Which Podcast Recorder is Better? Zoom H5 vs Zoom PodTrak P4 - My New Recommendation
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- čas přidán 2. 07. 2024
- For the longest time, the Zoom H5 has been my top recommendation to start podcasting on a budget. It has two XLR ports built in and can even be extended to feature up to 4 ports but that recommendation may change, now that the Zoom PodTrak P4 is on the market. But don't throw away your H5 yet it still has some advantages over the P4.
🔗 Relevant Links:
Zoom PodTrak P4 Audio Recorder Video Playlist: • Zoom PodTrak P4
Zoom PodTrak P4 - Review: • Podcast Recorders just...
Zoom PodTrak P4 - How the Sound Pads Work: • Take Your Podcast to t...
Zoom PodTrak P4 - Setup for Podcasting: • Unlock Professional Po...
Zoom PodTrak P4 - Phone Call Integration: • Mastering Podcast Inte...
The Zoom PodTrak P4 was provided by Sound Services GmbH as a rental. Thank you for this opportunity. You can find their website at: sound-service.eu
⚡️ Product Links:
The links below are Amazon or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
Zoom PodTrak P4: crsp.li/zoomp4
Zoom F6 Professional Field Recorder/Mixer with 32-Bit Float Recording: crsp.li/zoomf6
Røde RODECaster Pro: crsp.li/rodecasterpro
Zoom H5 - Handy Recorder: crsp.li/zoomh5
Zoom H5 - Add-on XLR Capsule for up to 4 XLR Ports: crsp.li/zoomxlrcapsule
XLR Cables: crsp.li/xlrcable3m
Mic Desk Stand (the one standing on the desk): crsp.li/micstand
Microphone Desk Arm: crsp.li/micarm
Shure BETA 58a Microphone: crsp.li/shurebeta58a
Shure BETA 57a Microphone: crsp.li/shurebeta57a
🎧 Chapters / Show Notes:
00:00 Intro
00:46 Disclaimer
01:38 Visual and Usecase Differences
02:01 Built-In Microphone Capsule on Zoom H5
04:18 H5 XLR Inputs with Line In Capabilities
04:33 P4 XLR Inputs
05:00 P4 Individual Gain Knobs and Phantom Power
05:38 P4 Phone and USB Audio Input
06:11 Input Ports Conclusion
06:27 P4 Sound Pads for Sound Effects
07:13 About Headphone Ports
08:51 USB-C is the Future
10:19 Audio Interface & SD Card Reader Modes
11:43 What about Battery Power?
13:03 SD Cards - P4 Wins
14:05 Diving into the Menu
14:55 Mic Settings & Audio Processing
16:10 Which Limiter works better?
16:52 Recording Formats - Is 44.1kHz and 16bit enough?
18:34 Couple more settings on H5
18:57 PodTrak always records everything?
20:24 Sound Comparison
22:26 Travel Case for the H5
23:13 Price Difference and Conclusion
25:52 Outro
26:13 Questions? Leave a comment
26:46 Like & Subscribe
#ZoomPodTrakP4 #ZoomAudioRecorder #PodcastRecorder #Podcasting #PodcastGear #ZoomH4HandyRecorder
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I needed a video just like this!
I appreciate this feedback. It's so good to hear my videos are helpful 🌸.
this was awesome! thank you. this was very helpful
Great vid! I was considering getting one of these and you’ve really helped me decide the Podtrak is the one for me!
Thanks for your feedback. That’s really great.
Looking forward to it!
I appreciate that 🌸. Thank you for the enthusiasm.
Great video!
Thank you, I appreciate that.
Thank you
Always trying my best. Thanks for leaving your comments. I appreciate that 🌸.
Great review! Well done! Looking to upgrade from my zoom H5 to P4
Are you planning to host more people? Or do you want the features of the Sound Board? What's inspiring you to switch from H5 to P4?
@@ChrisSpiegl I am planning to interview multiple people but the soundboard is what really excites me. Not to mention, from your review, I thought the sound control on there P4 is much better than the h5
@@Ozeal you’re right, it’s cleaner and more modern. That’s what I noticed. I since sold my H5 and now I am exclusively using the F6 which is significantly more expensive but gives the freedom of using 32bit float. 👍
Anyone that has used zoom analog 4 tracks as a musician will recognize the reason for the features on the h5, different purposes, which was smart of zoom to create the devices with different specialties so they aren't competing with each other but could, correct me if I'm wrong, be used in tandem with each other
Absolutely, there are very good reasons for both. The video focuses on the use for Podcasting, in that case the P4 is obviously a winner. And if I'd own the P4, I would probably just use that for music as well instead of getting the H5. If I'd want to buy both, then I'd go the extra mile and invest into the Zoom F6 instead of any of these two.
