H4essential Handy Recorder – 4-Track Recorder with 32-Bit Float, X/Y Microphones, XLR/TRS Inputs – For Music, Podcasts, Film Sound – Black

As the name suggests this is indeed a handy recorder. It's very portable, the quality is good and it benefits from being able to plug external mics into it if required. It can also by used as an audio interface as well. For me it's best feature is the fact that it is unnecessary to set the recording levels - this is done by the device. And it works very well. I haven't experienced any clipping, but in the unlikely even of this happening if you record in 32 bit float it is possible to reduce the waveform to below peak level. The device itself is light and the record function is operated simply by pressing the red record button. It's that simple. I don't use batteries I prefer to use mains. It can be powered through either a laptop of PC usb or usb mains plug. For those who prefer batteries I've read that the device will go through them quite quickly particularly if phantom power is required for external mics. Another alternative is to use a power bank, such as you might buy to charge a mobile phone while camping. Best check that the power bank is of the correct specifications (shown in the Zoom instructions). I usually mount the device on a camera tripod as if it is hand held, unless you take particular care handling noise will be experienced. It works best with the microphones directed towards and 1-2 metres away from the sound source. Recordings can be played back using the onboard speaker, although the sound quality is not great. There is a headphone socket which allows for much better audio. The only thing which bothers me is the file system. It is not possible to name the tracks. They are named for you using the date. Having said this if you transfer the files to a laptop or PC then it is possible to rename them, so it's not a problem which can't be overcome. I find this device very handy for recording rehearsals or in any situation where you want to capture high quality stereo sound quickly. Once you are familiar with the way the device works it's very easy to use and delivers very acceptable results at a modest price.

Five stars is a bit generous, so 4.5 would be how I rate it, but since it doesn't have the option. I have the Zoom h4 Pro, which is approx the same size, but the h4 Pro has better build quality than the Essential, but for what I paid for this £169, it's well worth it. It's 32 bit performance is good and all round performance is very good. It's better than the H4 pro, for using it as an audio device on a computer. I do YT videos and even on low end machines, it performs really well. I also use audio equipment for recording nature sounds and I've found it really good for that, light, cake to use and gets the job done. One thing, that is a warning, is that, unlike it's sibling, it only has sound as output. So what you record, can sound very low. It's a bit like a RAW file in photography, but the sound will still be excellent once it's been edited. A good looking, nice graphical interface and great sound, a bit of a cheap feel, but apart from that it's a quality device.

I use this to record live drums for my songs via the built in mics and some condensers, it’s very simple to use and the new materials on the case will last longer than the h6 zoom did (after a while the casing started degrading and was slimy to touch). This new model also takes 2 batteries instead of 4 which is cool. I have lots of uses for this in the future music/video wise, great tool!

Really great budget recorder! I use this for motovlogging and recording exhaust noise. The 32bit float is fantastic for this and the recorder is very easy to use. Lots of features packed in and the 2 xlr ports are great for when I plug a lav in for dialogue and still want to capture exhaust noise while talking. My only issue with the recorder is that it feels a little cheaply made and when using 48v phantom power it will just turn itself off, meaning I have to power it from the usb c port if I want to use phantom power. Other than that it’s a great, compact recorder that I use all the time.

Wow, absolutely wow! I use this to record over Discord the podcasts and live streams I do to later put on YouTube. Excellent quality, durable and very easy to use. Sound quality is up there with the bigger name brands. I have been in the music industry for many years and this is my go to recording device for impromptu jamming sessions.

Fantastic quality for the price. The audio recording is unbelievably good, the 32bit is solid. I've used this quiet a bit now and the microphones are very good, and the line in xlr input floor level is only bettered by my zoom f3 which has a different function. battery life is very good, i managed 3 separate 1-2hour recordings on one full set of batteries, very easy to use, literally no setup apart from the time and date. the mixer function is a big bonus too mixing the mics with the line in on a extra recording. the size of the recorder is no different to other similar products, maybe smaller even. for its intended use and functionality, its perfect for my requirements.

This is a great recorder. I deliberated over the buying decision for ages, but now I don't even think about the features compared to other models. It just works, and it works well. I use for recording interviews for our radio show, it just sits there and captures everything, no need to worry about guests positioning or mic technique, or having the right number of mic etc. You do need to edit in post, but It's all there even the quiet speech. It also captures great live music sound with the stereo mics giving a sense of space and ambience. In the real world, the battery life is great. Mut have recorded a dozen interviews with it, and a similar number of live songs. The battery is still showing full. Very happy with it.

I have never had any issues with any Zoom products in the past, they have all functioned perfectly at a reasonable price. The H4 Essential is the first Zoom product I am seriously regretting purchasing. The sound quality of the recordings and the operation of the unit isn't the issue - that is great. The problem is it eats batteries so fast it just isn't a practical field recorder for recording anything longer than half an hour. Firstly it will eat a pair of brand new (meter tested) alkaline batteries in about an hour - but worse is to come. Because if you use them for half an hour and then turn the unit off and back on - nothing. It will not power up if it doesn't think there is enough power available - so those batteries which should have been good for another half an hour at least won't do. Even plugging it into the USB output of my PC isn't enough to power it up. So you either have to carry a battery power pack with you or plug it into a dedicated USB C mains power outlet if you want to be able to record for any length of time. The whole point of the purchase was so I could record live performances with a small portable battery powered recorder. I think I am going to return it...

Grabadora de mano de gran calidad. Tiene una curva de aprendizaje muy sencilla y fácil de usar. Para grabar podcast o entrevistas se ha convertido en mi herramienta favorita. Permite también conectar a una mesa de mezclas para grabación directa Si realizas podcast,grabas entrevistas o simplemente eres musico y quieres una grabación de calidad...esta es tu herramienta

Remplace mon zoom H5 avec l'avantage de ne pas avoir peur des enregistrements saturés ...je dirais qu'il fait un peu cheap et que l'autonomie avec des piles n'est pas sécurisante ,, cela peut être compensé en branchant sur une batterie externe en usbc

This product is a huge disappointment. I have a very long track record with Zoom and their products, but this is by far the worst product. First - it's cheap build. I have their previous generation Zoom H5, and the only reason to change it was it lacked 32bit recording, which I loved as I'm solo youtuber and I love the fact that I don't have to check on levels all the time and previous generation is FAR superior in build quality. This one is cheap plastic, jelly buttons, terrible rocker switch. Secondly - glitches. Today, for the 3rd time the recorder has ruined 1.5hours of recroding. God Bless I had backup recording (which I started to do with this recorder), but I'm trying to return it or sell this crap. I'm so surprised, how such a well established brand could drop in quality so much. Seems like another management decision to cut costs and squeeze every cent out their well selling product. Terrible experience.

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E muito bom para audio nao usei microfones ainda, so ele ja limpa os ruidos