Zoom H4N Pro best settings/menu & audio interface

[@stevensutherland5443]

Just bought the H4n all black. Got it just to record guitar/song ideas. Your video has already been a great help in understanding the functions.

[@meganglover1137]

Thank you so much for this!! I couldn't find any other videos that go this in-depth about the h4n. Great explanation :)

[@SpecialEffectsRecord]

Just came here to learn the recorder, but have learned so much more.

[@florinG]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@lukaseichinger2332]

Great video, I understood things I haven't understood in other videos. Thanks for the great video 👍🏻

[@georgewilliamson4697]

Excellent Video Florin you've solved a problem I've had with my H4N Pro . I was only recording audio on one channel in stereo now with mono mix problem solved . Many thanks.👍

[@florinG]

You’re welcome!

[@LINDA-de-J0NG]

Thank you for this wonderful clear explanation, it added a few tidbits of knowledge I didn't even know I was looking for - these are really going to help me down the line besides clarifying all the questions I had already. Great vid!

[@dechmusic]

Wow. A-B replay and play speed are very useful. For example, you recorded some music and then you'd like to learn some peace. You set the A-B part of a melody and then learn melody by ears. Play speed allows you to learn fast peaces easier.

[@javierruizchulia3711]

very useful information about the H4N, your rock man!!! :D Thank you very much

[@florinG]

Thanks for your feedback, I’m glad you found it useful, cheers.

[@HelloImMaxxHennard]

man, you touched on some very useful things for both video and audio creators. Thank you!

[@florinG]

Thanks for the feedback and you're welcome.

[@soundhealingbygene]

Very good getting the all black one

[@florinG]

Thanks. Have you considered taking a look at the H4 Essential? It can be a better usb audio interface, it has better power options and other improvements over the h4n Pro and it’s about the same price as the H4n Pro was just a while ago before the H4 essential was released.

[@KTHKUHNKK]

Beautiful beautiful Beautiful I love the way you did the lighting at the end showing the recorders. Keith Kuhn

[@C_R_Saltwater]

Thank you for the guide and the technical explanations. Very informative and entertaining video!

[@florinG]

Glad it was helpful!

[@therealalexmilani]

Very helpful because I recently got one scond hand. The videos are looking better too!

[@florinG]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@TristanBailey]

Thanks for walking through with also your thoughts.

[@florinG]

My pleasure!

[@michaelgaurnier3108]

Great explaination of the zoom h devices. Thank you!

[@florinG]

You are welcome!

[@astitwaadhikari3040]

Thank you very nice video dear

[@florinG]

You’re welcome 👍

[@maxq8652]

Great tutorial... Thank you very much. Very help full.

[@user-qm7nw7vd5s]

Excellent technical deep dive!

[@WaitintheWings]

Great video!

[@florinG]

Thanks!

[@MammadAliyev]

thank you for comprehensive explanation

[@florinG]

No problem 👍

[@thereseclairecreates]

Thank you so much for this!! This answered all my questions and your tips are so helpful.

[@aranwatson4301]

So helpful, thank you so much for making this and sharing!

[@florinG]

You're welcome

[@bertoldgerrychannel]

Useful and comprehensive 👍

[@florinG]

Thanks 👍

[@RhapsodeMEDIA]

BRAVO 💞 USEFUL INFOS || APPRECIATIVE..

[@clayboi7]

Very informative video, thank you! 👍

[@florinG]

My pleasure!

[@TheElevenBravo]

It was a great video! Thank you so much.

[@florinG]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@KTHKUHNKK]

Excellent Very very thorough. I don't think you missed anything. Keith Kuhn

[@florinG]

Thanks for your feedback 👍

[@KTHKUHNKK]

@@florinG The best to you buddy. Keith

[@KTHKUHNKK]

Good good good video. Great editing Beautiful background music. That's the exact unit I have. I love it. Keep up the good work. KK Motion Pictures also on KZbin

[@AskAW]

Worked like a charm

[@TylerFreitas]

Thanks for the helpful video!

