Zoom H4n Pro vs H4n
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- čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
- Zoom H4n Pro Handy Recorder
B&H Photo: www.bhphotovid...
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Zoom recently updated their very popular H4n Handy Recorder with the H4n Pro. So what’s different on the new Pro version? Let’s take a look and a listen!
This entire episode was recorded with the Zoom H4n Pro and RØDE NTG2 Shotgun microphone outdoors on a summer evening. There is some ambient noise. But don’t worry, we also have a few clips in my studio where there is very little ambient noise. All of the audio was normalized to -24 LUFS and no other processing was applied - no noise reduction, EQ, compression, or anything else.
If you’d like to improve your sound recording skills for film, please have a look at our Sound Recording for Video course over at school.learnlig...
Visit us at learnlightandso... for more updates on how to improve your lighting and sound for video. Also be sure to subscribe to get new weekly episodes!
Gear mentioned in or used to record this episode:
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Zoom H4n Pro Handy Recorder
B&H Photo: www.bhphotovid...
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Zoom H5 Handy Recorder
B&H Photo: www.bhphotovid...
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RODE NTG2 Shotgun Microphone
Amazon: geni.us/ql6cdaK
B&H Photo: www.bhphotovid...
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Also shot with Aputure Light Storm LS1s LED Light, Aputure Light Storm COB 120t (for the product shots), and Nikon D750
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Aputure Light Storm LS1s LED Light
Amazon: geni.us/BH4Z
B&H Photo: www.bhphotovide...
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Nikon D750
Amazon: geni.us/hxGze1
B&H Photo: www.bhphotovide...
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Aputure Light Storm COB120t LED Hard Light
Amazon: geni.us/tiH3
B&H Photo: www.bhphotovide...
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Copyright 2016 by Curtis Judd
Ethics statement: Some of the links above are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, or other affiliate links.
I cannot say how much I appreciate the work you do, Curtis! Your videos are so informative, professional, and thorough. Thank you for your hard and tireless work.
Thanks so much, Andrew!
Main reason I never got the popular H4N about a year or so ago was your review. I ended up with the DR 60-D and still use it all the time.
Yes, Zoom now has a recorder in the same league as the DR60-DmkII.
Thank you so much, this seems like the most professionally made review I ever saw on YT...
Even if you are not looking for the product you are reviewing you still learn a bunch just watching it.
Thanks Elnis!
Hi Curtis! Just want to say thank you for your informative, professional content. I make ASMR videos, and your channel has been extremely helpful to me over the years. Just today I picked up a pair of Rode NT1-As, and was looking for a feature-rich, low-noise portable recorder that wouldn't break the bank. After watching this video and listening to your sound samples, I settled on the H4n Pro. So thank you once again for your help!
You're welcome and I hope you enjoy your new recording gear!
Super happy with the H4N which I got about 8 years ago. No need for filming, just home audio recording. But if someone was buying now, probably best to spend the few extra bucks. I do prefer the display on the pro over H4n amber, however.
I agree. Thanks for that!
I've been waiting for this as I have 2x H4n and had doubts about upgrading one of them. Thanks for the review!
You're welcome!
I have tinnitus making it hard to pick up on high pitch noise. I appreciate the actual measurements and testing you've done.
Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate that!
Brilliant review, as always. Thank you!
Thanks Frank!
I wish I had known about the H5... but def happy I invested in the H4 Pro.
👍
Great work Curtis. Always blown away by the thoroughness of your reviews.
Thank you Douglas!
After watching review, i bought H4n pro. Didn't regret it. Very hepfull video. Thanx !
Glad it is working well for you! Thanks!
Having watched a whole load of videos about microphones, recorders, etc. for film, and recently wanting to up my audio game, I would like to make a comment.A lot of the review videos I have watched for said microphones and recorders, have terrible audio in them! So how can these guys review these things if they can’t even get their own audio right. This is the first video where I have said, ah-ha! This guy knows what audio is. Thank you so much for the informative video, I think I’ll be getting the H4n pro.
Thanks Timothy. Happy recording!
Was looking to get a H4N to pair with my camera, and was curious about this Pro version when it came out. Thank you for the very detailed comparison!
You're welcome and best of luck on your new recorder!
The sound quality in this windy outdoor recording is too good
Yes, I used a Rycote Cyclone wind cover which makes it sound like a studio recording. For a narrative piece, I would also record some wind as a backing track to make it more realistic. The reason to use the wind cover is to prevent the wind from blowing across the microphone capsule and distorting the sound.
Do you have a link or model for the cyclone? I just did a quick search and what popped up was +$500! Twice as much as the mic! Is that what you are using? If so, are there any other lower cost alternatives you might recommend for the Rode NTG2? Thanks!
Hi Jimmy, There are, of course, less expensive options but they are not as effective. Could still perhaps do the job in wind that is not as extreme: amzn.to/2gOfUfR
RODE also makes a blimp style cover that is priced at $299: bhpho.to/2z46Rym
Thank you Curtis!
