Zoom Podtrak P4 Podcast Recorder: Recording Remote Interviews

[@PieceOfThePieWithTy]

Let's Go!

[@PieceOfThePieWithTy]

Thank You So Much!!! New Sub!!

[@BrassyBroadJen]

Thanks!

[@CatsCatsCatsCars78]

Awesome, thank you! I work as a podcast producer and I'm constantly watching videos such as yours to walk me through kinks here or there. This is the first time seeing a WOMAN though and THANK YOU for representing!!

[@BrassyBroadJen]

Thank you!! You just made my day.

[@scottpater]

Thanks for the info. I used your explanation here and did some testing on my iPad Pro (M1) and hooked a USB-C cable to the Podtrak4 and used Skype and FaceTime Audio. Skype was superior and it was not close. The Audio from FaceTime Audio sounded completely oversampled. I put my wife phone next to a Sonos speaker to record audio from it for each FT or Skype call. YMMV

[@BrassyBroadJen]

Thanks for sharing your results!

[@FlyingArtz.]

This is my first video of yours I’ve seen.: You’re intro “ head broad in charge 🤣🤣🤣 ... SUBBED!

[@BrassyBroadJen]

Thanks for subscribing!

[@THEGolfImprovementPodcas-yz6ew]

Great video thanks Jen!!

[@JudgeNation]

I found this helpful

[@BrassyBroadJen]

Thanks!

[@BestBrosMedia]

Love your style of sharing Jen, clear and concise. My issue is as follows, I have a Podtrak P4 (love it!) and I have had great success recording with it in studio but remotes are a disaster. I have been watching and reading EVERYTHING about remote recordings using the P4 and Audacity. My hardware set up and P4 selections /gains / ports are all correct but the recording of ANYTHING on Channel 3 (Cell phone) or channel 4 (Zoom, Skype Google Meet) runs in a BARELY registered recording. I hear my guest PERFECTLY through my headphones but they are not recording, virtually - at all. My recording levels for those channels are unintelligible and even Audacity automatically drops my recording input slider down to about 40%-50%, no matter how high I slide them towards maximum, while my channel 1 (in studio) recording levels are bang on at about -10db to -8db. Any suggestions? I am pulling my hair out with this one!!!

[@BrassyBroadJen]

Are you recording straight into Audacity, or are you recording to the SD card and then importing the recording into Audacity? I would try recording it to the SD card if you haven't already, just to rule out that it isn't something in Audacity.

[@FlyingArtz.]

I just got one and the way I set mine up on my computer wasn’t using channel 4 usb I had to use the 2nd channel and have it on dynamic. I was also using the zoom mic

[@PipeandTamper]

Question, I wanna play sounds from my desktop and have my co-host hear them. As it is, only I can hear the sound as it records while my co-host can’t hear then. Can that be done on the P4?

[@caseyonlocation8257]

The $30 5' long Rode SC9 TRRS to TRRS 3.5mm smartphone cable works great for bringing on a remote guest on Channel 3, you can get that Rode SC9 cable from Sweetwater audio or B&H Photo. Or get the lower priced $9 CableCreation brand TRRS smartphone cable from Amazon, plus this brand comes in 3 different lengths. I have both the Rode and CableCreation brand cables and they both work fine, but the Rode SC9 is a better made cable, plus it works perfectly on the Rode Rodecaster Pro podcasting device which I also have.

[@DELIVERYTV]

Hi! Do you have a link for that cable? I’m lost!

[@DELIVERYTV]

Hi! Do you have a link for that green cable?

[@BrassyBroadJen]

I don't have a link to that specific cable. Here is a link to something similar on Amazon. www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Auxiliary-Shielded-Compatible-Headphones/dp/B08RB17ZY1/ref=sr_1_10?crid=3IVGYPUD7L62U&keywords=philips+green+4+contact+mini+plug+cable&qid=1689601624&sprefix=phillips+green+4+contact+mini+plug+cable%2Caps%2C117&sr=8-10

[@DELIVERYTV]

@@BrassyBroadJen thank You!!!

[@darrenholdstock8223]

Hi Great info thank you, I want to video using a Samsung phone and take the audio from my P4 how do I do this no one seems to be doing this can it be done?

[@BrassyBroadJen]

Darren, This isn't something that I've tried, and I don't have a Samsung phone to test it out. Sorry, I'm not more help with your question. If you have the P4 and you try it, let me know how it goes.

