OK, so I came across this video about a half day after I ordered it on B&H (lol me), and of course I was almost instantly regretting my lack of research on this model (long story short: I've been meaning to get a Zoom recorder for awhile now,; I keep finding workarounds when I need them; another need presents itself in a few days; so I thought I would just pull the trigger on one of the newer models)... My main concern was that was going to be a dumbed down version of the H4n and the color screen and 32-bit float were just gimmicks. After working with it for a few days and testing a few things, boy was I wrong. I think the limitation of this review is that it compares this to the H4n within the framework of generational improvement... what it should be asking is, who is this model for. As I see it, sure the H4 Essential is "a stripped down version of the feature-rich H4n" but it doesn't need all of those features. Basically, everything this machine records is in 32-bit floating point so there is no need for input gain pots. You simply normalize your tracks when you're done and export your files to 16 or 24-bit, or keep them at 32-bit float to process and edit in post... and this is exactly who this appears to be designed for: folks who are going to do all of their processing in post-production, not on the recorder. So, there's no need to have compressors, limiters, etc. on this machine. There's no need to send a single input source to record duplicate tracks for safety (i.e. at -3db or -6db in case of clipping) because it's all 32-bit float. You just need to concern yourself with proper mic placement, then go. The only truly dumbed down "feature" that I found a bit annoying is that there is no switch to select between mic/line level for the inputs... Instead, they are fixed based on the type of cable you connect to the inputs. For example, if you insert an XLR, it will automatically designate that input as mic level... and if you insert TRS, it will be line level. This is kind of bizarre thinking, and a bit limiting, but ok. Of course the very first real need I'm going to have for this thing is an event where I have to get a clean audio feed from a mixing board, and (you guessed it), they have a line level XLR output for me (lol)... so I had to buy a shorty balanced TRS/XLR cable. Other than that, this model is stripped down in a good way. The 32-bit floating point recording isn't just a feature, it's the basis for which this entire unit is designed around, and they have basically eliminated all of the stuff that is no longer necessary (and honestly is better done in post-production). I'm not a non-technical type of person who uses "easy mode" on anything, but now that I can visualize the workflow, this recorder makes very good sense... and it's a good thing too, because I kind of accidentally destroyed the box just trying to get this thing out, lol.

Well. At least it doesn't have that terrible coating Zoom used to give a rubber-like feel which turns into a sticky-glue like mess after a few years. So that's good to see.

As someone with very minimal recording experience, I feel that the H4 Essentials is straight forward and easy to get going. This is my first Zoom product, and I was able to mess around with the settings enough to get an audio quality that far exceeds my previous setup in just a matter of minutes. As a customer who wanted something simple, this is great!

Although I've learned to improve my gain settings over the years, I think the 32-bit float is definitely a strong enough reason for new creators to consider one of the Essential line. Even the pros make mistakes from time to time and unless they have a backup track with alternate gain settings, it's great to know you can recover just about anything if you get a sudden increase or decrease in volume.

TLDR: skip this model and wait for the proper “PRO” refresh coming later this year. Thanks for the clear honest info 👍🏽

Dynamic mic are not very low self noise actually, I would suggest grab a RODE-NT1 which has a dBA under 10 for EIN test.

I am looking for a recorder to do nature (birds forest sounds etc) is the noise floor good enough ?? or should i go for the F6 ? Cheers Mark

Journalists and podcasters don't need the amazing pre amps. They need something that can run and gun with and not get lost in the technical stuff. I'm pretty sure that's who really benefits from this recorder.

so, the older H4N Pro has better preamps than both the H4N and H4N Essential? Thanks for the reviews.

Great and informative review. It´s so weird, that Zoom even uses better EIN pre-amps in the Podtrack P4 with -124 and F3 (which also has 32 bit-float) with -127

Hi can you make a self noise test between h1, h4, h6 with built in mics and line in please?

Better than -120dB EIN makes sense for the XLR inputs but for the mics on the product, the mics have way more noise than will be added by the pre amps.

Hello my friend… If you had the option to choose between the Zoom H6 (2020) and the Zoom H4e, which one would you choose and why?

Is there a "h4n Pro" vs "h4 Essential" video anywhere? I had the h4n Pro for about 3-4 years (no extended warranty), loved it, and used it so much that the Play button got pushed in. Living in Canada, there is no Zoom repair anywhere & they only allow a buy up/trade in for the h4 Essential. Before I do the buy up/trade in though, I want to make sure the Essential will be a good move on my part.

If the preamp quality exceeds the rest of the recording electronics.. I dont see the need to upgrade if they do what they are designed to do.

