Zoom H2n

1012

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Portable WAV/MP3 Recorder

5 Integrated microphones, with mid/side, and surround recording (2-channel and 4-channel)
Up to 24 Bit/96 kHz (WAV) or 320 kb/s (MP3)
Records directly to SD and SDHC cards up to 32GB
High-pass filter, compressor/limiter, metronome, tuner, and normalizer
MP3 post-encoder, variable playback speed, marker, and surround mixer
LCD display
Built-in speaker
Microphone/line input 3.5mm, headphone/line output 3.5mm and USB 2.0 port
Includes operating instructions
Powered by 2x AA batteries (not included), USB cable or AC adapter (not included)
Optional windscreen: Article number 233214 (not included)

Note:SD/SDHC card not included!

30 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

3 3-Year Thomann Warranty

Available since September 2011

Item number 268553

Sales Unit 1 piece(s)

Integrated Stereo Microhone Yes

Recording Tracks 4

Microphone Inputs 1

48 V Phantom power No

Line Inputs 1

Storage Medium SD/SDHC Card

Headphone connection Yes

Integrated Speaker Yes

Resolution max. 24 bit

Max. Sample Rate 96 kHz

Limiter Yes

Max. Memory 32

Recording Format MP3, WAV

Power Feed 2x AA Batteries, NiMH Accumulator, USB, optional Power Supply

Dimensions 68 x 114 x 43 mm

Weight 130 g

Included In Delivery -

Free of charge with this product

1x Thomann LR6 AA 4pc

$135

The shipping costs are calculated on the checkout page.

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in Portable Recorders

Bundles & offers

Zoom H2n Headphone + Card Bundle

$162

Zoom H2n WSU-1 Bundle

$163

Zoom H2n RC2 Bundle

$168

Zoom H2n SPH-2n Bundle

$169

Four recording modes for great results

The H2n from Zoom is a handheld recorder with five microphone capsules for four different recording modes - X/Y, mid-side, two-channel surround, and four-channel surround - which make it suitable for a wide range of applications. The H2n supports 24-bit/96kHz recording and various MP3 formats, and it also has a mic/line input with plug-in power (2.5V), a 3.5mm line/headphone output with a dedicated volume control, and a USB port that not only serves to transfer data but also as an interface for operation as a USB microphone.

Built-in effects and extensive functionality

Thanks to its built-in effects, the H2n can be used to enhance recordings while they are still being made. Three different compressors and limiters together with an 80Hz low-cut filter help the user to keep their recordings free from distortion, while automatic recording functions such as Auto-Gain, Auto-Record, and Pre-Record actively support the user during operation, in addition to which the H2n provides useful playback functions and others such as loop playback with definable start and end points, playback speed control, and a metronome with a pre-count feature. Normalisation of WAV files, an editing function, and MP3 encoding round off the package.

Slanted bottom view of Zoom H2n with microphone, headphone, and USB connections

For demanding creators

The H2n is a versatile handheld recorder for stereo and surround recordings that can also be mounted directly on a DSLR or tripod, and audio recordings for videos, concerts, or music rehearsals can be made in excellent audio quality using its four selectable recording modes. The H2n can also be used in other ways: Connected to a computer, the recorder can be used as a USB microphone, and voiceovers, podcasts, and other voice recordings can be recorded using a suitable DAW.

About Zoom

Founded in 1983, the Japanese company Zoom manufactures a variety of audio equipment, including a range of portable "handy" recorders as well as multi-effects processors, effects pedals, drum machines, and samplers. Over the past thirty years, the company has built a reputation for producing innovative yet affordable products based on original microchip designs. Since the Zoom-9002 (an ultra-compact multi-effects processor that can be attached to a guitar strap) was introduced in 1990, Zoom has become one of the leaders in digital audio processing.

Spatial audio for VR

The mid/side recording technique allows mono-compatible stereo recordings to be made with variable stereo width by using the onboard MS decoder to adjust the stereo width of the signal either during or after recording by raising or lowering the level of the side microphone. The XY recording technique in turn is used to record natural-sounding stereo recordings with a clearly defined centre. For realistic surround recordings, the H2n combines these two recording techniques. In this way, firmware v2.0 can be used to create 360-degree spatial audio files, a surround sound format that is perfect for the Google Jump virtual reality platform.

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1012 Customer ratings

5 650 Customers 4 326 Customers 3 25 Customers 2 5 Customers 1 6 Customers

4.6 / 5

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499 Reviews

Unbeatable at this price.