[@darrenholdstock8223]

@@BrassyBroadJen found a way to record video on phone and record a podcast with p4, Jack to Jack cable, into headphone amp, into DJi mic receiver headphone socket, with output from headphone amp into male to 3.5mm xlr adapter into any xlr on p4. You get both video and audio, so KZbin file and podcast file. Thanks for your help. Darren

[@BrassyBroadJen]

@@darrenholdstock8223 That's great! Thanks for sharing how you set it up.

[@indigokid87]

Very Nice and to the point Jen! Thank You

[@muccku7231]

Hello I have iPhone too. I have this issue and not sure can you give me advise. I am in a room with 10 people and Skype with zoom p4 channel 3. My problem is if I put a speaker at the zoom headphone output, my voice and caller voice will be played in the speaker, which creates feedback effect. Would you know is there any splitter that can split iPhone 11 into mic and headphone, so headphone only plays caller voice only? Thanks

[@jakemouser2214]

When recording a call, do I need to plug a local mic into the top to record my side of the conversation? And do I need to connect headphones so I can hear them?

[@BrassyBroadJen]

Yes to the microphone and yes to connecting headphones.

[@THEGolfImprovementPodcas-yz6ew]

Hi Jen! I thought I had a 4 contact mini plug to iPhone cable but do not. Do you know where I can buy one please - thanks!!

[@BrassyBroadJen]

I"ve added my Amazon link in the video description to a cable that will work. You will also need to get a 3.5 mm adapter to your iPhone. That will depend on which iPhone you have.

[@THEGolfImprovementPodcas-yz6ew]

Thanks!!!

[@shelaghmathers7890]

Love your delivery! Thanks for that. Just got a P4 and am wondering what setting MY iPhone should be on? Speaker or not speaker? I would have thought "not" but not getting anything on phone track. Like, nuthin'. I do have the right cable, plugged into the correct input, and channel 3 is set to phone. Kinda mystified...

[@BrassyBroadJen]

Thank you, Shelagh! It sounds like you're doing all the right things. This might be a silly question, but did you have the volume turned up on your iPhone? Have you tried swapping out the cable? Those are the only things that are coming to mind right now to troubleshoot it.

[@shelaghmathers7890]

Got your very fast response which was impressive in its speed and troubleshooting. Volumes of phones and cables good. I'll keep mucking about, and I'm sure when it gets sorted you'll hear the forehead slapping from a great distance. Thanks. Yer awesome.

[@BrassyBroadJen]

@@shelaghmathers7890 keep me posted. I really do want to know what is causing the issue.

[@shelaghmathers7890]

@@BrassyBroadJen HI! Well, the phone sorted itself out and I don't know how (maybe it got tired of me shouting at it), but I had a very successful phone interview on Friday. Then someone wanted to do a Zoom interview, and I thought "no problem". Not so fast, as it turns out - I have a mid 2014 Mac Book, and one has to go into system preferences and override the defaults and select the P4 as input and output. Who knew? Probably everyone but me, I thought I'd share that anyway. Thanks again. Yer still awesome

[@BrassyBroadJen]

@@shelaghmathers7890 I’m so happy to hear you got it sorted!

[@hazelzamora5419]

Thanks Jen for the information. I am thinking of buying the Zoom Podtrak but I have the Zoom H5, what is the difference between them? I use the Zoom H5 to record my interviews on the street but it's difficult over the phone. In my case, do you think it's better to get only one interface?

[@BrassyBroadJen]

Hazel, If you have the XY mic that sits on the top of H5, you should be able to plug your phone into the stereo input on the capsule. It looks like a headphone jack.

[@ReefoftheEast]

Thanks for the video. Good content. not to sound repetitive but no one asked "quite exactly" like what my need is. Maybe you happen to know. It's an audio interface question. If I am on my android Samsung Galaxy S20 (its compatible - i checked the compatible phones list) and I go out of the P4 via the USB C output of the P4 and connect into the Android via the USB C input on my android, do you happen to know if I can use that live sound coming from the P4 as my audio input during a KZbin Mobile Live stream? Nothing is being recorded and later uploaded. It's all Live Streamed audio. And furthermore, can I use all 4 of the P4 mic inputs simultaneous if this scenario would work? Thanks. - Reef of the East on KZbin

[@BrassyBroadJen]

This is a great question. I'm sorry I don't have the answer. I know that the P4 can be used as an audio interface going into a DAW, but I haven't tried it for live streaming to KZbin.

[@ReefoftheEast]

@@BrassyBroadJen thanks Jen. Well I'll have to keep asking around and great content you got here on your channel. If you ever find out and happen to remember me, just let me know, but no pressure. 🙏🏻 - Reef of the East on KZbin

[@essentiallyprudentwithmadz583]

thank you so much...the demos have been very beneficial :D

[@BrassyBroadJen]

Thanks! Happy to hear they have been helpful.

