Topic: Zoom H1 for around $100, or....?

[marsev]

I am looking to update my simple recoring gear.
I'm not deep into this hobby, just casual. Sort of...

I've had a Sony Minidisc (MZ-R50) for ages.

The Zoom H1 is about $100. Couldn't be worse than my minidisc, could it?
is there a vastly superior recorder for the same price?

My mic is a small Sony ECM 717.

any info is appreciated.

[TimeBandit]

used Tascam DR07 (old model) or if it should be brand new Tascam Dr-05

[acidjack]

I wouldn't put money into Zoom gear if I could avoid it. As TimeBandit points out, there are better-made new decks available at around $100 that will be better for your needs.

[TimeBandit]

Ok different thinks to point out:

is you can get a zoom h2 (that what looks like an electric shaver ) some people can really make nice recordings with tweaking the settings of the internal mics, but you need a bit of basic knowledge there.

But the zoom h1 is really rubbish, even can´t competate with my backup gear Yamaha Pocketrak W24 

If you can´t afford much money the cheapest way to go:

Tascam DR07 (old model) used around 60 Dollars , Eneloop Batterys + charger so running time doesn´t really matter - around 25 Dollars, church Audio Ca9100 Preamp + 9 V Battery (with luck you get an used one for around 30 Dollars) or cheaper ugly bb,  + Ca 14 Mics from Yard Sale here and you are set!

For recording with 24 Bit / 48 kHz an good Class 2 SD Card from Transcend or Kingston is good. have also in use class 2 cards and no problems (2 Kingston, 4 Transcend)

[marsev]

thanks, i see a few of the Tascam models mentioned here are $150 or less.

i also found the Zoom H2 gets a lot of good reviews.
(nevermind the H1.)

are the cheaper Tascam models better than the H2?
i'm reading a lot of postive things about the H2.

i will NOT be using the internal mics.

[TimeBandit]

just another spot:

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=145681.0;topicseen

tec specs like old Tascam Dr 07, internal mics not good, but has line and mic in.

if you want to go with external gear, watch at the models i listed above.

Teh H2 and Tascam DR5 van record 24 Bit / 96 kHz but my opinion for recording stage PA powered bands 24 Bit / 48 kHz is enough, 96 kHz is necessary if you want do record ambient / nature sounds or pure acoustic sets or maybe wanna do professional productions.

[marsev]

wow. great deal in that link!

but should i be worried about a $50 recorder?

ok, so, i am buying something tomorrow.

should it be a $50 TASCAM DR-03 
or a $150 Zoom H2?
or a $150 Tascam Dr 07?

although Tascam is a more reliable company,
i see a lot of good things about the H2.

i'm using a sony ecm717 mic...maybe CA-11's

[acidjack]

Have not used one myself but know a guy who went with an h-2 to save a few bucks. A month later he was back at it buying a tascam. Zoom sound is not the issue, it's build quality.  Tascam has these issues too but maybe to a lesser degree. IMHO the extra $50 for a Sony M10 will get you a reliable deck that won't be in the garbage in a year. Buy nice or buy twice is the general rule and I have suffered when I didn' follow it. Considering the costs of this hobby overall, the extra 50 bucks isn't that significant and you will get a much better piece of equipment. 

But at least avoid the zoom. Seriously. 

[marsev]

thanks. buy nice or buy twice. good advice!

but...i may just stay with my old minidisc!

i started out to only spend $100...then $150...now $215....ha ha!
yes, I like Sony products. I'll look into that model, and count my pennies.

thanks! ...any other opinions welcome.

[illconditioned]

Buy the Sony, you won't be disappointed.

The build quality is great.  Then you will start to appreciate other things, like battery life, button placement, etc.  It is just a pleasure to use.

  Richard

[kylieshotpants]

Hi

I switched from mini disc to Zoom H1 & am pleased with it, I think a lot of reviews are snobbish- sure the build quality is so-so but use external mic and that cuts out the handling issue.  The best part is the big red record button and lack of menus.

[cybergaloot]

I've had an H2 since they first came out and had no trouble with it. I've moved on but keep it as a backup. I even once knocked it off a bar hard where it hit a solid wood bar stool before rebounding onto the concrete floor and its still kicking with no obvious damage. I even loaned to a friend for a year while he was getting his feet wet in taping and its still working. So much for flimsy build quality. What does suck on them is the external mic input. The line in works fine and I sometimes use it as a bit bucket with my old UA-5 as a pre. Will the H2 be as good as a 722 or an R-44, no. But its not as bad as some people will try to make it out to be. Also, if you see one for more than about $125 for one you need to keep shopping, they are out there new for about that. But also as noted, there are a lot of small digital recorders on the market now that weren't around when the H2 came out in 2007 and some of those may be quite a bit better.

Here's a recording using the H2 with its internal mics (no PA and guitar through a tiny Roland Cube amp):
https://home.comcast.net/~cybergaloot/WaneeCampfireJam-2009-06-06-04.wav

Here's a sample using some CA-11 omnis into a CA9000 then into the line in on the H2:
https://home.comcast.net/~cybergaloot/RobertWalter%27s20thCongress-2009-11-14-CA11o-12.wav

And I think this one was using CA-14 omnis>CA-9000>H2

[jbell]

Spend the money and get the sony M10!! 

[sunjan]

although Tascam is a more reliable company,
i see a lot of good things about the H2.

i'm using a sony ecm717 mic...maybe CA-11's

If you can lend/save up to $220, the Sony M10 is the best spent money in this bracket for sure.
If you're going to be really really tight on money for a long time, or too impatient to save up, get a used Tascam.

Like others said, the H2 mic input is really noisy. Unless you have an external pre, the H2 is a bad match to your current mic.
You will need a recorder with a decent gain stage.

[cybergaloot]

Well, my advice is to rob a bank and buy a 744, a V3 and really nice mics! Heck, I don't have that yet. I'm at R-44 plus ADK-tl mics. Not what marsev was looking for though.

I don't mean to sound like I'm pushing the H2. And I'm sure a much better recorder could be had for a hundred dollars more.