Zoom H2 replacement suggestions?

[Mark Levesque]

Hi everyone,

My Zoom H2 just suddenly died after many years of faithful service of primarily recording lessons and other stuff for my students.
Does anyone have a recommendation for recording decent stereo recordings other than the Zoom H2n?

Thank you,

[Jim]

I like my Tascam dr 07. Great Mics , easy to use.

[Lord of the Badgers]

H4n ;-)

Come on, you knew that was coming didn't you?

[Don Grieser]

There's actually a Zoom H5 that's an upgrade to the H4n, but both the Zoom and Tascam units should work just fine.

[foldedpath]

I have an old H2 that's still working. If I had to replace it, I'd probably just get the H2n. I like the small size, and the way the mics are oriented front and back, instead of aimed on the long axis like the Tascam DR-07.

The front/back mic arrangement makes it easy to place the H2 on the lip of a music stand, which is how I mostly use it for ad-hoc recording of band rehearsal arrangements using just the front mics. It's also a good design for placing on the floor, face up, in the middle of a workshop or session circle, to capture the overall sound. Or you can use the "surround" mode in the middle of a jam circle, which also works well (if you don't mind a little extra work mixing down the extra tracks).

A linear-aimed design like the DR-07 (or Zoom H4, H5) s a bit fussier to use without a mini-tripod or something to aim it. They're also designed that way to fit on top of a video camera as an accessory recorder, where the recorder is flat and the mics aimed forward. If you don't have a video camera that can use that type of bracket, and you don't need additional XLR inputs... just a basic "shaver" pocket recorder, I think the H2/H2n nails that idea pretty well.

[Lord of the Badgers]

Meant to say - I must admit I'm unsure what was bad with the H2 apart from its untimely demise?

[Jim]

A linear-aimed design like the DR-07 (or Zoom H4, H5) s a bit fussier to use without a mini-tripod or something to aim it.

Very true, I put my DR07 on a mini tripod as soon as I got it.

[Beanzy]

The Zoom Q4 would be my choice now so I'd be up for videos etc too.

If you use an iPod /phone/pad you could think about the Zoom iQ5 so you could do vids too if the mood takes you.
Makes for a really compact add-on to stick in your pocket/ mandolin case.

[Mark Levesque]

Thank you everyone, it is good to know what choices are out there.

Foldedpath, thank you for that very helpful summary. I just ordered an H2N.
Badger, I guess my question should have been "I am planning on buying an H2N, but what other choices are there?". Except for a bit a vagueness on the record button, my H2 has recorded very well for about 7 years.

[spufman]

I've been nothing but happy with my Olympus LS-10 for years. If it were to poop, I'd probably get one of the current LS-xx models, even though I prefer the older form factor of the 10/11. The mics and preamp do a fine job and the interface is very natural for my hand.

[lloving]

Anyone tried the Zoom H6? Looks pretty capable, also complex.

[FLATROCK HILL]

Meant to say - I must admit I'm unsure what was bad with the H2 apart from its untimely demise?

MY H2 is still going strong and I do like it. The one complaint I have about it is the postage-stamp sized screen and microfilm sized characters and menus.
(Yes...I know I'm old.)
I don't know if the H2n has a bigger screen.

[Merlin_Williams]

Anyone tried the Zoom H6? Looks pretty capable, also complex.

I recently got an H6 to replace my aging H4. It's a fantastic machine, and the modular mic heads and extra XLR combo jacks make it wildly versatile.