Zoom H1 Ultra-Portable Digital Audio Recorder
The H1 Handy Recorder from Zoom is an easy-to-use, versatile stereo digital audio recorder that fits into the palm of your hand. Following in the footsteps of the popular H2 and H4n, the H1 brings pro-level recording to a more compact and affordable design. Perfect for musicians, journalists, podcasters, and more, the H1 records high-quality WAV and MP3 files to meet any professional need. The H1 has a stereo X/Y microphone configuration that captures perfect stereo images. A built-in speaker lets you listen to your recordings right away.
The H1 records your audio onto easily-found microSD or microSDHC flash memory cards, supporting capacities up to 32GB. A 2GB card is included so you can begin recording right away. The H1 records WAV audio at rates up to 24-bit/96kHz, and MP3 audio at rates up to 320kbps and VBR. The pocket-sized device runs on a single AA battery to provide up to 10 hours of continuous operation.
The simple, intuitive interface provides you with 1-button recording, while a backlit LCD display shows vital information. The rear of the recorder features controls for the low cut filter, automatic level control, and format selection. Physical controls are provided for input level and record/playback functions, so you don't have to navigate through complicated menus in order to find the features you want.
A 3.5mm mic/line input lets you connect an external microphone or music player, while a 3.5mm headphone/line output lets you connect your favorite headphones or small external speakers. A high-speed USB 2.0 port allows you to easily transfer data to your Mac or PC. A threaded tripod mount socket makes it easy to mount the H1 on a tripod or stand.
- Recording Time
- The H1 records on microSD cards and comes with a 2GB microSD card. Using a 32GB microSDHC card allows over 50 hours of recording time at 16-bit/44.1 kHz.
- Compact Form Factor
- This tiny recorder slips easily into your pocket or bag for the ultimate in portability
- High-Quality Audio
- The recorder can record WAV (BWF) files at up to 24-bit/96kHz or MP3 files up to 320kbps and VBR. Broadcast Wave Format allows you to add track markers to your recording
- X/Y Stereo Mic Configuration
- The X/Y stereo microphone configuration captures crisp, true stereo recordings for incredible accuracy and realism
- Reference Speaker
- A built-in speaker lets you listen to your recordings immediately
- microSD/SDHC Card Recording
- The H1 records to easily-found microSD and microSDHC memory cards with capacities up to 32GB. A 2GB card is included to get you started
- Easy-to-Use
- The simple interface provides 1-button recording and offers physical controls for playback functions, input and volume levels, low cut filter, and auto level control; eliminating the need for complicated menus. The backlit LCD screen makes it easy to see vital information
- Automatic Gain and Low-Cut Filter
- An advanced Auto Gain Control (AGC) and low-cut filter allow the H1 to record audio at the most appropriate level while minimizing unwanted noise without having to adjust settings
- AA Battery
- The H1 uses a single AA battery to give you up to 10 hours of continuous use
- Input/Output Options
- A standard 3.5mm mic/line input lets you connect external microphones and sound sources such as MP3 players. A 3.5mm headphone/line output let you connect headphones or small external speakers
- High-Speed USB 2.0
- A high-speed USB 2.0 port allows you to quickly transfer your audio files to your Mac or PC
- Tripod Mounting
- A standard threaded tripod socket lets you mount the H1 to a tripod or stand
- Optional Accessory Kit
- The APH-1 accessory package (sold separately) offers a windscreen, AC adapter, USB cable, adjustable tripod stand, padded case, and mic clip adapter to maximize the H1's capabilities
| Type | Hand-held stereo digital audio recorder |
| Recording/Reading Methods | microSD/SDHC card (2GB included) |
| Recording Bit Rate |
WAV: 16 and 24-bit MP3: 48-320kbps, VBR |
| Sampling Frequency |
WAV: 44.1, 48, and 96kHz MP3: 44.1/48kHz |
| Number of Channels | 2 |
| Recording Time |
All times are for a 1GB memory card Stereo Mode: MP3: 17 hours 21 mins (128kbps), 6 hours 56 mins (320kbps) WAV: 1 hour 34 mins (16-bit/44.1kHz), 1 hour 26 mins (16-bit/48kHz), 28 mins (24-bit/96kHz) |
| AD/DA Conversion | 24-bit, 128x oversampling |
| Signal Processing | 32-bit |
| Connectors |
1 x 3.5mm mic/line input 1 x 3.5mm headphone/line output 1 x High-speed USB 2.0 port, mini-B type |
| Microphone Type | Unidirectional condenser microphone |
| Gain | 0 to +39dB (Min gain with digital attenuation is -28dB) |
| SPL | 120dB max |
| Input Impedance | 2k ohms (0 to -39dBm) |
| Output Impedance | 10k ohms or more |
| Output Level |
-10dBm rated 20mW + 20mW phones output level into 32 ohms |
| Speaker | 400mW @ 8 ohms |
| Display | 127-segment custom LCD with backlight |
| Battery Type/Life |
1 x AA or LR6 battery Up to 10 hours MP3, 9.5 hours WAV |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 1.7 x 5.4 x 1.2" (44 x 136 x 31mm) |
| Weight | 2.1 oz (60g) (without batteries) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 222 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
