Zoom H1 Essential vs Zoom H1n: Don’t Buy Until You Watch This!

[@FreeToUseSounds]

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[@stephensears7483]

I love your channel- I started sound recording because of you. I think there is more to say in comparing the two devices. The button placement differences, the screen differences, usb-c vs micro-usb,and so on. I like using the H1E more, especially not having to fiddle with the gain knob that hides under the wind protection. Keep up the good work!

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Thank you, Stephen! You're absolutely right, but we thought there were already so many other videos about this recorder that we decided to focus on the sounds. However, I hear you. What could be interesting for a new model is maybe having a wind protection solution like on the DJI Mic with a clip that prevents the screen cover or even having the screen positioned below. Also, the upper buttons are much quieter now. That said, I liked having the protection ring around the mic capsules on the H1n, which the H1E doesn't have. But its not the last video about the H1e :)

[@32bitSounds]

Good to see you posting on YT again 👍

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Thank you so much! Its great to be back!!

[@panagope]

Hello, i didn;t understand which Zoom H1 you find better. You say " i thing H1 has the edge .. " but which H1 ? H1essential ?

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Ahhhh! We used the wrong clip! I said this like three times. Glad you caught it! In my opinion, the Zoom H1n has the edge.

[@Jaskair]

Same here, I did not get what was said, you pronouce the words so softly ... H1n or H1 Essential? Which one was better? 😅

[@FreeToUseSounds]

@@Jaskair H1n! :)

[@digme]

I'm often mounting my stereo bar on a Rycote portable recorder suspension. It makes a difference when using lightweight mics like Clippy or Line Audio, but I wouldn't have noticed the subtle difference between the two hand recorders in your video.

[@conexaofilosofica]

Thank you very much for the video and comparisons. It was really cool. I have an H4n that doesn't work very well anymore, so I bought an H6 Essential (here in Brazil, the original H6 is much more expensive than the H6e, so I decided to try the latest one). Although I find the H6e more fragile and the recording with its capsule slightly worse than the H4n, I was happy with the purchase. The recorder turns on in seconds, the batteries last forever, the screen is very good and the recording with external microphones is great. I use it for recording podcasts and video lessons (I'm a teacher). For these purposes, I think the Essential series recorders are more than enough.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Hi! Oh yes! I think if you use good microphones you have no problem getting good sounds.

[@tkNAT]

Thank you for this video. I always enjoy watching these comparisons. What I would really love to see are some settings for these different environments. I think it would add a valuable learning aspect to your videos, which I always enjoy watching. :)

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Hi! Lets see if we can make such video with our friend Greg!

[@tkNAT]

@FreeToUseSounds hey, that would be awesome 👍

[@Daniela77111]

I’m also for a such video. I hope will be done soon 🙄

[@shapelesscube]

Great video as always, looking forward to test out the Zoom H1e myself.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Thank you so much!

[@zachpino]

Great comparison video! The Zoom H1n has been my go-to recorder for traveling over the years and it’s super convenient when I can’t carry a larger recording setup. I’ve found the plastic casing around the H1n’s tripod attachment screw, battery cover and side buttons can be a little flimsy and some of the plastic has chipped off after years of using the recorder. Nothing a little glue or tape can’t fix though. I’m curious if the H1 Essential will be more durable over time. Thanks for all the great videos!

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Thank you so much for watching Zach!

[@MMDR7506]

I always wait for your audio. I have a question for you. I have a ZOOM H4 Essential. I was wondering how you set up the recorder for outdoor recording. For example, how do you set up the Lo Cut or specifically the Rec Settings. Thanks as always.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Hi! I personally never use a low-cut filter. If I need to remove rumble, I do it in post, which almost never happens. I try to keep the files as original as possible. For recording settings, I usually stick to either 192kHz or 96kHz, depending on the recorder. Gain control also varies based on the location

[@MMDR7506]

@@FreeToUseSounds Thank you for your kind lessons. I'd also like to see a video of the results of outdoor recording, depending on your setup. I am also learning Adobe Audition. Thank you for letting me have this hobby. I'm having so much fun.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

@@MMDR7506 Thank you so much for watching! Field Recording is wonderful so please never stop recording!

[@brucehutchings]

I am considering getting into this hobby, could you please create a video explaining what the terminology is and how it is used please. Thank you

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Sure!

[@HOLLYWOODlosANGELES]

*Merci pour cette démonstration !*

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Thank you!

