The Zoom H2 is a must-have for anybody doing podcasting to almost any type of mobile recording situation.Anaffordable2-track recorder using a 4-mic capsule configuration and digital signal processing, the H2 allows a variety of polar patterns and even supports 5.1 surround sound. Record at 96kHz, 48kHz, 44.1kHz or MP3. Archive files to your computer using the USB port. Use as a USB mic to record your guitar or vocals directly to computer. ATime stampfeature facilitates production. The H2 has an approximate 4-hour running time on 2 AA alkaline batteries. It includes earbuds, stereo adapter cable, mic clip adapter, tripod stand, USB cable, AC adapter and a 512MB SD card. Now the Zoom H2 can accept up to a 16 GB SD cards with the latest firmware installed. Have an older version? Update easily and for free at Zoom's website, www.zoom.co.jp.Click here for listing of compatible SD cards!Who Needs the H2 Handy Recorder from Zoom? Everyone who craves brilliant stereo recordings.It's a simple idea: provide brilliant stereo recording in an easy-to-use, ultra-portable device. Now everyone can record pristine audio in an infinite variety of applications. From seminars and conferences, to electronic news gathering (ENG) and podcasting, to musical performances, songwriting sessions and rehearsals, the H2 provides amazing recording quality. And no matter what kind of music you perform or the instrument you play, the H2 can effortlessly record it in high-quality stereo.Zoom H2 FeaturesW-XY mic patterns with 4 mic capsules and signal processing allows Front 90° cardioid, Rear 120° cardioid and 360° polar patternsFinally record 360° sound as 2ch data or 4ch data simultaneouslyBuilt-in USB 2.It's a simple idea: provide brilliant stereo recording in an easy-to-use, ultra-portable device. Now everyone can record pristine audio in an infinite variety of applications. From seminars and conferences, to electronic news gathering (ENG) and podcasting, to musical performances, songwriting sessions and rehearsals, the H2 provides amazing recording quality. And no matter what kind of music you perform or the instrument you play, the H2 can effortlessly record it in high-quality stereo.
Why Four Mics are Better Than Two
 90° Pattern Record from the front at 90° |
 120° Pattern Record from the front at 120° |
The H2 is the only portable recorder with 4 mic capsules on-board for 360° recording. With 4 mic capsules in a W-X/Y configuration, the audio is decoded instantly, bringing these four signals together for unparalleled stereo imaging.
But the H2 doesn't stop there. For maximum flexibility, you can record from the front of the H2 in a 90° pickup pattern or the rear of the H2 in a 120° pickup pattern at up to 96 kHz/24-bit resolution as a WAV file, or as an MP3 file at bitrates up to 320 kbps. Additionally, you can record in a 360° pickup pattern at up to 48kHz/24-bit resolution which will allow you to convert your recordings to 5.1 Surround.
Push a Button...
That's all it takes to start recording! The H2 is a remarkably robust device that is incredibly easy to use. One button recording, gain controls on the side and an intuitive user interface mean you can always capture the moment. Set your levels, push record and go. It's that simple. Or use the Auto Start and Auto Gain Control functions to ensure complete capture at the right level. And if you need to fine-tune your levels on the fly, we made it easy with gain control buttons on the front panel.
Play it Back!
Play your recordings on your home audio system with its 1/8" stereo output or listen to your masterpiece with headphones. Or, use the H2's USB interface to move your recordings to your Mac or PC to listen, edit and share.
The H2 records on Secure Digital (SD) media and a 512MB SD card is included. The unit can accommodate up to a 16GB SD card, allowing up to 24 hours of total recording time using the 16-bit/44.1kHz WAV format. At 128kbps MP3, you get an amazing 280 hours of stereo recording. Store your recordings on a PC or Mac with its USB 2.0 interface. And you can use its time stamping function for reference during production. Or use the H2 as a USB Mic for recording directly to a computer.
What's Life Without Accessories?
The H2 comes with earbuds, 1/8 inch stereo to RCA cable, mic clip adapter, tripod stand, USB cable, AC adapter and a 512MB SD card.
Ultimate Convenience
The H2 weighs 4 ounces and fits in your pocket for the ultimate in portability and convenience. Two standard alkaline AA batteries will give you 4 hours of continuous operation and a backlit display means it's always easy to use in any situation.
