Title: AUP Reviews New Paranormal Tool
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Blog Entry: The H2 Handy Recorder from Zoom Technologies first came to the attention of the ASUP through their New York City affiliate director, who reported it was a fantastic tool for doing EVP work. Always looking for “A better mouse trap,” the equipment testing and evaluation group of ASUP procured one to put it through its paces. Normally, using terms like “fantastic” does not find its way into our reviews, but by the time we were finished, we had to agree with our New York brethren that this device really is a cut above.
Briefly, we assume that most investigators are using digital recorders, which unfortunately have a pin hole sized microphone. They are small, light and easy to use, perfect for doing an interview, but lack quality in the overall audio. The H2 is a totally different bird, utilizing four microphones, one set facing forward to capture a 90 degrees and a second, to the rear at 120 degrees. The circuitry allows the operator to sample one or both with the touch of a button, depending on conditions, thus giving true 2 channel stereo, or can be programmed to give four channels with distinctive left and right, front and rear surround sound inputs.
This is a true recording computer that looks like a commercial microphone, utilizing a 4 hour continuous record file to a 2 GB file, in its optimum mode. Theoretically (we have not actually run it this long) the device is capable of recording 68 hours in MP3 mode. The unit can be driven with 2 AA batteries or from a wall jack transformer and uses a USB 2.0 transfer line and a SD memory card (16MB to 2 GB) or an SHDC memory card of 16 GB. From the rear LCD screen you can name files, monitor the size of files, divide them, time/date stamp them and delete them as you choose. Output is either WAV or MP3 at the operator’s preference from the same panel. And all in a unit that is just 4/5 x 2.5 x 1 inch in size.
The unit also comes with a foam microphone hood to be used in windy situations, the 512 MB memory card and a convenient tripod base for better stability. In the field the sound reproduction is truly remarkable; using an inexpensive pair of stereo headphones, also included, you hear everything, with a good deal of directional attitude. Listening to one recent case recording, there was an EVP caught and we found ourselves turning our heads to look in the direction of the voice! Real surround sound from a device only slightly larger than the digital recorders we have been using for years.
Yes, the device is more expensive than the ones now being used, but given the fact that the unit was originally designed for use by professionals and performers, it really does an excellent job in paranormal investigating at a reasonable price. It is well worth the expense.
TO see more reviews go to www.asup-inc.org
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