Zoom H2 - record using input and built-in mic? at DVinfo.net

Chris Estrella · March 25th, 2010, 01:18 AM

Hello,

I'm looking into buying a Zoom H2 for the events I film and I thought of something interesting I was hoping to do.

Can you record using the built-in mic AND an external mic?

It would be pretty cool to record a concert, for example, with a feed from the mixer with the vocal mics in the left channel, and the overal sound using the built-in mic in the right channel.

Or is this something the H4 can do, since it has 2 XLR inputs? (so if I'm not able to record with an input and built-in mic, then at least I can use one input with a direct feed from the mixer, and one input for an external mic?)

But then again I can probably get 2 H2's for the price of an H4 and record them separately :p

Renton Maclachlan · March 25th, 2010, 02:24 AM

The manual (p18) says: 'When a cable is plugged into one of these jacks [external mic or line in], the built-in mics are turned off.'

Seth Bloombaum · March 25th, 2010, 09:45 AM

The Zoom H4n does specifically that!

Record 4-channels (that's the "4" in H4n), two from the stereo pair of mics (or 3.5mm input) and the other two from the XLR/TRS inputs.

The manual is not very helpful for this mode (manual is not very helpful, period!), but, I was able to figure it out with some determination and the H4n in my hand.

Of course it's a lot bigger than the H2... and doesn't have surround mics.

Andy Wilkinson · March 25th, 2010, 10:04 AM

I have a Zoom H2 and one other thing to note is that the input mic jack is pretty noisy - much worse than the noise floor when using the on-board mics, which as stated are disabled when you use it. Seems this option brings out the worst in the Zoom H2's amplifier. There is very detailed info about all this on the Zoom forum and how best to use a H2 - just google it.

I find I get best results with the 4 on-board stereo mics configured in 2 of the various options available (2 at 90 degress or 2 at 120 degrees - I personally never use the surround sound with all 4) and of course making sure it's pretty close to the sound source.

My opinion is that it's not a bad unit (especially for the price!) but I just accept it's got limited utility regarding plugging any mic into it so don't do that - I use a Fostex FR2-LE for those things.

Tony Davies-Patrick · March 30th, 2010, 03:46 PM

Seth, which settings have you dialled in to the H4n to record the two onboard stereo mics at the same time as two mics plugged into the XLR ports?

Adam Gold · March 30th, 2010, 08:28 PM

Page 37-39. MENU > MODE > 4CH.

Seth Bloombaum · March 30th, 2010, 10:38 PM

What Adam said!

Plus, please review post 95 in this thread:
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/all-thin...ml#post1073003

Part of the 150-post thread when the H4n first came out, I was pretty happy to discover that when in 4-ch record mode, there is a new menu function that comes available, "mixer", allowing independent recording level control.

Stan Chase · March 31st, 2010, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Estrella

But then again I can probably get 2 H2's for the price of an H4 and record them separately :p

You might want to hold off until the Zoom H1 ships:

Zoom H1 – Sneak Peak VIDEO

March 25th, 2010, 01:18 AM	#1
Chris Estrella Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Richmond, Canada Posts: 117	Zoom H2 - record using input and built-in mic? Hello, I'm looking into buying a Zoom H2 for the events I film and I thought of something interesting I was hoping to do. Can you record using the built-in mic AND an external mic? It would be pretty cool to record a concert, for example, with a feed from the mixer with the vocal mics in the left channel, and the overal sound using the built-in mic in the right channel. Or is this something the H4 can do, since it has 2 XLR inputs? (so if I'm not able to record with an input and built-in mic, then at least I can use one input with a direct feed from the mixer, and one input for an external mic?) But then again I can probably get 2 H2's for the price of an H4 and record them separately :p

March 25th, 2010, 09:45 AM	#3
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	The Zoom H4n does specifically that! Record 4-channels (that's the "4" in H4n), two from the stereo pair of mics (or 3.5mm input) and the other two from the XLR/TRS inputs. The manual is not very helpful for this mode (manual is not very helpful, period!), but, I was able to figure it out with some determination and the H4n in my hand. Of course it's a lot bigger than the H2... and doesn't have surround mics. __________________ 30 years of pro media production. Vegas user since 1.0. Webcaster since 1997. Freelancer since 2000. College instructor since 2001.

March 25th, 2010, 10:04 AM	#4
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	I have a Zoom H2 and one other thing to note is that the input mic jack is pretty noisy - much worse than the noise floor when using the on-board mics, which as stated are disabled when you use it. Seems this option brings out the worst in the Zoom H2's amplifier. There is very detailed info about all this on the Zoom forum and how best to use a H2 - just google it. I find I get best results with the 4 on-board stereo mics configured in 2 of the various options available (2 at 90 degress or 2 at 120 degrees - I personally never use the surround sound with all 4) and of course making sure it's pretty close to the sound source. My opinion is that it's not a bad unit (especially for the price!) but I just accept it's got limited utility regarding plugging any mic into it so don't do that - I use a Fostex FR2-LE for those things. __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

March 30th, 2010, 03:46 PM	#5
Tony Davies-Patrick Trustee Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Worldwide Posts: 1,589	Seth, which settings have you dialled in to the H4n to record the two onboard stereo mics at the same time as two mics plugged into the XLR ports? __________________ www.WILDCARP.com www.NIKON.me.uk

March 30th, 2010, 08:28 PM	#6
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	Page 37-39. MENU > MODE > 4CH. __________________ "It can only be attributable to human error... This sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error."

March 25th, 2010, 02:24 AM	#2
Renton Maclachlan Trustee Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,180	The manual (p18) says: 'When a cable is plugged into one of these jacks [external mic or line in], the built-in mics are turned off.'

March 30th, 2010, 10:38 PM	#7
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	What Adam said! Plus, please review post 95 in this thread: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/all-thin...ml#post1073003 Part of the 150-post thread when the H4n first came out, I was pretty happy to discover that when in 4-ch record mode, there is a new menu function that comes available, "mixer", allowing independent recording level control. __________________ 30 years of pro media production. Vegas user since 1.0. Webcaster since 1997. Freelancer since 2000. College instructor since 2001.