Affordable 32 Bit Float Audio Recorder! - Zoom H4essential Review For Wedding Filmmakers
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 มิ.ย. 2024
- Matt Johnson's review of the Zoom H4essential 32-bit float audio recorder for wedding filmmakers!
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0:00 This Review Is for Wedding/Commercial/Doc filmmakers!
1:07 The latest in a long line of recorders
2:17 32-bit float changes how you record!
3:54 Audio Quality Test
4:51 Simplified buttons and menu
7:02 Battery Life test for weddings
8:15 Weird Audio Input Quirk
10:21 Build Quality
12:32 The VERY INTERESTING Price
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Pre-ordered as soon as I saw this announced. Excited to have this for wedding films.
You talk about TRS and XLR “cable”, but it’s the CONNECTOR that’s the important distinction here. Audio “cables” can be and often are basically the same, but what Zoom has done in designing this model is eliminate the need for menu based switching for a “mic” or “line” level input. What you should have said is that if the audio signal coming in is “mic level” then you need to use a cable with an XLR connector; but if it’s a “line level” signal, use a cable with a TRS (aka “quarter inch”) connector. The reason this distinction is important is because you can have adapters in your kit to change an XLR connector to TRS, and vice versa - because, again, the “cable” part is the same regardless. So you don’t have to have “both kinds of cables” with you to use this device. You can simply buy all XLR cables, then have some TRS adapters, or do the opposite. Now is this a better design functionally than having menu based switching? I’d argue, no, because being able to use cables with either type of connector and then switching in the menu is faster than having to deal with which connector is needed, using adapters, etc. Fwiw, as a working audio pro, Zoom H5 is still my favorite.
Yeah, I pre-ordered it. I love that you can use the USB-C for a battery bank, I'm going to test if it'll recharge batteries in the recorder too.
Thank you Matt! I’m making the jump to 32 bit float after many years of 48/16 standard. Very helpful review. I compared to your Zoom F3 video and went that direction instead but this H4 Essentials seems like a great option too. Thanks again, TJ
Matt! This was the perfect video I needed. I'm literally still recording on my H4n and have been wanting to upgrade. Also looking at the TASCAM X8 as well! Thanks!
Thank you for the video🙏. Just bought it 😻
Thanks for sharing! My H6 Essential is on its way.
Thanks for this awesome review! of course we would like to see H1e and H6e reviews as well.
For your opinion, are there any advantages fo the H4e over the H1e for weddings? isn't the H1e just good enough? (and for half the price)
I’d love to see a review on the H1 Essential. Thanks for the great work on this Matt. I have the H8 so I’ll pass on the H4 Essential, but I’d. Be interested in getting a a smaller recorder for times when I don’t need the H6.
I was over the moon when i got mine. I took it to band rehearsals and set it up in the middle of the room, as i normally do with my Roland R-07. I was really impressed with how it didnt distort and did indeed live up to the Zoom PR….but, on playback i can here so noticable low end rumble in the recording that has no right to be there. Sometimes when the band are playing, other times when just one instrument is playing. I cant figure it out. but i sent it back and got the H4n pro instead. It’s like handling noise but it was on a decent stand and no one was anywhere near it.
I have figured out what the noise way. It was my guitarist’s floor fan blowing access the mics.
Wish to see a review of h6 essential, especially comparing it to portacapture x8. Amps quality, noise floor and capsules sensitivity
Did you notice anything about "bad preamps"? I saw other reviews talking about it.
My goal is to record cooking sounds like cutting peeling and so on, so rather quiet sounds but I am in a non treated room and I have a lot of external noise. So I wanted to record as low level as possible so I can crank the cooking sounds hoping I can't hear the other noises. Do you think preamps would be a problem in this case?
An H6 Essential review would be lovely. Great video as usual!
Have you got any chance of reviewing the H6 essentials and do a versus against the X8 ?
Hey Matt, thank you so much for the detailed review of this recorder. Have a question, if I have this recorder hooked up with timecode with my camera, and it records a 10 hr long audio clip, while my camera's going through 70 takes (70 video clips), would the timecode still automatically sync everything? Assuming that Davinci could chop the audio file into 70 clips?
