Zoom H1essential Review / Test: 32-bit Floating Recorder

[@davegraedon8236]

Great review. I'd love to see you do more of these recorder reviews. Thanks!

[@Fl4ppers]

Posh dictaphones, we call them here. 😁 The competition to these are basically the Tascam and Fostex recorders iirc.

[@Nuds1223]

Yeah I have always wondered If the Zoom H4 or H6 is a perfect starter multi track recorder for multi mic podcast.

[@AI3Dorinte]

Have to say I was impressed with the sound quality for the price!

[@Fl4ppers]

Would be great if they made an XLR adapter for their '6 and '8 mics

[@CS-gb1ul]

Excellent throw... I appreciate the passion and follow-through.

[@thomastvedt8370]

Having said all that: for those of us who are blind and working with sound, finally having a recorder that is accessible is absolutely amazing. Even conciddering all it's problems, just being able to make an relatively high quality recording on the go, without worrying about missing important info on the screen etc, is wonderful

[@maxhammer4067]

Im hoping for sony to make a pcm d1 or d100 style recorder with 32 bit float

[@GoTellJesusSaves]

I was quite intrigued when I saw this product online. Thanks for making the review!

[@S.T.G.]

Hello, Bandrew, many thanks for the great review. Here, I would like to spread the concept of using only one of the mics/channels of a stereo XY recorder if one records narration by means of it. Firstly, no stereo is needed for that purpose. Secondly, if you use the recorder as a stereo recorder -- just like in the video -- you use both of the mics off-axis, which way their sound is worse than their on-axis sound. The solution is so simple: one should direct one of the mics to the speaker's mouth and use only the corresponding channel of the recorded stereo wav file afterwards. (If the recorder is used as an interface via USB, point the left mic to the sound source and, in the computer, select that this input is mono like you accidentally made when the video was recorded.) This way one can maximize the sound quality of such a stereo recorder when used for spoken words.

[@CorbenEdward]

I use the H1n as an overdub demo / full on song recorder when I am out and about and really hope zoom keeps that in all of their products... ADD IT TO THE H6 TOO!!

[@darikdatta]

Shame about the preamp noise. Sounds like the new H4e has the same problem. One of them would have been an instant buy for me if the sound was as good as my F3. But I guess that's why the F series costs more than the H.

[@sorryaboutyourcats]

Useful tests! Thanks for the review. 👍

[@WolfsHaven]

I have 2 of the H1n model. They have been great for many video production needs. The fact that they are adding 32bit float to it at the same price point is amazing. Ive overcome handling noise by attaching a handle. A selfie stick actually works. I have always wished that they used an xlr combo jack but it would add a bit to the size. Im definitely buying one, through your affiliate links, of course. 😊

[@meistudiony]

DOOBALEEDOO!!!!! Thought you were gonna soundspeed it for the... OMG you did soundspeed it!! YELL AT THAT MIC!!!! NO the ASMR TEST again! The day i start tickling microphones is the day i delete my channel!!! HAHAHAHA AMAZING! Great review as always. And great tune as well. Really loved the dark vibe of it.

[@Podcastage]

Have no fear, the ASMR test will only ever be done on stereo mics, so it will be a rare occurrence.

[@meistudiony]

@@Podcastage So i have a couple old Audio Technica Stereo mics layin around.... hahahahahaha

[@kennethbailey7105]

*Still patiently waits for Bandrew to review an sE electronics T1/T2 that uses a titanium capsule😬*

[@shaft9000]

Zoom have been dominatning the prosumer portable recorder market for about 15 years

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

yeah the original "Electric Shaver" H2 was the first high res PCM recorder i ever bought back in 2010 and always liked it a lot. I just hated the super noisy mic input which is why i really never used it for anything other than it microphones or Line in jack. And also as a USB Audio interface. Always served me well.

[@knorke3642]

this is the best "clipping" test for 32bit floating systemenythingies I have seen so far...there is no better way to showcase why 32bit is so great.

[@Podcastage]

Thanks so much

[@Bkoded]

honestly did really well for the music parts, the songs themselves were also just really good

[@ChrisBoland]

Fantastic review, I really needed this right now.

