Riding levels on the Zoom H4N

P

Peter Reynolds

Well-known member
I'm wondering if anyone has experience "riding" the audio levels while
recording with the Zoom H4N?

I recently purchased a Canon 7D, and will be shooting in some uncontrolled
situations. How easy is it to raise or lower the levels using the Zoom? I'm use to
a video camera with integrated audio, so I just turn the levels down or up (using the knob) accordingly.


Looking at picture of the Zoom, it doesn't look like there are dedicated knobs
or buttons for level control of the individual channels.

Any advice you might have would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Peter
 
I use the H4N and I can confirm that it does have a dedicated knob for the levels in general, to change level of channels individually you need to go in the menu I suppose. I never had to do that.
 
Thanks Reinio

So, if for example you're recording an interview (or performance) with two people, how do you adjust their levels on-the-fly?

Often when I set levels at the beginning, one person invariably gets louder or quieter and I have to make adjustments. What do you do?
 
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I guess my message didn't make much sense. For what you want, you just use the knob, on the fly. But basically you asked two questions:

1) Is there a knob for changing the record level? Answer: yes

2) How to change recording levels of individual channels? Answer: I don't know, there is ONE knob that controls BOTH channels in stereo mode. In 4 channel mode it will prompt you for the channel though.
 
I find the H4N external XLR inputs not sensitive enough by the way. Maybe the H4N is ok for recording a hardrock concert if you're close to the speakers but when recording an interview you'll get a lot of noise. I am now looking at the Sound Devices 702 or something else.
 
There's no way that I know of to adjust rec levels independently on each channel.
The gain button on the side can be changed during recording, but it is not quiet or smooth and might cause an audible click that the mic could pick up, or a sudden jump/click on your recorded track. The only way to really ride levels is with a mixer.
 
RieniO said:
I find the H4N external XLR inputs not sensitive enough by the way. Maybe the H4N is ok for recording a hardrock concert if you're close to the speakers but when recording an interview you'll get a lot of noise. I am now looking at the Sound Devices 702 or something else.
Click to expand...

Yes, I would also recommend a mixer for the same reasons. I use it with the 302 and it works great.
 
the tascam dr-100 has physical POTS for each track. but the zoom doesn't. you have an up and down button that controls one track at a time. have to press another button to toggle which one you are manipulating.
 
You use a mixer with the H4N and that mixer is the 302? What brand? And does it have built-in pre-amps for the mikes? I was considering adding a pre-amp or mixer to the H4N because apart from low sensitivity I am happy with it.

Tim Joy said:
Yes, I would also recommend a mixer for the same reasons. I use it with the 302 and it works great.
Click to expand...
 
There is apparently a way to record 2 mics with different levels by using the Mixer function, although I haven't tried it myself. Think the following was originally posted by Tim the Fool Man:

"Use the "Mixer" function. Unfortunately, this is only available when you're using 4-channel recording.

1. Press the "Menu" button
2. Use the scroll wheel to go down to the "Mode" submenu
3. Confirm that you're in 4-Channel mode
4. Press the "Menu" button again to back out to the main menu
5. Scroll down to the "Mixer" submenu, just below "Tool"
6. Use the scroll wheel to select one of four mixing options:
1. Built-in Mic Level
2. Built-in Mic Pan Control
3. External Mic Level (the XLR-1/4" inputs)
4. External Mic Pan Control
7. As you scroll around, you'll see a highlight box surrounding the four different options. Once you're over the "External Mic Pan Control," press the scroll wheel in to select it, and then adjust as necessary.

Note: This really isn't a pan control in the sense of a mono input being panned between two outputs. It's simply a way to balance the relative volume of two inputs going to their respective outputs. There's no other "mixing" involved... just level adjustment.

I would go ahead and record 4-channels, even if I'm just grabbing audio from a boom, since you've got the built-in mics there anyway. Get a 16GB SD card, and you'll have almost 6 hours of 4-channel recording available at 48Khz/24-bit."

Hope that helps.
 
RieniO said:
You use a mixer with the H4N and that mixer is the 302? What brand? And does it have built-in pre-amps for the mikes? I was considering adding a pre-amp or mixer to the H4N because apart from low sensitivity I am happy with it.
Click to expand...
The 302 he is referring to is the Sound Devices 302 3-Channel mixer. It has 3 preamps w/ individual levels and a stereo output. There aren't cheap but they sound great, work great and are completely reliable.
 
manglerBMX said:
the tascam dr-100 has physical POTS for each track. but the zoom doesn't. you have an up and down button that controls one track at a time. have to press another button to toggle which one you are manipulating.
Click to expand...


Where are the "pots" you're referring to on the Tascam? I don't see them

1270644037.jpg


http://www.tascam.com/products/dr-100.html
 
I've used those dials on DAT recorders before, and I remember them being smooth.

Although, that was on university equipment, and we all know how that equipment never quite works the way it's supposed to.
 
Do you guys think the Tascam has more sensitive mike inputs than the Zoom? Does the Tascam have pre-amps?
 
If the Zoom H4N is anything like the H4 as far as adjusting levels goes, I wouldn't say it's good for "Riding" faders. On my H4 you have a dial to change the record level, but the dial is really only like a 3 function button. Dial up: Raise volume, Dial down: Lower volume, Press in: Select. You move it to turn up, then the level changes at a constant rate, as if you pushed a volume button on a digital car stereo. So you can't turn the dial fast and the volume turns up as fast as you turn the dial. For riding you need the dial to work like an analog dial.

Best bet is to use a mixer in front of your digital recorder.
 
Chadfish said:
If the Zoom H4N is anything like the H4 as far as adjusting levels goes, I wouldn't say it's good for "Riding" faders. On my H4 you have a dial to change the record level, but the dial is really only like a 3 function button. Dial up: Raise volume, Dial down: Lower volume, Press in: Select. You move it to turn up, then the level changes at a constant rate, as if you pushed a volume button on a digital car stereo. So you can't turn the dial fast and the volume turns up as fast as you turn the dial. For riding you need the dial to work like an analog dial.

Best bet is to use a mixer in front of your digital recorder.
Click to expand...


The only issue with that option is that now I have the Canon 7d, the Zoom and a mixer to deal with while shooting. A little awkward for run-and-gun.

Any all-in-one solutions out there? I never realized how much was packed into my little DVX-100.
 
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