Interesting. I use the Sound Devices Mix Pre 3. I have used it for many years. The analogue limiters are great. I have never had a recording where the audio had peaked. One advantage of this recorder is the limiters are so good you don't need 32 bit float and you don't have to play with your files after they are recorded.
Thanks for the video. Very helpful! Could you still record in 24 bit or is 32 bit the only option?
Great review! I’d like to see your review of the H6 essential please
Great video! I only own an old Tascam D40, but I want something better to use with my Rode NTG4+, do you think this is worth the upgrade?
Matt, great work on this review!
I’m a wedding DJ who also does live sound engineering (So I never red-line 🤣) but also, care a lot about clean audio & always reach out to my videographers to see what they need to hook into my system. So I’ve been learning a lot about recorders, as I also have used them to record my mixes in the past.
Can you confirm from your experience if the prior H4 didn’t have the same limitations with XLR/TRS line/mic level matching?
From my research, users of the H4N Pro seemed to have that same issue, plugging out the back of a speaker, or even some mixer boards, with XLR & getting too hot a signal.
The H4E has the same preamps from what other reviewers have stated (EIN is -120db, and the F3 is -127db, which I believe connects to the difference you highlighted).
Here’s what Zoom even said to me directly as I was asking them about it, and the same thing applies to the H6 Essential:
Yes it is firmly set as XLR=MIC, TRS=LINE. I do not know the exact engineering reason for this.
Yes if you tried to go in XLR you would definitely overload the inputs. You will have to use TRS.
I also wanna add, to some of those in the comments asking about the H1 Essential, I honestly would not recommend it for hooking into DJ systems for the reasons as said by Zoom themselves to me (Unless you wanna carry an attenuator cable with you everywhere for the H1E):
I got some confirmation on this from our engineers. The 3.5mm input on the H1essential can only accept -10dBv consumer line level. The H4essential and H6essential's TRS inputs can handle a full +4dBu professional line level. So those recorders would handle the line input just fine.
Hey Thanks! I don't have an h4n Pro to compare it to unfortunately, but from reading the h4n Pro specs online, they say the XLR and Quarter inch jacks both work for Mic and Line level, so I think it was different than the H4essential.
It's definitely a strange concession, but I'm glad you can at least work around it by using a different cable.
Agreed about the H1essential as well. The built in mics are fine but I wouldn't trust the 3.5mm input.
What I’ve been waiting for. I literally purchased the H8 in November now I’m thinking of trading it towards the H6E.
The H8 is WAY Better than the H6E.
32 bit float is not as good as having really good preamps like the H8
Great review and extremely enlightening.
I already own the F3, the F6 the F8Pro and I’ve just ordered the H1 essential. You can’t have too many audio recorders !!
Gotta buy them all 😂😂
same here, that H1essential looks pretty cool too. i'll pass on this h4essential too.
How does it compare to F3? Which one is better to own as a first recorder for youtube creator?
Matt,tell me something. Is it possible to record from the XY and also from a lavalier that is plugged on the side " line in "? Not on the xlr with an adapter as that will work for sure. Maybe the XY stops once you plugged in a mic on the side ?
I’d love an H6 Essential review! Considering it as an upgrade to my old H4n
I have the F3 which one would you consider to be better? Thanks for the review
I prefer the F3 because I only use it for sound boards and stage mics. Less likely to get damaged, no need for internal mics that are easy to damage and are noisy.
Hi Matt, newbie here, and I know you have explained this but I still don't get something.
So is there a dial function where I can lower the recording volume? Say I connect this to the DJ and they are playiing extremely loud and lets say i can;t find the DJ's dial, could I use this zoom to lower the volume it records?
I'd like to see a review of the H1 Essential. I have the H4N Pro and the H1 so I'd like to see how Zoom's recorders have improved.
So when you hand hold it is there an absurd amount of noise for your fingers touching the recorder or you shifting your fingers around? Bought a "handheld" recorder like this in the past and it SERIOUSLY can NOT be used as a handheld recorder! You mentioned that you were recording this video with the recorder? As in you record ALL the audio from the recorder you were holding while talking to us?