[@florinG]

You're welcome!

[@ethanreynolds4942]

This was EXACTLY what i was looking for and i really wat to thank you for taking the time to make this. You are so awesome. I look forward to checking out more of your content. :) Def Subbed.

[@florinG]

Thanks for your feedback, I appreciate it.

[@marksmellsdrama]

Hello, great video! Do you have any opinion on the quality of the H4N Pro as an audio interface? I'm waiting for my new XLR t.bone sc140 and i wonder if i should also get an audio interface or if the H4N pro will be fine 🤔 Btw, my h4n pro recently also doesn't want to turn on sometimes and if i try 2-3 times it eventually boots up normally even without the battery trick. I suspect its a fault with the usb connector or with the cable.

[@PersonaGrip]

Good job. I learned a lot...ty, Sir!

[@florinG]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@ahmedelhamoly136]

Thanks much

[@florinG]

You're welcome!

[@duuster-audio]

I have one and I was curious if you would test the low cut option. In my case this is a big mistake! If I activate low cut and when I open my recording and look at the spectrogram, I see that it actually ADDS low frequencies ! I wonder if it is the same for everybody. So I would add as best setting: low cut > OFF You could also advise users to use a windscreen because when you are outside you don't need a big wind to ruin your recordings, a small breeze is enough to throw away your recording, and here again low cut doesn't help you out that much... Lastly I'd recommend using some grip with lyre locks to avoid manipulating sounds as the h4n pro is very sensitive to handling noise. Well there you go, as you can guess I am not a big fan of this product but at least these are true experiences. Oh yeah, I contacted zoom but that didn't know about the low cut issue... So basically they just ignore it. cheers

[@KTHKUHNKK]

Very nice and I have subscribed Keith

[@florinG]

Thank YOU!

[@regiopazzo]

mulțumesc

[@FenBender01]

Thanks for such a detailed walkthrough! When used as an audio interface, can this device record to the internal sd card? This could be very useful for Skype calls recordings…

[@davidbarlow4498]

Excellent

[@kirisgarage8590]

This will be very helpful for me as well !!! Great review 👍

[@gnostie]

This is a very useful video, I made a note of the settings you've recommended. I have an equipment comparison question. In your opinion, which would give better sound quality for recording speech (poetry reading and tutorials), Rode NT Mini USB, or just using the Zoom H4N Pro as a mic via the two mics at the top?

[@florinG]

Hi thanks for your feedback, in terms of which mic is better I'd go a microphone with a polar pattern that favours vocal recordings. Although the condenser microphones on the H4N Pro are decent quality they are omnidirectional & do not complement voice recordings because they simply pick up everything room noise reverb and you'll most likely end up with audio that's unsatisfactory. I'd choose a microphone that is cardiod, super cardiod or hypercardiod, for that application, good luck.

[@MyThrivingMind]

Liked it

[@mehrannaavid5001]

Hello, nice video 😊. I have a question. Would be very nice if you answer me. I bought Zoom H4n pro new, honestly I have no idea 🙃, maybe you can give me a setting tip? For motorcycle. thank you in advance

[@florinG]

Hi, thanks for reaching out. Assuming you'll be using the built-in microphones. I'd go to menu/rec format and choose Wav 96kHz/24 bit. Next, go to Input/ comp-limit/Mic/ and choose General limiter if you find this one to be too aggressive you can try the concert and see how that sounds. Make sure Mic is selected prior to your recording, adjust your level, and press record twice, solid red light means recording in on, also run a test and listen back to it( preferably monitor with headphones if not possible run tests prior to recordings), best of luck.

[@AndiPrill]

Great Video! Thank you very much. Is there a way to do a multitrack recording of at least two voices at the same time? So every voice gets an own track while using two microphones/headsets. For example an interview or a podcast. Thanks in advance.

