Now for some time waiting for a field recorder, the last built ordinary microphones, because the other competitors such as Tascam DR-100 or Roland R-26 are also at the height of the H4n and offer no significant reason to replace the H4n. The Olympus LS-100 appears to be the first serious competitor in terms of field recording, because the mics sound much better, in fact, take on slightest noise can be heard and a finer resolution as compared to the H4n. Especially in the lower midrange and bass mics form the from what you would expect of good capsules. Thus, for in fact professional field recordings to create that were not possible until now in this price range.
I was to have full hope, finally found a worthy successor to the push until I just studied all options and found that you have to do at other levels appreciable smears. Once the microphone position, which represents a compromise between XY and ORTF and accordingly does not provide a completely clean stereo image. But worse is the lack of M / S-decoder which allows a mid-side microphones in H4n and must renounce the LS-100 users. But even worse is the fact that you can simultaneously operate any 4 microphones, namely the internal stereo microphones with external microphones connected to, which can be connected via the XLR ports on the LS-100.
This means in practice that it is possible with external microphones pick up an instrument at the same time active internal microphones that record such as space information. The H4n can, the Roland R-26 also. Olympus dispensed with this feature. This lack of option I think is a serious deficiency and a disappointment. Here makes obvious the lack of alignment to the target group "Musicians" negative effect, because Olympus has so far taken care of more to reporters and journalists.
You also have to do without the LS-100 to many internal simulations, such as delay, reverb, EQ or guitar amps. But for my taste, I could no less than without it, because the sound quality of these addons allow most to be desired. A high shelf or limiter or compressor should be enough to catch a few outliers in the recording, which the LS-100 also provides ready. The rest you should already work with good sound tools in the DAW. This is easy to get over.
Conclusion: Without going now further into the depths, the H4n is still - although already since 2008 on the market - was state of the art The recorder then ahead of its time and is still in tune with the times, times. apart from the modest mics that are also too little protected and usually break in a crash because of plastic, not metal. Nevertheless, the Zoom has blossomed into law the "People's Recorder" and is in demand especially among musicians as "Idea Catches".
The Olympus would have what it takes to push push from the throne. Now it remains to be seen whether any firmware update solves the problem. Until then, I still wait with the purchase and keep my old H4n. Perhaps it is also worth to wait for Zoom will provide surely soon a relaunch of Volskrekorders.
I'll rectify the assessment and upgrade as soon as this function is available.
