Comments on Brad Linder's blog: Zoom H4n audio take 2 - second time not so charmin...

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I have a Zoom ...

2010-05-24T02:31:47.974-04:00

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I have a Zoom H4N and was looking at a way to reduce the noise floor of my recordings. The input was set at 65 when I got it, and at this level the hiss was really quite unacceptable.

After much experimentation I found an input level of 25 - 30 to be the sweet spot for minimal hiss.

I'm feeding it from a external portable mixer (Sound Devices 442) and found these settings have greatly improved the overall quality of my recordings. YMMV.

Cheers and happy recording.

Ive been reading these posts, and the H4n does not...

2010-05-23T02:07:54.067-04:00

Ive been reading these posts, and the H4n does not have that much hiss. You just need to adjust the levels correctly and it wont have hiss. If you just plug everything in and dont adjust the levels it will sound like shit, but if u experiment with it for a while you will find out that the little thing rocks especially for the price.

Curious how folks have fared with the different un...

2010-02-26T13:41:27.663-05:00

Curious how folks have fared with the different units over time.

I've been doing some heavy research to start recording and while I eventually will build a studio (not sure if I'll go with Apogee Ensemble or Prism Sound Orpheus or something similar yet as the main I/O,Preamp, Converter) but I need something to tide me over until then.

I'm thinking the Marantz PMD 661 may be the best for sound quality but I'm open to ideas.

I have to say, reading through this as taken my presumed "choice" (H4N) and has left me looking for another small/mobile recorder.

Ultimately I need to pick up some mics...etc as well but the Recorder is going to be my first step.

FYI, I have just returned my H4n and topped the di...

2010-02-17T15:16:47.600-05:00

FYI, I have just returned my H4n and topped the difference for Sony. I am pleased to report that Sony's recording quality is miles ahead.

The Zoom H4n is a bad hammering in this blog, and ...

2009-11-27T04:20:58.833-05:00

The Zoom H4n is a bad hammering in this blog, and I read through the comments they're more like a slanging match between people, than providing any constructive criticism from full technical aspects.

I think it's always good to have other peoples' views, but offering them in a prejudicial way doesn't help anyone. Fortunately this isn't the only blog dealing with digital recorders around a certain price tag. Before anyone takes on board all the criticisms voiced here, I recomment them to search out other blogs that are far more rational in their comparisons.

I got H4n and so far I am satisfied. Do you thing ...

2009-11-20T04:00:48.366-05:00

I got H4n and so far I am satisfied. Do you thing that Zoom can work the hiss problem out on a software level? I'm waiting for an upgrade, but they seem to have abandon it.

I have the Zoom H4n and generally love it. However...

2009-10-17T00:54:27.053-04:00

I have the Zoom H4n and generally love it. However the interface could be a lot more user friendly and I have found one source of noise. If you use the AC adapter (wall wart) that comes with the unit, you will (or I should say I did) get AC hum introduced. I fiddle around with various things trying to eliminate it. Finally I took a voltmeter and measured the AC coming off the DC end of the adapter / wall wart. It should put out 5 VDC and 0 VAC, but it puts out 10 VAC in a no load situation. I compared this to another 5 volt wall wart and it had 0 VAC output. I have just sent a note to me sales rep and am confident this will get sorted out whether it is a defective unit or a poor design.

I should add that the only thing that has really a...

2009-08-10T04:04:09.675-04:00

I should add that the only thing that has really annoyed me about the H4n as yet is the fact that it loses the time/date settings when the batteries are removed.

I'm keen to find out if mine is unique in this regard?

Another positive vote for the fidelity, utility an...

2009-08-10T03:50:04.198-04:00

Another positive vote for the fidelity, utility and value of the Zoom H4n. I'm using it successfully in the field for nature recordings at 44.1/24 using the integrated mic pre-amps and Rode NT-55s.

It's a pity that some idiots use forums like this to display their complete lack of maturity, competence and integrity.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What have we all determined ...

2009-08-07T18:58:25.606-04:00

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What have we all determined here, people? What's the best all-around field recorder (satisfactory internal mics, good for recording live band practices, great external mic use, etc.) from $400-$600? I need to know... I know it's not a Zoom, so what is it?

I

I have a Sony PCM d50. Right after buying it I set...

2009-08-02T06:04:52.360-04:00

I have a Sony PCM d50.
Right after buying it I set the recording volume at 5 and listenning volume at 5 thinking this should be safe. Turn it on and listenned to it and it literially blow my ears. Very loud.
Potentially dangerous too. I think it should have an option in the menu to set a maximum output sound level to the microphone. So that excessively loud sound can be cut/reduced, because if you are playing a quite recording and then a loud recording it could demage hearing. Also if you listenning to birds and someone walks up and talks near you it could really hurt your ears.

Couldn't tell what was noise or the market floor. Until got home. I hear noise from internal microphones starting at a gain of 2.

