High-end voice recorders are some of my favorite gadgets because they help me dictate story ideas while I’m traveling and because they catch key details of any song I might happen to hear in the streets.
Zoom is one of the top portable recorder makers out there and after almost three years of wait, they’re finally coming out with a new model, the Zoom H4n.
Like other recorders, this one picks up audio resolution to 24 bit at 96KHz on SD and SDHC media (up to 32GB), and is USB 2.0 compatible. But the main innovation is the ability to record up to four channels at the same time using its internal mics and external inputs. The internal mics (the cool looking cylinders facing each other slightly askew), allow you to pick up recordings at either 90° or 120° and will increase the area of detail. With the 4-channel, you could conceivably set up a couple of other mics or catch a full multi-track instrument kit to mix together later.
There are a few other features of note. The LCD is large, as I’ve
requested of other recorders in the past (though still not in full
color), and the button distribution is much more comfortable,
resembling that of the M-Audio Microtrack.
Finally, this one is much tougher than the last, with a rubber shock-proof body that should take on a few bumps.
It must be noted that recorders like these are probably too
complicated and expensive for non-professional voice recording. But if
you have a band or must use it everyday for dictation as a reporter or
an attorney, you won’t want to back down to the cheaper sets.
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