[@muchammadnurwibowowibi4580]

Music composition is on point! I used the 1st Zoom H1 for college movie project. Now seeing the new one for that music piece is great 👏

[@jenslempke7883]

As a 32 bit recorder out of a bands mixing console, it's a prestine solution. For that money. I have other units for multitrack and so on.

[@JoshTseng]

Thank you so much for including the accessibility portion at the end of the video!!! If it weren't for you including that, I would've never known about this new feature. I'm so excited. I'm a blind creator and have been on the fence about getting myself a solution for 32-bit recording. But field recorders in particular have never been that accessible, besides ones from Olympus. You putting that section in the video has made me aware that this is a feature Zoom has now included. I'm extremely, extremely excited to be able to set up my field recorders by myself now. Will you also be reviewing the H4e and H6e? I might treat myself to the H1e for recording lav mics, and the H4e/H6e as a portable 32 bit audio interface. Love the reviews btw

[@xferme]

Maaaaan. Your guitar playing on this video is fireeeee! 🎉

[@kesamek8537]

Prefer the sound of the H1 for how I'd use it. Excellent review as always, simply superb work.

[@energieinfo21]

Interesting device. Just bought the F3 to use my M5 MP in ORTF config. I really like the sound of ORTF (or similar) for the wide stereo. Maybe the H1n will wander in my pockets to be used with an M/S mic (two capsules, no in device processing) for later stereo reconstruction. 32-bit is a great thing for those who record in non-controllable environments. Thanks for the video!

[@henryeowens]

Seems like good quality and features for the price. That’s a great place to start for a first portable recorder.

[@JoeStuffzAlt]

In theory, 32-bit floating point also will capture very low levels of audio, that is if it's loud enough compared to the noise floor. For 8-bit, 16-bit, and 24-bit, to make audio softer, you have to lower the resolution of the audio. That being said, with 24-bit, you can go very quiet and still have a pretty high resolution.

[@shaft9000]

In theory it only takes 9 or 10 bits to clear most cassette and vinyl's S/N ratio

[@n4cnk]

My H6 was nasty and sticky as well. I took some small alcohol wipes and wiped it down and after a few minutes it seemed to get rid of most of the stickiness, at least for the time being.

[@allanmowz]

Yep my H1 was way worse. The alcohol disolves the rubber and lets you wipe off the sticky surface layer. In my case I had to remove the whole lot. Have had to do a computer case with the same coating recently too.

[@donalddotson313]

Good for the money? Maybe. But no handheld mic should have that much handling noise. Better to charge a few extra bucks and make it far more useful.

[@djvidual8288]

This might be good for recording festivals with loud sound sources.

[@Fl4ppers]

There is one guy on YT who goes around open mic nights and metal gigs recording with these sorts of recorders.

[@osovagabundo1]

I sat at haf way at a Grace Vanderwaal concert with it hung around my neck. Great sound . You need to make a handle as te hard plastic case can make odd scruffing

[@adonistaxi2681]

I wish you do a versus series between the Zoom R4 vs « normal » audio interface

[@glassstudiomexico7578]

nos encanta nuestras h1 y pensabamos en comprar el zoom h4 32bit pero con este video estamos seguros que en nuestro caso sera mejor tener 2 h1 32 bit en luigar de solo un h4 32bit

[@Drvishnucnair]

Amazing review. Very helpful. ❤

[@A-Mana]

Please review the new Zoom H1 XLR it's so promising

[@sfn4702]

i like that intro guitar part!

[@Behnam_Moghaddam]

awesome testSong ! great test. thank you

[@n3r0n3]

really pretty good actually I did not expect that

[@perkyagnostic9322]

I've always wanted a recorder like this but I don't see myself using this often, I just don't know what for :D Great review tho!

[@Cacophonous_Cat]

Dear Bandrew, "Greetings Earthlings" huh? You forgot this hand sign " _\\// " hehe... seriously though, I bought my first "pro" mic last night. I went with a dynamic, as a noisy environment is an issue for me. Round about midnight, I snagged an Electro-voice RE20 (black), for only $220 US used, via "Offer Up", in a McDonald's parking lot! Also...I still have that Samson Q2U that you recommended, thanks again, and it's still working flawlessly! You are the best! These should sound spectacular thru my Zoom UAC-232 interface that I bought off Reverb for $130. I amz bargain basement Cat! xD

[@legacyShredder1]

What will you be recording?

