Zoom H4n: MTR mode and Overdubbing

[@edburns00]

I love my zoom h4n. I use it all the time. I bought it 11 years ago and it's still working very well.

[@moosejuice1721]

👍🏾

[@andraeelite4638]

Same, ive had it almost 10 years.

[@AnishPlaysGuitar]

Hey can you tell me how to plug in my electric guitar Please tell me how to plug in the wire please Also tell me which wire to use

[@orionstarr5313]

@@AnishPlaysGuitar the 2 inputs on the bottom are combos.

[@palmtrees89]

I bought my zoom h4n back in 2010 and my first electric guitar this year [2023]. . .and I'm now just discovering the effects I can apply to my electric guitar with the h4n. It's the end of the year now so 2024 is looking better and better with this discovery. I'm no longer tethered to an amp speaker at home. I can practice in my homely garage where my setup doesn't bother anyone. Plus I can record my progress [which is something my amp speaker can't do]. 2024 is starting off right. :D

[@iansin7722]

zoom definitely needs to give their youtube crew a raise! amazing simple tutorials

[@JorgeGuillenWorks]

Brilliant presentation with short and concise details. Thanks!

[@DavidDorenfeld]

One question; how do I import my track from my computer into the file select in a project? I want to overdub vocals over an audio track

[@barbarawild2478]

Love your short to the point video- rewatch it regularly (only use MTR at Christmas😆). One thing: when recording second and following tracks it's important to turn off the previous tracks (little red light) otherwise you overdub silence. The file is still there, but I did that to my master recording and didn't know how to make it audible again- so did it again from scratch...my stupidity, I'm sure, but maybe worth a mention? Anyway, thanks a lot again!

[@YoungBlaze]

how did you get a guitar effect so clean into this?

[@Matt_Sorensen]

Well they're recording an amp using XLR cable + microphone not direct input. That makes a big difference, especially depending on the mic/amp.

[@MartinPiron]

Can you import a backing track to overdub it ? In which format ?

[@johnnyteres]

Absolutely brilliant, concise tutorial. Buying one of these very soon :)

[@framefilmstudio]

Can u record multiple inputs simultaneously?

[@Genshi]

I can't seem to find the answer to this anywhere; can I record Inputs 1 and 2 into Track 1 and 2 at the same time in MTR mode? More specifically, I want to have two Wireless Lav mics, each plugged into their own inputs, then be able to record so, in the end, I will have two separate files, with file one containing the Voice from Track 1/Input 1 and the second file containing the Voice from Track 2/Input 2. Is this possible?

[@ZoomSoundLab]

Yes!

[@Genshi]

Good to know, thanks!

[@JoeRussellProductions]

I would like to very simply record over a existing .mp3 or .wav file I have. I dragged both files into my MTR folder on my SD card, but when I try and select them in the recording, it does not show that either exist.

[@EdHecht]

+1. I purposely downgraded my old Zoom recorder (from the H6) to the H4n Pro to be able to record raw vocals alongside a pre-recorded scratch track. I cannot for the life of my figure it out, though it seems I did it successfully years ago...

[@KTHKUHNKK]

Your guitar work sounds great

[@123asdfghjkllkjhgfdsa]

How many tracks can you record simultaneously in mtr mode? only 4 or more? how to do it?

[@ColoradoDreamin]

Great tutorial! Exactly what I needed and right to the point.

[@briandipierro8865]

I've been debating getting one of these because my Zoom H1n isn't cutting it with using for vocals. Can I import a backing track I recorded on my PC, and then use the H4n in a separate place where I have more quiet, like my car, without needing to play everything separate on my phone?

[@orionstarr5313]

I believe this is doable. Did you figure it out?

[@吳佑佑-x8l]

Much better than expected.

[@federicoive8163]

Hello ,in which format are recorded the files in this mode ? In the other modes you can choose the format ...in Mtrk no. Why???

[@PolymerJones]

So can you hear playback in headphones of previous recording while recording new track ??

[@ZoomSoundLab]

Yes!

[@mikeriverajr4447]

does the h6 do this?

[@bloodyshrine1369]

Can you over dub vocals in mono?

[@jonathanbrennanart]

Can you export the separate recordings, in your case the rhythm guitar and the solo guitar, as separate tracks for further editing on a computer? Or do you have to bounce first?

[@ZoomSoundLab]

In MTR mode, the H4n will save a separate file for each input by default.

[@jonathanbrennanart]

@@ZoomSoundLab that's great, thanks for getting back.

[@riot_flowers]

Thank you for this! Accurate and short!

[@bolivar1789]

This was very helpful, thanks a lot!

