Customer Ratings: 
List Price: $249.99
Sale Price: $126.95
Today's Bonus: 49% Off
- Stereo X/Y mic configuration captures perfect stereo images
- Same frequency and SPL handling as popular Zoom H2
- Records Broadcast WAV (BWF) at 96kHz/48kHz/44.1kHz at 16-bit or 24-bit
- Records MP3 from 48 to 320kbps for maximum recording time
- Included accessories:Professional Closed Cup Headphones, Windscreen, AC adapter (USB type), USB Cable, Adjustable Tripod Stand, Padded-shell Case and a Mic Clip Adapter
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Zoom H1 with accessory Pack:
Note: I see that Amazon is selling this complete system around $20 cheaper if you buy the recorder and Accessory pack separately...
Amazon is very slow getting this product in stock, so I got tired of waiting and ordered it from a company out of Colorado on ebay at about the same price, and they also included a 2GB micro SD card & micro SD adapter kit with case, in it. I'm usually a BIG hold-out though when it comes to buying from Amazon as the selling merchant because of their easy return policy, but I really wanted this item and was tired of waiting for Amazon to supply it... anyways I got mine today.
The Zoom H1 is a very nice and very reasonably priced recorder. The added accessories kit is a very good option and I'm glad it was offered in this type of packaging. This thing will probably last me for quite some time. I've owned a few of the older analog mini cassette recorders like the ones made by Sony, but this is my 1st digital recorder. I was waiting on a very good quality device, that was stereo and low in price (compared to its quality).
So the ZOOM H1 with accessory pack, came with:
Zoom H1 recorder,
1 AA Battery
mini tripod,
Windscreen,
Mic clip adapter,
A/C adapter,
USB Cable,
Padded shell case,
set of cheap Tascam headphones with 1/8-1/4 stereo adapter plug,
my shipment included a Micro SD card (2GB) and Micro SD card adapter,
1/8" to 1/8" stereo line-In cable,
RCA (L/R) to 1/8" stereo cable,
Manual & paperwork...
I loaded the battery and micro SD card and the H1 opened a data input screen for programming the date, time, and such. This went very fast and was very easy to program. I then removed the battery to see if I have to redo this after every battery load up, and it remembered the settings, but does a quick SD card check at start up. TO power on the device you need to hold the power switch to the down position for a few seconds (located on the bottom right side of H1), and the screen will digitally greet you. The screen also displays some very nice messaging back to the user.
Next I reviewed the various buttons on the recorder, like on the very bottom there's a small speaker used to monitor playback with, but it's very very weak weak, so don't expect much from it. The monitor speaker works for a quick listen, but again u will need to use headsets or connect it up with the USB or line cables for best playback quality (or pull the SD card and slot it in the computer). On the backside I set the 3 buttons to my settings... (Low cut: ON, Auto level: ON, Format: MP3). On the right side I increased input recording level to 85% & on the left side I set the volume out level to 75%.
One thing I noticed (reading the manual 1st would prob... help), when I tried the REV/FF during playback is if I let off the button right away it would go to the very end or start like complete rewind. But I figured out that you need to hold these buttons done to do skips and short moves.
Then I hit the record button on the face of the Zoom H1 and did a quick recording in front of the HDTV set for 15 seconds. Then I stopped and hit the playback button on the right side, again the small monitor speaker is very weak, so I plugged in the provided headset and the quality was very good. One thing I noticed right away about this recorder is that its very sensitive. When holding it while recording it picks up everything, your movements, bumps, pressing the record, start, or stop buttons... the movement noises are picked up (maybe the input volume is set to high, I will play with that later) whatever... and it seems to have a very high freq... pitch to it, (it would be nice if this thing came with a remote and had built-in bluetooth, so we could use wireless bluetooth speaker/mic headset, that would be nice). So I opened the accessory pack and added the windscreen and tripod and that helped, but still a very sensitive item. You can hear everything during playback.
To delete a recording, just hit the delete button on the bottom right side, then verify it by pushing the red record button on the face of the Zoom H1. I haven't tried the USB connection, line-in, or line-out yet (headphones used as line-out), but its probably much like all the other small electronic devices, so I wont pester the peeps with it but these are nice options to have on such a reasonably priced recorder.
Overall for me: the price was right, especially with the options kit and included SD card kit. I will use this thing for everything, recording my music sessions, or out playing in the world environments... It will take some getting use to on its sensitivity, but I will adapt. So for me... its a keeper!
