https://soundcloud.com/ozpeter/zoom-h2n-out-with-the-dogsPosted here simply to contend that Zoom recorders are no disaster on the noise front using built in mics. Also, the stereo image of this is way better than you'd get from the M10's mics.
This is a follow up to my similar recording posted several years ago, when I used the original H2.
This one was made with the H2N gain knob at 5 using the MS mics only set to "Raw" and decoded afterwards using equal amounts of mid and side. I used a "dead kitten" from a Rode SVM mic although the wind was actually pretty light. No EQ or compression, just normalised (gain raised only 1dB though). A 44.1/16 wave recording converted in the DAW to mp3. Edited for length.
I recommend headphones for playback to get the best effect. At times it's quite a "binaural" sound coming from all round you.
The location is a suburban park somewhere in the suburbs of Melbourne (Australia), at about 4.45pm on a mild spring day.
First minute or so - the tapping sound is someone bouncing a ball on the grass. You hear some Australian birds, a small plane in the distance, and the dogs running around. Someone else's dog way off. The blackbird you can hear from about 1'40" was quite distant, just audible at the time.
At 2'30" there's a bit of a dog fight! I turned away... so the barking might actually sound behind you on headphones.
At 3'20", I'm off the grass onto a gravel path. Here you can set your playback level so that it sounds about as loud as it would do if you were on such a path yourself, for authentic reproduction.
At about 5'20", a train whistle from quite some way off.
At about 5'30" we get back in the diesel van, first the dogs in the back then me in the front. Sliding doors at the back. The H2N just sits on the front passenger seat leaning on the backrest.
6'16" engine on, fasten the seatbelt! Slow reversing then out of the car park. Now you hear some lower frequencies.
7'00", on the road. The journey is heavily edited for length (I don't drive short distances!). Some interesting thumps and bumps!
At about 8 minutes, the tick of the indicators as we turn then arrive at the house, and we move slowly into the garage.
Engine off, seatbelt off, open the driver's door, close the electric garage door. Open the back sliding door, let out the dogs.
My opinion is that the recording shows the H2N can turn in good results for ambient / nature recordings, if playback levels are not artificially boosted. I don't hear any noise at normal playback levels - does anyone? My ears are pretty shot...
