Zoom H4 Handy Recorder - Multitrack Audio Recorder

[TheRawFiLes]

I just got the zoom h4 and its a great for recording wave at 44.1khz. There's a ton of great features. the only down side that i can see is accessing the s/d card very hard to get out. other than that great device!!

[EricSchwin22]

Wish it had Taser capability.

[thejahlion]

@EricSchwin22 Hey it's funny you say that, because whenever I bring it to the airport, they always thing it's some kinda taser! haha

[ChangoSpeaks]

WELL can the H4 record with instruments plugged in to it and at the same time can you record with the microphones at the top, please help i need to know

[RoadRunnerLaser]

@ChangoSpeaks - No. The H4 will record from the built-in mics or from the input sockets but not both at the same time. You cannot even record from one input and one mic simultaneously. The menu option selects either mics or inputs. Of course, you could plug a mic into one socket and a guitar (for example) into the other, or you can use the 4-track mode to multitrack (but cannot record 4 tracks simultaneously).

[ChangoSpeaks]

WELL can the H4 record with instruments plugged in to it and at the same time can you record with the microphones at the top

[richardlyew]

Q3 does both audio and video.

[voxin2]

How funny, Apparently access to the SD card is hideous. Maybe it should come with tweezers too.

[Moratorium]

Looks like a stun gun.

[socialspidey]

this is a good device

[cinematicpro]

That was the dumbest video demo I have ever seen. What a waste of time

[srmichaela]

What format is best for just straight talks that can be put onto CD?

[thotogem]

coment je fait pour le mettre sur mon pc afin de faire un cd??? merci d'avance

[fordgt402]

Can someone suggest a noiseless multirecording ,atleast 4 tracks,thanks.

[baccusboy]

I'm disgusted with my H4. It has very noisy XLR inputs, and the peeping sound from the activity light flashing is very annoying... definitely not a professional device. Do your research into these issues before buying.

[brandon136462]

dddddddddddddddd

[SinginTheBluesBlues]

By the way, love your video on Quantum Measurement and Consciousness! Excellent description of the experiment and implications.

[SinginTheBluesBlues]

Regarding the menu system being "complex," the word I'd use is cumbersome and poorly designed. Imagine if on your computer you had a file you wanted to delete (or rename, etc.). But instead of selecting the file and then deleting it, or renaming it, you had to 1) select the function, "delete", and then 2) select the file you want to delete?

And if that's not bad enough, the list of files you see after you choose "delete" is in alpha order. It does NOT start with the file you've just worked with

[DarwinsHamster]

I'll defer to your characterization! There is a newer model, the H4N, I think it is, with a larger screen. If someone has seen it, it would be nice to hear if the menuing system was improved as well.

[SinginTheBluesBlues]

Hi DH,

I avoid most of the problems by immediately connecting to the computer and renaming, deleting, etc. there. The function I simply do without is fast forwarding or rewinding. It's virtually impossible for me to lean the button left or right and hold it without also pushing it down. It only forwards or reverses at barely more than normal playback speed anyway.

But I still love it! I can quickly record before I forget an idea at the piano. And it's great for stacking multiple parts!

[matsuboroughvideo]

Is it compatible with a Mac?

[DarwinsHamster]

The best answer I can give is that there is no reason it shouldn't be. Macs support USB devices, and it would basically look just like a thumb drive or external hard drive to the Mac (if Mac external devices look look like PC external devices, but I don't know that for sure). The actual data files are .wav or .mp3 and Mac can handle those, I'm pretty sure.

[SinginTheBluesBlues]

I've been using it with a Mac for over a year. I don't use Cubase, though. I had problems with that, but don't remember what. However, I have Garage Band and Pro Tools and it's easy to download (upload?) from the H4 to the mac.

Here's how if you need to know:

1) Turn off the H4 and unplug it from a power source

2) Connect to Mac with USB cable

3) use jog dial on side to select the 2nd option that appears: "connect to pc" (I don't know what the 1st option is for)

continued in next post..

[SinginTheBluesBlues]

4) the H4 will appear in your Finder window at the top left along with your other drives

5) Go into the appropriate folder(s) to see your files -- stereo files are in the Stereo folder. And there are one or more "project" folders that contain any files you've recorded in 4 track mode

6) You can import project files into an editor like Garage Band.

