Zoom H4/H2 SLAYER.....?

http://www.alesis.com/protrack

i like this new zoom, alot
and it doesn't require an ipod, which i don't have

http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1994&brandID=4

Am I seeing the spec list correctly? Do you HAVE to use an Ipod with this thing? If that's the case I say "thumbs down". Way to save on production cost in the long run too. Just give a shell with attached mics and inputs to dock with an Ipod.., and you the buyer provide the actual "guts" for the recorder. Not exactly small either. I saw the vid...., and I think Zoom has nothing to worry about. What happends if your Ipod crashes or breaks? If it costs as much as the Zoom then again I say "thumbs down".

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 03-02-2009).]

Alesis must have something of deal with Apple or they cannot compete otherwise because a few of their products have become Ipod centric.

No four track, no surround, no MP3 recording (44.1 or 22 kHz 16 bit ONLY) no 24 bit recording, amongst many, many other things.

Not to mention that you have to have an iPod with a fair bit of room (most of us fill ours quite quickly with music!) in addition to this...

The Zoom's slay THIS, I'm afraid... (although why you have to use such macho hyperbole when just the word 'better' might have been less confrontational... )

It's going to be about $200... PLUS, of course, an iPod. To only record 16 bit audio.

For less money, the H2 blows this away (or was that too aggressive? ) and doesn't NEED an iPod (BTW, recording 16 bit audio chews up your iPod's battery because the drive cannot spin down much). Plus, it can record for DAYS at an MP3 rate, records surround sound, has TWO different mike pairs, is smaller, lighter and just plain better...

Sorry, Alesis. A swing and a miss

and the Zoom H4N will TROUNCE both of these :-)

4 mic simultaneous record,
4 track recorder
mics swivel to different angles
way better mic pres
effects, guitar eff., compress, limiters,
built in speaker to monitor,
better build quality,
and on , and on

I still say Zoom has nothing to worry about. I think this is a very risky move by Alesis. They're designing a product that will bank on the continued success of another company. Pretty foolish considering the economic times IMO. Are they under some extended "Ipod design" contract too? What happens if Ipod within 3 months after the release of this new Alesis completey redesign the Ipod and that design conflicts with this docking station?

Zoom has the upper hand on this one. Considering Alesis's history I'm surprised they banked this units success on another company.