Enjoy Your Brilliance
Brilliant stereo recording in a convenient, user-friendly package means there's never been an easier way to record high quality audio. The H2 gives everyone the power to record anything and share it with anyone, anywhere. You'll be amazed by your sound.
Features:
- W-XY mic patterns with 4 mic capsules and signal processing allows Front 90° cardioid, Rear 120° cardioid and 360° polar patterns
- Built-in USB 2.0 interface
- Records in WAV 96kHz/48kHz/44.1kHz at 16-bit or 24-bit, MP3 to 320kbps and Variable Bit Rate (VBR) data formats
- Time Stamp and Track Marker functions in Broadcast WAV Format (BWF)
- 512MB SD memory card included
- Accommodates up to 16GB SD memory cards
- Auto Gain Control (AGC) for pristine recordings
- Auto Start function means you're always ready to record
- Low-cut filter eliminates wind noise
- On-board chromatic Guitar/Bass tuner
H2 Handy Recorder Features at a Glance
The H2 Handy Recorder brings the ultimate in functionality and versatility to portable digital recording. A clear, backlit display features recording levels, time code, file name and remaining battery life. LEDs indicate Front, Rear, 2 Channel or 4 Channel modes and the recording angle: 90°, 120° or 360°. An Active Mic LED is on the front and back of the H2. Transport controls include one button recording, playback and pause, fast forward and rewind. Use the Menu key to enter the control menu and the cursor keys to navigate through the feature sets.
Within the menu, set recording parameters such as direction and polar pattern, activate the Auto Start function and set file format. And you'll find additional settings like Auto Gain Control to make sure your recordings are always pristine. And you can fine-tune your levels on the fly with the Record Level buttons on the front.
On the left side of the H2 is a 1/8" Phone/Line Output for monitoring and playback. Playback Volume, Power On and the AC power are located here as well.
On the right side of the H2, you can plug in a powered 1/8" external stereo mic. Setting levels is easy with a Mic Gain slider for Low/Medium/High gain. You can also digitize analog recordings with the 1/8" Line In.
Use the USB 2.0 Interface to move your files to a PC or Mac for storage, editing and playback. The time stamp function is great for reference during production. And you can even use the H2 as a USB mic and record directly to your favorite digital audio software.
For brilliant stereo recording, and plenty of extras, there's never been a simpler or more functional solution than the H2 Handy Recorder from Zoom.
Please note: The Zoom H2 will not mount as a USB Drive on MAC OS X 10.5.0 Leopard unless you update to H2 Firmware version 1.2 or higher.
Choose the Right Polar Pattern for the Best Recording in any Situation
Choose the Right Polar Pattern for the Best Recording in any Situation |
 90° Pattern Record from the front at 90° |  120° Pattern Record from the front at 120° |
Record your band rehearsals in 360° brilliant stereo. |
 90° Pattern Record from the front at 90° |
- Product Details -- Brand:Zoom
- Manufacturer: Samson
- Item Size: 4.3 x 1.3 x 2.5 inch
- Item Weight: 3.8 ounces
- W-XY mic patterns with 4 mic capsules and signal processing allows Front 90 cardioid, Rear 120 cardioid and 360 polar patterns
- Finally record 360 sound as 2ch data or 4ch data simultaneously
- Built-in USB 2.0 port for data storage
- Records in WAV 96kHz/48kHz/44.1kHz at 16-bit or 24-bit, MP3 to 320kbps and Variable Bit Rate (VBR) data formats
- Time Stamp and Track Marker functions in Broadcast WAV Format (BWF)
The page of "Amazon.com" about Zoom H2 Handy Portable Stereo Recorder.
Sellers and Prices of Zoom H2 Handy Portable Stereo Recorder
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Seller: Amazon.com (FREE Shipping on Orders $25 or more)List Price: $334.99(56% OFF)Price: $146.85
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- Note: In the box. Bought for christmas, wrapped and lost. Never used
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Customer Reviews of Zoom H2 Handy Portable Stereo Recorder
1. Evaluation:100Points(100 Full Marks) By Elise Bond(Valparaiso, IN United States) ・・・ 2010-07-30
- Take your new podcast to the next level -
I had been podcasting for over a year with very basic, inexpensive equipment when I decided that I wanted to invest in it for the long term. After consulting with fellow podcasters and reading reviews, I decided that the Zoom H2 would be the best thing for the next step.
