Zoom H1

[Mike Stranks]

Anyone got one yet? First thoughts?

I'd be using mine mainly for voice work. A good line input is also important for me.

Cheers! Mike

[forumuser695516]

Im interested in one too. Most dealers appear to have stock of them at last now also.
Still, they are only £80 from the likes of Thomann. Im tempted to just get one anyways. Will be useful for gathering samples for manipulation later on the computer

Paul

[Spangler]

Yep, got one on Saturday.

Haven't tested it much so far, but first impressions are good. Great sound quality and intuitive controls.

Very sensitive to wind and handling noise mind you. Someone needs to make an iPod-style rubber sleeve for it to dampen the light plastic case.

[Mike Stranks]

Thanks Spangler... keep us posted.... the memsahib gave me the OK for the spend today!

[Neil C]

It has me very interested.
I want to hear some 'studio' full wav recordings from it (I've only heard it waved in front of someone on YouTube).

[forumuser695516]

Oh bugger.. Just as I thought I had made my mind up, this comes along..
http://tascam.com/product/dr-03/
Not certain on UK price, but it's a mere $99 state side, just like the H1..

Paul

[Mike Stranks]

Oh bugger.. Just as I thought I had made my mind up, this comes along..
http://tascam.com/product/dr-03/
Not certain on UK price, but it's a mere $99 state side, just like the H1..

Paul

Arrrgh!! Good call Paul. Doesn't look like it's on anyone's radar in the UK yet in terms of pre-sale info, projected availability etc.

Anyone know 'when' for the UK?

I think I'll put the H1 on hold for now....

[caveman82]

For what it's worth, over at CDM they give the impression the Zoom had a slight edge on the Tascam.

[Neil C]

For what it's worth, over at CDM they give the impression the Zoom had a slight edge on the Tascam.

Only if you want to mount it to a video camera, where clearly the ability of the H1 to do that makes it more attractive if you do want to do that with it.
Cameras aside nobody has used the Tascam yet nobody to make a proper judgement.

[Martin Walker]

Yep, it’s always dangerous to make judgements based on spec sheets without actually comparing the two devices when they are in your hands

I must say I’m very tempted by the Zoom H1, which seems remarkable value for money, and does all that I need - I’d really prefer to audition one before I lay down any money though (wouldn’t we all?;))

Martin

[Spangler]

What sort of tests would you like to see / hear?

Willing to post up some results using my unit.

[Mike Stranks]

What sort of tests would you like to see / hear?

Willing to post up some results using my unit.

What a star!

Speaking personally I'd like to know your general opinion of the unit: robustness, ease of use, handling noise etc. and to hear some samples of narrative voice at 16/44.1 both manual and auto-level settings, using the in-built mics.

I'd also like to hear a recording - also 16/44.1 - of music made using the line-in.

Your thoughts on noise, hiss etc on the recordings you've made would also be helpful.

From tests I've seen on YouTube it seems like the H1 suffers in the same way as the H2 does - recordings made using an external dynamic mic are very poor as a result of having to apply so much gain to get a reeasonable signal. Do you agree?

Thanks again for your offer of some thoughts and samples! Excellent!

Mike

[Martin Walker]

From tests I've seen on YouTube it seems like the H1 suffers in the same way as the H2 does - recordings made using an external dynamic mic are very poor as a result of having to apply so much gain to get a reeasonable signal. Do you agree?

So one would ideally need a battery-powered mic preamp as well as the H1 then

The price is right but why bother with 24-bit capability if the inbuilt mics/preamp can’t take advantage of it

Martin

[Mike Stranks]

My H2 had exactly this problem Martin. I can understand it more with the H1 as it has a combined mic/line input.

However, there was little excuse for the H2: separate mic input and switchable DC on the mic input for those mics that need it. My experience was that with a dynamic mic the recorded quality was so poor as to be unusable. Fourtunately the inbuilt mics were so good that it wasn't an issue for me - once I discovered it!

You can see/hear exactly the same issue in this review of the H1:

H1 Review

(If you find the review too toe-curling the external mic test starts at about 6.30!)

[Martin Walker]

Thanks for the link Mike - I jumped straight to 6:30

Martin

[Spiked Lunch]

Looks nifty.

Is it possible to monitor and record at the same time?

Mike

[Spangler]

Yes, you can monitor and record simultaneously.

[Spiked Lunch]

Yes, you can monitor and record simultaneously.

Excellent - thank you