Mofosir 23.01.2022

If you need ample possibilities, spacial sound and ease of use - this thing is unbeatable. At 96kHz / 24 bits it sounds crisp and clear, relatively low noise, and gives a great sense of space. It doesn't provide the strongest, or widest stereo effect (though You can play around with the settings and effectively widen the soundstage both while recording or in post) but it does give a realistic sense of 3 dimensional space. Perfect for cityscapes, parking lots, noisy clanky environments, afterwards when you listen back to the recordings, it really feels as if you're transported back to that space, the simpler, stereo 2 channel handhelds don't qite deliver the same effect. It also does well in nature, though you will need a windscreen, as without it it's going to be unusable, unless there is nearly zero wind. Out of all modes, at this point I like the 2 channel surround the best, as you can adjust the stereo imaging, and it's a bit less cumbersome than having multiple files and a slightly odd format in the end. Tried recording guitar and drums with it as well, works great, though it really shone with wind instruments, namely alto sax. Also has an extremely handy limiter and compressor built in. I only wish you could manually adjust the compression and limiter levels, as there are only three options on each one, but the options at hand are good enough, especially the limiter. Oh and there's a low cut as well, very handy. Overall, very happy with this, stellar quality for the price, loads of options, do recommend.

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KostyaS 04.06.2020

Brought to record from mixer and occasionally use as audio interface.
As for using with "rec out" everything works fine, just have to adjust levels on my zoom h2n. Unpleasant surprise was that it splits files to 1 hour duration so you have to concat them manually after recording. Lucky splits are made with no gap so it's not a big problem.
Audio interface. Have not tested it yet because MINI USB out and no wire in package. Seriously mini b usb! I lost last cable of this type in 2007.
As for sound quality it's perfect for my unprofessional ear.
Speaking about materials knobs and handling it'a also a bit disappointing. You buy a professional device but in low price category but get something that left much to be desired even for domestic equipment standards.

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Great value portable recorder

Anonymous 26.10.2014

This is a versatile little device with good sound quality given its price. I bought it to record band practices, but I've actually found a ton of other uses for it, using it to record gigs, as a field recorder, and even to record a drum kit for demo tracks.

Build quality is decent. It's all plastic apart from the grill, but it's acceptable. The important controls are available as buttons or dials, so it's very easy to use. Lights on the top indicate when its clipping, so you don't have to be constantly looking at the screen.

There is the option of Mid-Side(MS) on one side or XY on the other. MS lets you set the stereo width while recording, or even better, set it to RAW mode and fine tune the width later on your computer using a MS VST plugin. You can also choose 4-channel mode which records both MS and XY simultaneously to two separate stereo tracks (albeit with a shared preamp gain). When recording band practice I set it to 4-ch mode and place it in the middle of the room. Then when I get home I can balance the four channels on my computer.

There's a line in (it takes the place of the XY mics), you can monitor the recording with headphones, there are some basic compressor/limiter/filters, it has a tripod mount - the list goes on. This thing is amazingly good value.

The only downsides I've found are that it could do with an input pad as it's too sensitive for loud environments; I'd prefer the record light on the top; and the internal clock is poor, so you may have to spend a bit of time stretching and syncing if you are using it to record audio for a video or to be used in a multitrack mix with other audio.

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Excellent microphones

Zack Glickman 31.07.2020

The plastic case is a little cheap feeling, but that's literally the only complaint. The Mid / Side and X / Y sound quality is genuinely amazing. I read reviews saying how good this unit was, but after taking delivery it really is hard to overstate just how impressive the sound reproduction is. The capsules are obviously very good quality, and with so many possible configurations, including the astonishing spatial settings, I have to wonder how on earth they've managed to squeeze so much in. One minor gripe would be the accessories kit costing so much extra for what could've very easily been included; with the USB cable, carry-case and pop-shield being the only things which are noticeable by their absence. Other than that this is both a must-have gadget for the budding field-recordist, and a really useful songwriting and rehearsal room recorder for bands and solo artists alike. But it's the ability to use it as an audio input and output device via USB which really makes this a serious contender for 'the only mic you'll need award' among Podcasters and YouTubers, looking for a detailed professional stereo sound indoors and outside. Simply put, get one. You'll love it.

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Zoom H2n

Portable WAV/MP3 Recorder

Four recording modes for great results