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Zoom H1 with accessory Pack: Note: I see that Amazon is selling this complete system around $20 cheaper if you buy the recorder and Accessory pack separately... Amazon is very slow getting this product in stock, so I got tired of waiting and ordered it from a company out of Colorado on ebay at about the same price, and they also included a 2GB micro SD card & micro SD adapter kit with case, in it. I'm usually a BIG hold-out though when it comes to buying from Amazon as the selling merchant because of their easy return policy, but I really wanted this item and was tired of waiting for Amazon to supply it... anyways I got mine today. The Zoom H1 is a very nice and very reasonably priced recorder. The added accessories kit is a very good option and I'm glad it was offered in this type of packaging. This thing will probably last me for quite some time. I've owned a few of the older analog mini cassette recorders like the ones made by Sony, but this is my 1st digital recorder. I was waiting on a very good quality device, that was stereo and low in price (compared to its quality). So the ZOOM H1 with accessory pack, came with: Zoom H1 recorder, 1 AA Battery mini tripod, Windscreen, Mic clip adapter, A/C adapter, USB Cable, Padded shell case, set of cheap Tascam headphones with 1/8-1/4 stereo adapter plug, my shipment included a Micro SD card (2GB) and Micro SD card adapter, 1/8" to 1/8" stereo line-In cable, RCA (L/R) to 1/8" stereo cable, Manual & paperwork... I loaded the battery and micro SD card and the H1 opened a data input screen for programming the date, time, and such. This went very fast and was very easy to program. I then removed the battery to see if I have to redo this after every battery load up, and it remembered the settings, but does a quick SD card check at start up. TO power on the device you need to hold the power switch to the down position for a few seconds (located on the bottom right side of H1), and the screen will digitally greet you. The screen also displays some very nice messaging back to the user. Next I reviewed the various buttons on the recorder, like on the very bottom there's a small speaker used to monitor playback with, but it's very very weak weak, so don't expect much from it. The monitor speaker works for a quick listen, but again u will need to use headsets or connect it up with the USB or line cables for best playback quality (or pull the SD card and slot it in the computer). On the backside I set the 3 buttons to my settings... (Low cut: ON, Auto level: ON, Format: MP3). On the right side I increased input recording level to 85% & on the left side I set the volume out level to 75%. One thing I noticed (reading the manual 1st would prob... help), when I tried the REV/FF during playback is if I let off the button right away it would go to the very end or start like complete rewind. But I figured out that you need to hold these buttons done to do skips and short moves. Then I hit the record button on the face of the Zoom H1 and did a quick recording in front of the HDTV set for 15 seconds. Then I stopped and hit the playback button on the right side, again the small monitor speaker is very weak, so I plugged in the provided headset and the quality was very good. One thing I noticed right away about this recorder is that its very sensitive. When holding it while recording it picks up everything, your movements, bumps, pressing the record, start, or stop buttons... the movement noises are picked up (maybe the input volume is set to high, I will play with that later) whatever... and it seems to have a very high freq... pitch to it, (it would be nice if this thing came with a remote and had built-in bluetooth, so we could use wireless bluetooth speaker/mic headset, that would be nice). So I opened the accessory pack and added the windscreen and tripod and that helped, but still a very sensitive item. You can hear everything during playback. To delete a recording, just hit the delete button on the bottom right side, then verify it by pushing the red record button on the face of the Zoom H1. I haven't tried the USB connection, line-in, or line-out yet (headphones used as line-out), but its probably much like all the other small electronic devices, so I wont pester the peeps with it but these are nice options to have on such a reasonably priced recorder. Overall for me: the price was right, especially with the options kit and included SD card kit. I will use this thing for everything, recording my music sessions, or out playing in the world environments... It will take some getting use to on its sensitivity, but I will adapt. So for me... its a keeper! More Zoom H1 Specs (amazon doesnt do URLs): [...] Zoom H1 Portable Digital Recorder Features: * Stereo X/Y mic configuration captures perfect stereo images * Same frequency and SPL handling as popular Zoom H2 * Records Broadcast WAV (BWF) at 96kHz/48kHz/44.1kHz at 16-bit or 24-bit * Records MP3 from 48 to 320kbps for maximum recording time * Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port * Built-in reference speaker * Includes 2GB microSD memory card and 1 AA battery * One AA size battery allows 10 hours operation * Accommodates up to 32GB microSDHC memory cards * Track marker function * Low cut filter * Built-in mounting joint for tripod mount * 1/8 inch external mic input * Stereo 1/8 inch line output * Auto record level enjoy :)

