Improving H4n SNR with juicedLink Low-noise Preamp

[Robert Rozak]

Many have been using juicedLink low-noise preamps to improve the signal-to-noise performance of their cameras. This principle works by throttling back noisy camera amps, and replacing the noisy gain with clean gain from the juicedLink low-noise preamp.

This benefits of this principle are diminished if your recorder already has decent preamps.

But, even with a H4n, juicedLink low-noise preamps provide a benefit of about 8dB over a broad frequency of interest.


Here is a recording using a Rode NTG2 going straight into a H4n:
http://www.juicedlink.com/downloaddata/H4n_NTG2.wav

In order to get my vocal peaks to hit -12dBFS, I need to run the H4n mic level at 100.


Now, feeding the NTG2 into a juicedLink CX231 at full gain, then going into the H4n minijack input, this allows me to throttle back the H4n mic level to 35 instead of 100. Here is the recording:
http://www.juicedlink.com/downloadda...NTG2_CX231.wav


To more precicely compare the noise performance, I powered off the microphone, and did recording of just the noise levels. Here is the H4n alone:
http://www.juicedlink.com/downloaddata/H4n_noise.wav
And, here is the juicedLink CX231 going into the H4n:
http://www.juicedlink.com/downloadda...X231_noise.wav

Using Audacity, I did an FFT plot to compare the 2 noise spectrums (attached).


Hey ... every little bit helps ...

-R

[Seth Bloombaum]

Very interesting results, Robert. I've not done much benchmarking on this, myself.

Originally Posted by Robert Rozak

...Here is a recording using a Rode NTG2 going straight into a H4n:...

Straight into H4n via XLR?

[Robert Rozak]

Yes, for the H4n test, the Rode NTG2 was plugged directly into the XLR input of the H4n.

-R

[Renton Maclachlan]

So...I have a CX231 and have recently acquired an H4n...and have just tried out putting a Rode NT3 through the CX231into the H4n. What is the best setup to get minimum noise?

[Stephen Scheibel]

Ahhh, and I will add that using the Juiced Link into the 1/4 input instead of the on-board stereo mic, will give you a very portable 4 track recorder with independent control over each input ;)

[Tsu Terao]

Re: CX231 and Sony PCM-D50 - aside from phantom & XLR benefits:

- Are the JL pre-amps any better than the Sony?

- Can the JL output to Sony's line-in?

[Robert Rozak]

@ Renton: Crank the CX231 gain and trim up all of the way (make sure the trim is turned down all of the way on the unused xlr input) and let the CX231 do the heavy lifting of the gain, and then set the level in the H4n accordingly so your peaks splash just past -12dB

@ Stephen: YES!! Isn't that a cool little 4 track XLR setup!

@ Tsu: The CX231 drives an amplified mic level. So, you will use the mic in on the PCM-D50. I have many customers who use this setup who are really happy with their results. I don't have the D50, so I don't have personal experience to share ...

[Renton Maclachlan]

Thanks Robert.

When I plug NT3 > CX231 > H4n, the volume shown on the two tracks of the H4n are at different levels. Why so?

[Michael Clark]

I'm shooting with a Canon T2i. I already have an NTG-2 and a Juicdelink CX231, and will be receiving a H4N in a couple days. Is the following setup possible? NTG-2 -> JuicedLink -> H4N -> T2i? If so, can I expect to see the same or similar benefits as the benchmark tests posted above? Or am I better off just sticking with NTG-2 -> JuicedLink -> T2i?