Would I be able to plug into a soundboard (to collect audio from an inhouse system) AND plug in a DJI wireless lav mic recorder into this for it to collect sound from the same source (sound board) just so i can transmit it as well directly to my camera using the dji mic? Essentially im getting one recording onto the zoom H4 and another feed from the dji mic which gets transmitted to my camera.

Despite the accessibility, I think I'll plump for Centrance: way more money and only 24-bit, but pro build, great analogue quality with good old knobs and switches and excellent preamps.

I've been recording for years using my phone as a way to preserve memories and this year I've decided to buy some proper tool for that purpose. And it is just crazy how outdated and cheap those devices are looking and how it is hard to choose the one that just do the job. I am totally new here, but that just doesn't make sense. Thanks for the video series, I guess I need to wait for those heroes who will bring some decent device to the market.

Please tell which recorder is better for recording ambient sound while walking with a camera on a steadicam. Record the sounds of rain, crunching snow underfoot while walking. I tried the h1n zoom, but it seemed that it makes a lot of noise by itself, even in an empty room.

Not exactly a very encouraging start to this new series of recorders and I can only agree with your thoughts. Why TF would you not have far superior pre-amps after all this time ? The H series is old as dirt so these releases should be way better in every possible way, also the screen. Sure they feel the need to remain cheap and cheerful devices, but I'd much rather pay 150 bucks for the new H1e if it had quiet pre-amps, which lets face it, in 2024 it should. My F3 is so good, and there's no way they can't reconfigure the inner workings of that into a very good quality handheld.

Yes. Why is Zoom stuck on 💩 pre-amps. Got rid of my UAC-232 finally because of this and other things. Zoom has made it hard to want to use them with the experiences I have had.

Hi. Are you worked with Tascam Portracapture X8 or X6? What do you think about it in comparison of Zoom H Essential series?

How does this compare to the zoom f3? It seems like it’s equal or better in every regard and almost half the price. What’s up with that? Am I missing something?

Thank you for this. I had my eye on this, but decided to go with the original H6 instead (and save $20 at the same time). The preamps might be showing their age, but the price was just too good to pass up!

I think you've seen through the "Essentials" marketing strategy.

Very helpful. Thank you. I was hoping to be able to replace my H4nPro with the H4 Essential. Now I'm not so sure anymore. (usecase: reporting, radio journalism) The old H4nPro has so many issues: screen, battery life, boot time, storage and last but not least pre-amp. I need to plug in an additional preamp (FetAmp) to operate my Sennheiser MD46 with the H4nPro. Apart from waiting for the potential pro series, what would you recommend? The Tascam Portacapture X6? Or in other words: Could you do a quick "H4 Essential vs Portacapture X6"? ;)

The EIN -120 strikes again, hopefully the Pro versions will have better pre-amps for more $. Also the XY capsule doesn't give the option of 120° which I use all the time for ambience.

Can i use lav mic rord my voicr in 32bit while at same time using the build in mic to reocrd exaust like moto vlogging? Is what multi track do right or do h1e have 2 track. Or do i even understand it right?

What's The best between the H4 and the F3?

Thank you for the review. I’m still using the Roland R-05 As my daily driver. I would like to go to 32 bit, but nothing has really peaked my interest from Zoom or its competitors plus my R-05 never disappoints.

Hi I have just come across your videos and love your opinions. I am totally blind and us e and LSP4, because it has accessibility built in. I was hoping to buy the H1 Essential, however, I am now thinking I should not. Do you know of any other voice recorder that has accessibility built in please? Keep up the great work. Cheers.

Hey, thanks for doing these videos, super helpful (and witty). You saved me from gushing bucks eagerly at Zoom. Can't believe they're using the same preamps. Your SM-58 test didn't sound so noisy to me, but my ears are shot. Seemed way better than the H1, no? But you were whispering way louder this time… I'm in a hurry for a recorder to use primarily as an interface for my antique Sony ECM-929LT powered stereo electret condenser mic. Thanks to you, I'll snatch up a prev-gen bargain. Should I get H4N Pro or H5/H6? I don't need XLR or other features. Just reasonably clear/quiet line-in results.

Hi, I just purchased H4 Essential when I transferred files on pc the audio levels are to low Also, the audio sounds like it is compressed. Am I doing something wrong? What do you recommend?

By pro versions coming up, do you mean something like a H4N Essential Pro and H8 Essential? Or a new F series?

I was looking for better preamps too. Especially for H1 since it fits in a pocket.

Essentials to me sounds like a basic line. I’m hoping they will release a new pro line too

I own the H4n pro and I only use it periodically to record from the soundboard, can someone who's used other products explain why the pre-amps are considered bad on the h4n? Is there more noise?