[@melaniejones3561]

Please can someone tell me what cable type I need to buy so that I can connect my digital piano to my H4n? I'd need to record directly from my piano into the H4n. It needs to be a stereo recording as well. Thanks in advance.

[@Wistbacka]

If I make two stereo recordings, then combine those, will the original recordings remain untouched or are they overwritten/deleted?

[@ericwilhelm2941]

I push Menu and then i try to scroll down to Mode . But that does not appear !??? Play Mode yes . but not Mode ! Any idea what i am doing wrong ???

[@ZoomSoundLab]

Your device is likely in Stamina mode. With the device powered off, please remove the back battery cover. Move the Stamina switch to the right position (off). Power on your device and you will now see all menu options available.

[@Leanhombre]

Would love to know what effects setting you're using on the Zoom for the guitar. When I record my guitar directly plugged into the H4n I can't get such a clean natural sound no matter what settings I use...and I'm playing a Strat too.

[@stumplifter]

What is the feature just above the “Bounce” button?

[@ZoomSoundLab]

The feature above the bounce button is the "Auto Punch-In/Punch-Out" feature.

[@stumplifter]

@@ZoomSoundLab Thank YOU!!! Is there a video tutorial on that?

[@thetoddandersonshow4067]

You guys are great

[@kevinshannon4284]

Hi, I noticed you've got two inputs plugged in to the bottom of the device. What are they for? I M trying to overdub guitar parts on track two but cannot get track one to play back at the same time! Please help, it's driving me crazy!

[@nickmoran1]

Hi,When playing back your first track/recording to play along to whilst recording onto your second track is there any latency or does it perform just like a tape/analogue 4 track recorder?

[@stumplifter]

No latency- super fun tool.

[@hamishwilkinsonhw]

can you do this with the h5 and h6

[@ZoomSoundLab]

+Hamish Wilkinson The H5 and H6 have more limited overdubbing functions. Please contact [e-mail] to find out more.

[@sccpyago]

Hi Zoom SoundLab. I need a giant help !! When writing as banners in my MTR project, a .ZIF file is generated on the card. The thing is, I can not get a program to open a file or convert it. I want to use no hearing, but it does not open either. What to do ?? Thanks in advance

[@CVG388]

I have a problem, there are several files that never save or keep loading, when disconnecting sd or others, then they appear damaged, with info in mg but not reproduced. Who can I write to for advice?

[@ZoomSoundLab]

Please email [e-mail]

[@Mazdak1986]

Thanks for a great demo, However there's an issue when I try this on my device, I follow all the steps, but when I press bounce to execute the mtr file, it just says now recording, and I can only find the individual tracks but not the combined audio track on the sd card. any solutions?

[@ZoomSoundLab]

Please email [e-mail] or call [phone]

[@snapjacksonphotography]

You have to make sure a track is not selected (highlighted red). Once you deselect the track, you then should be able to bounce.

[@Asatruction]

Quick question: Can I use MTR and especially the panning when using the H4n as USB interface for streaming? I am planning to record with two separate mics for L and R respectively and want to pan them together a bit before recording, so the streaming software receives the mixed stereo signal of the two mics with the panning applied. Is this possible or do I need a separate mixer in front of the H4n?

[@ZoomSoundLab]

MTR mode and Audio Interface mode are mutually exclusive. You will not be able to adjust panning while using the H4n as an audio interface.

[@Asatruction]

@@ZoomSoundLab Thank you very much for the info!

[@stevehardy7584]

Which mode setting will allow me to use the H4n internal mikes and a DI input from my guitar to record at the same time in one take?

[@ZoomSoundLab]

4CH mode

[@spakkaaa]

How can i delete a track?

[@eytanelbaz492]

I just purchased an H4N Pro and tried this. I got all the way until the end. Once I hit "Bounce", it says "Now Recording" rather than take me to a new menu page where I can execute. Is it possible the flow has changed in the new version of the device?

[@ZoomSoundLab]

You will need to press the STOP button, then enable the bounce. You can not enable bounce while you are recording.

[@timothyorchard]

Just to clarify for anyone else with this query or similar: In MTR mode, the Zoom will flag 'Now Recording!' on certain menu commands (including bounce) by virtue of a track being selected as ready to record. Deselect all tracks (all 1 2 3 4 lights switched off) to access these commands.

[@esca4ever]

So in this example track 2 would have only the second guitar like on a good old 4 track tape recorder ? It wouldn't be the case on the H1N apparently ? Thanks !

[@FantaFuture92]

esca4ever yes

[@manguera9]

how many virtualtracks have the zoom H4n?

[@ZoomSoundLab]

4 tracks total.

