Topic: ZOOM teasing a new recorder?

[Life In Rewind]

June 1, 2016.

Record cleaner, clearer, and closer than ever before.

For Music, Film, Podcasting, and Beyond

Sort of a cryptic message on their Facebook page - nothing on website.

But it does look like a 4 channel recorder

[F.O.Bean]

Probably something to contend with the 70d/701d

[audBall]

After looking at the picture and the comments/replies on their FB page, it appears it will be a replacement for the H4n, or something similar. Someone asked if it was going to be a "new H4n" and Zoom's response was "Hmmmmm...".

[aaronji]

A four-channel F8 would be (potentially) very cool.  There's not a lot out there, unless you feel like spending a bundle on something high-end.  The R44 is a pretty good option, but kind of dated by now...     

[F.O.Bean]

A four-channel F8 would be (potentially) very cool.  There's not a lot out there, unless you feel like spending a bundle on something high-end.  The R44 is a pretty good option, but kind of dated by now...     

Exactly my feelings! The R44 is outdated IMO too! And the 70d/701d and H6 are the only newer 4 channel options that are under $1K, where the F8 sits! So if Zoom came out with a 4 channel F8[an F4 maybe?], it would be a nice contender for anyone who doesn't want to go the 70d/701d/H6 route and doesn't have the $1k for the F8, or for someone who loves the F8, but doesn't need the 8 channels it provides. 4 channels is plenty for most situations in most cases for us tapirs! If an F4[4 channel F8] came out for like $500, I think it would do REALLY well IMO!!!

EDIT: Upon looking at Zoom's FB page just now, the face of the new deck they're talking about is similar to the H5/H6, and not the F8! But that could be one of the view's of the new deck, like the F8 having multiple viewing faces to choose from to check levels and info and whatnot?!?! It obviously does 4 channel and stereo, and something labeled MTR[level meters maybe?], that could change the view for the levels like I just mentioned the F8 does too? Guess we'll find out in a few days

[voltronic]

Seems like with the H5 and H6 they don't have any product gaps to fill with regard to number of channels.  I'm guessing maybe a higher-quality update to the H5 if anything.

[2manyrocks]

Would be interesting to see if they implemented time code like the f8 or did it via HDMI like the 701.  Hopefully, good metering, too. 

[aaronji]

I took a look at their Facebook page and came to the conclusion that this new product won't make big waves here.  No color screen, so I doubt it will be a scaled down F8 (or even an upgraded H6).  Probably something with giant switchable mic modules sticking off the end...

Exactly my feelings! The R44 is outdated IMO too! And the 70d/701d and H6 are the only newer 4 channel options that are under $1K, where the F8 sits! So if Zoom came out with a 4 channel F8[an F4 maybe?], it would be a nice contender for anyone who doesn't want to go the 70d/701d/H6 route and doesn't have the $1k for the F8, or for someone who loves the F8, but doesn't need the 8 channels it provides. 4 channels is plenty for most situations in most cases for us tapirs! If an F4[4 channel F8] came out for like $500, I think it would do REALLY well IMO!!!

Yes, I would like an "F4".  I am tempted by the F8, but I don't really need to drop the cash on 4 or 5 unused channels.  Tascam isn't happening for me; truth be told, I am pretty sceptical about Zoom, too, although people seem to like the F8....

[WiFiJeff]

A blog picked this up a month ago, from China and Canada, it's supposed to be the H4NPro.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3997473

If you enlarge the screenshots (no longer on the Amazon site, I think), it seems it does 4 channels, but not clear if 4 EXTERNAL channels are possible.  Weighs in at 300 grams (10-11 oz) and uses AAA batteries (why?).  Looks to be about $200-250 US, full announcement promised for June 1.

If it does 4 external channels, and if "clearer, cleaner" means F8 quality preamps and A/D, I'm buying two.  If not, meh.

Jeff

[WiFiJeff]

Taking a quick look at the Zoom H4NSP model that came out in 2015, I see the mysterious MTR mode exists there too.  Can anyone with an H4N verify that 4 track external recording is possible?  There is a 1/8" stereo external mic input just below the internal mics, as well as the XLR inputs.  Can you use that 1/8" stereo input with the XLR inputs?

Jeff

[WiFiJeff]

Answering my own question, the H4n does do 4 external channels:

https://vimeo.com/19134430

The pictures from Amazon Canada and China show the same 1/8" jack below the internal mics, so I assume the new machine will do the same.  Big remaining questions: preamp and A/D quality.

Jeff

[hi and lo]

[matahaka]

A japanese website with bigger pictures: http://info.shimamura.co.jp/digital/newitem/2016/05/90532

The website also mentions the Pre-amp to be similar to H5/H6 with EIN -120dBu

[F.O.Bean]

Hahaha classic

And yeah, it doesn't seem that badass IMO! Looks decent tho I guess! Just a nicer H4n, and not a 4 channel F8[F4] unfortunately I don't see any input other than the XLRs on the bottom? Unless that EXT MIC on the back above the mic/speaker, where the batteries are is an 1/8" input, instead of the mic itself? That plug/connection/whatever in between the XLRs doesn't look like an 1/8" mini input, so what the heck is it for? It looks like the male plug for an AC Adapter to me. Anyone else?