[@MountTaborBaptist]

thanks for the info! i have a question. let's say that i have recorded 4 tracks in mtr mode. what do i do with them then? how can i make them into 1 file that i can share/upload/burn? is there a mastering function or do i need to copy the tracks to a daw and master them on my computer?

[@michael86734]

Cool I’m thinking to buy one is it good for sound effects

[@jordanpannowitz3082]

Loved the video. I feel like I have done something wrong. I use to be able to record hours of audio at a wedding reception. Then I went to use it after not touching for 6 months and now on 48/24bit I only get 30 mins on my 32GB SD card. The card has been formatted so there is nothing using space but why all of a sudden do I only have 30mins. Sometimes at a wedding reception there can be up to 10 speeches that go for like 50 mins so I need that much time for audio?

[@florinG]

Thanks for your feedback. At 48/24 files shouldn't be very large, there could something wrong with either your card or the recording mode you're using. To pinpoint the problem I'd put SD card in a card reader and using a computer/ Mac I'd check the memory available/ used, check the size of the file recording and if the file isn't as large, then it could be the SD card, otherwise make sure you're using the recorder in same recording mode as before. If none of that is applicable/works, you could try resetting the recorder and/or use a different SD card. Also I don't know if this is the case but it may be worth checking whether you weren't recording in a lower format previously, like MP3, Thanks.

[@eontiveros32]

Could you do a video on how to connect it to a camera with the XLR microphone

[@florinG]

Hi, do you mean connect to a camera that’s equipped with xlr ports?

[@eontiveros32]

@@florinG yeah like a H4N connect it to a MKE 600 then a 3.5mm TRS six cable to the back of the H4N then the other end of the cable to the microphone slot

[@florinG]

@@eontiveros32yes, actually I made a video like that, follow this link : kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpTQhqF-gMl9r5o .

[@eontiveros32]

@@florinG if I were to connect some headphones to the H4N would that be the exact sound once I post it to KZbin or would it change after I post it?

[@florinG]

In my case for voice recordings( dialogues etc) for the most part it sounds the same, but there is a compression when you render your audio and there’s a compression from KZbin as well. Rendering AAC 320kb/sec usually sounds good. I’d say experiment with a a few samples, and if you’re dissatisfied, then you could explore this topic more, as well as lossless rendering/mastering etc.

[@oussamadu5011]

thanks for the explanation its very helpful, but when i try to record outdoor the audio quality is very bad i use wind shild zoom h4n pro and rode ntg 2 shotgun mic i don't know if there a specific setting for outdoor recording or i need to replace the mic? thanks for replying and continue your good work

[@florinG]

Thanks for the feedback I appreciate it❤️. In what sense is it really bad? By the way the Rode NTG2 isn't the best fit for the h4n Pro. NTG 2 has a low sensitivity it requires a good a mount of gain which the H4N Pro cannot provide without some noise, thanks.

[@lukaseichinger2332]

👍🏻

[@bradleykussy]

Which 5v USB to DC/AC power do I need to power this device off a power bank?

[@florinG]

It works with both, can’t remember if it makes any difference in terms of noise, but it works with both. As a rule of thumb household electricity is ac( alternating current) and anything the comes from batteries, power banks, etc is dc( direct current). I’d be more concerned about finding something that’s around 5V-2Amp. Those cables that fit the power supply can be found on eBay/ Amazon. They are called ‘USB Type A to 4.0 x 1.7mm Barrel Jack Connector ‘ here are some links >> Amazon link: amzn.eu/d/fQCxeaT , EBay link: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/134953421677?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=TrmQ51h5R1u&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=dH95ykkhSPW&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY. Thanks 👌

[@vahidamini1863]

✌

[@IMANKARIEV]

On mtr mode can i record more than 4 tracks? I want to make choir with 10 tracks

[@architecturewalks]

What's the best settings to record environmental sounds?

