Zoom H4n Tutorial Review 4 Channel Recording with 2 stereo WAV files

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PS: If you want to know what is inside the training we've put the outline below.

INTRODUCTION

What is the H4n?
Overview of unit
Connections
Getting around the screen
The 4 Modes of the H4n

FIELD RECORDING

Microphone Configuration
Recording Levels (Auto/Comp/Limiter)
Recording Format
Microphone Placement
Using External Mics (Phantom)
Miking Techniques
Setting Markers
4-Channel Recording
Using Folders
Naming Files

MULTITRACK RECORDING

Overview
Setting Levels/Panning
Creating a New Project
Using the Tuner
Using Effects
Using the Metronome
Multitrack Recording Example
Alternate Tracks
Punching In/Out
Bouncing
EDITING
File Edits
MP3 Encoding
Normalize
Divide
Move
Delete
Auto Recording
Pre Recording
4-Channel Edits
Multitrack Edits

USING WITH A COMPUTER

Importing/Exporting files
Using as a USB interface
Working with DAWs (Cubase Le, Pro Tools, etc)
Monitoring
Latency
Using the H4n's Effects in Cubase

MISCELLANEOUS SETTINGS

Using as a Phrase Trainer
A/B Repeat
Karaoke
Archiving Analog Media
Podcasting Applications
Using the Remote

SYSTEM SETTINGS

GRADUATION

[dalesnale]

Note. The H4n will not go into 4 channel mode while in 'Stamina' mode (Stamina switch tucked away in the battery compartment). This was driving me nuts as I have used it in 4 channel successfully in the past. The video was a great refresher. Thanks.

[Glen_Hoban]

Thank you for the video; I almost always find it easier to learn from a demonstration rather than reading the manual. :-)

[chriswoodvine]

I noticed you have to restart your h4n once you turn stamina mode off in order for mode select to appear in the menu.

[YouGuysAreAmazing]

Thanks! Most other videos show overdubbing which I can already do via DAW and interface.

I was more looking into 4-channel recording at the same time. The H4N is capable of basically 3-channel-recording whereas however, the built-in mic will render you a stereo file … so lets just say the H4N can record 3(4) channels at the same time.

So, I could have a mic plugged into input 1, a guitar into input 2 and use the built-in mics to pick up the room or ambience sound (in stereo) which I can later mix in when mixing the channels from input 1 & 2.

I’d find this really helpful for recording @ home or on the go if I have 1, 2 or 3 of these devices … then you could theoretically have 3(4), 6(8) or 9(12) tracks recorded … of course this would mean 3(6) of the tracks are ambient sound removing the doubled tracks you’d end up with 3(4), 5(6) or 7(8) tracks to work with. You could simply take the room sound you like the most and mix it or use the L channel from the H4N that’s furthest left and the R channel from the H4N that’s furthest right. This will give your stereo ambient room sound more stereo pan.

[lorcanmeister]

I use the Zoom H2n for my youtube channel (not the H4n) but you should find that if you open your two stereo tracks in a DAW (wavelab comes with the H2n) you should be able to work with the two stereo tracks as if they were four mono tracks

[brianhawkins]

Is it possible to use the mic for all four channels, but at different levels? Say I want to record an interview and have mic assigned to channels 1 & 2 at a certain level, and then for safety in case the interviewee laughs loudly or shouts, I also assign mic to channels 3 & 4 but at -6dB. Can this be done? Looking to mimic the dual recording feature of the TASCAM DR-40.

[mrolifel]

Hello how did you get 4mono channels? I always find two stereo track in the stereo mode and not 4.. Thanks a lot!

[billkeyes]

Thank you for this! It's the only place I could find out about how the H4N stores the 4 tracks on the sd. Took me 4 hours to nail this post.

Since it only has stereo outs I didn't want to take a chance on having to mix them on the zoom first. I wanted at least some 4ch separation for use in Sonar.

I have been doing recording in my piano studio for over 30 years so I'm familiar with a lot of this stuff. I do have 2 zooms and a tascam but only 2 tracks. I don't want to lug a pc/sonar to my casual Jams with friends. Looks like this might work.

Thanks again for your help,
Bill

[SimonMalcolmProductn]

Thanks so much. This had me beat, but no more. I really love your presentation style. I think you could teach people anything.

[VishalBondwal]

Thanks. Exactly what was needed, and no wasting time

[danlewis]

while in 4 channel mode, can you set separate levels for each each of the inputs 1 and 2?

[sybexstudio]

How do i monitor audio on the input channels seperately from the mic channel. when i place my mic set on, i can hear both mic and input audio, i want to mute one or the other.

[SeanDIY]

Can you use an XLR to 1/4" cable and then use phantom power or will it not work without XLR to XLR? I can't get the former to work.

[SharonKlinkenberg]

Can you do this with one external mic in monomix mode?

[jackraindance]

How do I get the two 4 channel files: I & M, to become one file I can output to my tablet and onto a CD or Flash drive

[colhutchins]

Hi are input 1 and 2 here stereo? It appears input 1 is L and input 2 is R, is that correct? Can you do this with one external mic in monomix mode? Thanks.

[The_Sound_Side]

Why does you zoom browse through the menu so fat. Mine and another as well have a lag time and take time to open menu options. Mine takes around 30 sec+ to start up as well. I have a 16 gb card; would this be relevant ?

[bestmoviesever]

What happens if you record 4 Channel with two XLR mics and one stereo 3.5 MM mic? Would it mute the built in mics or would both the 3.5mm mic and the built in mic record onto the same stereo track? Or would it record three stereo tracks? Or if none of those what would happen?

[JD..........]

As far as I can tell, the H5 does NOT have "4 Channel" recording.

Is this because it was replaced by "Multitrack?" Thank you!

[thecianinator]

The video starts at 0:31 for anyone who's wondering.