Operation Manual English © ZOOM Corporation Reproduction of this manual, in whole or in part, by any means, is prohibited. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS / Usage Precautions SAFETY PRECAUTIONS In this manual, symbols are used to highlight warnings and cautions for you to read so that accidents can be prevented. The meanings of these symbols are as follows: This symbol indicates explanations about extremely dangerous matters. If users ignore this symbol and handle the device the wrong way, serious injury or death could result. This symbol indicates explanations about dangerous matters. If users ignore this symbol and handle the device the wrong way, bodily injury and damage to the equipment could result. Warning · High humidity or moisture · Excessive dust or sand · Excessive vibration or shock Handling · Never place objects filled with liquids, such as vases, on the H4 since this can cause electric shock. · Do not place naked flame sources, such as lighted candles, on the H4 since this can cause fire. · The H4 is a precision instrument. Do not exert undue pressure on the keys and other controls. Also take care not Caution to drop the unit, and do not subject it to shock or excessive pressure. · Take care that no foreign objects (coins or pins etc.) or liquids can enter the unit. Warning Caution Please observe the following safety tips and precautions to ensure hazard-free use of the H4. Caution Connecting cables and input and output jacks You should always turn off the power to the H4 and all other equipment before connecting or disconnecting any cables. Also make sure to disconnect all connection cables and the power cord before moving the H4. Power requirements Warning Since power consumption of this unit is fairly high, we recommend the use of an AC adapter whenever possible. When powering the unit from batteries, use only alkaline types. [AC adapter operation] · Be sure to use only an AC adapter which supplies 9 V DC, 300 mA and is equipped with a "center minus" plug (Zoom AD-0006). The use of an adapter other than the specified type may damage the unit and pose a safety hazard. · Connect the AC adapter only to an AC outlet that supplies the rated voltage required by the adapter. · When disconnecting the AC adapter from the AC outlet, always grasp the adapter itself and do not pull at the cable. · During lightning or when not using the unit for an extended period, disconnect the AC adapter from the AC outlet. Alterations Warning Never open the case of the H4 or attempt to modify the product in any way since this can result in damage to the unit. Volume Caution Do not use the H4 at a loud volume for a long time since this can cause hearing impairment. Usage Precautions Electrical interference For safety considerations, the H4 has been designed to provide maximum protection against the emission of electromagnetic radiation from inside the device, and protection from external interference. However, equipment that is very susceptible to interference or that emits powerful electromagnetic waves should not be placed near the H4, as the possibility of interference cannot be ruled out entirely. With any type of digital control device, the H4 included, electromagnetic interference can cause malfunctioning and can corrupt or destroy data. Care should be taken to minimize the risk of damage. [Battery operation] · Use two conventional IEC R6 (size AA) batteries (alkaline). · The H4 cannot be used for recharging. · Pay close attention to the labelling of the battery to make sure you choose the correct type. · When not using the unit for an extended period, remove the batteries from the unit. · If battery leakage has occurred, wipe the battery compartment and the battery terminals carefully to remove all remnants of battery fluid. · While using the unit, the battery compartment cover should be closed. Cleaning Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the H4. If necessary, slightly moisten the cloth. Do not use abrasive cleanser, wax, or solvents (such as paint thinner or cleaning alcohol), since these may dull the finish or damage the surface. Environment Warning To prevent the risk of fire, electric shock or malfunction, avoid using your H4 in environments where it will be exposed to: · Extreme temperatures · Heat sources such as radiators or stoves Please keep this manual in a convenient place for future reference. 2 ZOOM H4 Contents SAFETY PRECAUTIONS / Usage Precautions ............................................2 Overview ...................................................5 Introducing the H4 ...................................6 Stereo Mode and 4-Track Mode ........... 6 Mixer Functions ..................................... 7 Effects .................................................... 7 Step 3: Add more tracks ..................... 26 Preparations ........................................... 26 Recording/Playback ............................... 26 Step 4: Mixing and bounce ................. 27 Mixing .................................................... 27 Bounce ................................................... 28 Stereo Mode .......................................... 30 What is stereo mode? ......................... 30 Switching to stereo mode ................... 30 Recording in stereo mode .................. 31 Select input source ................................ 31 Adjust recording level ............................ 31 Automatic adjustment of recording level (Auto gain function) ............................. 33 Select recording format ......................... 34 Record ................................................... 35 Using the monitor function .................... 36 Parts of the H4 .........................................8 Getting Connected .................................10 About SD Cards ......................................10 Operation on Battery Power .................11 Power On/Off ..........................................11 Power-on ............................................. 11 Power-off ............................................. 11 Playback in stereo mode .................... 36 Selecting a file for playback ................... 36 Locating a point in a recording (Locate) ................................................ 37 Playing a specified section repeatedly (A-B repeat) ........................................ 38 Recording ...............................................12 Setup .................................................... 