[@manutecsounds]

Hi You can also show us how much gain we can use and the setting of the devise if possible in videos. So that we can also learn 😀

[@FreeToUseSounds]

That really depends on the situation and which recorder I use. However, I always adjust the gains when editing the files.

[@Wes_Jones]

I have the H1n and it has been a great little recorder.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

It is a great recorder!

[@paulrigas]

I have the HIn and the H4n which is built like a tank and can use XLR external mics. Mostly for the spoken voice. Using 24 bit is not an issue at this time. Thx for your videos. I missed them in the past.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Thank you so much Paul!

[@Cluniocu]

I am own of Zoom H1n, and is an excellent partner to record field sounds. I haven't a formal opinion about the Essential version, and in your video, I don't find relevant differences between them, but my feeling with your tests is that I will continue with my H1n. Anyway I would like to see the spectral sound of each device. I think it would help to analyze sound waves from a different perspective than of our ears, and it could be relevant from other perspective. Kr

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Hi! Yes you can do that. Download the free sound library! I mentioned it in the video.

[@Cluniocu]

​@@FreeToUseSounds Thanks, yes I know, but I was giving you as idea for other video on your channel 😁

[@FreeToUseSounds]

@@Cluniocu Got it :) Okay lets try this next time!

[@SoundValkyrie]

Thank you for all your valuable information! I have both models and find the H1n to be less noisy and more edgy.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Thank you for sharing your experience!

[@vermarkter]

great video as always! nice to see you came back on youtube i’m interested is there noticeable difference at h2n and h2e. i’t would be great to see your recommendation for owners of recorder what’s needed for field recorder “starter pack”

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Hi! We just received a great comment about the H2n and H2e, and it seems like the H2e has more noise :( To work around this, we’ll try recording in louder environments. Regarding the starter kit, what recorder do you currently own, and what kinds of sounds are you looking to record?

[@vermarkter]

@@FreeToUseSounds thanks for your feedback, it a valuable info! Currently i’m using Zoom H2n. I’m practicing field recordings in the parks, forest, in the city’s. I have “dead cat” with integrated black foam filter inside and pair of NiMH batteries.

[@vermarkter]

I think I understand your question:) Atmospherical sound of the nature that I combine with 20mm FF lens wide video of the place and asmr’s inside my flat.

[@thevideostump46239]

Hello, Hoobilly here and new to the channel..This was really cool to hear the comparison of the two Zooms. I liked the E series for the stream, I could hear the trickle more, the birds I couldn't tell a difference! As for the Night Frogs I got more highs from the N series.. Now, In all fairness I'm listening just out of my Mac's speakers too! However, before I make a decision to buy, I will listen again through my Sennheiser HD 280 Pro's.. Again cool comparison, really close, but leaning more towards the "N"

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Hi Hoobilly! Thank you so much for watching and welcome to the channel! Oh yes please listen with the headphones. You will hear a difference.

[@BacaBaconi]

Thanks for this comparison👌

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@Lazy-Age]

Hi, I also dabbled with sound recording a few years ago because of your excellent videos. I bought an H1n and also the Roland binaural earphone-mics. I hadn't used either for a year or so, but recently started again and now for some reason I am getting terrible hiss whatever the environment, either using the H1n alone or with the earphone-mics. I've tried lowering the gain to around 5.5 but still I get the hiss. Can you offer any possible help as why this is now happening and how I correct it?

[@cryptotrader2779]

The H1e definitely sounded brighter to me (more high end), but the H1n is still a great little recorder. Interesting comparison, and really looking forward to the h2e test. Thanks Marcel, and Libby of course.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Hi Simon! Thank you so much! Also yesterday the H2 Essential arrived and we start filming tomorrow! :)

[@cryptotrader2779]

@@FreeToUseSounds Cool 👍

[@RareFindsSoundDesign]

Great comparison video! I’m curious to know which one you feel is the most robust? I can imagine having the small zoom in an EDC bag or chucked in the bottom of a regular backpack as a backup. With the zoom h1 essentials capsules more exposed I wonder if it would be way easier to break or damage when someone silly like myself is slinging it about 😂

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Hi! I think if you keep the large Radius Wind Protection around it, you should be fine. It's like a massive buffer zone between the asphalt and the capsules. :) I do feel that when holding both in hand, the H1e feels better.

[@RareFindsSoundDesign]

@@FreeToUseSoundshaha yes, a good buffer indeed! Nice, that’s good to note. It would be great if they had a “rugged” version but I don’t imagine the market for that is very large

[@FreeToUseSounds]

@@RareFindsSoundDesign This is not a bad idea! Maybe you just invented a new idea to make your recorder rugged! :) You could create rubber protection around all these smaller recorders!

