The new H4n recorder at DVinfo.net

Bill Rankin · March 11th, 2009, 03:33 PM

I just recieved the new recorder and used it on one wedding. I can't speak to the technical side, although I can say the recording results are very good to my ears, there are a two things I am a little disappointed with.

1) The rubberized body is just a coating of sorts. It looks rubberized, but does not feel that way. Just my opinion.

2) The recorder does not (at least I have not yet discovered it) allow for separate recording levels within the two tracks of the on-board mike or the imputs.

Seth Bloombaum · March 11th, 2009, 05:38 PM

Bill, thanks for the report - I wasn't aware that the H4n was shipping.

Right - I don't think the H4 allows different recording levels for each of the XLR inputs, and I don't really need it or want it for the built-in mics. But that would be nice to have on the XLRs...

Chris Christ · March 11th, 2009, 10:36 PM

In the MTR (multi-track recording) mode, each channel is separately adjustable: Page 42. Also, be sure to go to ZOOM and get the firmware update.

I haven't put the H4n to any difficult yasks yet, but it seems promising.

Chris

Bill Rankin · March 12th, 2009, 12:17 AM

I know that in MTR each channel is adjustable, but I couldn't figure out how to start recording on all 4 channels at the same time.

Bill Rankin · March 12th, 2009, 12:24 AM

for more info about this recorder

H4n Handy Recorder

Dylan Couper · March 12th, 2009, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Rankin

2) The recorder does not (at least I have not yet discovered it) allow for separate recording levels within the two tracks of the on-board mike or the imputs.

So, if I'm using just the inputs, say a wireless mic on one, and a shotgun mic on the other, I can't control the levels on these seperatly? What I do to one I have to do to both?

Unless I'm in 4 track mode, which means only 16 bit, not 24bit, then I can do whatever to each track independently?

Seth Bloombaum · March 12th, 2009, 10:06 AM

Anybody who has the new H4n - several of us would send very good thoughts your way if you would be so kind as to do a one-hour sync test.

E.g., run your camcorder, run the H4n at 16/48 or 24/48, audible slate, roll both for an hour, tail-slate, ingest to your editing system, and see how the marks line up in your NLE.

The original H4's clock wasn't good enough for long takes... Sure hope Zoom improved on the clock chip.

Bill Rankin · March 12th, 2009, 10:32 AM

Dylan - I am still learning this H4n and so far, I have not been able to adjust the inputs individually AND record both channels at the same time.

I'll try to get a sync test done asap.

Jay Massengill · March 12th, 2009, 02:27 PM

On the original H4 (firmware 2.20) you could separately adjust the recording levels of the two external inputs. It is in a menu however, you couldn't easily do it "live". It's more for fine tweaking in addition to the gross adjustment of the two external sensitivity switches. I feed mine with a mixer almost 100% of the time, so again it's just a fine tweak to match the output of the mixer. The few times I used just external mics hooked directly to the H4 I also adjusted these levels independently, but the material I was recording was pretty even.

Surely they didn't do away with this control on the new unit!?

Bill Rankin · March 12th, 2009, 03:02 PM

I have been working with the H4n and unfortunately, it appears to me, that they have removed the track adjustment feature.

Bill Rankin · March 12th, 2009, 06:41 PM

I just completed a sync test with my camera and the H4n, and after one hour of record time there is NO noticable difference to the ear. Looking at the timeline waveform the H4n appears to be slower by one or two frames.

Sean Seah · March 12th, 2009, 08:37 PM

Does this recorder work for voice overs? I was looking at a ROPE podcaster but the Zoom H4n attrached me.

Bill Rankin · March 12th, 2009, 08:50 PM

Sean, it records audio very well.

Chris Swanberg · March 12th, 2009, 09:10 PM

Interesting. How are the preamps?

Bill Rankin · March 12th, 2009, 09:27 PM

I cannot comment on the technical side. I just know the sync is quite accurate and the audio sounds very good.