[@GameImprovementGolf]

Jen I am having something really wierd going on with trying to record iPhone audio to my P4. I bought a 3.55 mm TRRS cable to go to the phone plug in on the P4. I bought a Mevo 3.5 mm female TRRS adapter to iPhone lightening adapter to go from the cable to my iPhone. And because I have an iPhone 15, I have a small lightening to USB C adapter to go to my iPhone 15. I set Channel 3 on the Podtrak to the right, for the iPhone. When I make a call, I do not hear any audio on my Podtrak. So ???? So far no feedback from the Zoom folks, not sure that the lightening to USB C connector could have caused this. Any thoughts appreciated thanks!!

[@BrassyBroadJen]

I'm not sure. Anytime there are cables and adapters, it makes troubleshooting more challenging. My P4 has a device icon next to the place where you would plug in the TRRS cable. Double-check that is the port you are using. Make sure the track isn't muted, the gain is turned up, your headphones are turned up, and the iPhone is turned up. Sorry if you've checked all of these already. I know from my own experience, when I go back, and double-check, I've usually missed an obvious step! Please let me know if you get a response from Zoom. I'm curious what is causing the issue.

[@GameImprovementGolf]

@@BrassyBroadJen I am curious too Jen!! The Movo folks who make the adapter are asking me some questions. I really suspect I made a mistake buying a Movo adapter that was lightening, and then trying to use a lightening to USB C adapter. Right now though, my next step is getting my BTA-2 bluetooth adapter today later and seeing if that works. Thanks again for working to help me!

[@GameImprovementGolf]

Ok Jen. Fired up my new BTA-2 adapter and it worked FLAWLESSLY! I think the issue, for anyone else reading this, is to NOT use a lightening to USB C adapter to an iphone 15 if you want to use an iPhone 15. Plug that goes into the iPhone 15 needs to be an actual USB C from a .35 mm TRRS adapter to the phone. I am happy!

[@BrassyBroadJen]

That is great news! Thank you for sharing the info.

[@paulaa6810]

Thanks so much. Short and clear video. One question, Brassy. I got the Podtrak P4 to record a remote guest. I was hoping to record directly into audacity and then edit. Now, not sur that's possible. I know your video talks about recording through zoom. Do you have to go through zoom, or is there a way to use this device on track 4 and capture a remote person in audacity directly? I guess alternatively to zoom/skype, there are paid recording programs out there, but then if you use those, seems you don't need the Podtrak P4. I may have bought it unnecessarily. Appreciate your thoughts!

[@BrassyBroadJen]

You could plug a device into channel 4 and use the P4 as an interface. However, it won't record multitrack to Audacity. Everything will be on the same track.

[@tonyslawncare]

So can the person on the phone hear you through your high quality mic ? Or do you have to hold the phone close to your mouth?

[@BrassyBroadJen]

The person on the phone can hear you through your mic. No need to hold the phone close to your mouth.

[@tonyslawncare]

@@BrassyBroadJen thank you so much!😉 it does need to be a TRRS cable right? A regular aux cable would not work ?

[@BrassyBroadJen]

@@tonyslawncare I checked the manual and it looks like it needs to be TRRS

[@shaneeegan]

Hey Jen! have you ever recorded straight to a daw on Mac from the podtrak p4? I want to understand the channel routing procedure to do just that. Shane, Clonmel, Tipperary, Ireland

[@BrassyBroadJen]

Shane, You can record straight into your DAW, but it puts everyone on the same channel. There isn't a way to route each person to their own individual track. At least, there wasn't the last time I tried it. I've used my Zoom H6 to record straight into my DAW. It gives you the ability to route each speaker to an individual track.

[@LegaliseFreedom1]

Hi there. If I'm using a USB mic / headset for a Skype call, does that plug into my PC as usual or into the P4? I don't own one of these units as yet so just want to check a few things. Thanks.

[@BrassyBroadJen]

You would plug the USB mic/headset into your computer. You need a mic with an XLR connection if you want to plug straight into the P4.

[@LegaliseFreedom1]

@@BrassyBroadJen Thanks!

[@LegaliseFreedom1]

@@BrassyBroadJen OK so using a USB mic plugged into my computer with the P4 also hooked up just as normal does not work. The P4 grabs the Skype test call audio but not my own voice. Looks like I'll need to plug a mic straight into the P4. I was thinking of upgrading my mic anyway and the Samson Q2U looks like a good option as it has both XLR and USB connectors. My current USB mic is Samson and it has been great.

