The Workhorse of Field Recorders
The H2n Handy Recorder is the only portable recording device to come with five built-in microphones and four different recording modes: X/Y, Mid-Side, 2-channel surround and 4-channel surround. Other advanced features include automatic gain control and onboard MS decoding, plus effects like compression, limiting and low cut filtering. You can even use the H2n as a multi-purpose USB microphone!
Using the H2n
With its multiple microphones and recording modes, the H2n can handle just about every kind of application. Here are just a few ways it can be used:
Live recording of concerts and rehearsals, in either stereo or surround sound
Location videography—the H2n gives you plenty of options in postproduction
Creating audio for YouTube videos
Generating lasting audio documents of important events
As a USB microphone providing input to recording software
Five microphones,
four ways of recording
The H2n offers not one, not two, but five built-in microphones. Two of them are arranged as an X/Y pair, while the other three are configured in an MS ("Mid-Side") pattern. They can be used separately for X/Y or MS stereo recording, or combined to create stunning 2- or 4-channel surround sound.
Mid-Side for variable stereo width
Mid-Side recording is an incredible technique that allows you to actually adjust the width of the stereo image after it has been recorded, while maintaining perfect mono compatibility, making it especially useful for film, video and television projects.
The three microphone elements in the H2n MS mic are set directly on top of one another. One faces forward and the other two face to the side.
X/Y for natural-sounding stereo
The X/Y technique provides a great way to cover a wide area while still capturing sound sources in the center with clarity and definition, making it perfect for all types of live stereo recording.
Surround sound for lifelike realism
The H2n allows you to combine the signals from both the X/Y and MS microphones in order to create surround sound recordings of everything you hear—not just those sounds coming from in front of you, but from all directions.
Features of the H2n
Five built-in microphones and four recording modes: Mid-Side (MS) stereo, 90° X/Y stereo, and both 2-channel and 4-channel surround
Analog-type input gain control
Auto Gain provides three preset recording levels
Stereo ⅛" Mic/Line In mini phone jack with Plug-in power (2.5V)
Stereo ⅛" Phone/Line Output jack with dedicated volume control
Built-in reference speaker for fast monitoring
Large 1.8 inch backlit LCD display
Records directly to SD and SDHC cards up to 32 GB
Supports up to 24-bit/96 kHz audio in BWF-compliant WAV or a variety of MP3 formats
Auto-record and Pre-record features
WAV to MP3 conversion
Internal mixdown: four-track surround to stereo
Up to 99 marks per recording
Built-in effects, including compression/limiting and low-cut filtering
Onboard MS decoding
Normalize and Divide functions
Chromatic tuner and metronome
Loop playback with user-defined start and stop points
Variable playback speed, from 50% to 150% for phrase training
Variable pitch without affecting playback speed
USB port for data exchange to and from computer and use as a USB microphone
4-in/2-out USB audio interface for PC/Mac computers
SD card reader function
Data recovery function automatically saves data if power fails or card is removed
Mounts directly to tripod or DSLR
Runs on only 2 standard AA alkaline or NiMH rechargeable batteries, or AC adapter (AD-17, USB to AC type)
Over 20 hours of operation with 2 AA alkaline batteries
Specs
GENERAL
RECORDING MEDIA:16MB–2GB SD cards, 4GB–32GB SDHC cards
BUILT-IN MEMORY:Up to 1 minute in 96kbps MP3 format
(Recording overwrites any previous recording in memory)
MIC ARRANGEMENTS:90˚ X/Y stereo, MS stereo with adjustable side mic level
RECORDING MODES:MS, XY, MS+XY (2ch), MS+XY (4ch)
MICROPHONE TYPES:Directional (XY, MS mid mics)
Bidirectional (MS side mic)
MAXIMUM SOUND PRESSURE INPUT:120 dB spl (directional)
122 dB spl (bi-directional)
FILE FORMATS
STEREO UNCOMPRESSED PCM:44.1 / 48 / 96kHz, 16 / 24bit WAV (BWF)
COMPRESSED MP3 (RECORDING):44.1kHz, 48kHz
56 /64/80/96/112/128/160/192/ 224/256/320kbps
(Not compatible with MS-RAW recording)
COMPRESSED MP3 (PLAYBACK):44.1kHz, 48kHz
32/40/48/56/64/80/96/112/128/160/192/224/256/320kbps
4CH UNCOMPRESSED PCM:44.1 / 48 / 96kHz, 16 / 24bit WAV (BWF)
(Two stereo files for each recording)
DIGITAL PROCESSING
A/D CONVERSION:24-bit 128× oversampling
D/A CONVERSION:24-bit 128× oversampling
SIGNAL PROCESSING:32-bit
RECORDING TIME (2GB CARD):3:08:00 (44.1kHz/16bit WAV), 34:43:00 (128kbps MP3)
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
LO CUT:80Hz high-pass filter
COMP/LIMITER:3 types of compressors and 3 types of limiters
AUTO GAIN:Automatic input gain adjustment (3 levels)
PRE REC:2 seconds of pre-recording
AUTO REC:Automatic recording start/stop, continuous standby
TUNER:Chromatic, guitar, bass and alternate (A/E/G/D/DADGAD) tunings with automatic string detection
METRONOME:40–250 BPM range, five tones, pre-count
SPEED:Playback speed adjustable between 50–150%
KEY CONTROL:Playback pitch adjustable ±6 semitones
(Cannot be used with 96kHz files)
AB REPEAT:Repeats playback between selected points in a file
FILE DIVIDE:Divides a file into two
FILE NORMALIZE:Maximizes file volume
(Cannot be used with MP3s)
FILE MP3 ENCODE:Converts WAV files to MP3 formats at fixed bit rates
MARK:Up to 99 marks
(WAV files only)
SURROUND MIXER:Adjusts mix balance when playing back 4ch surround recordings
OTHER
DISPLAY GRAPHIC:128×64 pixels backlit LCD
INPUT GAIN:0 to +39 dB
INPUT JACK:Line/mic stereo mini jack with plug-in power
2 kΩ impedance at input levels of 0 to –39 dBm
OUTPUT JACK:Line/headphone stereo mini jack
RATED OUTPUT LEVEL:−10 dBm (output impedance 10 kΩ or more)
HEADPHONES:20 mW + 20 mW (into 32 Ω load)
BUILT-IN SPEAKER:400mW, 8Ω, mono
USB:Mini-B type
Card reader operation
USB 2.0 HIGH SPEED:Audio interface operation
USB 1.0 FULL SPEED:Supports 44.1 / 48kHz sampling rates and 16-bit rate
USB bus power operation supported
POWER:Two AA batteries, AD-17 USB to AC adapter (DC 5V 1A)
Continuous operation of 20 or more hours when recording 44.1kHz/16-bit WAV files using alkaline batteries
PHYSICAL FEATURES:Tripod mounting socket, strap attachment
DIMENSIONS:67.6mm (W) × 113.85mm (H) × 42.7mm (D)
WEIGHT:130 g (without batteries)