Another great job, thanks for sharing!
Thumbs up!
Thanks!
Good direct comparison 👍. I bought my H4n in summer 2012, and in the same year autumn I got deeply frustrated. Went on vacation for watching, photographing and recording the migration of cranes (biological: grus grus). Sensitivity soo low and amp noise so big! 😭. Bought a Tascam DR-680 💰, much better audio but no MTR functions 😢
Tradeoffs.
I thought I was going crazy...love the review btw but without any sort of ambience in the background my head was hurting for some reason.
Sorry about that!
no worries dude. keep up the good work!
Thanks Mr Judd,
As a subscriber i am happy with your content, keep it up.
Thanks, will do!
great as usual, Curtis, once again thanks for your great reviews!
Thanks Marcello.
Thanks! I'm sold. Picking this over the H5 since it has the same pre-amps. And I like that with this I can move the built in mics to cover 120 degrees instead of being stuck at 90 on the H5. I honestly think that having rotary knobs to adjust the input level isn't that great of a selling point as most people using this kind of device to record aren't going to be playing with knobs while recording a scene. And even though it has that bar to protect from accidentally turning them, seems like it would still be very possible to accidentally turn them while recording.
Thanks Josh. One note: The inputs on the H4n Pro and H5 are not exactly the same. The H5 can produce substantially more gain (+52dB vs +43dB on the H4n Pro). If you'll be using external microphones with the H4n Pro, you'll just want to make sure they have a good, strong output signal as the amount of gain is probably the H4n Pro's weakest point - albeit slightly better than the original H4n. Best wishes and happy recording!
Noticeable ambient hiss with H4n than the H4n Pro too :) Thank you for this!
👍
Great review, as is always the standard with Curtis. And I took the last bit of advice very seriously. I've just moved up to a Zoom H5 from my old Zoom H4n. Fully worth it.
Glad it worked out for you! Happy recording!
Thank you again. I've done some addt research. Apparently you can plug into the mini jack on back up near the mics and run 2 separate signals in and process them individually in post. That would give you 4 independent tracks. I'm going to purchase the h4n pro with this in mind. Thx AC
Thanks and good luck!
the original has the same functionality.
Thank you! I do like the knobs of h5,6. I actually also like the form factor of xlrs going out sideways h6 if I Wer to shoulder mount it as well. Hmmm
The H6 is a solid choice. I borrowed one from B&H for about a month and found it to work really well except that the screen was tough to see when shooting outdoors.
thanks for the response! went to guitar center today. impressed with the h5 and the knob protector made it feel solid and refined (felt super good in the hand). the h6 is interesting tho...if i want to record 6 xlr inputs...and do that sort of thing :D
I never understood why the combination of the H4n and the NTG-2 became so popular. I bought them too 4 yrs ago because everybody seemed to use them. I was absolutely disappointed. If you don't use a pre-amp it combines the weak points of both items: the pre-amps of the Zooms are quite crappy and the sensitivity of the NTG-2 is very low (15.00mV @ 94 dB SPL).
The sound of the NTG-2 is good but from my experience the maximum usable distance it about 2ft from your talent because of this low sensitivity. If you are more distant you have to push the H4n into a lot of noise.
I sold both and went for a Roland R26 with a Sennheiser ME-66. I shot hundreds of interviews and statements with, sometimes I even use it as on camera mic. I never did it regret it for a second.
Mr. Judd, thanks for the informative video review. I'm not a fan of your "Hey Guys" introduction. To me, that's just too much of an "amateur" approach intro to videos. However, your review was very well presented. I'm somewhat hard of hearing and my ears are not attuned to the silent recording segments as yours, so I'm not able to distinguish silence in audio recordings too well.
I appreciate the comparison between the original h4n and the h4n-pro review in this video. You answered a lot of questions I have about my h4n. I knew most of the features already, but your review helped solidify that bit of knowledge and was an excellent refresher for me. I've not been using my recorder and it lay around pretty much ignored for sometime. My need to record and capture audio has resurfaced so it was important for me to defamiliarize myself with my h4n digital recording device.
Mr. Mark Hunter was correct in his observation about your audio being slightly out of sync. It is more than slight, and is a moderate synching issue. There is a visible delay between the video and you speaking. It isn't so noticeable when you aren't on camera and is not much of a concern. But when you are on camera, the delay between your voice and the video footage is obvious and a bit of a distraction.
If I am doing dialog, or monologue recordings, I like to sync them up by using a good old tried and true "Clapper Board," to create a loud noise between the onboard mic of a video camera and my external audio recorder. I've still not seen anything that works nearly as well, nor as effectively to synchronize external audio sources with video footage.
Still, aside from the amateur "Hey Guys" intro and the slightly out of sync audio, it's an excellent and very informative video. Thank you for that and peace to you.
