Zoom H2, H4, H5 and H6

[TBman]

Originally Posted by scripsit

I've got the Zoom H5, and with a cheap tripod this seems to me to be just about the perfect portable solution for solo guitar.

Very low self-noise and simple to use.

I've got a permanent 'proper' setup with more expensive mics, dedicated computer and DAW etc if , so I've only used the XY mic module that came with the unit (when away from the recording room). Works well, and allows you to try different spaces, even around your own house.

I was surprised how much difference there is in different rooms.

Kym

That's what people tell me, the room and mic placement is critical. Did you need an adapter for the tripod?

Originally Posted by Steev

Unless you have a need for the extra tracks and inputs the H5 is every bit as good as the H6. Overdubbing is easy.
Impro duet on H5.

Ok thanks. I was thinking the same about the 5 vs the 6.

And thank you to everyone else who took the time to respond. Lots of great advice!

[runamuck]

Originally Posted by Steev

Unless you have a need for the extra tracks and inputs the H5 is every bit as good as the H6. Overdubbing is easy.
Impro duet on H5.

That's a fabulous video and the recording is one of the most interesting things I've heard in a while. It's so close and detailed and yet...

What kind of equipment, guitars, reverbs, etc. are you using here?

Wonderful work.

[scripsit]

Originally Posted by TBman

That's what people tell me, the room and mic placement is critical. Did you need an adapter for the tripod?

Nope: the Zoom has the female fitting built in to screw onto a camera tripod. I got a very cheap one and find it as convenient as a conventional mic stand.

Kym

[Steev]

Originally Posted by runamuck

That's a fabulous video and the recording is one of the most interesting things I've heard in a while. It's so close and detailed and yet...

What kind of equipment, guitars, reverbs, etc. are you using here?

Wonderful work.

Thank you runamuck.

Both passes are the Zoom H5 using the standard x/y mic about 14" in front of a Greg Smallman (Australian) guitar. The overdub facility lets you hear your previous recording while recording the next. I reversed the L/R of the second pass in Protools to locate the two differently. A tad of good ol' DVerb and a spot of HP filter because the Smallman can punch hard down low.
Daughters v/o is handheld SM58 in my loungeroom with MBox noise...

[KevWind]

[QUOTE=Steev;5394108]Unless you have a need for the extra tracks and inputs the H5 is every bit as good as the H6. Overdubbing is easy.
Impro duet on H5.

Hey really nice boy did that opening shot bring back some memories .

[runamuck]

Originally Posted by Steev

Thank you runamuck.

Both passes are the Zoom H5 using the standard x/y mic about 14" in front of a Greg Smallman (Australian) guitar. The overdub facility lets you hear your previous recording while recording the next. I reversed the L/R of the second pass in Protools to locate the two differently. A tad of good ol' DVerb and a spot of HP filter because the Smallman can punch hard down low.
Daughters v/o is handheld SM58 in my loungeroom with MBox noise...

Thanks for that. I'm familiar with Smallman but didn't know he built steel strings. What a great sounding guitar.

[SprintBob]

I bought my H5 from Shoreline Music and I choose it based on their recommendation. I could not be happier with it, the recording quality has been excellent.

[Steev]

Originally Posted by runamuck

Thanks for that. I'm familiar with Smallman but didn't know he built steel strings. What a great sounding guitar.

It was made in 1979. It has a Balsa wood lattice braced ultra thin cedar top.
He only made 2 under his own name as far as I can determine.
He and Peter Biffin made steel strings for a while before that.
and Photobucket is being weird now so no picture for now...

[runamuck]

Originally Posted by Steev

It was made in 1979. It has a Balsa wood lattice braced ultra thin cedar top.
He only made 2 under his own name as far as I can determine.
He and Peter Biffin made steel strings for a while before that.
and Photobucket is being weird now so no picture for now...

Thanks. Would love to see that.

[TBman]

Originally Posted by SprintBob

I bought my H5 from Shoreline Music and I choose it based on their recommendation. I could not be happier with it, the recording quality has been excellent.

Thanks Bob!

[TBman]

Originally Posted by Fran Guidry

I've gone through Zoom-ville fairly thoroughly over the years starting with the H2. I've done shootouts at http://www.homebrewedmusic.com/ with the H2, H2n, H4n, and H6. The self-noise has gone down in that order.

If you have an interest in using the recorder as an interface, there is a question about the H5 in that use, according to some posters at the Zoom forum: http://zoomforum.us/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=23977

I haven't conducted tests on the H6 but I've seen no complaints about it when used as an interface.

Not to complicate things (grin) but there are several other makers of hand held recorders and on sites like Gearslutz and Taperssection those other recorders have their fans. Sony was king of the hill for a while but they have dropped their less expensive M10 and the new PCM-D100 is pretty pricey. When i compared the H6 to the PCM-D50 I found them pretty similar and the H6 is a lot more flexible and uses standard SD media instead of Sony's ill-fated proprietary stick.

Let me add one more thing, though. You have said in another thread that your current rig might be "too much mic" or something to that effect. I have a strong feeling that you are mis-diagnosing the issue, because while these hand-held recorders are wonderfully convenient and flexible, they are still using mics into preamps into A/D converters, and if you experience a difficult recording environment now that environment will not change with a new recording system - unless you plan on using your portable recorder to move to a different location for your recordings.

I have bought a LOT of gear over the years, but I'm pretty sure that the biggest factor in making my recordings more satisfactory has been experience, which I could have gained without ever buying that second batch of stuff. Just as my guitar playing would have benefited a lot more from practice rather than shopping (grin).

Fran

Thanks Fran, great info!

[Vindellama]

I recorded these with the H5.

Most of the noise is from the room from my perspective...
The built-in mic is also really good.
Probably going to buy a SM81 soon as an upgrade.

[Fairlight]

The H5 is a wonderful device for under $300. The matched XYH mics are astonishingly quiet and the functioning is solid. 4-track overdub capable as well. For simple, straight-forward "just hit the red button" recordings, this is the one to beat.

[YeOldRocker]

Quick (I hope) question: are the mics in the H5 and H6 different from the mics 0f the less-expensive H4 or H2s, or is it the circuitry (beyond the added track capabilities) that are different - I'm curious why Zooms seem - according to many here - to get quieter and fuller-sounding as the Zooms steps up a notch.
Insights?

[Andy Howell]

I don't know the answer but the mic in the H2 is pretty good although not as good as the H6 - which you would expect really!