ZOOM H4 test...

[Bern]

...out of the box.
I did two quick recordings (Please, forgive me for my sloppy playing )
Zoom H4 Test1 - I uploaded this to the computer, which is amazingly easy for a novice like myself, and normalized it. The H4 recording level ended up to -7db.
Zoom H4 Test2 - Again, I uploaded it, normalized it and added reverb on the computer (Can't wait to play this on my Kronbauer. The 000-28 just doesn't have enough sustain.)
I must say, I endorse this little rascal...

[astrummer]

Glad I have my H4 ... a few more clips like what you and LJ are posting and these will be sold out until after Christmas!

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by Bern

...I must say, I endorse this little rascal...

Hi Bernie...
Thanks for posting these. Details please...

What sample rate did you record at, where did you point it etc.?

I'm asking this for the purpose of collecting thoughts and ideas on using mine more effectively and to honestly give these little guys a workout.

I sat down to mess around with a new version of Silent Night for upcoming holiday opportunities, and wanted a new arrangement and all of a sudden got ideas for a different tuning.

Grabbed the H4, set it in front of me and captured bunches of ideas. Dropped em into iTunes then to the iPod, and erased the files on the card from the computer (that saves wear and tear of individually erasing them from the card with the jogwheel) bypassing the H4's internal 'Delete file' function all together.

On a Mac that means first dragging them into the trash, and then emptying the trash...there may be a similar need to empty the recycle bin with PCs before demounting the H4.

Anyway, I love the songs you did and look forward to hearing more musical things now that you have the means to put them there simply.

[Bern]

Hmm...I've checked the sample rate and it is 112kBits/s. I recorded this in mp3 format on the H4.
I had the recorder approx. 12 to 14 in. in front of me, level with and pointed to the neck 12th fret. I've found that by moving around (I kind of move my body while playing) I had some balance issues which I tried to fix by normalizing some sections.
Thanks for the tip on erasing the files from the PC. It's a time saver for sure.
I think, the recorder does the job as you had described, Larry. I'm looking forward to learn more about it and I'm looking forward for more of your test results.

[dberch]

Originally Posted by Bern

Hmm...I've checked the sample rate and it is 112kBits/s. I recorded this in mp3 format on the H4.
I had the recorder approx. 12 to 14 in. in front of me, level with and pointed to the neck 12th fret. I've found that by moving around (I kind of move my body while playing) I had some balance issues which I tried to fix by normalizing some sections.
Thanks for the tip on erasing the files from the PC. It's a time saver for sure.
I think, the recorder does the job as you had described, Larry. I'm looking forward to learn more about it and I'm looking forward for more of your test results.

Hey Bern, pardon my ignorance - what do you mean by "normalizing" ?

[Bern]

Changing the gain (volume) of a sections. As I've mentioned before the H4 recording was recorded at -7db. Normalization allowed me to optimize the gain of the low-level wave file up to 0.
Mr. Womack could probably give you a better explanation.

[dberch]

Thanks, Bern. That's what I thought but wasn't sure. I always do that too, just didn't know it had a name.

[bcaylor]

Bern,

Thanks for sharing the info. The Zoom H4 sounds like a great little tool. I loved your recordings...very clean and great playing. I am looking forward to hearing more.

Thanks!

[jwbry]

My h4 is still in the tender embrace of Fedex somewhere in the Chicago area, but I've used my Naiant MSH1O mics on an older recorder and they were pretty good!

Do you think the Naiant tube types would be THAT much better or should I just hang with what I have?

Taping acoustic rehearsals, some gigs. Small ensembles.


/john

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by jwbry

...Do you think the Naiant tube types would be THAT much better or should I just hang with what I have?

Taping acoustic rehearsals, some gigs. Small ensembles.

Hi John...
The tube mics have to be plugged in with phantom supplied and left to warm up for a period of time to stabalize - I'm not sure how long, but I fire tube preamps in the studio at least 45 minutes to an hour ahead of using them.

The MSH-10 will fire instantly and be ready to use. Also, I'm not sure the tube mics will power up with less than 48volt phantom power...if the website is accurate the MSH-1 needs +12 - +48 volt phantom, the MSH-10 needs +18 - +48 volt and the tube version needs full +48 volt.

What that means is the MSH-10 or MSH-1 will last in excess of 2 1/2 hours on just internal battery power with 24Volt power supplied and the tube versions would need the power supply plugged in and a warm up period to be ready to record.

[Bern]

Thanks guys for commenting on the music.
Back to the H4...I think for us hobbyists this little unit saves not only money, but it also gives us more time to play guitar . It was very frustrating to me hearing others post recordings with some quality to them. I think after a while playing around with the H4 I will be able to come close to want I want my music to sound, or course, there will be a learning curve still. I know, it will not replace a studio quality recording, but, I think, it'll give more than adequate results.

[jwbry]

Larry sez.....
"The tube mics have to be plugged in with phantom supplied and left to warm up for a period of time to stabalize - I'm not sure how long, but I fire tube preamps in the studio at least 45 minutes to an hour ahead of using them."

I didn't know this! Sounds like I've got the right ones, particularly after your testing with the H4 showed that you can run them on 24v and save a ton of batteries.

Thanks for clarifying that. Now all I need to do is get the H4 in my grubby paws.....

/john.....

[a-coustica]

Hi
Bern :cheers for the taking the time and effort mate. Very helpful for those on the lookout for a new recorder.
Congrats for your so great playing.

.......Now i know.....you don't like Chet Atkins and Marcel Dadi....

[TBman]

Sounds great Bern. I wish I played as sloppy as you!

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by Bern

Thanks guys for commenting on the music.
Back to the H4...I think for us hobbyists this little unit saves not only money, but it also gives us more time to play guitar...

Hi folks...
Bernie brings out an important detail here. I have my Zoom H4 mounted on a small tripod I bought for $20 just to keep in my teaching area.

When I'm sitting down noodling and have some ideas which need to be captured, I'm less than 15 seconds from recording them with the H4, and that includes grabbing the unit and setting it in front of me, powering it on and punching the record button twice. In the studio, I'm at least 5 minutes away with booting, firing preamps, setting mics, launching software, and setting up the tracks on the software.

After powering up the Zoom H4 and hitting the record button twice - recording short clips of the inspired musical ideas is a breeze. It only takes about 5 seconds to stop one clip and start another. You punch the Record button to both start and stop clips. Actually you punch it once to put it in standby, again to record, and a third time to stop.

This three punch routine is simple, and you sure don't have to press the buttons hard to activate them. The reason I bring this up is creativity is often bypassed or lost for lack of recording ideas - so we forget them later. The H4 puts creativity back into a daily routine for us. It was a rare day that I ever happened to just be sitting in my studio with all the equipment warmed up and I was sitting in front of a mic with an engineer on hand so I could be creative.

I have been carrying little digital voice dictation recorders for years to capture ideas, but their quality is lacking. They were ok for collecting quick ideas but rough to listen to later. The size and quality of the H4 has replaced them in my gear bag, and in my teaching setup. The camera tripod mount (that is inlcuded) is brilliant!

It has also brought the ability for me to record exercises on the fly for students so they can take them with them on the way out the door.

I noticed Bern recorded with a different level setting. I tend to record with the highest (loudest) input setting from about 10'' -12'' away and not put my songs through any processing to pump the volume up.