Zoom H4N vs. Tascam DR-100 at DVinfo.net

Ben Tolosa · October 17th, 2010, 07:56 PM

Hi there,

I have finished with my research. I do not currently have the need to make a choice, but I just wanted to open a 'Versus' thread about these two sound recorders only for the Joe who is in the middle of the same research. Yes, there is plenty of stuff here about them, but no post ONLY about these two.

I have a Rode NTG-3 and I finally got a Tascam DR-100 over the H4N.

Why?

These were my key points to go with the DR-100:

* Separate Line out and Headphone outputs.
* Dual battery source (AAs and rechargeable Lithium battery)
* Ruggeder built.
* I do not have the need of 4 channels.
* External dial (manual) levels wheels (no digital through menu) for your XLR inputs.

You might have different needs and the H4N will work best for you. But if anybody wants to ask or add more information about these two or their differences please feel free to add.

The independent Joe filmmaker (such as myself) will definitely appreciate it.

Cheers!!

Brian Luce · October 18th, 2010, 01:08 AM

I exchanged my Zoom for a Tascam for the reasons you enumerate -- especially the battery and manual level controls.

The Zoom also had a laughably bad instructions manual and the other thing I found annoying was that it seemed too musician friendly, built in metronome etc.

I couldn't however say which had better audio, they both seem great to my ears.

Rick Reineke · October 18th, 2010, 11:45 AM

FWIW, I concur with Ben's findings. Based on my experience with Tascam and Zoom products, but without ever having used either specific model, I would choose the Tascam.. if having four discrete tracks is not an issue.

Jean-Philippe Archibald · October 18th, 2010, 12:46 PM

While I am sure that both units works perfectly well for double system audio recording, some things I like better on the zoom:

The ability to input line level through the XLR connectors
The ability to record at 24 bits 96khz vs 48 on the tascam
The fact that the AC adapter is included and not optional like the tascam
The ability to record 4 tracks of audio (Very handy!)

Definitely, the ability to set the gain independently on each track on the tascam is a huge plus as well.

Richard D. George · October 18th, 2010, 02:09 PM

My research has led me to a Marantz Professional 661 with the (significant) Oade modifications, which I will buy over a Zoom H4n or a Tascam DR 100.

Others mileage, as they say, will vary.

Brian Luce · October 18th, 2010, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard D. George

My research has led me to a Marantz Professional 661 with the (significant) Oade modifications, which I will buy over a Zoom H4n or a Tascam DR 100.

Others mileage, as they say, will vary.

That's quite a bit more money isn't it?

Btw, it's true the Tascam doesn't have AC adapter. But it charges off any USB port, which I love. And my Droid charger works on the Tascam lucky for me.

Dante Waters · October 19th, 2010, 05:14 AM

Any usb port... Good to know.

Richard D. George · October 19th, 2010, 10:21 AM

Here is a useful comparison. Note the Sony that is rated higher than the Tascam, for not much more cost.

Portable Recorder Reviews

Brian Luce · October 19th, 2010, 02:18 PM

I think that's old pricing, I paid a lot less than that from B&H.

Also, I can't remember if the Zoom has this feature, but the TASCAM has a red idiot light to indicate peaks as well as the regular screen level bars. I do appreciate them.

Anyone know if the firmware giving the Tascam 96hz is out yet?

Ben Tolosa · October 19th, 2010, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Luce

I exchanged my Zoom for a Tascam for the reasons you enumerate -- especially the battery and manual level controls.

The Zoom also had a laughably bad instructions manual and the other thing I found annoying was that it seemed too musician friendly, built in metronome etc.

I couldn't however say which had better audio, they both seem great to my ears.

Well Brian, that is nice to know. I haven't have the chance to try the H4N or the DR-100 before purchase. So, I based my decision purely on what I have read on line.

I feel I made the right choice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Reineke

FWIW, I concur with Ben's findings. Based on my experience with Tascam and Zoom products, but without ever having used either specific model, I would choose the Tascam.. if having four discrete tracks is not an issue.

Very much indeed.... ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jean-Philippe Archibald

While I am sure that both units works perfectly well for double system audio recording, some things I like better on the zoom:

The ability to input line level through the XLR connectors
The ability to record at 24 bits 96khz vs 48 on the tascam
The fact that the AC adapter is included and not optional like the tascam
The ability to record 4 tracks of audio (Very handy!)

Definitely, the ability to set the gain independently on each track on the tascam is a huge plus as well.

That is great to know since I had not have the chance to play with the H4N. I am sure is also a great device as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Luce

That's quite a bit more money isn't it?

Btw, it's true the Tascam doesn't have AC adapter. But it charges off any USB port, which I love. And my Droid charger works on the Tascam lucky for me.

Hey Brian,

Yes the Marantz Professional 661 is more expensive and according to my research, it seems to be a (slightly?) better bet than these two (in terms of quality). However, there is another thread about that device and these two. I opened this one just because I wasn't able to find a specific thread about these two devices only. My budget set a limit and the 2 devices fitting that budget were these 2.

Have a nice week you all!!

John Isgren · December 2nd, 2010, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Luce

I think that's old pricing, I paid a lot less than that from B&H.

Also, I can't remember if the Zoom has this feature, but the TASCAM has a red idiot light to indicate peaks as well as the regular screen level bars. I do appreciate them.

Anyone know if the firmware giving the Tascam 96hz is out yet?

The Zoom will flash yellow at -6dB and then red at 0db for clipping. These indicators are on both the unit itself as well as on the wired remote. This is very handy when I am recording band concerts with the Zoom mounted up on a tall stand.