[@jamiepaolinetti5087]

Thank you. I have a new model and under the record setting there is no option to choose the format. I can't find it anywhere. I need a wav file, but don't where to select that. The menu only shows Auto Rec and File Name after pressing Rec??? Have you heard of this change? Thank you!

[@florinG]

Hi, sorry for the late reply. I believe that could the case because you have stamina mode enabled, thanks.

[@jamiepaolinetti5087]

@@florinG Thank you! 100 percent correct! They hide that little sucker in the battery space!

[@mariusiulian]

Hi! First thing - great review! I just got the recorder and try to learn to use it but I don't seem to find an answer to a situation I have: I'm trying to use both, the built-in mics and two XLR attachments for a podcast - how do I get them to work the same time in MTR? Thanks!

[@florinG]

Hi Marius, thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it. You can use either 4CH mode which can record 2 sound sources simultaneously. MTR can record 2 multi tracks and also play 4 tracks simultaneously, which is useful for overdubbing. If you remember at the start of this video I explained how those 4 buttons at the top do different things depending on mode. In order to record in MTR you need to press one of those buttons to select the track then a red light will confirm it as enabled after that you need to select one sound source by selecting which mic you want to use. You can either record stereo or mono in this mode, regardless you can use the built in mics and the XLR inputs at the same time, thanks.

[@lovepeaceunity1010]

My h4n makes a terrible amount of fuzzzy snow sound with all my rexordings, how do i get this fixed?

[@florinG]

I need more details so I can help please, like more details about the issues, settings and microphone you are using.

[@Zex.luxury]

Can you talk about Dual Mono Mode in Condenser Mic

[@fedejesusm]

Can h4n be used on a panasonic videocamera as audio source in sted of the built in mic on the videocam?

[@florinG]

It could do, if the Panasonic has a mic input, check on the body of the camera or under the port covers, thanks👍

[@juanbaiget614]

Hi! When using the h4n in audio interface mode, it records in 24 bit rate, or just 16 bit?

[@florinG]

Hi, I haven’t used it in a while but if I remember right, it does go down to 16 when in audio interface mode.

[@neefofway8746]

Hello. I bought the Zoom h4n pro and when i push the trs in it goes most of the way but not all the way. I dont want to push and force it but it seems like it really needs alot of force to push in. Am i doing something wrong???? Its the plug for my electric guitar??

[@florinG]

Hi, the plug should have around 31mm(1.2 inch) in lenght and 6.35mm (1/4 inch) width. If yours is the same size and wont go all the way fully make sure there's nothing jammed in the socket, if it still doesn't go in there may be a problem with your recorder, cheers.

[@neefofway8746]

@@florinG i just had to push a little harder than what im usually comfortable with. Its just a really snug fit but its the right cable and it works.

[@vanyiszabi]

Hi Florin! ;) I am a beginner bass-guitar player and I would like to know, if the H4n Pro can record a "line in" signal from a smartphone, or laptop or an audio player (to record a track from an audio player) ...and in the same time I want to record the voice of my bass's speaker (bass combo) with the recorder's external microphone over the track as 1 file. Is that possible with this zoom (or any recorder)? :) Thank you so much! ;)

[@thereseclairecreates]

By the way, my question is how to set the comp or limiter for input and mic. How do I know what to do for which? I'm avoiding compressor like you recommended but since I do some yelling and raising my voice for voice acting, I'm using limiter. So limiter for both mic and input? Or just mic or input?

[@florinG]

Hi thanks for your feedback, & by all means, do use the compressor and limiter if you need to. All I meant was for best results it is better to try it out and learn about them before using it for important work. Personally I never used it because like I mentioned I monitor my levels + all I record is my my voice for KZbin, nothing unexpected can make my levels peak. As for the compressor I usually apply it in post. Compressors and limiters and there to help and improve our workflow not something we should avoid.

[@theanarthadocs543]

Thanks for the video. Can you please help me with some settings? I have very limited understanding of recording. I have a shure sm 58 and a zoom h4n. I only record voice overs on this set up. But there is too much white noise. Its so much that if i remove it in the post, the quality of the audio is also getting poor. Can you suggest any solution for this? Is there a setting that i can do to at least minimise the noise?