More Zoom H1 Specs (amazon doesnt do URLs):
Zoom H1 Portable Digital Recorder Features:
* Stereo X/Y mic configuration captures perfect stereo images
* Same frequency and SPL handling as popular Zoom H2
* Records Broadcast WAV (BWF) at 96kHz/48kHz/44.1kHz at 16-bit or 24-bit
* Records MP3 from 48 to 320kbps for maximum recording time
* Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port
* Built-in reference speaker
* Includes 2GB microSD memory card and 1 AA battery
* One AA size battery allows 10 hours operation
* Accommodates up to 32GB microSDHC memory cards
* Track marker function
* Low cut filter
* Built-in mounting joint for tripod mount
* 1/8 inch external mic input
* Stereo 1/8 inch line output
* Auto record level
enjoy :)
Buy Zoom H1 Portable Stereo Digital Audio Premium Pack - (New) Now
I bought one of these to:
Record myself playing trumpet/harmonica/singing
Conduct interviews
record speakers and speaking engagements
???
and it has performed brilliantly.
On that strength, I recommended this to a friend who is a Mary Kay director who does CD's for training, motivation and support for her sales associates. On that end, it has been brilliant. You can plop it in front of a guest speaker (one mic pointed toward the speaker and the other "mostly" towards the audience") and you get a clear, crisp and brilliant recording that is easy to listen to and not encumbered by hiss, distortion or other technological distractions. Not only that, but it is "Non-Technical Person" APPROVED. Very easy to use. If you can pull a file off of a pen drive, you can use this recorder 100%.
For audience recordings:
ALWAYS leave the "Auto Level" switch (on the back) ON. This will adjust the recording levels for when "someone in the back" asks a question (turning the sensitivity UP) and then automatically turn it back DOWN when the speaker starts up again.
** If the speaker is on a PA (meaning talking into a microphone and sound system) **: you are generally good. If you are making a CD, set it to "WAV" (slider on the back), and then use the > (fast forward) buttons when you turn it on (before starting to record) to set it to "44 / 16" mode. Any setting will burn to CD via iTunes (recommended method) just fine, but on the "44 / 16" setting it is the exact format a CD uses. Literally, drop it in and burn.
** If the speaker is NOT on a PA (just them talking to the room unassisted) ** : if you are going to have audience noise, clapping, etc. you will want to put the recorder NEARER to the speaker. MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THAT AUTO-LEVEL SWITCH on the back of the unit ON.
Other than that, unless you want to edit clips, just drop the file or files from the recorder into iTunes (delete any "test" recordings you don't want), make a playlist (plus sign at the bottom left of the iTunes window), drag that particular recording or recordings onto it and then press "burn playlist" to write it to a CD. Just about that easy.
Accessories:
These are life savers:
The tripod lets you put it on a desk, near enough to your mouth, and record an audio training or what-have-you with ease. Put on the foam cover for this, because if you don't, P's and F's and T's can sometimes break up and sound bad. With the foam cover, you sound pure rich, natural and distortion-free, even if you speak into it at close range.
The foam cover (above) protects you when you speak closely into it, or when you are outdoors in any kind of slight breeze or wind. For heavier breeze or wind, you need a RedHead protector (google it).
The microphone handle accessory is a God-send as well: will allow you to record a speaker standing up with ease if you have a mic stand (they are cheap and invaluable). Remember, closer to the speaker if they are not using an amplified PA/microphone/speakers.
The case is really good for keeping this relatively delicate product safe. All the money was poured into the mics and the recording electronics, not the case. It is not necessarily durable enough to smash under heavy weight in a bag somewhere, but the case will help that to some degree.
The power supply keeps you going if batteries die.
The cable allows you to transfer files right from the device. Usually would just use it like a camera card and plug it right into your computer, but this allows greater flexibility.
Final notes:
I highly recommend spending the ten bucks on an 8 GB (eight gigabyte) card. This will yield you many more hours of recording time and more flexibility. More space than that is not always necessary, but for about ten bucks you cannot beat an 8gb card right now.
The headphones in the kit are bulky and lousy, but oh well...they are roughly "free" all told.
If you need to edit your recording (fade in at the beginning or fade out at the end, cut out segments you don't want or mistakes made, etc.) then go ahead and download the free "Audacity" program and teach yourself how to use it by reading the user manual. It's free, powerful yet simple and once you LEARN it, you will LOVE it. It's worth your time. Or if you are big-time enough, hire someone on eLance or Rentacoder to do it for you. HIGH POWERED!!
