Is the Zoom h4 recorder worth the price?

Question

Is the Zoom h4 recorder worth the price?

Answer 1

Absolutely it is.  I'm actually kind of surprised by this question, considering how reasonably priced they are - the question for all of us really should be: How can something that does so much be so low-priced?

It operates as a 1) stereo recorder for live shows, rehearsals, or just you and an acoustic guitar or piano at home; 2) a 4-track with ping pong capabilities; 3) an interface between your computer and you, essentially making it a line-input directly into your computer.  It also comes with an OEM version of Cubase, the music editing software.  The on-board stereo mics sound great, but if you want to use mic modeling options (e.g., want it to sound like an SM-57 or -58), you can.  It has dozens of built-in effects (which can be edited to taste), including a metronome and a tuner, and space for several others if you want to add some.  You can also plug either 1/4 inch or XLR right into it, too, if you want to use your own mics, or want a quiet late-night recording session.  And the other thing about it is how portable it is - easy to carry to shows, easy to leave set up in a corner of your house, unlike a digital 16-track recording studio for example.  If you are a songwriter, you will never lose another song idea ever.

I'm not saying it's the greatest piece of recording equipment known to man (guitar effects for example may leave a little bit to be desired, and the controls are tiny and could be more user-friendly; another downside is that it doesn't have a good carrying case, but only a cloth sack), but worth the price?  No question.