Zoom H2n Portable Handy Recorder

The H2n Handy Recorder is the only portable recording device to come with five built-in microphones and four different recording modes: X/Y, Mid-Side, 2-channel surround and 4-channel surround. Other advanced features include automatic gain control and onboard MS decoding, plus effects like compression, limiting and low cut filtering. You can even use the H2n as a multi-purpose USB microphone! 

With its multiple microphones and recording modes, the H2n can handle just about every kind of application. Here are just a few ways it can be used:

• Live recording of concerts and rehearsals, in either stereo or surround sound  
• Location videography—the H2n gives you plenty of options in postproduction 
• Creating audio for YouTube videos   
• Generating lasting audio documents of important events 
• As a USB microphone providing input to recording software

Five microphones, four ways of recording

The H2n offers not one, not two, but five built-in microphones. Two of them are arranged as an X/Y pair, while the other three are configured in an MS ("Mid-Side") pattern. They can be used separately for X/Y or MS stereo recording, or combined to create stunning 2- or 4-channel surround sound. 

The Ins and Outs

The H2n Line In is a stereo ⅛" mini phone jack that can accept two channels of mic- and/or line-level signals. Condenser microphones requiring Plug-In Power (2.5 volts) can be connected to this jack. An analog-type Mic Gain dial allows you to manually set input level, or you can choose one of the three Auto Gain presets to automatically set the optimum recording level.

The H2n Line Out is a stereo ⅛" phone jack with dedicated volume control. Headphones can be connected to this jack for private monitoring of the input or recorded signal. There's also a built-in speaker on the back panel for fast monophonic monitoring of the recorded signal without the need to make any connections. 

The H2n USB port provides a digital output of the stereo mix and allows data to be sent to and from your computer. From there, it can be imported into editing software such as the supplied WaveLab LE. USB also enables the H2n to be used as a 2-in/2-out audio interface or as a USB microphone.

Onboard effects

The H2n provides an arsenal of effects that allow you to add polish to your recordings and compensate for any problems or limitations in the acoustics of the recording environment.

Compression and limiting can be used to control fluctuations in level, acting like an automatic volume control. The main difference between the two is that a limiter reduces louder sounds more severely. 

 A low-cut filter removes signal below a designated frequency. This is useful for eliminating pops, wind noise, blowing, and other kinds of low frequency rumble such as transmitted resonance from an onstage mic stand. 

There's also an onboard metronome and chromatic / guitar / bass tuner. In addition, playback can be looped and the playback speed varied without pitch change (or vice versa) to facilitate phrase training.

Battery life and recording times

The H2n requires just 2 AA batteries—either alkaline or rechargeable NiMH. Battery life when using alkaline batteries is more than 20 hours, even during continuous recording. Alternatively, you can use an optional AD-17 AC adapter, which allows you to power the H2n from any standard wall socket.

The H2n records directly to SD cards. It supports standard SD and SDHC cards, up to 32 gigabytes. The chart below shows maximum recording time with different file formats and card sizes. 

State of the art editing with every recorder

The Zoom H2n comes with free download licenses for Sternberg’s Cubase LE music production software and WaveLab LE audio editing software, providing not just the ability to capture superior audio in every box, but to do spectacular things with it.

Take your recordings to a more professional level. Steinberg’s powerful and state-of-the-art audio software used by creators around the world now comes with every Zoom Handy Recorder purchase.

Currently shipping with:
Cubase LE7 for Mac OS X 10.7, 10.8, 10.9 and Windows 7/8
Wavelab LE8 for Mac OS X 10.7, 19.8 and Windows 7/8