Samson's Zoom H2 SD portable audio recorder

Although the amount of voice recorders hitting the market has definitely tapered off in recent years, the ones that do make it out are fairly well-spec'd in their own regard. The latest to show up is Samson's Zoom H2 handy recorder, which claims to be the "world's only portable recorder with 3 mic capsules on board for mid-side recording," and moreover, the device purportedly decodes the audio instantly to bring together a probably unnecessary level of "superb stereo imaging." Interestingly enough, the device even allows for users to record at various angles and frequencies in case you're trying to assemble a 5.1 track (saywha?) without all the proper equipment, and it even touts gain controls right on the side for on-the-fly tweaking. The unit stores recordings on an SD flash card, features USB 2.0 connectivity, a 1/8-inch stereo output, backlit display, four hours of usage on a pair of AA batteries, time stamp / track marker functions, integrated chromatic guitar and bass tuner, and a variety of status LEDs to boot. Of course, such extravagant niceties on a portable audio recorder don't come without a premium, but users serious about capturing those lecture notes (or ad hoc jingles) can snag one in May for around $200.

[Morgon @ May 3rd 2007 7:37AM]

I just bought their H4 (you may have seen it on ThinkGeek, though it's cheaper through one of Amazon/Electronica Direct) and it works beautifully.

However, now I'm feeling a little let down, seeing some of the reviews of this H2 seem to indicate that it has a better mic built in (the H4 has two condenser mics at the top of the unit, but this H2 technically has three), although the H2 doesn't have external mic/instrument connectors like the H4 does.

I guess if you're going as compact as possible, the H2 seems well worth it. I almost want to return mine and get one... we'll see after I use it for some audio interview/podcasting stuff this weekend.

[Mark @ May 3rd 2007 8:43AM]

Four hours on 2AA batteries seems like poor battery life for what this does.

[strider_mt2k @ May 3rd 2007 8:47AM]

That thing is sexamagraphical!

Doesn't look like it does SDHC (yet) though.

[Jon Olsen @ May 3rd 2007 9:10AM]

The superior quality here isn't superfluous if you are a mobile radio journalist who wants to eventually broadcast sound recordings. This is much more convenient than many other professional compact recorders on the market. This isn't mean for digital note taking.

[John Leibovitz @ May 3rd 2007 9:27AM]

Hey Morgon, it looks like the H2 does have external mic/line in jacks.

[Joe Smith @ May 3rd 2007 9:41AM]

It does have mic in, but it is not XLR. However, the mic in IS powered, so you CAN plug in two condeser mics via an adapter if you want to. Pretty freaking awesome.

[Rob @ May 3rd 2007 10:22AM]

Could I use it for recording small concerts?

[apeguero @ May 3rd 2007 10:35AM]

Damn this thing looks sweet. I get the same feeling looking at this as when I saw a Casio calculator watch in the '80s for the first time. Damn I'm aging myself now. Depeche Mode rules!

[Carl Lumma @ May 3rd 2007 11:21AM]

Hey Engadget -

What makes you call this a "voice recorder"? This is for musicians.

Sincerely,

-Carl

[Dan @ May 3rd 2007 12:13PM]

I didn't like the H4 for various reasons (small and poorly placed buttons, etc) I doubt I'd like the H2. My thought is that they still haven't fully thought it out. Folks aren't going to hold it while it's recording. It'll sit on a table. Is it well and fully isolated so it doesn't pick up table vibes? I doubt it. It probably uses a small included tripod like the H4. It should have an adaptor so that it can be attached to a mic stand. A small remote would come in handy too. Maybe the H3 or H1 will finally hit the mark. At least the buttons are bigger. It's a good thing they have the money for such gambles. They really ought to do more focus groups, etc. on things like this. Oh well.

[James @ May 3rd 2007 3:12PM]

I'm in full agreement with Carl - this is not a "voice recorder". On H2 product page on the Samson website the word "voice" doesn't appear ANYWHERE. In fact, one thing it does mention is ENG (Electronic News Gathering) - so it's clearly geared for professional use.

[Jim Beau @ May 3rd 2007 4:44PM]

Well, I'get excited when Sony or Sound Devices or Marantz scales down one of their bad boys. Until then, this stuff is all Chinese toys with lots of doodads that will break in the field. Don't drop one!

[coprock @ May 3rd 2007 5:05PM]

Gee, still trying to figure out why my pro walkman was called pro. It did not survive one minor drop.

Engadget: What part of Zoom's website did you not read regarding this product?

[Jim Beau @ May 3rd 2007 5:16PM]

I guess with these little fellers, you just can't call 'em handhled studios with all the little quirks they seem to all have; funky interface, utterly cheesy buttons and cases, mini plug mic inputs, counterintutivie design, etc.

Oh wait, Nagra makes one too. But it aint your pappy's niagara, folks. And even that one has gotten luke warm reviews.

I guess you buy one of these for what they are: Well-suited voice (music) recorders when the ambient sound level is high enough to distract from all the little flaws you can't design out of a 400 buck box that you can in a 2500 buck one.

[Alaa Morabet @ Jul 18th 2007 9:23AM]

Any idea when will the H2 hit the market? which retailer would you advise me to aproach?

[ong @ Jul 30th 2007 10:02AM]

Does H2 support effects that H4 has?