Thanks for the feedback. If only I had a time machine and could go back to fix the issues, I certainly would. Best of wishes on your recordings.
Excellent review. I gave my H4n to a friend a while ago and moved up to a TASCAM DR-100 mkII for a more semi-pro hand held recorder. I think the TASCAMS are superior to the Zoom units but I have to give Zoom credit on this improved H4n model.
Yes, their latest generation of recorders are quite good.
Wish they added a pad, fixed the boot time, added fail-safe track and moved the 1/4" screw mount. You can't change the batteries if you have a quick release plate on it. I actually like the rec level rocker switch. I usually don't need to change my volume once I have it set and this prevents it from accidentally being changed.
Thanks for your insights - good to get ideas from you since it sounds like you've used the H4n for a while.
Thank you Curtis for your timely review of the Zoom H4n Pro. You confirmed for me what I was thinking when I first saw this recorder. Save up another $50.00 and get the H5 instead. That Rocker level control bothers me too. No quick precision with that kind of control. But if you have plenty of time to get everything staged before hand, maybe not so much an issue. Value is amazing at about $220.00 street. I still haven't landed on which direction I want to go. The Tascam DR-701 with HDMI sync is not compatible with my Nikon D5500, so the Zooms, and the Tascam DR-70 are in the running. As much as I want a Sound Devices, it just is too much of a stretch for me money wise. I could buy mics, a cage, and more with that money I spend on the Sound Devices. As always, I look forward to your reviews. They are easy to follow, and no nonsense, and always have the valuable data I need. Please keep up the great work. Loyal Subscriber for the long term. I have already dropped some other so called photo or video subs because I get what I need here.
Thanks Vincent! Your feedback is most appreciated! Best wishes on finding the right recorder for your projects!
Another thorough review man, as always. Thank u!!
+Blake Bauer you're welcome!
That should be on a T-Shirt..."You won't have put up with the rockers, If you are willing to spend an extra fifty bucks," or maybe a product slogan.
Haha.
Great video! When you recorded the audio from the Zoom H4n Pro did you modify the audio in post to get rid of hissing noises? Or Is this how the audio sounds directly from the H4n Pro?
Hi Ian, I did not apply any noise reduction so you’re hearing it without any cleanup. Note that some microphones will still produce some self noise as we discussed so I’d steer clear of mics like the RODE NTG2 just to save yourself that hiss.
@@curtisjudd Yikes! I just bought the RODE NTG4+. Which mic do you recommend I use for film? Thanks you!
@@IanLewis10 Well, give it a try and see how it goes. 😀
Is the audio slightly out of sync? Helpful video though, thanks.
It is embarrassingly out of sync by quite a lot. My mistake. 😀
@@curtisjudd Zoom H4s are known for internal clock sync troubles, though.
@@AngstBro This was my fault in this case. The clock sync challenges will be an issue in long takes. Generally things longer than 30 minutes.
@@curtisjudd Why is this an issue? I was fixing to purchase the H4N pro for very long car interviews with multiple people at once and now you have me worried! Should I avoid it?
@@AngstBro Have you had issues with it yourself?
Curtis, I noticed a strange thing with my h4n pro. When I have phantom power on, the recorder sets a limit of -6 db. This essentially becomes 0 db, and anything that gets up to -6 db will have the clipping sound and will in fact be clipped. The limiter is not on. Without the phantom power on (using self-powered mics or plug-in powered mics) it allows the sound to get to 0 db (not that I would want it that high), and sound at -6 db will not clip. This phenomenon pretty much spoiled a couple of interviews I did today. I saw that the sound was not getting to 0 db and thought all was well. Even in my audio editor the sound never rose above -6 db, but anything at - 6 db was clipped. And there was clear evidence that the recorder was limiting the sound to - 6 db, never allowing the signal to rise higher than this. In other words, -6 db becomes the new 0 db with phantom power turned on! What gives?
+Dennis Pollock Dennis, great question. Unfortunately I had to send it back but I didn't notice this when I had it for testing. Very odd...
Curtis, I discovered that this had to do with the combination of phantom power plus mono mix. I contacted the Zoom support people. They ran a test and found that this is a universal phenomenon with h4n pros. When you use a phantom powered mic (or a dynamic mic with a Fethed) and have mono mix turned on, -6db is the highest level of recording gain you can reach, and clipping occurs at that point. -6 db becomes the new 0 db. This does not seem to happen under any other conditions. It is easily worked around by lowering your recording levels, but if you don't know this, your first time recording with mono mix plus phantom power is going to be a nasty surprise. Normally we think that when our recording levels rise no higher than -6 db all is well. But in this case all is not well at all and you will have clipping all over the place when you are hitting -6 db. The zoom guy was going to contact the engineers in Japan about this. It would have been nice for them to warn us about this!
Nice find, thanks for this Dennis!
Very Comprehensive! Great. dear Curtis.
👍
Dang Curtis! Helped me out with two videos in one week! Thanks!