[@twizzian]

I have an H1n, where should I place it for my motorcycle exhaust sound whilst riding

[@bugdozer]

To me, the H1e sounded a little more clean and a noticeable openness in comparison to the H1N. Thank you!

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Thank you!

[@wretchedworm]

when u said at 12:34 you feel the zoom h1 has the edge, which zoom are u talking about? both are h1. One is h1n the other is h1 essential.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Oh yes, we used the wrong sequence! Sorry about that. Zoom H1n

[@EQAVOX]

That’s a little disappointing- there is a lot more self noise on the H1 Essential to my ear. For close up sounds, in terms of quality - they sound more or less the same I think. But yeah, quieter sounds the H1N seems better at. There’s so much hissing on the H1 Essential when the signal is boosted. I still love my H1E though, but I’d have liked to have seen a noise floor improvement - or at least the same as its predecessor after all these years. Just seems strange that it’s worse. I’ve got the H2 Essential arriving tomorrow. I’ve never used the H2N, but I know the H2N has one of the worst noise floors of all portable recorders (according to the Avisoft EIN chart). I’m concerned that the H2E may have a worse noise floor than the H2N - which would be totally unacceptable as it’s already very poor when it comes to its self noise. A comparison between the H2N and H2E may be on the cards … I might get both to test them alongside one another like you have done here. Regardless, they are all still great devices and have their applications they excel at. I’d never use any of the zoom H Series for quiet ambiences though - more close up / louder sound sources. For ambience it has to be the Zoom F3 paired with some high quality external omni mics either low self noise I think.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

I was also quite surprised, especially when you download the files and look at the spectrogram. The noise from the microphone capsules on the H1e is a little higher. You're right about the H2 Essential-we got it yesterday, but it’s still in the box. We’ll start filming tomorrow, but it’ll also be interesting to see how this recorder performs in colder climates. For louder sounds all these recorder are totally fine. I also did another test with my EMF device. If it hit input overload on the LINE level, it may cause distortion. So if somebody would plan to use a soundboard to plug it in, I’d recommend testing it first.

[@DanJonesHypnosis]

@@FreeToUseSounds I have the H2E. In my testing, it has lowest self noise in mono (front OR rear, not both), then louder for 90 degrees and even louder for 120. If you use front and rear together it seems to combine self noise from both, making it very noticeably noisy, even for front and rear mono and unusable (unless what you are recording is pretty loud) for the 120 degree option. The good thing is it saves the mix and front and rear recordings, so what I've not tried yet, is comparing trying to edit out self noise from the 'mix', vs. editing out the self noise in the front and rear recordings independently and then remixing myself, to see if this makes a difference. I used iZotope RX 9 Advanced to try to remove self noise from the 120 degree mix and was just recording dialogue, and the spectral de-noise does a great job with the noise between dialogue, but then you have the hiss during the speech. I've tried the voice de-noise and this doesn't sort it out and I've tried the dialogue isolate and this can remove it, but in my brief testing, to remove it, it then also distorts some of the speech (obviously a more recent RX might do a better job). So, for me, I would possibly use mono (even front and rear), for outdoor environments where the background isn't silent and there is always some natural hum or noise and anything louder, I would feel comfortable using 90 degree option front and rear. I can't see many instances, unless maybe recording ocean surf, when I would use 120 degree option front and rear, very few times I can think of using 120 degree front or rear on its own. Comparing it to the H2n, the H2E definitely seems to have more self-noise. It is seeming like all the Essential options are, which is confusing, because you would think with time, things would improve and self-noise would be lower? I purchased the H2n in 2012 and the self noise is better than the H2E which should have over a decade of advancements and improved mics.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

@@DanJonesHypnosis Hello Dan! Thank you so much for sharing your insights. Perhaps what we can do is avoid recording in quiet environments and focus on markets, train stations, and similar locations instead.

[@tolirantin0755]

​@FreeToUseSounds Здравствуйте изъ Россiи🤍 Очень интересно будетъ посмотрѣть ваше видіо Hello from Russia 🤍 It will be very interesting to see your video

[@hardoffal2301]

I couldn't find the H2N on the EIN chart you mentioned, only the original H2..

[@cinestesiasoundandfilm]

For me, the H1 essential has more midrange frequencies than the H1n. That gives the impression of greater noise.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Thank you for sharing!

