Portable recording options? Upgrading from Zoom H4n

[smo]

Hi everyone,

OK, so in my current band life, I'm the *recording* guy in both projects. Nothing ambitious currently, just recording jams & ideas, so we can refine/write etc.

I'm looking for some advice.

I use a Zoom H4n with two additional mics, setup to capture the room and vocals as best I can. It's limited, but handy. I can get a decent mix most of the time, but I'd like to do more.
I've had my H4n for well over 10 years, this thing is a ripper bit of gear....but I want more XLR's so I can do more ambitious recording and get better separation.
(I have used a small mixer in the past with multiple mics, then used the stereo outs from the mixer into the 2 inputs of the H4n, but this is very limited when it comes to changing anything post recording.)

I'm seriously considering the new Zoom H8 (maybe H6), given my good experience with Zoom so far.
H6 Audio Recorder
H8
The H8 looks like it's going to lay eggs inside someones face, but the feature set (2x Hi-Z inputs for direct guitar/bass amongst others) looks pretty handy for audio interface & demo recorder alike.

I'm looking to try and keep this idea on the smaller, portable side, as we tend to do a lot of our recording in rehearsal rooms etc. So I'm favouring the H8, instead of a desk like a Tascam Model 12 or Zoom L-12, as it means I could fit 4-6 mics, leads & Zoom in a single case.
I'm sure I could be talked around if the desks are a better way to go.....

Before I drop cash on this idea, does anyone have any great advice on what I need to consider, or what gear I should be looking at?

Cheers

 

[filmtex]

Depending on how man y XLR inputs you need, it looks like either one would be great.
Personally, I'd drop the extra $80 for six inputs, but that's just me. I use a Mackie DL16 to record 16 tracks now, or dump a two-track from my Soundcraft to a thumb drive as a reference recording sometimes. I have used a 2-track Zoom for years as an audio-for-video backup recorder.

 

[DirtDog]

I’m in the same role but have gone a different route- Presonus 16R, connected to a MBP running Capture. Export to Logic Pro X for mixing and bounce to stereo.

I’ve bought enough mics and cables to close mic the drums, guitar amps and enough channels left for vocal mics or additional instruments like acoustic guitar, keys, etc.

On top of that, I connect this all to a 6 channel headphone amp so that each player can have their own monitor mix - and so we can avoid bleed from a vocal PA and can better isolate the guitar/bass amps. Drums are always a problem!

Works really well, but was not inexpensive for the hobbyist level. This was more for capturing high quality takes live off the floor, sync to video (that’s a whole other setup) and produce some reasonable quality videos for YouTube a la Scary Pockets. Less so for just capturing rehearsal takes. I used one of the Zoom handhelds with built in mics for that.

We had one session and then the pandemic hit!

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

I think the H8 is weird with all the cables plugged in. I'm a former H6 user, and have been (happily) using a Zoom F8 since it came out four years ago or so. Extremely happy with the build quality and performance. It's great on remote recordings and in the studio. Cables plug in neatly on the sides and out of the way. No computer to mess with, easy to set up, always works exactly as expected.

May I add: the F8 also acts as a USB interface, so you can use it as a front end to a PC / recording app if you want, or to stream the whole band into JamKazam, or whatever.

 

[smo]

I use a Mackie DL16 to record 16 tracks now...

Ok, this one wasn't on my radar. How do you rate it?

...Presonus 16R, connected to a MBP running Capture. Export to Logic Pro X for mixing and bounce to stereo.
..... I connect this all to a 6 channel headphone amp so that each player can have their own monitor mix - and so we can avoid bleed from a vocal PA and can better isolate the guitar/bass amps. Drums are always a problem!
Works really well .... This was more for capturing high quality takes live off the floor .... Less so for just capturing rehearsal takes. I used one of the Zoom handhelds with built in mics for that.
We had one session and then the pandemic hit!

