Zoom H1n Recorder for Youtubers : Impressive Sound Effects Recorder

 An efficient and compact recording companion

The H1n is Zoom's new compact portable recorder. We wanted to see what this promising model can give on paper. Here are our impressions after a few months of use.

The H1n has come a little way since the previous H1 (launched in 2010). The size remains more or less the same, but the look is very different. We always appreciate the compactness and lightness of the whole, which make the H1n an ideal traveling companion. The design is more slender here, the vast majority of buttons are now found on the front panel and the pair of XY microphones is even better protected. In terms of manufacturing and quality of finishes, the result is still quite basic, but that does not compromise the robustness. This is in any case what we have seen during our period of use.

The grip is pleasant, the whole is very light and fits well in the hand, all the buttons are easily accessible and the screen is readable in all circumstances. We also appreciate the speed of ignition (allow about 4 seconds) and the responsiveness of the controls. There is really nothing to complain about on this point. If the batteries (2 x AAA) that power the H1n are supplied as standard, the microSD card is not; So remember to get it before your first recordings. The screw thread at the back is still there to fix the case everywhere.

The available connectors

In terms of connectivity, the Zoom H1N offers the possibility of recording with external microphones by connecting via the stereo microphone / line input mini-jack. Or by using a completely different sound source being fed suddenly by the plug. As soon as an external microphone is connected, the Zoom H1N deactivates the pair of integrated microphones. It sounds efficient, but an additional microphone would have sharpened the performance of the Zoom H1N a bit more.

Device performance

Despite its compactness, the H1n offers connectivity and functionalities that are as complete as ever. There is a line / headphone output in a 3.5 mm mini-jack and an external line / microphone input also in a mini-jack; enough to benefit from a great versatility in terms of configuration before seriously moving up a gear. The microSD port is also part (32 GB max). Certain "advanced" functions are very useful for certain applications. We therefore appreciate the test signal generator, the synchro signal for use with a digital camera, the overdub for music recording, the use of the recorder as a microphone via USB, the adjustable playback speed for the transcription of interviews, or the various recording configurations (automatic start, pre-recording, time delay).

The Zoom H1N offers good stereo sound capture thanks to its pair of XY microphones. This conformation has the advantage of attenuating the effect of proximity, of limiting the details and of increasing the ambient noise when one moves away from the microphone (ideal for concerts, interviews etc.) but also it presents a second advantage which is to increase the sound quality by eliminating background noise when approaching the microphone.

Note also that despite the variation in sound level during recordings, the Zoom H1N's pair of microphones alone adjust the recording line for an impeccable result. It stands out quite well in its category for the quality of its final renderings.

The Zoom H1N also features an advanced built-in limiter that ensures a distortion-free signal when recording sound sources at high volume. Which seems to be handy for recording at concerts. But on the other hand, in the absence of a windshield when shooting outdoors, we notice a strong sensitivity to wind noise which is quite unpleasant.

Although very compact, this recorder has risen to the challenge in all situations. The sound reproduction is overall balanced and the timbres well respected. The microphones take in the high levels of sound pressure without flinching too much and the dynamics are nicely restored. The stereophonic scene is not incredibly wide and we would have liked a little more detail in the higher frequencies. The microphones are very sensitive to the wind, so plan a windshield (not supplied) for any shot outdoors. What's more, if you plan to keep the recorder in your hand during your recording, wear gloves or avoid handling it as much as possible. Contact noise could totally ruin your sound recording.

In summary, the H1n fulfills its contract very well. Simple, efficient and compact, it offers everything you need to record in good conditions and in many situations. If you plan to use it mostly outdoors, at least plan to purchase a windshield.

 The Zoom H1N stands out in its class for its simplicity, compactness and efficiency. It offers a package of features and very satisfactory results when using it. But of course, a Zoom H1N that came with a few more accessories like the windshield would have been more appreciated. However, this does not compromise its performance.

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