ZOOM H1essential Handy Recorder – Portable Audio Recorder with 32-Bit Float for Music, Podcast, Film & Content Creation – Black

I bought this item on the knowledge that it had a line-in port and the ability to sample audio at 96KHz 32bit-float resolution, making it a useful tool for making digital archival copies of my vinyl records. If that's your intended purpose, you will need an attenuator cable and a shielded RCA-to-3mm Jack cable. The internal line-in is better suited to microphones and will overload easily, but these cables are both inexpensive and plentiful on Amazon, and will do the trick nicely. Once you're set up, the device is incredibly easy to use. The screen may be tiny, but the UI is very simple and intuitive; it took me merely a few minutes to find my way around. The sound quality of the vinyl rips I've made with this device surpass those I've made using the USB-output on my ProJect PhonoBox USB V; not just because of the higher resolution, but because the Analogue-to-Digital converter inside is superior to the generic Burr Brown counterparts in most USB turntables and amplifiers. The device does not come with any internal memory or a supplied SD card, but even at full resolution, a day's worth of ripping won't fill a 32Gb card. I can't really comment on battery life as the USB-C interface acts as both a power supply and a data transfer tool. As a power supply, it provides everything the device needs, but data transfer speeds are incredibly slow, around 2.5Mb/second. If you're recording at maximum resolution, you're better off ejecting the SD card and inserting it into your computer. This is a fiddly process as the SD card slot is recessed from the main body, but you'll get the hang of it. I don't intend to use it for making field recordings or podcasts, so I can't comment on the quality of the internal microphones, but for the task I purchased it for, it's excellent!

It records bird songs well. Well enough for me anyway. Though it uses alot of batteries so need to take PLENTY of spares. The delete buttons are a bit tiny. But I like it. It’s small and it fits in my pocket.

The Zoom H1e (H1 Essential) is a compact, budget-friendly portable recorder that offers some notable upgrades over its predecessors, including the H1 and H1n. Here's a detailed review based on its performance and features: Pros: 1. 32-bit Float Recording: This ensures a wide dynamic range and minimizes clipping issues, making it an excellent choice for varying sound levels. 2. Lightweight and Portable: The small form factor is ideal for on-the-go recording and content creation. 3. Dual-Microphone XY Configuration: Captures stereo audio with clarity and depth. 4. Affordable Price: At around $100, it offers a solid set of features for the price. 5. Versatile Input Options: Includes a 3.5mm microphone input, enhancing its usability with external mics. Cons: 1. Handling Noise: The recorder is sensitive to handling noise, which can affect recordings if care isn't taken. 2. Preamp Noise: Its preamps introduce a noticeable noise floor, particularly in quiet environments or with sensitive microphones. 3. Limited Wind Protection: The built-in microphones are prone to plosives and wind noise, requiring an external windscreen for outdoor use. Conclusion: The Zoom H1e is a solid entry-level recorder for vloggers, podcasters, musicians, and field recordists. Its 32-bit float recording and portability are its standout features, though users may need to invest in accessories like windscreens or external mics for optimal performance. It's an excellent value-for-money option for those needing quality recording on a budget.

So far so good. Easy to set up and very easy to record and download files. The screen is small. It feels cheap, but for the money it is a great bit of kit for recording live music

Amazing device. It doesn't matter if you are recording a live event, an interview or voiceover, or just ambient sounds, this little chap does it and sound great. Full audio range with amazing detail and clarity in a compact device

I bought this as another endless solution to half decent audio recording for motovlogging. I test it and it seems great. I go out on a trip, use it exactly as I had before and as soon as I travel at any kind of speed the audio is completely distorted. Useless. If I hadnt thrown the box away I would be getting a refund.

Good little recorder very easy to use also it talks to you 😂😂 it tells you if the audio is too loud I really like it small not too bulky already tested it from multiple sound sources and I am very happy with the quality of recordings can’t really be beaten for the price 🥳

As an enthusiastic and long-time Zoom equipment user, including the H1 and H1n, I biught this model to get the 32 bit float feature, and also because I'd read good things about the improved user interface. 32 bit float means the recorder doesn't have a gain control, and can record whatever level you throw at it. For recording live amplified music gigs, this has been a real asset. Recordings are no longer clipped if louder than I anticipated, or lacking detail if quieter. I just press record and forget about it. However, if you are using it to record low-volume sounds, you will find the preamps are so noisy. To be fair, the H1n suffers from the same issue. The revised user interface is underwhelming. The screen is still not that legible, and since there is no level setting, the ever present waveform display is just eye-candy. Most annoying feature is that it still will not remember the date and time settings when you swap batteries, and setting the date and time through the button interface every time is so fiddly. I also haven't been able to download files via the USB interface, so not sure what they've changed there. So in summary, if you are recording live loud events where you don't have time to set levels and want to be sure you are getting the full dynamic range, it is a useful upgrade from the H1n.

La Zoom H1essential es un salto cualitativo enorme para grabaciones de campo, podcasts y producción de audio rápida. La incorporación de la tecnología de 32 bits flotantes elimina por completo la preocupación por ajustar la ganancia, evitando cualquier tipo de distorsión o saturación incluso en entornos con picos de volumen impredecibles. Puntos fuertes: - Grabación a 32-bit float: Es la función estrella; te olvidas de ajustar niveles o de que el audio se acople o distorsione. Permite recuperar partes muy silenciosas o muy ruidosas en postproducción sin perder calidad. - Calidad de los micrófonos integrados: El par estéreo en configuración X/Y captura un sonido limpio, amplio y natural para diálogos, ambiente o instrumentos. - Interfaz y accesibilidad: La pantalla OLED es clara y la navegación por los menús es muy accesible e intuitiva, contando además con guía por voz muy útil para personas con discapacidad visual. - Uso como interfaz USB: Se conecta fácilmente al ordenador o smartphone mediante USB-C para funcionar como micrófono USB directo para streaming, llamadas o podcasting. A tener en cuenta: Cuerpo de plástico: Es extremadamente ligera y compacta, pero hay que manejarla con cuidado o usar un antipop/antiviento en exteriores si hay corrientes de aire. En conclusión, es una herramienta imprescindible para cualquier creador de contenido, podcaster o realizador de audio que busque un equipo portátil con calidad profesional y la seguridad de no perder nunca una toma por distorsión. Si tener en cuenta, recordar llevar baterías de repuesto si la vas a conectar a micrófonos externos, en mi caso lo hice con unos SYNCO y la batería se consumió rápido, aunque la mantuve conectada a un powerbank y nunca dejó de funcionar, así que para mí, está más que perfecta

😀

Just got it, first impression it looks cheap, very light, came with no cable to upload sound to my laptop. Most important i need to do some field test, haven’t done it yet as it came with no batteries either.

I use this to record my band's live performances. Super easy, great quality sound, batteries last forever, handy tripod mount .... great unit. It is plastic so you need to be careful with it, but the function for the price can't be beat.

⭐ 1/5 – Very Disappointing Product Unfortunately, this voice recorder did not meet my expectations at all. First, the device only works when connected to a charging cable. As soon as I disconnect the cable, it immediately turns off, which suggests that the internal battery is defective. Second, and most importantly, the recording quality is extremely poor, whether the noise cancellation feature is enabled or disabled. The audio is unclear and far below an acceptable standard. Overall, I am extremely disappointed with this purchase. Poor recording quality, possible battery failure, and definitely not worth the money. I do not recommend this product.