SUPER DISTORTION/STATIC/NOISE in Zoom H4n Internal Stereo Mics

S

Screenforme

Active member
Has anyone dealt with this? I've been using a Zoom H4n recorder for the past 3 years or so and now suddenly, I am getting a lot of distortion and noise in the on-board mics. I took it apart and didn't notice any disconnects. I then took it to a shop, but they want $80 bucks per hour to fix, ha! I can still use external mics on both inputs, and in the stereo input. Any help is appreciated?
 
How hot an Humid is it there? Could affect mics.
Might consider buying something else.
 
If you want something more than sympathy, post a SAMPLE of the problem audio. Can't guarantee that we can identify the problem from the sample recording, but practically guarantee that we can NOT help you without a sample.
 
Can't really comment on the signal to noise ratio, because that would require some actual signal to compare with.
Sounds like the right channel microphone is bad. I didn't hear any unusual noise on the left channel.(*)

(*)Simply running a recorder with no signal input isn't a particularly good test of how it is working.

The microphone elements are pretty cheap (I would be very surprised if they cost > $5), and they probably aren't all that difficult to replace. But genuine repair parts for low-cost commodity consumer products like that are unlikely to be readily available.
 
Last edited:
Richard, that is the signal input.
That's a stereo recording of a quiet room from the on-board, internal mics...
I'm talking in the background, it just doesn't pick up anything and only records it's own noise.
Before this started happening, it would be nice and quiet but with of course a little noise from the preamp and voices would come through loud and clear.

Are you familiar with the H4N?
 
Nobody had any advice, but something has happened. I knocked the H4N off my desk while recording some VoiceOver.
Several days later, I decided just to check the stereo mics ability once again and they are now working properly.

So if you're having problems with your h4n, just drop and see if that helps.
 
I had this exact problem and can confirm that dropping it fixed the issue. Thanks! I used a bed to drop it on though, so just go easy on it.
 
Screenforme said:
Nobody had any advice, but something has happened. I knocked the H4N off my desk while recording some VoiceOver.
Several days later, I decided just to check the stereo mics ability once again and they are now working properly.

So if you're having problems with your h4n, just drop and see if that helps.
Click to expand...

I just had this same problem with the right channel.

He was right. I just turned it off and banged it a couple of times in the palm of my hand firmly but not to hard and it's working.
 
Now there is an endorsement for quality gear, just drop it...

The fix suggests to me that the problem might be related to poor battery connections. Or possibly some dirt in the gain switch. Battery contacts can get dirty and/or corroded and cause all kinds of weird behavior.
 
These posts are one of the few helpful answers I have gotten from forums out of many, many requests. The first few hits didn't work; then out of frustration, with the Hr4 on and noisy, I banged it at the top.

Voila!

A heartful thanks to all.
 
Hi!

I also found this Tread useful and i want to share my experience with you:
on the Zoom H4n the XLR Inputs are not the only Mic Inputs on the Unit.
Behind the integrated Mics is also one Minijack Input for the external Mic`s.
After i plug in and plug out couple of times some Mic with Minijack the Problem is gone (with the wind)!
This Socket cause the same Problem for two Units that we have, it is definitely worth trying!

Hopefully this Post wil save some Units from breaking! :)

Best Regards!
Radoje
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top