Zoom H1 Portable Digital Recorder, Version 2.0

Product Information

The sound mark feature sends an audio tone from the output jack to your camera to help synchronize sound for filmmakers. Now I'm using it via the usb cable to my computer as the mic for my Skype sessions, and any computer screen recordings I do. The H1's USB port provides a digital output of the stereo mix and allows data to be sent to and from your computer.

The menus are easy to navigate, and any first-time user can get the hang of with a little bit of practice. The ICD-UX560 also has a lithium battery that is rated at 27 hours depending on the style of recording and playback, which is considerably longer than the Zoom H1n. The "Auto Level" button keeps the audio signal consistent by increasing or decreasing the audio gain. We advise you to update to a currently supported browser (such as Chrome, Edge, or Firefox) to improve your security, speed, and overall experience.MP3 recordings are compressed, which means that some unnecessary data is removed prior to storage, making them much smaller than WAV files, and thus much easier to upload and download. More importantly perhaps is that the in-built X/Y stereo condenser microphone of the H1 delivers clear, crisp audio at all of these bit and sample rates (much to my surprise) and I wouldn’t hesitate to make a recording of an acoustic guitar or small choral concert – even a string quartet – with the Zoom H1’s onboard mics. Just above the LCD display is an analog input volume knob to control recording levels, which is an excellent feature—instead of using buttons to control volume, the knob is a nice silent way to adjust on the fly while recording is in progress.

The user interface on the device is simple, clear, and easy to navigate for first-time users, and the screen has great contrast for optimal visibility.

Last but not least, the H1n features a playback speed control for simplified transcription of voice recordings. The remarkable depth and clarity of sound achieved by the stereo X/Y mic design brings additional realism and depth to HD video. Unfortunately, this became an all too familiar orifice during my time with the H1 as the review model exhibited some bad behaviour with respect to batteries. By combining the H1 with a DSLR video camera, you can create a professional video system with high-quality sound. The "Limiter" button will limit the audio signal to a specific threshold, making sure the audio that you record remains undistorted.