Boss Micro BR or Zoom H4

[Mr. Air]

I'm selling some pedals right now and I've been offered a trade where I can choose between a Boss Micro BR or a Zoom H4. It could be really fun to have something I can record with, but which of the recorders would you suggest? I know nothing about the world of portable recorders.

I'm not really interested in the units onboard effects as I want to record the sounds of my rig. It seems the Boss has the advantage of 4 independent tracks, but the Zoom has better mics...  :?

[choucas09]

I've got an H4. Amazing piece of kit. Works well as a stereo field recorder (up to 24 bit), has a four track recorder built in with effects mic preamps etc. The built in mics work very well despite their size. A very capable and versatile pocket sized recorder.

I don't know which H4 you've been offered. I have the original and the only downside for me is the postage stamp sized screen and the tiny fiddly controls.

[Mr. Air]

It's the regular H4 I have been offered. Is it possible to record a track and then listen to it while recording a new one?

[Roobubba]

It's the regular H4 I have been offered. Is it possible to record a track and then listen to it while recording a new one?

Don't think so. Awesome piece of kit though. The only downside I find is in a small band practice room, you can get some clipping if you're not careful. We are far too loud, though ;)

The 4-track recording in surround is great for tweaking levels of different instruments later on.

[choucas09]

I've never explored the 4 track of things, but you must to listen to the playback track when recording or it wouldn't work as a 4 track. BTW there are loads of effects and amp sims in it too. The Boss Micro is a nice thing too, but the versatility and portability of an H4 make it hard to beat.

[FredD]

IMO the Zoom H4 is the better product.

I have an H4 and also an R16 (16 track, record on 8 simutaniosly).
A friend has the Boss Micro, but is thinking of changing it for an H4,
after having used mine  :)

For multi tracking, I think you would have to go some way to beat the
R16. It is very good value for money, with a street price of not much more than an H4 !
It runs off batteries or a wall wart, and also has 48v phantom power on 2 of the
8 inputs for studio mikes.

I use a PC (ProTools) for mixing and mastering (the R16 also has a USB port to enable you to use it as a control surface);  but I find that the 'transparency' of the R16 (just push the red butto 8)n ), allows you to get on with the music making, and not have to keep interupting the creative flow to swop your 'artist' head with you 'studio engineer' head  :)

[Mr. Air]

Thanks for your inputs, guys. Seems like the H4 is the winner and I have reached the same conclusion so if the deal goes through I'll soon be able to overflow the players section with my worthless talents  :D