By Andrew Liszewski
Just because a recording device fits in your pocket doesn’t mean the sound quality has to suck. And the Zoom line of flash-based audio recorders have been proving that with their unique dual microphones in an X/Y configuration which capture true stereo sound. The H1 Handy Recorder pictured here (available on July 30) is the latest model in the Zoom line, and with a weight of just 2 oz. and a price tag of $99, it also happens to be the smallest and cheapest.
It can capture up to 24-bit/96 kHz stereo recordings to its included 2GB microSD card, but supports cards up to 32GB in size allowing for over 50 hours of recording time if needed. It also runs off of a single AA battery which provides up to 10 hours of continuous operation, though an AC adapter can also be used if you’re in for a particularly epic scrum. Given the smaller LCD display I like that a number of the H1’s functions have been removed from the menu system and assigned to a dedicated series of buttons along the sides of the recorder. It not only makes them quicker to access, but also allows you to build-up muscle memory so you can press the right buttons without even having to look.