Yes, of course, a H1essential review, please!!
Would have bought this if i didn't already have the Portacapture X8. Looks like an awesome device.
I would like to see a review of the bigger one, the h6.
Hey Matt, which audio recorder would you prefer from Zoom F3 or the Zoom H4 Essential?
From what I have read, the F3 has much lower preamp noise, though the H4 essential is simpler to use because of the built-in mics. Not only is the F3 more expensive, but you need extra microphones to use it. If you're looking for one thing to record, it's the H4essential, but if you are always using external microphones anyway, the F3 will give you better quality (And it's more expensive)
Hello Matt, do you have to return the Zoom HN essential to Zoom Corp ?
I have noticed that most TH-cam influencers are getting equipment free which has to taint their objective appraisal, one TH-camr said that he gave Tonor Microphones a poor appraisal I none of his videos and they never sent him anymore equipment.
Nice. Can you record the internal mic alongside the xlr input at the same time? SO 4 tracks I guess? Sometimes it's nice to capture an ambient track for laughter, applause etc, and have it synced up already out of the recorder.
Yes you can record using the internal mic along side the XLR input. I’m not sure about the syncing directly in the recorder. I sync my video and audio using DaVinci Resolve. So far I’m really impressed with this product. I have a Fethead connected to the XLR input and use a Shure SM7B to record my audio. Very low noise floor and the 32-bit is awesome - no need to adjust gain levels (which you can’t on this anyway. ) 🔥
Yup you can record mics and inputs at the same time and they should all be relatively synced due to the recordings all starting at the same time.
What powerbank are you using for this one?
Hi matt, i have a really urgent question, i just bought a Zoom R4 MultiTrak 32-Bit Float. Is that any good for wedding recording ( soundboard) hope you can help me
What type/brand of Li-ion AA batteries do you recommend?
If you say batteries lasted only 2.5 hours, that can't hold up for a wedding!
Zoom h4 essential or Zoom h5? I'd use it to record audio from mixer.
nice video! what about the startup time?
What's about rec source settings? There is Pre Mixer and post Mixer option... I alredy have this recorder and under rec setting you have these options.
I was able to get 5 hours on the F3 recording line level signal using 2 eneloop type AAs. How can this H4essential have so much shorter life? BTW, an important test is when the recorder runs out of battery, would you lose the recording? For the F3, the answer is no but I've only tested it once.
Narrative work is about doing everything you can to get clean audio, but a lot of dialogue is re-recorded in post. Does 32bit float help minimize that? That’ll be the deciding factor for purchasing this recorder
32 bit float can definitely help if your talent is speaking too loudly or too softly, you have a ton of room to adjust the gain levels.
The F3 is built like an aluminum brick. I can't recommend it more. It's my favorite recorder I've ever owned.
The F3 is so great, but I am glad that the H4essential has combo XLR quarter inch jacks and built in mics.
I wish the F3 also had line level Ive had it tell me it was peaking.
@@HiFocusedCinematography the f3 does have line level. You can change it to that in the input settings. 😁
@@HiFocusedCinematography I believe it does. You have to change it in the menu.
@@ryanhinmanfilms Oh wow when I had it I didn't see that option in the menu. Thanks for letting me know!
Great video. Thanks. Wich you like better, h4 essential or f3?
I prefer the f3 for anything I need to connect to via XLR
@@whoismatt Thanks for the quick response. Just ordered mine!
Zoom has always done that 1/4 input = line, XLR input = mic. This has always irritated me. Sound boards in more traditional environments like theaters will give a line out via XLR. If you forget 1/4 to XLR adapter you're screwed, because the signal will be clipped if plug an XLR cable into the recorder. Like you said there is no way to set xlr to line. They must of hard wired this in the original design and they are not changing it. This is why I moved to the F3 plus the smaller size and more durable, no need for internal mics.
A few other gripes, I don't care for the micro sd card and bluetooth dongle that hangs out. But overall it gives good features for low price but I'm happy with the Zoom F3. Good point about the short battery life. These devices are power hungry and I wouldn't leave it unattended without Ac or usb-c power bank. Great concise review as always Matt.