I bought one of these to: - Record myself playing trumpet/harmonica/singing - Conduct interviews - record speakers and speaking engagements - ??? and it has performed brilliantly. On that strength, I recommended this to a friend who is a Mary Kay director who does CD's for training, motivation and support for her sales associates. On that end, it has been brilliant. You can plop it in front of a guest speaker (one mic pointed toward the speaker and the other "mostly" towards the audience") and you get a clear, crisp and brilliant recording that is easy to listen to and not encumbered by hiss, distortion or other technological distractions. Not only that, but it is "Non-Technical Person" APPROVED. Very easy to use. If you can pull a file off of a pen drive, you can use this recorder 100%. For audience recordings: - ALWAYS leave the "Auto Level" switch (on the back) ON. This will adjust the recording levels for when "someone in the back" asks a question (turning the sensitivity UP) and then automatically turn it back DOWN when the speaker starts up again. - ** If the speaker is on a PA (meaning talking into a microphone and sound system) **: you are generally good. If you are making a CD, set it to "WAV" (slider on the back), and then use the << (rewind) or >> (fast forward) buttons when you turn it on (before starting to record) to set it to "44 / 16" mode. Any setting will burn to CD via iTunes (recommended method) just fine, but on the "44 / 16" setting it is the exact format a CD uses. Literally, drop it in and burn. - ** If the speaker is NOT on a PA (just them talking to the room unassisted) ** : if you are going to have audience noise, clapping, etc. you will want to put the recorder NEARER to the speaker. MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THAT AUTO-LEVEL SWITCH on the back of the unit ON. Other than that, unless you want to edit clips, just drop the file or files from the recorder into iTunes (delete any "test" recordings you don't want), make a playlist (plus sign at the bottom left of the iTunes window), drag that particular recording or recordings onto it and then press "burn playlist" to write it to a CD. Just about that easy. Accessories: These are life savers: - The tripod lets you put it on a desk, near enough to your mouth, and record an audio training or what-have-you with ease. Put on the foam cover for this, because if you don't, P's and F's and T's can sometimes break up and sound bad. With the foam cover, you sound pure rich, natural and distortion-free, even if you speak into it at close range. - The foam cover (above) protects you when you speak closely into it, or when you are outdoors in any kind of slight breeze or wind. For heavier breeze or wind, you need a RedHead protector (google it). - The microphone handle accessory is a God-send as well: will allow you to record a speaker standing up with ease if you have a mic stand (they are cheap and invaluable). Remember, closer to the speaker if they are not using an amplified PA/microphone/speakers. - The case is really good for keeping this relatively delicate product safe. All the money was poured into the mics and the recording electronics, not the case. It is not necessarily durable enough to smash under heavy weight in a bag somewhere, but the case will help that to some degree. - The power supply keeps you going if batteries die. - The cable allows you to transfer files right from the device. Usually would just use it like a camera card and plug it right into your computer, but this allows greater flexibility. Final notes: I highly recommend spending the ten bucks on an 8 GB (eight gigabyte) card. This will yield you many more hours of recording time and more flexibility. More space than that is not always necessary, but for about ten bucks you cannot beat an 8gb card right now. The headphones in the kit are bulky and lousy, but oh well...they are roughly "free" all told. If you need to edit your recording (fade in at the beginning or fade out at the end, cut out segments you don't want or mistakes made, etc.) then go ahead and download the free "Audacity" program and teach yourself how to use it by reading the user manual. It's free, powerful yet simple and once you LEARN it, you will LOVE it. It's worth your time. Or if you are big-time enough, hire someone on eLance or Rentacoder to do it for you. HIGH POWERED!! FINAL NOTE FOR LIVE CONCERT RECORDING: Other than that, I wish to say that I have now recorded live music with this thing (even bassy high-end PA and concert venue stuff) and it sounds phenomenal. I used to have a Sound Professionals rig with a DAT recorder, battery box and capsule microphones...naturally sounded great. But this is definitely comparable without the fuss of wires and rigging. When you are recording a concert, you set the auto-levels to OFF and typically I am adjusting the levels (read the manual on how to do this) down to about 25. That seems to be the safest setting overall to prevent clipping or overloading (red light blinking rapidly when this happens) in your live music recording. I have recorded singers on a PA, live rock, orchestra over PA and various other amped and acoustic settings and they all come out really nice. This baby is where it's AT for me! :D Very happy.

