Zoom released its new H2N, a unique update to its portable recording line, replacing the H2, which debuted back in 2007. This recorder manages to pack in five studio-quality micropphones and multiple different recording modes such as stereo, 90-degree X/Y stereo, and 2 or 4 channel surround sound. The device also offers an improved user interface from its last incarnation, 20 hours of operation on just two AA batteries, and a data recovery function.

Beyond this you can even use the device directly to record to your PC. There are many cheap recorders out there, but the H2N has exceptional quality and many different recording modes that put it in a class of its own. Not everyone uses recorders these days, but for interviews and even uses like note-taking, a higher quality audio system can make all the difference in the world.

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The new device offers players a semi-weighted keyboard, 49 velocity-sensitive keys, and dedicated Transpose and Octave buttons.

The unit is designed from the ground-up with iPad in mind and features an iPad stand, and is easily coupled with your favorite MIDI apps via Apple’s Camera Connection Kit. The Carbon 49 can even be directly powered by your iPad, for a fairly mobile solution.

Of course I would imagine this sucks down the battery pretty fast, though I have no official information on how much battery-power the MIDI keyboard takes.

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Yes, it is able to record at full 1080pHD at 30 frames per second, but the kicker is that it is the only handheld capable of doing that and recording in HD audio (24-bit/96kHz). Audio, after all, is Zoom’s bread and butter.

Among the highlights in this newest pocket camcorder are a larger aperture with three lighting settings, the 120-degree X/Y microphone capsule configuration previously found in the zoom H4n recorder, and a built-in HDMI port for instant sharing on the big screen. It’s powered by a couple AA batteries and supports up to 32GB SDHC memory cards.

Doubling up on the HD-ness, for both audio and video, comes at a premium over devices that don’t do full HD in either department. The Zoom Q3HD is shipping now for $299.99 from online retailers.

[Samson Tech, Amazon]

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The mics are studio-quality condensers set in a 120° X/Y pattern, meaning your stereo sound will be true and clear with depth. The 2.4-inch 320×240 LCD is capable of showing audio levels, where you can set the gain to high or low and even Auto Level Gain Control to let you do your own thing. A windscreen allows for clear outdoor recording in windy conditions.

With a 2GB SD card (included) you’ll get 45 minutes of HD video with support up to 32GB SDHC. Samson has not yet announced pricing or availability.

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Samson’s Expedition Series has been offering us a variety of portable PA solutions for a variety of applications for a while now.  Their newest announcement in their portable line is the new flagship model: the XP510i.

A quote from Mark Wilder, Director of Marketing for Samson Technologies, “The beauty of the XP510i is in its design and versatility.  It’s perfect for musical performances, education, house of worship, company meetings, outdoor functions, fitness clubs, corporate events, parties – any application where great sound, ease of use and portability are essential.” Wilder went on to say  that “Because of its clever design, broad feature set and diverse capabilities, the XP510i makes professional sound simpler, more accessible and more convenient than ever before.”

The XP510i is setting new precedence for portable PA solutions with increased power and astonishing sound and an extensive list of features:  dual 2-way speakers, 10-inch woofers in vented enclosures, 1-inch high-frequency drivers, detachable 10-channel mixer, and a 500 watt (2 x 250) Class D amplifier.

Additional features include:  an integrated iPod dock, on-board 24-bit digital effects and phantom power allowing you to create your own personal sound.

And when you have packed it all up by;  sliding the speakers together, locking the  mixer on the back of one speaker, storing the cable in the back of the other,  the whole package weighs  just over 50 pounds.

Not to be confused with the Expedition XP308i; the XP510i will ‘blow’ it off the table as the new ultimate portable PA.

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The thing is that most of these simple pocket camcorders have been focusing on increasing their video quality. The first batch could only do VGA, but it wasn’t long until they started pumping out 720p HD pocket cams and we’re starting to see some 1080p offerings as well. But what about the audio side?