[@Cacophonous_Cat]

@@legacyShredder1 I will be recording KZbin videos, an audiobook, and my own musical musings. The RE20 should be spectacular for my voice, I am concerned about the Zoom UAC-232 as an interface though. If the converters on the Zoom UAC-232 sound displeasing to me, I'll put it up for sale on reverb and buy a MOTU or a used Sound Devices Mix Pre 6. I also wish to do some field recording when I get a couple of Lewitt LCT 540's and a field recorder. The Lewitt's noise floor is supposed to be technically inaudible. Therefore the claim that all Lewitt LCT 540's are "matched pairs". I wish to put this to test! How about yourself? What do you record?

[@legacyShredder1]

@@Cacophonous_Cat Awesome. The RE20 is a good mic no doubt. I own several pairs of the LCT 540, and it is a silent microphone as well it sounds good. I own recording studios where I produce and record bands, voiceover artists, Foley for movie sounds effects, and various other projects. I also do live recording and field recording.

[@Cacophonous_Cat]

@@legacyShredder1 Ty for that reply, I am pleased to know I am on the right track with my purchases! I have a limited budget, every purchase needs to count. $1000 for a pair of microphones is a lot to me. However, because the LCT 540 looked to have real potential to be a work horse, I thought they would be worth the steep price. I plan to use them for stereo field recording, micing my acoustic, and when I can find a quiet place...my voice. Thanks again for the comment. Feedback from a working professional is greatly appreciated!

[@legacyShredder1]

@@Cacophonous_Cat If you want to save some money the 540 is pretty cheap used.

[@Crowbar11115]

Mushy To Push sounds like a future Bandrew Music project

[@billweaver2549]

Would love to see a Zoom M3 (shotgun) review please. From what I've heard it sounds pretty good. Want to check the preamp noise though. I found an M4 review that said the M series preamps are from the F series which is a step up from the H series, but I'd like to hear it for myself. Main complaint seems to be it cheap/light build quality but if you look after it that's so much better on a boom pole, and in theory it should be the perfect travel VO mic/recorder

Great job as always, Bandrew. Do you know whether the sync drift that plagued the prior model (H1n) has been fixed? Many people found that even after recording at 48 kHz and syncing the beginning of a video clip, the WAV file from the H1n would lose sync after over a time, perhaps after about 15 minutes. Apparently the clock in the H1n was not so accurate. I hope it is accurate with the H1e.

[@newfoundmass]

I have 3 of these that I kind of use as body packs with lavs and was thinking of upgrading, but honestly I'm thinking of just ditching Zoom period because it's pretty unacceptable that they keep using such low quality pre amps. I feel like at this point I'd just be rewarding them.

[@d27production]

my first time saw you review field recorder...

[@yasha1928]

As soon as I heard triple-A batteries I was like nope But maybe I'll reconsider as the video goes Does it ASMR? Yes, in fact, it does ASMR 😂 The Zoom H1E has a warmer tone than the H1 to me and the clarity is definitely higher The H1n doesn't sound nearly as nice as the H1E but sounds clearer than the H1 H6 is better than the H1 but not as good as the H1E/H1n I prefer the H1E, I dislike having to change batteries in the year 2024 but I suppose that can be seen as a pro and a con depending on the person 12:45 I love how you play and the tone, amazing. I completely forget to think about the recorder Is this a song or something you're just playing for testing? The transition from electric to guitar was ridiculous

[@xHadesStamps]

My H1n uses AAA batteries, and I get plenty of recording time out of it-even with rechargeable (NiMH) batteries that haven’t been charged in months. That being said, I do always use bus power when using it as an audio interface. My iRig Pre that I use to connect XLR mics to it (mainly my headset, Audio-Technica BPHS1) also gives me plenty of recording time, and it uses a 9V.

[@DaraM73]

Changeable batteries is where it’s at. I’ve countless devices killed by internal Li-Ion

[@NickzAndMikz]

@@xHadesStamps The OG H1 uses a single AA for context

[@milesian1]

@@NickzAndMikzYes, and I personally have never had an issue with battery life with the OG H1.

