Nice purchase. I was sold on it at first. The main thing that's kept me away from this recorder is something that they're purporting as a plus but that I consider a minus/omission...and that is that it's built-in mics cannot do both coincident X/Y and near-coincident ORTF (wide) configurations. It can't do spaced A/B configs either but I don't care about that shit. The on-board external XLR inputs could be used for that but I'm not interested in using better expensive external mics on a portable recorder in this price range and size. I'll go with a non-hand held field recorder for that. I don't like it's menu either and some other recorders I listened to, that are only a few hundred (USD) more, sounded better (on-board mics). I also wish it had physical rotary input and output dials instead of "twiddly digitally controlled clicker shits". It has great features though and the price is excellent for those features, which still has me debating if I should buy it even if I go with another brand first. Nothing competes with it at it's price though, not that I was able to test out anyway. The fact that it can work as an interface will be a selling point for those doing podcasts (which I'm not, but still) and the 4ch recording will appeal to some bands for rehearsals. My interests may be different though. I needed a field recorder for field recordings and a hand held portable one where a larger field recorder is inappropriate, so I'd never use external mics with a hand held or use it as an interface. For those who will, the H4n is very dope. That's what I think.
How about some examples using the external XLR inputs, when you can, thx? I wasn't able to hear those. Does it seem a bit noisy to you? I don't mean handling noise, I mean the recordings. How is battery life, in your own experience? I assume you can change the input level of the two XLR inputs independently, even when not in 4ch mode. I'm still looking for something to sway me to not go higher up with another brand first.
