The Zoom H4 A Full(ish) Tutorial 

Hope it helps you out! If you have any questions, just ask.

I Love Recording So I’m using a Marantz MPM-1000 condenser mic connected to the Input1 XLR port on the Zoom. I believe this mic records on L side (left channel) only? Should I be using the Zoom’s mono mix setting to fix that? I want to get both L and R side in stereo mode. Another thing- I had the line out connected to my amp, and when I started recording, I got some huge feedback... I guess I can’t do that? I had to turn the amp off real quick

The writing is so tiny, I have to use a torch and the instruction manual is not exactly easy to apprehend, which is why my thanks go out to gentlemen like Mr. Mike Foerster (see above).

It's a fun little machine! Enjoy!

I did watch it all the way thru!!👍

Thank you!

Sorry to hear that. Have you looked at the TASCAM field recorders? They have larger writing on the screen. I agree with you about this screen, it is too small to fully read properly.

@@MikeFoerster I'll look at the Tascam gear. Worked with their open reels, when I worked in commercial radio, back in the 80s. They made, or at least, used to make great quality equipment. Thanks.

I still use Tascam equipment, love the stuff.

@@MikeFoerster Very cool. I had a look around on Amazon, but they all seem to have about the same size display as the H4. Maybe slightly larger, by a third of an inch. LOL Still not enough for me to see without a 30x lens. Guess I'll have to setup a web cam, and point it at the H4, and run video to one of my jib cam monitors. Geez. After all these years, you'd think they'd give us a bigger screen, by now. LOL Oh well.

I have never tried that, I will see if I have a 16G card floating around and see what happens when I put it in. I think the last firmware update was to fix something else. There hasn't been an update for a long time on the firmware.

I don't use it as much as I used to. When I got it, it had the latest firmware on it, so I never bothered to update.

I just did it. www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/update-system-zoom-h4/ zoomcorp.com/en/us/handheld-recorders/handheld-recorders/h4/h4-support/

No i use mine all the time - in fact the zoom H4 has many features the H4N H5 and H6 lack!!!

I don't know if you can, I'll take a look

Hey Yves, I could not find a way to do this when using it as an audio interface. Thanks for introducing me to Jamulus, it really works well!

I'll have to look into this further. I haven't touched my Zoom H4 in a while.

@@MikeFoerster it's OK, I discovered where I was going wrong. Thank you for the reply

You could use a splitter to record two microphones in one of the inputs, but it would record both items together there wouldn't be any separation.

How old is the firmware on it? I'll see if I can find the link to the firmware site. What operating system are you using?

I would test the transformer that you are using, maybe it broke. Do you have a different way of connecting your H4 to power? Maybe toss in some fresh batteries and see if it works then. I would try to rule out what has failed. Sadly, it could be that your H4 has died and it's done. Hopefully not. Wish you the best!

First of all, thank you very much indeed! I am beginning to feel an utter fool. I have never used batteries and I just have used them. The Zoom works as it does with the transformer. I experimented: being in the midst of a recording, I used track 3 (2nd voice, which comes in after 50 secs ), to plug in, as usual the Zoom to the power via transformer (all lights on - green that is) and mumbled some words into track three with headphones on Zoom and track on red for recording. I disconnected the power, hooked up the Zoom using USB cable, connected to computer and from Audacity I selected track three, headphones on PC. The mumbled words came through perfectly! I am confused, because I thought the track lights came on via power AND via PC connection only. Have I been dreaming? I don't smoke or drink; nonetheless I still see those lights on in my mind's eye when connected in USB mode to the PC. I feel an utter fool, because I feel the Zoom is working fine. Put my mind at ease please: Do those track lights come on in the USB mode, since no that I think of it, they serv no purpose in USB mode as the tracks are selected from Audacity import. I have used your valuable time, I think and I apologise. Could you please tell me about those lights and perhaps I'll rest easier tonight. With my deepest thanks and apologies. Your videos are splendid and have taught me a great deal. Thank you yet again. I am very sorry. Tim Mercer@@MikeFoerster

@@steelguitartim Hey, you are not wasting me time if it helped you. I currently have my Zoom on loan to the church. I will try to go there and see if the lights come on when I'm using it on USB. I can't recall at the moment. I'll reply back within the week to let you know. Also, I've listened to your recordings, if they were done with the zoom, I am impressed. They are really well done.

@@MikeFoerster You are too kind; all my recordings were done with the Zoom and Audacity, which has become an excellent tool and simple to use. It is the putting together of the pictures and finding them that takes so much time it drives me crazy. At present, I have another en route but I have managed complete the recordings.Having chhsnged to Linux, the video editors are hard to download and the language impenetrable!. But all that is nothing compared to the embarrassment I have caused myself. Perhaps seeing seeing light is part of growing olld, since I have now retired, Music lives on and I am cerrtainly not going to give up yet, thanks to you, your insight and your wonderful desire to help others. Thank you once again. You comprehension is much appreciated. Thank you - Tim Mercer.

Helppp!!! It's an emergency

Sorry, I just saw this message. I'll see what I can find for you.

The only thing I can suggest is try a different cable, test the microphone in a different device and see if it works there. I would suggest getting an ART studio pre-amp, it works really well and will give you phantom power.

Sure, I'm working on a q&a video. It'll be ready in 2 weeks.

@@MikeFoerster coolio...your the best

@@MikeFoerster hey..ahh..make sure too talk about balanced and unbalance and why is it when I run my drum machine manually ...my recording starts loosening place..I've deleted unnecessary space..I use good patch chords .,I dont run shit to hot.....only when I'm laying it down. Playback is fine..its weird..

On this version, I don't think there is. On newer versions, I think you can.

@@MikeFoerster Strange haha ok, thanks!

I'm going to take a look, I should have an answer for you by noon (EST)

I looked in the manual, there is nothing about date. Sorry.

@@MikeFoerster Thanks for checking!

What are you trying to mount it to?

I'm going to make a short later today on this and post it today too. Hopefully, it'll help you out.

Uploading the video, here's the link: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-DdZloapgL58.html

@@MikeFoerster Thank you so much for the reply and video