Zoom H2 Review

The Zoom H2 is the best portable microphone on the market to date.  I know that is a pretty bold statement to make but the H2 packs a punch with amazing features and an unbeatable price.  So what makes the Zoom H2 so great?  Check out these features for starters.

The H2 has 4 mic capsules that allows you to record in three different patterns: Front 90° cardioid, Rear 120° cardioid and 360°.  It also has a built-in USB 2.0 interface so you can easily plug the mic into your computer and record directly (or just transfer audio files) to the computer.  The H2 can record in WAV 96kHz/48kHz/44.1kHz at 16-bit or 24-bit, MP3 to 320kbps and Variable Bit Rate (VBR) formats.  The mic also comes packaged with a 512MB SD memory card, but fear not, it can support up a 16GB SD card if your heart desires.

Zoom’s H2 also has several other features including Auto Gain Control to make you sound even better.  Granted some people may prefer to leave this setting off and modify the audio using post-processing software such as Audacity.  Zoom even includes a tripod and a microphone filter which works very well in my experience to eliminate unwanted intruding noise.

Recording with the H2 is super easy.  Simply hit the big red recording button and when the red LED lights up you’re recording.  The mic also has a 1/8″ Phone/Line Output for monitoring and playback.  There is also a Mic In output for a powered 1/8″ stereo mic.

The H2’s software is simple and easy to use, it’s nothing extravagant but it certainly will let you get the job done.  The fact that the software is not complex makes it easy for people who are not very familiar with audio equipment to easily operate the microphone.

I have been using the Zoom H2 to record most of my video content lately and I’ve been very pleased with its performance.  The mic sounds amazing.

So what about that unbeatable price I mentioned?  The Zoom H2 is available on Amazon for just $145.