Overall, not too impressive to me, since I was hoping for a 4 channel F8[F4] This is just another H4n unfortunately. I would probably buy the H4n PRO over the regular h4n, but certainly not the huge product that an F4 would be IMO! As always, YMMV! I wonder exactly what makes this the PRO version though? Probably just better components and something different in the menus or something like the different colored screen to distinguish it from the regular H4n

[Jonmac]

I thought the H5 was the upgraded replacement for the H4N, I can't really see the point of another H4N unless it has new features like wifi control and built in coffee maker.

[dogmusic]

Seems to be available here (no affiliation):

http://www.allprosound.com/catalog/productdetails~fprodid~23126~item~Zoom-H4NPRO.htm#productdescriptiont

[Life In Rewind]

I think the whole idea here is to phase out the "H5" - which seems to have no reason to exist - and is poorly named.

H4 - 4 channels
H6 - 6 channels
H5 - Im sure they got tired of explaining that!

[WiFiJeff]

The claim about the preamps being an upgrade is encouraging, but the limitation to 24/48 for four channel recording (as for the current H4N model and the H5) makes this way less interesting for me.

[aaronji]

Well, at least they rubberized it...

[voltronic]

The claim about the preamps being an upgrade is encouraging, but the limitation to 24/48 for four channel recording (as for the current H4N model and the H5) makes this way less interesting for me.

It seems pretty odd to make a "pro" version of something and upgrade the preamps but not the DSP.  This unit looks like a pretty weak effort considering what they did with the F8.  Yes, that's a different target audience and price bracket, but I think only serious Zoom devotees would be interested in this.  It's also not keeping pace with the 4 channel recorders from Tascam who are the main competition for this type of recorder.

[matahaka]

The claim about the preamps being an upgrade is encouraging, but the limitation to 24/48 for four channel recording (as for the current H4N model and the H5) makes this way less interesting for me.

This new product should make you happy then: 最高24bit/96kHzハイレゾ音質のリニアPCMレコーディングが可能です。

I don't read japanese but i am guessing it says recording up to 24/96!

[Jonmac]

Specs here on the Zoom web site.

https://www.zoom.co.jp/products/field-video-recording/field-recording/zoom-h4n-pro-handy-recorder

Personally, I can't see the point in this new machine.

The 3.5 mic in socket is in the  wrong place on the back, making it difficult to lie it on it's back with a plug in.

Combined Phones/line out socket, can't feed headphones and a camera at the same time.

+4db line level not supported.

I don't think that this is an H5 killer.

[voltronic]

The claim about the preamps being an upgrade is encouraging, but the limitation to 24/48 for four channel recording (as for the current H4N model and the H5) makes this way less interesting for me.

This new product should make you happy then: 最高24bit/96kHzハイレゾ音質のリニアPCMレコーディングが可能です。

I don't read japanese but i am guessing it says recording up to 24/96!

See the emphasis from WiFiJeff's quote above.  24/96 is only possible in 2-channel.

What's even worse is that according to the official page, separate mono tracks in MTR mode are limited to 16/44.1.

Here's my favorite quote from Zoom:

Welcome to the new gold standard in field recording.

So, this recorder can only record 4 channels if 2 of them are the onboard mics.  And for someone really using it as a "field recorder" where they need separate ISO mono tracks, they're limited to 16/44.1.  Great job, Zoom.

[WiFiJeff]

Well it uses AAs not AAAs, which made no sense for runtime.  And the specs listing on the Zoom site don't clearly state whether it does 24/96 for four tracks or not.  For SD card timing purposes, they only give the example of 4 tracks at 24/48. 

You can plug a line-in feed or PIP mic into the 1/8" stereo input near the internal mics and do genuine 4 track, I think.

I was hoping, too, for F8 grade preamps and A/D, love that machine.  I did see someone last night using an H6 for an official recording of a chamber music recital, maybe those pres are okay.

If Zoom answers me that 24/96 X 4 is possible, I may bite on this.

Jeff

[WiFiJeff]

Official word from Zoom:

"Hello,
Thank you for contacting us with your question. The H4nPro can record up to 24/48 in 4CH mode.
In STEREO mode, you can record up to 24/96

Let me know if you have any further questions."

Points for Zoom on the fast response time.  Game, set, match to the competition on the lame design.

Jeff

[WiFiJeff]

Okay, this gets weirder.  The Trew Audio web page for this recorder has the following info on the pre-record function:

"One second when recording at 96k in 4CH mode"

So it prerecords 4CH at 96kH but it doesn't record 4CH at 96kH???  Waiting to hear back from Zoom on this one.

Well it uses AAs not AAAs, which made no sense for runtime.  And the specs listing on the Zoom site don't clearly state whether it does 24/96 for four tracks or not.  For SD card timing purposes, they only give the example of 4 tracks at 24/48. 

You can plug a line-in feed or PIP mic into the 1/8" stereo input near the internal mics and do genuine 4 track, I think.

I was hoping, too, for F8 grade preamps and A/D, love that machine.  I did see someone last night using an H6 for an official recording of a chamber music recital, maybe those pres are okay.

If Zoom answers me that 24/96 X 4 is possible, I may bite on this.

Jeff

[WiFiJeff]

Alas!

"Hello,
Thank you for bringing this to our attention; this is a typo on their website. It should read, “One second when recording at 96k in STEREO mode”"

Okay, this gets weirder.  The Trew Audio web page for this recorder has the following info on the pre-record function:

"One second when recording at 96k in 4CH mode"

[dogmusic]

Also from Trew Audio site:

"In 4CH MODE, you can record with the built-in X/Y mics and two external inputs simultaneously, great for getting live room sound and a stereo board feed at the same time."

It doesn't sound like you can record from four external inputs at once.