With the advent of YouTube, Instagram and the like, artists need ways to create impressive video material for their (potential) fans. And for musicians and bands in particular, that means that the sound has to pop. After all, the worst thing that can happen to a musician trying to build up a following is for their videos to have poor audio quality. Fortunately, the Japanese manufacturer Zoom has long been offering high-quality AV recording equipment at very fair prices. The Zoom Q2n-4K, which is also capable of 4K resolution, represents an affordable point of entry into the world of cameras for musicians.
Why does a musician or someone who works in the music industry need a special camera? To begin with, the integrated microphones of almost all cameras and smartphones are simply overwhelmed by loud and complex music. It's not just that the microphones overload - good models can often handle that - but that the microphones used in such devices don't pick up the entire sound spectrum. The Q2n-4K is quite different, because Zoom has decades of experience in the development of compact and high-quality sounding recording systems. This surprisingly small camera - Zoom calls this type of device a "Handy Video Recorder" - is easy to operate right out of the box, even without a manual. This camera is capable of 720p (HD), 1080p (Full HD) and 2160p (4K UHD) resolutions.
High-quality recordings don't need to be complicated. In fact, operating the compact Zoom Q2n-4K is like child's play. With only nine buttons and a simple and clearly structured menu, all settings can be quickly adjusted before pressing the Record button. A particularly practical feature is the rotary control on the side, which allows the user to adjust the level without having to work their way through the menu first. Another feature worthy of mention is that the Zoom Q2n-4K can also be used as a pure audio recorder as well as a high-quality webcam, e.g. for Skype calls and video meetings, which makes it a highly practical solution.
Founded in 1983, the Japanese company Zoom manufactures a variety of audio equipment, including a range of portable "handy" recorders as well as multi-effects processors, effects pedals, drum machines, and samplers. Over the past thirty years, the company has built a reputation for producing innovative yet affordable products based on original microchip designs. Since the Zoom-9002 (an ultra-compact multi-effects processor that can be attached to a guitar strap) was introduced in 1990, Zoom has become one of the leaders in digital audio processing.
When one considers how time-consuming it used to be to film a decent video of a concert, the Zoom Q2n-4K seems like a revelation. Easy to use, a great picture, and above all good audio quality - and at a very reasonable price. Another practical feature is that the high-quality 150° wide-angle lens captures everything, even at a short distance from the stage. And since the integrated X/Y stereo microphone can withstand levels of up to 120dB without distorting, the Zoom can also be used without hesitation at really loud shows - or as a drum cam on the set. And if an even wider range of shots is required, users can set up one or two more cameras - with the Zoom Q2n-4K providing the good sound. Incidentally, if 4K resolution is not essential and "only" Full HD is enough, users can instead opt for the smaller and even more affordably-priced Zoom Q2n White.