I've tried many external microphones at a sound shop. Most microphones would work. But the best level I could get to on gain setting with any of the microphones I tried was 8 before I got noise. Usually most microphones would get noise starting at a gain of 7.

For my own external microphone I am limited to a recording gain of between 5 and 7 if I want sound to be good and with no noise.

I've tried turning microphone off and seeing what gain can get to without noise. But it still gets noise at 8gain. If I try just a miniconnecter without cable I get noise at a very low gain setting, but thats just an issue with the resistance being seen.

It is possible that maybe the noise above gain 8 is from environment. But the fact that the mic turned off only gets to 8 gain makes me think it isn't my environment. I guess it is preemps. On line-in I get no noise at any gain setting.

I mean the (Roland) Edirol R-09 HR. Also, what do...

2009-07-30T10:16:42.272-04:00

I mean the (Roland) Edirol R-09 HR.

Also, what does this bit mean (that somebody recently here):

"I have checked the manual for Tascam DR100 and the problem is its 24/48 not 96khz."

What's the problem, exactly? I don't know what that means... But I'm really leaning towards the Tascam DR-100 as opposed to the Zoom models (especially since it has two XLR inputs included), though I might pick up a Zoom H2 down the road, just to carry around in my man purse for something on the fly. But yeah... Let's talk about that Tascam DR-100. Does anyone here have a testimony about it?

Which model?

2009-07-29T17:24:26.602-04:00

Which model?

What about the Edirol?

2009-07-29T15:33:31.729-04:00

What about the Edirol?

At Anonymous - which mics are u using? If both Dy...

2009-05-27T09:45:03.481-04:00

At Anonymous - which mics are u using?

If both Dynamics and Condenser mics go for Sony.

If Condenser only go for Zoom H4n.

Zenman, thanks. I was just coming back to post tha...

2009-05-26T16:38:30.845-04:00

Zenman, thanks.
I was just coming back to post that I managed to find that I figured out the file transfer system with it so that I can overdub as I please.

By the way I'm the anonymous from May 25th and that was my first post.

I don't really need the USB facilities as my Delta1010 is awesome for that, but its handy to know its there.

Plugging a guitar directly into it does sound very very good. I think to get the best SNR witha mic is to use a preamp feeding the line in as its mic preamps are a touch noisy, but generating 48v phantom is no mean feat when your supply is only 3v(Best I can do is 18v from a 9v source).

So I don't think the preamp issues are so much bad design, but a limitation of the low power available causing the headroom to be lower and the noise floor to be higher.

My rating on the first day was 85% but now that I can overdub the way i wish, it has gone up to 90%. Now if I could get independent control of each channel....

Oh and I wish they'd thought to have a Midi time Code function for syncing with my drum machine/sequencer(An old tascam does this but sounds terrible and can only handle small flash cards).

best get googling.
Cheers
A

Hey Anonymous, You can find some good tips for us...

2009-05-26T01:32:10.166-04:00

Hey Anonymous,

You can find some good tips for using the h4n over at the zoom forum. Just google it. I just added a post today on how to get the files into the mtr mode.

I haven't tried it as a usb interface yet but someone over there said it's really good for that too.

I got the H4n yesterday. Yes its a bit hissy at hi...

2009-05-25T17:20:47.638-04:00

I got the H4n yesterday.
Yes its a bit hissy at high gain with my Rode NT2a but the things I intend to record(guitar/bass amps) are loud enough to overcome this flaw.

I dunno if I haven't found the right setting but MTR mode seems a little under powered. There's no separation between inputs when recording 2 tracks(eg: guitar and vocal). It forces a mix of the two to be recorded and there's no independent level control, just 2 stereo pairs on the input(could software fix it?).

4 channel mode is fine, but I've not been able to import the files to MTR mode, which is mildly frustrating.

The effects are OK, not awesome, not terrible(though useful for writing on the run).

As a USB interface I highly recommend downloading the ASIO driver from the Zoom site as the DX driver sucks. This thing as an audio interface will give you lower latency(17ms) than my old Digitech 002r(42ms) but not as good as my M-Audio delta 1010le(6-13ms).

So I guess I'll use it when noodling on the couch, staying away from home and a replacement for my cassette 4 track which I've been dragging to band rehearsals(helps with remembering riffs when you've had too much beer).

pro's: 4 track(with overdub),
price, phantom power, fx, high z input, usb.

con's: handling noise, not enough control(really needs external mixer), latency still a smidge high, sound quality not as nice as the sony.

Wow, so much mud slinging over here. I was just tr...

2009-05-25T17:04:20.473-04:00

Wow, so much mud slinging over here. I was just trying to get an unbiased comparison of the Sony PCM-D50 and Zoom H4N.

Can anyone (Graham?) offer a balanced review of these two units side-by-side?

I can only afford to get one, so some measured feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Ok, I got my H4n. This thing is pretty awesome! I...

