LOVED my H2. Do it! Simple. Sounds good. Battery life is....I always plugged it in when I could. Just need to own some rechargeable and change them out.

I've see the H2n, but never used one. It is good for simple recording, but I think the H4n is a much better choice. I have both the original H4 and the H4n, which was a huge improvement. I don't know the price difference between them, but in addition to the built in stereo mics, the H4n has XLR/1/4"combo jacks, with phantom power, so you can connect any other microphone or the output of a mixing desk. It can record from all four inputs simultaneously, which offers some interesting possibilities, and can record and mix four tracks internally. It can also function as a USB interface to a computer.
The H2n is a nice little pocket recorder for jam sessions or live playing, but the H4n is a real, versatile recorder you can hold in the palm of your hand - really an incredible achievement. I've recorded all sorts of things with mine - maybe I can post some samples.
BTW, I don't think Zoom recommends rechargeable batteries for any of their recorders, because of the lower voltage.

I've had an H4n for a good number of years. Works great! Very versatile. I've never used the 4 channels, but I have recorded 2. Used external mics, and the ones that are built in. Every recording I've made is as good as I had hoped it would be.

I've seen used ones relatively cheap on ebay.

Shameless plug here. But this is an example how we set up the 4 channels on a H4. Used the 2 internal mics and 2 SM57s on the side. In post you can mix this in whatever program. Panning is a great Stereo mix with this set up.

looks like there may be a difference in the mic preamps of the Zoom H*N "Pro" recorders, a bit quieter, May be ?

i'm looking for something to practice with.

They have a metronome and a tuner (ideal), Does this come out in the recording? Or can it be avoided....suppose you i give the metronome a channel of its own maybe? That would be one reason for getting a 4 track rather that a 2 track? .....Ooh i'm talking myself into it. And you guys are re-enforcing my need for a new Gadget..LOL

I should emphasize that my experience is with the H4n (and the H4 before that). Never used the pro model. Looks like both of these are discontinued, although may still be available from some sources (not sure about the UK). Some people don't seem too thrilled with the newer model.
As far as preamps, I've used mine mostly to record from mixing consoles, not with the built in mics, so I really can't say. Also never used the metronome but from the manual it looks like maybe its not actually recorded as a click track. One thing about these is that the manuals are not so easy to understand, but still I've been totally happy with my H4n.

I enjoyed my H4n very much, but I eventually lost interest in recording myself on my various instruments. I simply decided I'd rather just play. Now, if I'm going to record myself I attach my portable phone to an old but excellent photo tripod. For a while, I also got pretty good audio fidelity and picture quality from a now oh-so-retro pocket-sized camera. As for my pitifully small collection uploaded to this website, I haven't the slightest idea what I recorded them on.

Not sure of advantage to the Zoom H2 and similar; except maybe portability to do remote recording; or with a video cam.

I didn't find it really simpler than just using desktop or laptop... and as those are computers, no need to pay for expense of a separate (CPU) device. With all the inexpensive options with USB mics and/or interfaces; plug straight into computer or laptop. Pretty simple and overall gives a lot more flexibility IMO. Especially if that's where going to transfer and mix anyway?

As far as mention of portable phone, there are multitrack apps like Garage Band (iphone), Cubase, BandLab or others; and besides using built-in omni mic, they do make USB mics/devices that plug into phones if want better quality or control.

Hey, Pete! I used an H2 for years to capture my old band's shows. If the front of house guy was legit, I'd park it there and record. The problem so many times was people would be gathered there and the crowd noise sometimes was too much. This example here was from stage where I most likely would record everything. That way I could plug it in. I had a clamp system for it and we ran pretty hot monitors so it did a decent job. Eventually, I had lost it...I think I left it at a show and it was never found. I've been meaning to get another one but it's def the simplest little device. This a long listen but, it's all original and lots of fiddle in there too...

archive.org/details/MR2018-08-10

i'm thinking it may be most useful as a practice tool rather than a field recorder? Just Tune in, set the metronome, set it on the table in front of me, and play away. Then listen to hear where i am going wrong. Maybe upload and post something from time to time...

quote:

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Originally posted by pete_fiddle

i'm thinking it may be most useful as a practice tool rather than a field recorder? Just Tune in, set the metronome, set it on the table in front of me, and play away. Then listen to hear where i am going wrong. Maybe upload and post something from time to time...

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As Lonesome Fiddler mentioned, a phone works pretty good for that, probably the easiest.

