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Zoom H2 (No Longer Available)

Handheld SD Recorder with Four Internal Mic Capsules, and the Ability to Record 360-degree 4-channel Data

Sorry, the Zoom H2 is no longer available. We've left this page up for reference only. Check out the great alternatives on this page or call toll-free (800) 222-4700 to speak with a Sweetwater Sales Engineer about similar products.

From Our Research Team:

The Easiest Way to Record Your Ideas!

You're looking at the Zoom H2 — without question, our hottest, best-selling portable recorder. Let us tell you why. You want three things from a portable recorder and the H2 has them all: speed, sound, and flexibility. We'll dive into all that later, but here's what it comes down to. When you've got the Zoom H2 with you, you're ready to instantly record anything, anywhere, and at awesome sound quality. This is the easiest way to capture band practice, your next great song idea, a podcast, an interview... name it. Everyone needs an H2.





Okay, so first up — speed. Just hit record twice and you're instantly capturing audio straight to a reusable SD card. There are no long menus for you to wade through — turn it on, press record twice, and you're rolling. That's fast. After you've finished your recording session, plug the Zoom H2 into your computer and the tracks are right there to drag and drop to your desktop. And because you can record up to awesome 24-bit/96kHz WAV quality, your H2 recordings are perfect for loading into your professional DAW sessions. Of course, you've got your choice to record to MP3 when you want share-friendly files. That way, you can e-mail your bandmates a copy of your last jam, just a couple minutes after practice.

Next on the list is sound. Like we said before, the H2 is no slouch here — this portable (and affordable) recorder can handle up to 24-bit/96kHz WAV files, better quality than your favorite CDs. Here's what sets this one apart, though. There are four microphones inside the H2 for up to 360-degree recording — put it in the middle of the room at band practice and we're talking a demo-ready track. You can also adjust the pickup patterns of the microphones, so you're recording in tight stereo just from the front (great for picking up acoustic guitar), wider stereo just from the front (a good pick for capturing a band or choir from the front of the stage), or the same two options from the rear microphones. That leads to major recording versatility — which is just what we're about to talk about.

Thanks to those four microphones and the flexibility in pickup patterns, the H2 is ready to capture anything you want. Record a voice up close, record a choir from a bit further away, record an entire orchestra while you're standing in the middle of it — this gadget can capture your world. And the Zoom H2's included accessories only add to its flexibility. With it, you get an AC adapter so you're free to record for hours and hours without tapping the AA battery life. You also get a handy screw-on desktop stand, for "set-it-and-forget-it" recordings... great for interviews, also handy for acoustic guitarists. The included mic clip adapter screws right in, so you can slide the H2 into a mic clip on any stage or in any studio. Last but not least, you get earbuds for listening to your tracks, a stereo Y cable for easy connection to your gear, a windscreen for your outdoor recording excursions, and a 1GB SD card.

Zoom H2 Portable Recorder Features:
  • Portable handheld recorder with four microphone capsules
  • Can record in flexible polar patterns: Front 120 Degrees Cardioid, Front 90 Degrees Supercardioid, Rear 120 Degrees Cardioid, Rear 90 Degrees Supercardioid, 360 Degrees
  • 120db SPL Handling
  • Frequency response of 70Hz to 20kHz (with a boost around 6kHz)
  • External Mic In can connect general plug-in-power stereo mic
  • Built-in USB 2.0 interface
  • Records in WAV 96kHz/48kHz/44.1kHz at 16-bit or 24-bit, MP3 to 320kbps and Variable Bit Rate (VBR) data formats
  • Time Stamp and Track Marker functions in Broadcast WAV Format (BWF)
  • Time stamp function
  • 1GB SD memory card included
  • Accommodates up to 4GB SDHC memory cards
  • Auto Gain Control (AGC) for pristine recordings
  • Auto Start function means you're always ready to record
  • Low-cut filter eliminates wind noise
  • Onboard chromatic Guitar/Bass tuner
  • Has five-sound metronome with pre-count, adjustable from 40-250 BPM
  • Dimensions: 2.5" wide x 4.33" high x 1.26" deep
  • Included Accessories: AC adapter, USB cable, 1GB SD card, desktop stand, mic clip adapter, earbuds, windscreen, stereo Y cable

Record anything, anywhere, anytime with the Zoom H2 portable recorder!
Specification Detail
Manufacturer Part Number H2

H2 Image Gallery

Can We Help?

