<p>Thanks to this thread I just bought the H2 Zoom (my daughter’s birthday request was a digital recorder for recording lessons.) She’s been using the flip cam, but doesn’t want/need the video, which takes forever to upload. I opted for the older H2 because I got a great deal on Amazon (and had some coupons, so the recorder ended up costing very little out of pocket.) I also like the fact that it takes AA batteries instead of a proprietary rechargeable battery. Bulkier, yes, but you can keep a bunch of spare batteries with you in case you run out unexpectedly. Also, should you be traveling out of country, you don’t need to bring a converter. Maybe I’m over-rationalizing buying the older version, but I think it will do the trick and be easier to use than the very complicated mini-disk recorder we bought in the early years of last decade and never really mastered.</p>
<p>MusicMuse,</p>
<p>in that price range, I agree with glassharmonica that the Zoom H2 is a very good choice. I have seen it on sale at a number of places for about $140. It would work fine for recording lessons and classes. It would not be my first choice for recording something like an audition or a recital, but it could do a serviceable job even there.</p>
<p>My main quibbles with the H2 are its tiny screen (not terrible for young eyes, I suppose) and that, while there is a Low-Medium-High switch for setting microphone levels, you have to go into the menus to set levels with more resolution than that. In a lesson situation, after a little experimentation to determine placement of the unit, the Low-Medium-High switch should be fine.</p>
<p>I have heard recordings of the same concert made simultaneously with an H4n and an H2, both using the internal microphones. I liked the results from the H4n a bit better, but part of that might have been where the unit was placed relative to the musicians. Both did a decent job, all things considered.</p>
<p>Thank you, BassDad and glassharmonica!</p>
<p>I could be wrong, but I’m fairly certain the Zoom Q3 has the exact same sound-recording quality, perhaps minus one control, as the Zoom H2. You can check on the website. If so, why not have the video ability available to you, just in case? There is a switch to go from audio only to audio/video. (Like I said, the audio is amazing; the video is so-so, but still nice to have.) It can also be used in audio-only mode as an external video. Download is instant, just like the H2, because it uses an SD card. So it is essentially an H2 with “okay” video. Just my two cents.</p>
<p>ETA: But like everyone else, waiting eagerly for the HD video version of the Q3. That’s gonna take the cake.</p>
<p>Note that the Q3 goes for about $250, though.</p>
<p>Q3 is currently on Amazon for $219. Of course, the reduction may mean that the HD video one can’t be too far away. (BTW, the Q3 reviews on Amazon paint a very accurate picture. You don’t buy it for the video; you buy it for the sound. The video is icing on the cake.)</p>
<p>Hi BassDad,</p>
<p>Just curious, if you were to buy one studio-quality condenser for use with the H4n, which would it be?</p>
<p>bratsche,</p>
<p>With so many to choose from, can you narrow things down a little? Did you have an upper limit on price in mind? Is there a specific application (in addition to recording solo viola) that it will often be used for? What sort of acoustic space will you use it in? Do you lean more toward something that is very accurate in capturing precisely what is played, or would you prefer a microphone that produces a fuller, warmer sound?</p>
<p>Realize that a single condenser is not going to produce a stereo sound image all by itself. Yes, it can be used in conjunction with the internal H4n microphones, but if you do that you may find that you then have to go back and remix the sound to get the relative levels right and to put whatever you recorded with the external condenser into a more central spot in the stereo mix rather than panned hard left or hard right. Trying to get two very different microphones to work well together can be tough.</p>
<p>Hmm… let’s say not above US$300? Solo viola, but perhaps also string quartets, or other chamber groups, perhaps occasionally with piano? Acoustic space – let’s say that in school you can probably have access to a reasonably resonant recital hall seating from 100-400. I think I would probably prefer a fuller warmer sound.</p>
<p>I have seen people in other forums suggesting the AMT404 set of two, which goes for about US$230 on Amazon. Might that be a good choice?</p>
<p>If you are willing to spend up to $300 for a pair, then I suggest you have a look at the Avantone CK1. They have a slightly wider frequency range and a lower noise floor than the 404’s, plus they come with hypercardioid and omnidirectional capsules, which makes them more versatile. Like the 404’s, these are also small diaphragm condensers meaning that they are more prone to accuracy than warmth and do not need to be placed right on top of the instruments. That is a nice feature in live concert situations because you can either fly them from the ceiling or put them on a tall stand a little distance from the stage and have that much less hardware directly between you and the audience.</p>
<p>If you are looking for a single studio microphone with a warmer tone that can be found for $300 with a little shopping around, you might take a look at the AKG Perception 420. It is the large diameter version of a multi pattern condenser, which means it would be generally used closer to the instruments than a small diameter condenser, but would give a warmer sound.</p>
<p>Thank you BassDad! I’ll certainly look into the mics you mentioned.</p>
<p>Coming late into this thread but it you’re a vocalist, look at Roland’s Eridol R09-HR (particularly if you’re a soprano w/a high top). I got a good deal at Amazon – new, less than 300 (just).</p>
<p>If (MusicMuse) the purpose is to record lessons, then you might think about getting a pin-microphone for the IPOD touch/IPHONE.</p>
<p>When D was making her prescreening CDs for grad school, the ERIDOL was by the best.</p>
<p>Thanks so much, RCLCSKI! It looks as though both our D’s will be at CIM next year!! :-)</p>