[@antant4055]

CLEAR.CONCISE.BRILLIANT. THANK YOU

[@aliozsoy9363]

Hi! I need a help. Is the Guitar connected directly on a microphone? Or do you use an amplifier ?

[@ZoomSoundLab]

The guitar is connected directly. There is no microphone or amplifier.

[@DavidHalChester]

There is nothing on my unit that says "Mode" -- I see "Play Mode" -- but no "mode." I see this is a really good video and the instructor speaks clearly, but I can't find anything says "Mode." I have a H4nPro. Wish I could find "Mode" so I can get to MTR.

[@ZoomSoundLab]

With the device powered off, please remove the back battery cover. Move the Stamina switch to the right position (off). Power on your device and you will now see all menu options available.

[@DavidHalChester]

@@ZoomSoundLab Thank you. If it says this information in the manual, I could not find it.

[@Mesmerized]

Thank you for this answer of disabling stamina mode with the hidden switch Exactly same as me, thought I was going crazy. Also in stamina mode it didn't display "tools" in the menu, probably other things too but those are the ones I noticed right away.

[@Sonny_Vision]

Would this recorder be good for doing guitar pedal demos?

[@ZoomSoundLab]

Yes, the H4n would work great for this purpose.

[@ronfroehlich12]

Concise, thanks!

[@karlmarx9926]

Merci .....clear explanation...please keep it up

[@AlessandroValle]

Perfect! I was going crazy before your tutorial! thank'you

[@debasishnaiding8062]

where is the guitar port?

[@ZoomSoundLab]

There are two 1/4" inputs at the bottom of the H4n.

[@michellehanna2888]

Hello, thanks for your video, was really helpful. However I have tried to record a song and then overdub, (one with guitar, the second recording with the harmonium) but I can’t seem to record at the same time, so guitar comes before the harmonium when I play back. Does that make sense? Any advice would be helpful, I’m not so machine savvy! 😳

[@ZoomSoundLab]

Please email [e-mail] or call [phone]

[@dsssesdhs]

Very helpful, clear. Thanks

[@chrisramirez4061]

My mode option is not there

[@ZoomSoundLab]

The device may be in Stamina Mode, which can be enabled and disabled with the switch in the H4n battery compartment.

[@jhonnyfive6310]

How accurate, battery at 1 bar

[@mikifiorini]

In MTR record only in 16/44.100

[@whimstrings5688]

I can’t figure out why I can’t hear track1 when I record into track 2 for over dub, in always new mode Otherwise the video was very helpful :)

[@ludovicleleu7203]

Hi, I have a question. I record my drums on fruity loops, if I export the drums track and add it in the Sd card, can I also overdub guitar, bass & vocals above it?

[@ZoomSoundLab]

Yes, this would be possible.

[@BrunoNeureiter]

How?

[@Spurveskoen]

I just tried out this: adding an audio file I had made earlier on another instance to the Project folder, naming it «TRK3-00» (I wanted it to be on track 3 on my H4n) and making sure it was a 16 bit/44.1 kHz .wav file (the only audio format accepted in MTR mode on H4n). I made 2 attempts: first with a stereo file. No audio came from track 3 on the H4n. Then I made it a mono file. Still no audio. Hence, I would join Bruno Neureiters response to the answer to ludovicleleu’s question: how does one get a file that is added from outside the H4n, into (the MTR Project folder) of the H4n SD card, to play? What would be the workaround? PS: I am fortunate enough to have another workaround - the original file exist on a piece of audio gear that has output ports for audio cables, which I then connect to my H4n. So I can just record from my other audio gear onto the H4n. But I would wish for it to be a sort of file transfer solution here.

[@Spurveskoen]

I found the solution! You have to add the file via the options panel that you get to by selecting the «knob» under the track number on the H4n display. In the manual, you will find the procedure described under the chapter 1-07 Setting/Recording: Track Menu in MTR mode, p.59-60. Look for the «Allocate files to a track» section.

[@Spurveskoen]

But now I just discovered: after bouncing the added file together with something I just made up, there suddenly were no files to select from the track menu, not even the bounce file (that I renamed) although all the tracks (I use the «Always new» rec mode) exist in the Project folder. Confusing. Now the option of overdubbing myself stops short with a bounce of 4 recordings using the H4n, since I cannot allocate existing files any further after bouncing.

[@swanijam]

why is this eight thousand times easier than the newer zoom recorders

[@brunopadalko946]

Very nice!

[@KTHKUHNKK]

Excellent

[@DavidDorenfeld]

THANK YOU

[@gilshadmi]

👍👍🙏🙏🙏

[@kenclarke5966]

sounds like skinny stav