Zoom H4n and Giant Squid Lav Question

beanthere

Member
I know that the giant squid mic is compatible with the 1/8th 3.5mm jack that is on the h4n... At least that is what the website says. My question is it possible to hook Two giant squid mics to the H4n? Perhaps through 1/8th to XLR adapters? Or is this going to fry the mic or recorder?
 
Yes, it is technically possible. You would need a "Y-adapter" wired a certain way to plug in two GS mics into a single 3.5mm stereo input jack.
Curiously, I don't see this kind of adpater on their website. Since we don't know exactly how GS mics are wired, it seems likikely that you can use just any old 3.5mm Y-adapter.
You would want to connect your GS mics to the 3.5mm stereo mic input on the bottom of the H4n. NOT to the big XLR mic connectors as their power ("phantom" 48V) will make toast of your mics.
 
The Giant Squids are compatible with the 3.5mm socket on the H4n. I have 4 x GS's :- ) You do need to enable plugin power in the H4n's menu.

You can hook up as many as 3 lavs to the H4n. One would go into the 3.5mm socket and the other two into each of the XLR sockets.

You do need to enable phantom power for the XLR and also choose the 4 channel recording mode to access the XLR channels.

And you need the appropriate XLR to 3.5mm adapter for each XLR socket. They cost an arm and a leg in the UK, I think you can get them cheaper. I have the Sennheiser version from Canford (reference 20-769) and that works with both the Sennheiser ME2 and the GS lavs that I have:

http://www.canford.co.uk/Products/20-769_CANFORD-ELECTRET-MICROPHONE-ADAPTER-3.5mm-jack

All that makes the H4n quite bulky and the phantom power uses the batteries up quicker. It may be more practical to have a couple of separate Zoom H1's instead of trying to make one H4n work for you. The H1's also work welll with the Gs lavs, I have 4 x H1's :- )

Pete
 
If you read the other thread, you will see that he has also a pair of AudioTechnica mics with the XLR adapters, but he doesn't want to use those bulky adapters for portable applciations.
A properly wired Y-cable will allow two of the GS or AT microphones to plug into the 3.5mm stereo mic input on the recorder.
The issue is knowing exactly how the GS or AT connectors are wired so that a proper Y-cable can be made.
 
Ive decided what I am going to do, is use the AT803's for interviews. Buy a seperate 3.5mm lav for street interviews... I was looking at the Giant Squid due to its rave reviews and price, but in another thread someone said its kind of big and i need it to go under my shirt. So looking for alternatives. Thanks for all the help gentleman :)
 
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