Zoom H2n Portable Handy Recorder Overview

Ideal for versatile, immersive capture of musical ensembles and audio for VR, the Zoom H2n portable handheld recorder with an onboard 5-mic array lets you record high-resolution stereo or surround sound audio in the palm of your hand. Make aurally exciting music tracks and create captivating sound beds with nothing more than the H2n.

Like other H-Series Handy recorders such as the H5 and H6, you can hold it in your hand, attach it to a mic stand or tripod, or mount it to a camera (shoe mount available separately); the H2n’s multichannel capabilities and rugged, travel-friendly body make it more than ready to meet the varied demands of YouTube content creators, musicians, sound recordists, and more.

From its long battery life to its Spatial Audio support, the H2n is well equipped for tracking live music, recording sound effects and ambience, or producing sound for 360° VR videos. It can supply plug-in power for a lavalier condenser mic, or even accept a direct line-level connection from a mixer or wireless receiver. No matter the source, selectable auto-recording and pre-recording ensure that you’ll never miss the start of a take.

Onboard 5-Mic Array for Customizable Audio Pickup

The Zoom H2n onboard 5-mic array opens the door to true stereo or surround sound recording without external microphones. The built-in microphones—two form an X/Y pair, while the other three are configured in a mid-side pattern—can be used separately for X/Y or MS stereo recording, or combined to create 2- or 4-channel surround sound. A simple dial atop the grille grants effortless switching between the four modes.

Stereo/Surround Record Modes

X/Y mode utilizes two matched unidirectional mics set at a 90° angle (relative to each other) for clear, phase-accurate capture with a tight stereo image. MS mode employs one forward-facing mic and two side-facing mics to simultaneously capture direct signal and ambience while providing optimal stereo-to-mono compatibility. The Zoom H2n internal MS decoder allows you to adjust the relative level of the mic element before or after the recording process, effectively manipulating the perceived stereo width.