I found out that you can dim the LCD display and the top LED buttons in the menu. There are 3 levels of brightness and the H2e ships with the top buttons at max brightness. However, even when I turned the brightness down, they were still too bright for me and it looked like the low brightness made the LEDs on top flicker a little bit.
yeah this is exciting because i also LOVED the H2 (along with the original H4N) and have read so many poor reviews of the new Zoom Essential lineup But I was hopeful for this H2 Essential and it looks like a worthy buy! Great little thing to take around literally anywhere too for taking notes or capturing ambient sounds
I had the first H2 and loved it. I just recieved mine yesterday and if it works like the first H2 handy recorder but with 32 bit float I will be stoaked. I can't wait to put it to the test on the surround setting on stage. High hopes.
It doesn't have as many mic capsules, so it's not exactly the same as the H2N, but I'm liking the H2e so far. It has more features packed into the menu system that I'm still figuring out..
The H2 Essentials is 32-bit and offers USB-C connections into many different kinds of devices. If those features matter to you, then make the upgrade. However, if you do not care about 32-bit or USB-C compatibility, then keep using the H2N.
Thanks for this! I ordered one just before I came across your video. It will be my 4th 32 bit float Zoom device... I must be nuts. Bluetooth thingy and app only works with iPhone, version 15 and above. Sadly I'm an Android person... Bear in mind when recording loud music that the analog side has a relatively low max level figure (check the specs). 32 bit float would not help if the mics and/or preamps were overloaded before the audio reached the a/d converters, which would capture a very good recording of the clipping! Will that be a problem? I will be interested in your experiences! LED lights - a bit of gaffer tape or insulation tape would be your friend. Folded on itself so that one end sticks to the recorder but the bit covering the lights would not stick. The USB mic function would probably work with recent DJI and Insta360 cameras. Probably! The device seems to record a slew of files for each recording so you have a lot of opportunity to change stuff in editing. Elsewhere I commented that it's a six channel recorder, kind of! Some of the indifferent reviews of other "Essentials" devices have not been very fair in my view and have overlooked that these are remarkably cheap devices, not high grade pro stuff. But used in the right way, the results can be surprisingly good. But... Zoom have published a video showing a band standing round the H2 Essential and playing a range of instruments - and the sound is mono. C'mon Zoom, that needs fixing!
Thanks! yes, I just found that feature. however, even the dimmest setting is still too bright for me in dark venues. But glad to know they can at least be dimmed from what they ship with.
Ive used and loved the H2n for years, but was always hoping for an upgrade of that model! but, honestly, just am not sure this is it - so wondering if its even worth it. I wanted 32bit and certainly a modern usb-c jack, but losing the 5 built-in mics, down to 3? Im confused too, can it still record 4 channels live? The implementation seems fiddly-er too in some ways. Is the SQ of the built-in mics on par with H2n, or better? And (even as someone who used to demand AA batteries in all devices) should just have a rechargeable lithium battery nowadays. Yes, i understand advantages of interchangeable batteries, but the size/power output/having to take in&out to charge is just ridiculous in modern age. All devices COULD still use a replaceable lithium cell (like a cr123 or whatever) and be smaller, longer use time, rechargeable. Why most modern decent LED flashlights can do that and not all of other electronics? either only a built-in cell that cant be replaced or old-tech battery chemistry. Lol, sorry, rant over. Just hoped the new designs would tick all the bixes, and they don't, for me at least. 😉
Yeah, everyone has different needs and Zoom cannot please everyone. It works for me for the reasons I stated in my video. I prefer interchangeable batteries, so my devices can have a longer shelf life. Just look at an iPhone from only a few generations ago, their batteries already needs to be replaced. The H2 Essentials is quite affordable in my opinion. Even the H2N was more expensive when it was first released. I think Zoom has cut corners with some features, but their modern tech should be better. I'd say just buy it on Amazon so you can test it for yourself and if you don't like it, return it.
I found out that you can dim the LCD display and the top LED buttons in the menu. There are 3 levels of brightness and the H2e ships with the top buttons at max brightness. However, even when I turned the brightness down, they were still too bright for me and it looked like the low brightness made the LEDs on top flicker a little bit.
