Just got a Zoom H2N, need help

I haven't played around much with it, but plan to today and later this week. For those of you who have and use this device, how should I set it up to record band practice in a large garage? I want to be able to email MP3's of practice to bandmates. I have never owned or used a recording device such as this before, so consider me stupid in this regard. I have read the manual though, so that's a start:)

The H2n doesn't take much in the way of setup. Its main issue is how it deals with loud sources. Even at the lowest settings you may experience clipping if you play at very loud levels. You'll only know by trying, of course.

You have one choice to make, since your final format will be MP3. You can either record in uncompressed WAV then convert to MP3, or set the unit to record MP3 directly. The WAV format gives you more options, like recording four channels at once vs stereo only. But to get started the first day you might just set a high quality MP3 format and see what you get.

Fran

Which recording mode should I use, MS midside stereo, XY stereo, 2ch or 4ch surround mode? I havent even loaded the software yet so I dont see myself doing much mixing/editing. The which mode question is confusing to me.

2 ch vs 4 ch. Two channel delivers a stereo image, having a left, middle, right spread. 4 channel provides a pair of tracks that can be manipulated into a surround image (left, right, middle, back left, back right) or flattened into a stereo image.

So look at how you set up your instruments and/or amps - are they in a line or in the round?

The Mid-side vs XY is really mainly a sales gimmick, since the two are mathematically and sonically equivalent. The real question is, front or back mics. If you use the XY front pair, you can see the meters from the performer position. If you use the MS back set, the audience (or engineer) sees the meters. Do you have a recorder operator or is it operated by the band?

Don't let these options stymie you. Turn the darned thing on and try different configurations. Record yourself even if it's just slapping rhythms on your knees and singing nursery rhymes. All you're really trying to do is learn what the buttons do, get a little bit of synapse path building going on.

Then when you fire up to record the band, pick one setup and use it for two songs. Pick another, use it for a few. Work through the options. Listen back at your leisure and decide which technique works best for you. The cost is $0.00, the benefits are huge, so take advantage of that most excellent of teachers - experience.

Fran

Thanks. I played with it last night, recorded a bunch of acoustic songs at different settings. I plan to load the software today on my computer and listen to them to see what turned out best.

Bottom line question: knowing what you know about the device and recording, how would YOU set it up for medium loud band practice in a large 2 car garage with a five piece band? Mic choice? Auto gain or what gain level on the manual dial? Compressor/limiter/lo cut on or off? How far away from the instruments would you place the recorder? I will be recording in mp3 format, 320kbps probably, so I can email stuff.

I've mostly used mine for recording my bands in live situations, so I always set the gain a little low and engage the limiter for insurance ... since there's no way I can keep a close eye on it, I'd rather have a smaller waveform that can be gain-boosted in the software than a really hot track with periodic digital clipping (nasty sound that can't be fixed and renders the track unusable except for self-critique). The low cut is good too — everything it filters out is mostly room boom and mud.

I've mostly used mine for recording my bands in live situations, so I always set the gain a little low and engage the limiter for insurance ... since there's no way I can keep a close eye on it, I'd rather have a smaller waveform that can be gain-boosted in the software than a really hot track with periodic digital clipping (nasty sound that can't be fixed and renders the track unusable except for self-critique). The low cut is good too — everything it filters out is mostly room boom and mud.

Perfect! How far from the drumset do you usually put it and what number on the mic gain dial and mic setting works best for you?

Thanks. I played with it last night, recorded a bunch of acoustic songs at different settings. I plan to load the software today on my computer and listen to them to see what turned out best.

Bottom line question: knowing what you know about the device and recording, how would YOU set it up for medium loud band practice in a large 2 car garage with a five piece band? Mic choice? Auto gain or what gain level on the manual dial? Compressor/limiter/lo cut on or off? How far away from the instruments would you place the recorder? I will be recording in mp3 format, 320kbps probably, so I can email stuff.

Please understand that there is absolutely no need to load any software in order to transfer the files to your computer. Simply connect the H2n to a USB port and set it for file transfer instead of interface _or_ pull out the SD card and stick it into a card reader. Then drag and drop from the card to the computer. You undoubtedly already have playback software on your computer that will handle MP3 or WAV files.

If you want to email files, a lower bitrate gives smaller files. It's rare for people to be able to demonstrate audibility of compression above 160 kbps. In other words, 192 kbps sounds just like uncompressed WAV to nearly everyone nearly all the time.

In the H2 (I haven't determined the situation with the H2n) the limiter, in fact even the level control, were both in the digital domain, so if the input stage was clipped neither the limiter or level control corrected the problem.

Aside from that bit of info I can't help much because I have never recorded amplified music or drums.

Fran

Perfect! How far from the drumset do you usually put it and what number on the mic gain dial and mic setting works best for you?

Well, maybe not quite perfect, because mine is an H2 (no "n"), so the controls are different ... I'd suggest a sound check with the band cranking at the volume you're gonna record at and tweaking your level to where the bars are coming up a little over halfway for ample headroom.

If your band is set up like it would be on a stage then put your recorder across the room as if it were an audience. Use the mikes on the control side of the recorder and have it facing the band. Its best if you use it on a mike stand with the mike stand adapter. Hit the record button once which gives you a blinking red light. In that mode you can use the forward & reverse buttons to raise or lower the recording volume. Have the band play at the highest volume that you would ever play at and adjust the recording volume until the meters are around -12. Your safe zone is -12 to -6 so keeping it around -12 should keep you from going over -6. I usually use a good set of sealed headphones but after using it a while I found it wasn't all that necessary.

Trial and error.

I record everything in 128 MP3, it keeps file size manageable. Plus, purpose is everything.

I set the recorder for front stereo and the gain at M and adjust the record gain manually, maybe around 80 or 85 on the meter scale for a band setting. You can look at the recorder while your band is playing and get a feel where the meters are, obviously if they are screaming at you, lower the gain, if they are too low, increase the gain. Remember the gain number for future ballpark reference.

Start simple..don't build Rome in one day.

File size is important, keep this in mind. Wav files are extremely hard to deal with if your file is really really big...MP3's on the other hand are easy to deal with, easy to send by email etc. Also consider getting in the practice of starting / stopping the recorder for each rehearsal song. Once you start using the H2 on a regular basis you will come to learn this on your own, song file management. Sure you can record a full rehearsal as one file and edit it down. I record every band gig in this manner. One file per set...A rehearsal is a different deal...but, each to their own , it's just a thought. A 1 hour 128 MP3 recording is approx 40 meg in size...

good luck

t

Made some recordings with the acoustic the other night just screwing around with different things. Not bad! Gonna use it tonight with the band, the true test. I plan on using the XY mics, Auto Gain(concert)on, Limiter on(concert), and will put the H2n about 6 feet in front of the band sitting on a chair. Will do a few songs like that,then will switch to maunal gain and keep it low, and use the 2ch mics. will report the findings.