The pleasure is all mine!
Thanks Curtis! I was looking for a comparison of these two a week ago hehe. :)
You're welcome, I hope this wasn't too late!
Oh no not all, I still have warranty on my. H4n at guitar center , I'll get credit on buy back and get this instead . :) Thank you !
great in-depth comparison
+Will Chorski thanks!
I am amazed by your videos sound quality. Thank you for the clear explanation. I think I will buy second hand h5.
Thanks and happy recording!
… "Out, standing, in his field."
Hahaha!
Thanks Curtis, good video - as usual!
Thanks John!
Very helpful, thanks Curtis.
Thanks Harris.
I'm surprised they didn't switch out the gain buttons for an actual dial. That was the single biggest thing that put me off the original H4n and went for the DR-100 instead (the original one - the MkII was still a couple of years away).
The other reason that when I tested them out side by side, the preamps didn't sound as good in the H4n (but now I know why - I was testing with an NTG1).
The H4n Pro looks like a nice improvement, but those gain buttons still put me off.
I agree. I suspect that the H4n has so much market recognition that this was a way for Zoom to update it with their more recent preamps and call it good for those who would have bought an H4n anyway. I'd opt for the H5 for that input dial/potentiometer for sure.
The H4n/pro is better IF you want overdubbing, (and FX getting recorded). The FX are ok but crippled by being recordable only, you can't apply them after recording. But the H4n is still the best, and about only one that starts to resemble a '4-tract' style for recording along with playback, overdubs etc. (not a typical video use) I tried Tascam's. Didn't do that. And the H5 and H6 don't do that. Idk if they have limiters, that can be a good thing if you can set it right to just have your back in emergency but not be working all them time. It depends on what you are trying to do. Nowhere near as good as an actual 4-track, but for the size (and mounting) and price, I'd rather have it than an actual 4-track. I don't really find the mic level adjustment a problem, don't find myself craving dials. But I do wish it took other mic capsules like those do.
I just recently got the H4N Pro. I'll be using it for basic walk around to feed into my DSLR. Thinking about Sennheiser MKE 600 for a shotgun mic and something else.
The MKE 600 will work nicely with the H4n Pro. I see that B&H has a special bundle right now that includes the Izotope Plugin Pack which is normally priced at $129 and includes the best noise reduction plugin I've used. I also use the de-click plugin quite a lot to manage mouth clicks and lip smacks, etc. Way better than the corresponding tools in Adobe Audition. Also a shock mount and a couple of cables. Worth a look: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/878340-REG/Sennheiser_MKE_600_Shotgun.html/BI/19904/KBID/12941/kw/SEMKE600/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xSEMKE600
Really useful, thank you; I'm looking to replace my H2 and this helped me better understand the H4n Pro, though I'm now going to go with the H5.
+Bluestonerock that's what I would do, too.
H2 is not available in the market and I really need one.
I love having the zoomh4 and zoomh6. I can't actually hear any difference in recording. Maybe if I try to play close attention or do a side by side comparison. Zoom recorders opened up a whole new world in video making for me!
👍
Great job, thx. I have the H4n & love it. If it breaks, Pro I'll go.
👍
Thank you so much, this is exactly what I've been looking for!
👍
Great and helfpful review. One thing to mention though, in the discussion H5 vs H4n Pro, and which I think is an absolute winner on the side of H4n Pro is the multitrack funtionality that works amazingly smooth + the built-in effects. These functionalities transform the H4n (& Pro) into an amazing portable 4-track recorder! H5 does not have that, H6 does not have that. Not in the way H4n has. Not with that flexibility. It's also something I don't understand: why doesn't Zoom provide that same multitrack funtionality in the H5 and H6?
Sure, H5 and H6 have overdub functionality, but not in the way H4n has! Not without workarounds. I felt a bit let down by the H6, which I own personally and really like. So, yeah, H5 and H6 might have those really handy pot-meter dials but the have compromised multitrack abilities and that's a bummer.
Thanks for the insight! Especially relevant to recording music.
whao...one of the best reviews I have ever seen!
Thanks!
Just made my decision. What a concise, helpful review. Thanks. Just subscribed also.
👍Happy recording!
This is a great video and super helpful. Thank you for making it! :)
Thanks!
absolutely smashing review thank you very much
Thanks Karl!
Very informative and professional review. Thank you!
Thanks Matthew.
+Curtis Judd Great comparison. I would love to see a h4n Pro vs H5, but there is no such comparison video on CZcams. I really don't care about the dial vs rocker. The only thing that matters is the sound quality. It would be used for tutorial/screencast so... which one would you suggest? Or maybe none of those two are even the best option for screencasts and I should go for something else (in that price range)?
For screencasts, if you're using external microphones, you might instead look at an audio interface like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2nd gen): amzn.to/2eb5f0o
But if you need the in-built microphones, I personally prefer he H5. Sound quality wise it is identical to the H4n Pro in my subjective tests.