My Zoom H5 from 2016 has a worthy replacement now!!!
It's only been 8 years 😂
Is the line out on this one shielded at all or somehow built to reduce noise? I've been using zoom recorders since the OG H2 in early 2000s and certain units always seem to have a noisy line out that needs an in-line noice canceller, especially the H6. Only an issue when using for live stream situations where I need an analog out, but still.
Haven’t had a chance to test this yet, sorry
What in line noise canceller do you use on the H6?
Hej i heard h4e have low quality amp is it possible to use extra amp like dynamite or some good other to make lower noise lv?
Hi! I had the old H4 and it worked sublime for all things I recorded. It decided to commit suicide in water bowl and died. Now i gonna record a live piano session in a church (huh) Is this compatible for that. cheers
Don't get me wrong, I love gear. I finally bought a new open box GH5 a month ago after wanting one for like 8 years and then bought a second slightly used one within that same month.
But audio gear is different to me. I bought a Zoom H6 a little while after it came out and have never needed anything else. If I'm worried about clipping when recording audio at live rock shows... I use the safety channel feature that works on ch 1&2. Problem solved.
If I'm worried about clipping my on camera audio, I just activate the safety track feature on my years old Rode VideoMic Pro+ and the issue is solved.
Unless my zoom breaks, I'm probably never buying another.
32bit float is definitely good though, especially if your in a pinch or don't know how to set levels like a lot of camera centric guys.
I came from the audio world so I bought things that would future proof my videos audio including the Tascam DL-10 recorder with it's safety channel and xlr recorder before investing in higher end cams like the GH5.
even though I don't need or want it, I appreciate the review so I know what Zoom is up to these days. Thanks Matt! 🤘
As wedding filmmakers, we connect our recorder to the DJ's soundboard at every wedding! So what do you advise to do if the audio is already picking from the DJ's soundboard?
If it's peaking from soundboard then connect it to the speaker...that's what I do in that case.
It should take the DJ 1 second to dial down the audio feed to your recorder.
in many venues the speakers are hanged from the ceiling or just too high for you to reach them, what do you do in that scenario?
@@markofadljevic1975
You can't trust DJs!!!
Yes, in some cases they can dial it down (and in many other cases they just can't - technically! it might be because the OUT connector does not have a volume dial, or they need it in a specific volume for their own needs) but they can dial it up later as well, a minute later, not because they want to harm the videographer, but because they tend to forget about him and his needs, and their needs are always in top priority as they look at it.
@@xonx209
I bought this because a DJ dropped my tascam X8 and now if it bumps at a certain angle it shuts off, which can be a problem when im not monitoring a it live during a cermony or speeches
That's not good! Got dropped once and now not useable.... eeks!
@@pshimmons I knoww, considering how expensive it was in more than anything how I thought it was basically built like a tank. I mean, it’s usable, but I had to be like super cautious. I can only use it when it’s being monitored. Or I know it won’t move or be bumped
H6 essential please!!! I hace Buy a recordar and I do not know which, so many options, I want the possibilities for more than 2 mics
This recorder rules but there are certain aspects that drive me crazy. Currently there is no bluetooth app on android phones for the recorder it is iOS only (I bought the stupid BT adapter and it is basically useless currently). My tiny f2 has an android app and I just need them to roll that out asap. I wish it had 4 battery power, it would really help out this thing because the battery life suuuuucks. It chews through my rechargeable AA batteries. I've used it at 4 weddings so far and it has held up with TRS line through recording from a DJ board (I just bought a 10 dollar 1/4in to XLR cable and it has worked like a charm). I haven't really tried the ob mic or XLR mics recording with it yet but so far so good for what i need it for. Its really nice to not have to worry about peaking volumes on an recorder like this. Fun fact I had a DJ destroy my previous audio recorder that was plugged into a speaker when he kicked it and we lost the audio.
I'm looking at my first recorder for doing my first video work. Would you go for this or the Tascam X6? The cost difference is only around £100...
Which one did you decide on? I'm in the same boat
@@reinerwongler7263 I've not ordered yet, but will do buying one today or tomorrow. I think I'm going with the zoom purely because I really don't know yet whether I'll do much with it. The ideas I have really only need one mic and a wireless system, so the extra inputs etc aren't essential for me right now.
