Not sure if you guys have seen this new model yet. Looks interesting though.
http://news.harmony-central.com/Newp/2009/Zoom-H4n-Handheld-Recorder-.html

Great find Sqeak thanx~

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 02-10-2009).]

It sure is a nice little recorder. Gotta hand it to them. Zoom makes some nice stuff. I have two of their drum machines and one of their acoustic effects pedals.

Looks easier to operate then the H4 also.

You would love their HD8 and 16 series "Home Studios" Both a computer DAW interface and control surface and stand alone recorders that can create CDs on board. Less than $500 for the 8 track. Amazing when compared to Boss, Tascam and some other HS recorders.

Great for Non computer savvy musicians who may eventually incorporate a PC into the mix.

I've used those Zoom multi-tracks! They're VERY nice and I really like the layout on them.

I'm going to sell my Fostex MR8 and pick up one of these Zoom's. My Fostex has had very little use too. Hopefully I can get a decent amount of $ for it. My Fostex doesn't even compare to Zooms 8 trk model. Did you see the 16 trk model just had a $100 price drop? It's now selling for $599!!!!!

Squeak save your money....
http://www.acoustica.com/mixcraft/


Awesome recording program....& the price is right

Yes.., that's a nice program Donny. However.., I'm looking for a hardware unit. I like the software, but being a guitar player..., I guess I still got that "hardware crave" flowing through my veins

Squeak take a good look at the mixcraft 4 program.....it easily handles guitar ro any ionstuyrment plugged into an interface...not to mention all the great sounds 7 loops it has......heres some demo videos...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DW-qpbqsXM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIZLzXC2hjc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT9MuP2QID8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH4GJgB2CVw

I know it's more the capable of handling guitar recording Donny..., but I need a hardware unit. I want something portable and not as fragile as a laptop. I have no desire to drag a laptop around with me. This is where good hardware units come in. This model has effects, drums, internal burner, physical (and not virtual) sliders.., ect.

Good luck Squeak

Yeah.., I'm gonna get one Just gotta sell my Fostex MR8 first. It's nice that this unit has the drum/bass integrated. Zoom makes some good gear and always has them priced reasonably. If you look at the spec list for the 8 trk version it's really a great deal. Sure a software program is nice..., I will def agree to that.., but the hardware unit gives you quick access (hands on) to parameters that require you to point and click with the computer.., plus the Zoom has drum pads and the computer use would require a pad controller. There are small pad controllers out there like the Nano, but again that's something extra added to the laptop. The Zoom gives you all that in one package.

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 02-10-2009).]

The days for my H2 might be numbered! I love that thing but it has two flaws...

First is no attenuation of the line in signal, so you need an external volume control
or it will clip (most boards can't control their RCA outs without lowering the channel gains)
and the other is, although it will do four channel recording, it can't record the line ins
and a mike pair at the same time, what you usually need to do a good live recording including the board mix and out front.

I love the pre-record feature, too, along with the remote. No more missed starts!

Shame it's so big, though... and I would go myopic trying to use this as a four track studio recorder!

Use the right tool for the right job, I say!

Zoom just raised the bar...

CNET blogs have it at $500 with street price around $360...

So, quite a lot more than the H2 (which we've seen for as little as @$150 lately) but a slew of new and better features.
Puts it a LOT closer to the Edirol's and Sony's though....

[This message has been edited by Diki (edited 02-10-2009).]

I saw a few places on the I'net priced at $349 US ...
t.

I couldn't see anywhere on the Zoom site whether it does the folder recording that the H2 does...
That's a fairly nifty feature, where if you want to record AND use it as a break music device,
you can have them in different folders so they don't get mixed in together. Still needs a playlist function though...

Seems a waste to have an mp3/.wav device and not be able to easily use it for break music.
With the H4n, seems like you are STILL going to need an iPod as well...

Diki ... I have not used one of these, so my question is out of ignorance, but what does the word "FOLDER" on the face apply to?
thnx,
t.

Doh...!!

I kept looking for it in the display (where it is on the H2)...

Still needs a playlist function, though. On the H2 it plays the files alphabetically (no ID3 tag functions)
so if you want them in a particular order, you have to rename them, add a number to the beginning, etc..

(and damn Donny with his huge .jpg's! )

[This message has been edited by Diki (edited 02-10-2009).]