[@xHadesStamps]

@@NickzAndMikz Indeed. AA batteries do store more energy than equivalent AAA batteries (which is why they’re bigger), although one at 1.5V I’m sure does result in more current draw compared to two batteries totaling 3V. My wireless mics also use two AA batteries each. Just need to find some rechargeables that fit (the ones I have are too large in diameter, as they tend to be).

[@deralfenderson]

I see that I will not be replacing my Zoom H4N that is currently my audio interface putting an XLR linked condenser mic into my Mac. Phantom power too.

[@lumann89]

Can you do a review for the WeissKlang L1?

[@wantedman4133]

preamp sound is good!

[@Dr_Rek]

Did you do any line input tests?

[@laurikvo]

Can you use just the USB-C to power this and record to microsd simultaneously? Also I would love to see your review on F2(-BT) as well. Some users hate that you have to use regular batteries with these but with easily replaceable and rechargeable ones it’s a win win situation in my opinion. Some zoom models even have option to choose if you use rechargeable batteries to calculate battery life more accurately.

[@RudeCanine]

Seems like the perfect low-entry piece of interview gear. I imagine there’s a 32-bit with XLR support coming (if there isn’t already)

[@18CC]

it's the F 3+ series and the preamps are way better.

[@RudeCanine]

@@18CC love it when someone more knowledgeable comes along and does the hard work for the rest of us. Absolutely wonderful, thank you stranger.

[@darikdatta]

The F3 has XLR support and better preamps. The H4e, which is also new, has XLR support and I assume similar preamps to this unit, as they are known to be a bit noisy as well.

[@18CC]

@@darikdatta the H serie is cheaper cause noisy preamps.

[@mikishira]

Great review! Please Nexadyne 8/s 🙏

[@jimpurcell]

Thanks!

[@KWC919]

thanks for your video! it is great! What would you recommend if I want to do handheld 32bit float recording? Thanks a lot!

[@alexbodi5526]

For handheld this is one of, if not the best option.

[@PixelNoobKid55]

Can you do a review of the Naumann TLM 107?

[@Podcastage]

I want to. I'm saving up for it, unless Neumann wants to send one out.

[@1186MFG]

that Pelagos tho. Nice

[@Podcastage]

One of the GOATs for sure.

[@jegantdragoch.7088]

i dont quite understand how my H1N just seem to have a high "noise" sound even when at level5 sensitivity and maybe the source noise needs to be louder or it is all normal and using denoise is perfectly fine so what is a good recorder?

[@elreym]

my H6 is sticky as well and its really annoying. anyone know the best way to clean it?

[@allanmowz]

Isopropyl alcohol and paper towels. A lot of towels. Just be careful on any label text as well. Did my H1 the same way. The alcohol dissolves the rubber slowly. It might be you only need to take the outer layer off, or in my case the whole lot.

[@techmed-rainer]

Danke!

[@Podcastage]

Thank you so much Rainer! I truly appreciate the support.

[@SDA921]

Mmmmm, keyboard ASMR~

[@kalorko]

My left ears says thx

[@kimothemo]

The product is so analog

[@ISICAK]

Steven Wilson?

[@Podcastage]

Who dat?

[@ISICAK]

@@Podcastageprogressive rock artist. You sound like him between 14:00-14:35 😌

[@MaxoticsTV]

Oh Bandrew! Sorry, 32-bit float does not fix clipping. I explain why, in excruciating detail in an essay one can find on Medium titled "Microphone Clipping, The Three Types Explained" 32-bit-float is EXACTLY the same as 24-bit fixed in precision; that is, if you convert your 24-bit from that recorder to 32-bit, or vice-versa, they will be EXACTLY the same down to the last bit. I know, I've done it with the TASCAM version. It'll be the same with the Zoom. Just to be clear, I'm not arguing not to use 32-bit float. Use whatever you want!

[@EmoEmu]

NO BATTERIES??? ... deal breaker

[@silviumihai0]

i like your pinky ring 4:09

[@Podcastage]

I’ve been randomly inserting that in the occasional videos for months and no one has ever mentioned it. Haha.

