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Hi guys; this question has no doubt been asked 1000 times and will continue to be as gear is updated and replaced. I have been eyeing the Zoom H4N ever since I heard the music box recording on here that amazed me. However I heard the menu system was somewhat 'retarded' and difficult to use, so I was looking at the Tascam DR 680 before realizing I was running away with what I really needed - mobility & quality.

Perhaps owners of Tascam DR100 and Zoom H4N would be kind enough to post their feedback and recommendations. I like to record nature/wildlife, street recordings/acts and single tracks to compliment video files.

Thanks in advance.

I have had some stunning results with my H4n. If you click on the waveform beneath my username you'll go to the page with my recordings on it.

I also wrote a basic guide to using it: http://spleencast.wordpress.com/audio-field-recording/

Most of that stuff you probably already know, but you may find some of it of interest.

I've recently been doing some different mic tests with it and it has worked wonderfully with all of them. If your recording technique is sound, a really good mic can make such a difference!

My most portable setup is an AT899 lavalier mic clipped onto my bag, plugged into the power module plugged into the H4n inside the bag. That goes everywhere with me. That setup requires even less gear than the H4n alone, because I don't need the foam or pistol grip or stand or anything for acoustic baffling against handling noise. And I use basic earbuds for monitoring when I'm out and about.

Having said that, I've never used any other portable recorders so take my report with a dollop of salt.

Thank you for that! I had been looking at the Rode NTG-2 mic and actually pleased about your preference for the Zoom. Been saving for a while and all samples I've heard have been incredible. Will read more about mics and follow your site for samples and H4N info. Thanks for that, will share some clips soon!

(Vancouver Canada, heavy rain outside, what an opportunity missed!)

smudgepost
Thank you for that! I had been looking at the Rode NTG-2 mic and actually pleased about your preference for the Zoom. Been saving for a while and all samples I've heard have been incredible. Will read more about mics and follow your site for samples and H4N info. Thanks for that, will share some clips soon!

(Vancouver Canada, heavy rain outside, what an opportunity missed!)

This is a really good review of the H4n with audio samples, and it includes samples with the Rode NTG-2 and others.

http://transom.org/?p=5851

This review and its samples was one of the original sources which turned me on to Audio Technica mics, of which I'm now a huge fan.

You may note that the Audio Technica mic sample actually has a lower noise floor than the Rode.

And I hate those missed opportunities too!