Zoom H4n Audio Recorder Gear Guide

A proficiency test is required to check out this camera. Schedule a proficiency at the front desk of Media Loan or by calling 360-867-6253. Read this operating guide and Marantz PMD-660 Audio Recorder Operating Guide and complete the written portion of the Digital Audio Recorder Proficiency Test prior to your scheduled proficiency. Bring your answer sheet with you to the test, which should take approximately 30 - 45 minutes.

DO NOT use in or subject unit to extreme temperatures, near heat sources, high humidity or moisture, excessive dust or sand, excessive vibration or shock.
DO NOT insert foreign objects into or allow liquid to enter the unit.
DO NOT exert undue pressure on the keys or other controls.
DO NOT put the H4n speaker next to other precision instruments, such as a computer, or next to magnetic cards.
ALWAYS power down the H4n and all attached equipment before unplugging any cables. Unplug cables before moving the H4n unit to avoid jarring the jacks.
NEVER open the casing of the H4n or attempt to modify it in any way. Bring the unit to Media Loan for service immediately if it is not functioning correctly.
DO NOT use the H4n at loud volumes for extended periods of time, as it may cause hearing impairment.
REMEMBER that you are 100% financially responsible for all equipment you check out from Media Loan!

It is highly recommended that you consult the complete H4n manual for detailed information regarding recording, modes and all further H4n details. There is simply too much information to be included in a simple guide such as this. The complete H4n manual is available from Media Loan.

Operation

Supplying Power to the H4n

Since power consumption of this unit is fairly high, we recommend the use of an AC power adapter whenever possible. If using batteries is necessary, make sure to use Alkaline or Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries.

Use only the AC adapter provided by Media Loan. Use of any other adapter could damage the H4n.

During lightning or when not using the recorder for an extended period, disconnect the recorder from the AC outlet.

When powering with batteries, use two conventional size AA - 1.5 volt batteries of the same type.

When not using the recorder from an extended period, remove the batteries.

When using the recorder, the battery cover should be closed.

Before plugging in or unplugging, inserting or removing batteries, make sure the H4n is powered down, otherwise, any data on the recorder may be destroyed.

The H4n can be powered by USB, but ONLY when it is being used as a USB audio interface or to transfer files.

SD Card

Media Loan provides a SD card with the H4n recorder, This should provide a large amount of recording time, even while recording in very high definition formats. If you need longer recording times than the card can provide, the H4n will accept SD and SDHC cards.

Do not remove the SD card unless absolutely necessary.

Make sure the recorder is turned off before attempting to change the SD card.

SD cards are expensive. Always remember to return your recorder with the SD card it came with from Media Loan.

If the SD card does not seem to fit or you are having difficulty removing it, please return to Media Loan for assistance.

Do not exert any excessive force on the SD card or the recorder.

Power/HOLD Switch

The power switch to the H4n is a two-way slider switch. To power on the H4, push the switch toward the power logo, then release it. The switch will return to its original position, and the H4n will begin to boot up. To power off the recorder, pull the switch towards the power logo and hold it there until the screen displays “Goodbye See You!” The power switch also functions as a key hold switch to prevent any unwanted changes during recording. To put the H4n into key hold mode, push the power switch into the hold position. The screen will show that the H4n is in key hold mode, and all buttons will not respond until key hold mode is deactivated. To switch out of key hold mode, simply pull the power switch back to the center position. The screen will display that the key guard has been released.

Main Menu and Controls

To access the main menu, press the MENU button on the right side of the recorder. Once inside the main menu, turn the dial to select the desired option and press the dial to select. To go back to the previous menu screen, press the MENU button again.

Menu Options

[Folder] - The H4n offers 10 folders to keep recorded files separate and organized. When in the menu, the current folder will display at the bottom of the screen. [File] - File Management within the selected folder. [Input] - Fine tune controls for different inputs. [Rec] - Controls for file format/quality, and prerecording/volume activated recording. [Mixer] - Controls volume and pan settings for recording. [Mode] - Use to select a recording mode.

NOTE: All modes can be changed from the mode menu EXCEPT stamina mode! For complete details on using stamina mode, see the Recording Modes section of this manual.

Recording Sources

The H4n can record from several different sources, including the built in stereo microphone, an external stereo microphone, and external microphones or instruments attached with XLR or 1/4” jacks. Recording sources can be chosen with the input buttons on the face of the recorder.

Built in Stereo Mic - The H4n features a versatile built in XY stereo microphone, capable of recording in a 120° or 90° spread. Behind the built in stereo mic, there is a stereo mini jack to plug in an external stereo mic. an external mic is plugged into this jack, it will supersede the built in microphone. To record from this source, press the MIC button. When the source is active, the MIC button will glow.
Input Jacks [1] and [2] - The input jacks on the bottom of the recorder accept both XLR cables for microphones, and 1/4” cables for instruments. The input jacks are controlled by the [1] and [2] buttons on the input panel. In 2CH and 4CH modes, the two input jacks operate as a stereo pair. If you select one jack input button, both will glow to indicate that they are both active. IN MTR mode, the two jacks can be used independently.

NOTE:To record one microphone onto both sides of a stereo track, select the input jacks as the recording source, then make sure the MONO MIX setting of the INPUT sub-menu is ON. When MONO MIX is active, the H4n will record both stereo channels from one of the mono input jacks.

Recording Modes

The H4n has several different recording modes, which change the way the recorder operates, and which inputs can be used. All recording modes except for stamina mode can be chosen in the MODE sub-menu.
Stamina Mode - Stamina mode is designed for the sole purpose of conserving battery life, and should only be used if it is necessary to record for extremely long periods with no access to fresh batteries or AC power. Stamina mode will increase battery life from about 6 hours to about 11 hours. In stamina mode, the H4n operates exactly like stereo mode with several limitations:

In stamina mode, the zoom cannot record in any format other than the lowest quality WAV.
In stamina mode, the MODE sub-menu is locked out. To turn stamina mode on or off, the user must power down the recorder, and hit the stamina mode switch inside the battery door, then restart the recorder.