About.com Rating

The Zoom H4 portable recorder is a phenomenal value; at only $299, it represents one of the best bang-for-the-buck combinations in taping and home recording. With high-quality built-in microphones and great battery life, the Zoom H4 is perfect for recording on-the-go, or in your home studio!

Bang-For-The-Buck

With the ability to record up to 380 minutes of high quality, 16-bit WAV audio on an optional 2GB SD media card (a 128MB card is included standard), up to 4 hours recording time on 2 AA alkaline batteries, and the ability to work as both a recording interface and a 4-track recorder, the Zoom H4 represents the best value in portable recording that I've ever seen, a perfect choice for both tapers and songwriters.

Construction Quality

As expected with a device at this price point, the build quality is good, but not exceptional. In using the Zoom H4 in the field and at home, I never once had a situation where the build quality was a liability. That being said, compared to much more expensive devices with comparable features (like the Sound Devices 7-series), the plastic construction seems lightweight. If you decide to use the H4 outside the home, I'd recommend picking up a hard case to carry it around in. The interface navigation buttons are a little confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it, you won't have any problems.

Features

The Zoom H4 is feature-rich for the price. First, you've got two combination XLR/TRS (1/4") inputs. This is great -- it allows you to connect phantom-powered microphones directly to the unit! You can also plug guitars or other instruments into the 1/4" inputs for direct recording. There's also two built-in microphones in an X/Y stereo pattern. With recording up to 24bit/96khz, you'll be able to record however you need.

It also features a USB connection - transfer is a little slow, but it'll get the job done.
Performance

Preamp Quality

One problem with the H4 is the built-in preamps on the XLR inputs. They offer a selection of 12v or 48v phantom power; however, the preamp stage doesn't have a great handling capability for high SPL environments. You'll want to use an external preamp if you're using good-quality condenser microphones, such as the Neumann KM184. This isn't a problem for most tapers, since using preamps such as the Lunatec V2 is common.

Using the line-in setting is a much different story. Robust sound quality from both soundboard feeds and microphone preamps shows through on all quality settings. The only issue for me is the lack of variable gain control. You have to adjust the recording level manually by sofware control, which is contrary to many of the higher-end recorders.

Internal Microphones

The internal microphones of the H4 are surprisingly strong. Used when recording acoustic guitar, it works perfectly. Recording live music also shines, but it's best used in low-SPL environments. You can also use settings to emulate the sound signature of higher-end microphones such as the AKG C414 and Neumann U87. This works well, but keep your expectations in check - while the microphones are good quality and the modeling settings acceptable, you won't get the same results as using a pair of C414s with a good preamp. You can also choose from various compression and limiting modes.

4-Track and Interface Options

The H4 has a very unique feature - it can work both as a recording interface, and as a portable 4-track recorder. Using a combination of inputs, you can record instruments and vocals directly, and edit them in virtual 4-track mode. This is great for singer/songwriters looking to produce their own material with a small, compact unit.

Included in the box is a copy of Cubase LE, a fantastic multitrack editing and recording software. Connect the H4 via USB, and you've got a powerful interface with two microphone preamps, and the ability to record in the field, and bring it home to edit, overdub, and mix on your computer!

Conclusion

The Zoom H4 is remarkable at it's $299 pricetag. Sure, there's options I'd change (namely, an external gain knob), but I doubt you'll find a better bang-for-the-buck anywhere else. It's construction quality is good, sound quality excellent, and included accessories and expanded capabilities top-notch. While a nice touch, the microphone modeling and guitar amp models aren't very powerful. That being said, you can't find a better value anywhere for such a good recording interface.

The Zoom H4 is available now from various retailers and sells for around $299.