Sad to hear C19 ruined it for you. We've been very lucky over here. Rehearsal rooms are open again & venues are back to playing live music, but only small amounts of people, so only the larger rooms for now.
RE: Recording stuff;
I think your style of setup is where I may end up, cos it looks like you could tackle anything with it! ...but not looking to go that big at the moment.
I definitely don't want to bring a laptop with me.

I think the H8 is weird with all the cables plugged in.

Yeah it sure is. The fact it still has the Zoom Mic's on one end means I can just use it for a basic night with one mic stand/shelf, without anything else (which I like the idea of)

I'm a former H6 user, and have been (happily) using a Zoom F8 since it came out four years ago or so. Extremely happy with the build quality and performance. It's great on remote recordings and in the studio. Cables plug in neatly on the sides and out of the way. No computer to mess with, easy to set up, always works exactly as expected.
May I add: the F8 also acts as a USB interface, so you can use it as a front end to a PC / recording app if you want, or to stream the whole band into JamKazam, or whatever.
View attachment 3963369

Ok cool. This is one I'm interested in too. Have you noticed any limitations to the F8? Any quirks to it I should be aware of?

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Ok, this one wasn't on my radar. How do you rate it?


Sad to hear C19 ruined it for you. We've been very lucky over here. Rehearsal rooms are open again & venues are back to playing live music, but only small amounts of people, so only the larger rooms for now.
RE: Recording stuff;
I think your style of setup is where I may end up, cos it looks like you could tackle anything with it! ...but not looking to go that big at the moment.
I definitely don't want to bring a laptop with me.


Yeah it sure is. The fact it still has the Zoom Mic's on one end means I can just use it for a basic night with one mic stand/shelf, without anything else (which I like the idea of)

Ok cool. This is one I'm interested in too. Have you noticed any limitations to the F8? Any quirks to it I should be aware of?

none. Highly recommended! The preamps are much better than the H series. It’s a rugged piece of kit. You’ve got to spend a LOT more to move up incrementally better features, which are negligible for your experience and use case.

 

[smo]

none. Highly recommended! The preamps are much better than the H series. It’s a rugged piece of kit. You’ve got to spend a LOT more to move up incrementally better features, which are negligible for your experience and use case.

Ok cool.
The F series does have my interest. This is considerably more exy, but then I've already got my H4n for grab and go lazy rehearsal records.
Over here in Oz, these are over double the price. Gonna research deets from here. Ta

 

[DirtDog]

Sad to hear C19 ruined it for you. We've been very lucky over here. Rehearsal rooms are open again & venues are back to playing live music, but only small amounts of people, so only the larger rooms for now.
RE: Recording stuff;
I think your style of setup is where I may end up, cos it looks like you could tackle anything with it! ...but not looking to go that big at the moment.
I definitely don't want to bring a laptop with me.

Here’s the whole rig....only thing I don’t supply is mic stands and extra headphones....

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Ok cool.
The F series does have my interest. This is considerably more exy, but then I've already got my H4n for grab and go lazy rehearsal records.
Over here in Oz, these are over double the price. Gonna research deets from here. Ta

Look for a used F8. They are “less desirable “ than the newer F8n, but the firmware updates give the F8 about95% of the functionality. You’ll save a lot.

 

[jmlee]

H8
The H8 looks like it's going to lay eggs inside someones face...

 

[Clark W]

Hi everyone,

OK, so in my current band life, I'm the *recording* guy in both projects. Nothing ambitious currently, just recording jams & ideas, so we can refine/write etc.

I'm looking for some advice.

I use a Zoom H4n with two additional mics, setup to capture the room and vocals as best I can. It's limited, but handy. I can get a decent mix most of the time, but I'd like to do more.
I've had my H4n for well over 10 years, this thing is a ripper bit of gear....but I want more XLR's so I can do more ambitious recording and get better separation.
(I have used a small mixer in the past with multiple mics, then used the stereo outs from the mixer into the 2 inputs of the H4n, but this is very limited when it comes to changing anything post recording.)

I'm seriously considering the new Zoom H8 (maybe H6), given my good experience with Zoom so far.
H6 Audio Recorder
H8
The H8 looks like it's going to lay eggs inside someones face, but the feature set (2x Hi-Z inputs for direct guitar/bass amongst others) looks pretty handy for audio interface & demo recorder alike.

