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Studio & Recording > Recorders > Portable Recorders > Zoom H4 Handy Recorder

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Zoom H4n Handy Recorder Zoom H4n Handy Recorder
24-bit/96kHz Digital 4-track Recorder with 2 Built-in Microphones, XLR and hi-Z Inputs, 50 Onboard DSP Effects, Time-stamping, and Included 2GB SD Card

Retail Price: $464.99
Save 42% when you buy today!
Sale Price: $269.99

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Zoom H4 Handy Recorder (No Longer Available)

4-track Portable Recorder with Built-in Effects, Phantom-powered Mic Inputs, and 24-bit Capability

Sorry, the Zoom H4 Handy Recorder 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:

A Compact 4-track Recorder with a Ton of Features!

The Zoom H4 4-track recorder actually fits in the palm of your hand! It's perfect for just about any mobile recording application. The H4 is a multi-function device with a 4-track mode for easy-to-use multitrack work, a stereo mode (2-track) for handy field recording, and even a USB interface for computer recording. Built-in, high-quality X/Y pattern stereo microphones give you great sound reproduction and an accurate stereo picture, while features such as phantom-powered XLR inputs, onboard effects, and flexible recording options make the H4 a very powerful, very compact recorder.

Zoom H4 Handy Recorder at a Glance:
  • Built-in mics, XLR and hi-Z inputs, plus effects
  • Records in 16- or 24-bit PCM and MP3 formats
  • USB recording interface capability
  • Easy to use, long battery life

Built-in mics, XLR and hi-Z inputs, plus effects
The H4 features dual electret condenser mics built in plus two XLR/1/4" combination jacks with 48-volt phantom power. A hi-Z input handles guitars and basses. The H4 is loaded with recording effects (compressor, limiter, and mic modeler for stereo mode) and guitar effects drawn from the Zoom G2.

Records in 16- or 24-bit PCM and MP3 formats
The H4 is designed with a maximum of flexibility in recording formats. It handles 16-bit/44.1kHz PCM, 24-bit PCM, and MP3 from 48kbps-320kbps. A 128MB Secure Digital card is included. With an optional 2GB SD memory card, the H4 provides up to 380 minutes of recording in 16-bit mode (CD quality) and 34 hours in MP3 stereo mode.

It's a USB audio interface
The H4 also will function as a direct audio interface for your computer. Connect the supplied USB cable and record directly to your DAW. And the H4 comes bundled with Cubase LE from Steinberg so you can start to produce and edit music straight away. Thanks to the direct hardware monitoring function, there is no latency problem, you can hear what you're recording as you're playing it

Easy to use, long battery life
The H4 offers a backlit 128 x 64 LCD display for visual feedback of the recording process. Using just two AA batteries, the H4 can provide up to four hours of continuous recording. A windshield cover and a tripod mount adapter are included.


Zoom H4 Handy Recorder Features:
  • Dual-function 4-track and stereo recording modes
  • Two built-in electret condenser microphones
  • Dual XLR/combination inputs with phantom power
  • High-impedance input for guitar, bass and synth
  • Guitar effects equivalent to Zoom G2
  • DSP with compressor, limiter and mic modeling
  • Bundled with Cubase LE
  • Includes USB audio and mass-storage interfaces.
  • Records on SD media cards (up to 2GB), 512MB card included

Field recording is in the palm of your hand with the Zoom H4!
Specification Detail
Manufacturer Part Number ZH4

H4 Handy Recorder 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

Reviews

Best 300

by SANDS from
April 23, 2009
Music Background: Writing/Recording
Probably the best 300.00 I have ever spent. I have used it for lectures, band practice, writing, film sound scapes etc....This thing packs a great punch for the money. As an interface it works great t... read more [+]oo. The built in effects are easy to use and work well. Running two LDC is no problem either. The converters aren't as good as my Apogee, but they are very usable. When working on parts of songs, I load them as a stereo file on the SD card and use the four track mode with a click to practice against. There are so many uses for this thing, buy one! close [-]

Just add external mics and you have world-class sound

by Bryan from Georgia
November 23, 2008
Music Background: Recording Engineer, Live Sound, etc.
I was not expecting much from the H4. I bought this mostly as a quick and easy two-track recorder for an outdoor film shoot. I then tried it with a pair of Earthworks QTC-1 mics and was floored by jus... read more [+]t how good the built in preamps and converters were. I get stunning results with nothing but the H4 and my QTC-1's. I am now able to setup and record a 2-track session in about 15 minutes.

Also note this is mostly with live classical recitals. The onboard preamps and converters are good enough for that kind of environment!

My only gripe is the battery drain that happens when running phantom power, but it's no surprise when you are doing 48v phantom power with two 1.5v batteries. Too bad there isn't an add-on lithium battery. Regardless, I use the included AC adapter and I'm good to go.

Using 48/24, this recorder provides great, low-noise recordings. The built in mics are nothing to scoff at either. Definitely the best bang-for-the-buck recorder right now! close [-]

Great portable recorder for the price

by Matthew King from Springdale, AR
November 3, 2008
Music Background: Recording Engineer, Live Sound Engineer, Hobbyist
As a singer in a men's chorale, our director needed to record rehearsals so he can prepare for the following rehearsal. Little did we know that this little jewel of a recorder did so much. I set it ... read more [+]up on a mic stand and hit record and let it go. A 2GB card gives me 3+ hours of CD-quality recording time. Just for kicks we started using it to record performances so as not to require a "sound guy" to manage recording. The built-in condensers do an adequate job in a good room. Having the OPTION to record from the phantom-power-capable XLRs is a huge plus. I'd like to hear them with a pair of Neumann or Mojave condensers, but on a tight budget, you can't do much better than the H4.

Thanks to my sales agent, Jeffrey Green, for the recommendation. When your agent owns one, you know their recommendation is solid. close [-]

So Versatile

by Jon R. from Lansdale, PA USA
September 22, 2008
Music Background: Digital Audio Production major, Hobbyist
When I bought my H4, I thought I'd just use it for field recording, but then I realized that not only could I use my AKG phantom powered mics with it's 2 mic inputs, but the H4 also punctions great as... read more [+] a usb audio interface. My projects sound like they were recorded in a pro sound studio and I didn't have to spend a lot of money. close [-]

inSync Review

by: Daniel Lawson
I was sitting in our city’s largest mall looking to record the mall’s ambience for a... read more »
Read more reviews

The level of customer service and resources like your sales engineers is unrivaled in the industry. Just fantastic!


Jordan, Marquette, MI
See Also: Field Recorders , Zoom , Zoom Portable Recorders

Zoom H4 Handy Recorder

Today's Payment: $99.98
Includes $10 processing fee
Payment 2: $89.98
In approx. 30 days
Payment 3: $89.98
In approx. 60 days

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