Zoom H4

[eric.B]

I really wish I had super nerd brain power - I'd totally build a bit bucket and make millions selling it to v3 owners.

maybe we should all email grace and beg for v3 update that has a cf drive in it.

o I hear ya..  Ive borrowed a MT2496 and while it does "work", it is just too quirky for my liking.   While many will tell you it is "stable", I bet they would move onto something like an R1 if it had a digi in.   I hear you on the V3 bit bucket, as Id love to have something as reliable as my dap1 without having to spend 1500+(hpd2,pmd671 w. batts and media) on a "bit bucket"..   It is verrrrrrrrrrrry tempting to pick up a sd722 to run line into from my v2 (sell the v3 and put money towards 722), but one of these days the perfect bit bucket will come out and ill smack myself in the head for selling my v3 (which I like very much)..  one day..   I hope..

yeah.. we all want the V4 from grace..   a v3 with a CF slot..  that would be sweeet.. 

[Ed.]

I'd call the mt semi-stable, but its still frustrating when one of its little quirks come into play when the lights go down and the show starts.  Sure, I always manage to fix it, but not until half way thru the first song.  I'm about ready to give up on it.

[djrobin]

I'm very interested in the H4 and would like suggestions on how to adapt my mic to use with it.  I have an AKG 822 that has a stereo mini plug but the H4 doesn't have a mini plug mic input.

Suggestions?

Thanks,
David

[Will_S]

I'm very interested in the H4 and would like suggestions on how to adapt my mic to use with it.  I have an AKG 822 that has a stereo mini plug but the H4 doesn't have a mini plug mic input.

Suggestions?

Thanks,
David

Do you mean AT822?  If so it should have come with an XLR > dual 1/4" mono cable as well.  I can probably sell you mine cheap if you don't already have one.

[kgreener]

go get it

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=ShowProduct&is=REG&Q=&O=&sku=445854#

who's gonna be the first?

[cpatch]

I got to play with one last weekend at the Podcast Expo in Ontario, CA and I have to say this thing is sweet! I'm supposed to get one this week or next for evaluation and will report back when I do.

Craig

[vegas06]

I got to play with one last weekend at the Podcast Expo in Ontario, CA and I have to say this thing is sweet! I'm supposed to get one this week or next for evaluation and will report back when I do.

Craig

I should have mine sometime next week for review as well.  As Sweetwaters first shipment is in transit from the manufacturer.

BTW Craig, how was the build on it? 
I have heard that the build on Zooms products are cheaply made.
It looks solid from the pictures.

[cpatch]

I got to play with one last weekend at the Podcast Expo in Ontario, CA and I have to say this thing is sweet! I'm supposed to get one this week or next for evaluation and will report back when I do.

Craig

I should have mine sometime next week for review as well.  As Sweetwaters first shipment is in transit from the manufacturer.

BTW Craig, how was the build on it? 
I have heard that the build on Zooms products are cheaply made.
It looks solid from the pictures.

The build seemed solid (a lot more solid than the MT), although the units I played with were final prototypes. I've had no problems with the build on other Zoom products I've owned. When I spoke with the reps on Friday they said the first shipment was on its way from China (?) and would be in retailers this week.

Craig

[spyder9]

Craig,

Did you listen to the Pre on it, when you played with it at the show?  How does it sound?

[Oysterhead00]

What kind of battery life can you get on it?  Seeing that it uses 2 AA batteries is no biggie since it probably uses very little power, but if you use your own mics and the 48v phantom power 2 little AA's seem like they wouldn't last very long at all.

[vegas06]

Just an update on my H4 order from sweetwater.com.

It seems that they got their first shipment of H4's in today, and have processed most of the pre-orders (not all).  Luckily it seems that I was one of the first pre-orders placed they charged my card), and I should  be receiving mine in teh coming week.

Cool, can't wait to try it out against my R-09 and Microtrack. 

"Correction on my post... As my H4 is beinmg shipped to me as I write this." 

[cpatch]

Did you listen to the Pre on it, when you played with it at the show?  How does it sound?

There was too much background noise around the booth to be able to test the pres, but I've been told by two people independently at Samson that they're really happy with them. Time will tell.

As for battery life, the company is claiming up to 4 hours which I assume is with the internal mics. Figure on cutting that in half for an external mic with phantom power, so you're probably going to want to use this with an external battery pack.

I can tell you that there wasn't a single podcaster I spoke with who saw this that didn't want one!

UPDATE: Mine's on its way as well.

Craig

[MattH]

I am missing something or does this recorder not have a line in switch. I need line in for any recorder I would buy.

[cpatch]

I am missing something or does this recorder not have a line in switch. I need line in for any recorder I would buy.

Each input (as well as the built-in mics) has its own Lo/Mid/Hi-Gain switch. Set Input 1 and Input 2 to Lo-Gain and use the 1/4" inputs for line in (according to the brochure).

Also, I'm not sure if I've seen this anywhere else but it comes with a tripod adapter and wind screen. It also has internal mic modeling for an SM57, MD421, U87, and C414 (for use with the built-in mics only of course). Phantom power is switchable between 24V and 48V. The AC adapter is 9V, interestingly enough.

Craig

[rePat]

I saw one today at my local Sam Ash.  Very tempting, but did not pull the trigger.  The sales guy said they just got them yesterday.

Pat