Zoom H2 Audio Recorder Tutorial

  

Power

Turn the recorder on with the power switch on the left side (U).  The Zoom H2 Handy Recorder runs on 2 AA batteries, and an AC power adapter (V).  Keep track of the battery meter in the lower left corner of the screen (E).

Using the Menus on the Zoom H2 Recorder:
Press the Menu button to get into the menu. Use the double arrow (fast forward and rewind) buttons (G) to move up and down in the menu Use the the Record button (L) to select/activate a menu item. 

Recording to SD Card 
The Zoom H2 records onto an SD card, located in a slot on the bottom of the device (N). We lend it with a card, so you do not need to provide your own unless you prefer to do so. 

Format the SD Card (warning: this will erase ALL of the data on the SD card):
Formatting the SD card will remove all of the data remaining (if any) from the previous user, and prepare the card for you to make your own recordings. This step is a good habit to get into.
1. Press the Menu (K) button
2. Press the left double-arrow/rewind button 3 times to move to the "SD CARD" menu item.
3. Select "FORMAT"
4. Select "YES"
The Zoom will then format the SD card.

Choose an audio recording format/quality:
1. Press Menu
2. Choose REC MODE
3. Use the double-arrow buttons to choose a recording format and quality.

File type: .wav 48kHz, 24bit

4. Press the Menu button to exit back to the main screen.
5. The bottom right corner of the screen will indicate how much recording time you have left in hours, minutes, and seconds. (J)

Make sure your recording settings are correct:
LoCut: Off
AGC/COMP: off
folder: 01 (unless you want to select another folder for each person in the group)
Monitor: off
Plug-in: off
Pre rec: off
Auto rec: off
L/R Position: Player
Mono Mix: off

Select mic pattern: for interview, select 2Ch Surround

Getting Ready to Record:
Press record once (L). This puts the recorder into record-ready mode. The Recorder status (C) will change from "STOP" to "REC" and the level meters (D) will start moving. Plug a pair of headphones into the Phones/Line Out jack (S) and you will be able to hear what your recording will sound like. 

Adjust the "Gain" and recording level
Change the gain setting with the switch on the side of the Zoom (P)

• Low is best for recording loud sounds (a band performance, for example) 

• Medium is good for recording acoustic instruments or other sounds with a moderate volume. (Recommended for this project)

• High is good when you're recording a lecture or other situation where the sound is quiet or far away.  

Listen with the headphones and watch the level bars (D) while you try all 3 to determine which gain setting will work the best for you. To ensure good sound quality, make sure the level bars (D) are generally moving to the right half of the screen, but not hitting the far right side.

Set you recording level with the fast-forward and rewind buttons (G).  Audio should maintain at -20db and peak no further than -12db. 

Set your headphones volume levels.(T) 

Recording: When you're happy with the volume, press record again to start recording. The counter (B) will now start counting up. If it isn't counting up, it isn't recording.

When you are finished recording, press record (L) again to stop. The counter (B) will stop counting up. 

Playback: 
Check recording by hitting “play” button and a green light will come on as playback occurs. To see a list of your files, use the “File” option in the menu. Each audio clip will be stored in the Folder you have selected in the menu (probably 01), and numbered sequentially.  

When you go to retrieve or playback your file, it will be located in the folder indicated in the upper right corner (H) of the Zoom screen.

• The Zoom does not have a built-in speaker. You will need to connect headphones or external speakers to the Zoom's Phones/Line Out jack (S) to hear the recording. 

• The file whose name is shown in the center of the display (I) is the one that will be played back.

• Use the fast-forward and rewind buttons (G) to select a different file.

• Press the Play button (M) to begin playback.

• Press it again to pause/stop playback. 

• Press fast-forward or rewind to skip to the next/previous recording.

REMEMBER TO TURN THE RECORDER OFF (U) when you are done, as the battery will continue to drain as long as it is turned on.

Connect the SD card to a computer

1. Access the contents of the SD card by inserting the SD card reader.
2. An icon for the SD card will appear on the desktop of the computer
3. Browse to the folder where your recording is located (Probably in FOLDER01 for a stereo file, or in 4CH for a 4-channel file)
4. Drag your recording from the Zoom folder to your hard drive. 
5. Eject the SD card from your computer