Thanks!
yeah this is exciting because i also LOVED the H2 (along with the original H4N) and have read so many poor reviews of the new Zoom Essential lineup
But I was hopeful for this H2 Essential and it looks like a worthy buy! Great little thing to take around literally anywhere too for taking notes or capturing ambient sounds
Yeah, I'm enjoying the H2 Essentials so far. The price will increase once you buy the accessory pack, which I think it essential (pun intended).
I had the first H2 and loved it. I just recieved mine yesterday and if it works like the first H2 handy recorder but with 32 bit float I will be stoaked. I can't wait to put it to the test on the surround setting on stage. High hopes.
It doesn't have as many mic capsules, so it's not exactly the same as the H2N, but I'm liking the H2e so far. It has more features packed into the menu system that I'm still figuring out..
Hi! To record ambient sound (birds, sea waves, wind, traffic) IS better these or H3 Vr?
Hello can it record overdubs?
I have a H2n and I love its versatility. Do you think it workth to upgrade? how about the sound quality comparing these 2?
The H2 Essentials is 32-bit and offers USB-C connections into many different kinds of devices. If those features matter to you, then make the upgrade. However, if you do not care about 32-bit or USB-C compatibility, then keep using the H2N.
Thanks for this! I ordered one just before I came across your video. It will be my 4th 32 bit float Zoom device... I must be nuts.
Bluetooth thingy and app only works with iPhone, version 15 and above. Sadly I'm an Android person...
Bear in mind when recording loud music that the analog side has a relatively low max level figure (check the specs). 32 bit float would not help if the mics and/or preamps were overloaded before the audio reached the a/d converters, which would capture a very good recording of the clipping! Will that be a problem? I will be interested in your experiences!
LED lights - a bit of gaffer tape or insulation tape would be your friend. Folded on itself so that one end sticks to the recorder but the bit covering the lights would not stick.
The USB mic function would probably work with recent DJI and Insta360 cameras. Probably!
The device seems to record a slew of files for each recording so you have a lot of opportunity to change stuff in editing. Elsewhere I commented that it's a six channel recorder, kind of!
Some of the indifferent reviews of other "Essentials" devices have not been very fair in my view and have overlooked that these are remarkably cheap devices, not high grade pro stuff. But used in the right way, the results can be surprisingly good. But... Zoom have published a video showing a band standing round the H2 Essential and playing a range of instruments - and the sound is mono. C'mon Zoom, that needs fixing!
The menu contains options for dimming the display and the buttons, by the way.
Thanks! yes, I just found that feature. however, even the dimmest setting is still too bright for me in dark venues. But glad to know they can at least be dimmed from what they ship with.
Wow, even Apple gives a cable with its gadgets 🤣 Zoom is on the next step 😁
Ive used and loved the H2n for years, but was always hoping for an upgrade of that model! but, honestly, just am not sure this is it - so wondering if its even worth it. I wanted 32bit and certainly a modern usb-c jack, but losing the 5 built-in mics, down to 3? Im confused too, can it still record 4 channels live? The implementation seems fiddly-er too in some ways. Is the SQ of the built-in mics on par with H2n, or better? And (even as someone who used to demand AA batteries in all devices) should just have a rechargeable lithium battery nowadays. Yes, i understand advantages of interchangeable batteries, but the size/power output/having to take in&out to charge is just ridiculous in modern age. All devices COULD still use a replaceable lithium cell (like a cr123 or whatever) and be smaller, longer use time, rechargeable. Why most modern decent LED flashlights can do that and not all of other electronics? either only a built-in cell that cant be replaced or old-tech battery chemistry. Lol, sorry, rant over. Just hoped the new designs would tick all the bixes, and they don't, for me at least. 😉
Yeah, everyone has different needs and Zoom cannot please everyone. It works for me for the reasons I stated in my video. I prefer interchangeable batteries, so my devices can have a longer shelf life. Just look at an iPhone from only a few generations ago, their batteries already needs to be replaced.
The H2 Essentials is quite affordable in my opinion. Even the H2N was more expensive when it was first released. I think Zoom has cut corners with some features, but their modern tech should be better. I'd say just buy it on Amazon so you can test it for yourself and if you don't like it, return it.