As others have observed: you've got it wrong entirely! INPUT [1] and INPUT [2] are suited for XLR __AND__ TRS/Jack connectors(!). The manual states (CH 6-1, p. 029, CH 6-4. p.032): For a guitar or a bass, you can directly plug into either INPUT [1] or INPUT [2]. For a keyboard with stereo output, you can plug into both the INPUT [1] and the INPUT [2]. The manual also contains diagrams with Jacks and INPUT [1] and INPUT [2] . What your video only demonstrates is that you should not use XLR connectors for line in recording. Thanks for that... So forget about the attenuators, you don't need them for line in recording (unless you insist on using XLR in stead of Jack connectors). Your bad advice almost made me abandon the brilliant H4n and buy the Roland R-05 which has a more conspicuous line in.
Both inputs are mic, level, xlr & TRS. The keyboard could be line level out it does not state what it is, but in tests an att is needed XLR (balanced input) / standard phone (unbalanced input) combo jack Input impedance (using balanced input) 1 kΩ balanced, pin 2 hot (using unbalanced input) 480 kΩ unbalanced Input level (using balanced input) −10 dBm _ −42 dBm (using unbalanced input) +2 dBm _ −32 dBm (not line level)
Thank you! For everyone curious, the attenuator model number he is using is a Shure A15LA and it's a 50dB attenuation. There are other models available that offer switchable levels. If you are recording events, it's great to have a bag full of different adapters and different cables. You never know what you will have access to.
You don't have to use atenuators. Only you have to use 6.36mm jack plug mono in to the zoom recordcer. The Zoom use xlr for mic in signal and 6.36mm jack plug mono for line in signal.
+Laurentiu Stefan Hi. I have a Zoom H4n and want to record a person using a mic in a show. Do you know how I would get a clear recording of just the mic through the pa system? Sorry I'm a noob.
Old video - but I was looking for advice regarding the additional mic input around the back... anyway, with regards to these inputs on the bottom, you have it completely wrong and should just use the jack inputs. Yes those plugs at the bottom are combi plugs. Use XLR for mic, and jack / trs for the line input. Duh :)
Ok wait, so from what I've read online and from the zoom page itself, I've seen both people saying you have to use the method above or that you can just plug in line out signals straight into the zoom. Does anyone own a zoom and tried inputting a balanced signal (like one from the line out of a preamp), plugging it into the zoom, and getting sound with no distortion? I want to know b/c I have a zoom and would like to get a focusrite 2i2 preamp along with two external mics and plug the line outs from the focusrite straight into the zoom as I don't have a laptop to plug the usb out from the focusrite into. I would use the zoom as the audio/digital converter only, not as a preamp and audio/digital converter.
Yes, He is incorrect. The 1/4in input's are Line level input's. If your getting line level from a Sound Guy(Me) use adaptor's to get to a Balanced 1/4... That's ALL. But thank's for the effort..
To all the critics of this video, the quarter inch jacks on the H4n are instrument/mic level, not line level. They would also need attenuation from a mixer's pro-level line out. The manual shows instruments and mics being plugged in, not line level outs from a mixer. TASCAM DR-40 and many other devices now have line level ins. H4n shows its heritage as a device designed for musicians to field record AND "sketch" mix ideas by layering tracks direct into the device in the MTR mode. MTR mode has instrument level compressor, other instrument effects, and DSP of guitar pre-amps. H4n was designed before the DSLR movie making boom adopted it. Early sales were mostly through music stores to guitarists.
For anyone reading this in 2022, I can vouch for OPs post. My signal path is guitar amp headphone output on lowest volume -> h4n trs input with lowest input setting. And it still sounds distorted like the video suggests. If I plug headphones directly in to the amp it sounds clean.
What if instead of using attenuators you do set the limit/compensation feature on the input for each of those plugged mics? Would you be able to accomplish a clean signal to record as well?
I am actually trying to figure out if I need an attenuator cable for my H2 when using as a mounted external mic for a DSLR. There is virtually no info online. I saw your comment and thought I would ask. Do you have experience with the h2 in that capacity?
As others have observed: you've got it wrong entirely! INPUT [1] and INPUT [2] are suited for XLR __AND__ TRS/Jack connectors(!). The manual states (CH 6-1, p. 029, CH 6-4. p.032): For a guitar or a bass, you can directly plug into either INPUT [1] or INPUT [2]. For a keyboard with stereo output, you can plug into both the INPUT [1] and the INPUT [2]. The manual also contains diagrams with Jacks and INPUT [1] and INPUT [2] . What your video only demonstrates is that you should not use XLR connectors for line in recording. Thanks for that... So forget about the attenuators, you don't need them for line in recording (unless you insist on using XLR in stead of Jack connectors). Your bad advice almost made me abandon the brilliant H4n and buy the Roland R-05 which has a more conspicuous line in.