[@florinG]

Hi, can you tell me what settings are you using as well as the software used for demonise? Thanks.

[@TheFendertak]

Hi this is the most in dept tutorial, thank you, but to start I see your using to record wav 48hrz 24bit, I connected my recorder to my mixing desk and so as I just said 1 2 into my microphone the recorder shot straight into clipping, I brought down the rec level to about 25 and still the mic clipped the reorder, picked up my guitar and still it clipped, I was actually down below 0 and still when I started my backing track the recorder was clipping, by now my record level was down to -7, this can't be right, what am I doing wrong here, please help 🤔

[@florinG]

Hi, I could recommend some things although I have more knowledge in recording voice than I have in music. So check the audio source you’re feeding into the recorder is not too hot, try enabling pad if your microphone has that function or adding an attenuator capsule to the mic if it comes with one. Try to reduce the level of your source, reduce the level onn your recorder which I believe you have if I’m not mistaken. The other thing you need to do sometimes is to move your mic a bit away from the sound source keeping to close can cause it to clip. If none of these work there are xlr in-line attenuators and you can also enable the limiter on your recorder. Thanks for watching and best of luck.

[@outdoorsrobbie]

Hi Florin Could you tell me, I am looking to record a full 1hour festival video set using a Go Pro hero 10 & Zoom h4n, what would be the best bit ratr & fps for video to use ? Thank you

[@florinG]

I would use 24bit/48khz sample rate and a limiter to protect myself from distortions, cheers.

[@outdoorsrobbie]

@@florinG much appreciated Thanks

[@dechmusic]

Does it have effects like reverb, echo?

[@florinG]

Hi, yes it does 👍

[@Ultrablis]

21:18 the reason why yours powers off, is because you’re using a low quality cable, never buy a cheap mini USB B, because you will get low current.

[@ahzelmusic]

Can you record with one mic phantom power and one not ? Also it won’t let me unlink 1/2

[@florinG]

If I remember right on the Zoom H4NPro you cannot select phantom power on or off individually, it’s either both on or both off. The link option may not be available because of other settings that make it incompatible, thanks 👍

[@ahzelmusic]

@@florinG got you

[@KTHKUHNKK]

Do I need to have phantom power on when using the built-in condenser mics ? Thanks Keith

[@florinG]

Hi Keith, plug-in power is required for condenser microphones, but on the H4N Pro it only needs to be on when you plug in a condenser mic in one of the two bottom inputs, thanks.

[@KTHKUHNKK]

@@florinG Thank you so much Florin. I love my h4n zoom. I have two of them the pro and the first edition h4n Zoom. I don't use them often enough to remember all the different things you can do with them One last question please. If I am recording Something In Mp3 what is the best quality sample rate to use ? Or killer Hertz I'm not sure what you call it for the best quality. Thanks again Keith

[@chrismorenomccarthy8487]

can you monitor the audio?

[@florinG]

Hi yes you can straight on the recorder using a splitter if you're feeding audio into a camera otherwise using the headphone out without the need of a splitter.

[@JesusMartinez]

Any idea why I can't access my compressor, limiter, and wav/mp3 file type? I update the firmware to 1.10.

[@florinG]

By the sounds of it, you could have stamina mode enabled. Compressor/limiter option can be found in: MENU/INPUT/-COMP/LIMIT. The option will be missing in Stamina mode as well as multi track recording. If you are however in Stereo or 4CH mode and you cannot find it, it may or may not have to do with the update, but if I were you I'd contact Zoom technical support, thanks.

[@JesusMartinez]

@@florinG thank you. That was it!

[@vv-o-l-f9155]

so could u please help with this ....im trying to record my motorcycles exhaust sound by putting it in the rear seat area , but i will be having sounds of idle and sounds of the motor reving up . what would u recommend ?? thank you !