[@largefilesize]

w h a t s o n g w a s t h a t

[@Podcastage]

It's just a song I wrote for this review video.

[@largefilesize]

@@Podcastage Do you have any other recordings of it? I'd be honored if you'd let me use it for a video, it's excellent!!

[@rinceradio]

For people too dumb or lazy to learn audio and use a normal recorder. Tech makes people lazy.

[@NickzAndMikz]

I don't understand what you're saying. A simple recorder is still a normal recorder.

[@darikdatta]

Sounds like you've been using a lot of tech.

[@Fl4ppers]

Disagree. We've all seen those reporter style videos where someone is interviewed and gets a little too excited. Thats what float is really for. Its also good for field recording where you cant always expect stuff to stay at the same volume.

[@alexdesj6755]

I have a Zoom H1E at home. It is really usable by a blind person like me. But, I am looking to buy the H4E, because of more things possible with this recorder like mixing difrent input devices, witch it's not possible with the H1E.

[@blindstreet]

Blind here as well and that's exactly why I'm also buying that recorder! Didn't finish the video so I didn't know whether or nnot he discussed the accessibility features.

[@likoetsvp]

I recently watched a a mic review on another KZbin channel. The creator had background music playing through most of the video and during the specific moments he asked the viewer what they thought of the audio samples. Your reviews of microphones are top notch. Thank you.

[@PaulSwann]

Sorry I'm late to the party! I use the H1n for electronic news gathering-it's my personal unit and my go-to daily driver. I pair it with an XM8500 and get great results for what I need it to do, especially capturing good audio in live press conference environments. I don't know if there's enough reason for me to upgrade just for the sake of upgrading, but you can achieve good results with this unit.

[@TravisPrebble]

I recently returned my H1e due to the inability to adjust levels for line inputs. Yes, the 32 bit float is supposed to negate the need for that, but the signal from my DJM-A9 mixer was just far too hot for the H1e and the Zoom kept complaining about overload. So, if you're looking to the H1e as a portable line level recorder, make sure you can adjust levels on whatever is sending the signal, because you can't on the Zoom.

[@allanmowz]

The sticky Zoom rubber. Use Isopropyl alcohol and a lot of paper towels which will remove the rubber. Just be careful of labels as well. Had to do that to my old H1.

[@sonarun]

I tried my best on my H5 and it never really came off. It’s awful!

[@ibalrog]

That music sample through that recorder is a VIBE.

[@keiakoni]

Right. I need the full version lol

[@mokisan]

Thanks for the video! Could you review some budget wireless mics? As they are quite popular for content creation now. Some examples - boya by-v20, boya boyamic (a new mic which is about 150), hollyland lark m2 (140) and maono wm620 (49) Would love your detailed and professional input on them. Again thanks for the fantastic review. 😊

[@WASTHATABULLET]

Hollyland2 is pretty descent.

[@mokisan]

@@WASTHATABULLET ya. But would his professional review of these. And maybe these video will perform better too as these are very popular among the tik twatters etc.

[@kevwyxin]

"The day that I start tickling my microphones is the day I delete my channel" HAHAHA

[@harpreetsinghmoga]

Great Review Sir. Plz suggest best portable voice . recorder.

[@StephenMcGregor1986]

I've been researching recorders for a little while now for a niche use. I want an all in one solution for recording the sound of a storm that is better than the sound of a smartphone microphone. I thought omni condenser would be ideal for the dynamics and field of sound Apparently the older Sony and Tascams have a better / lower noise floor or something. Are there any current model recorders that would be fit for my purpose that are no longer discontinued? Lets say a budget of around ~$400

[@xHadesStamps]

