Topic: Edirol R-09 Or Zoom H2?

[lachy_legend]

hi guys i was wondering what you recommend either a edirol r-09 or a zoom h2. or something else, around the same price range.
thanks

[sailcat]

There's lots of info on this board about both. The best reviews of the H2 are here: http://www.oreillynet.com/digitalmedia/blog/2007/04/zoom_h2_digital_recorder_detai.html

and here: http://www.2090.org/zoom/bbs/viewtopic.php?p=96209#96209 (look around on this board - there's lots of discussion).

The internal mics of the H2 are the best of any of these small decks, and there are 4 of them, which gives you some interesting options if you use that feature. As a point-and-shoot device, it seems to be the best of the lot. The mic in is not good, but can work well with the right mics, and the line in is somewhat sensitive, so you'll need to either use a pre or attenuator for loud situations, but the sound is very good. I have the H2 and I like it a lot, especially because it's $100 cheaper, which leaves $$ for other gear.

[aaronji]

I guess it depends on how you want to use it.  I just compared the internals on my Zoom with the internals on my Marantz PMD620.  The Zoom sounds better, in my opinion.  Mic-in and line-in may be a different story, however.  The mic input on the Zoom is noisy and the Marantz sounded much better.  I have yet to test line-in, as I am waiting on a pre-amp...

There are a million threads relating to the R09 on here; you should probably take a look.  And the sites listed by sailcat (above) are good for Zoom info...

[lachy_legend]

thanks wouldn't it be hard to use external mics while recording a gig?
so its just personal preferance they are both good?

[Belexes]

thanks wouldn't it be hard to use external mics while recording a gig?

If stealthing, yes.  I wouldn't stealth with the internals.