Comments on: Fix for Zoom H4 Mobile Recording: Use a Mobile Battery Pack

By: Martin Rider

Martin Rider — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 16:05:58 +0000

Hi folks,
A few useful tips. The current updated software has a high pass filter on a scale of 1 to 10 to cut handling and wind noise. Rycote make a ‘Softie’ for the H4 which makes outdoor recording a breeze, if you can pardon the pun. The part number is 0055355. Contact details are:
Denise Leivers
Rycote Microphone Windshields Limited
Registered Office: Libby’s Drive, Slad Road , Stroud, Gloucestershire. GL5 1RN U.K.
Registered Number: 02972455
Tel: + 44 (0) 1453 759338
Fax: + 44 (0) 1453 764249
Website: http://www.rycote.com
Email: denise@rycote.com

The cost was about £24.00.

My last jazz album was recorded on the H4. Have a listen at http://martinrider.podbean.com The guitar was plugged straight into the line input. I e-mailed Zoom regarding the ‘beep’ (only on MP3 settings on mine) and received no response. Come on Zoom, you can do better than that!

By: Dwayne

Dwayne — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 07:22:17 +0000

Hello Everyone, I also am the proud owner of the Zoom H4 and I’ve used it with line I/O, The Internal X/Y Mics and my 2 NADY SCM-800 Microphones and have been completely pleased with the results. I am using a 6 place AA Battery holder (9VDC) and still also use the ZOOm AC Adapter and have had good results. With the internal AA Batteries I get the quiet beeping but when I use external power its clean audio. I have made some fantastic digital recordings with pro level results.

By: hitman

hitman — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 22:30:55 +0000

should have said that the sound I’m hearing is not the same as on the Brad Linder site but louder and more rythmic - very much like the interference you used to have with a tape looping!

By: hitman

hitman — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 22:25:13 +0000

I’ve had the zoom H4 for about 4 months now and tonight have just started to notice a buzzing sound on recordings. It does’nt appear to be present on past recordings. I swapped my batteries (I use AA batteries) for new ones and the sound seemed to disappear but now its back. I tried the fix outlined above and recorded at 96KHz but noticed that the LED access light still flashed and the noise was reduced but still there. I tried again and this time the buzzing went, although background interferance was higher. Any thoughts or has my Zoom developed a fault?

By: alihutch

alihutch — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:58:43 +0000

I have recently bought a Zoom H4 for recording interviews for radio. I’ve been pleasantly suprised by the internal mics but was wanting to use an external mono mic, partly so that I can see the screen when recording and so that my wrist doesn’t break! I bought a ATM10a but found that the level just wasn’t high enough. From looking around I’m beginning to realise that isn’t’ just me. Has anyone found a mic that doesn’ generate enough O/P for speech recording or has anyone tried using some sort of small preamp? Thanks for your help!

By: Create Digital Music » Zoom H4 Mobile Recorder, In Action on NPR

Create Digital Music » Zoom H4 Mobile Recorder, In Action on NPR — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 09:48:03 +0000

[...] Zoom H4 Mobile Recorder, In Action on NPR Brad Linder, a freelance journalist, shared his Zoom H4 mobile battery pack hack at a recent coworking event in Brooklyn called Jelly. The idea of coworking is to get “virtual” electronic workers out of their apartments and in an environment where they can meet other people. “Lonely” I think is the wrong word, as many of us have chosen that life, but at the same time we’re aware of missing some of the potential of real-world interaction. As it happens, just that power of random happenstance has me collaborating with an industrial designer on a custom Monome, and picking up mobile recording tips from NPR producers. [...]

By: Qasim

Qasim — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 23:08:16 +0000

Am I totally missing something here? I just bought an H4 and I think its the best thing for portable mic recording I’ve ever owned but I just can’t gte it to record line inputs from a mixing board properly?!?!

I’ve used balanced XLRs and unbalanced 1/4″ cables from my mixer and all I get is tons of static/noise and just a bit of music coming through!?!?

Has anyone managed to record a line input properly? I’ve even tried switching between battery and a/c power to no avail!?

q./

By: Boovyfosho

Boovyfosho — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 15:10:01 +0000

I, too, heard that notorious beeping Zoom H4 but, oddly enough, after having it almost a year, was only aware of recently when I started using it in very quiet rooms for interviews.

Then I found this site, took Moljen’s advice and set it to 96kh and the issue went away.

I’m also going to attempt Brand Linder’s DIY battery pack though I can’t say I’m crazy about hacking the power supply that came with the Zoom.

By: holotone.net

holotone.net — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 00:33:19 +0000

[...] Create Digital Music » Fix for Zoom H4 Mobile Recording: Use a Mobile Battery Pack [...]

By: Art Simon

Art Simon — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:46:00 +0000

Sounds like the H2 does not have the buzz. Here’s a podcast where you can here the H4 versus the H2.
http://mefeedia.com/entry/3423836/
They call the buzz a “whistle”, and the H4 noise is pretty insignificant IMHO if there is any ambient noise whatsoever. Still, I’m happy I got the H2.