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Is the Zoom H4 good enough for...

Discussion in 'Recording Gear and Equipment [BG]' started by lird12, Apr 23, 2012.

  1. Apr 23, 2012 #1
    lird12

    lird12

    Mar 14, 2012
    I constantly am bombarded with genius ideas to songs, bass riffs etc. and as fast as they come, they go.. I was wondering if this field recorder would be the key to recording at least my singing and my mouth making a beat overlapping it. Is this just using 2 channels of the 4 in the Zoom H4n? Is that what a "channel" means? Do I only need a H2? Or perhaps is there a better technological device you guys could recommend? Also, is it possible to plug in my bass and headphones and record a bass riff then sing over it? etc. etc. Thanks!
     
  2. Apr 23, 2012 #2
    shrigg

    shrigg Joy Decision Bassist/BL, AudioKinesis Beta Tester Supporting Member

    Sep 7, 2007
    Traverse City, MI
    Yes for recording ideas digital recorders work well. I use the tascam dr-100 plopped down in front of my bass amp. If you want to get vocals too then you can adjust the placement so it's close to your mouth. My DR-100 allows 2 different input sources where I can hook a bass up direct and a vocal mic for the two channels. I am not sure if the H4 allows this or not.

    If you are looking to add vocals later in layers then a looping pedal such as the jamman solo or boss rc-3 would be what you need.
     
  3. Apr 23, 2012 #3
    tdub0199

    tdub0199

    Mar 4, 2010
    Atlanta, Ga.
    I use the Zoom H1 for capturing song ideas and it works very well....
     
  4. Apr 23, 2012 #4
    Dbassmon

    Dbassmon Supporting Member

    Oct 2, 2004
    Rutherford, NJ
    H4 is actually a 4 track recorder, you lay down 4 independent tracks from mic, line or built in mic sources. It has compression and some other effects. Quality is outstanding.

    In short, the answer is a resounding yes, good enough, and probably more than you will ever use.
     
  5. Apr 24, 2012 #5
    4Mal

    4Mal Gold Supporting Member

    Jun 2, 2002
    Columbia River Gorge
    +1 to that. The H4 is great. I set mine to limit and mic emulation to U87. Put it on a tripod and point it at someone making music and after you sus the correct distance, you get a really good recording.
     
  6. Apr 24, 2012 #6
    shrigg

    shrigg Joy Decision Bassist/BL, AudioKinesis Beta Tester Supporting Member

    Sep 7, 2007
    Traverse City, MI
  7. Apr 24, 2012 #7
    fishdreams

    fishdreams Supporting Member

    Sep 4, 2010
    Brooklyn, NY
    Endorsing: Martin Keith Guitars
    I just use it for gig and session recordings, like most people do. But yes, you can overdub with the H4.
     
  8. Apr 24, 2012 #8
    lird12

    lird12

    Mar 14, 2012
    Cool! can you overdub with the H2n? like record vocals then play bass over it? can i hook up my bass into the h2n, play a song, then on another track sing over it? I thnk the h4n has too many features i simply wont use
     
  9. Apr 24, 2012 #9
    shrigg

    shrigg Joy Decision Bassist/BL, AudioKinesis Beta Tester Supporting Member

    Sep 7, 2007
    Traverse City, MI
    I think only the H4 does overdubs, I'd recommend it over the lower model Zooms for sure
     
  10. Apr 25, 2012 #10
    lird12

    lird12

    Mar 14, 2012
    61U7dpth4kL._AA1500_.jpg
    51gEWNBO6UL._AA1500_.jpg

    For the H2n, is that where you would put the cable connected to your bass into to record your bass?

    61S0pg2lvEL._AA1500_.jpg

    Also, with the line in on the side of the H2n, could I get a 1/4 to 1/8 adaptor and record my bass through that? then on a separate track sing over it?