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Location: Chicago | Anyone ever hook up a mic to a Zoom H4? I'm having trouble getting my Zoom to recognize an external mic (the internal stereo mics are fine). I've been over the manual and am trying to everything right... Temp? Stephen? Anyone? |
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Location: Jet City | I have one and have attached external mics. I assume you went into the input choices and selected ext mic? Or is that what you're trying to figure out? |
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Location: Chicago | Thanks Damon.
Yes, I selected the correct input and all. Hmmm.. I guess I was looking for "frequently committed errors."
Have you used your H4 as a I/O box direct to the computer? I'm sorta curious about CuBase. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Sorry, I don't own one and I am not familiar with them.
Common error would be trying to use a condenser mic without phantom power. Make sure the mic is cardioid.
Doesn't Darkbar own one? |
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Location: Chicago | Now that's a good point: I am trying to use ONE cardiod and ONE condenser simulatenously (H4 has two inputs). The H4 does have phantom power but I may be confusing it! |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Having phantom power on the cardioid won't make in difference but not having it on the condenser certainly will.
The unit might require the use of the same type mics.....specially if it only allows a stereo mode.
If it allows for mono use, see if they work one at a time.
good luck |
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Location: Chicago | Thanks guys. The Zoom is awesome as point-and-click unit (using the built in mics). Maybe I'll need to spring for a more flexible interface a la Lexicon or whatever. I'd welcome ideas on that too... |
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Location: Flahdaw | try this
web page |
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Location: Chicago | Now THAT looks nice. Thanks! |
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Location: Jet City | So try using 1 mic at a time and see if it works that way. I won't be much help till Wednesday when I get back home. Then if ya like, we can jump on the phone while I have the unit in my hand. I'm pretty sure I've done that powered/non-powered combo before. |
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Location: Chicago | Now THAT would be great, Damon! 'Till Wednesday...
(maybe a few PMs back and forth to coordinate) |
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Location: Chicago | UPDATE: I got a preliminary lesson from a Cubase expert (I gotta master this desktop thing) and we discovered that the Zoom H4 stops short of the standard 24 bit standard. So I shall leave that fine unit to what it does best: point-and-click with the built-in mics.
Just ordered the Lexicon Omega kit to do the desktop thing right! |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Got one of these I am selling in mint that will set you free. Good price to.
http://www.davelectronics.com/bg1.htm
Do your homework on the Omega. Unless later versions have been corrected, there were a lot of issues with these units. |
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Location: Chicago | Thanks, Stephen. Could you give me the short version (problems with Omega)? |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | It's been a while since I paid any attention but if I recall correctly it seemed to be build quality issues. Unit would be fine when it was working but then for no reason they would break down.....which is why I prefaced my comment about later versions possibly being fixed.
Here's a quick thread but I am sure you can find more if you look. If you read through it you will see quite a few with issues.
I personally have never used one but read about it when I was searching for what I wanted to ultimately buy.
http://www.homerecordingconnection.com/forum.php?action=view_thread... |
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Location: Chicago | I'm sure you've done this already, but would you specify the ultimate rig that you settled on? The Lexicon only set me back 175, and I'd like to learn Cubase (with full CD quality).... |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Well, my "ultimate rig" has been assembled over years. I am a believer of never let talent suffer due to equipment so my stuff (recording gear/guitars/amps/etc) are all much better than my talent level.....but I hope to some day grow into it.
Higher end equipment also retains it's value much better. Most of the gear I have could be resold for more than I paid for it.
Since you asked, I will show you some photos. However, give me a budget and we can discuss something offline that will fit your needs quite well for whatever price range you choose.
 
 
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Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast |  |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | The man tried to mix a few tracks one day and landed the space shuttle by mistake... 
