Quote:
Originally Posted by JakeStone
Ok.. I'm fairly new to recording.
So for recording in my home studio. Just me playing acoustic and singing ..
I have a J45 with built in pickup.. 2 Rode M5 condenser mics, Shure 58.. I also have a Play Acoustic effects processor for guitar, vocals, harmonies.
Don't want it to be too complicated .. but do want future versatility..
Can I any one comment to push me over to getting H6..
Regarding the benefit of the 4 inputs on H6 over the 2 inputs on H5.
(For best home recordings)... FYI the room is well treated.
I'm now thinking I'd regret the 5... plus the color screen on H6 is sweet.
Thx
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When I started this thread my heart said H6 because of the inputs and confirmed quality of the preamps (and to some extent, mics). My brain said H4N Pro ... same preamps (same sound quality?) and good basic multitracking functionality like assigning inputs to tracks, overdub anywhere in a track, punch in/out etc etc. and the ability to completely do away with a computer during the recording phase.
During this thread I have switched between prefering the H4NP to H6 and now H5
Rather than revisit everything I'll summarise my findings so far:
H6
Advantages - 4 quality preamp inputs + good built in removable mics, has proper iPad connection and good Audio Interface functionality. Real knobs for gain adjustment (can't under estimate this advantage
). Can record 4 simultaneous external inputs + 2 internal mics or 6 simultaneous external inputs if you get an extra XLR module
(beware of limitations highlighted by Doug).
Disadvantages - Can't assign inputs/mics to tracks. Almost no basic file management like renaming, copying, moving - only for projects. Which means anything but the most basic recording requires a computer. Recording/Overdubbing can only be done from the beginning of a track.
H5
Advantages - Quality preamps + good built in removable mics, has proper iPad connection and good Audio Interface functionality. PLUS: You can assign inputs to different tracks. You can do basic file management including splitting files or projects. So you could get away with a lot more of the recording process without needing a computer - like recording with built in mics and then overdubbing using the same built in mics - with the H6, if you record with the internal mics you can then only overdub onto another track using an external mic unless you connect to a PC and do some undocumented trickery. Again, real knobs for gain adjustment.
Disadvantages - Only 2 preamp inputs + internal mic. Recording/Overdubbing can only be done from the beginning of a track.
H4NP
Advantages - Can do most file and project management tasks without a computer. Can do most recording/overdubbing tasks like start from anywhere or punch in/out. You can do almost all your recording/overdubbing while leaving the computer at home. In fact with this device you
should leave your PC at home
(see disadvantages)
Disadvantages - Most tasks require menu navigation ... even basic preamp gain adjustments. This is not fun. Mics are not removable so you can never do more than 2 external mics at the same time. The H5 can max out with 4 if you get the optional extra XLR inputs. H6 can max out with 6. By all accounts it is really only very basic Audio Interface and not much good for iPads ... that's the flip side of being able to leave your computer at home ... here there is almost no point bringing it along
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I've probably missed something here but originally I considered the H5 as the lame duck of the three, missing out on the number of inputs of the H6 and missing out on the proper multitracking and file management capabilities of the H4.
Now I'm starting to see it differently. The H5 gains the quality hardware, interface capabilities and real knobs of the H6 and combines it with a smattering of multitracking and file management capabilities of the H4.