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

[Ozpeter]

Here's another video from a different channel, where the H2essential was used at the front of a chamber performance stage (you can see it there) and an H2n was used as a spot mic on the piano.  Again, I find the results to be surprisingly good and could be tweaked a little to add to the bottom end according to taste.  Apparently the XY configuration was used in the recorders rather than MS.

https://youtu.be/P-TevXJWXOc?si=bH0QnefKSQtuAxEJ

There are some moments of silence between movements where I can't hear any significant system noise. 

I have heard from the uploader of the video involving larger scale performances that indeed the H2e was used without external mics.  The levels were somewhat processed afterwards for the purpose of the video, including the use of a limiter effect, which means that the original dynamic range was greater than that in the video.

After all my years of running cables trip-free through concert halls I am quite jealous to see recordings being made without any cables at all!

[Ozpeter]

I just came across a video where someone who runs a substantial business recording classical singers in London has reviewed the H2essential from the point of view of classical singers making their own demos.  Clearly he has enough business not to worry if some potential customers adopt a DIY approach. 

Anyway, he has done a unique test of the H2e where he compares it with a recording made with an expensive AEA R88A stereo ribbon mic at the same time (into an unidentified recorder).  The subject is a soprano with piano accompaniment.  He acknowledges that the Zoom is a bit brighter/thinner, but then he applies some eq (and a touch of reverb) and compares again, and the result is quite persuasive.  Given that he can claim to know what he is talking about, it's good to hear that overall he's impressed with this very cheap device.

https://youtu.be/W1NLVLp0qMA?si=X_rCuJdLYvvdaUKC&t=515

The comparison is at the 8:35 mark - the link should take you to that spot.

I've contacted him at his company to thank him for the video - and to point out that the H2e doesn't have dual ADCs which his introduction kind of implied that it does.  But that shouldn't be an issue unless the H2e was placed stupidly near to the soprano.

[rastasean]

Good for him doing more with less.