As solo instrument track, Voice Memo works fine. You can use a metronome app at same time, but issue might be in won't be a separate track, either will record with sound of fiddle; or if using headphones  for metronome, will not get recorded on track.

As mentioned, some of those other phone mini DAW apps works fine, are pretty easy, has a metronome built in, and playing will just be synced to that, can turn off on playback. If have a iphone, can just use GarageBand probably easiest. BandLab is also free and works on iOS and Android.

Here's a multi track I did using BandLab app and just phone built-in mic on a table in front of me.

I have a dumbphone and a landline for phoning, and a computer for computing and internet, so it wouldn't work for me .. But i can see "apps" would work for someone with a smart phone.....i still call them programs or progs though Lol...

Pete, did you ever pick one up?

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Originally posted by Erockin

Pete, did you ever pick one up?

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No, i have an old sony walkman cassette recorder, But i found out it probably is as good as the Zoom, It is a Walkman pro WM D6-C,  Apparently the holy grail for cassette tape enthusiasts ?(i got it for next to nothing). So i will have to sell that first (or learn how to use it properly), before i get some "new tech". which would probably serve my purposes better ...(IE:hit record and play and it spits out mp3's). But then i would be on the "upgrade train"... So not really sure what to do really..

My present thinking is that i might as well just wait until i am "forced" to get a smart phone and use that, rather than using Victorian telephone wires and 80's 90's Tech.

If you don't have a smart phone by now, PLEASE don't enter if you don't have to. ;)

Pete, I have a company smart phone. Good for making phone calls. Basically off all the time. But them portable recorders ( I use a Tascam one) ARE pretty sweet.

I’m not very knowledgeable it comes to recording devices. My father bought the Zoom Q3 recorder when I was in college (he’s much more of an audiophile) and he was very happy with its capabilities, especially being able to record .wav files with far less compression when mp3 formatting.

I sang in an eight-piece Renaissance polyphonic group in college, and our recordings were made on a Zoom H4n (I believe). The quality was very impressive. That was a while ago now (where did the time go?) but I wouldn’t be surprised if the devices are even better now than they were then.

Pete - I have both the Sony WM D6 Walkman and the Zoom H4 and H4n (no experience with the H2). There's really no comparison. I didn't really use the Walkman much because I got it late in the life of cassettes, but I had a TC 158 before that, that I used quite a bit and it could make very good recordings.
To use the Walkman, first you'll have to find a cassette, which looks harder than I'd imagined. Maxell has reintroduced normal bias speech quality tapes, and there's a supposedly a high quality TDK tape available for about $13, but it gets terrble reviews. Then you'll have to find a suitable microphone, or adapt something to work with a mini jack. I bought a fairly expensive Sony stereo mic but never really used it (I need to find it and make sure it doesn't still have a battery in it). Recording is pretty straighforward, but then you have to rewind to the right spot to hear playback. If you make a recording that suits you, you still have to digitize it to use it in the modern world.
With the Zoom, you turn it on and wait a little bit for it to load. Then you press "Record" once to enter pause, and set levels. Press "Record" again and the counter starts up. Press "Stop" when you're done, then "Play" to instantly hear your work. The built in stereo microphones are very good, or you can plug any pro mic into the XLR inputs (with 48v phantom power). I'm not sure of the maximum size SD card the Zoom can use, but a $20 128GB card will record 12,800 (or so) minutes of CD quality audio. BTW, I've never recorded an .mp3 file, only .wav format. You can always convert to .mp3 if you want (in the Zoom, I think) and discard the original, but storage is so cheap now it doesn't make much sense. I only use .mp3 for uploading to FHO or email. And speaking of audio quality, the Zoom probably has 35db better S\N ratio and no wow, flutter, or speed problems.
For years I provided sound reinforcement and recording at the National Storytelling Festival (5 large tents and an outdoor stage) and we recorded hundreds of hours with Zoom H4s and H4ns without any problems, except operator error.
So that's my report. The Sony WM D6 was quite an amazing piece of engineering, but I don't think ever too reliable, and difficult and expensive to repair. If yours works, you might consider selling it - prices seem pretty solid these days.
Good luck.

I had a H4n for about 4 years. The recording quality and capabilities were great. It worked well until it didn't. The motherboard in my device crapped out. It is basically not repairable. (What I was told by Zoom.) The best option (I was told) was to spend my "repair" money to buy a new recorder. So, I did. I went with a Tascam. Since I was basically doing field recording or personal recording, it was all I needed. The Tascam was about $100 and is quite robust and very easy to use.