It's kinda funny because when you dig into math, there is no need to rely on technology to determine your levels, is it a safety net? sure, but the technology in this recorder may not know what you are recording and for what purposes. Whether it's 32 bits or not, I think it is important not only to be mindful but also to have control over gain staging, especially when the preamps are 10 years old. I was considering purchasing this model to complement my Rode Wireless Pro mics, as they also record in 32-bit floating point, providing a backup of the recording at the same bit rate. However, I'm not that keen to risk $200 on an "auto gain staging" system...

I guess going threw the comments section I should ask. What pres did people want in these? I mean sure get away from the poopie pres of the original H4N. But the H4N Pro ones? I found them less hissy then even the original H6. This with Neal's NT1-A. Now Neal never went someware absolutely silent for the NT1-A. I didn't expect F pres myself. But H8 guts at least I did.

I’m glad they gave it a usb C port vs micro usb

Thanks for the great video. As someone who needs audio gear that talks, I was almost ready to start throwing money at them.

can I record play along drumless, straight from zoom h4 recorder ?

Excellent information. Just subscribed to your channel. Would you consider this recorder a valid choice for recording class lectures? And is it compatible with a Mac/Mac mini? If not, can you offer any suggestions from the Zoom line...Thanks

What's the difference between that and the R4, with the exception of the two mics?

I think I would have released the next gen pro first and then see if the demand was there. With Rode having usb and wireless microphones Zoom isn't just competing in the markets of 10 years ago they are also competing against phones and ipads, which become mobile recorders with these mics, and a Rode wireless pro which is very versatile.

-120 is no big deal. even free plugins will clean that up with one click and make it sound great. Sure more expensive preamps would be nice, for sure, but $100 cheaper is also very nice

Zoom h4 essential or Zoom h5? I'd use it to record audio from mixer.

I have an older H4, I think it is… and lost some important recordings, because it has an odd control scheme. At least I’m gonna go with that, instead of blaming myself. Ha ha

Does the 32 bit float feature help keep an instrument signal through a cable from clipping? Or is that just for the condenser microphones? I'm considering getting one for my brother who is not tech savvy at all and want to get something he won't need to worry about clipping the audio. He's a bass player BTW. Thanks!

Can this be turned up to record louder during a live stream?

Its the same audio quality how on Zoom h4n pro? Or on Zoom just h4n? Tnx

How long does it take to boot up (record function) ... does it still take 40 some seconds before the menu pops up like the older generation H4n ?

Wait then so they sound like the older recorders? How do they compair to the H8? Sound wize I love the 8. The only thing with it is the touch screen.

I don’t know why would you consider buying these types of recorder when better preamps is what you want. Use a proper audio interface and mic for that. Those little recorders are not aimed for people that want amazing studio sound

Is it possible to use like dynamite stick to get better dound cus u said its bad amp

HOW ARE YOU DOING THANK YOU FOR YOUR VIDEO ON YOUR YOURTUBE CHANNEL I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU ABOUT ONE THINK I HAVE A ELECTRO MAGNETIC EXPOSURE FROM WORK ENVIRONMENT AND I WOULD PERSONALLY LIKE TO MEASURE THIS IS THIS IS SAFE OR I WOULD NEED TO USE SOME SAFETY MEASURMENTS ALSO I WOULD LIKE TO RECORD IT - AND HAVE A JOURNAL OF HOW MUCH EVERY DAY AND WHAT TIMES I HAVE THIS EXPOSURE ON AROUND THE AREA WOULD YOU RECOMMEND ALSO SOME SPECTRUM ANAYLZER AS WELL CONNECTED TO A EM METER THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME LOOKING FORWARD TO HEAR FROM YOU BEST

Can this be plugged into a Tascam SD24?

Does anyone have battery problem with this thing ?

So... I need one right now because of a job in May-June... I don't know a lot about audio... should I buy the H4N Pro or the H4 Essential? Thanks.

I hope Zoom makes a Zoom L8 32-bit mixer.

Everything it said "File List" I couldn't help but hear "VIolence!". It's sentien!

No Gain, No Pain? That’s new!!!

ZOOM H5 still the King. 👑 Take the stupid on board mic off. Plug in a decent mic. Hold the H5 in one hand and the mic in the other. I call it nunchuck style.

Does the H6 Essential also have the old pre-amps?

Does it take an ice age to boot up ???

I hate my life... I got the Zoom h8 last month ... =(

👍

My guess they will be releasing Pro versions of H4 and H6 with better preamps, at least I hope because Id love to have PCM-D100 like device that you can actually buy!