Help: H4n set-up for 4 mics

D

dennnnnnnis

Member
Hi all,
I'm trying to hook up 4 mics to my H4n for an interview using 2 lav mics and 2 wireless mics.
I have no problem hooking up the lav mics as it go directly to the xlr input.
But as I was trying to mix 2 wireless mics(with 3.5mm output) into 1 stereo 3.5mm output using a normal 2 to 1 3.5mm cord, the cord mixes the 2 mics into 1 channel. I've tried with 2 other cords and the results are the same.
then I use 3.5 to rca to convert the wireless mic outputs to two rca and then mix into 1 output using another 3.5 to rca and connect it to H4n. This time, there's two channels display on H4n but the result was very noisy.
It may sound confusing but the idea was to mix two wireless mics into 1 3.5mm output to connect to the H4n.
Mixing with 3.5mm cord will mix two channels into one.
Mixing with rca cord will have noisy results.
So my question is: What's the best way to set-up 4 mics on H4n?
Or is the H4n too bad for the job?
Many thx in advance.
Dennis
 
I don't think the h4n can record more than 2 channels at once.

They are balanced mono inputs, not stereo.

At least the original H4 is like that, and I thought the H4N still was?
 
I don't believe the H4n is capable of recording 4 discrete channels from 4 external mics--the 4-channel mode seems only to apply to the 2 built-in mics and 2 external mics. So if that's what you want, you'll need a different recorder. If you don't need discrete tracks, you'll just need a 4-channel mixer in front of it.
 
It can! :) (And it's all in the manual, which, if you watch the video, it's clear I didn't read either so you'll get no finger pointing from me.)

I had a cable made for me, but you can make one yourself:

 
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Is this really news? This is one of the strongest attributes of the Zoom H4n. The most common use for me has been when there is a band and a Dj at an event I can record both.
 
I was aware of the input but not about the idea of a custom cable allowing for XLR.

Where did you get your cable?
 
Hi Terry,

I had mine made by Sly Goose Cables in Vancouver (while that seems far, the owner is a stellar guy - no affiliation, just a fan.) I can provide the wiring scheme if anyone wants to make their own. They've made a lot of custom cables for my location sound setup and they've all stood up amazingly well to the abuse.
 
Gweilo66 said:
Which 442 outputs are you using? Anyone have a US cable wrangler to suggest?
Click to expand...

Hey there!

If you mean the 552 in the video, I was using the main outs set to mic-level, but when I use the H4n as a backup recorder I'll often use the direct outs, pre-fade, mic-level. I almost always use the Stereo Mix when I get into editing, but it's nice to have 4 isos as backup if required - though that's not an option if I'm mixing 5 sources.

Hope that answers it. ;)
 
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Ooops..
Didn't count the 5 knobs...thought it was a 442. Was the recording we hear in the clip the H4N file or the 552?
But yeah..can see the 442 would be a nice 4 ch. ISO backup to the 552 internal 2trk/mix recording. I currently have a 442 and H4N but haven't exploited the 4 ch. of the H4N
 
You're hearing the H4n and I switched the audio to the 3.5mm TRS in the edit as soon as I jacked in. ;)

We actually did some noise tests and found that the 3.5mm jack had a slightly lower noise floor than the XLR inputs! It doesn't mean the sound is any better, or that the difference is audible, but it was an interesting find: probably due to the fact the 3.5mm inputs require much less gain.

For anyone interested I can dig up the settings that match input gain on the H4n to output levels of the 442/552. I think it's 27 (3.5)/39 (xlr) but I'll have to double check.
 
That's surprising about the mini inputs. I for one would be interested in your findings regarding settings interfacing between the mixers and H4N. Have you done any comparisons of sync between the H4N and 552 recording? Thanks so much for posting this..gives me an added push to pursue this like I had intended.
 
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