I was initially worried about the price, and I’m not sure how much the H1n went for on its own, but that sounds about the same Thank goodness it’s USB C! The micro-USB port on the H1n is just the worst! I had to super glue a micro-USB male to mini-USB female adapter (as well as a shim on the micro-USB side) because the slots for the latches were so torn up, and the cable wouldn’t stay in place. I also like that it has a mono mode Not a fan of it being 32-bit float *only* (for recording), -but I do quite like that it does 24 bit/48 kHz as an audio interface/USB mic. My H1n only supports up to 16/48 as an audio interface/USB mic. As someone who uses the audio interface function a lot (mainly with my BPHS1, using my iRig Pre and a TRRS splitter to adapt the XLR to 3.5mm unbalanced (two channel) TRS), that’s quite nice.- Unless it doesn’t. Not sure if it’s just your Mac (other Mac users who have this, please check), if it’s Windows exclusive (we also need Windows users who have this to check), or just wrong. FWIW, the Q2U, being quite an old model, is also limited to 16/48, and it’s still my go-to recommendation. The lack of a gain control might also end up being problematic there, though (unless it functions like many Samson mics, where the gain settings on your computer actually controls the preamp in the device). Also, it functions as a portable recorder and audio interface at the same time?? That’s amazing! My H1n won’t let you. Plosives are terrible, but I would’ve expected much worse with those small diaphragm condensers. That dead cat works amazingly! No improvement on the handling noise front compared to the H1n (and probably the H1) That high pass filter can go pretty high! The noise floor on this is actually *WORSE* than the original H1! LOL I love that the U87, even at a completely different price level and a completely different market, is always included Not a fan of it on electric guitar, but it’s SDC. Sounded great on the acoustic, though! If my H1n dies, I’d definitely consider this.

[@phillean]

Sticky plastic - one recommendation is to rub the plastic with cloth soaked in isopropyl alcohol, be careful to not remove any printed labels. I found this partly worked on a Zoom H1 that had become very sticky, it had been in a sealed container for protection but forgotten about for 18 months. A simpler and more effective method is to immerse the item in silica gel crystals. You can get silica gel in bulk cheaply as a bag of cat litter crystals. It worked very well on my H1 which is now dry to the touch. To keep crystals out of the recorder innards put the recorder in a thin sock and bury the recorder in the crystal. . Leave it there for a few days. Hopefully the recorder will feel normal again.

[@brunosurkov]

Now youtube has a compressor that is ON by default, so we have to remember to disable "stable volume" to properly hear the difference in the rotation test...

[@SMAAAASHTV]

Bandrew simultaneously looks 15 and 50. 😂 But seriously, thanks for all you do, man!

[@user3539-l9r]

Does anyone know if this new essential series compatible with the old zoom's ma2 mic stand adapter?

[@Alexandra-Rex]

I used to use a deadcat on my studio microphone that I often am too clsoe to, and it was good to keep me away, cause it's tickling my nose 😄 Looks cute though, but also muffles the sound so much. Got the Hakan P110 though, so that's great.

[@yusuaras6184]

Will the hyperx duocast review be coming?

[@MarkFonts]

I’m absolutely outside of the pro audio scene, and understand how the 32 bit float might take up a lot more space if you have the luxury to set levels first, but it blew my mind seeing the one trick pony in action myself. thanks for that demo!

[@Fl4ppers]

Handling noise on those are always bad. In fact I used my old gen1 H2 as a kind of contact mic at times.

[@ramche_]

Is it 32bit when you plug in some other microphone?

[@alexbodi5526]

Yes.

[@christianboddum8783]

I bought the M2 and though the 32 bit float gives idiot proof recordings it is a pain because it takes so much longer to process the files before use, so I use my H2N or R24 much more. FWIW. I can still use the M2 as a straight mic into the R24 though 😉

[@JoeStuffzAlt]

That's strange. Many programs process 32-bit float internally, but the file size may mean you have lower I/O performance.

[@tjzuppe]

I feel like if you combined the “Am I clipping I bet I am!” with the guitars in the music test it would sound like the intro to a badass emo song.

[@Podcastage]

I'd need a telephone effect, and have it be an angry message about how I miss my ex and how life has no meaning without her. "Am I sad? I bet I am!!!!!" :start sad emo music:

[@m.sabir21]

Nice video, The specs that have shown on the screen 24 bits, can please clarify if the recorder records in 24 buts or 32 bits.

[@alexbodi5526]

32bit

[@brockmannolaf7182]

Thumps up! Great review!

[@caesaredouard]

Bet that wasn't the first time Bandrew got a little hair in his mouth.