2009-05-22T02:39:18.055-04:00

Ok, I got my H4n. This thing is pretty awesome! I just recorded my first ever youtube video with it. I used the internal mics at the 90 degree setting with the rec level at 60. Or maybe it was 65. The zoom was placed at eye level pointed at my face a little over 2 feet away.

Tomorrow I'll record a song with some finger picking and more melodic vocals.

If you watch/listen to this, be sure to click the HQ button, it definitely makes a difference.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU6QBq5C6sc

fuck off nizman!!

2009-05-21T18:20:54.051-04:00

fuck off nizman!!

I should be getting my Zoom h4n on Wednesday. The ...

2009-05-18T17:26:00.000-04:00

I should be getting my Zoom h4n on Wednesday. The sound tests on this page worried me a little but I'm guessing they were recorded with the lim/comp on like someone else said. The audio samples Jon Skitch sent you sound much better. And this guy's guitar sample sounds pretty good: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsiXsLo_Xgg

I'm keeping my fingers crossed I didn't make a mistake ordering this.

I don't think any of the competition can act as a usb audio interface combined with DAW software so I think I did the right thing. I'll make some recordings and come back with some samples soon. Stay tuned...

I know this is thread is concerning the comparison...

2009-05-09T06:23:00.000-04:00

I know this is thread is concerning the comparison of the devices mentioned above, and I didn't see Fostex FR2le on the list Nick. WTF??? I would hope the sound quality is better $$$$. Nick your a real Dick Tracy. You said it yourself, its a different class. Why are all you "pro's" even still talking??? Trust me, if I had it my way I would run out and buy a fostex FR 2 straight up forget the le. (a 10 second pre-record....thats cool) I am an entry level digital engineer, and I am biased cuz I picked up an H4n a couple of weeks ago, and I think it's pretty damn cool for my first "gadget". I was wondering if anyone has any info on the settings of the h4n. Or any good links to a good blog for any zoom h4n owners?? The H4n is obviously targeting musicians, and if any of you have checked the zoom web page, they are pretty up front about their target audience. Anyways, using the compressor, in stereo mode it sounds pretty bad, but that's just recording dialog. There are over 50 pre-amp settings in MTR Mode, and you can get it pretty quiet. I started wondering if I made a mistake after I found this nasty blogg. But i think it was money well spent. And the price range for the zoom was my limit. Even the Marantz 660 is $100 more. I would love to get into field recording for special effects and might have considered the Sony PCM-D50 for this, But like Nasa Nick mentioned, why not just get a Fostex?? After listening to all you "my crap smells like bubble-gum" h4n haters, I would really have to try the Sony myself. And the fact is this blog didn't answer any questions anyways. Honestly the main reason I bought the h4N is cuz you can use it for an interface, It came with editing software, its got 4 tracks, and its bad ass. For the price its great for a broke student like myself. Portable stereo/two track recorder with bounce capabilities for music, entry level field recording, Podcast, sound design/effects, and basic editing software. And after reading this I don't think I would buy the Sony based solely on the mentality of its supporters. This blog got so nasty cuz these are two devices made for two entirely different users. At least I can admit I'm a novice out to have some fun. Most of you sony guys are just stuck in the middle of when you used to have fun, and being actual professionals. I would actually enjoy recording bird farts, but I wouldn't use that peice of crap Sony for it!!! So like I mentioned above, anyone have any links to any Zoom h4n links concerning having some fun and actually throwing some ideas around, I would appreciate it.

I just received my new Zoom H4n and am very happy ...

2009-05-04T11:35:00.000-04:00

I just received my new Zoom H4n and am very happy with my first band recording. I recorded in 4 channel mode, which is why I bought the unit over others. Although the manual, on page 072, says the H4n in 4 ch mode can use mono mix mode it apprarently cannot. This only allows a stereo signal from inputs 3, L, and 4, R, and does not allow a full signal to center pan. Zoom confirmed the typo.
Hopefully I can fix this in Cubase but it's disappointing that teh manual is not correct.

Hello, I have been using Sony Hi-MD MZ-RH1/B with...

2009-04-26T18:11:00.000-04:00

Hello,

I have been using Sony Hi-MD MZ-RH1/B with Sony microphone ECM-MS907.
I want to get rid of it because:
1) I would like to have one box not two things
2) Transfering recording music from MZ-RH1 to Mac is time consuming

I would like to buy some recording device in similar price category 300 - cca 450 usd.
I am looking for something with at least the same recording quality.
Does Zoom H4 or H4n fulill this request?
If no, which recorder would you recommend in this price categhory?

I need it for recording of:
1) singing with best possible quality
2)(mainly) acoustic instruments and rehearsals of acoustic band (new acoustic/jazz)

XLR mic imputs are not crucial for me.

Thanks in advance for your time and replys.

Jan, Prague, Czech Repubublic, Europe