92%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to use (179)
- Excellent sound (154)
- Versatile (114)
- Low distortion (77)
- Good power output (40)
Cons
- Poor quality construction (48)
- Weak (16)
- Difficult to use (6)
- Poor sound quality (5)
- Handling noise (4)
Best Uses
- Amateur recording (123)
- Outdoor events / games (99)
- Performances (71)
- Professional recording (66)
- Home studio (64)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Experienced (136), Novice (38), Professional musician (17)
Most Liked Positive Review
A pretty great little recorder
So you are probably like me, sorting products by price - low to high and you found the H1 right there at the top. Your next question will probably be if going cheap will ...Read complete review
So you are probably like me, sorting products by price - low to high and you found the H1 right there at the top. Your next question will probably be if going cheap will take you all the way to heavenly field recordings. Then you start imagining what the size will allow you to do. It fits nicely in your pocket and is light enough that you can actually keep it in your shirt pocket. At least these were some of the things I wondered about before getting mine.
First of all, anyone who ever thought of getting one of those voice recorders - you should all get this one, because it gives you superior sound quality and is just as small. Having said that, depending on what you plan to record, you might want to compare the sound quality with other products. I use mine mostly for voice recordings, field recordings for music and to record rehearsals and concerts. As I just mentioned, voice recordings come out perfect and a conversation with several people in a big room, such as a conference room or even a lecture hall is no problem. For my field recordings, the H1 does indeed lack some detail, especially in the higher frequencies, slightly altering the sense of room space, transparency, depth and distance, both indoors and outdoors. But the noise level is very low, which allows you to do more detailed work on the recordings on the computer. Rehearsals at very high volume do sound a bit compressed and distorted and obviously you are going to lose dynamics and clarity, but it still does a pretty good job of separating highs, mids and lows, leaving you with a fairly accurate description of what was actually going on during the recording.
What I really don't like is the clicking sound that seems to be impossible to avoid at the beginning and the end of each recording. This forces you to edit every single file by hand, regardless of how the actual recording came out.
What I do like is the size versus sound quality and the price. It really leaves you no excuse to not bring it with you to record any sound that you might encounter during a day. This kind of flexibility, at least for me, almost always leads to more creativity. Although be careful with recording sounds close to a police officer, it does look a lot like a taser.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Decent compact unit. Forget superlatives
declaration: B+H lured this review with a competition incentive.
2nd declaration: this review will not sound like the generic zoom press release as many others ive read do!
Read complete review
declaration: B+H lured this review with a competition incentive.
2nd declaration: this review will not sound like the generic zoom press release as many others ive read do!
I'd had my eye on smaller solid state recorder for a little while when this came on the horizon, the other main contenders were Sony IC internal memory units. H1 won over on paper with the better mics and recording to card instead of internal memory.
As many others have mentioned, the wind noise is very very sensitive. I wouldn't ever have the small windsock off unless it was really safe indoors. The mics already bulge out of the top of the unit so a windsock and certainly a windjammer add significant size to the unit. All this leads to more 'poking out of your pocket; rather than pocket sized recorder. This makes me think how the H2 is in many ways more suited to the 'pocket sized' tag as its pop filter mesh handles light breeze well and the whole unit is a rectangle.
Also the "cheap plastic" feel which has been well covered is pretty accurate. But it feels like an AV remote, not a phone or something solid. The main impact of this apart from peoples 'quality perception' is that it makes handling noise really sensitive as the plastic case creaks into the mics.
In the first few weeks of use ive had the flimsy card door dislodge and get lost, lost one recording which didn't save, juggled a few outdoor interviews trying to block the wind with my or the interviewees bodies and only drop it a couple of times (should attach a strap soon)
The sony IC recorders still win out for the minimalists as they are significantly slimmer + small, have their own slide out USB plug and charge a single battery thru that plug. Poor metering though. Important considerations for a cycle touring sound ethnographer / field recordist - but this unit is very decent. Just don't believe the ipod style "this is the new very best thing, in the smallest package for the cheapest price" spiels! enjoy.
