Tascam has got a more natural sound, the zoom h1n, which I've got for recording my singing lesson, adds a resonance which is very annoying. You can clearly hear that at 1:50.
Exactly after 10 years I am going to change Tascam DR-05 (not X version) for Zoom H1n. For years Tascam served OK, I did a lot of concert recordings (am a concert reviewer) and interviews with jazz musicians. However, this years a problem appeared, Tascam just sometimes is not able to save my recording which a a fatal failure. Why have I decided for Zoom now? I agree that Tascam may have a bit better sound quality. However, Zoom H1n looks OK in reviews, is smaller than Tascam and also cheaper. Very important matter - Zoom is interference resistant compared to Tascam. It has happened many times that my Tascam picked up the interference form a mobile phone. That really annoyed me. So, let's see how my new Zoom will work, I am going to pick it up today.
Zoom is little more crisp....Ir Tascam a tad muffled... It would be good to show/layout settings beforehand.... Also, nowadays the Zoom is half the price of the Tascam....
I like the TASCAM DR-5X a bit more than the ZOOM H1n. The lower tones are better recorded by the TASCAM. The are more sensitive,. but the record-level can be turned very low. The microfones can handel sound up to 125 dB, without deforming the sound ! I like the bigger size of the TASCAM, becouse i think the parts inside will be a bit bigger and stronger. I think that will give a bettrer sound, and make the device longer lasting. You can record a lot more on the 128 Gb SD-card then on a 32 Gb SD-card ! You can also use the TASCAM as an interface between an analoge audio-set, and your Digital computer, without needing a 'Driver-program' ! (AD/DA-Converter, with a max sample-rate of 96 kHz - 24 bit) I hope the microfones are as good as the mic's on the 'ROLAND R-07', witch i had before, but i sadly lost it. (I was realy surprised by the detailed, and very 'Realistic-Surround-Sound'' picked up by those 2 mic's !) But a new ROLAND R-07 costs +/- 249,- euro's, and the TASCAM DR-05X is now available for 105,- euro's ! The ZOOM H1n is cheaper but i think the TASCAM sounds better, and is a bit more professional. Edwin.
Hello.. You have done a detailed test, thank you.. My impression is that there is almost no bottom sound in Tascam.. Stereo separation is weak compared to Zoom, microphone sensitivity is less than Zoom.. Still, Tascam seemed to me to be of better quality, am I wrong?
Wonderful video thank you! I think this is moving me over to the Tascam camp as far as these two go - lower noise floor, and with the right headphones it sounds like the H1n has some kind of EQ that's cutting a bit of the higher end fidelity a bit. On the other hand, I wonder if the audio processing of the H1n with the effect mentioned is actually preferable with amateur videography? The audiophile in my chooses Tascam, the amateur film maker is still on the fence. .
Did you find the tascam picks up external RF/electrical noise? I purchased a dr-07x recently but returned it the same day after noise in hotel room from WiFi routers and electrical switching crashed all across the recordings made. Apparently the tascam DR series are unshielded so needs care in urban settings...
I gotta say the Zoom sounds more natural and clear (not so muffled sounding) - I know others talk about noise, well yeah but I hear it as just room around and air. I just like the quality of the zoom sound better :) I guess it's about tone as much as anything. Nice video, thanks :) both are lovely amazing machines!
Amazing review. Thank you so much, I was ready to buy the Zoom because of the price and also because I know Zoom better but I never used the H1 but I am not anymore sure that I will ever use one now… I have to rethink my budget and many try to get a proper Zoom.
Just to mention it, I believe the Tascam has omnidirectional mics (a/b, or kinda pseudo a/b think?) and the Zoom has cartioids set up x/y. This may contribute to the timber and stereo image differences. Omnis are less susceptible to proximity effect, cartioids tend to be better for stereo imaging.
