A portable recording device and a 2-channel USB interface in one palm-sized unit, the H4n Pro Handy Recorder from Zoom features a stereo X/Y microphone capable of handling 140 dB SPL, as well as two low-noise preamps with locking combination XLR / 1/4″ inputs, multiple recording modes, on-board effects, a built-in metronome, a chromatic tuner, and more. As such, it’s suitable not only for film-audio capture, podcasting, and field interviews, but for the creation and editing of multitracked audio in conjunction with DAWs.
The H4n Pro can record up to four simultaneous channels of audio at resolutions and sample rates higher than CD-quality, capturing sound sources in WAV and MP3 formats. It utilises an SDHC card for storage and a USB connection for transferring material to your computer. A pair of standard AA batteries powers the device, and can provide up to 12 hours of continuous recording in Stamina mode (using NiMH 2450 mAh batteries).
Key Features
Built-In Stereo Mic in X/Y Configuration
The on-board X/Y stereo microphone is capable of handling sound pressure levels of 140 dB. It can also cover a wide berth whilst capturing any sound source in its centre with precision. Both microphones are angle-adjustable: You can change the angle of capture from 90° (for a focused stereo image) or 120° (for a wider stereo image) simply by twisting each mic’s capsule.
Back-Lit LDC Display
This device utilises a back-lit LDC display that makes reading its panel on stage more convenient.
On-Board M/S Decoder
Perhaps you’d prefer to capture stereo audio by means of an M/S technique, rather than through the H4n Pro’s X/Y-configured capsules. Should you wish to plug external microphones into the unit’s preamp for this very purpose, the H4n Pro provides an on-board MS decoder, allowing you to adjust the width of the stereo image within the device itself. This is useful both for sound design and for broadcasting.
Connections
Revamped with the same low-noise preamps as the H5 and H6, the H4n Pro provides combination inputs for XLR or 1/4″ connections, both balanced and unbalanced. As such, it can handle mic/line and instrument signals. 24 or 48V Phantom can be applied to both inputs. Additionally, a stereo 3.5mm jack for external devices—lavalier microphones, for example—is included. This jack supplies 2.5V power, if need be.
Portable Pocket Interface
Utilising its mini-USB port, you can use the H4n Pro as a 2-in/2-out interface for computers, recording straight to your DAW via its preamps and monitoring through the 3.5mm stereo headphone jack.
Multiple Recording Modes
Record in stereo mode, four-channel mode (utilising the on-board stereo mics in addition to the built-in preamps), or in multitrack mode, which makes use of built-in effects, overdub functions, and the ability to work with prerecorded material. Additionally, you can use the pre-record function—ensuring you always capture audio starting from two seconds before the moment you press record—or the auto-record function, which allows the H4n Pro to start recording whenever it senses audio, and to stop as soon as the signal drops below a pre-set threshold.
Onboard Effects
The H4n Pro offers a variety of effects, including compression, limiting, reverb, delay, echo, a low-cut filter, and more. You also get an on-board metronome and tuner, along with dozens of amp models and effects crafted for guitars and basses. Furthermore, you can loop playback, adjusting the pitch and speed of the audio independently; this makes the H4n Pro a tool suitable for transcriptions, whether you need to get the words of a particularly fast talker down on paper, or the notes of a particularly fast guitar solo under your fingers.
Cubase LE and WaveLab LE Included
The H4n Pro includes licences for Steinberg’s Cubase LE music production software, as well as WaveLab LE audio editing software. This is particularly useful for those who hope to create their own music utilising the Pro’s USB audio interface function.
Rubberised and Secure Construction
The H4n Pro sports a rubberised body and revamped locking XLR/TRS connection points to keep your mic cables secure.
Additional Features
- Record up to 140 dB SPL with X/Y microphones.
- Output/headphone jack with dedicated volume control.
- Built-in reference speaker for fast playback.
- Internal mix-down: Four-track to stereo and stereo to dual mono.