Curtis Judd That's the thing that I don't need built in mic, but it was an all-in-one and as I don't know too much about audio (yet) I saw that as a convenient and safe option.
So if you suggest the 2i2 would a Focusrite Scarlett Solo 2nd gen be practically the same just with one XLR? I won't be recording any audio from instrument or second voice so I guess that would be sufficient? And then combine that with a Rode NTG-2? That would come very similar in price to the n4h Pro or h5.
Yes, but the 2i2 has two microphone inputs (XLR) so you have room to add a guest in the future. I'm curious why you chose the RODE NTG2 - are you capturing webcam footage along with the screencast where you want to keep the mic out of the frame?
Curtis Judd As for the second input for guest it's probably not going to be needed. And as far the RODE NTG2... well I saw it in couple of your reviews and you said it's an excellent mic plus the samples from it sounds great so.... again I'm just figuring this sound stuff from scratch. Is there a better option in that budget range? The mic will never be seen except for me - that's why on the beginning I was asking about zoom, because it's going to be just for indoor recording, no one will see it and it was an all-in-one solution.
Ok, that makes sense. The NTG2 is a good microphone but probably would not be my first choice for voice over for screencast in a small-ish room. For those cases, I use an Electrovoice RE20. This is a dynamic microphone which works well in typical home recording situations because it rejects most other room noise such as computer fans and reverberation in the room (echo). Here's a very affordable alternative: czcams.com/video/EHgSC3C0pTw/video.html
And here's the more expensive Electrovoice RE20: amzn.to/2dvdsdf
Both work well with the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2.
Great video as always. I keep finding your videos on my search for a recorder, and tips/tricks. Subscribed.
Curious what your opinion/recommendation is on the H4N Pro vs the H6? Will be using mainly to record motorcycle engine/exhaust noise. And occasionally voice overs for Repair videos.
Much appreciated, thank you 🙏
Thanks. I’m not an expert on recording engines, but I’d probably opt for the H6.
Hey, Curtis. Thanks so much for this high quality review. Always enjoy your content. Question: Can I record the audio using an XLR mic to both my DSLR and the Zoom H4n Pro simultaneously so I have audio on both my media card for my camera and the Zoom? Also, I have a LUMIX G7 and want to monitor the audio with headphones. Can I use a line splitter so I can run audio to the camera from the Zoom and to headphones? Any insight and expertise would be greatly appreciated.
Hi, Yes, you can run the audio out of the zoom to camera. You'll need to experiment with your particular camera as that sometimes requires a special attenuation cable like this: bhpho.to/2m90KTL You'll want to test without the special cable first just to confirm (this is not something I have done personally). Yes, you could also use a splitter to monitor. There is a risk that will degrade the audio signal going to the camera so it is a tradeoff. For the scenario you outline, the Tascam DR-60DmkII may be a better option as it does not require the attenuation cable and has a separate headphone jack. I reviewed that over here: czcams.com/video/TRoIMPHS91U/video.html
Thanks, Curtis. I will give it a shot.
Excellent vid - thank you
Thank you.
Hi, great video! Thanks so much for taking the time to put this together!! Do you know if there is a remote mic adapter for the H4? Something I could plug into the "2" input that would connect to a remote mic placed elsewhere in the same room? Thanks, keep up the great vids!
Hi! This question might be premature because I just got my H4n pro and I'm still watching you guys explain it, lol. You've saved me a trip to Guitar Center, for sure. Basically, I was content recording myself playing harmonica, using jam tracks on CZcams, with my Canon digital camera/recorder. (Check out my practice videos on CZcams, if you like) I find that I am more comfortable watching myself play than I ever was watching myself working out. The sound is plenty good for soloing, but I find that if I record myself playing along with a CD or record, the camera equalizes the sound, so that I wind up playing over the singer. How can I get a good mix with the H4n Pro?
Are you recording this video with the H4n pro? Did you do a lot of work in postproduction for the ambient noise?
Yes, I did record this with the H4n pro and a shotgun microphone in a Rycote Cyclone windshield. I did not do any noise reduction in post. The windshield is what makes it seem sort of other-worldly. In a movie, I would add back ambient wind sound.
Great video man!
Which audio interface or field recorder would you recommend in the same price bracket of H4N Pro (which would provide even cleaner and silent signal to phantom mics)? It doesn't matter if its field recorder or Audio interface. I just want cleaner signal. And, I'm about to make a purchase. So really thanks for putting this video. This helped a lot!
H4n Pro, Tascam DR-60DmkII are very similar in terms of preamplifier self noise. They sound slightly different with the Zoom imparting a little more low-end (though not by a lot). Focusrite also makes some nice audio interfaces and the 2nd generation Scarlett series just came out a few months ago. Great option if you prefer an audio interface: amzn.to/2bfzd0r
Just curious: did you dub this? There's reverb and unusual lack of open air sounds, especially contrasting with the windy trees. The overall sound of the voice seems roomy. After noticing that, I got that weird feeling you get when tracking ADR, that nothing seems to sync... lol
I messed up the sync. It actually was recorded on the location with a Rycote Cyclone wind cover which gives it that unreal sound. Experiment. Lessons learned. :)
wow I didn't know that one! Pretty dramatic effect... Awesome!
