Zoom H2n 2-Input / 4-Track Portable Handy Recorder with Onboard 5-Mic Array

Ideal for versatile, immersive capture of musical ensembles and audio for VR, the Zoom H2n portable handheld recorder with an onboard 5-mic array lets you record high-resolution stereo or surround sound audio in the palm of your hand. Make aurally exciting music tracks and create captivating sound beds with nothing more than the H2n. Like other H-Series Handy recorders such as the H5 and H6, you can hold it in your hand, attach it to a mic stand or tripod, or mount it to a camera (shoe mount available separately); the H2n's multichannel capabilities and rugged, travel-friendly body make it more than ready to meet the varied demands of YouTube content creators, musicians, sound recordists, and more. From its long battery life to its Spatial Audio support, the H2n is well equipped for tracking live music, recording sound effects and ambience, or producing sound for 360° VR videos. It can supply plug-in power for a lavalier condenser mic, or even accept a direct line-level connection from a mixer or wireless receiver. No matter the source, selectable auto-recording and pre-recording ensure that you'll never miss the start of a take. The H2n's onboard 5-mic array opens the door to true stereo or surround sound recording without external microphones. The built-in microphones—two form an X/Y pair, while the other three are configured in a mid-side pattern—can be used separately for X/Y or MS stereo recording, or combined to create 2- or 4-channel surround sound. A simple dial atop the grille grants effortless switching between the four modes. X/Y mode utilizes two matched unidirectional mics set at a 90° angle (relative to each other) for clear, phase-accurate capture with a tight stereo image. MS mode employs one forward-facing mic and two side-facing mics to simultaneously capture direct signal and ambience while providing optimal stereo-to-mono compatibility. The H2n's internal MS decoder allows you to adjust the relative level of the mic element before or after the recording process, effectively manipulating the perceived stereo width. Use 2ch mode to create a single stereo file of the combined mics, or select 4ch mode to record the signal from the H2n's X/Y mics onto one stereo track and signal from the MS mics onto another. The resulting pair of tracks can then be routed to separate speakers for an immersive listening experience or can be blended into a custom stereo track. In addition, the H2n's MS decoding feature can be used to independently alter the level of the Side signal in both 2ch and 4ch modes. Using Spatial Audio mode, you can create a single 4-channel, multi-track WAV file that includes omni, left/right, and forward/backward tracks. This Spatial Audio file is then ready to be combined with 360° VR videos recorded with the Google Jump-compatible camera rig (such as the GoPro Odyssey or Ricoh Theta). Once completed, the immersive videos are ready to upload to YouTube. Thanks to a 3.5mm stereo mini-jack input that supplies 2.5V plug-in power, the H2n can accommodate an external condenser microphone such as a clip-on lavalier for crisp, close-miked speech reproduction. Plugging in an external source to the 3.5mm jack overrides the onboard X/Y stereo mic, so no menu-based input selection is required. Since the 3.5mm input also supports line-level signal, you can route the output of a wireless microphone receiver into the H2n. Maximize portability by recording directly to a separately available SD/SDHC card (up to 32GB capacity). A 4GB card will yield over three hours of 4-channel recording at 16-bit / 44.1 kHz resolution using the BWF-compliant WAV format for uncompressed audio quality and industry-standard file compatibility. Alternatively, use the H2n as a USB microphone, or as a 4-in/2-out USB 2.0 audio interface at up to 16-bit / 48 kHz. The USB port also enables the H2n to be used as a card reader for fast file transfers.