pad for zoom h4n

C

ctb1010

Well-known member
What is everyone using for an attenuator for the H4N? I record audio directly out of soundboards at weddings and the audio always pops in and out and sounds horrible. I've been using this 40db pad from B&H http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ology_ATT_448_ATT_448_In_Line_Attenuator.html and it still doesn't do the trick. Can someone please direct me to a 50 db attenuator that would work with the H4N, or tell me how you are getting good sounding audio from the H4N?

Thanks
 
You are saying that a 40db pad with levels set to around 0.3 or so and you are still clipping?
 
According to Sescom, a company that makes a number of padded cables, the appropriate amount of attenuation for the Zoom is -25 dB, as indicated by this cable they make:

http://www.markertek.com/Cables/Audio-Cables/DSLR-Audio-Cables/Sescom/LN2MIC-ZOOMH4N.xhtml

Perhaps, as kgimedia implied, your settings are off. -50 dB is the recommended attenuation for the MixPre, which outputs a hotter signal I believe. Unless what you're saying is you need to attenuate a signal coming from the soundboard and going into your Zoom.

Regardless, if you're certain you need -50 dB of attenuation, Remote Audio makes one that is sold on B&H:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/287412-REG/Remote_Audio_CAFPTPAD_Stereo_1_8_Mini_Output.html

Sescom also makes a -50 dB cable as I have one, but it seems like they pulled it from the retailer websites so maybe it has been discontinued.
 
Hi guys, thanks for your responses. I am coming from the soundboard of the band or DJ and into the zoom and with 40db pad I am clipping no matter what levels I set the zoom to. Even at the lowest setting the audio just gets quieter and quieter, but it still clips! Nandreetta, can you explain how this cable works http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ni_Output.html? I was in B&H weeks ago asking about a pad and they said that this cable would not help me as I am coming into the Zoom via 1/4 inch cable or RCA.

Thanks again guys!
 
Is the output from the Live Mixer line or mic level?

If its line level from the live mixer are you inputting the feed as a line level on the h4n?

Also if there is a bus on the live mixer you could send the mix to a bus and set the output level on the bus for your H4n
 
The H4n uses the TRS connector at the center of the XLR for line input. Take the signal from the board and use the TRS input and you should be fine. No need for an attenuator.

ctb1010 said:
What is everyone using for an attenuator for the H4N? I record audio directly out of soundboards at weddings and the audio always pops in and out and sounds horrible. I've been using this 40db pad from B&H http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ology_ATT_448_ATT_448_In_Line_Attenuator.html and it still doesn't do the trick. Can someone please direct me to a 50 db attenuator that would work with the H4N, or tell me how you are getting good sounding audio from the H4N?

Thanks
Click to expand...
 
sjcampbell said:
Is the output from the Live Mixer line or mic level?

If its line level from the live mixer are you inputting the feed as a line level on the h4n?

Also if there is a bus on the live mixer you could send the mix to a bus and set the output level on the bus for your H4n
Click to expand...

I think the issue is that the mixer is different every time. Most likely it is Line, but the levels are screaming hot because most DJ's and small time sound men have no idea how to create proper gain structure. For this very reason I use my Zoom in 4-channel mode. I use several setups but at least one channel is not from the vendor suppling the sound. 4 channel CYA is nice.
 
gpforet said:
The H4n uses the TRS connector at the center of the XLR for line input. Take the signal from the board and use the TRS input and you should be fine. No need for an attenuator.
Click to expand...

I'm digging around for my Zoom manual to see what the TRS is that you are referring to. If you are referring to the spot where 1/4 inch cables go, then no, it does not take line level, as I am using the input from the board into the zoom via 1/4 inch and am getting clipping with the 40db attenuator attached.
 
kgimedia said:
I think the issue is that the mixer is different every time. Most likely it is Line, but the levels are screaming hot because most DJ's and small time sound men have no idea how to create proper gain structure. For this very reason I use my Zoom in 4-channel mode. I use several setups but at least one channel is not from the vendor suppling the sound. 4 channel CYA is nice.
Click to expand...

You've hit it right on the head. I shoot 50 weddings a year and the board is different every time. Also, no DJ or band wants the video guy messing with their boards, and they don't want to go out of their way to help me out, so I gotta hand them a cable and be able to take whatever signal they give me.

kgimedia, how do you take a signal from the board? Do you use an attenuator? I read about so many wedding videographers using the Zoom H4N, so it seems like there has to be an easy way to use it to capture audio from the soundboards!
 
You may just want to invest in a DI box or two. The whole purpose of a DI box is to take line level sources and convert them into balanced mic level sources. This would be a better alternative for times where you are plugging into a mixer (and having the extra bulk of the DI boxes wouldn't be an issue). This is how it is done every day in the world of pro audio, and DI boxes are not very expensive if you get a no-frills one.
 
My standard wedding rig is an HVX-200 on sticks with a wide shot of the dance floor, T2i on monopod for roaming, and H4n plugged in to sound board. When it is to hot I usually just tell the sound guy. If he or she is a dick about making to recording of their performance sound good then I tell them I am going to drape a wireless lav over the speaker. That usually get them to help. Sometimes their equipment is so bottom basement the output they are giving me is not adjustable from the main out. In these situations a generally rely on the fact that it is clearly stated in my contract the sound and lighting are not in my control and not my problem if the vendor in control either refuses or can not help.

The H4n has been really nice for those nights were they have a DJ and Band with different boards and different speakers. I just but the band into mic 1&2 and the Dj into the input on the back. I also have a grab back of adapters and such like the Rolls DB14b A/V Presenter any a couple others. You never know what kind osignal or connector the DJ is going to have, especially in Jersey.
 
kgimedia said:
My standard wedding rig is an HVX-200 on sticks with a wide shot of the dance floor, T2i on monopod for roaming, and H4n plugged in to sound board. When it is to hot I usually just tell the sound guy. If he or she is a dick about making to recording of their performance sound good then I tell them I am going to drape a wireless lav over the speaker. That usually get them to help. Sometimes their equipment is so bottom basement the output they are giving me is not adjustable from the main out. In these situations a generally rely on the fact that it is clearly stated in my contract the sound and lighting are not in my control and not my problem if the vendor in control either refuses or can not help.

The H4n has been really nice for those nights were they have a DJ and Band with different boards and different speakers. I just but the band into mic 1&2 and the Dj into the input on the back. I also have a grab back of adapters and such like the Rolls DB14b A/V Presenter any a couple others. You never know what kind osignal or connector the DJ is going to have, especially in Jersey.
Click to expand...


So do you use an attenuator or pad?
 
The Rolls DB14b A/V Presenter can be considered an attenuator. I usually ask the sound man to attenuate for me, if he says no I passive aggressively let them know that it will make them sound bad on the final product. Most of the time no amount of pad will help if it is clipping into the board.
 
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