Bought this 2-months ago, mainly to record our band practices since we were "breaking-in" a new guitarist. I was blown away by the quality of the recordings. I placed the recorder in the corner of the room and set the mp3 record quality to 192kbs to keep the file size manageable. Amazing quality with no fuss! I also used it to record church services, since I play bass on the church worship team. It wasn't quite as successful there since it picked up all the coughing, sneezing, kids crying and a bit of an echo in the large sanctuary. Yesterday, during a church practice, I set it to record in wav format and plugged it into the sound board to record direct to the line in jack. Unfortunately, it only recorded on the left channel but I'm not sure if this is due to the recorder or the sound board. Even though it was mono, the quality was great with no echo or background noise since the on-stage mics were the only input. I will use it to record the Easter Service this morning and have no doubt that I'll be pleased with the results. There has not been any indication of any battery life problems, and the unit is extremely easy to use. I'm over 65 and didn't have any problem with the technology. I will say that the manual is printed so small that I had to use a jeweler's loupe to read it. I ended up downloading a pdf version and read it from the computer so I could easily enlarge the directions & diagrams. The accessory pack is a must have addition. I'm happy with the Nady headphones that came with mine. The tripod & usb cable are invaluable. I also recommend purchasing an 8GB micro SD card - you'll get at least 5-hours recording time in wav format and at least 10 times more in any mp3 format. I agree with other reviewers that the auto level function is not very useful for recording live music. It will take a little tinkering to get your input level set correctly for each situation but its easy enough and well worth the effort. Once the files are downloaded to the computer, you can easily tweak the sounds to your preference. The original files sound great but you might want to use a sound editor to reduce the bass or bring up the trebles. Both Nero & Roxio have sound editors built in as do most other audio software programs. Conclusion is it feels a little "chintzy" but if you handle it with care and keep it in the hard shell carrying case that came with the accessory pack, it should last a long time and give you "A1" recordings.

I really wanted to like this product. Sure, it's made from flimsy plastic, the battery door rattles, the microsd cover feels like it wants to break every time you use it, and the buttons and switches are rubbish, but I was prepared to give the Zoom H1 a 4-star rating because the audio quality is fantastic for the price, it's light weight, and is supposed to get good battery life from a single AA battery. Unfortunately, for me, the battery drain issue makes the product completely useless. The claimed battery life was a major factor, along with the great audio quality, in my decision to purchase the Zoom H1. However, I do not record for 8-10 hours each time so I expected a single AA battery to last me around a week or so, but instead the H1 I received drains about half a battery overnight. That is completely unacceptable. I thought about just removing the battery when I wasn't using the recorder but that quickly becomes a pain if you want accurate timestamps as you need to re-enter the date and time each time you remove the battery. It's a shame as I would have very much liked this recorder if it wasn't for such a silly defect. I did read about users experiencing the battery drain and the fact that Samson was replacing defective units, but I had thought that since the product has been in the marketplace for quite some time now the issue would have been resolved with all units being currently sold. Bottom Line: If not for the battery drain issue this recorder would have been a very good match for my needs. Rather than try my chances with a replacement I will look for an alternative with better build quality.

