Zoom H4N Problems..i keep getting popping/cracking

B

bobafet1

Active member
So I just used the H4N on one film project thus far and its been embarrassing have to tell the DP that I need one more take because my audio crapped out on me. The recorder makes a terrible popping/cracking noise that totally ruins the audio. I've tried switching the XLR's to see if they were giving me the trouble but no such luck. I've plugged in cables on inputs 1 and 2 to see if there were any connection problems but it still happens no matter what. Sometimes I would just shake the unit around in my hand and wiggle the cables to see if that would solve the problem and it sure did but then it came back half way during the shoot or if I moved the unit again. Has anyone else had similar problems or can you suggest what might be the cause. The unit is still under warranty so I'm planning on sending it in..its just too bad I have a shoot coming up soon.

ANy info/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Mike
 
could it be the connection at the mic? i've had that happen where someone didn't plug the xlr into my mic well enough and then stuck it in my blimp. gave off some hectic popping and cracking.
 
I've used different mic's and cables and I'm still getting the same terrible noise. I actually disconnected the xlr and had the headphones on and it still made the noise.
 
I saw an H4n offered on craigslist and the seller said Channel 1 of the XLR inputs had this problem, but that Channel 2 was clean. Perhaps there is a pattern of these going bad or being fragile.
 
Have you tried a different SD card? Somewhere I read someone was getting intermittent noises and it turned out to be the SD card. It's worth a try.

bobafet1 said:
I've used different mic's and cables and I'm still getting the same terrible noise. I actually disconnected the xlr and had the headphones on and it still made the noise.
Click to expand...
 
gpforet said:
Have you tried a different SD card? Somewhere I read someone was getting intermittent noises and it turned out to be the SD card. It's worth a try.
Click to expand...

When I called tech support they said that SD cards are giving people issues and in most cases this is what it could be. I'll try swapping it out and will tell you guys if it made a difference. I hope its something as simple as this.
 
So, its not the SD Card after all...Darn It!!! I was messing around with the unit a bit more and I think I find out what the problem is. I removed any xlr cables from the unit and barely tapped the plastic female connector for Input 1 and the popping/cracking started up again. I tapped the piece again and it goes away. So, it looks like Input 1 may be sensitive for some reason. I don't know if something got loose inside or what but I'm not too impressed with the build quality of this unit because of this issue. A simple little tap shouldn't cause this thing to get all screwy..so, I guess its off to the manufacturer to get fixed/replaced.
 
Are you monitoring while recording? I'm just curious if this is showing up on the headphones or only after recording.

The Zooms seem to be fairly sensitive to bumps and even cell phones ringing in vibrate/silence mode. They are handy and compact, but that comes at a price.

Hope the manufacturer can get it resolved.
 
Are you using any kind of strain-relief when the device is cabled?

The H4n's input jacks are rather flimsy (I have one here next to me) and it was never designed for production work with proper locking, reinforced XLR inputs, so some kind of strain relief would be necessary - even if just to keep the cable from being yanked out!

Let us know how the servicing process goes - hopefully this thread and your video will help a few folks if they're struggling with the same thing.
 
Wow, if this wasn't designed for production work then that is really crappy. I mean, isn't that what most users would try and use this for? Or is it more so just a fancy toy. I know the H4N isn't the same as having a 702 or Fostex but it should be able to hang for one shoot, don't you think?

Yeah, I will let you know how everything turns out.
 
bobafet1 said:
Wow, if this wasn't designed for production work then that is really crappy. I mean, isn't that what most users would try and use this for? Or is it more so just a fancy toy. I know the H4N isn't the same as having a 702 or Fostex but it should be able to hang for one shoot, don't you think?

Yeah, I will let you know how everything turns out.
Click to expand...

I think it was clearly designed as a low-cost musician's recorder that just happened to be capable enough to be used in DSLR productions. I certainly don't need the guitar tuner, "compressor," multitracker or effects.

But I do use mine as often as I use my Sound Devices - so just because it wasn't designed for it doesn't mean it can't work - just that one needs to be much more careful with it than one would with a piece of professional sound production equipment.

Cheap is both its strength and weakness.

And thanks for keeping us posted!
 
So, the unit was used for less then 30 days before it started having problems yet the store where I bought it from only had a 15 day return policy. It turns out Samson Technologies handles all the repairs for these units and they only have 1 person (that's right, just one person) repairing all the faulty Zoom recorders. I was told today that it will be 3-5 weeks before they are done with my unit. OMG, THIS TOTALLY SUCKS!!!!!!! Now I can't record any audio for the next few weeks and will have to delay some jobs or turn them down if I can't get this unit back in time.


Cheap definitely has its price!
 
With a possible 3-5 week delay (if not more), it might be time to open her up and see if you can't repair it yourself.

Otherwise, you might want to send it back for repair, buy a replacement, and then sell one or the other when it's back. It won't cost you too much in the long run and won't prevent you from working.
 
well, the unit was already sent back for repair so I can't really fix it myself at this point. It looks like I'm just going to have to invest in a better unit and either sell the Zoom or use it as backup. What a disappointment. I guess I learned my lesson once again that hype isn't what its all cracked up to be.
 
I think it's a great unit at the price they're selling it for. When people spend $2100 on a two channel Sound Devices recorder for location recording, it's hard to be critical of the H4n. Although, in your case, the criticism is deserved. While it isn't advertised as durable, it should at least work!
 
It's unfortunate that it appears Zoom's quality control has gone down on these recorders. It's build quality issues, not to mention only so-so sound quality with the H4n, that have steered me away from replacing my H4 with an H4N, to going for the awesome Edirol R-44. Oade brothers modified pres for less than 100.00 more than the stock price.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top