I like the sound that the Zoom produces. Its more like stereo sound for both left and right direction. The Tascam sounds like mono, and the left direction is weaker in volume ( or maybe its because my hearing has deteriorated ). With the wind muff on, the Tascam is great to be shielded from wind noise. With the wind muff on the Zoom, you can hear the wind a little, but not obnoxiously irritating.
When the cars are passing i hear at high volume a more tunnel sound like if the mic is at the end of a pipe with the zoom. The tascam have a more authentik sound.
Do you mean 6:50 ? I have no idea, what is a problem here, but the Zoom sounds strange in these recordings, just like an acoustic feedback was nearly occurring for some reason. My H1n produces excellent recordings, clear and very naturally sounding, with excellent stereo reproduction. One can have some reservations as far as the build quality is concerned, there are issues with the limiter etc., but otherwise the sound quality is really great.
The Tascam has a much more noticeable timber in the vocals. Way deeper and smoother bass. I feel like the Tascam gives of a more natural and less sharp.
Thank you, this is an outstanding review. I've been looking at these two for recording my in-house bass practice. I've read issues regarding the build quality of the Zoom H1n. With your tests I preferred the sound quality of the Tascam. Can anyone confirm the build issues of the Zoom? Again, thank you for a great review!
What do you exactly mean as "build quality"? :) Well yes, the H1n has problems with rattling buttons on the body sides - headphones volume rocker in my case. I was also choosing between the R-05X and the H1n and I eventually acquired the Zoom, because of its better stereo reproduction (clearly audible in this video; plus I already had a recorder with A/B configuration, so I was tempter by X/Y ;) ), then I was also unable to find, how serious the RFI problem with the Tascam is. The buttons can be easily silenced with an adhesive tape when needed, the RFI is incurable.
Tascam sounds pretty smooth and less noisy. Good job for a company that's been around since they cornered the market for four-track cassette tape recorders in the 70's (and 60s). Also, to be honest, the design of the Tascam looks more sleek. The Zoom looks a little hoakey! The Zoom is a neat, compact unit, but in the end, you were going to record guitar, or some quick emergency vocals, i'd want to be recording on the Tascam!
Thank you for this side-by-side comparison. I found the Zoom to have clearer, crisper sound. That, however may be due to hearing problems. After reading some comments and reviews, my biggest concern is that the H1n has a tendency to pick up interference from electronic devices such as PC's. Have you or your viewers had any issues with that?
I think, Tascam recorders are known of the radio interference problem. :) And from this very film I think, the Zoom H1n offers much more pronounced and natural stereo effect reproduction than the Tascam.
@@BLAKHARTFILM I was choosing between the Tascam DR-05X and Zoom H1n for quite a long time - and I eventually bought the Zoom. Mostly because I think its stereo effect is more natural, then I already own a recorder with A/B mic configuration, so I decided to buy an X/Y one. :) I was also unable to find out, how serious the RFI problem of the Tascam is, i.e. what is the probability, the interference occurs in real life. Eventually, I'm a little bit disappointed with the H1n. Yes, it records really great sound, it is pretty convenient to use, but it also has numerous issues like rattling buttons (headphones volume rocker in my case), it's very prone to handling noise due to very lightweight body, limiter is useless (increasing noise floor by 12 dB when turned on with the recording level set above approx. 5.5) and the useful recording level range is limited to the 5.5-10 (noise floor increases by 12 dB too when the level is set under 5.5). Fortunately, I usually use the level around 8, so with some care it works fine for me. And a foam wind shield or a deadcat is just obligatory, often even indoors. :)
@@BLAKHARTFILM There's an accessories set, Zoom SPH-1n, with a foam windshield, a very nice dedicated hard case for the recorder and an AC adaptor (there was also an earlier APH-1n, which also additionally included a small table tripod and a mic stand adaptor). The Zoom WSU-1 deadcat - also listed as a compatible accessory - is, in turn, very big for the H1n and I think something smaller would be more convenient.
