ZOOM H2 - Use in Surround mode

[robn]

I'm becoming more and more impressed by the usefulness of the Zoom H4 and H2.

We were working on a new song yesterday in my living room. So 5 of us stood in a circle round a Zoom H2 switched to its 2 track surround mode and recording in mp3 (we did not need a high quality file for a practice session).

So here is a short capture of 5 acoustic instruments (double bass, 2 guitars, mandolin, dobro) and voices on the Zoom H2 in mp3. I'm really impressed with the quality of the Zoom's capture from the internal mics. We also had a far more expensive (and complicated) recording device running though a good mic at yesterday's session - and the Zoom H2 was way better

It was really useful just to be able to stand around the recorder in a circle while we were practicing - the surround mode is a clever feature for a small portable recorder and you can pack a good few hours onto an SD card in mp3 quality.

Please be aware this is a practice session capture to give an example of the Zoom H2 - not the band's performance!!!!!

www.garageband.com/mp3player?|pe1|WdjZPXLrvP2rYVW2YWpgBA

Robin

[steverino]

Outstanding, Robin! I listened with headphones and the separation and image placement of the various musicians was very good. I have an H2 but have yet to try it in that mode. As I recall, in two track surround mode it records to two tracks but uses both front aiming 90 degree and rear aiming 120 degree microphone pairs to do so.

[robn]

Hi Steverino,

Yes, you are right. In that 2 track surround mode it gives 90 deg to the front and 120 deg to the rear. The split left/right on the channels seems to follow the normal pattern so your sound comes from where you stand in relation to the H2.

I've not tried the 4 track surround mode yet as it would take me a while to work out how to distill 4 tracks to two in Audacity. Also, that H2 wasn't mine so I've only had a quick read of the manual. I had an H4 on long term loan but now that has gone back I'm going to get an H2. I'm really impressed with both models but as the H2 will do everything I actually want I'll buy that rather than the H4. Plus that surround sound function is very neat for band practice at home!

Robin

[jackstrat]

Superb pieces of kit for sure Robin...I've got the H4 and I find it invaluable...the Celtic Busker Blues track on my myspace was recorded using just that and a pair of external mics.
To me however it really shines in its capacity as a musical notepad when attempting to write music...it's so quick to set up and so simple to use - my previous 'hi-tech' setup was so fiddly and complicated that my moments of musical inspiration all too frequently passed by the time I got it up and running...too many switches and plugs and cables and software and stuff....aaaaaagggghhh!!

Zoom H4 all the way!!

Niall

[Michael Messer]

The recording sounds great!

There is no doubt about the recording quality of these little machines. I am currently looking at the new model, the H4N, which looks like a very useful little tool to have around.

Shine On
Michael.