Chad Johnson · December 2nd, 2010, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard D. George

Here is a useful comparison. Note the Sony that is rated higher than the Tascam, for not much more cost.

Portable Recorder Reviews

Hey Richard, that recorder review page is really handy! Thanks.

Erik Andersen · December 3rd, 2010, 06:19 AM

We've had some glitchy behaviour with the Tascam. In a couple of instances, files have been corrupted. Also, the battery life of the Tascam is atrocious. Finally, it is cheap plastic. The 1/4 screw mount in the rear broke after only a couple of months. So we no longer use it and have returned to using the Zoom H4N. My only problem with the Zoom is the high noise floor. But for the event work I do it's not really an issue.

I think it's time something better came along though! Neither the Zoom nor the Tascam are even close to being pro units.

Steve House · December 3rd, 2010, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erik Andersen

...I think it's time something better came along though! Neither the Zoom nor the Tascam are even close to being pro units.

You have to at least double the price before you get to something that is even close to an entry level professional quality unit. While you can do professional work with consumer gear - sometimes - it is still true that you get what you pay for.

David W. Jones · December 3rd, 2010, 12:34 PM

As Steve points out, these are not pro level field recorders, and an SD 702 is a huge leap in cost for a pro level recorder from this level.
With that being said, I have used the the relatively inexpensive H4N effectively many times as a field recorder being fed from an SD 302.

All the Best!

October 17th, 2010, 07:56 PM	#1
Ben Tolosa Major Player Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Hartford, VT Posts: 201	Zoom H4N vs. Tascam DR-100 Hi there, I have finished with my research. I do not currently have the need to make a choice, but I just wanted to open a 'Versus' thread about these two sound recorders only for the Joe who is in the middle of the same research. Yes, there is plenty of stuff here about them, but no post ONLY about these two. I have a Rode NTG-3 and I finally got a Tascam DR-100 over the H4N. Why? These were my key points to go with the DR-100: * Separate Line out and Headphone outputs. * Dual battery source (AAs and rechargeable Lithium battery) * Ruggeder built. * I do not have the need of 4 channels. * External dial (manual) levels wheels (no digital through menu) for your XLR inputs. You might have different needs and the H4N will work best for you. But if anybody wants to ask or add more information about these two or their differences please feel free to add. The independent Joe filmmaker (such as myself) will definitely appreciate it. Cheers!!

October 18th, 2010, 12:46 PM	#4
Jean-Philippe Archibald Trustee Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Saguenay, Québec, Canada Posts: 1,051	While I am sure that both units works perfectly well for double system audio recording, some things I like better on the zoom: The ability to input line level through the XLR connectors The ability to record at 24 bits 96khz vs 48 on the tascam The fact that the AC adapter is included and not optional like the tascam The ability to record 4 tracks of audio (Very handy!) Definitely, the ability to set the gain independently on each track on the tascam is a huge plus as well. __________________ Jean-Philippe Archibald http://www.jparchibald.com - http://www.vimeo.com/jparchib

December 3rd, 2010, 06:19 AM	#13
Erik Andersen Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Vancouver Canada Posts: 218	We've had some glitchy behaviour with the Tascam. In a couple of instances, files have been corrupted. Also, the battery life of the Tascam is atrocious. Finally, it is cheap plastic. The 1/4 screw mount in the rear broke after only a couple of months. So we no longer use it and have returned to using the Zoom H4N. My only problem with the Zoom is the high noise floor. But for the event work I do it's not really an issue. I think it's time something better came along though! Neither the Zoom nor the Tascam are even close to being pro units. __________________ Canon 5D Mark II \|\| L-Series Lenses \|\| Steadicam Pilot \|\| Final Cut Studio www.lovestorymedia.com

December 3rd, 2010, 12:34 PM	#15
David W. Jones Trustee Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Little Rock Posts: 1,383	As Steve points out, these are not pro level field recorders, and an SD 702 is a huge leap in cost for a pro level recorder from this level. With that being said, I have used the the relatively inexpensive H4N effectively many times as a field recorder being fed from an SD 302. All the Best! __________________ David W. Jones www.joneshdfilms.com

October 18th, 2010, 01:08 AM	#2
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	I exchanged my Zoom for a Tascam for the reasons you enumerate -- especially the battery and manual level controls. The Zoom also had a laughably bad instructions manual and the other thing I found annoying was that it seemed too musician friendly, built in metronome etc. I couldn't however say which had better audio, they both seem great to my ears.

October 18th, 2010, 11:45 AM	#3
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,039	FWIW, I concur with Ben's findings. Based on my experience with Tascam and Zoom products, but without ever having used either specific model, I would choose the Tascam.. if having four discrete tracks is not an issue.

October 18th, 2010, 02:09 PM	#5
Richard D. George Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 351	My research has led me to a Marantz Professional 661 with the (significant) Oade modifications, which I will buy over a Zoom H4n or a Tascam DR 100. Others mileage, as they say, will vary.

October 19th, 2010, 05:14 AM	#7
Dante Waters Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: NY, NY Posts: 217	Any usb port... Good to know.

October 19th, 2010, 10:21 AM	#8
Richard D. George Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 351	Here is a useful comparison. Note the Sony that is rated higher than the Tascam, for not much more cost. Portable Recorder Reviews

October 19th, 2010, 02:18 PM	#9
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	I think that's old pricing, I paid a lot less than that from B&H. Also, I can't remember if the Zoom has this feature, but the TASCAM has a red idiot light to indicate peaks as well as the regular screen level bars. I do appreciate them. Anyone know if the firmware giving the Tascam 96hz is out yet?