[@florinG]

So, if you are planning to record an engine reving up it is probably best to use a limiter perhaps even a compressor if you don't have the possibility to use compressors while editing, the other option would be to adjust your levels to the loudest reving sound to be no louder than -6dB but, assuming that motor can get quite loud which in turn will force you to reduce your levels significantly, you may run into a bit of noise when compressing. That is because although the H4nPro has decent preamps they are not the best so you can get some floor noise when adding a good amount of amplitude to your audio. Luckily when you have a continuous sound like a car reving it woun't be so obvious. So ultimately I would try and see what works best if I were you.

[@vv-o-l-f9155]

@@florinG thanks . I don’t know how to use this thing at all . Watched a lot of KZbin videos but it does not get to the simple recording stuff with this thing . I am beginning to think I wasted my money ?? I mean what I’m trying to do is possible but no one will tell me how to do it even where to begin with it. I have the h4n pro but I honestly don’t even see the gain or anything in the menus??

[@florinG]

@@vv-o-l-f9155 it's actually not that complicated, I'd set it to stereo mode, make sure your stamina mode if off then set it to wav/48kHz/24 bit, leave the compressor/limiter off as you start practicing with it. Be sure you are set at mic not at 1/2 inputs unless you intend to use those, then into prerecord mode adjust your levels to be no greater than -6dB and most definitely never go to 0dB because your audio will clip and distort, after you're happy with your levels the press the record button one more time to start recording and stop when you have finished. This should be a good start for you to practice, make sure to patiently go through the manual 2 and be sure to watch this whole video as well this way you'll learn the MENU. Hope this helps.

[@vv-o-l-f9155]

@@florinG ok thanks but for some reason I can’t use or listen to wav on my pc ? Should I use a cable type of mic ?? Also if it helps you understand what exactly I’m trying to do, go to super bike racer’s channel and u will see exactly the sound .

[@dukemenangoravelsyata1429]

👍

[@DiscussionsWithaD]

Does anybody know why when I record in stereo with a mic, the sound only plays in one ear?

[@florinG]

It's because you either recorder a mono file or one of your headphone is broken.

[@DiscussionsWithaD]

@@florinG it’s not the headphones because even my viewers are saying they only hear it in one of their headphones. I guess I have to try the Mono file logic. Thanks for responding!

[@josephgrant9615]

the mic on this thing picks up super high pitched noise. if i play guitar all i hear is picking its terrble

[@florinG]

I'm not an expert on instrument recordings, but be sure you're not clipping, because that could be one of the reasons why you audio my not sound so good. If you do then perhaps adjust your levels accordingly or use a limiter. If you're not try moving it slightly away from the guitar, and perhaps try a different microphone see if that makes a difference. I believe dinamic mics are best for instruments, thanks.

[@bluecar5556]

The built in mics on the Zoom H4n pro are condenser mics. Not to be confused with dynamic mics. Condenser mics are super sensitive and pick up everything.

[@mikifiorini]

In MTR mode only 16/44.100💩

[@NortheastMediaHub2020]

Your audio quality is not good.

[@florinG]

I have applied some dereverb to it, that's why is not so great. I don't have a good sound treatment on my walls unfortunately.

[@MYMOVIE]

true... many times is fading away, not crisp enough. but well done for the review. thanks for sharing. would u recommend for a live concert record the Limiter for Studio mode? or still do it manually think is better? thank you

[@florinG]

@@MYMOVIEThanks for your feedback. I would recommend you use the limiters for any situation where things can get unpredictably loud, concerts or live performances are deffo those kind of situations, compressors as well if youre only performing live, thanks.

[@tomkent4656]

Compression would have helped.

[@javisilesconejo131]

very very great complete tutorial. Thanks a lot!!

[@florinG]

Thank you for the feedback, I’m glad it helped.

[@connorjonesfilmsOH]

fantastic video!

[@florinG]

Thank you!