[@pvinnie3827]

32bit is matter for me. Zoom h1e

[@MBArgentina]

It's going to be my first recorder the H1e, and it seems crazy but the H1e is 20 dollars cheaper than the H1n. I will try it to record different engines that make less noise than 120db, I hope I made a good choice, having sounds that need different gain and I can't accurately anticipate when they will happen, I think it will help me more the 32 bits and you can adjust the gain myself in post. I'll comment later when you do the first tests! Thank you very much for all your content, it's excellent!

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Hi! Yes, this is a great idea! For example, I recorded more train sounds yesterday, and while walking along an older train, it had at least 10 different exhausts producing some excellent sounds. With this recorder, you’ll have no problems recording it. The sounds are loud and can be easily edited or manipulated in post-production.

[@DavidBondeDanmark]

A little disappointed to hear the self noice on the h1e compared to the h1n. Looking foreward to hear it compared to the h2e which I am now looking to buy instead off the h1e. Thanks for the videos.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Hi! We bought the Zoom H2 Essential and the next video about it comes out on Sunday! Comparison is a great idea as well!

[@EQAVOX]

Recording all them fields

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Let me know how you like them fields! 🍎🍏

[@edsondantas6033]

To much noise in Essential version, but more gain.

[@Hurrett]

I am using its sibling, the H4essectial, and the low cut filter must be set above 80Hz or the volume picture is too small and I have to gain up 40-50dB. What settings were used to record this video? I assume the low-cut filter is turned off... I'm not sure.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Hi! I never use a low-cut filter because I don’t want to lose any information when recording. I prefer to remove unwanted frequencies in post if needed, but I’d rather not. For the H1E, the recording is set by default, and when I record with the H1n, I adjust the gain according to the location.

[@RainforRelaxing76]

i have a zoom h1n, if i want to upgrade to a better zoom. which is the better zoom.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

The F3 or F6.

[@manutecsounds]

Hi Thank you, I dont find much different, may be if you use Zoom H4n Essential with H1n Ess. we may find different. Hope we will get that will also

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Hi Manu! Thank you so much for your feedback! The Zoom H4 Essential? Oh we probably won't buy this one.

[@shueibdahir]

Wow that level of self noise is insane. You can hear it even with loud sounds

[@keinpodcast4053]

Wow, you have multilingual audio now - thats great. That was a nice comparison. I still have four old H1n and thanks to this video I know, that I can still wait with buying the new model. Even if I don't know if I can fight my G.A.S. for much longer. Have a wonderful day, viele Grüße - Til.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Ha ha, yes! G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) strikes again and NAAM is just around the corner!!!

[@michaelgrijak8623]

I wonder why Zoom chose not to include the mic guard on the H1 Essential like it is on the previous H1's?

[@FreeToUseSounds]

We thought the same thing.

[@hamtramckchronicles]

@@FreeToUseSounds If you ever talk to anyone at Zoom, ask them please.

[@officialjustinsheriff]

Great video. I just bought the H1e for fun and the noise is really bad. For louder recordings the H1e should do you just fine but for quieter ambiences I find it unusable. (maybe shouldn't have got it hah)

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Hi Justin, Ahh sorry to hear that I don’t think the self-noise is that bad. We still get great recordings with it. That said, loud sounds are definitely the better choice. For quiet ambiences, I use Schoeps and Sound Devices anyway.

[@randomexperiments5804]

sir, nice comparison...i purchased H1N after ur recommendation....still thinks..H1N is value for money....

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Glad it was helpful!

[@soundpostcards]

HISSential

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Ohhh! This is mean :)

[@xgonejack8572]

H1e is the most noisy recorder in my owned recorders even comparing to H1n well stepback ZOOM.

[@randomexperiments5804]

more i m also going to start a ytube channel...for city Ambiences......just learning for now.....love ur works

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Awesome! Good luck with your channel and thank you so much for watching!

[@kyleethekelt]

I think I preferred the H1E, though my field recorder is the MixerFace from CEntrance.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Hi! So you think the H1e sounds better than CEntrance?

[@johnhmaw]

I bought a H1E for recording rehearsals of four or five instruments (not for publication, but just to help us make improvements). As soon as I heard the first recording I was so disappointed. The noise was horrible. Then it struck me. As well as the preamps, the very small mics are probably responsible for a lot of this. The smaller the diaphragm, the higher the noise. I upgraded to a Tascam portacapture X6, and what a difference. Very disappointed with Zoom.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Correct! Many users assume that preamps are solely responsible for noise, but the microphones themselves can significantly contribute to a higher noise floor.

[@photoangelov]

I wish Zoom would just make proper recorders again and not this "Essential" stuff.