7) You can delete the files and/or projects from the H4 while it's mounted as a drive (much easier than doing it from the H4 menu system!)

[thebazooka88]

I'm so confused by this product. :P

So, I could use the mics to record drums, then plug in another two mics to record guitars and vocals simultaneously?

Is that how it works?

[DarwinsHamster]

I understand your confusion. I have used it to record live performances in stereo, and used it to record one of four tracks at a time. You cannot record four tracks at a time. You can record two at a time, either with the built in microphones or external microphones, but not both internal and external at the same time. Or at least I don't know how to.

[starterrn]

i have a question and i hope you can answer. lets say i am recording myself sing and play guitar. after its recorded, can i go back and add another track, such as bass, onto it? or would i have to work with blending the 2 tracks on some software on the computer?

[DarwinsHamster]

I thought I had answered this sooner, but apparently didn't. Yes, you can record two tracks at a time, or individually and then add a third and a fourth at a later time.

[DarwinsHamster]

No, it doesn't record 360 degrees. Although it has four tracks, you can only record two at a time. There is a new model, the H2n, or something like that, but I don't think it changes things. It looks like it does have a bigger display.

[BayAreaBiker2001]

"Unfortunate"? I have gotten some spectacular results with microphone spacings of 50 ft, 100 ft, and even 175 ft. When I tried a mike spacing of 200 ft., I heard a radio signal leaking into the cable.

[DarwinsHamster]

I made this video a long time ago. If I used the word "unfortunate" I have absolutely no idea how or where. If this comment is directed to me, which I suppose it must be, some context would be helpful. Thanks!

[snicky58]

Thank you for doing this video, but I'd like to request that you please DO make another video going through how you actually make a recording. I just bought my H4 recently (mostly to make multitrack music recordings to be used as demos and possibly even as recordings to market), and I'm lost. When I try to do what the manual says, the thing that's supposed to happen usually doesn't even happen! I'm really confused, and I'm not really too high-tech. Thanks again!

[DarwinsHamster]

This week is getting to be rather hectic, but let me see what I can do!

[CJ9M]

This recorder is pretty good. It's a very good tool for recording voices or recording a band practice. It's amazing how much sound it picks up.

[313EDO]

I heard about it... but I didn't like the idea...and it doesn't look very professional. Instead I bought a normal condenser microphone with an amplifier for it (don't forget the 48Voltage) ofcourse you need a very good sound card!! but the problem we all should have is...how can I cover before DUST and HUMIDITY and use these microphones in exterior??? all I can find is what they can... BUT what can I do for clean and safe using of those devices-Condenser Microphones

Any advice???

[DarwinsHamster]

It comes with a wind cover that might keep things cleaner. Beyond that, I can't think of anything helpful.

Recently, I bought a condenser microphone and a Tascam preamp and did some recording through the computer. The latency is frustrating. I have connected the consdenser microphone to the H4 (which does have 48V phantom power) and it worked very well with less or no latency. So I think I'm going to use the H4 and then transfer to the computer for mixing and editing.

[jokerhwp]

is this better than the samson co3u?

[DarwinsHamster]

There are also a number of instructional videos on the Acoustica site that are excellent and fun that are very helpful to me.

[DarwinsHamster]

The Cubase software is practically incomprehensible as far as I can tell, and I use it only for the limited purpose of generating sheet music from MIDI files and transposing viola and cello music to treble clef.

I would recommend that you use some simpler software. I use Acoustica's Mixcraft 4. You can try it for free, and if you then buy it, it's about $65.

[CoordinationNOT]

Hi

To record when you turn the unit on hit the record button. It will flash red. once that is done hit the record again and it will stay on red. Now your unit is recording. To stop recording hit the record button again.

[movieguy101]

I just bought a Zoom H2, once I got passed the purchase page there was a little advertisement that showed the H4, I guess it was an AD telling you to buy an $600 mic right after you buy the H2. The thing is when I first saw it I was a little confused, I thought it was tazer.

[BATCH420]

I really want one of these for recording my band live and at rehearsal. We are currently using a tape recorder, you know the big rectangle ones with the speaker and internal mic? lol Nice review.