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC VIDEO...YOU ROCK !...THIS IS EXTREMELY EASY TO FOLLOW....AND I AM A VERY SLOW "UNDERSTANDER" ...THANKS VERY MUCH. FOR A BEGINNER, IS THIS THE BEST ENTRY PRODUCT FOR RECORDING TRACKS AND THEN OVERDUBBING AND MIXING ?? I KNOW ALMOST NOTHING RE THIS PROCEDURE.
Hi Granddaddy, Yes, I'd consider it a good entry level recorder for overdubbing. Happy recording!
amazing video!! love the detailed review, thanksss
You are welcome and thanks for the feedback!
Once again, another great review! I have one question, are the zoom H1 pre-amps the same as the H4N or somewhere in between the H4N and the H4N pro?
I suspect that the amplifier circuitry for the 3.5mm inputs is separate from the XLR inputs so they're not the same. I'll have to do a separate test of the 3.5mm inputs.
13 seconds? Mine needs a damn 43 seconds to be ready for recording! Really made me regret the purchase but the quality of the recordings made up for it enough not to return it. But it will most likely be the last Zoom I ever bought.
I think the startup time depends on the size and speed of the SD card.
But I'm pleasantly surprised to hear the Rode NTG2. And not 4+ the 2 sounds great!!!
+Mychal Simmons its all in the mic placement and gain staging and managing room noise :)
Are you using the sanken cos 11d on a rodelink for the outdoor part of this video? I couldn't hear any background noise at all. Amazing! And is it me or was there a slight delay in the lip sync for the outdoor part. Wireless issue? Thanks again for the review!
Hi Andrew, This was recorded with a RODE NTG2 in a Rycote Cyclone wind cover. It does an amazing job at managing wind. Of course it was all recorded to the H4n Pro.
Yes, I definitely had some sync issues here. Been fighting with the newest version of Premiere. Sorry for that. :(
Oh an NTG2...ok cool. No problem about the sync. Still appreciate the video. Thanks and keep it up!
There is not a single video of the H4n Pro vs the H5 or the H6... Just sayin' 😉
You make a good point. I thought the interest in the Zoom Handy recorders had subsided but based on views, that doesn't appear to be the case. A comparison is a good idea!
@@curtisjudd still there's no such video? Or am I missing it somewhere
@@dennypilot9856 I haven't done one.
@@curtisjudd it would be just amazing if you decide to do that
How about sound quality in recording music instruments, like a piano? Or using it as audio interface? It has this function too, right?
Awesome review! Thanks! My H4n started to get a short in the right channel and I wanted to update to the H4n. But off topic: how did you achieve that shot of you filming yourself as a silhouette? Thanks in advance!
Thanks. Here is a lighting tutorial on how to do the silhouette lighting: czcams.com/video/a1F-7f-IryY/video.html
@@curtisjudd thanks Curtis!
Curtis, just letting you know Tascam Dr100 MKIII will be released very soon and should be a huge upgrade to the Zoom H4n pro. Rather save up your money for that, has some very nice features and two batteries (AA and built in rechargeable)
Thanks Rhandy. I'm already looking for a way to get my hands on one. :)
I'm thinking about purchasing the H4N for $90 second hand but also saw the H4N Pro for $200 second hand. I plan on using it to record a podcast on the go possibly in a bar setting. I'm new to this and don't really know much about the equipment except these are really quality products... if anyone could help me on making a decision I would really appreciate it.
even though the h4npro has a lower noise floor, with the a/b comparison that you did to my hears there was some sparkle in the high end with the h4n and the h4npro sounds flat... of course I'm doing music so i will have to listen to a review with guitars or instrument
Ok. Trust your ears.
Curtis Judd thanks for your video. Without it I would have had to buy and return. You shoot great videos and have very useful info!
Some people are saying that the preamps are in fact more sensitive than "cleaner", so they are not the same quality as the ones available on the H5 and H6. The same people say that the preamps are slightly better on the H4n Pro than they are on the H4n, but not as good as expected.
Do you have any opinion about it?
By the way, thank you very much for this video!
Hi Rinaldo, from a subjective point of view, the preamps on the H4n Pro seemed as clean as the H6 with the condenser mics I tried with both of them. The H6 technically can provide 3.5dB additional gain over wha the H4n Pro can provide. With condenser mics (such as shotgun mics) that doesn't make a difference I could detect. The difference will mostly be with dynamic microphones or other mics which require a larger amount of gain when you have to push the preamp to higher gain settings.
