Disappointed, disillusioned !

[ryan79]

Thanks Bobbsy. The zoom H4n was a refurbished unit from ebay. I payed less for it than normal. Over 1 year ago if that helps.

 

[dug dog]

I'm a bit late to the party, but I thought the Zoom recording sounded fine, although I'd agree with others who suggested some EQ might be in order. I listened to Darkness and Light and agree that the guitar sounds better but my guess is that the difference is due to mic positioning and/or difference in room reflections. Trial and error will be your friends here. Also, it may be difficult to get a good balance between vocal and guitar if you're doing it all in one take.

 

[pe1mmk]

excelent results with Zoom

Thanks Bobbsy. The zoom H4n was a refurbished unit from ebay. I payed less for it than normal. Over 1 year ago if that helps.

I have a H4n and several other recorders and products of Zoom, and I get excelent results also with external mics. I use MXLs as well. Not the 603 but the 990, 2001, 2003.

Seems there must be some other reason why the recordings are not ok.

regards,
Hans

 

[ryan79]

Thanks all maybe just my laziness ? I have been experimenting for awhile now with mixed results.

I would be interested to know peoples recording levels for the internal mics in zoom h4n. Sometimes i`ll go with 70 and sit about a foot away. Turns out a bit loud ? Then Tried at 45 and had the unit alot closer. No clipping but the recording is very very quiet and needs boosting. Added +12 DB and recording still very quiet. Maybe theres a better way of boosting it ?

I was told recording quiet is the way forward ?

 

[mixsit]

Thanks all maybe just my laziness ? I have been experimenting for awhile now with mixed results.

I would be interested to know peoples recording levels for the internal mics in zoom h4n. Sometimes i`ll go with 70 and sit about a foot away. Turns out a bit loud ? Then Tried at 45 and had the unit alot closer. No clipping but the recording is very very quiet and needs boosting. Added +12 DB and recording still very quiet. Maybe theres a better way of boosting it ?

I was told recording quiet is the way forward ?

Quick answer, set it for best sounding position (your tone), then set the gain so your loudest is safe below 0dbfs (that's peak below..) Skip the 'auto leveling/compressor/limiter stuff in the recorder-- unless you like the effect it gives.. then fine
24bit, even 16bit, you can add plenty of digital gain later to put it at any volume. 99% of the noise (and/or quality) is set' in the first two of those steps.