Zoom H2 - Line in Quality and M&S issue at DVinfo.net

Jimmy Tuffrey · October 8th, 2007, 05:09 PM

I have a Zoom H2 and am planning to take it back for a refund.

The line in is frankly dreadful. It has distortion all over it. I was hoping to retire my old mini disc which is fiddly in the field. However the mini disc quality far out performs this zoom H2 even though the data rate is far higher on the zoom , the line in is appalling.

Also I recorded a quietish gig with the built in mics and could not avoid distortion. The little red light flashed even though the meters were 12db under when peaking!

I don't think that I am expecting too much from this thing to have some semblance of quality.

My question is... or are they all this bad?

Also I read on a web site (Digital Village), that there was 3 capsules and it did M&S but the instructions say there is 4 in two X-Y configerations... any one know anything about this....?

Much obliged for any insights....

Dan Bridges · October 8th, 2007, 10:19 PM

1.The problem is that the A/D converter is before the level control. When you select a level <100 you can overload the A/D input well before hitting 0 dBFS on the meter. Sweet spot is 100-127 and using L/M gain setting. One way is to use an external input pad.

Check on the H2 & H4 forums ("fora" sounds strange) at http://www.2090.org/zoom/bbs/viewforum.php?f=15

2. The final release was delayed while Zoom regigged the mic setup. So it changed from 3 mics to 4.

October 8th, 2007, 05:09 PM	#1
Jimmy Tuffrey Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bristol U.K. Posts: 244	Zoom H2 - Line in Quality and M&S issue I have a Zoom H2 and am planning to take it back for a refund. The line in is frankly dreadful. It has distortion all over it. I was hoping to retire my old mini disc which is fiddly in the field. However the mini disc quality far out performs this zoom H2 even though the data rate is far higher on the zoom , the line in is appalling. Also I recorded a quietish gig with the built in mics and could not avoid distortion. The little red light flashed even though the meters were 12db under when peaking! I don't think that I am expecting too much from this thing to have some semblance of quality. My question is... or are they all this bad? Also I read on a web site (Digital Village), that there was 3 capsules and it did M&S but the instructions say there is 4 in two X-Y configerations... any one know anything about this....? Much obliged for any insights....

October 8th, 2007, 10:19 PM	#2
Dan Bridges Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 39	1.The problem is that the A/D converter is before the level control. When you select a level <100 you can overload the A/D input well before hitting 0 dBFS on the meter. Sweet spot is 100-127 and using L/M gain setting. One way is to use an external input pad. Check on the H2 & H4 forums ("fora" sounds strange) at http://www.2090.org/zoom/bbs/viewforum.php?f=15 2. The final release was delayed while Zoom regigged the mic setup. So it changed from 3 mics to 4.