I'm looking to try and keep this idea on the smaller, portable side, as we tend to do a lot of our recording in rehearsal rooms etc. So I'm favouring the H8, instead of a desk like a Tascam Model 12 or Zoom L-12, as it means I could fit 4-6 mics, leads & Zoom in a single case.
I'm sure I could be talked around if the desks are a better way to go.....

Before I drop cash on this idea, does anyone have any great advice on what I need to consider, or what gear I should be looking at?

Cheers

I would go with Zoom's LiveTrak L-12 or L-20. Yeah they take up a little space, but not much really.

I own a L-20 and it's awesome, doesn't take up much space, is light, and very versatile. What happens when you need more inputs than the H8 offers? And it will happen, especially if you want to add more tracks. I've used my L-20 in a 3 piece setting and we end up adding lead guitar tracks, backing vocals, bongos on occasion, even an extra bass track and have ended up using 8 of the available channels on the L-20 for recording one song. And that's with an electronic drum set. What happens when one day you have to mic an acoustic drum set? There goes 4 or 5 channels right off the bat before you ever hit the record button. At the very least I would consider the L-12 which is only $200 more than the H8 you're looking at.

 

[Orion1985]

I’m not sure what price range you’re looking at with the other gear you’re considering, but I’ve been using a Behringer X-Air XR18 and it is ridiculously cool. It serves primarily as a mixer but it is also a very capable capture card, with the ability to record 18 channels simultaneously into your DAW of choice. It’s amazingly powerful, portable, and relatively affordable.

 

[smo]

I would go with Zoom's LiveTrak L-12 or L-20 ..... What happens when you need more inputs than the H8 offers?

Yeah I've been considering the same thing. They both look a ripper bit of kit.

I’m not sure what price range you’re looking at with the other gear you’re considering, but I’ve been using a Behringer X-Air XR18 and it is ridiculously cool. It serves primarily as a mixer but it is also a very capable capture card, with the ability to record 18 channels simultaneously into your DAW of choice. It’s amazingly powerful, portable, and relatively affordable.

Interesting. So can it record to onboard storage, without a laptop or other device plugged into it? Do the pre-amps sound any good?

 

[filmtex]

Ok, this one wasn't on my radar. How do you rate it?

It works great. PM me and I'll share a recording I made back in March. I'd be happy to let you take a listen.

 

[Orion1985]

Yeah I've been considering the same thing. They both look a ripper bit of kit.

Interesting. So can it record to onboard storage, without a laptop or other device plugged into it? Do the pre-amps sound any good?

I don't believe that it will record direct to a hard drive. The XR12 and XR16 will, but only a stereo feed from the mix, not every channel independently. The preamps are great, very quiet. I think Mackie makes a comparable mixer to the XR18 that will record to an external hard drive, it might cost a little bit more though. My only experience is with the XR18 and I think it's great.

 

[rudy4444]

Hi everyone,

OK, so in my current band life, I'm the *recording* guy in both projects. Nothing ambitious currently, just recording jams & ideas, so we can refine/write etc.

I'm looking for some advice.

I use a Zoom H4n with two additional mics, setup to capture the room and vocals as best I can. It's limited, but handy. I can get a decent mix most of the time, but I'd like to do more.
I've had my H4n for well over 10 years, this thing is a ripper bit of gear....but I want more XLR's so I can do more ambitious recording and get better separation.
(I have used a small mixer in the past with multiple mics, then used the stereo outs from the mixer into the 2 inputs of the H4n, but this is very limited when it comes to changing anything post recording.)

I'm seriously considering the new Zoom H8 (maybe H6), given my good experience with Zoom so far.
H6 Audio Recorder
H8
The H8 looks like it's going to lay eggs inside someones face, but the feature set (2x Hi-Z inputs for direct guitar/bass amongst others) looks pretty handy for audio interface & demo recorder alike.

