it. But this item is not hard to use, and there’s no question I will be able to remember what to do after putting this thing away for a month then dig it out and using it.
– quality of the sound – the built-in microphones are EXCELLENT. They have good stereo capability, which is essential for recording live music concerts, and they seem to pick up exactly what I want them to pick up, without a lot of extraneous noises.
– the controls – they are well thought-out and intuitive. All it takes is a good orientation (RTFI).
– battery life – you’re supposed to be able to get more than 10 hours operation on 2 AA batteries. I cannot attest to that as I’m still on the first set, which came with the unit.
What I’d like to see improved (in other words, what I DON’T like):
– NO SD CARD INCLUDED! I know they’re trying to keep the price down, but good grief! They should make a bigger point of letting us know that a micro SD card is REQUIRED BUT NOT INCLUDED with the unit. I was lucky to have one in a secondary camera that I could borrow and use.
– Cheapo display – It’s low-resolution blue and white, with a backlight that doesn’t stay on long enough, and has no way to toggle it on to see what’s displayed, other than activating a button. I’d be happy to pay a bit more for a higher resolution display, and it would be nice to have a way to turn it on so we could see it in the dark, without having to push some function-activating button.
– So-so case material. It’s plastic, and that’s okay, but it feels slippery in my hand, and if I’m holding it while recording with the built-in mics, the noise of my hand moving even slightly on the case is recorded through the mics. A softer and more tactile (rubberized?) coating on the case would be a great improvement.
Overall, so far I’m very pleased with this recorder.