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How to record using Zoom H4n?

R

ReeV0

Apr 5, 2013
732
272
#1
Hi all,

I've been playing for many years but never really bothered to do anything with my music. Never learned how to use a DAW etc. All I do is layer up 'ideas' onto my RC-3 loop pedal and then just save the .wav file to my PC, for listening back. The loop pedal is before my amp, so the recording does not pick up the sound colouring that the amp gives it, when it is played out of my cab.

I've just bought a Zoom H4n and I was wondering if it was possible to connected it up to my amp (TC RH750), to take the recording off there, whilst I am still able to hear the sound coming out the cab? I know I can just use the H4n's built-in mics to record, but if I'm also playing alongside it then it will pick up the acoustic noises from my playing, which I wouldn't want.

Does anyone have any experience with the H4n?
 
#3
ReeV0 said:
Hi all,

I've been playing for many years but never really bothered to do anything with my music. Never learned how to use a DAW etc. All I do is layer up 'ideas' onto my RC-3 loop pedal and then just save the .wav file to my PC, for listening back. The loop pedal is before my amp, so the recording does not pick up the sound colouring that the amp gives it, when it is played out of my cab.

I've just bought a Zoom H4n and I was wondering if it was possible to connected it up to my amp (TC RH750), to take the recording off there, whilst I am still able to hear the sound coming out the cab? I know I can just use the H4n's built-in mics to record, but if I'm also playing alongside it then it will pick up the acoustic noises from my playing, which I wouldn't want.

Does anyone have any experience with the H4n?
Click to expand...
Your amp has a balanced line out to go to the board right?
Pretty sure you just use that into one of the balanced line inputs on the Zoom connected to your computer DAW. That sends the audio signal from your amp right into the DAW but also allows you hear sound from the cab.

Instead of taking the recording off the looper, I would make that as part of your signal chain and record both at once.
 
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#4
Aloe said:
yeah, I have the h4n and used it for recording a couple of times.

the way you want is probably to connect your amp's DI out with Zoom's input via XLR to XLR cable.
Click to expand...

Oh ok thanks, does the XLR connect to the bottom of the H4n? Will my amp's DI out take into account the settings on the amp, as if it would be sending it to a cab? I've never used the DI before. Would it still power the cab?

Thanks

SgtHulka said:
Your amp has a balanced line out to go to the board right?
Pretty sure you just use that into one of the balanced line inputs on the Zoom connected to your computer DAW. That sends the audio signal from your amp right into the DAW but also allows you hear sound from the cab.

Instead of taking the recording off the looper, I would make that as part of your signal chain and record both at once.
Click to expand...

Hmm ok so you are saying to connect the amp to the Zoom, and then the Zoom to the PC?
 
#5
ReeV0 said:
Oh ok thanks, does the XLR connect to the bottom of the H4n? Will my amp's DI out take into account the settings on the amp, as if it would be sending it to a cab? I've never used the DI before. Would it still power the cab?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Yes, it will power the cab. if you want it to use your amps settings make sure the switch on the back is set to post EQ.
 
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#6
ReeV0 said:
Oh ok thanks, does the XLR connect to the bottom of the H4n? Will my amp's DI out take into account the settings on the amp, as if it would be sending it to a cab? I've never used the DI before. Would it still power the cab?

Thanks



Hmm ok so you are saying to connect the amp to the Zoom, and then the Zoom to the PC?
Click to expand...
Yes the zoom has an XLR combo input.

It also acts as an audio interface. Would get used to using it, you can do a lot with them and they're not as hard to operate as you might think.

Just as an example if you used the pre EQ switch, you could send the bass signal uncolored and add effects to your Bass track after recording.
 
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#7
By the way, I'm not super familiar with your device but it sounds like you might be able to record right into the zoom if you so wanted to without using your computer.

For me though, going all the way to the computer allows me to monitor the recording easily and set a mix volume of input signals and the DAW, which has effects, cab simulations, drum machines, excetera that you are using an external pedal for.

I guess technically you could connect external powered speakers to the zoom output listen to the recording or headphones, but playing back from the device is a hassle. And also doesn't allow you to record and monitor at the same time, you have to switch back and forth....etc...and also switch back and forth from listening to your bass cab to listening with headphones or the powered speakers... If you want to share or email a file you don't have to take it off to the device manually.... They're probably a bunch more reasons why you should use a DAW.
 
#13
Aloe said:
you'd better not do it. grab an ASIO driver from Zoom's website and connect Zoom with USB.
this way Zoom will work as low-latency audio interface.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll try that. I've also got a HX Stomp that can be used as an audio-interface (but I haven't tried this). And in the past I had a Zoom B3 which I used to play bass into Audacity, but there was so much lag it was basically impossible to keep in time. I would pluck the string, then a second later it would register on the PC...
 
#14
ReeV0 said:
And in the past I had a Zoom B3 which I used to play bass into Audacity, but there was so much lag it was basically impossible to keep in time. I would pluck the string, then a second later it would register on the PC...
Click to expand...

welcome to the world of digital recording. that probably means you didn’t use the ASIO driver or your buffer size was wrong. Google for ‘ASIO buffer size’ for basic knowledge on what’s it and how to set it up.
 
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#15
Zoom H4N works great. I use mine all the time to record. The only issue is the XLR inputs are mic level. Any line level signal (possibly the DI out from your amp) will have to be padded down first to help avoid a distorted track. If you can, trim your DI out way down or use something inline to attenuate.
 
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#16
ReeV0 said:
Oh ok thanks, does the XLR connect to the bottom of the H4n? Will my amp's DI out take into account the settings on the amp, as if it would be sending it to a cab? I've never used the DI before. Would it still power the cab?

Thanks



Hmm ok so you are saying to connect the amp to the Zoom, and then the Zoom to the PC?
Click to expand...

Your DI on that amp has a "pre- post- power amp" switch on the back. That'll let you include preamp settings in both cases and pre and power amp in the second case. You'll find a setting you'll like.

Plug that into one of the XLR ins on the Zoom and you can record direct to the unit and/or connect the Zoom to your computer via USB and record direct to your computer. Follow @Roxbororob's advice re: input levels on the Zoom (line level vs mic level).

As @Aloe says, welcome to the world of digital recording. Managing latency when recording/monitoring is a bit of a learning curve to start...and depends on your computer and interface (Zoom) hardware limitations and some software settings.

But it's all do-able.
 
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#17
I 've been recording on an H4N recently.
I go from the bass to the amp (Fender Rumble) and use the amp's Effects Send out directly into the Zoom (I'm using a standard 1/4" guitar cable).
I hear the amp and adjust the record level on the Zoom.
I then upload the file from the sound card to my PC for "whatever".
 
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