Pros: WONDERFUL sound quality. The automatic standby that always captures 2 seconds before you hit record is perfect for making sure that you don't start off too soon and miss the first word of your recording.
Cons: It took a while (but not more than a day or so) to fully understand the controls. If you are recording while moving around (ie, recording an audio diary while walking around at a decent clip) you sometimes get some noise from the recorder itself.
Overall, it is a great quality portable stereo recorder at a worthwhile price (appx. $149 at this writing). If you are using entry level equipment and have decided to commit to your podcast, this is a fine investment.
2. Evaluation:100Points(100 Full Marks) By Linda K. Bastoni ・・・ 2010-07-18
- Awesome Quality and Price -
I bought this as a gift for my musician husband. He loves, loves, loves it. The entire band is impressed with the sound quality, the ease of use, and battery life. If there were any negatives mentioned about this product, it is only that the screen is small (everyone needed to get their glasses to read the screen)! Would definitely recommend it and would buy it again as another gift.
3. Evaluation:100Points(100 Full Marks) By Flanorelli ・・・ 2010-07-13
- Excellent for recording acoustic band practice -
I spent a fair amount of time reading online reviews before deciding on the Zoom H2. Several reviews mentioned that the audio quality was almost but not quite as good as more expensive products in this category. I stumbled across several review websites that had prepared side-by-side audio samples, and I sure couldn't tell a difference in audio quality amongst the various products. A few had slightly different coloration, but all were excellent. It seems you can't go wrong.
So I based my decision on two factors: (1) 4-channel surround recording capability, which only the Zoom H2 offers; and (2) price (although the 4-channel surround was the primary determinant). I'm really happy with the Zoom H2. It's primary purpose is to sit in the middle of my living room (on a mic stand about 4-ft high) and "listen" during our acoustic band practice. We place the Zoom H2 in the middle of the room and we all sit around (or stand) facing each other... just as if we were practicing without the Zoom H2. The sound quality is excellent right out of the box. I adjusted the recording settings to 24bit/48kHz with an average ACG setting. I leave the gain in the "low" setting and don't mess with the volume setting. I set it up and started using it without reading the instructions. I've since looked at the instructions and they seem to be very thorough... perhaps even a bit redundant.
I replaced the flash memory chip with a 16GB chip that I got at amazon for <$35. Recording a 2-hr practice with the above settings results in about 4GB of audio file. I transfer the files to my computer using a USB cable (yes, it DOES take a long time for file transfer... >1hr for 4GB). I then use my audio software to increase the levels by about 10dB... and that's it! No other tweaking is necessary. I did notice that the upright bass volume was a little low in the mix during our first two practices with the H2, so for our third practice I simply moved the H2 closer to the bass by about 1 ft (all instruments are approximately 3-4ft away from the Zoom) and the balance is now perfect. I am really, really happy with the sound quality, which very much exceeded my expectations. Listening to playback through headphones made me feel like I was sitting in the room during live practice. It's that good.
The unit seems sturdier than I was expecting based on some other reviews. The 4-channel surround capability is really a nifty feature. I'm surprised it's only available on the least-expensive product in this category. I would have been willing to spend more for this feature.
4. Evaluation:100Points(100 Full Marks) By P. Muller(SF CA USA) ・・・ 2010-07-12
- Become an instant sound professional -
This is an exceptional live music recorder. Sound quality is exceptional and the device is fairly simple to operate. My only complaints are the small size of the display, its limited file handling capability, and its avaricious appetite for batteries. Rechargeable batteries (or use of the AC adapter) are strongly recommended. Note, however, that while the H2 has a setting for Ni-Mh batteries, it does not charge them, so you still have to use a separate charger. That said, it's a high quality versatile recorder. It does not allow you to pause recording - once you stop it opens a new file upon restart. Not a big deal if you're using decent editing software after the fact, but annoying if you're paradigm is a portable cassette recorder.
5. Evaluation:100Points(100 Full Marks) By Richard Kitchen(Yeronga, Qld, AU) ・・・ 2010-06-24
- Zoom H2 Portable stereo recorder -
The device is compact and records very well over a wide range of conditions. I use it to record singing lessons, and the quality of the sound on play back is exceptioally clear and of high fideleity. Because of its sophistication,initial difficulties have been encountered in recording and play-back - almost certainly user-generated problems. An excellent instruction manual accompanies the product.
Once mastered, this device will suit my needs admirably, and it is highly recommended.
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