Zoom H1 Handy Portable Digital Recorder
Price Range $99.00 - 120.00
What makes it great!
This little guy is a must have for any one. This super easy-to-use unit give you great stereo recording at the push of a button. Record in many formats including 96kHz at 16-bit or 24-bit wave or 320kbps mp3. The mic level can be adjusted and so can a 1/8 line-in. Connect the line-in to a phone-out on a mixer and record all your band practices or gigs. After first hand use over years of a non-ideal conditions, this little hand recorder is still working great today. Getting files to the computer is as easy as plugging in a usb cable.
What are the drawbacks?
This great product is only limited by its price point. All the features go above and beyond expectation for this type of unit. You might want more than record and go. If so, keep reading about the upgraded Zoom recorders and features.
Price Range $99.00 - 120.00
What makes it great!
This little guy is a must have for any one. This super easy-to-use unit give you great stereo recording at the push of a button. Record in many formats including 96kHz at 16-bit or 24-bit wave or 320kbps mp3. The mic level can be adjusted and so can a 1/8 line-in. Connect the line-in to a phone-out on a mixer and record all your band practices or gigs. After first hand use over years of a non-ideal conditions, this little hand recorder is still working great today. Getting files to the computer is as easy as plugging in a usb cable.
What are the drawbacks?
This great product is only limited by its price point. All the features go above and beyond expectation for this type of unit. You might want more than record and go. If so, keep reading about the upgraded Zoom recorders and features.
Zoom H4N Handy Portable Digital Recorder
Price Range 199.99 - 239.99
What makes it great!
This handheld four-track recorder is amazing. Record up to four tracks at the same time with this guy! It has 2 xlr or 1/2 inputs with which you connect mics or line instruments. It also can do multitrack recording. One amazing thing about this is that it is also a usb interface! Record directly to your computer! This is a songwriter's dream recorder. This even features phantom power for use with any mic you wish to use. After about 5 years of use, it's still going strong and is very handy to have in any studio. Now, at this sell-out price due to the new Zoom recorders, this is a super amazing deal.
What are the drawbacks?
It is hard to say what the drawbacks are on this product. Myself and others I know who use this are all super happy. It is a bit of a trick to get to know how to use it the best way, but that's all in getting to know new gear. If you need more than four tracks, you can bounce down and record more, but that's kind of a hassle.
Price Range 199.99 - 239.99
What makes it great!
This handheld four-track recorder is amazing. Record up to four tracks at the same time with this guy! It has 2 xlr or 1/2 inputs with which you connect mics or line instruments. It also can do multitrack recording. One amazing thing about this is that it is also a usb interface! Record directly to your computer! This is a songwriter's dream recorder. This even features phantom power for use with any mic you wish to use. After about 5 years of use, it's still going strong and is very handy to have in any studio. Now, at this sell-out price due to the new Zoom recorders, this is a super amazing deal.
What are the drawbacks?
It is hard to say what the drawbacks are on this product. Myself and others I know who use this are all super happy. It is a bit of a trick to get to know how to use it the best way, but that's all in getting to know new gear. If you need more than four tracks, you can bounce down and record more, but that's kind of a hassle.
Zoom H5 Handy Recorder
Price Range 269.99 - 299.99
What makes this great!
This is a piece of gear to get excited about. The first thing that stands out is the interchangeable mic attachments sold separately. It also has a 1/2 stereo line-in attachment you can add to record four line-ins at once. 15 hours of battery time is amazing. This is an audio interface as well. It's great for film, with time stamping and connecting to your camera. This is the kind of gear you want to write new songs on just so you can play with the recorder. This is definitely worth the extra dough over the h4. It is great to see new gear like this at such a good price.
What are the drawbacks?
The song editing features on the unit itself are not the best but that's what the computer is for anyway. At around $270.00 it's a bit of an investment but can be more than worth it if you are in need of a pro field recorder.
Price Range 269.99 - 299.99
What makes this great!
This is a piece of gear to get excited about. The first thing that stands out is the interchangeable mic attachments sold separately. It also has a 1/2 stereo line-in attachment you can add to record four line-ins at once. 15 hours of battery time is amazing. This is an audio interface as well. It's great for film, with time stamping and connecting to your camera. This is the kind of gear you want to write new songs on just so you can play with the recorder. This is definitely worth the extra dough over the h4. It is great to see new gear like this at such a good price.
What are the drawbacks?
The song editing features on the unit itself are not the best but that's what the computer is for anyway. At around $270.00 it's a bit of an investment but can be more than worth it if you are in need of a pro field recorder.
Zoom H6 Handy Recorder
Price Range $375.00 - 400.00
What is Great About This!
Wow did you see the video! Sexy! The H6 is very impressive. I love that you can connect 6 tracks to a mixer and record a show. This has the power you need for any pro project. Two more tracks and inputs is a massive upgrade for handheld recorders. The next step after this is a full-on studio! With 6 tracks, it is more than they used to record all though classic hits we all love so much. This is like having a record label in your hand create a pro video for your next gig with album sound quality. This could be the best piece of recording gear you ever buy.
What is the drawback?
Well if you work at Roland then you will not like this piece of gear at all. This is the first and only one of its kind. The only drawback we see is that it would be a good thing for someone to try a walk off with.
Price Range $375.00 - 400.00
What is Great About This!
Wow did you see the video! Sexy! The H6 is very impressive. I love that you can connect 6 tracks to a mixer and record a show. This has the power you need for any pro project. Two more tracks and inputs is a massive upgrade for handheld recorders. The next step after this is a full-on studio! With 6 tracks, it is more than they used to record all though classic hits we all love so much. This is like having a record label in your hand create a pro video for your next gig with album sound quality. This could be the best piece of recording gear you ever buy.
What is the drawback?
Well if you work at Roland then you will not like this piece of gear at all. This is the first and only one of its kind. The only drawback we see is that it would be a good thing for someone to try a walk off with.