Reviewed by 222 customers
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Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
Cons
- Cheap-ish plastic casing
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Events
- Performances
Comments about Zoom H1 Ultra-Portable Digital Audio Recorder:
I'm a student composer who was looking for a good but relatively cheap recording device that I could take with me practically anywhere and use to get some recordings of my works. My professor recommended this one to me, and after looking into it and other options, I went ahead and ordered myself the Zoom H1.
I couldn't be happier with this product! It's super easy to use and the sound quality is really good. I also really like that it contains a micro SD lot (it comes with a 2 gb one, but I switched that out for a larger one), and that it can store recordings directly on the device, or that it can be plugged straight into a computer or other device and record onto that.
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
Cons
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Events
- Interviews
Comments about Zoom H1 Ultra-Portable Digital Audio Recorder:
This recorder is easy to use; easy to transfer files to a computer; great sound quality. I only wish it gave some sort of warning when the battery is getting weak.
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Events
Comments about Zoom H1 Ultra-Portable Digital Audio Recorder:
Easy to use and good sound quality.
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Versatile
Cons
- Difficult To Use
- Poor Quality Construction
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
Comments about Zoom H1 Ultra-Portable Digital Audio Recorder:
I bought this for my Dad to record notes and life stories.
The audio quality is great, but can present noticeable noise (hiss) at higher mic amplification levels (greater than input level 70). Nothing that any editing software (such as Audacity) couldn't remove. Stereo separation is fantastic with the built-in X-Y condenser mics - perfect for interviews to assist in identifying who is speaking.
Having the date and time set and applied as the creation date of each track is fantastic for helping keep tabs on where and when the recording took place - ideal if you are using this unit for interviews or for taking notes.
The display is large clear and easy to read. It only displays the information you actually need (sample rate, current time etc). Button layout is good, with the one large red record button on the front providing a quick and easy way to start a new track.
The H1's compact size does however mean a compromise in the other buttons for playback and file management. These buttons are the same colour as the casing, which can be hard to see and read the labels. Samson could perhaps make the playback and file management buttons silver or maybe even colour coded to make identification easier? ( e.g. Green = play/pause, blue = Fast Forward, Yellow = Rewind etc).
Disappointed to see large amounts of plastic in the design. The AA cell compartment door feels very light and I feel may not last long with regular use. Handling noise is also prominent, so I highly recommend the matching accessory pack (APH-1 Accessory Package for H1) to utilise the tripod and microphone windbreak.
Overall, you get what you pay for. The simple operation and good sound are compromised with the build quality and some other design aspects, but these are small compared to the overall package. Sure there are most likely more expensive portable devices on the market that may have greater build quality or more features. But the H1 sure does give you a great simple package that gets the job done, at a great price.
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
Cons
Best Uses
- Events
Comments about Zoom H1 Ultra-Portable Digital Audio Recorder:
Perfect for weddings. Attach a lav mic and put it in the grooms pocket.
Pros
- 2 GB storage
- 35mm micline input
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Good choice of formats
- Removable battery
- Removable storage
- USB mass storage
Cons
- Flimsy cover for SD slot
- Handling noise
- No display of track num
- No mono recording
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Events
- Music practice
Comments about Zoom H1 Ultra-Portable Digital Audio Recorder:
Super easy to use--press the red button to record, press again to stop. Generous-sized 2GB micro-SD card. X/Y stereo ONLY. Form factor of a hand-held mic, but if you use it as such, you are off-axis on both mics. I'd much prefer mid-side with mono option. Noise floor ~ -55dB, which is not terrible, but obviously the 24bit recording option is pointless. Sound is satisfactory, perhaps a bit harsh in the upper midrange. Since it connects by USB and draws power from the USB, why doesn't it have capability as a computer mic? Perhaps a firmware upgrade will address that.
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Low Distortion
- Versatile
- Works well with Calibre
Cons
- No major ones
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Conference Recordings
- Home Studio
- Mobile DJ
- Spoken Voice Recording
Comments about Zoom H1 Ultra-Portable Digital Audio Recorder:
I'm a recent volunteer at Librivox, the non-profit, open source operation which produces free audio versions of public domain literature. I was looking for an affordable alternative to my USB port headphones with mic, since that rig caught all the noise from my computer's hard drive and fan. While "window shopping" at [@], a bright young worker there (a musician who teaches guitar and records his feedback for students) told me that he uses the H1. As he explained how it works, I realized that this completely silent (battery powered) recorder might solve my problem. AND IT DID--reducing ambient noise in my recordings to extremely low levels. I recommend it highly.
