Question: There are so many reviews spread around the web about the Zoom H4N, some of them praise this recorder, other say some things about bad preamps, hissy mics etc...

Who has had experiences with this device? Would you recommend it? How are the internal mics? I am thinking about going out into the woods to record ambient sounds. 
I also like the multi-track feature and would like to use external mics, too.

Answer: 
I have that recorder as my *keep in the bag at all times recorder - just in case*. I gotta say I really do like it. 

The reason I bought was for the multi-track recording and the M/S decoder. I thought I would use it as a travel recorder with my Sennheiser MKH418s (M/S), but turns out that I only ever use the on-board mics. Reason being is that if I'm gonna be bringing my other mic with the softie or windshield and all, then I might as well bring my Sound Devices. I used to only have a Fostex FR2 recorder, wich was very big to travel with, so this made sense. 

I haven't even yet tested the XLR inputs, but from I hear they are pretty noisy. The on-board mics aren't very noisy at all. I think that sound pretty damn good actually. I also like that you can choose 90 or 120 deg for your stereo image. 

If I had to do it again though, I would buy The Sony [PCM D50](http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/product-PCMD50/). Because from what I hear it is even better sounding, and considering I never plug in other mics, then that recorder would be more suitable. 

If you wanna hear some recordings from the H4n, there are a few from my holiday that I posted on [{sound + design}](http://www.soundplusdesign.com/?p=3975). Otherwise [you can listen](http://www.soundplusdesign.com/index.php?s=h4n) to some older ones recorded on it. 

Hope this helps a little.
i'm really hoping to see a new product from zoom that addresses the "hissing", the upcoming IBC 2011 show would really be a swell time to announce it. h4n really could use an update. that sony d-50 and their pcm m10 indeed have excellent, low-noise recording and good user interfaces (but sadly do not double as a computer i/o, which is why the h4n interests me particularly).