12 Recording steps .................................. 12 4-Track Mode ......................................... 39 What is 4-track mode? ........................ 39 Switching to 4-track mode ................. 39 Selecting the recording mode ............ 40 About the recording mode ..................... 40 Selecting the recording mode ................ 41 Operation differences according to recording mode ................................... 41 Quick Guide 1 Stereo mode basic operation ..............14 Preparations before recording ............ 14 Starting the H4 ....................................... 14 Adjusting the input sensitivity/recording level ..................................................... 14 Using effects ........................................ 16 Recording ............................................ 17 Selecting a file for playback ................... 18 Recorder .............................................. 42 Selecting files for playback .................... 42 Using the locate function and A-B repeat function in 4-track mode .......... 43 Re-recording only a specified region (punch-in/out function) ........................ 43 Combining multiple tracks on one file (bounce function) ................................. 45 Quick Guide 2 4-track mode basic operation ............19 Step 1: Preparations ............................ 19 Switch to 4-track mode .......................... 19 Creating a new project ........................... 20 Making metronome settings .................. 20 Mixer .................................................... 47 About the mixer in 4-track mode ........... 47 Selecting the input source ..................... 48 Adjusting the recording level ................. 48 Selecting the recording track ................. 50 Using the monitor function .................... 51 4-track mixing (volume/panning) ........... 51 Linking two tracks (stereo link) .............. 53 Step 2: Recording the first track ......... 21 Selecting the input source/recording track ..................................................... 21 Adjusting the input sensitivity/recording level ..................................................... 22 Selecting an effect patch ....................... 24 Recording/Playback ............................... 25 ZOOM H4 3 Contents Projects ................................................ 54 What is a project? ...................................54 Basic project operations .........................54 Creating a new project ...........................55 Selecting a project ..................................55 Changing a project name .......................56 Copying a project ...................................57 Deleting a project ...................................57 Write-protecting a project ......................58 Specifications .........................................86 Troubleshooting .....................................88 Problems during recording/ playback ............................................ 88 Other problems ................................... 88 Effect Types and Parameters ................89 Effect types and parameters in 4-track mode ..................................... 89 PREAMP module ....................................89 EFX module ............................................91 Tuner ....................................................59 Using the chromatic tuner ......................59 Using other tuner types ..........................60 Effects ..................................................... 62 About Effects .......................................62 Using effects in stereo mode ..............62 Using effects in 4-track mode .............64 About effect input/output .......................64 Selecting a patch ....................................64 Editing a patch ........................................65 Saving a patch ........................................67 Assigning a name to a patch ..................68 Importing a patch ...................................69 Effect types in stereo mode ................ 95 MIC MODEL module ..............................95 COMP/LIMIT module ..............................95 H4 Patch List ..........................................96 Contents of SD Card ..............................97 INDEX ......................................................98 Managing Recorded Files ..................... 71 About recorded files ............................71 Basic file operations ............................71 Renaming a file ....................................72 Deleting a file .......................................73 Copying a file (4-track mode only) ......73 Importing a file (4-track mode only) ....74 Checking the file size ..........................76 Miscellaneous Settings ......................... 77 Metronome setting ..............................77 Controlling the display contrast/backlight .............................78 Turning the phantom power supply on/off .................................................79 Controlling the key-hold function .......79 Using the USB function .......................80 Using the H4 as audio interface for a computer ..............................................80 Using the H4 as an SD card reader ........82 · Windows and Windows XP are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. · Macintosh and MacOS are registered trademarks of Apple Computer. · The SD symbol is a trademark. · All other trademarks, product names, and company names mentioned in this documentation are the property of their respective owners. · Manufacturer names and product names mentioned in this documentation are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. The names are used only to illustrate sonic characteristics and do not indicate any affiliation with ZOOM CORPORATION. SD card operations ..............................83 Checking available space on the SD card ......................................................83 Initializing an SD card .............................84 About the software version .................84 4 ZOOM H4 Overview Thank you for selecting the ZOOM Handy Recorder H4 (subsequently referred to simply as the "H4"). The H4 is an attractive product with the following features. All-in-one type handy recorder In a compact package weighing a mere 190 grams, the H4 offers a high-performance stereo condenser mic, SD card recorder, mixer, effect section, metronome, and more. Easily record an ...