I was very concerned about reviews (not necessarily on this site) complaining that the battery in the H1 would completely discharge in just a few days even with the unit turned off. I read that the company had traced the problem to a batch of defective conterfeit capacitors, but some seem to remain unconvinced that the problem has been solved. I have had my H1 a month and with light usage the battery supplied with the unit still reads at full strength. This is an excellent full featured recorder in an amazingly small package.

The Zoom H1 interested me because some time ago I bought the Zoom Handy Recorder H4 and it has worked fairly well for me, although the batteries in it tended to be fairly short lived. With the H1, I have not had the problem that some people reported of the batteries dying overnight; I still have the original batteries in the device after a month or more of occasional use. It looks like that fast draining problem may be a thing of the past. The controls are slightly strange to me, but they are pretty friendly; I'm sure I will get used to them with a little more practice. Although the recorder boots up, I can go from completely off to recording in roughly five seconds. I would rate this recorder as very decently compact and easy to use. I like to have a recorder going when I shoot videos of events, to fill in sound content that is dropped when the camera isn't running. The recorder's line in feature allows one to use external microphones if desired, and its line out jack allows use of headphones to monitor what is being recorded. That is not bad at all for a recorder in this price range. Also, I can hardly complain about having over 17 hours of recording time available on the included card, in MP3 mode. Its strong, semi-hard case makes it very convenient to carry the recorder on a belt, with easy access and little concern about damage. It is true that this recorder, like so many microphones and other recorders, is very sensitive to jarring. It typically should be placed on a soft mat or mounted on a tripod using its built-in screw mount, to avoid noise from movement of hands or brushing against clothing. If it is hand held, then it should be held loosely and motionlessly, but even so, there will tend to be some "white noise". Since this is a typical issue in holding many types of microphones, I don't see this as a shortcoming of this compact and budget-priced recorder. I have two small caveats, which by no means persuade me to leave the recorder at home when I have sounds to capture. One is that the microphones are not closely balanced, so I can either turn the microphones somewhat to the right as I face the subject to receive an even stereo volume through both microphones, or I can use computer software to balance the volume of the tracks later. This unevenness is common in small recorders, even somewhat more expensive ones, although I wish the imbalance were a bit less than it is, or that I knew of a way to adjust it. The other caveat is that the recorder is not quite as sensitive as some others that I have used. It is fine for recording strong sounds, and it can amplify them slightly, but it just doesn't amplify quite as much as some recorders. I have the volume at about 90 (out of 100) before I hear roughly the same volume through the monitor as I hear in the room, and then the playback is slightly softer than that. Of course, digital sound tracks can be raised in volume with little difficulty, and the sound from this recorder is quite good. For the price, I am very pleased with this purchase. For all general purpose use, I leave the "auto levels" switch on. Sounds in a natural environment vary quickly from loud to soft and back again, and manual selection of a recording level on the H1 risks overdriving the volume or losing soft content. Other recorders tend to pick up a wide range when set to one of typically three recording levels, but on this recorder it seems better to let it self-adjust.

I bought this as an inexpensive way to capture QUALITY audio (from Amzon, but a different vendor than Zoom) while shooting video with my DSLR. I had recorded about 8 separate sessions on it when the included 2 GB micro SD crapped out. Unknowingly, I kept using it on another 3 interviews and guess what...NO AUDIO! I just bought a 4GB replacement from Best Buy for $14 and it works like a charm. I use this with a lav mic attached. I wouldn't trust it hand-held as I believe some photos show it being used. It picks up too much of the "handling" noise of holding it. Lastly, the enclosed headphones aren't studio quality...so don't let them sway you on buying this whole package. They are passable for listening, etc., but I watch the meter on the H1 more than anything. Overall, I AM happy with mine although the headphones bit the dust a week after purchase and the microSD card crapped out on me.

a fantastic device if you cant' afford the H4n. Probably don't need to get the extras but you should get a 16gb card

Zoom H1 is wonderful thing! I recorded rehearsal and was shocked with the quality of sound. It's amazing! Yesterday I decided to check it on the "Wall live" concert of Roger Waters. Brilliant and clear sound. I couldn't beleive I did it using a handy recorder! But as to package- I received it without Headphones. No reaction from the seller. That's why only 3 stars.

