1. ZOOM / H1n Handy Recorder
This model is a renewed version of the very popular ZOOM “H1” model. The palm-sized compact body is equipped with a full-fledged XY stereo microphone that enables recording of three-dimensional stereo sound images. Anyone can easily record realistic sounds that’s full of presence.
After the renewal, the settings menu can now be displayed in English and Japanese, making it even easier to operate. An overdubbing (layering) function allows you to add songs or musical performances to the recorded sound. It is also possible to re-record a recording as many times as you like!
It fits easily in a woman's hand and is very lightweight, making it easy to carry around. This versatile recorder can be used not only for music performances, but also for podcast distribution and as an external audio recorder for SLR cameras! Blue H1n/L is also available in a different color.
ZOOM / H1n/L (Blue) Handy Recorder
2. ZOOM / H8 Recorder for podcasts
The H8 is a handheld recorder that’s podcast-compatible and it was released in 2020! It supports up to 8 channels of input and is equipped with a large color LCD screen that can be operated like a smartphone. The XY Stereo Microphone (XYH-6) is included as a standard accessory for three-dimensional stereo recording. The microphone capsule is interchangeable and allows the user to select from six different capsules according to the application.
List of compatible capsules
ZOOM / XYH-6 XY stereo microphone capsule
ZOOM / SSH-6 Stereo shotgun microphone capsule
ZOOM / EXH-6 Combo capsule
ZOOM / SGH-6 Shotgun Microphone Capsule
ZOOM / XYH-5 XY Stereo Microphone Capsule
ZOOM / MSH-6 MS Microphone Capsuleセル
The abundance of input terminals is another attractive feature: four XLR microphone inputs and two XLR/TRS combo jacks allow direct connection from line-level signals to microphones, electric guitars, and basses. The included three applications (FIELD, MUSIC, and PODCAST) for field recording, music production, and podcast production also make it versatile. It also looks so different!
3. TASCAM / DR-40X Handheld Recorder USB Audio Interface
The TSACAM DR-40X is a 4-track digital audio recorder/USB audio interface that supports external microphone input and +4 dBu line level input. It looks compact vertically, but despite its small size, it has many professional features! The built-in unidirectional stereo condenser microphone reliably captures and records everything from whispers to loud sounds. It also supports phantom power supply and can be used with a condenser microphone.
Equalizer presets specifically designed for human voices are included, making the DR-40X ideal for recording meetings and interviews. Many other useful functions are provided, including an overdubbing function for use in rehearsal overlays and an overwrite function. The loop/repeat playback function can also be used for music practice and language study. The multi-language menu is available in 10 languages, not to mention English and Japanese, so it can be used in a variety of ways.
4. Saramonic / SR-Q2 Handy Recorder with Built-in XY Stereo Microphone
The SR-Q2 is a linear PCM recorder with a built-in XY stereo microphone from the acoustic manufacturer Saramonic. It has a fairly simple design with a small number of buttons, making it very easy to operate! I recommend this one for those who are looking for their first handheld recorder or for those who want easy features. It is slim, though slightly thicker vertically, so it can be operated with one hand and is easy to carry around! It is also useful for outdoor recording. This single unit can be used for a variety of purposes, from sound recording for video shooting to field recording, music production, video distribution, and much more. Give it a try!
5. TASCAM / DR-05X Handy Recorder USB Audio Interface
The TASCAM DR-05X is a stereo audio recorder/USB audio interface that offers many functions in a compact body for easy operation and high-quality recording. The DR-05X is compact enough for even women to hold in one hand, making operation quick and easy. The USB audio interface function makes it easy to do live streaming and podcast streaming with professional-level sound quality simply by connecting it to a PC or iOS device.
In addition, the DR-05X has become the new standard for handheld recorders that can be used for multiple purposes, such as music and video recording.
These are the five handheld records that I introduced in this issue! There are many more recorders I would like to recommend, but there are too many to introduce here. Please take a look at our recorder product pages.