Zoom H1n-VP 2-Channel Handy Recorder with Built-in X/Y Stereo Microphones
The H1n is the small, plain, press-record end of the Zoom range. At 60 g without batteries it goes in a jacket pocket, and its X/Y microphones handle two tracks of high resolution stereo without any setup at all.
- X/Y stereo mics: a 90 degree unidirectional condenser pair, fixed and ready, with no capsule to fit.
- Up to 24-bit / 96 kHz: WAV at 44.1, 48 or 96 kHz, plus a range of MP3 formats when file size matters.
- One-touch controls: the front panel is laid out for recording songs, audio for film, lectures and podcasts without menu diving.
- 1.25 inch monochrome LCD: readable even in bright light.
- Onboard limiter: distortion-free signal up to 120 dB SPL, enough for a loud band in a small room.
- Low-cut filter: removes pops and low frequency rumble at the source.
- Unlimited overdubbing: stack layers onto an existing take.
- Playback speed control: slow a recording down for transcription without changing its pitch.
- Auto-record, pre-record and self-timer: three ways of not missing the start of something.
- Runs on 2 AAA batteries: roughly 10 hours on alkalines, recording to microSD or microSDHC cards up to 32 GB.
The H1n is the recorder you carry because it is small enough to always have with you. It weighs 60 g without batteries and measures roughly 1.9 inches wide by 5.4 inches deep, which is the whole argument for it. Everything else is built around getting a clean stereo take with one button press.
The microphones and what they capture
A fixed X/Y pair of unidirectional condensers at 90 degrees gives you a focused stereo image with strong centre content, which is why it works as well on a single speaker as it does on a room. Recording runs up to 24-bit at 44.1, 48 or 96 kHz in WAV, with MP3 options at a range of bit rates for interviews and long-form material where storage matters more than resolution. Conversion is 24-bit with 128x oversampling and internal processing is 32-bit.
Controls built for one hand
Zoom redesigned the user experience around one-touch buttons, so record, playback and the main functions have their own physical control instead of living in a menu. The 1.25 inch monochrome LCD stays readable in bright daylight, which matters more than it sounds when you are checking levels outdoors. An onboard limiter keeps signal distortion-free up to 120 dB SPL and a low-cut filter handles plosives and rumble before they reach the file.
Features that save a take
Auto-record starts the machine when sound arrives, pre-record keeps a rolling buffer so the moment before you hit the button is still there, and the self-timer covers recording yourself. Playback speed control slows material down without shifting pitch, which makes transcribing interviews and learning parts far less painful. Overdubbing is unlimited, so a song sketch can gain layers rather than staying a single pass.
Practical details
Power comes from 2 AAA batteries, good for about 10 hours on alkalines. Media is microSD or microSDHC up to 32 GB. There is a 3.5 mm stereo input for an external mic, a combined line and headphone output on the same connector size, a built-in 500 mW mono speaker for quick checks, and a micro USB port for transfers.