This is an excellent Digital Recorder. There is a lot to love about it: Multi directional mics are awesome. The display is just right for night or day conditions, and it fits well into your palm. That said, this recorder does cost over a hundred dollars, so here is what to improve: The buttons on the side are difficult to depress, and when you do, you have to press so hard that they imprint themselves on your finger - think guitar lessons. This recorder should have a recording pause (voice activated), that's easy to implement in software! Also, The MicroSD slot cover is not secure. The record button is well done. If only the play/pause button was the same - my finger would be happy. A very nice recorder - that could have been perfect!

This product performs just like our son told us it would. I could not believe the recording playback sound. I recorded a song right off our CD player without doing anything except set the Zoom H1 next to the player. The sound was just like what I was getting from the player with no background noise or anything. I am well pleased with this ZOOM H1.

I've tested this out several times and have gotten excellent field recordings. The recorder is very sensitive and has no trouble picking up even quiet voices. When purchased with the accessory pack it's even better. The external wind buffer works well to diminish noises that would normally interfere with the quality of your recordings and the attachments make it easy to record without causing interference from handling. This recorder is excellent for just about anything from school lectures to EVP recordings!

I got this for a small worship team and church worship services. I bought the kit along with it, so my review is for all of it. I read a lot of reviews saying this unit is flimsy and cheaply constructed, but I do not agree. It is lightweight and some may interpret that as cheaply built. It has a good feel to it. I would consider flimsy to be problems with buttons, cracking easily, things like that. This unit has well functioning buttons and slides, well fitting plugs, and battery cover. It only works on the computer if you use the cord that comes with the unit, so you can't use just any USB adapter to retrieve songs from it. It is great for the price. I didn't want to spend too much, and this works perfectly for what we want. The quality is very good during playback. We have a microphone sponge like cover over the mics and it filters excess noise perfectly. If you want high quality music recording for professional use, this is not what you want. If you want a versatile unit that is easy to use and records voice well, this is perfect.

This little hand-held mini-recorder is great in all respects except one. Between uses, even only a few days, the one AA battery drains completely. You cannot leave it with the battery in. This makes it FAR LESS HANDY - since there is no room for a battery in the nifty little case. So you have to keep a separate battery, which you have to find, and insert, and then turn on the recorder. By then, whatever you wanted to record is over. I think this makes it qualify for a product recall. That is what Zoom should do.

Any buyer should note that this product is EXTREMELY flimsy and its accessories even more so. Yes, I like that it's so lightweight, but the plastic is simply far too delicate. I've looked after mine really carefully, but already by the fourth usage the 'on' switch/slider had broken off. I now have to slide it on by inserting a pin into the slot. If there were a slightly more solidly-built product for a slightly higher price, I would have considered that money better spent. Also, it does have a few quirks. I've learned the hard way that you cannot reformat the memory card in your computer: you must do it in the Zoom, by holding down the 'delete' button as you power on. Otherwise the recorder appears to be recording, but you just end up with a blank file of 0kb.

i've used this recorder for home demos and field recording and it does both with ease! i am very happy i bought this item!

La calidad de grabacion es muy alta, realmente por el precio este es equipo perfecto..... un poco incomodo en cuanto a lo ergonomico, y no recarga la pila directamente, pero son detalles secundarios, estoy feliz con mi equipo.........