[livemorbidia]

I used to use one of those in my old band! lol, that shit was ghetto!

[rcleroy89]

just use u thumb to get it out lol.

h4 is definitely awesome though!!

[test123ok]

reminds me of .."don't tase me bro"

[NealZheimer]

Interrested too.

I just bought it and it is a magic box!

I just can't figure out how to import an audio file to play along in a "project".

If anyone knows...

[jiawa08]

This thing looks pretty cool. Anyone knows if I can import a mp3 file from the computer or put one on to the SD card and use it as one track, and then record something else on the other tracks? TIA!

[JackSmith07]

looks like some kind of 1950's sci fi contraption.

[Besthackz]

nokia-entsperrcodes*de*tl

* = .

[Themba88]

Thank you for posting what the music in the background?

[DarwinsHamster]

It's the Pachelbel Canon, and I played all four parts. It's also the background music in one of my subscriber appreciation videos.

[parkvillepictures]

I've used one for over a year for filmmaking and recording bands and it is brilliant for the money.

*****Make sure you upgrade the firmware at zoom's website.****

Biggest problem: brand new batteries used to last up to 3 hrs. Lately they go flat in about 15 minutes despite using the battery type setting on the menu. This has caused serious problems...

Anyone else have this experience?

[101AOK]

By the way, I have a Zoom 16 track and has been stated here, the help on their products are quite lame. I agree.

[101AOK]

Multi "virtual tracks" still are not multitracks. You still end up with a 2 channel recording. Nice info in general though and I'm sure it will help new owners.

[101AOK]

THAT is NOT a multitrack recorder. 2 Tracks are NOT multi. Sheesh!

[DarwinsHamster]

Point taken. However, it is a multitrack _recorder_, and that is literally a correct statement.

[Anabrese]

Thank you for a very detailed and clear review. I would be very interested in you doing a recording using your video camera as you said. Also, nice taste in music!

[WaterRabbit]

Thank You. Even though you appear to be a "novice" to this kind of recording equipment. You are able to explain most of it's features so that even beginners should be able to get a feel for this product. It does more than I first thought and now I am going to research it and if all goes well, I will buy one soon! Also, the price has gone down some, I have seen it as cheap as $225.(extra charges not included). Thanks Again!

[multimediaNATURAE]

Thanks for the review... Very useful!

[gogome2]

I agree with the good points. But here are my bad points:

1) Built cheap with light plastic... don't drop this thing.

2) The microphone cover (little black foam ball) often falls. You better find a way to stick it there.

3) Extremely sensitive to wind sounds and touching the device, even carefully, will cause garbage sound in your recording. THat is the most annoying part, since it is portable and built for field recording.

[anthony23a]

Muito bom uso em minhas gravaçoes externas!!!!

[lumirees]

Thanks for this review - I'm thinking about buying one of these. Cheers.

[funnyguise]

I bought it. I love the quality. I was disappointed that you can't record 4 tracks simultaneously...

[schizoe68]

Thank you so much for this great review sir..

[DarwinsHamster]

I bought mine online at American Music Supply for $299. I had though about making a video using it, but never did. Considering the interest and number of views this video got (quite a surprise) I should go ahead and do it. Thanks.

[jhaley12]

I just hope you never have to use the tech support there or at Samson because I bought the Zoom HD8 and only had it two weeks and it went down, sent it back to the factory on the 27th of last month and they've still got it, so you use up all of your warranty with the unit sitting in the factory.

[London108]

Thank you for the review!

[Rondouk]

Thanks for the review, i may invest in one of these :)

[wokensoulsounds07]

excellent and impressionable effort, really well presented. i found the upload to be informative and a lot better than anyone else's posts on the h4. PEACE

[stevenpgross]

Very well done introduction to a complex product. I thought it was very useful.

[DarwinsHamster]

Thank you. Since I made this video, I took it to a church where there was a performance of The Passion According to St. John by Bach, set it on the cushion next to me in a pew near the back of the church, and made a recording. It was pretty amazing.

[freetaught]

That is cool! Looks kinda like a taser!

[DarwinsHamster]

I wonder if it can make it through security at the airport!