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I'm having a hard time getting the right settings on my new Zoom H4N for recording with 2 XLR inputs – a shotgun mic and wireless lavalier system for a film shoot.
I can't figure out how to turn off the onboard mics — I just want those two inputs, and to be able to monitor both. It seems like it should be straightforward, but it's proving confusing. Should it be in 4-Channel, Stereo, (or MTR mode), and how do I set each of the inputs?
Hi Willa,
I would put it in stereo mode and select input 1 or 2 (this will de-select the external mics). In the "Input" menu, make sure stereo link is OFF. This will allow you to adjust the recording level for Input 1 and 2 independently (simply press 1 or 2 on the h4n and then adjust the input level for that channel). Plug in your microphones into the xlr jacks and press the record button. This will record arm the H4N, and allow you to monitor the two mics. Since it is in STEREO mode, it will create one stereo track with input 1 on the left and input2 on the right.
I hope this helps some. Good luck!
I've been looking for this since first using my Zoom in 2010! Most important thing is as above - you need the new software. It's here http://www.zoom.co.jp/downloads/h4n/software/?lang=en and it's as easy to install as they say.
Thanks
You need to turn phantom alim on (+48v) on the H4 (input folder) so that external mics turn on. Otherwise you can't record from them
Go to effects, then turn on the Clean effect, it turns on the right channel for some reason, so L and R are on. It will effect the sound until you switch off both the secondary settings and it will remain in stereo, but without any effect. I found no other way.
I wanted to route audio from the computer to the H4 through one channel in stereo. It wasn't in the manual.
H4n Pro is smart so the adjustments you need happen automatically, by default.
Operation Manual, Page 045, under 4CH Mode, on the right side of the page about ½ ways down it reads: “Connecting an external microphone sets input automatically.” The graphic is clear.
Only the On-board Mic(s) OR the Ext. Mic (backside) can be used at one time when recording, but not both simultaneously. You need to choose one, either On-board Mic(s) or Ext. Mic.
You can use the XLR 1 & XLR 2 simultaneously with your Mic selection.
When the Ext. Mic port is plugged in to something, the H4n Pro will ignore the On-board Mic(s). The Mic(s) is temporarily disabled or turned off, automatically, because the unit recognizes the Ext. Mic is “plugged in.”
To Monitor and Adjust Record Levels of the Ext. Mic, just press the MIC button, underneath the INPUT button on the front of the Unit.
To Monitor and Adjust Record Levels of XLR 1 & XLR 2, just press the 1 or 2 button on the front. If 1 & 2 are “Linked”, just press 1.
No in fact there is not a way to run the unit in Stereo mode and use external mics nor can you switch off the onboard mics when trying to record two channels with external mics/line inputs in 4 Channel Mode and so far, MTR mode does not work at all. If you deselect the Mic in Stereo mode then it just creates a single stereo room recording that doesn't allow you to mic instruments individually and there are not, therefore, track separation possibilities. What the asker wants to do is the same as what I want to do: use the Zoom as a rec. studio for 2 track recording with one instrument /voice per channel without using the room mics at the same time. The only way I could even register a signal from a plugged in mic was to choose 4 Channel mode - but then the built-in Mics were also on and there was no way to deselect that option, pressing the button does nothing. I really don't get it and if my unit is not malfunctioning then I can only agree that the design is unnecessarily complicated and non-intuitive.
