Zoom H2n as Mic input for soundcard??

[Willin]

Just getting started moving beyond simple MS Moviemaker Video/Audio Youtube/Skype tools. I'm reading Goeoffrey Francis's "Home Recording For Beginners" and getting ready to do his 30 day course.

Question: Can I utilize the Zoom H2n I already have as a mic for a USB soundcard, yet to be bought? I know most mic inputs are analog, but do they make USB external soundcards that have a digital input, besides the ADAT and SPIF? Or is all I need to do is buy a USB soundcard that has digital inputs and use the "line-out" headphone jack to send the H2n mic digital signal to the soundcard? Do I need a special cable "adapter"??

I'm looking over USB soundcards that have only 2 inputs (single mic for banjo, no vocals) and right now I have spent many hours over several days on Amazon and forums and my brain is numb looking over USB soundcards.

I think I want a 2 input soundcard that is modular (expandable), has digital inputs (H2n????) and MIDI just in case I want to expand (play with cool tech tools) down the road? I still can't find a MIDI synth that sounds anything like a real banjo. I also run Band In A Box with Bluegrass Realtracks and TabEdit for Banjo that utilizes MIDI.

I have a 64bit 950@ 3.07Ghz Pentium, 12G ram, running Win10.

Any suggestions anyone? Have ample budget, but would rather not go too far past $200 if that's realistic??

Thanks!

Willin

 

[JMac52]

You can use the H2n as your audio interface (or "soundcard"). Plug the USB cable directly to your computer's USB port or a hub. It's been a while since I've done it, check the manual.

If you want to use a mic with a separate audio I/F, you will need a different mic with an XLR connector, and a cable.

 

[Willin]

I'm thinking of buying a Novation 2/4. It has USB ports on the front, RCA In's and balanced and RCA outs.

I want to use my Zoom H2n as a mic initially. I may upgrade to another mic via the front inputs, but the Zoom will meet my initial needs to record a single acoustic instrument, no vocals.

The Novation is appealing for me as it is would be useful to drive my audio, not only for recording, but for my good Bose headset and to process my Band in a Box backup chord tracks while I learn to play. I also compose YouTube videos for my Skype musical instrument instruction and the Novation will allow me to use MS Moviemaker to capture my video via webcam along with the Zoom H2n.

Will REAPER, or another DWA, be able to recognize the Novation 2/4 and pick up the USB Zoom as part of the inputs as well as any other USB audio (MIDI) devices I may add to just record audio?

My second choice would be the standard Focusrite Sapphire 2/4 with mic inputs, but that would have me having two setups, one for making video/audio YouTube movies for my instructor and another for Reaper and recording my instrument learning history for instruction.

Thanks!!

 

[mixsit]

Will REAPER, or another DWA, be able to recognize the Novation 2/4 and pick up the USB Zoom as part of the inputs as well as any other USB audio (MIDI) devices I may add to just record audio?

My guess (and that's all it is) is that any record apps seeing multiple digital input sources have to all be under the same clock source. Typically one master- the sc/interface, and the record app/DAW is slave to that. Others all need to follow that same clock source.
There might be a solution (work-around?). If the Zoom had a clock input..?
I don't suppose the Zoom can out put the mic analog can it?