ZoomDigital Multitrack Recorder, Black (H1n-VP)

I'm a longtime producer, musician, and field recorder. I got this thing because I wanted a purpose-built device for field recordings and sampling runs. This device is very capable in a number of ways, but it is also simple and fast to start recording. I use it to record everything from wildlife to rain and wind, weapon clangs, gunfire, whatever is good for using in a song or video game. I'm very happy with the accessibility and sound quality.I no longer have to postprocess my field recordings because this device has a great signal-to-noise ratio and responds well to most forms of clipping (they sound musical and not harsh). The frequency response is wide and even distant sounds (like wind in the treetops) sound exactly like they do to my ear. I have been trying to record that sound for a few years now and this is the first device good enough to really capture it.My only concerns are about durability: The device seems sturdy enough but I've got to make sure to keep it in its case while transporting it around. Rain, blowing mist, etc. may damage it so I'm playing it careful.Overall, a great little device! It's compact, it runs on AAAs so no worry about onboard batteries giving out, it does the thing very well, and it can be deployed quickly enough to capture elusive sounds like birds.

This little piece of technology is next level if you love to record nature sounds for your videos sound effects this device delivers. Easy to use and a very good microphone. Small compact and great sound quality,It’s a must have for traveling videographers.

The media could not be loaded. My main purpose is to interview my parents for a aural family history. It replaces my iPhone Voice Memos which have become useless - try getting 100+ voice memos off your iPhone one at a time. Not so easy. Syncing with iTunes is unreliable these days. And the iPhone mics are too much of a compromise. The Zoom H1n is really portable at only 2oz and unobtrusive. I like small. Features are all there. It's easy to plug it into my computer's USB input and get the audio off. Standard recording mp3 or wav files with studio resolution means simple to share or to compile and edit in common audio software like Audacity/ProTools etc. It's great for conversation but I noticed you have to crank up the volume and use the limiter if the person talking is 6ft+ away. This is not the unit for field recording very quiet sounds, nor for music except it's fine for recording ideas, first run demos with guitar/piano vox etc. I use it for recording my piano practice and composition ideas. Although in theory you can add external unpowered mics, this is not your first choice for podcasts, or add-on to a recording studio: if you want that then look at the Tascam higher-end stuff (e.g. Portacapture X6). The two problems I have already seen on my Zoom H1n are: 1) low battery life (2 AAA's) - Zoom claim of 10hrs is pushing it, I barely got 3-4hrs, 2) problem for big hands: the buttons & micro SD-cards are really tiny and fiddly so if you have big hands don't get this model. Zoom also have had problems reported in some of their microphones which have sensitivity to RF noise - and I haven't had such a problem with the built-in mics on this model, I wouldn't worry about this.

I use this to record high quality audio for use with video. The quality is similar to that on the Zoom H5, and the audio levels were easy to set. The recorder is nice and small. The reviews I read about the “essentials” model said the automated audio levels don’t work. This model is simple to use and works well.

I had originally purchased a Tascam 4 track portable recorder, however it was needlessly complex for my needs, and the tiny unlit LCD display was next to useless.Since at this point I am interested in primarily 2 track stereo recordings of piano playing, this little device fits the bill. It has good quality microphones, the display is clear and simple, and file management is also not complex. WAV files can easily be transferred to a computer for editing and further processing. You can switch off all automatic level adjustments and the limiter. It can be run on internal batteries or on AC. No complaints, and with case, AC adapter and windscreen it is a great value as well. Be sure to have a 32 GB micro HDSC card handy (I believe that's the largest size it will handle, and that's plenty of space).

This is a high quality audio recoding device. I have been using this for almost a year now and the sound quality is pretty amazing. The recorded audios have been used in documentary films and independent music albums. I play two indian classical instruments called Sarod and Mohanveena, both of them sounded great. It's very easy to carry and value for money as well. The size is perfect for carrying everywhere. Battery life is great too and you can charge in multiple ways.

It's a little plastic piece of crap! Does not come with a memory card. The one they sent me will not turn on. Even if it did I would send it back.

It’s a very lightweight plastic case unit that feels fairly cheap. Hopefully it doesn’t get broken easily. Seems to record OK