Sweetwater's friendly and knowledgeable Sales Engineers are regarded as the most experienced and educated professionals in the music industry, with extensive music backgrounds and intense training on the latest products and technologies. As your personal contact here at Sweetwater, they are available to provide personalized advice any time you need it.
Call toll-free (800) 222-4700 or E-mail us

Be the first to review this product

Zoom H2

by Pauline S Corbett from Medford NY
August 12, 2011
Music Background: Hobbyist
The Zoom HD2 is awsome. The recordings are clear, full of sound, and it's easy to use. It's great for Jam sessions, demo making, and recording live music. The recording time is great, 4 hours,but I bo... read more [+]ught an 8MB card and with it you get over 12 hours of recording. This unit is astounding. close [-]

Amazing bang for the buck

by Chuck Beck from Columbus, OH area
July 27, 2011
Music Background: Composer, musician, Serious hobbyist (unfortunately)
I was looking for a portable CD recorder. I ended up with this, which is way more than I bargained for. Obviously, you're not going to get professional level recording quality for this price, but this... read more [+] gadget really isn't bad! It far exceeds my purposes for it, which is to record live choral performances and do semi-serious demo recordings.

Probably the best thing about it is its ease of use. The owner's instructions are helpful, but really not even necessary, this thing is so easy to figure out and use.

Three days after getting it, I used it to record a choral concert in a church. In the past, I have had a very difficult time getting a usable recording in that church with this group. This time, I didn't even have to do any post-concert processing of the recording, not for levels, not for EQ, not for quality of sound. (Truthfully, I probably could've sweetened things a bit, but I really didn't feel I needed to for the purposes I wanted the recording.)

I am still amazed at the compactness of this recorder, and the very useful accessories that come with it, particularly the mic stand attachment. Even the ear buds that came with it are better than a $60 set of ear buds (Sennheisers) with which I have compared it!

The ability to pop the smart card into my computer is another amazing and extremely useful feature. I tried using a USB connection to download two 50-minute recordings to my computer, and that was REALLY SLOW. It took nearly 45 minutes to transfer approximately 2GB of data using the USB connection. MUCH faster to simply pop the smart card into my computer.

Others I have spoken with have also been amazed at the quality of sound and compactness and set of features for the price built in to this little wonder. Highly recommended! close [-]

cool little recorder

by Monty from Northern Oregon, USA
July 19, 2011
Music Background: amateur wannabe
A friend told me how great these little recorders are, and he was right.
With no messing around, we set it up hit record and jammed.... left it right where it was and plugged in an amp below an... read more [+]d behind it... everything came through wonderfully.

Thanks John Ptak....taking very personal care of us low budget recordists.... close [-]

Oustanding little device

by m from Sheridan, Or.
May 30, 2011
Music Background: Hobbyist Recording Engineer :)
Put some batteries in, did a test, everything worked....
Then a friend came over to do some jamming on acoustic, a first run in an untreated room, I set the zoom up, and it did an excellent ... read more [+]job of capturing everything, even including the electric guitar (sitting on a stool in front of and 3 feet above the amp). My friend was blown away,and he will be getting one also. close [-]

Sweetwater Advice

Carson McClain
The H2 is the most popular handheld recorder Sweetwater has seen in a long time. I have sold this to band members, spoken word artists, reporters, moms, dads, brothers, and sisters. Somehow it always ends up in the hands of the musician in the family... hmmmmmm. Add on the necessary 2 GB SD card for maximum recording capabilities.
Read more reviews

I am amazed at the level of customer serivce I received for my first order. Great Job! The entire process was smooth and efficient. I also loved the candy touch. What a lovely treat!


Mary Ann, Point Pleasant Boro, NJ
See Also: Portable Recorders , Zoom , Zoom Portable Recorders

Zoom H2

Today's Payment: $59.66
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Get your Zoom H2 now and spread out the payments!


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