Re: Has anyone used a Zoom H2 for fiddle recording
The H2 is supposed to be lighter and have a four way mike. It doesn't have XLR inputs like the H4 if that matters.
I wonder how it compares to a Sony minidisc recorder sound wise. I am happy with the Hi-MD but it is a bit of a pain to use. Still it gives a great recording with the stereo mike. The H2 is supposedly more user friendly and cheaper than the Hi-MD recorders. I am very tempted by the H2 but can't justify it since the Hi-MD is so good and I have it already and it was pretty pricey.
Re: Has anyone used a Zoom H2 for fiddle recording
I use the Edirol R1 - it is great, though it looks like it's successor, the R9 is better (battery life, size, better storage media format...). Have seen the Zooms in use by other people who also seemed happy with them.
Generally, some kind of small solid state recording device is great to have - the cassette players and mini disc players all have the problem of having moving parts which themselves create noise unless you use an external microphone. Some people seem happy with Dictaphone type things, but I prefer to have a bit more quality to my recording so the R1 with it's inbuilt microphones is ideal. No need for extra cables etc. Just turn it on, set the recording levels and leave it on the table until the bateries run out (about 1.5 hours on freshly charged rechargeabs). Just don't leave it directly in front of the banjo player. On one session I worked out afterwards that the drumskin of the banjo was probably about 30 cm from the recorder and on a direct line from the perpendicular to the skin! Surprisingly enough, I couldn't make out much else on the recording...
Re: Has anyone used a Zoom H2 for fiddle recording
I'm looking for a recording device under $100 (currently on a student budget). Doesn't have to be great - enough I can hear the tunes clearly and possibly get the recordings transfered onto my computer. Any suggestions?
Re: Has anyone used a Zoom H2 for fiddle recording
Amy.... maybe not under $100, but the H2 is quite reasonable at under $200 and coming down. I have seen them as low as $179 on Ebay. In due time they should have some refurbished ones there as well with a 90 day warranty...which in some cases you can extend. I have had great luck with refurbs on many devices, many of which have outlasted friends' brand new ones.
If you want great quality, I'd just save up. People are generally happy with the Olympus WS 300 and up series in your price range, but they are not CD quality or close. The Minidisc on the highest setting, it is mind boggling clarity. Very little machine noise on mine, just the beginning, so I wait a few seconds to record.
Re: Has anyone used a Zoom H2 for fiddle recording
I bought a Zoom H2 about four days ago, and I bought a 4gig card. I've put about six hours on the H2 and I am amazed at the clarity. For example, I set it to run the front mic while a friend and I played in the living room. It was across the room from us. On playback, no hiss, no noise, just the music and our comments -- as well as some background (my kind wife in the kitchen). I had set it for mid-gain, and was surprised at how well the mics did. I have played with it quite a bit after reading the the manual. I like the options, and it is an easy transfer to computer. I would use it over my minidisc everytime.
Has anyone used a Zoom H2 for fiddle recording
Has anyone used a Zoom H2 for fiddle recording
Hi
I'm thinking about a zoom H2 to record sessions and workshops. Has anyone tried one out?
# Posted on October 4th 2007 by craigwebster
Re: Has anyone used a Zoom H2 for fiddle recording
I use an H4 and love it - I'm sure the H2 will fill the bill quite nicely!
Pat
# Posted on October 4th 2007 by plunk111
Re: Has anyone used a Zoom H2 for fiddle recording
The H2 is supposed to be lighter and have a four way mike. It doesn't have XLR inputs like the H4 if that matters.
I wonder how it compares to a Sony minidisc recorder sound wise. I am happy with the Hi-MD but it is a bit of a pain to use. Still it gives a great recording with the stereo mike. The H2 is supposedly more user friendly and cheaper than the Hi-MD recorders. I am very tempted by the H2 but can't justify it since the Hi-MD is so good and I have it already and it was pretty pricey.
Would love a report if you get the H2.
# Posted on October 4th 2007 by irisnevins
Re: Has anyone used a Zoom H2 for fiddle recording
I've also used the H4 for recording sessions and playing at home. Very good sound quality. Haven't used the XLR inputs yet.
# Posted on October 4th 2007 by Martin_BC
Re: Has anyone used a Zoom H2 for fiddle recording
I use a Canon IS S1
# Posted on October 4th 2007 by Joze
Re: Has anyone used a Zoom H2 for fiddle recording
I use the Edirol R1 - it is great, though it looks like it's successor, the R9 is better (battery life, size, better storage media format...). Have seen the Zooms in use by other people who also seemed happy with them.
Generally, some kind of small solid state recording device is great to have - the cassette players and mini disc players all have the problem of having moving parts which themselves create noise unless you use an external microphone. Some people seem happy with Dictaphone type things, but I prefer to have a bit more quality to my recording so the R1 with it's inbuilt microphones is ideal. No need for extra cables etc. Just turn it on, set the recording levels and leave it on the table until the bateries run out (about 1.5 hours on freshly charged rechargeabs). Just don't leave it directly in front of the banjo player. On one session I worked out afterwards that the drumskin of the banjo was probably about 30 cm from the recorder and on a direct line from the perpendicular to the skin! Surprisingly enough, I couldn't make out much else on the recording...
# Posted on October 4th 2007 by Crackpot
Re: Has anyone used a Zoom H2 for fiddle recording
H2 has been great - we've recorded sessions and been azaed by the quality
# Posted on October 4th 2007 by Tarrantella
Re: Has anyone used a Zoom H2 for fiddle recording
I'm looking for a recording device under $100 (currently on a student budget). Doesn't have to be great - enough I can hear the tunes clearly and possibly get the recordings transfered onto my computer. Any suggestions?
# Posted on October 4th 2007 by Amy J
Re: Has anyone used a Zoom H2 for fiddle recording
Amy.... maybe not under $100, but the H2 is quite reasonable at under $200 and coming down. I have seen them as low as $179 on Ebay. In due time they should have some refurbished ones there as well with a 90 day warranty...which in some cases you can extend. I have had great luck with refurbs on many devices, many of which have outlasted friends' brand new ones.
If you want great quality, I'd just save up. People are generally happy with the Olympus WS 300 and up series in your price range, but they are not CD quality or close. The Minidisc on the highest setting, it is mind boggling clarity. Very little machine noise on mine, just the beginning, so I wait a few seconds to record.
# Posted on October 4th 2007 by irisnevins
Re: Has anyone used a Zoom H2 for fiddle recording
For those with the H2, how does the sound quality compare with the mini-disc?
# Posted on October 4th 2007 by Elda Rose
Re: Has anyone used a Zoom H2 for fiddle recording
I bought a Zoom H2 about four days ago, and I bought a 4gig card. I've put about six hours on the H2 and I am amazed at the clarity. For example, I set it to run the front mic while a friend and I played in the living room. It was across the room from us. On playback, no hiss, no noise, just the music and our comments -- as well as some background (my kind wife in the kitchen). I had set it for mid-gain, and was surprised at how well the mics did. I have played with it quite a bit after reading the the manual. I like the options, and it is an easy transfer to computer. I would use it over my minidisc everytime.
# Posted on October 14th 2007 by Eddie Jones