These are my initial impressions of the Zoom H4e 32-bit recorder in a video review.
Video transcript:
Welcome, and thanks for joining me on a rainy day. I’m going to talk to you about the H4n Pro recorder that I recently got my hands on. For some context, I’ve used the older H1n—the smaller one—many years ago until it stopped working. A lot of the recording I do is using a swivel mic, like this one. I am handholding it today, which is not normally my style, but the reason I wanted to record this way is that, in other reviews, people mentioned that the plasticky exterior of this device gave some handling noise as you’re moving it around. So, I wanted to record in a sort of ‘worst-case scenario,’ so you guys could hear for yourselves if you feel that’s happening, rather than using it on a stand.
Now, over the last month that I’ve had this, I used it with a lavalier mic out of the 3.5mm jack. It also has two XLR jacks on the bottom that double as larger TRS plugs if you want to go that route. That kind of versatility is huge. To set the stage for why that’s significant to me: years ago, when I did a lot more recording—beyond just YouTubing—it was to produce podcasts for my wife and a few other folks, where they were interviewing people.
I remember the 20-plus minutes of setup I’d have to do with an audio mixer and cables everywhere just to get everything ready to roll. Thinking back on that now, I realize how huge it would’ve been to have something handheld that could record three tracks (or at least two) of audio simultaneously, without needing an external power source and a ton of extension cables.
Interestingly, I’m recording the audio for this review with the H4n Pro itself. Anytime I review a microphone, I do this so you can get a sense of the recording quality. While I’m happy it offers 32-bit recording (because I agree it gives you more headroom and flexibility), I think the claim that it makes clipping ‘impossible’ is exaggerated. When I’ve done some handheld recordings with this, if it’s too close to my mouth or I’m too loud at one point—especially with the P sounds (plosives)—you can still clip, and I have. So, while it can make clipping less likely compared to traditional recording formats, it can still happen.
That said, the advantage when it’s working properly is that you don’t have to set your gain level, like you would on other recorders. This was a big part of my podcasting process, and I never liked doing it—not just because it was time-consuming, but because it made the warm-up stage harder. If you had a guest who was already nervous about being on camera, the host would want to chat them up to warm them up before going live. But it’s harder to do that if the sound guy is still testing levels, saying, ‘Okay, test again, say something else.’
The idea here is that the H4n Pro has a high gain and a low gain, switching between them at will, based on what it’s hearing—with the headroom of 32-bit float. The combination of that is pretty cool and definitely timesaving. It’s useful for professionals, but it’s also a great entry point for YouTubers, ASMR artists, or run-and-gun journalists who just want to capture quotes or interviews. Even for someone like me, who’s relatively technical but doesn’t always want to get bogged down with a ton of settings, this device is nice. You can dial in your settings the first time and then often just turn it on, hit record, and it handles the rest for you.
Some other reviews of this device were from professional engineers, who were a little more skeptical of certain aspects. So, for really high-end recording, it may not be entirely sufficient compared to other options on the market. But from my perspective, as an audio enthusiast who has done semi-professional recording, I think it’s a great package. The total price tag isn’t much higher than, say, the Yeti mic that I use often. I think this was about $160 when I got it.
A lot of people knock these mics—they’re a bit of a cliché at this point—but they’re popular for a reason: they deliver good audio quality. I use the Yeti a lot in my videos, but I bring it up because, for not much more money, you get comparable recording quality with the H4n Pro’s main mic. It doesn’t capture the lower richness of the voice as well as the Yeti does, but that’s the only real difference I’ve noticed. The mic quality is solid, and you’re also getting a whole audio interface and 32-bit recording in a portable package. That’s a lot for the price.
Some nice upgrades include USB-C connectivity, which is great because the H1n I had years ago was still using micro-USB, and that’s a hassle. Even today, some devices like the Yeti still use micro-USB for some reason, and it’s annoying to dig around for a cable that most of us don’t use anymore. USB-C has better durability and faster transfer speeds. While it’s still USB 2.0 speed, which isn’t amazing, it’s good enough for audio files, since they’re not as huge as video files.
Navigating this device is simple, using a little scroll wheel on the side to cycle through menus, and an enter button to go deeper into settings. It’s not as slick as a touchscreen would be, but that would drive up the price. Most of my usage is ‘set it and forget it,’ so I don’t mind the design.
I also like the battery flexibility. You can use regular alkalines or nickel-metal hydrides, and you can even tell the device which type you’re using so it optimizes battery life. It lasts long enough for most recordings, around 10 hours, so if I see 50% battery before a session, I’m confident it’ll last.
If I had a gripe, it’s the way it saves files. Everything is saved in a folder named by the date (year, month, etc.), which can get overwhelming if you have to dig through multiple folders. Also, if you record in mono, it still saves a duplicate stereo version alongside it, which I find unnecessary and a waste of space. I wish it would just save the mono track without the duplicate.
Lastly, I wish they had included a belt clip. Since you can plug in a lav mic, it would be convenient to clip the recorder to your belt, but that’s missing. The recorder is also a bit bulky to stuff into a pocket.
Overall, I’ve gotten a lot out of this device and plan to work it more regularly into my recording setup. You’ll probably see it in future videos. If I didn’t cover something you’re wondering about, feel free to ask in the comments, and I’ll do my best to answer. If you’re interested in this recorder, I’ll include an affiliate link in the description. Clicking that helps me out and doesn’t cost you extra. I appreciate the support.
If you have thoughts on your own recording setup—whether you’re an engineer or an enthusiast like me—share them! I love reading that kind of feedback. Thanks for watching, and I’ll catch you in the next one.
Get yours here: https://amzn.to/3Y4SHve
Brian Watkins has worked as a copywriter, SEO strategist, and photographer since 2007. He’s helped numerous businesses level up their revenue through stronger copy, and is also a YouTuber. Blending creative and technical disciplines has been a passion since he was a teenager, growing up in a home with two IT tech parents while he practiced creative writing and camera work.