To better approach this side of the equation, we are now looking at the Zoom Q3 Handy Video Recorder. Zoom comes from the same people who brought us the Samson Go Mic, so they know a thing or two about quality audio. Unlike other pocket cams that have a relatively simple audio setup, the Zoom Q3 captures HD quality audio at 24-bit/48 kHz. There are mics in there in an X/Y configuration.

The downside is that you only get a 640 x 480 (VGA) resolution video from this. Other highlights include up to 32GB SDHC cards for memory, a 2.4-inch QVGA display, 2x digital zoom, and up to two hours from a pair of AA batteries.

The Zoom Q3 is available now for $249. Hit up Samson Tech for more information.

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The vast majority of notebooks and netbooks being released into the marketplace today come equipped with integrated webcams and microphones, but these are obviously of a lower-quality when compared to premium standalone products. You could use the microphone that’s built into the portion above your display, but you’re probably going to pick up some wind noise and the resulting audio quality will be sub-par at best.

For people who want more professional sound, but need to stay mobile and keep things under a tighter budget, a viable option may be the Samson Go Mic. This portable USB condenser microphone is a lot smaller than the larger studio-quality microphones being produced by Samson, but they’ve included much of the same technology in the Go Mic that they put into the more expensive counterparts.

Quick Glance at the Features

The whole point of the Samson Go Mic is to give you that studio-like experience without having to lug around a giant microphone. It’s completely plug-and-play compatible with both PCs and Macs, since it can be used with generic USB drivers that your computer will auto-detect and install. It’s also very small, measuring about 7cm x 4cm x 2cm.

It has a spring-loaded clip and a built-in base, so the Samson Go Mic can easily attach to the top of a laptop or it can be placed on a desk for ease of use too. The adjustable stand lets you point the mic in just about any direction too. Other highlights include 3.5mm headphone output, 20Hz to 18KHz frequency response, and a resolution of 44.1kHz/16-bit.

Inside the box, you get the instructional manual, the Go Mic, a carrying cash, a USB cable, a couple of clips, Music Creator CD, and some other documentation. You don’t have to install the software unless you want to make use of the advanced functionality it offers.

Initial Impressions and Build Quality

Aside from its rather compact size, the Samson Go Mic is also quite impressive with the level of build quality and choice of materials that Samson decided to use here. It’s very well built and gives you a great sense of being a premium product.

There are professional-grade wind screens on both the front and back portion of the microphone, so you won’t have to worry about wind noise and other distortions when it comes to your sound recordings. The mini-USB port is easily accessed on the side and it’s right next to the 3.5mm headphone output jack. This way, you can hear what you’re recording without the sound being picked up by the mic itself.

The articulation of the stand is also very nice, giving you a grippy surface on one side if you want to use it on a desk, but the robust spring-loaded clip can be used to attach to a notebook too. On the other side, not pictured, is a switch for swapping between some different audio recording modes. I’m not much of an audiophile, in this respect, so I don’t know exactly what these mean.

So, How Does It Sound?

In addition to regular audio recordings, the Samson Go Mic USB condenser microphone can also be great for recording podcasts, having VoIP conversations, and other similar kinds of applications.

To give it a proper test, I put together a short video of me making my lunch and then I superimposed the video with audio I recorded using the Go Mic. I placed the Go Mic on my desk, about 12 inches or so away from my face, and I spoke at a regular conversational volume. As you can tell in the embedded video, the audio is very clear and crisp.

For people who want something better than the integrated microphones on their computers, the Samson Go Mic is a very good option. It’s just as portable as carrying around a notebook mouse and you get much better audio that the little hole in your laptop lid. The windscreens are very effective and the resulting sound is clean and crisp.

The Samson Go Mic Portable USB Condenser Microphone is listed at about $80, but you can find it on sale online for about $50-$60 through a number of different retailers.

Rating: 9.0/10

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