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This is not a complete review of the Zoom H4 as initial testing was done to verify analog input noise/frequency performance. Noise/frequency response measurements were so poor, I stopped more thorough testing and canceled doing a full review. This deck was NOT going to be suitable for most recordists requiring adequate audio quality.

Introduction:

I admit to having a bad feeling about the H4 when a few customers asked about it last year. And one kind taper on www.taperssection.com newsgroup offered me a loan a few months back that I passed on because of this feeling, and having ability to do a quick evaluation/return was questionable.

But one musician customer previously using a Sharp MD was motivated to buy the H4 for having 4-track mix features felt useful for her purposes, so I agreed to test the unit.

The 'Swiss Army Knife' Recording Deck for Musicians !

Seems just about everyone, and especially musicians, is awed by the H4's very low cost and features. H4 has dual balanced XLR mic/unbalanced 1/4" TS mic/line input, 48 volt mic phantom power, 16/24bit depth, VBR MP3 and 44.1/48/96K .wav file recording modes, and unique 4 channel recording mixer mode allowing mulitrack session with inside-the-deck editing. On deck mics, instrument tuner, metronome, many types of instrument/editing effects. Easy powering is accomplished using just (2) AA alkaline or NiCAD/NiMH type cells

H4 is also unique in ability to become USB recording soundcard output directly into a PC or MAC computer.

Some noted feature shortfalls is limited up-to-2GIG SD card storage (some reports of 4 GIG cards working OK), and buried menu REC level control not ganged for stereo 2-track mode. This means limited 24 bit depth recording time, and awkward time consuming REC level adjustments during live session.

Summary: Bottom line in my opinion is unless deck gets a complete redesign, only hope for H4 is restoring flat bandwidth to >40K cycles AND using external mic pre to overcome switching power supply noise. Redesign is NOT likely at this point as H4 model seems to have been around for going on 2 years with Samson saying everything is fine in their opinion.

NOTES TO THE WISE: Sans needing H4's high frequency bandwidth restoration, using an external preamp seems a necessary upgrade for virtually ALL low cost flash decks used for at least acoustic recording purposes with moderately low output mics. In perspective, it took Sony 2 1/2 generations of DAT deck refinement for mic preamp to start to get really usable, and the best was 4.5 generation M1 model. More realistic to expect low costing flash deck refinement in 2 more generations where switching power supply noise is not such an issue, and external mic preamp is not so needed for acoustic recording with most microphones.

Initially found the H4's preamp full of high frequency switching noise (see spectrum at left), and the Line/phones output was severely bandwidth limited as noted in the post so tested noise/bandwidth ONLY with external preamp.

I reasoned if H4 is going to be usable at all for mic recording, it had to be in the lowest sensitivity 'line level' setting using the unbalanced dual TS input. As the graph previously posted shows, with external PA-3SX preamp the H4 is acceptably quiet enough for serious consideration.

However, the limited high frequency bandwidth (which was measured several times because I couldn't believe it to be that bad) was the showstopper removing any hope of serious use as a recorder.

Doubtful the "M/H" input settings have more available bandwidth. This is moot because noise is way excessive on all input settings on this deck.

Using this deck with AC adapter to reduce noise to acceptable level is a possibility, but makes this deck useless for the purposes of versatile portable recording, so not a "fix' option unless only interest is AC powered computer-connected recording where lower noise is claimed 'not-a-problem.'

WORST NEWS is this deck DOES NOT HAVE smooth frequency response. Two reductions of 6000 cycles and another roll-off at 15000 cycles (see below). Highest quality 96K sample rate shows another serious reduction knee at 35000 cycles. There is little excuse for the declining high frequency that looks like the mediocre audio performance of a prosumer camcorder.

Less troublesome is the LINE and Headphones output frequency rolls off even more severe, sounding to me more like an AM radio with <5000 cycles bandwidth!

Also consider all noise, including switching noise, at output of audio circuits is ALWAYS reduced by rolling off the high frequency audio bandwidth response like was found. So I feel the limited bandwidth is a 'noise fix' done with firmware same as the 'mic modeling' feature operating with the internal mics?

If the bandwidth is being limited (at the three 'knee' frequencies noted) to reduce the noise with 'modeling' process firmware, then possibility to remove this when in 'LINE' level mode so external preamp gives H4 a chance of decent quality recording not yet possible in the (defective?) unit tested.

Of course, if full bandwidth flat to 45k cycles is established like it should have, high frequency noise in the graph is going to rise, and if not already noticing, the low frequency noise in the H4 is quite high.

More BAD NEWS is H4 DOES NOT naturally work well as external computer soundcard recording function. Reason is horrendous noise (see above USB I/O connected spectrum), at least while running on USB power directly. Research indicates Zoom engineers know this, and there's evidence that connecting H4 up to the AC adapter reduces this noise, allowing more useful, less noisy external soundcard function?

SanDisk ULTRA II 2GB SD

NOTE: Tested OK for all audio recording purposes. This type SD flash have minimum +9 MB/SEC SEQUENTIAL write speed, and available in *2 GIG size. Recommended for consistent reliability and excellent unlimited lifetime warranty.

Kingston Elite Pro 2GB SD

Kingston brand is highly regarded for quality + excellent unlimited lifetime warranty. +50x rated. Available in *2 GIG

Transcend 2GB SD

ADVISORY: As with most memory products, most consistent performance is with purchasing name brand showing suitable specifications for your application, AND verified reports from satisfied users of same deck model/firmware who are ALSO recording at the exact same file rates you intend to use.

Might be BEST TO NOT USE ACCELERATED super speed flash memory technology for audio recording purposes.

Advanced flash with acceleration write modes using data burst techniques might be speedier for writing/reading non-continuous written camera files. Non-continuous burst protocol modes sometimes disrupt reliable continuous mode audio recording and certainly offer NO advantages for audio recording.

AVOID newer SDHC cards that DO NOT WORK in H4 deck

TIP: ALWAYS freshly format the flash card INSIDE the deck whenever removed from the deck for purpose of transferring files with a separate card reader. Do NOT computer format H4 flash as deck adds specific H4 required file folders to the card.

Also a very good idea to freshly format the card even if left always inside the deck. Do this every time all needed files have been safely transferred and all remaining files are to be deleted. Reformatting flash card erases ALL stored files and allows most reliable new file creation by the deck.