Zoom H4N Issues...

T

thefinalmovement

New member
So here's the situation folks,

I have a Zoom H4N that is being a bugger when it comes to sucking up the AA batteries. Whenever I run a phantom mic (eg. NTG-3), the power goes within minutes. Having checked out previous posts of people having similar issues, it seems a phantom power provider is the solution such as this http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/178395-REG/Rolls_PB224_PB224_2_Channel.html or this http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/406897-REG/Denecke_PS_2_PS_2_Portable_Dual.html . (Anyone recommend either one over another???)

But the problem continues...like many people who have posted regarding the pre-amp issues with the Zoom H4N, I am seeking a solution. I am after a portable pre-amp that will allow me to boost the signal so I don't have to raise the levels of the Zoom - this only results in a terrible hiss. I need something I can use in the field that will last long enough on battery power and is clean for dialogue recording. I have had this reccomended to me http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...es_MIXPRE_D_MixPre_D_Compact_Field_Mixer.html but was hoping this would be sufficient for $$ reasons http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...evices_MM_1_MM_1_Single_Channel_Portable.html . If I had something like this that does phantom power, would it eliminate the need for a phantom power provider as I mentioned in the above paragraph? or would I need both devices to:

a) Phantom Power provider - power mics to save zoom's battery power
b) Preamp device - boost levels to save the need to lift the Zoom's levels

Hope this is clear? Essentially I just need to know if any of the attached pre-amp devices will help my power issues with the Zoom H4N, or will I need both devices to fix both problems???

Thanks
 
Most pre-amps offer phantom power, and the MM-1 is a great little device. Even better, a Sound Devices MixPre (I saw a used one posted in the DVXUser Marketplace recently) or a new MixPre-D.

The advantage of the MixPre-D is that the XLR outputs can be set to mic-level. The H4n cannot actually take line-level input like the original H4 could. With the MixPre, XLR outs are line-level only and would require some inline signal padding to connect to the H4n.
 
RE: Zoom H4N Issues...

Thanks Alex.

So because the MM-1 is phantom powered, would it act as a powering device to eliminate the need for a phantom power supply? Are you saying the MM-1 would be able to connect to the Zoom H4N and be am appropriate solution?

Thanks for you help!
Kyle
 
thefinalmovement said:
Thanks Alex.

So because the MM-1 is phantom powered, would it act as a powering device to eliminate the need for a phantom power supply? Are you saying the MM-1 would be able to connect to the Zoom H4N and be am appropriate solution?

Thanks for you help!
Kyle
Click to expand...
Yep. Other solutions: a mixer as a front end (that has phantom power), or self powered mics. The H4n needs it's power to deal with it's own circuitry (2 AA batteries), and putting a phantom requirement on it really taxes the batteries, as you have seen. Been playing with the idea of an external battery pack for the H4n..........
 
Thanks Doc,

Have you had any luck finding any external battery packs for the Zoom H4N? So, you're suggesting that something like the MM-1 would help with the battery life of the Zoom H4N whilst acting as a pre-amp?

Cheers,
Kyle
 
Absolutely. Anything that will handle the phantom power for you will save the batteries in the H4n. I usually get 4-6 hours recording with my H4, not using phantom. Same with my mixer, powering the mic.

As to the battery pack, no, I am thinking of making one.........
 
I recently noticed that the XLR inputs on H4n is quite noisy, I mean the background noise when there is no signal coming in, set the level to its default (65), and switch back and forth between 3.5mm mic input and XLR input, the hiss sound in XLR inputs is really loud... even when level is lowered, the hiss sound is still audible compared to 3.5mm mic input.

will tascam DR100 do better than H4n?
 
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