[@JEEVANMARATHE]

@@LegaliseFreedom1 i am giving answer late. But i guess you have to start the feedback of your mic (with lowest latency) so that it will be recorded to p4 along with skype call voice. (But you will listen your voice as well on headphones... as singer listens own voice 😄)

[@LegaliseFreedom1]

@@JEEVANMARATHE Thanks.

[@phillipboonzaier8148]

Awesome! Can you record directly to your computer instead of to the memory card? How do I do this

[@BrassyBroadJen]

Yes, you can record directly into your computer with the Podtrack P4, but it doesn't give you the option of recording each guest on their own track.

[@DavidD911]

Could you hear the person on the zoom call in your headphones or was her audio coming out of the computer while they were talking

[@BrassyBroadJen]

I’m could hear them through my headphones that were connected to the P4.

[@DavidD911]

So weird i tried doing it the other day and could not hear them through the headphones, and they project through the computers speakers even though the p4 was chosen on googlemeet S

[@BrassyBroadJen]

@@DavidD911 that’s weird. take a look at your computer settings and make sure they are also pointing the output to the P4 and not your speakers.

[@chris-wolak]

Super helpful, thanks!

[@BrassyBroadJen]

You're welcome!

[@controlledchaos8851]

Ok ok , I’m a little ehhh not that tech savvy. So if I wanna use my iPhone as the recoding device and not the micro SD . How does that go down?

[@BrassyBroadJen]

I haven't tried recording to a phone. I've recorded straight into my laptop. If it is possible, you would need an adapter for the output cable to connect to your phone. Would you be recording into GarageBand or something similar?

[@Madmotion]

Great info Jen!

[@BrassyBroadJen]

Thank you!

[@hobobluesclown7337]

Can you record the audio from a mobile zoom call on the p4? Would the phone call use the microphone input from the podtrak on my end?

[@abellodenonna1]

Hi! Is good to rec the audio of KZbin Video or better directly a dedicated audio Inteface like Focurite Scarlett? :)

[@BrassyBroadJen]

It would work fine for recording audio for YT videos. If you've already got an audio interface, I would stick with that in most cases.

[@Olson0037]

on my iphone 11 my caller only has audio out of one speaker... why is this??

[@prabhuja7554]

Can we use Cleanfeed OS with Podtrak P4 ina laptop?

[@BrassyBroadJen]

I haven't tried it with Cleanfeed, but I think would be similar to recording a zoom call.

[@prabhuja7554]

@@BrassyBroadJen OMG nope not the usual...it's a high class audio quality OS... it uses different method to record on your own device.. less latency than even smartphone calls...for free try it ..you will never do anything else again ..for distant podcast...

[@mylifeisbroken34]

I connected the Zoom P4 to the computer but no sound from the headphones? I can hear my own voice but no sound from videos I open from youtube? I'm sure I have the sound settings right, I can't hear my friend in Discord, but I can listen to my own voice :(

[@BrassyBroadJen]

Do you have the sound output on your computer set to play through the P4? Did you flip the switch on the channel 4 input to USB? Those are a couple of things I would check.

[@dsmurfy100]

Will the PodTrak P4 work with reaper?

[@BrassyBroadJen]

I don't use Reaper, so I don't know. Sorry.

[@rikkebergquist5026]

Hi there, which mic did you use for this video?

[@BrassyBroadJen]

I used the Samson Q2U.

[@neandertalac]

There is another way for Android users. USB Type C connection on channel 4 is as useful as any computer. And it's fairly simple to find USB Type C data cable in any convenience store.

[@BrassyBroadJen]

Thanks for sharing this!

[@SailTheOcean]

That thing is so tacky and clunky. It's almost worthy waiting for two years for someone to come along with a sleek design that looks and feels like success

[@BrassyBroadJen]

There are other options. This works well for me. I hope you find the one that works best for you!

[@SailTheOcean]

@@BrassyBroadJen I should have been clearer. I don't doubt its usefulness and I have seen other great reviews. In fact, it lacks bad reviews. It's just the design is missing that sleek, "I got to have this now!" kind of look. I really meant it looks tacky and clunky, not is. That was almost as bad as when one calls an individual "they." I have sinned.

[@BrassyBroadJen]

Thanks for the clarification. It is definitely not sleek. And referring to an individual as “they” is perfectly fine in some instances. 😁

[@SailTheOcean]

@@BrassyBroadJen You remind me of my next wife, with that arguing against me!