In a professional environment, xlr is extremely common. This is a reasonable video.
Both inputs are mic, level, xlr & TRS. The keyboard could be line level out it does not state what it is, but in tests an att is needed
XLR (balanced input) / standard phone
(unbalanced input) combo jack
Input impedance
(using balanced input) 1 kΩ balanced, pin 2 hot
(using unbalanced input) 480 kΩ unbalanced
Input level
(using balanced input) −10 dBm _ −42 dBm
(using unbalanced input) +2 dBm _ −32 dBm (not line level)
Just don't use the XLR connectors. Use TRS connectors for the Line level inputs. You don't need the Attenuators.
Thank you! For everyone curious, the attenuator model number he is using is a Shure A15LA and it's a 50dB attenuation. There are other models available that offer switchable levels. If you are recording events, it's great to have a bag full of different adapters and different cables. You never know what you will have access to.
You don't have to use atenuators. Only you have to use 6.36mm jack plug mono in to the zoom recordcer.
The Zoom use xlr for mic in signal and 6.36mm jack plug mono for line in signal.
+Laurentiu Stefan
Hi. I have a Zoom H4n and want to record a person using a mic in a show. Do you know how I would get a clear recording of just the mic through the pa system?
Sorry I'm a noob.
Old video - but I was looking for advice regarding the additional mic input around the back... anyway, with regards to these inputs on the bottom, you have it completely wrong and should just use the jack inputs. Yes those plugs at the bottom are combi plugs. Use XLR for mic, and jack / trs for the line input. Duh :)
Use the jacks, they are line level inputs!
i think 1/4 inch cables can go into the zoom as line
Does it work?
Yes!
1:32 the flickering red input lights indicate the signal is clipping that is why it sounds terrible
Ok wait, so from what I've read online and from the zoom page itself, I've seen both people saying you have to use the method above or that you can just plug in line out signals straight into the zoom. Does anyone own a zoom and tried inputting a balanced signal (like one from the line out of a preamp), plugging it into the zoom, and getting sound with no distortion? I want to know b/c I have a zoom and would like to get a focusrite 2i2 preamp along with two external mics and plug the line outs from the focusrite straight into the zoom as I don't have a laptop to plug the usb out from the focusrite into. I would use the zoom as the audio/digital converter only, not as a preamp and audio/digital converter.
Yes, He is incorrect. The 1/4in input's are Line level input's. If your getting line level from a Sound Guy(Me) use adaptor's to get to a Balanced 1/4... That's ALL. But thank's for the effort..
So I assume this is where they have improved with the zoom h4N pro?
To all the critics of this video, the quarter inch jacks on the H4n are instrument/mic level, not line level. They would also need attenuation from a mixer's pro-level line out. The manual shows instruments and mics being plugged in, not line level outs from a mixer. TASCAM DR-40 and many other devices now have line level ins. H4n shows its heritage as a device designed for musicians to field record AND "sketch" mix ideas by layering tracks direct into the device in the MTR mode. MTR mode has instrument level compressor, other instrument effects, and DSP of guitar pre-amps. H4n was designed before the DSLR movie making boom adopted it. Early sales were mostly through music stores to guitarists.
For any one reading this in 2017, it's bull crap. I just tried it on my zoom H4, jack inputs are 100% line level.
For anyone reading this in 2022, I can vouch for OPs post. My signal path is guitar amp headphone output on lowest volume -> h4n trs input with lowest input setting. And it still sounds distorted like the video suggests. If I plug headphones directly in to the amp it sounds clean.
works fine for me straight out of my mixer...
What if instead of using attenuators you do set the limit/compensation feature on the input for each of those plugged mics? Would you be able to accomplish a clean signal to record as well?
Do you have some more details on the Shure device? Type, model, serailnumber? Tnx
I am actually trying to figure out if I need an attenuator cable for my H2 when using as a mounted external mic for a DSLR. There is virtually no info online. I saw your comment and thought I would ask. Do you have experience with the h2 in that capacity?
what level is your attenuator. I see you can get them like 10 20 30 40 DB??
link to this device please ? :D
a milion time thank you