Thanks for the review. I am considering buying zoom u22 for solo vocal recording. Would you have any experience with u22 to suggest if it is a good option.
Great, informative video, thanks.
Can I use the PodTrak as just a normal field recorder? I want to use it when I’m filming interviews on location.
Yes, absolutely. The PodTrak P4 is just a audio recorder after all. The only issue you may possibly run into is that most video cameras do 48khz audio channels and the P4 does only 44.1khz - maybe if we are lucky Zoom can fix this with a Firmware upgrade but I would not hold my breath.
The possible issues you may run into because of this is only really a thing on really long recordings where you may lose sync after an hour or two.
Solution would be to transcode the audio to 48khz with any decent audio editing program and that should work then.
Hello sir, I want to ask. Actually, I've had a zoom h6 for a long time for podcasts, but I'm still interested in the f6, according to you, do you think I should to upgrade to f6 or not, sir? Thank you, sir
sir can we connect our external woofer to it so that voice comes from speaker what we speak on mic???
well if you start out, not knowing what you do (lol) which one is the best option?
Is the podtrak 4 good for sound for videotaping?
Great review. Do you need a Cloudlifter to run a Shure SM7b? Thank you
I could not test this as I do not own the SM7B.
hey, i connected my mv7 to zoom podtrack4 but its not working. the mic { mv7} is stil off. Would you guide me to connect mv7 to zoom pod4 please ?
question. when you record a section of content and show the recording differences between the two devices, you use two microphones. can you explain why you're using two different types of mic and not two of the same brand/model?
Both of these microphones are connected to the Zoom P4 / H5 and I show the comparison so that you can hear the ATR2100 and the Beta57a as a comparison and how they sound on both recorders.
I am just very unsatisfied with the lineup right now. The H-line just got too convoluted with the cable management nightmare H8, which isn't really handy anymore. When moving towards the more inexpensive and compact devices, the overall design gets outdated way faster than the price drops. Around the 200€ mark I could get the H4 without any comfortable way of powering it, because it is just way to old, or I could go for the PodTrack, which is the wrong tool for the job, but still does some key elements so much better.
I would hope for a H4-style device just with up-to-date specs, like USB-c. I could live without the capsules, especially the exchangable ones, but I don't want the really outdated specs from the older H-series. An improved PodTrack version with more quality options would be nice, but this isn't quite the device needed.
I totally agree. The H6 and H4 could easily be updated to a more current version without having to add more ports every time. Cleaner A/D converters, maybe even 32bit float, and USB-C would be three wishes I'd have on my list.
@@ChrisSpiegl I Would totally buy that Device..
And it's not that Zoom doesn't know that people still want the H4. With all the devices they sell even today, there must still be a production running, building devices with usb-ports, that where outdated 10 Years ago. I hope that someday they run out of mini-usb ports because nobody produces those components anymore;)
@@m-tech1816 That is true. Let's keep our 🤞 fingers crossed.
Thanks so much for this. I’m wanting to start a video podcast but am confused as to whether the 44.1khz audio of the podtrack p4 will cause syncing issues. Can you shed any light on this?
You're probably going to be fine. The only instance where this may become a slight issue is on really long recordings (think 1+ hour). In those it can (does not have to) lead to sync issues/drift toward the end.
@@ChrisSpiegl Thanks so much for the reply. This gives me peace of mind. I'm not ready to invest in a Rodecaster Pro and the P4 seems like the perfect middle ground. The 44.1khz was was only reservation, but it sounds like I'll be fine.
the part where you mentioned about the bitrate of p4 you wish it to be higher, i dont get that part does it mean you can apply setting more on the audio after if the bitrate is higher?
The reason why it would be better to go higher:
I’d prefer it if it was 24 or 32float in the Bitrate.
Main reason would be that there you actually have more information to do more edits with less negative effect on the audio signal. Especially with 32bit float.
