Customer Rating: 
Summary: Zoom H2 Handy Portable Stereo Recorder
Comment: The Zoom H2 Handy Portable Stereo Recorder is an excellent piece of audio equipment. Once I changed my frame of reference from tape recording to digital recording, the H2 became easy to use and did everything I needed it to do. The microphone, sound quality and variety of recording options are first rate. The H2 has all of the ports needed for all of the connections I need to make. The fact that I can hear myself in the headphones (included) while I am speaking into the microphone gave me the real feel of the studio. The small stand (included), the mic stand adapter (included), the AC adapter (included), the protective pouch (included) and the tripod threads in the bottom of the unit, speaks volumes of the forethought that was put into the H2. The SD card also included made it possible for me to install 2-AA batteries and start recording right away.
Improvements I would suggest for the H2 is a larger screen, and the ability to rearrange the menus so the items I use most are all on the first page. The computer interface was relatively easy but didn't work on my computer exactly as the instructions instructed.
The H2 is styled to resemble a microphone from the 50's. I think this is an ingenious idea that adds personality and warmth to those of us who are familiar with microphones from that era. Overall the H2 surpassed all of my expectations and is well worth the price if your goal is high quality audio recording.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Very Handy Indeed!
Comment: First of all, you need to know that for the price point this is a very good recorder. In particular the 4 channel record (which then has to be reduced to a 2 channel mix within the recorder) has a very honest sonic quality. It's not high end, but it's very good. If you record in 4 channel with the desire to get it onto your computer or CD you have to mix the 4 to 2 on the recorder, which requires enough memory. That is significant if you're doing longer recordings as you'll need a larger SD chip. I am using a 2 gig chip and it has handled up to a 40 minute recording for mix to 2 channel so far with room to spare. I recorded outdoors at a soccer game (kids) and it has the sound of a Public Radio documentary. You can hear the leaves rustling under feet and voices ringing in the distance and the sound really has that 3D quality and reality to it. If you're going to record demos, say with a vocal and guitar, you'll have to play with your distances. I find I have to get the mike pretty close to my mouth or the guitar wipes out the vocal. There is a direct in if you want to just record your guitar or keyboard. Recording a band works well but the acoustics of the room have a huge impact on how it turns out (which is to be expected). For some reason, to my ears, it's not quite as honest in a larger indoor setting, but it's still very good. DRAWBACKS? When I first took it out of the box, it was so lightweight that it seems sort of flimsy, hard to take seriously. And a fall from any real distance would probably do it in (I'm not looking to find that out for sure.) It's not weighty like a good stage mic, but it does the job for what I need. I'm not sure it would hold up sonic wise to what a pro would expect for film or TV work. Probably not. But I could be wrong about that depending on the sitchy. It has no case, so I bought a shaving kit at the local store that holds the recorder and all the parts. Works great. I simply can't afford the higher end stuff, so I'm thankful this was available and that it sounds as good as it does for the price. PEACE TO YOU!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great value
Comment: I was interested in a recorder to do interviews in the field and was entirely unsatisfied with other smaller and less expensive recorders manufactured by Olympus and Sony. Then I came across reviews for the Zoom H2.
The Zoom H2 was of interest because the online reviews indicated it was a good recorder for musicians. I'd found the other recorders I'd tried resulted in tinny voice tones, not fully recording voices in lower ranges. It was my hope that the Zoom H2 would do as well for voice interviews as for music.
What a find! It performed as advertised and allows the user to select the fidelity easily. With a small amount of practice and attentiveness, it's easy to use. Wonderful to be able to choose to record in MP3 format (84, 56, 64, 88, or 96 kbps) or WAV format (44.1kHz, 48 kHz or 96 kHz (with a choice of 16 or 24 bit for each)). Also great to be able to select a microphone mode that picks up sound from both sides of the recorder. I also like that the H2 provides a choice of 10 folders in which to put recording.
The Zoom H2 comes with everything one needs to get going and more, including a small stand, a screw-in hand grip which can be mounted on a stand, plug-in power source, USB cable, stereo Y cable, 512 MB card, wind screen, and simple carrying bag. Everything I need for in-the-field interviews (including extra batteries) fits into a medium-sized digital camera bag which is small enough to take everywhere.
I got a 4 Gig Sandisc card (which allows for 3+ hours of recording at 44.1kHz, 16 bit) and some rechargeable nicad batteries and a charger. Copying the recorded files from the Sandisc card is quick and easy.
Based on others' concerns about the H2's construction, I've been especially careful opening and closing the door for the memory card, screwing in the stand and handgrip, and storing the H2 when not in use. But, it travelled with me to Europe and back with no problems and produced fine interviews while there.
The $175 cost is a bargain.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Zoom Recorder
Comment: The Zoom recorder is an incredible product. The quality of the recording is amazing!!! This is a purchase I should have made long ago. Again Amazon had the best price in town and I recieved it fast and in perfect condition.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Phenominal
Comment: I use the H2 to record my band's practice sessions and so far it is one fine piece of equipment. Easy to operate and the sound quality just blew us away. I am using Audacity ( shareware) to tweak the results a bit and the end result is fabulous. I just last night recorded in 4 channel and those results were the best yet. Highly recommended.
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