Topic: Zoom H2essential. It seems to be a 6 channel device!

[Ozpeter]

Well I didn't see that coming or hear rumours but I guess it is kind of obvious.

https://zoomcorp.com/en/us/handheld-recorders/handheld-recorders/h2essential/

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1853533-REG/zoom_zh2e_h2essential_multi_mic_handy_recorder.html

This and the upcoming H1 XLR would make an interesting pair of devices to cover a lot of uses (not at the same time but a matter of picking the right tool for the job).  Combined cost, around $300.

Added thoughts -

It features a fig of 8 side mic and two cardioid mics (front and rear).  They list 9 different ways to configure these.  M/S raw is an option.  Interestingly the ext mic input can be combined in some way with the internal mics.  Exactly how is not really spelt out, but I think that a two track file is created, mixing onboard the front facing mic and the side mic (as decoded m/s) with the external mic.  Not sure if the external mic is treated as a mono or stereo source - they illustrate a shotgun being used.  How these sources are mixed for recording is unclear.  The onboard mixer which controls front/rear levels is for playback only, they stress. I just can't figure that aspect out.  My fault maybe!  [Edited to add that it looks like they envisage a mono external mic being recorded on one track and the built in front mic feeding the other track, which is logical but not useful for music.]

[Yet another edit - the manual seems to say that the device records the individual sources and a mix thereof.  That would be 6 channels...!  And at the end of the manual is a surprisingly complex mixer diagram which implies that it does record 6 channels, namely front stereo, rear stereo (source internal or external), and a mix of both of those.  Alternatively it can record front mod raw, rear mid raw, and side raw, plus the mix.]

The general feature set is like others in the essentials series, incluing the provision of a trash folder for deleted files.  Nice safety feature.  Recording can be paused as well as stopped.  There is a marker system built in.

It is perhaps unique in not having a record button on the front panel with the rest.  It's on the top.  Actually in use this could make ergonomic sense.

The device will swim or sink on the basis of the quality of the mics, as nobody will buy it only for external mic only purposes. 

I have an H2N and it can be handy as 'a mic that records' and in my serious recording days with larger gear, I always used an m/s pair as the main source, so I like that approach in a cheap portable.

[Now I have just found the manual which should answer the mysteries explored above here -
https://zoomcorp.com/media/documents/E_H2essential.pdf ]

[Ozpeter]

Even B&H seem to be confused about it, saying in their product video that if you switch to 96K sampling rate, you get 32 bit float.  Er - it's a 32 bit float only device at all sampling frequencies.  I also think they are wrong to say that the external input reduces to mono when recorded at the same time as the front mics.  That depends on the options you choose on the top of the device. 

They dnn't mention it (fair enough) but when you record front and rear in mono, you get separate front and rear files which you can mix later, or even turn it into 180 degree stereo recording.

[Niels]

The H2 in all its incarnations is an amazingly versatile device.
I have always been impressed with the value the H2 delivers at that price point.

[rastasean]

Thanks for posting. So that's two new recorders from Zoom and one from Tascam.

I wonder if Sony has something cooking and if they'll be releasing something new...

[goodcooker]

When I lived in St Louis, MO many of the shows I attended and taped with my full rig were attended and taped by a dude with the original H2 electric shaver looking recorder. He would find a ledge or some other spot to place it, hit record and walk away returning at set break to start a new file.

His recordings were often just as good as my AKG or Neumann recordings. That little device was surprisingly good in the right place. I imagine the new one will be even better for folks that just want to hit record.

[Dan33185]

When I lived in St Louis, MO many of the shows I attended and taped with my full rig were attended and taped by a dude with the original H2 electric shaver looking recorder. He would find a ledge or some other spot to place it, hit record and walk away returning at set break to start a new file.

His recordings were often just as good as my AKG or Neumann recordings. That little device was surprisingly good in the right place. I imagine the new one will be even better for folks that just want to hit record.

That's what I used for many years, and will still use occasionally for stealth recordings. For the price I paid, I felt I got some pretty good quality recordings, you definitely could do worse than the H2.

[Kyle K]

When I lived in St Louis, MO many of the shows I attended and taped with my full rig were attended and taped by a dude with the original H2 electric shaver looking recorder. He would find a ledge or some other spot to place it, hit record and walk away returning at set break to start a new file.

His recordings were often just as good as my AKG or Neumann recordings. That little device was surprisingly good in the right place. I imagine the new one will be even better for folks that just want to hit record.

Hah, yeah, someone reached out to me recently with some questions about getting into taping, they were going to pick up a Zoom H1n and I actually pointed them in the direction of the og H2 on ebay - Same price (or cheaper!) and wayyyy better results.

Seems like this one may be a good modern alternative for ez all in one AUD taping. The main concern with the H2 was it could run kinda hot.

[fotoralf.be]

Still have my original H2 and have made most of my recordings with it. Never really felt tempted to buy the H2n. But if I were still able to go out and record I'd order the new one on the spot.

Ralf