I would want the sample rate to be 48 instead of 44.1
The main reason is that most cameras nowadays record with 48 and that means syncing would be more reliable. In terms of audio quality the difference is negligible.
Hello. I hope you answer this. I look for your video. Because I’m doing a film soon. I have the zoom H4. Not the H4n. I am selling my H4 to a friend to upgrade. I have looked at DR40 currently $100-150. But I’m used to zoom. I thought about the H5 since I can afford that for $250 vs the P4. I like the usbc aspect. For an Indy guy like myself. Would the p4 work without any issues on a film set.???
Hello Johnny, the one problem the P4 has which may give you some issues is the fact that it only records up to 44.1khz and not 48khz (which would be how most cameras record sound).
The issue that can arise here is that the files may drift out of sync on really long takes. Other than that you probably will be fine.
However, if your main purpose is to use it on film sets, I would consider going for the H5 or even the H6 (used that could be a really powerful and good option).
These recorders have 48khz and even more and would give you the option of the built in mic as an additional source as well.
If I had to choose, I'd go with the H6 even though it still hast the mini usb plug 🙈.
Nice infomercial for the Podtrack P4. Dude, we get it but you could've made it less obvious. Good video though
Maybe next time.
Liebe Grüße aus Berlin 😄👍🏻
Lieben Gruß zurück 🌸 😊.
Hi, I discover that one of the headphone port can be used like a line out port with a dedicated volume control...obviously you loose one of the headphone.
I saw it in another video on CZcams.
Regards
That is very much possible. And if you are using a phone or computer audio integration you probably have one of those ports to spare anyways 👍.
i have zoom h5 can me charge
Battery with usb cable ?
and if not . when me used zoom h5 with cable better for me leave battery
Hi, the Zoom H5 does NOT charge the batteries that are inside.
I prefer to keep the batteries in, because it sometimes is like a "backup" that when the cable should disconnect, you may get lucky and the device keeps running by switching to the batteries.
Hello Sir, If I want to video recording with podtrack p4 connect Rode VXLR+ and rode lavalier go 3.5 mm microphone. Is it possible? Please answer..
That would be possible. The P4 provides Phantom Power and the Røde VXLR+ converts it to Plug In Power for the Lavalier. However, the better question is: why would you want to use that setup? Why not connect the Lav directly to the camera?
On that note, I do have a video about the VXLR+ on the channel as well: czcams.com/video/sZY6OIFVIz0/video.html
Hello @@ChrisSpiegl, great video ! If Elias record the audio of a VIDEO with the Podtrak P4, it will be stuck with 44.100kHz.
Is it a problem to sync audio and video afterwards, as video usually require 48kHz (which could cause some offset between audio and video after some minutes)?
Did you try? Did it work properly without offset/delay? Thanks a lot!
@@cm4340 I have - since making the videos about the P4 also learned about this aspect. Honestly, for the most part, I abliefe that today’s programs are going to be able to handle this type of mismatch (just like frame rate mismatch are not really a problem for premiere pro ang more).
However, the safest process would probably be to convert the file to 48.000 before syncing it with video.
I will write this down as a test I might do in the future to see if this 44.1 and 48 mismatch between an audio recorder and a video recorder would be a problem. But not sure when I’ll get to testing that.
Apples and oranges got it, but zoom has a newer h6..is there any difference there or mostly the same?
In some way, you are right. But the reason I compared these two is that 1) I recommended the H5 for podcasting in the past and 2) I know many people who use or recommend the H5 for podcasting. That's why I think this video is valuable as it gives the options.
The H6 is an interesting device and the H8 obviously is as well. They both have higher resolution when it comes to sound recording and if you only want to Podcast, It may still be best to go with the P4. But if you intend to do more musical style recording, the H-Series are better (or go for the F-Series with the F6).
can H5 get power from mini - usb port
As far as I remember, yes.
Hye is it possible to connect p4 with obs or vmix
Yes, you can connect the P4 to your computer via USB and then use it as a mic in OBS / VMIX.
Reverb option available in p4 ?
The P4 has no effects like reverb, as far as I remember.
@@ChrisSpiegl Thanks Sir.
48 khz in 24 bit / the key of Zoom H5 win
Don't be deceived all one in the same device
What makes you say that?
Stop flipping lieing to the the peoples there's no difference
I disagree, there are huge differences.