Zoom H2

[JONESEY]

Hi,

I'm seriously thinking about getting myself a small recording device, and from reading the reviews, the Zoom H2 is what I think I'll end up with.

Has anyone on the forum recorded a Pipe Organ using this device?.

Thanks!

[Krummhorn]

Hi Jonesey,

I have the H4 and have recorded my church pipe organ on many occasions with excellent results. Here are two examples, both composed by Jean-Paul Verpeaux (Musicalis):
1. Lithanie
2. Softly and Tenderly variation (I played the hymn tune first, then his variation)

Neither recording has been "touched up" or edited. The H4 was placed about 15 feet from the pipework, the same distance where I sit at the console. This is the Möller pipe organ in the church where I have been the organist since 1982.

[Flute'n'Pedal]

Hi Jonesey, I have the H2 and am very happy with it. It records with surround sound, whereas the H4 doesn't. If you want to hear samples of the recording, please go into my website: http://pandea.simplenet.com/organengruts.html

Flute'n'Pedal

[Soubasse]

The H2 and the H4 between them are probably the most affordable and versatile devices on the market today, not to mention with excellent recording specifications. I've had my H4 for about a year and have no complaints. The H2 records with essentially the same specs as the H4 but as Flute'n'Pedal has mentioned, the H2 has the surround option whereas the H4 has the multitrack option. Both fine recorders and a doddle to use. I sincerely doubt you'd be disappointed.

[JONESEY]

Hi,

Thanks for the links to your recordings, the quality of the recordings is great, as is the quality of the playing.
I'm hoping that with practise I can also sound like this!!!!.

[jgirv]

ive recorded pipe organ, live acoustic jazz bands, brass quartet and organ, and a full-blown New Orleans band with the H2.... it's pretty amazing. You have to play around a bit with the recording level... (do a few short experiments) then you're good to go. Oh, and spend a few more bucks and get the largest memory card you can for it... mine can record over 6 hours in stereo at CD quality setting (44.1) ...

a great tool!

[JONESEY]

Well, I've just placed the order, so it should be here in a couple of days.
Looking forward to using it and hearing the results!.

jgirv - I got a 4GB card, should give me plenty of recording time.
Thanks for your advice.

[falcon1]

Oh nice... I'm also thinking about buying the H2 for performance recording as well as sound f/x for my video productions.
It's just amazing sound quality from these little things today.

[Krummhorn]

It sure is ... I'm still amazed at the wonderful sound quality that these are able to record. And the setup is rather simple, too ... or it can be as complex as one wants by adding additional mics using the built in plugs. Zoom packed a wallop of neat stuff into the H2 and H4.

[Contratrombone64]

Well, I've just placed the order, so it should be here in a couple of days.
Looking forward to using it and hearing the results!.

jgirv - I got a 4GB card, should give me plenty of recording time.
Thanks for your advice.

Jonesey, can't wait to hear your organ playing!

[JONESEY]

Well, I took a test recording and stuck the H2 close to the keyboard, but it was picking up the keys being pressed each time - it was so sensitive!.

Think I'm going to try again at a different Church where they have an electronic Organ and the keyboard is much quieter.

Key noises aside, I'm finding it very useful to hear what I'm playing back, and seeing that I'm missing the odd rest here and there.
It does make me ultra critical so if I ever get a good recording I'll post it for sure!

[jgirv]

...if you placed it on the console it would definitely pick up the key presses...

you can put it on the console if you isolate it from the vibrations by placing it on a soft surface.

Best method is to use the supplied adapter and place it in a mic stand.

Good luck with it, it's a great tool.

[Flute'n'Pedal]

Jonesey:

You don't have to have the recorder so close to the organ. I myself have found that the best result is obtained when the recorder is one-third the distance from the far wall to the organ pipes. Then I set the gain at high.

[Krummhorn]

Performed an organ concert at my church this past Sunday (April 26) and recorded it on my Zoom H4 using its own mics, selecting the option to simulate Neumann U87's. This is a 9 rank 2 manual M.P. Möller built in 1979.

This organ has only 4 general pistons, so they are used for major registration changes only. All the registration changes you hear on this recording were done manually and/or by very judicious use of the crescendo shoe.

Here is the Buxtehude Passacaglia in D Minor.

[falcon1]

Krummhorn, very nice performance of the Buxtehude Passacaglia in D-minor. The organ doesn't sound bad either.

The sound quality of the Zoom is very good which could probably be improved with external mics and/or some sound editing.

I will go to my local music store and see if they have Zoom available, this is must to have.