Pros
- Cheap
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Low Distortion
- Versatile
Cons
- Dont drop it
- Lightweight
- No XLR input
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Interviews
- Professional Recording
- Voice Overs
Comments about Zoom H1 Ultra-Portable Digital Audio Recorder:
What a great little digital audio recorder this is. Simple to use and perfectly compliments my 600d to grab the sound at a quality that unfortunately the camera cant. Its light, portable and if you treat it well should last a lifetime.
- Recommended:
- Accesory pack.
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Low Distortion
- Versatile
Cons
- Poor Quality Construction
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Events
- Home Studio
Comments about Zoom H1 Ultra-Portable Digital Audio Recorder:
Very high quality audio for such an affordable price!
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
Cons
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Home Studio
Comments about Zoom H1 Ultra-Portable Digital Audio Recorder:
Good device. I like that I can fit it in my pocket while recording with lavalier mic and its light. The interface is very simple, but doesnt have most of the features of the h4
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Low Distortion
Cons
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Home Studio
- Professional Recording
Comments about Zoom H1 Ultra-Portable Digital Audio Recorder:
So easy to use. You can't mess up. And the result is easy to edit & broadcast quality.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Zoom H1 Ultra-Portable Digital Audio Recorder:
From reviews, by far the best recorder for the price. Haven't used it extensively yet but my uses are for documentary production. A friend has it and loves it! Would recommend.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
Cons
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Home Studio
- Professional Recording
Comments about Zoom H1 Ultra-Portable Digital Audio Recorder:
This recorder is very user intuitive.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- DSLR video
- Events
- Home Studio
- Professional Recording
Comments about Zoom H1 Ultra-Portable Digital Audio Recorder:
Great recording unit, I use it standalone on a minitripod and also mounted to my 7D, either as an external microphone or external recorder. Oustanding quality for live interviews and filming, or even recording amplified sound systems at events. Love the size and ease of use, as well as the accessory pack available for it (you can get the whole package with the accessories and recorder for $100 or the just recorder for [$]). Great for recording with lavalier mics and adding the audio later as well. Would recommend this to anyone!
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
Cons
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Home Studio
- Performances
- Professional Recording
Comments about Zoom H1 Ultra-Portable Digital Audio Recorder:
I buy it for a cousin. she Told me that she was really happy with this recorder, easy to use, Amazing audio and that is really tiny compare to others she have used. she takes it everywhere with out problems. I bought her later the kit accessory, and was super happy with them all, it's really a bonus of quality to anyone who buy the recorder, it boost it!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- DSLR Cinematography
Comments about Zoom H1 Ultra-Portable Digital Audio Recorder:
Device is very easy to use.
Long battery life.
Nice, quality stereo sound.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Low Distortion
- Versatile
Cons
- Poor Quality Construction
Best Uses
- Events
- Performances
- Professional Recording
Comments about Zoom H1 Ultra-Portable Digital Audio Recorder:
Good sound quality comparing it's price. Very light. Does tether to dslr easily so you don't need to synchronize video and audio afterwards. Good device!!!
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Low Distortion
- Powerful
- Versatile
Cons
- Poor Quality Construction
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Events
- Performances
Comments about Zoom H1 Ultra-Portable Digital Audio Recorder:
I use the zoom h1 to record live concerts and also for my short films as an audio recorder. the sound quallity of the mic is great with very little distortion. the only thing i dont like about the product is it feels VERY VERY cheap and it doesnt have the best button layout.
Pros
- Excellent Sound
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Zoom H1 Ultra-Portable Digital Audio Recorder:
I use this for recording corporate business video interviews. The sound is tremendously better than that of our sony camera or the sony shotgun mic that we added to the camera. I wish there was a way to easily physically mount it to my video camera but there is not.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Low Distortion
- Powerful
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Home Studio
- Professional Recording
Comments about Zoom H1 Ultra-Portable Digital Audio Recorder:
So far, I am really impressed at the abaility of this device to record crisp audio. I recorded asome precious words of my toddler and using a sound editor I created a ring tone for my phone. My family loves it and is totally impressed at how great it sounds. For the money, I am truly impressed at the performance.
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Accessory Packages
- Price: $24.99
Batteries & Power
- Price: $1.23
-
- Original: $13.99
- Save: $1.40
- Price: $12.59
Cables
- Price: $14.29
Media
- Price: $3.54
Headphones
- Price: $19.99
Wind Protection
- Price: $24.95
What's in the Box
- 2GB microSD Card
- AA Battery
- 1-Year Limited Warranty
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