How to Get Auto Gain Control with H4N or Similiar at DVinfo.net

Lloyd Ubshura · January 22nd, 2012, 02:51 PM

I'm looking for a recording device similar to the H4N that has auto gain control. Anyone know of one?

I know the Zoom H4N "has" it, but it doesn't seem to work as I would like. It seems to keep stair stepping down and capping the loudest sound down but never adjusts it back up.

I want something with ACG that works in both directions (loud-down, quite-up).

We need at least 4 lines in. It does NOT have to be portable. Any suggestions?

Adam Gold · January 22nd, 2012, 10:19 PM

Yes, the Zoom is designed to be used in Auto mode during the sound check only, so you can set the levels based on what it thinks and leave them that way for the performance. Otherwise you do get that stair-stepping during the show, which can render the audio unusable once the crowd starts getting excited.

A lot of people seem to like the Tascam DR-680. Have you looked at those?

January 22nd, 2012, 02:51 PM	#1
Lloyd Ubshura Major Player Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 204	How to Get Auto Gain Control with H4N or Similiar I'm looking for a recording device similar to the H4N that has auto gain control. Anyone know of one? I know the Zoom H4N "has" it, but it doesn't seem to work as I would like. It seems to keep stair stepping down and capping the loudest sound down but never adjusts it back up. I want something with ACG that works in both directions (loud-down, quite-up). We need at least 4 lines in. It does NOT have to be portable. Any suggestions?

January 22nd, 2012, 10:19 PM	#2
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	Re: How to Get Auto Gain Control with H4N or Similar Yes, the Zoom is designed to be used in Auto mode during the sound check only, so you can set the levels based on what it thinks and leave them that way for the performance. Otherwise you do get that stair-stepping during the show, which can render the audio unusable once the crowd starts getting excited. A lot of people seem to like the Tascam DR-680. Have you looked at those? __________________ "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."