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ZOOM H4n
review

The old H4 promised a lot but delivered less, so my expectations weren’t great. But this time it delivered in spades - it’s good. It’s very good.

The spec is pretty much as before but it’s been organised and managed to do what it says on the box:

• the menus and controls are much easier to use
• it feels better and appears to be built better
• the internal microphones work well, and are very sensitive, though there is still some handling noise for those with restless hands
• but most of all the external mic inputs work properly.

This is where the serious recording is done and was the most disappointing feature of the old model. There’s full phantom power, balanced XLR inputs, and the level is fine - it could be more, but couldn’t it always? Noise is very low giving well detailed and clean recordings with plenty of vibrancy.

It was tested with an AT8033 and a PRO70 and the results were excellent, even when played out at excessive volumes.

Prices from some other manufacturers are now becoming excessive, but not (for the present anyway) from Zoom. It’s a real, fully-featured alternative to Marantzes, and at approaching half the cost. Do the math!