Zoom h4n - Can i use it for layering tracks and replace the old interface/mic" combo?

[soma89]

I`d be using the cubase LE it comes with and the included condenser mics. Is this a good idea? I don`t have the money to buy good studio equipment and really dont wanna put up crappy recordings using cheap equipment. I`m hoping I`d be killing a few birds with one stone by just picking up the h4n while being nicer to my wallet.

I`d be planning on taking the files i record, slapping them on cubase and then maybe adding some VST drums or effects.

But then again..would i still need an interface to do this? Or does the h4n cover it all?

Comments are appreciated thanks!

[kenneth]

Yes, you can do this with the H4n and any DAW. I do this all the time when refining ideas, but i don't proceed with this method beyond hashing out arrangements and such. The H4n is nowhere close to a quality interface and mic. I don't even think it is close to an average interface and average mic.

Using the method you describe, however, I'm not sure how many tracks you could support. Certainly four tracks in the H4n, but I would think you would struggle with aligning the tracks after import. At least it seems a PITA to me.

You can also use the H4n as an interface itself into the supplied cubase, but I don't recommend this. Check this thread, I had similar findings.

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/low-e...back-up-i.html

So I think it will do what you intend above, but I don't think it is a very sustainable workflow in the long run. But if that fits in your budget, it is not terrible.

All that said, I love the H4n, I find it pretty amazing that it has been out like 4 years, and still rocks, imo.

[soma89]

Wow that is really interesting, thank you for the link! It`s too bad but would it work better if i get something like a Sony m10 for this exact thing or should i just give up and go the "mic+ interface" route.

If so, Would getting $500 for an interface,software + mic be too little for it to sound decent?

[kenneth]

Couple of questions to think about.

What are you recording, instruments, kind of music?
What do you want to use the records for?
Is this something you want to continually improve and build on, or have something that works now, and invest in something else?
Is this Mac or pc based?

[soma89]

Originally Posted by kenneth

Couple of questions to think about.

What are you recording, instruments, kind of music?
What do you want to use the records for?
Is this something you want to continually improve and build on, or have something that works now, and invest in something else?
Is this Mac or pc based?

I`d call the music I`m recording experimental folk.
I`d like to have something to put up on my bands myspace page that sounds decent.
I`d like to to have something that works well now but having room for improvement is just fine.
PC based.
thx

[newi123]

Does the H4n work better as an interface than the H4????? - I used an H4 and it never lined up the audio correctly.......... put it down to dodgy drivers by Zoom. It kind of stopped me buying an R8 as a standalone recording / interface solution although I liked the look of it alot.

I currently have a Boss BR80 and it does the whole mic, interface, standalone job really well - and the drivers work flawlessly.

[Fran Guidry]

Originally Posted by soma89

Wow that is really interesting, thank you for the link! It`s too bad but would it work better if i get something like a Sony m10 for this exact thing or should i just give up and go the "mic+ interface" route.

If so, Would getting $500 for an interface,software + mic be too little for it to sound decent?

That thread contains a range of opinion but you can find people complaining about the audio quality and latency of any and every recording device in the world. I certainly wouldn't take the advice of someone who can't figure out how to set up latency-free monitoring. I've used the H4n and H2 and H2n and R16 as interface devices without the symptoms described in that thread.

Did you give a listen to the samples I pointed you to in your thread on Acoustic Guitar Forum?

REAPER - $60
Focusrite Saffire 6 - $170

leaving enough for a couple of mics.

Of course, you need stands and cables to use the mics.

And you need monitors to know what you're recording and how to deal with it, but you need those with the H4n or any other configuration you decide on.

Fran

[soma89]

Just another question. I understand that the zoom preamps arent the greatest..this is not a big issue for me since i only plan on using the internat mics BUT will the zoom h4n allow me to record my Nord Electro 3 in STEREO to my computer (using it as an interface)?? Thanks

[Fran Guidry]

If you can get the levels to match the two 1/4" inputs, the answer is yes. Not that I know what a Nord Electro is. But the H4n in interface mode will record stereo from any of the three input pairs: built-in mics OR combo jacks OR 1/8" stereo in.

*** Edit *** Looked up the Nord Electro 3 - a keyboard. If you're talking about recording audio out and there's a level control, you're good. If you want to capture MIDI the H4n will not do the job.

Fran

[soma89]

Originally Posted by Fran Guidry

If you can get the levels to match the two 1/4" inputs, the answer is yes. Not that I know what a Nord Electro is. But the H4n in interface mode will record stereo from any of the three input pairs: built-in mics OR combo jacks OR 1/8" stereo in.

*** Edit *** Looked up the Nord Electro 3 - a keyboard. If you're talking about recording audio out and there's a level control, you're good. If you want to capture MIDI the H4n will not do the job.

Fran

Thanks Fran!