A brief presentation outlining the basic operation and use of the Zoom H4n digital 2-track recorder. A very popular unit well suited for double system sound recording for film and video applications.

1. Zoom H4n digital recorder
Introduction to Basic Operation
By Fred Ginsburg CAS
California State University Northridge
March 2013 1
Cinema-TV Arts Dept

2. Zoom H4n features
• Can record 2 tracks of audio from either the
built-in mic or from external XLR (or ¼-inch)
mic inputs.
• Can record two pair of stereo inputs
simultaneously from the built-in mic AND the
XLR mic inputs.
• Could function as a 4 track multitrack capable
of sync playback of tracks while recording or
overdubbing new tracks; mixdown; effects.
March 2013 California State University Northridge
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3. Stereo Mode (recommended)
• Conventional recording of
two tracks.
• Select either “Mic” or “1+2”
from the front panel.
• Mic refers to the built-in
stereo mic, or plugging a
stereo mini (external) mic
into the hole on the back.
• 1+2 refers to the combo
XLR or ¼-inch inputs.
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4. STAMINA mode
• Accessed via switch inside battery
compartment
• Allows extended recording time from batteries
• Limits you to MP3 or 44.1k settings, which are
lower quality
• NOT RECOMMENDED!
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5. 4CH mode
• Records four tracks simultaneously as two pair
of stereo tracks.
• Could record live ambiance or surround from
built-in stereo mic along with XLR inputs from
external mics.
• More practical for recording live events, such
as concerts or performances.
• Not all that useful for general film production.
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6. MTR (multitrack) mode
• Functions as a simple multitrack music
recorder, recording up to 4 tracks one or two
at a time.
• Allows overdubbing, or combining live tracks
with pre-recorded tracks.
• Not recommended. Better to do this kind of
recording with computer software that is
properly suited to the task.
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7. Front Controls
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8. Rear Controls
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9. Getting Started
• Install two AA alkaline
batteries
• Make sure that
STAMINA switch is OFF
• Insert SD card.
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10. Power ON by sliding the HOLD switch
on the side of the unit.
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11. Format your SD card
• Press MENU
• Rotate scroll wheel to SD
CARD and press to
“enter”
• Select FORMAT and
press.
• Press in the scroll wheel
to Confirm when
prompted by pressing
again.
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12. Select recording
MODE
• Press MENU
• Rotate scroll wheel to
MODE
• Press in the scroll
wheel to “enter”
• Scroll to STEREO (or
other mode)
• Press in the scroll
wheel to “enter”
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13. Select recording
quality
WAV48k/16bit
• MP3 = compressed
• 44.1 = audio CD
• 16bit/48k =
professional choice
• 24bit/48k =
highest quality, but
make sure your
edit system
supports it
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March 2013 13
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14. Recording
• Select MIC (built-in)
or 1+2 (XLR inputs)
• Press REC button
once to enter
standby (meters are
now active)
• Note that circular
light blinks in standby
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15. Set levels
• Set recording levels
around -20dB, up to
-12dB, but never
exceed 0dB ever!
• Press (blinking) REC
button again to begin
recording.
• Press STOP button to
end recording.
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16. Recording with only one mic
• MONO MIX record mode puts single mic input onto
both recording channels.
• Convenient for headphone monitoring.
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17. Pre Record function
• Records the two seconds
of audio that occurred
PRIOR to going from
standby into RECORD, and
then adds that audio to
the beginning of your file.
• Prevents you from missing
the “start” of a session.
• You have to wait; cannot
begin recording again
immediately after stop.
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18. Low Cut function
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19. Compressor Limiter
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20. Automatic
Recording Level
• Automatic Level Control
of recording level
• NOT RECOMMENDED!
• System searches for any
audio, and does not
know good dialog or SFX
from background noises
• Does not know whispers
from shouts, or dramatic
pauses
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21. Zoom H4n is complex
• This presentation only covers basic recording
for film, video, and multi-media applications.
• The unit has many more features & functions,
mainly intended for amateur music recording
and editing.
• For more detailed instructions, go online and
search H4n-manual.pdf
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