Help with attenuator for H4n

Grisnjam

Grisnjam

Well-known member
I am trying to build out my audio 'bag of tricks' for recording audio at live events (weddings, concerts ect) and I need some help picking out a good solution for attenuating hot line level audio going into my H4n. Keep in mind that (I think) the XLR inputs on the XLR are mic level and the 1/4'' inch are line level.


Option 1:

I like these selectable attenuators from Shure:

http://www.markertek.com/Audio-Equi...ce-Matching-Transformer/Shure-Inc/A15AS.xhtml

But I am somewhat worried as they are XLR and to record line level on the H4n you need to use the 1/4'' TRS connections while most mixer line outs are RCA (true?). So I would need to use 3 parts to make it work (rca to XLR -> in-line attenuator -> XLR to 1/4''). On the plus side I could use the XLR attenuators on mics later if needed or if the signal coming form the board was already XLR. Question: will this number of adapters and cable degrade my signal enough to be noticeable?

Option 2:

Another (far cheaper) option is an in-line RCA variable attenuator like this:

http://www.arcade-electronics.com/detail.aspx?ID=21749

For $11 I can't image that this is very high quality but hell for $11 I would be willing to try it.

Option 3:

I guess what I really want is an inline 1/4'' attenuator but all I could find is the $75 one from True Systems:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ATT15TRS_ATT15TRS_Individual_Channel_TRS.html

$150 (assuming I get 2 for stereo mixes) is a lot for me.



Any other options you guys use? I guess I could get a -40dB XLR attenuator and just use the XLR inputs on the H4n but it seems like that would be nosier.

Thanks!
 
I was searching for the same solution and I'm still eventually getting a real field mixer but I found a solution in something I already owned. The specs available are very minimal but it works for me.

http://www.rolls.com/product.php?pid=DB14

I use a dual mono 1/4" to RCA for the signal to the H4n. For the inputs I generally use an 1/8" cable with a 1/4" adapter for plugging into the mixing board. If RCA is the only option then I'm still covered. The biggest thing I get with this device is options. Options in a no power, small form factor device.
 
kgimedia said:
I was searching for the same solution and I'm still eventually getting a real field mixer but I found a solution in something I already owned. The specs available are very minimal but it works for me.

http://www.rolls.com/product.php?pid=DB14

I use a dual mono 1/4" to RCA for the signal to the H4n. For the inputs I generally use an 1/8" cable with a 1/4" adapter for plugging into the mixing board. If RCA is the only option then I'm still covered. The biggest thing I get with this device is options. Options in a no power, small form factor device.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that looks pretty interesting for $50. Looks like a real field mixer is going to be $300+.
 
I'd bite the bullet and pick up those selectable attenuators from Shure. Even if you don't end up using them that often, they'll be useful to have in your kit in the future. Think of them as "forever gear." The XLR format isn't going away, and you'll likely need to tamp down other signals besides when you're using your H4n. Yeah, it's always a good idea to avoid stacking adpaters, but in this case you'll be sacrificing a little audio quality in order to save a signal from total distortion.
 
FYI all the attenuators are is a resistor (or pair for balanced lines) in a shielded housing. You could make your own for very little. Since I hear from other threads that the Zoom doesn't have a "line" in but an "instrument" in you may want to make some attenuators just for it to get to a real line level in. Also IF it's an instrument in it probably isn't balanced, so you may want to confirm that before you go shopping/ building.

The XLR attenuators will come in handy over the years so it's not a bad buy.

If your "line" ins are not balanced then I would lean toward making your own. You could just solder a resister inside a metal 1/4" jack. If it's balanced it's a little trickier because the resistors have to be very accurately matched.
 
FYI all the attenuators are is a resistor (or pair for balanced lines) in a shielded housing. You could make your own for very little. Since I hear from other threads that the Zoom doesn't have a "line" in but an "instrument" in you may want to make some attenuators just for it to get to a real line level in. Also IF it's an instrument in it probably isn't balanced, so you may want to confirm that before you go shopping/ building.

The XLR attenuators will come in handy over the years so it's not a bad buy.

If your "line" ins are not balanced then I would lean toward making your own. You could just solder a resister inside a metal 1/4" jack. If it's balanced it's a little trickier because the resistors have to be very accurately matched.
 
The switchable attenuator barrels are very handy to have, even if you only use them a few times a year. They can be a life saver in times of need.
 
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