- Up to 99 marks per recording.
- Normalise (maximum gain) and Divide (file-splitting) functions.
- Mounts to mic stand or tripod, or directly to DSLR with optional Hot Shoe adapter.
Specifications
| Number of Tracks | Simultaneous Recording Tracks: 2 (stereo mode), 4 (4-channel mode), 2 (MTR mode) Simultaneous Playback Tracks: 2 (stereo mode), 4 (4-channel mode), 4 (MTR mode) |
| Recording Time | 4 GB with SDHC: Approx. 380 minutes (WAV 44.1 kHz/16-bit stereo track) Approx. 68 hours (MP3 44.1 kHz/128 kbps stereo track) * Recording times are approximations |
| Recording File Size | Maximum: 2 GB |
| Project Files | 1000/card |
| Locate Function | Hours/Minutes/Seconds/Milliseconds |
| Other Functions | Punch-in/out, Bounce, A-B repeat |
| Effects | Modules: 2 Stereo/4 Ch Mode: Lo Cut, Compressor/Limiter MTR Mode: Pre Amp module, EFX module |
| Type | 53 |
| Patches | 60 |
| Tuners | Chromatic, Guitar, Bass, Open A/D/E/G, DADGAD |
| Metronome | Sound Sources: 5 |
| Beat | Variable: 1/4 to 8/4, 6/8, unaccentuated |
| Tempo | 40.0 to 250.0 BPM |
| A/D and D/A Conversion | 24-bit x 128 oversampling |
| Recording Media | SD card (16 MB to 2 GB), SDHC card (4 to 32 GB) |
| Display | 128 x 64 dots full-dot backlit LCD |
| Data Type | WAV Format (Record/Play) Quantisation: 16/24-bit Sampling Frequency: 44.1, 48, and 96 kHz MP3 Format (Recording) Bit Rate: 48, 56, 64, 80, 96, 112, 128, 160, 192, 224, 256, 320kbps, VBR Sampling Frequency: 44.1 kHz MP3 Format (Playback) Bit Rate: 48, 56, 64, 80, 96, 112, 128, 160, 192, 224, 256, 320kbps, VBR Sampling Frequency: 44.1/48 kHz |
| Inputs | |
| General | 1 & 2: XLR (balanced input) / 1/4″ (6.3 mm) phone (unbalanced input) combo jack |
| Input Impedance | Balanced: 3 kOhms or more, pin-2 hot Unbalanced: 470 kOhms or more |
| Input Gain | Balanced: -16 to 43 dB Unbalanced: -30 to 32 dB |
| Built-In Microphone | Type: Unidirectional condenser microphone Sensitivity: -45 dB/1 Pa at 1 kHz Input gain: -16 to 51 dB Maximum SPL: 140 dB |
| External Microphones | Connection: 3.5mm Mini stereo phone jack Input impedance: 2 kOhms or more Input gain: – 16 to 51 dB |
| Outputs | |
| Line / Phone | Line output load impedance: 10 kOhms or more Rated output level: -10 dBu Phone: 20 + 20 mW (into 32-Ohms load) |
| Speaker | 400 mW 8 Ohms |
| Phantom Power | 48 & 24 V, Off |
| USB | USB 2.0 High-Speed mass-storage class operation, audio interface operation (USB functions can be operated by USB bus power) |
| Power Requirements | 5 VDC from AC adapter (ZOOM AD-14) |
| Batteries | 2 x IEC R6 (size AA) |
| Continuous Recording Time | Stereo mode: (With built-in mics at 44.1 kHz/16-bit without headphones connected): 6 hours with alkaline batteries, 8 hours with NiMH batteries. Stamina mode: (With built-in mics at 44.1 kHz/16-bit without headphones connected): 10 hours with alkaline batteries, 12 hours with NiMH batteries. |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 73 x 167.2 x 37 mm |
| Weight | 294 g |
Pre-Record
Auto-Record
