Zoom H4n + Art Dual Usb Pre-Amp + Rode NTG-1

[mastablastsa]

Hey i got

Zoom H4n + Art Dual Usb Pre-Amp + Rode NTG-1

Question is

What Settings on Zoom H4n Phantom 48v - On to record dialouge and other stuff with minimal noise ratio

Mono Mix . Input 1 - level ? (less or more with pre amp ? input level 50 and more gain pre amp or less gain and more zoom input ? )

Cable XLR-XLR (mic to preamp)
TRS-TRS (from preamp to zoom h4n)


http://www.velvetsystems.com/images/products/large010825.jpg
Question 2.

How many mix on pre amp

PREAMP or COMPUTER ( better to right or more to left ? )

LEVEL - from 0 to 10 ? (which settings ?)

GAIN INPUT 1 - 0 - 48db ? (how many with other settings)

Phantom 48v - On

so

on pre amp everything on max and in zoom change settings to the right scale (-12db or -6db ? )

what i should set the first settings and how much to get best quality minimal noise audio !?

help !

 

[Alex H.]

If you're using an external mixer or pre-amp with your H4n, do NOT use +48v phantom power from the H4n. That sends an electrical voltage to the pre-amp's outputs, which can damage gear at worst and cause signal interference at best.

The only phantom power you should be using is on the ART pre-amp in order to power your NTG-1.

The outputs on the back of the USB Dual Pre are intended only as monitor outputs, since the device is designed to interface by USB for computer-based recording. This makes it a less-than-ideal solution for field use with an H4n. But, since the only outputs available to send to the recorder are the 1/4" monitor outs, that's all you have to work with. The "MIX" control should be all the way to "Preamp" as its intended function is to allow monitoring selection between the pre-amp's direct signal and the return signal via USB. You have no return signal via USB, so rotating the control toward "Computer" will only serve to weaken the monitor output signal. The "LEVEL" control will also impact the output to the H4n, but this may come in handy due to a limitation of the H4n's "line" input capabilities. See below for more on that.

The gain settings on the front of the ART preamp are numbered in increments of added gain, from 0dB to +48dB. Because the metering is so... underwhelming... on the pre-amp (only two LED segments: signal and clip), you'll want to set your gain so that the green "signal" LED is lighting but the red "clip" LED doesn't light... or at least, only flickers occasionally. If the clip light barely flashes once in a while for sudden peaks but you hear no distortion in the headphones, you're probably fine.

From the pre-amp, connecting to the H4n can be a little odd because the pre=amp outputs a balanced line-level signal but the H4n cannot accept that kind of signal. A +4dB (balanced, line-level) signal will overload the inputs on the H4n. The line-level signal needs to be padded (reduced) by about -20dB and converted to an unbalanced (TS) connection. You may be able to get away instead with using an unbalanced 1/4" cable from the pre-amp to the H4n and then using the "LEVEL" control to reduce the output to the H4n. Not ideal, but it is an option.

As far as recording settings on the H4n, perhaps start with your "LEVEL" control on the pre-amp at about 50%, and set your recording input level on the H4n to get dialog levels riding between -20dB and -12dB. Sudden peaks (such as claps, shouts, coughs, etc.) may peak as high as -6dB.

 

[mastablastsa]

thanks Alex.

Can you tell me about the settings with zoom

Input 1/2 Link on or off ? i think when is On its louder but its correct ? (im only use one input)
Mono Mix - its better when off or on ?
Ms/Matrix when monomix - off or on ?

 

[Alex H.]

Input 1/2 Link on or off ? i think when is On its louder but its correct ? (im only use one input)

Turn 1/2 Link off. That function links the record level settings of inputs 1 and 2, meaning that if you turn one up you turn both up.

Mono Mix - its better when off or on ?

Off. There have been some folks complaining about noise in mono mix. If you are using only one input, the other is unterminated and can generate noise that is then added to the mixed mono file.

Ms/Matrix when monomix - off or on ?

Off. MS Matrix is something to use only if you are using a special stereo mic array known as Mid-Side (MS).

 

[mastablastsa]

thanks! its much better ! )

"input level on the H4n to get dialog levels riding between -20dB and -12dB"

when i got dialog maybe -6 do -3db its not better to catch the high volume record or its more noise ?

 

[Rick R]

"when i got dialog maybe -6 do -3db its not better to catch the high volume record or its more noise ?"
Not sure what you mean but, as long as there's no clipping (and minimal limiting) your OK.

 

[mastablastsa]

"as long as there's no clipping (and minimal limiting) your OK. "

yeah thats i wanna to hear

thanks !


6meters cable xlr is ok with quality audio ? or change to the less meters ?

 

[Alex H.]

when i got dialog maybe -6 do -3db its not better to catch the high volume record or its more noise ?

While technically you're fine as long as there's no clipping, running your dialog that high leaves you very little headroom for sudden, loud sounds. There's a reason we have a standard practice, with the levels I mentioned before.

6meters cable xlr is ok with quality audio ? or change to the less meters ?

Balanced signals can run hundreds of feet without a problem. I presume you're asking about the cable from the mic to the preamp.