Looking for an affordable portable recorder

[TonalGurus]

I have used the H4N for a large number of things. They are great recorders and work well. The mics on the H2n are quite of the same quality, but for what your doing the H2n should be just fine. There are some under the hood features with the H4n like 4 track recording that make it a little better. But again for what your doing go with the H2n. Great units. If you get the H4n or any handheld recorder note that the button noise may be all over your recordings if you are changing gain mid recording. I got a remote for mine. Solved that issue for me!

[Rajah]

Hi guys,

so I'm looking to get a portable recorder to do some field recording (various noises from every day life, maybe some voices once in a while). I don't need something particularly high end since most of what I will be recording is going to be resynthesized and crushed beyond recognition but I was wondering if you could give me any pointers as to what is going to be important to look at when chosing the model, since I'm a real noob when it comes to recording.

I don't really need any other input than a mic. My price range is between 150 and 250e

I've found these two models that would please my wallet :

http://www.thomann.de/gb/zoom_h2n.htm
http://www.thomann.de/gb/zoom_h4_n.htm

Do you think those might be what I'm looking for ? Is there any real advantages to the most expensive one appart from the additionnal inputs ? Do you know of any other model/brand I could be looking at ?

Thanks in advance.

How about these Ipad/Iphone apps? Can someone give their verdict?

http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/ir ... cast-video

[Meffy]

Also @Meffy what do you mean by NiMH AA cells ? I've tried to google them but that wasn't particularly helpful. Are those specific rechargeable batteries or just regular ones ?

Oops, AA is the US size. In Europe they'd be HR6 cells, in Japan UM-3 -- Nickel Metal Hydride, plenty of power without the drawbacks of Nickel Cadmium cells. They're worth the extra up front cost.