ok so this thing is great for quick and dirty get it recorded things. I love that I can with one button record a guitar part I have made up on the fly. This thing is a great idea machine. I would wager that if I spent more than 10 seconds setting it up I could produce a pretty good recording. I have also used it to record rehearsals (very loud band) and I havent found the sweet spot in the room yet where every instrument is clear, it has done a great job of capturing the performance. Here is what I have noticed: it is not a device you want to handle while recording. You have to have it stationary (mic stand, tripod or just sitting on a table) or it is microphonic. I would attribute it to the plastic housing. It also will have a slight volume drop for a second when the auto level kicks in. what I mean is that it seems to adjust and compress as more volume hits it. I cant fault it too bad though as we are playing at a pretty loud level. I was able to try an H2 and while I kind of liked the physical feel and size of the H2, it was a little more time to navigate the small screen and menus. The H1 does have the H2 beat in that area - all external functions. we will see if this thing can live in a cord bag and not get crushed ( I will have to be careful as it is not what I call rugged construction) want a workhorse get the H4n want something a little cheaper in price and construction than the H4N get the H2 want something even more inexpensive, easier to use, sounds are just as good as the other two and very compact. do not hesitate to hit purchase and see the H1 on your doorstep in a few days

the zoom recorder provides great recording quality and you can control the input well. You can also hear people talking from about 3 metres away, which is great. I bought it for my grandmother and it is simple for her to turn on and off and to record things. Her voice is deep and breathy and quiet however it is picked up well. The accessory pack is really great too as it has a case and a stand, which have really come in useful (it is worth the little extra money).

A useful and versatile product . I play the guitar and use it to record. I can easily download to my computer. Sound quality is excellent for a mic this size. Instructions for use are a little hard to follow, and the control panel is hard to see.

The sound quality is good, although the unit is not as sensitive as I had expected. I usually have the input level set at 90 or higher (scale = 1-100). I have used a mini-disc in the past and this record level seemed less than that, even when I use the same external mic (the up side is that I have found no reason to mess with the external mic anymore). That said the sound quality is quite clear and the x configuration built in stereo has been effective. I have been using the unit for interviews for a research project so I am not in a position to judge its capability as a music recorder. The limitations I noticed might be less important to others as I am positioning it between myself and the subject to capture questions and answers so it is a couple of feet away from both speakers. I like the simplicity of the recording process, not needing to be distracted by set up, light and scales easy to see and the included 2GB card gives me plenty of interview time for each session. Bigger cards are usable. I am using it in mp3 mode as I do not need superb fidelity for current usage. I did find the auto level distracting as it increased sensitivity during lulls to pick up more background noise, this is likely a common problem that more experience users would already be aware of. I like the fact that "lo cut" filter, "auto level" and "rec format" are sliding switches on the back, making it easy to check and change them without having to go through a menu. I like the baby tripod that was included, it provides basic placement needs in a small package. For basic recording needs I feel it delivers good value for its price.

Great little voice recorder. It weighs almost nothing but has tons of great sound. Buy the recorder for 96 dollars or for 99 dollars you can get an acces kit called Zoom H1 PAK

I used the H1 recorder for the first time today to record interviews in a variety of settings. So far, the recorder is working fine. I bought the recorder with accessories -- and I like the case that came with that bundle. However, the headphones that came with the package are garbage. Because playback on the recorder is weak, it's necessary to have headphones available while recording -- just to do a sound check. The headphones in the bundle barely transmit any sound, whereas with other headphones that I own, the recordings that I made today are completely clear. I was going to try to return the headphones to Amazon and ask for a replacement, but then realized that this would probably lead to confusion and disaster because I only wanted to return one item from the bundle. There doesn't seem to be a phone number for Amazon customer service, so it looks like I'm stuck paying for headphones that don't work correctly, and that does not make me happy. Not at all. The recorder itself, as I stated above, is fine, with one caveat. As others have noted, the door over the memory card is flimsy. I hope it doesn't break. I will probably buy a 16G memory card so that I have plenty of room to record and don't have to open that flimsy door very often.Zoom H1 Package with Accessories and Cable Bundle

ordered the Zoom H1 Pak Digital Recorder and Accessories as a Christnas gift for my father. could not get it to work at all. called Amazon.com and got a replacement. I was able to turn it on but could not get it to record. way overpriced and a piece of garbage. find a better product. one star rating is to generous but could not get off the screen without rating it.