Thank you Curtis. Right now, here in Canada, the price of the Tascam DR-44WL and the price of the Zoom H4n Pro is almost the same, so I am not sure if I should try the Tascam DR-44WL instead of buying the Zoom H4n Pro... so many options!
;-)
Great review!. Question: can I use one external mic that needs phantom power and one external mic that does not,,and not damage the mic that does not require the phantom power?
I think boot time may depend on capacity of card. Being in eco mode may make difference also. Would like to hear comparison of built-in mics...not just noise, but the character.
+eltouristoduo that makes sense - card size. Unfortunately I had to send it back but sounded very much like to original in my subjective tests.
I did some testing of internal mics with both units. I did not test max SPL. But the noise and character of the mics on both units seems identical or so close to identical that it's difficult to measure (no more than 1 dB but I couldn't say if one was more than other). I recorded test tone to ensure level matching and then near silent room, with both units set to 100 mic gain. The Pro model did provide an extra 3 dB of gain, but that seems mostly irrelevant because there is already plenty of noise covering lower level source signals (and any theoretical improvement in resolution seems minuscule). I may do some more testing including some kind of max spl comparison. Thought that is a bit difficult. The mics seeming identical (except in claimed SPL) is a bit of a disappointment. I kinda had a different expectation based on pre-research. But I shouldn't be so surprised since they outwardly appear identical also. I hope at least the higher SPL rating applies to the internal mics (and that didn't get confused also). If I get that tested, (and have any minor refinements to above) I will post again. The old H4n I think can already handle REALLY REALLY LOUD internally. So if the new one can handle more, I don' think that's important. I think the takeaway is that mostly the only differences are the ones you've shown using the mic input preamps. In practice I think the internal mics should be considered the same.
Thanks for that.
so they didn't put a separate output/headphone jacks?
Correct. :-/
hello Curtis, do you think the zoom h4n pro can be used greatly with the rode ntg4 using phantom power?
Hi Curtis. Great review. When, if ever, would you use the built in mic to record your sound? I just got mine with that use in mind, but all the vids I see speak about a connecting a shot gun or lav mic. So is it wrong to use the built in mics?
Awesome as always
Thanks Levi!
Buying new and an extra $20 for the pro unit is a no brainer. Now that the preamps are "fixed", it would be interesting to see a comparison between these zoom products - the H4n Pro, H5, and H6 recorders (hint - hint). I know they offer different ergonomic features and input choices, but are they really all that different when it comes to the recorded sound? I'd have to say for the average filmmaker or sound person, no, BUT, I haven't done these tests so I have no idea. Thanks!
Fine idea! My suspicion is that they're pretty close in terms of audio quality and the main question is what works best for one's projects, but I'll add that to the list. Thanks for the idea!
Can't wait to see the video
Thanks for the video. What basic settings do you recommend for the H4N Pro for recording outdoor sounds such as car horns, buses passing by, etc..? I recorded with the H4N Pro last weekend and there was a humming sound. I not sure if it was the wind? the audio was unusable. I will subscribe to your channel. Your videos are great.
Hi Ron, I would set the input level so that the sounds take the meter no higher than -12dB. Also, if you're working outdoors, you will need some wind protection for the mic. Ideally, you'll want a blimp cover. If not, a Rycote Softie may help in light winds: amzn.to/2vNyWZU
Good info for a new user! thanks
👍 you bet!
I've been debating about getting this H4N pro, but i'd like to know the difference between that and that Tascam you had on the video. Thank you for your response sir, always very informative
Hi, These are the main differences in my opinion: The Zoom has a better 3.5mm mic input (useful if you're going to record lavalier microphones with 3.5mm plugs) and the H4n Pro can be used as an audio interface to record directly to your computer via USB. The Tascam can be powered by an external USB battery pack (very useful for longer shoots) and has better physics controls (e.g., can turn on phantom power with a physical switch so you don't have to dive into the menu). So overall, it depends on which set of features are more important to you. For field work, I usually choose the Tascam but there are others where the Zoom is a better choice. I hope that helps!
+Curtis Judd thank you sir, very helpful
Yeah the H4N was way too hissy. Remember my friend Neal I told ya about, he did a podcast about it. Even with the Rode NT!-A there was some hiss. Too unexeptable for me. So it's good news that the H4N is lots quieter.
Hi Curtis, thanks for making these great videos! Slightly off topic but may I know what was your set-up for this video when you recorded the narration outdoors? Because the audio quality is simply so clean! Did you also process your audio and clean it up further in post too?
Hi yes, I boomed the RODE NTG2 microphone just above me out of the frame with a Rycote Cyclone wind cover and a boom pole mounted to a century stand. Then in post, I just normalized the levels. No EQ or noise reduction processing applied.
Thank you! Now I'm more confident heading into the field!