FINAL NOTE FOR LIVE CONCERT RECORDING:
Other than that, I wish to say that I have now recorded live music with this thing (even bassy high-end PA and concert venue stuff) and it sounds phenomenal. I used to have a Sound Professionals rig with a DAT recorder, battery box and capsule microphones...naturally sounded great. But this is definitely comparable without the fuss of wires and rigging.
When you are recording a concert, you set the auto-levels to OFF and typically I am adjusting the levels (read the manual on how to do this) down to about 25. That seems to be the safest setting overall to prevent clipping or overloading (red light blinking rapidly when this happens) in your live music recording. I have recorded singers on a PA, live rock, orchestra over PA and various other amped and acoustic settings and they all come out really nice. This baby is where it's AT for me! :D Very happy.
Read Best Reviews of Zoom H1 Portable Stereo Digital Audio Premium Pack - (New) Here
I really wanted to like this product. Sure, it's made from flimsy plastic, the battery door rattles, the microsd cover feels like it wants to break every time you use it, and the buttons and switches are rubbish, but I was prepared to give the Zoom H1 a 4-star rating because the audio quality is fantastic for the price, it's light weight, and is supposed to get good battery life from a single AA battery.
Unfortunately, for me, the battery drain issue makes the product completely useless. The claimed battery life was a major factor, along with the great audio quality, in my decision to purchase the Zoom H1. However, I do not record for 8-10 hours each time so I expected a single AA battery to last me around a week or so, but instead the H1 I received drains about half a battery overnight. That is completely unacceptable. I thought about just removing the battery when I wasn't using the recorder but that quickly becomes a pain if you want accurate timestamps as you need to re-enter the date and time each time you remove the battery.
It's a shame as I would have very much liked this recorder if it wasn't for such a silly defect. I did read about users experiencing the battery drain and the fact that Samson was replacing defective units, but I had thought that since the product has been in the marketplace for quite some time now the issue would have been resolved with all units being currently sold.
Bottom Line: If not for the battery drain issue this recorder would have been a very good match for my needs. Rather than try my chances with a replacement I will look for an alternative with better build quality.
Want Zoom H1 Portable Stereo Digital Audio Premium Pack - (New) Discount?
Bought this 2-months ago, mainly to record our band practices since we were "breaking-in" a new guitarist. I was blown away by the quality of the recordings. I placed the recorder in the corner of the room and set the mp3 record quality to 192kbs to keep the file size manageable. Amazing quality with no fuss!
I also used it to record church services, since I play bass on the church worship team. It wasn't quite as successful there since it picked up all the coughing, sneezing, kids crying and a bit of an echo in the large sanctuary. Yesterday, during a church practice, I set it to record in wav format and plugged it into the sound board to record direct to the line in jack. Unfortunately, it only recorded on the left channel but I'm not sure if this is due to the recorder or the sound board. Even though it was mono, the quality was great with no echo or background noise since the on-stage mics were the only input. I will use it to record the Easter Service this morning and have no doubt that I'll be pleased with the results.
There has not been any indication of any battery life problems, and the unit is extremely easy to use. I'm over 65 and didn't have any problem with the technology. I will say that the manual is printed so small that I had to use a jeweler's loupe to read it. I ended up downloading a pdf version and read it from the computer so I could easily enlarge the directions & diagrams.
The accessory pack is a must have addition. I'm happy with the Nady headphones that came with mine. The tripod & usb cable are invaluable. I also recommend purchasing an 8GB micro SD card you'll get at least 5-hours recording time in wav format and at least 10 times more in any mp3 format.
I agree with other reviewers that the auto level function is not very useful for recording live music. It will take a little tinkering to get your input level set correctly for each situation but its easy enough and well worth the effort. Once the files are downloaded to the computer, you can easily tweak the sounds to your preference. The original files sound great but you might want to use a sound editor to reduce the bass or bring up the trebles. Both Nero & Roxio have sound editors built in as do most other audio software programs.
Conclusion is it feels a little "chintzy" but if you handle it with care and keep it in the hard shell carrying case that came with the accessory pack, it should last a long time and give you "A1" recordings.
Any buyer should note that this product is EXTREMELY flimsy and its accessories even more so. Yes, I like that it's so lightweight, but the plastic is simply far too delicate. I've looked after mine really carefully, but already by the fourth usage the 'on' switch/slider had broken off. I now have to slide it on by inserting a pin into the slot. If there were a slightly more solidly-built product for a slightly higher price, I would have considered that money better spent.
Also, it does have a few quirks. I've learned the hard way that you cannot reformat the memory card in your computer: you must do it in the Zoom, by holding down the 'delete' button as you power on. Otherwise the recorder appears to be recording, but you just end up with a blank file of 0kb.