Anyone else?

March 11th, 2009, 03:33 PM	#1
Bill Rankin Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 433	The new H4n recorder I just recieved the new recorder and used it on one wedding. I can't speak to the technical side, although I can say the recording results are very good to my ears, there are a two things I am a little disappointed with. 1) The rubberized body is just a coating of sorts. It looks rubberized, but does not feel that way. Just my opinion. 2) The recorder does not (at least I have not yet discovered it) allow for separate recording levels within the two tracks of the on-board mike or the imputs. __________________ Bill Rankin

March 11th, 2009, 10:36 PM	#3
Chris Christ New Boot Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 13	H4n In the MTR (multi-track recording) mode, each channel is separately adjustable: Page 42. Also, be sure to go to ZOOM and get the firmware update. I haven't put the H4n to any difficult yasks yet, but it seems promising. Chris

March 12th, 2009, 12:17 AM	#4
Bill Rankin Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 433	I know that in MTR each channel is adjustable, but I couldn't figure out how to start recording on all 4 channels at the same time. __________________ Bill Rankin

March 12th, 2009, 12:24 AM	#5
Bill Rankin Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 433	for more info about this recorder H4n Handy Recorder __________________ Bill Rankin

March 12th, 2009, 10:32 AM	#8
Bill Rankin Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 433	Dylan - I am still learning this H4n and so far, I have not been able to adjust the inputs individually AND record both channels at the same time. I'll try to get a sync test done asap. __________________ Bill Rankin

March 11th, 2009, 05:38 PM	#2
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	Bill, thanks for the report - I wasn't aware that the H4n was shipping. Right - I don't think the H4 allows different recording levels for each of the XLR inputs, and I don't really need it or want it for the built-in mics. But that would be nice to have on the XLRs...

March 12th, 2009, 10:06 AM	#7
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	Anybody who has the new H4n - several of us would send very good thoughts your way if you would be so kind as to do a one-hour sync test. E.g., run your camcorder, run the H4n at 16/48 or 24/48, audible slate, roll both for an hour, tail-slate, ingest to your editing system, and see how the marks line up in your NLE. The original H4's clock wasn't good enough for long takes... Sure hope Zoom improved on the clock chip.

March 12th, 2009, 02:27 PM	#9
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	On the original H4 (firmware 2.20) you could separately adjust the recording levels of the two external inputs. It is in a menu however, you couldn't easily do it "live". It's more for fine tweaking in addition to the gross adjustment of the two external sensitivity switches. I feed mine with a mixer almost 100% of the time, so again it's just a fine tweak to match the output of the mixer. The few times I used just external mics hooked directly to the H4 I also adjusted these levels independently, but the material I was recording was pretty even. Surely they didn't do away with this control on the new unit!?

March 12th, 2009, 03:02 PM	#10
Bill Rankin Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 433	I have been working with the H4n and unfortunately, it appears to me, that they have removed the track adjustment feature. __________________ Bill Rankin

March 12th, 2009, 06:41 PM	#11
Bill Rankin Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 433	I just completed a sync test with my camera and the H4n, and after one hour of record time there is NO noticable difference to the ear. Looking at the timeline waveform the H4n appears to be slower by one or two frames. __________________ Bill Rankin

March 12th, 2009, 08:37 PM	#12
Sean Seah Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,498	Does this recorder work for voice overs? I was looking at a ROPE podcaster but the Zoom H4n attrached me.

March 12th, 2009, 08:50 PM	#13
Bill Rankin Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 433	Sean, it records audio very well. __________________ Bill Rankin

March 12th, 2009, 09:10 PM	#14
Chris Swanberg Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 904	Interesting. How are the preamps?

March 12th, 2009, 09:27 PM	#15
Bill Rankin Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 433	I cannot comment on the technical side. I just know the sync is quite accurate and the audio sounds very good. Anyone else? __________________ Bill Rankin