I like the sound of the H4N Pro. Sounds about as harsh as the H5. Though I love the H6 cause of the 6 mike thing, I finally heard my frend Neal Ewers's demo of the H5 and dude the Rode NT1-A was real epic. I was sold. I even loved the H5 mikes. So this 1 is cool. A little less harsh but love the brightness. Neal didn't really care for the H5 built ins. I will agree that the H6 ones are liss hissy for floor. But I do love the brightness of the h5. Disitions, disitions. Which to choose. lol Yeah this is an epic recorder.
+MrHamit64 this H4n Pro is pretty good for the price.
Yes it is. It's the same price of an Olympus LS-14. On 1 hand I say oh man had I known, but then this thing doesn't talk. But now my friend Neal Ewers has 1.
After 2 years of little use. channel 1 (the one on the left) has a very very low gain (sensitivity). I updated the firmware. and the gain still extremely low. Even though I increased the sensitivity as much as possible. Upon reading about it online. i found more people who had exactly the same problem.
Thanks for sharing! I haven't experienced this on my original H4n, but good to know that more than just a few have experienced it on the Pro version.
Hi Curtis, I really appréciate your video which is the most professionnal I've seen on Zoom product. I do decide to buy a H4N Pro so, I'm not yet one.
Experimenting serious trouble with the external alimentation. When I'm connecting Line (unbalanced) mics on baterry it's ok. When I'm plugin the external alimentation I have 50Hz +15-18dB background noise. Can you have a check by your side on Zoom products with external alim ?
I just can't figure where the problem come, bad alim or bad inside zoom isolation or bad electrical mass.
Just wanna know if other product suffer from same disease ?
Hi, I do not have the H4n Pro still, just borrowed it for the review. Probably best to contact Zoom support. Sounds like a ground loop issue.
Great one, Curtis! I know this is old and I apparently saw it cause it shows that I had already given the vid a thumbs up but I came back to try and answer another question. The output from the line out to DSLR. Typically, famously, with the H4n, you needed a cable that attenuated the line level. A whole cottage industry was born with people making these cables lol. So I'm wondering, does the H4n Pro have an attenuation setting in it's menu to deal with this? They definitely market it now as being able to plug into a DSLR but I'm wondering what changed? I think in some cases, DSLR's changed too and that some now even detect if they are getting line or mic level inputs but that might not be correct. I couldn't track down a specific answer via the manual so I'm wondering if you noticed anything in the menu. Thanks! I'm definitely going to have to get one of these in for review. I was scarred enough from the H4n that I didn't give this one much of a look plus we already had the H5 so it was a little bit of a weird release. But I can see some value in it, mostly its price point.
Hey Ray, I'm sorry to report that I didn't specifically test that before I had to return it to B&H who lent it to me for the review. I should have thought of that since many people use it that way. Apologies for that. :/
Thanks, it sounds like that it's not any issue but I'm surprised there isn't more info due to the history of it. Guess it's a good excuse for getting in a test unit for myself. Thanks, Curtis.
Perfect excuse for another boring video test! Can't wait to see it! ;-)
I love the review and I'm actually sold on the H4n pro. The only question is, will it be useful for what I am gonna use it for? On my channel you can see that I put out fullset live videos of hardcore/punk bands here in the Philippines. And I only use GoPro Hero 4 for everything, I will be changing cameras too (Canon 80D) but Is the H4n the right recorder for me? Thanks.
Nice review Curtis. Heve you compared the dynamic range of this new H4n Pro to the Tascam DR100 MKII that is still available at a reduced price?
Hi Alberto, I sold off my DR-100mkII a couple of years ago. I can tell you from memory that its preamps were rather noisy by today's standards so I would definitely expect better noise performance from the new H4n Pro.
Tank you very much ... Great Test! i will buy the H4N Pro :)
You're welcome and best wishes!
My question is this: Can I send audio from the H4nPro (I just ordered from B&H - arriving tomorrow) directly into my Sony HDR AX-700 camcorder. I record music recitals by graduate students at Stony Brook University. Currently, I place the old H4n (after 10 years, it's not 100% reliable) in the 2nd row of the recital hall, and operate my camcorder from the fourth row. Because I don't use any additional microphone, the audio recorder has to be close to the stage and I have to be farther away for video. After I edit the video, I combine them in iMovie. That cable you show connecting the H4n Pro to a camera is short, five inches or so. Is it possible to use a longer cable, maybe 20 feet? If so, what cable? Thank you for your video on the H4n Pro. I am excited to start using it.
I’d stick with your current workflow. Longer unbalanced cables are more likely to pick up more noise or interference.
@@curtisjudd Thank you, Curtis. I will take you advice for sure. I didn't really expect an answer since your post was seven years old. You are great. I am going to subscribe.
When I try to livestream audio from H4n my voice pitch become too high (chipmunk) or too low. How can I fix this?
Hmm, I'm not sure. Might be best to contact Zoom support. Good luck!
This is so helpful! Thank you!
+Philip Daniels Storr you're welcome!
Thankyou so much
You're most welcome!