Nice calendar BTW. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | I was scared to just sit next to that stuff, much less let Stephen record anything I did. I think I asked him what it was, but I can't remember if I understood any part of the answer. |
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Location: Chicago | Ye gods! I need lessons just to get a handle on Cubase and (well, now) the Lexicon Omega with 2 mics. Your rig looks like it requires an advanced engineering degree. Scary! |
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Location: closely held secret | He obviously uses a Mac. Just look at the size of those pictures...
Stephen, I'll bet that Blue picks up the hiss of the tape sliding over the heads real nice.
Originally posted by dobro:
I'd like to learn Cubase (with full CD quality).... "CD quality" is a bitrate of 160. My free mp3 encoder can do that...
Greg, the quality is going to be much more dependent on how you capture the recording than which software you use. You can't swing a cat anymore without hitting some new multi-track software. The main differences between them is features and usability. Cubase is great, it's like most do-all software - you'll never use 90% of it. All you need is something that can take the incoming signal and convert it to a waveform. When you get good at capturing the sound, then worry about post-recording.
Whereas mics, preamps and digital interfaces... these are more important than what guitar you're playing. Before you spend $500 on Cubase, buy the best mics and preamps you can afford. And a reasonable quality interface. Unless you're planning to record discrete tracks of a band simultaneously, you don't need more than 2 or 4 inputs.
Oh, and have fun. |
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Location: Chicago | Words of wisdom, Waskel. I have some good mics (CAD and AKG). I just want to plug in and play. Need the software know-how, even 20%. I am keenly aware of the fact that 95% is in your fingers, but, hey, I have Stephen's 1581 and some new strings. What could possibly go wrong:) |
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Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by dobro:
What could possibly go wrong:) You could record a GREAT track... then 'misplace' it and not be able to recapture it. Don't ask me how I know.
Back up all your working files. Then back up the backups. Then... |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | John, you're too funny!
The tape deck is partly for show and mainly for converting old tapes of my band from the 70-80s onto digital.
and you know damn good and well I use a PC!
The Blue is a phenomenal mic and the interchangeable capsules make it incredibly versatile.
Greg,
I probably use 15-20% of Cubase's features because that is really all I need. There are some shortcuts and specialty items that I am slowly learning but I can't ever see myself using more than 25% of the programs potential....and that's after using various iterations of it for almost 10 years!
Just pick one where the workflow makes sense to you and stick with it.
Like John said....put your money into a good digital interface and a good preamp and start making music. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Originally posted by Waskel:
You could record a GREAT track... then 'misplace' it and not be able to recapture it. Don't ask me how I know.
Back up all your working files. Then back up the backups. Then... Most Definitely!
I have Cubase set to automatically back up every 5 minutes and I have my system set up to automatically backup up the HD where the music files go every 24 hours.
While Cubase is great about letting you do "infinite" undo's, you still need the main files. |
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Posts: 1454
Location: Texas | Dobro,
If you're going to go with stephent28's setup, you're gonna need a larger gear bag… ;)
I looked at the H4 and H4N last year and decided not to decide, I have read raves about them, but it seems to me that the interface must be very complex, just because there is so much functionality stuffed into that tiny little box.
Dark Bar metioned the R16 which is larger (though weighs nothing.) I looked at those too, that would be nice for a group (or OFC gathering,) you can record 8 separate simultaneous tracks (16 total) It has two built-in mics that are supposedly of similar quality to the H4N. I like the fact that the mixer-style layout is simple and straightforward, it resembles my old Tascam Portastudio 4-track cassette recorder, (which is just a little outdated now…) ;) It comes with "Cubase LE 4." I have no idea how the "light" (LE) version compares to the full version, there's probably an upgrade path?
Currently I'm intrigued by the Boss BR-800 which should be available soon. It looks (on paper) to be great for one person for composing and layering tracks (although you CAN record 4 tracks simultaneously, 8 total.)
This Guy makes using it look way easier than it probably is in reality. Here's Part 2…
It has LOTS of bells and whistles, which I suppose also increases the learning curve…
Meanwhile, did you ever resolve your microphone problem which started this thread? |
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Zoom H4 question