Hello everyone I have a comment or a question can you Record a track and play it back and record another track I’m not seeing that feature
What do you do if you already have the gain on x1, the lowest on the F3, but your going into the speaker for a wedding band? Many times I get the popup saying the incoming signal is too loud. Anyway to reduce that since the band isn't able to do that all the time, even if going into their board.
Set your f3 to Line level instead of Mic level. If that still doesn’t work, buy an attenuator
@@whoismatt Thank you!!
My Zoom H6 just won’t turn on anymore. Plugged into a DJ’s board and it just went off and won’t come on anymore.
Could it be that the audio signal killed it?
Is there a fix for such things or do I have to toss it and buy another one?
Not sure, that’s a bummer! Maybe contact Zoom?
Please make a video on how to handle 32bit float audio, because I have recordings that are still clipping when importing them into Première
Probably wrong input settings. It should be virtually impossible to clip your audio with 32 bit float
Clipping can still happen if you overwhelm the physical capabilities of the microphone. You need to know where to place and point the microphone and have backup microphone that is further away from the source, just in case.
Also, make certain that if doing a line feed into your recording device, set the switch to LINE, otherwise, feeding the mixer board, which should be line into the Mic input, it'll distort, that is, it'll distort BEFORE you reach the ADC conversion, so at the jack itself, thus the internal electronics are now receiving the distorted signal.
With the switch set to line for a cable/line feed of the board say, it's a clean signal going into the recording device.
Many systems have it make the switch automatically, but not all, so check to see if you must manually switch between line and mic. As another responder said, use 2 mics, and set one further away as you can overload the mic itself.
As an FYI, almost all DAW's, including more recent versions of Audacity are now 32 bit floating internally for exactly that purpose.
What abot different o. F2 and h1e with 32 bit?
I saw someone say it has bad drift, did anyone else record for a long period of time?
I wish there was a smaller version for content creators on the go who don't need XLR inputs.
Look at the H1essential
ooh!@@whoismatt
How come it has build mic and still cheaper than f3.
I am just one click away from purchasing Zoom F3. Now I have to do some research of the Zoom H4 essential and compare to Zoom F3. LOL
I bought the H6 Essential, and it’s awesome! I was actually just about to film my review! 😂
Have you noticed any extra noise (when compensating volume in post production) coming from the preamps of the H6 Essential ,
especially when recording very low volume interviews/speech , in a truly quite room/environment ?
@@HollywoodweddingfilmsGREECE So far, it’s been super clean! I’ve made some tests if you’re interested.
Can I get 32bit audio with my Rode VideoMic Go II when plugged in?
Should work, but it might be safer to go with the H2e instead as that one will accept a mic like the Go II without an XLR to 3.5mm adapter.
H6 Essentials WHEN !!!!!!!!!!
On my DR-40 I have a Mic and Line switch. On this Zoom I just use the appropriate cable to achieve the same thing that the switch does?
Also would love to hear your thoughts on the Zoom H1essential
Yup, you would just need to use a different cable instead of a switch. Will work on a review of the H1essential as well.
I wish the timecode wasnt the atomos
I think they also cut the cost on the USB that is USB 2 transfer speed.
Even the F3 usb transfer speed is terribly slow. I just remove the SD and plug it directly into my computer card reader. It's 10 times faster.
@@xonx209 agreed on transfer speeds, I bought very high end card readers to avoid dealing with cameras transfer speeds.
Zoom H1n is also awesome…32 bit float for $100 bucks!
Good deal but also much more limited without the XLR inputs.
H1n is 24bit. H1 Essential is 32bit float.
he has a télécommande ?
Zom h6 essential
IRAS....inflation resistant audio recorder is so hard
H1 essential!
Yeah right, why is this not mentioned?
✌...
There is no application for android phones, in this world there is only Iphone???
Woah! You think speaker level = line level? That is a great way to destroy your gear!
Zoom is trash and just copies of Tascam
I can't wait to watch @curtisjudd's review on the Zoom Essential series of recorders.