Take a closer look at the Zoom H1, a hand-held audio recorder that delivers 24-bit/96kHz stereo recordings perfect for music, interviews, lectures, recitals, band practice, and more.
Donald Bell
Donald Bell has spent more than five years as a CNET senior editor, reviewing everything from MP3 players to the first three generations of the Apple iPad. He currently devotes his time to producing How To content for CNET, as well as weekly episodes of CNET's Top 5 video series.
Understated, affordable ($99), and has an elegant design, the Zoom H1 delivers quality stereo recording with a minimum of fuss.
2 of 7 Samson
Zoom H1
Most of the H1's controls are located on the sides of the device, preventing them from cluttering the unambiguous record button on its front.
3 of 7 Samson
Zoom H1
The front end of the H1 sports a pair of condenser mics arranged in an X/Y stereo pattern, protected behind an oval-shaped mic cage. Samson includes a 1/8-inch mic input on the Zoom H1. Below the built-in mics is a small, backlit LCD for communicating all the basic track and duration details.
4 of 7 Samson
Zoom H1
My favorite feature of the H1 lays smack in the middle of the device: a solid, red, uncluttered record button. For audio recorders--especially for documenting important interviews--nothing is more reassuring than an easy-to-locate record button.
5 of 7 Samson
Zoom H1
A windscreen, power adapter, USB cable, carrying case, tripod, and mic clip are available separately for $24.99.
6 of 7 Samson
Zoom H1
One possible use of the Zoom H1 is for adding improved audio to your video recorder.
7 of 7 Samson
Zoom H1
The H1 records to an included 2GB microSD card, but it supports capacities up to 32GB. After you're done, you can review your audio using headphones or the built-in speaker, or transfer recordings back to your computer using the built-in USB 2.0 port, or a microSD card reader.
