Zoom H2n Test with a Console Piano

Testing the Zoom H2n on a stand under the keyboard, just to the left of the pedals. Not too bad considering I only have a console piano to work with!!
This is just an improv over the chord progression for "The Puzzle" by Patchouli.

[@Ciany]

Super music.

[@-Pol-]

Thanks for your reply Sean - so I have another question(s) now! :-) I have a pianist friend who is after a simple, effective mic for recording. I've been suggesting the H2n or the simpler to grasp and operate H1n. The H1n offers a simple X-Y Mic placement. The H2n though has a similar paired X-Y mic arrangement on one side and a cardioid with a bi-directional "Mid-side" configuration on the other. (Zoom sneakily counts the Bi-Directional capsule as two mics but hey!) - So, do you have a favourite mic mode on the H2n and if so, why do you prefer it to the others?

[@seancregomusic]

I use the H2n in 2ch surround with the MS side at 150 degrees and facing the piano. Sounds crazy, but I did 12 blind tests and that is what I chose. I prefer the mic inside the piano, but you hear all the other noises of the action that you normally don't hear, so behind the piano is second best, then under the keyboard is third best, FOR ME. It will be different for every piano and every room.

[@-Pol-]

@@seancregomusic Ah, thanks, that's really helpful to know. It's subjective for sure but it's also great to be able to compare results against a starting, baseline configuration preferred by someone with a more experienced and discerning ear 👂

[@New_Zealand_Music]

Can I please have your opinion on this field recorder please. My one crazy it eats batteries in 10 minutes. What is the unusual pickup configuration like please. This is really nice. I teaching myself piano. But I can't play this well yet. Absolutely lovely playing

[@seancregomusic]

Thank you for the compliments! I still love the recorder, ever many years after I had made this video. I only have to replace the batteries rarely, maybe every four or five recording sessions over the course of many, many hours. I did drop it, so it doesn't sound as good as it did years ago (compare to my most recent piano recordings with the mahogany grand piano), but it still works great. Not as good as "real" microphones going through a pre-amp, though, but I don't have that kind of money to spend.

[@natancopeincraft]

How did you take the static noise in your recording out in the background from the H2N audio? What did you have the gain and settings on, and how close did you have it to the source of the sound, if you remember? Thanks...SBN RESONATE

[@seancregomusic]

Back when I made this video, I had the microphone under the piano just left of my left leg. It is very close to the source, about 8" or so, and the gain is pretty low (maybe between 2 or 3 at most). That is all I did. No post-processing or anything. I still do the same thing with my current grand piano. The mic is under the piano but very close to the soundboard, gain is as low as it can be to reduce noise and hiss, etc. It's not perfect, but it works for quick and dirty home recording! :)

[@natancopeincraft]

@@seancregomusic Thanks for responding. Yeah Sean, that is the same thing that I try to keep it under is around 3 with the gain, because anywhere around or above 4 it starts to static pretty bad. So I guess this recorder is better for medium to loud sounds with a low gain, or to be closer to the recorder. I wanted it for field recording too, but I find it hard to get the right volume without the static and putting the gain up so high. This sounds well though. I appreciate the feedback. That really helped to cement what I was already thinking. Thanks Sean...SBN RESONATE

[@-Pol-]

For the benefit of those of us listening on poopy laptop speakers, how do they compare to your ear and is the iphone so bad by comparison?

[@seancregomusic]

iPhone mic sounds like...an old cassette tape that has been dubbed over a dozen times (if you were around in the 80s). The ZOOM mic sounds a lot more like a "studio". It definitely works VERY well for pop music, but for classical it could use some post-production flavor, though I just use it raw in my videos, even though I try a new mic placement every time. (Watch some of my videos with the black piano.)

[@-Pol-]

@@seancregomusic Thanks' I'll take a look, and perhaps even listen with headphones! :-)

[@omerteitler3314]

whats the piece's name?

[@seancregomusic]

It's an improv over the song "The Puzzle" by a folk duo named Patchouli.