I'm looking to try and keep this idea on the smaller, portable side, as we tend to do a lot of our recording in rehearsal rooms etc. So I'm favouring the H8, instead of a desk like a Tascam Model 12 or Zoom L-12, as it means I could fit 4-6 mics, leads & Zoom in a single case.
I'm sure I could be talked around if the desks are a better way to go.....

Before I drop cash on this idea, does anyone have any great advice on what I need to consider, or what gear I should be looking at?

Cheers

I've done 3 full band CD recordings and use a Zoom R24 for audio capture in 24 bit, transferring to my desktop running Reaper to edit, mix, and/or master the finished tracks. I'd be just as willing to use a Tascam, but only the models recording at 24 bit. I opted for the R24 so I could have phantom power for 6 tracks for condenser mics. Running SDCs and LDCs will provide a high quality low noise signal to mix.

 

[smo]

I would go with Zoom's LiveTrak L-12 or L-20.

And I think you're right here.
I still have my H4n, not going anywhere, so I'm thinking of having it for small grab-n-go nights, with something more ambitious for big nights when we wanna record a demo etc.
So the L-12 (or Tascam etc.) could be on the cards.

I've done 3 full band CD recordings and use a Zoom R24 for audio capture in 24 bit.... I opted for the R24 so I could have phantom power for 6 tracks for condenser mics. Running SDCs and LDCs will provide a high quality low noise signal to mix.

Cheers.
I do run a few condensers which I primarily use for drums and general room mics, so phantom power options are important. I don't own any ribbons....

Right now I'm debating which might fit me better.
The Zoom L-12, L-20, Tascan Model-12 & Model-16 all look very good

 

[DirkP]

I own the H6, a MixPre 3 and the Tascam Model12. I would highly recommend the Model12. It looks as if it is just smaller/less channels than the 16 and 24, but it is very different: it is a digital mixer, the 16 and 24 are analog. If you don't need the 4 or 5 headphone outputs of the Zoom livetrak (great feature) I would take the Model 12. Having midi, the ability to record pre-eq and or pre-compressor, but mixing with both, the DAW-control mode etc. are really great.

 

[dlb1001]

I would go with Zoom's LiveTrak L-12 or L-20. Yeah they take up a little space, but not much really.

I own a L-20 and it's awesome, doesn't take up much space, is light, and very versatile. What happens when you need more inputs than the H8 offers? And it will happen, especially if you want to add more tracks. I've used my L-20 in a 3 piece setting and we end up adding lead guitar tracks, backing vocals, bongos on occasion, even an extra bass track and have ended up using 8 of the available channels on the L-20 for recording one song. And that's with an electronic drum set. What happens when one day you have to mic an acoustic drum set? There goes 4 or 5 channels right off the bat before you ever hit the record button. At the very least I would consider the L-12 which is only $200 more than the H8 you're looking at.

I'm looking at a L-20. The band that I play in is doing some small gigs so I think this might be the ticket. The BL just wants to livestream but she just wants to use a cellphone to capture everything and I don't think it is the best way to do it.

 

[smo]

I would highly recommend the Model12. It looks as if it is just smaller/less channels than the 16 and 24, but it is very different: it is a digital mixer, the 16 and 24 are analog. If you don't need the 4 or 5 headphone outputs of the Zoom livetrak (great feature) I would take the Model 12. Having midi, the ability to record pre-eq and or pre-compressor, but mixing with both, the DAW-control mode etc. are really great.

CHeers.
The dedicated Headphone outputs is a great feature of the Zoom - not sure how useful it might be given we may not be standing close to each other - but for headphone/recording or silent/quiet jams it could be cool.

RE: Model 12 - Have you used the DAW control mode? What are your thoughts here?

One feature I've rarely seen in recorders, is a footswitch input to control the RECORD start/stop. Can the Model12 do this?

I would go with Zoom's LiveTrack L-12 or L-20. I own a L-20 and it's awesome

And if anyone has experience with the Zoom Livetrack, have you used the footswitch option? Does it work like I want it to, to set record start/stop?