Recording with the Zoom H4N Portable Recorder

  • Insert two AA batteries into the battery compartment or connect the AC adapter.
  • Insert the SD card into the H4N's SD card slot.

Zoomm SD card

  • Slide the power switch to the "ON" position.

Zoom power button

  • Connect one or both Shure head-mounted mics to the XLR inputs at the bottom of the H4N. Use the included XLR cable for longer cable length if needed.

Zoom H4N and headmounted mic

  • Alternatively, connect the Audio Technica Pro 70 (Pro70) pack to the bottom of the H4N using the included XLR cable.

ATPro70 connected to Zoom recorder

  • Turn the Pro70 mic by setting the side panel switch to the middle position.

AT Pro 70  power button toggle

  • The Audio Technica lavalier mic requires either a single AA battery or phantom power from the Zoom H4N.
    • To enable phantom power on the Zoom H4N, press the MENU button, then use the scroll wheel to navigate to INPUT, then PHANTOM, and select +24v.
    • Alternatively, the battery compartment for the Pro70 is located at the bottom of the beltpack.

ATpro70 battery compartment

  • Select the MIC 1+2 inputs. The Zoom recorder will always record a 2 channel audio file. If you're only just one microphone, the empty second channel can be removed with the attached Praat scripts.

Zoom H4N mic input selection buttons

  • Press the record button once. The red LED will start blinking. This will activate the mics but will not start recording. Adjust the volume levels (rec level) accordingly aiming for a max level just a little above the -6 mark without clipping.

Zoom record level button

  • Press the record button again to start recording.
  • Press the stop button to stop recording.

Zoom Start and Stop button

Saving Recordings to your Computer

  • Using the included USB cable, connect the H4N to your computer.

Zoom USB port

  • Press the MENU button and then using selection wheel, select USB -> Storage.

Zoom selection wheel

  • The Zoom H4N SD card storage will appear as a drive on your computer.
  • Drag and drop your audio recordings to your computer.
  • Press the MENU button again on the Zoom H4N to disconnect.
  • Please note that files remaining on the SD card may be deleted when the kit is returned.
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