H4n Zoom Handy Recorder

TUTORIAL
By Carolyn McKenzie
H4n Handy Recorder Tutorial

1.
Slide the bar to
turn ON the
audio recorder

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2.
Decide which mode is
appropriate for your
project.

The H4n has several different recording modes.

These 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 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 can increase battery life 6-11 hours.

In stamina mode, the H4n operates like stereo mode with these limitations:
• The zoom cannot record in any format other than the lowest quality WAV.
• 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.

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3.
Stereo Mode: Your
audio will be
recorded through the
two TOP
microphones

• Stereo Mode - Stereo mode uses either the H4n’s

built-in stereo microphone or inputs [1] and [2]. The
input-select buttons will illuminate to reflect which
source the H4n is recording from.
• While recording in Stereo Mode, the sources can
be switched at any time and even while the
recorder is capturing audio.
• To change the recording volume, hit the REC
LEVEL (+) or (-) button.

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4.
4CH Mode
Use this mode if you want to RECORD
AUDIO with the 2 top microphones
and additional mics at the bottom of
the recorder

• 4CH Mode - Simultaneously uses the H4n’s built

in stereo mic and inputs [1] and [2]. Recording
volumes are controlled by source.
• Before using the REC LEVEL (+) or (-) button, you
must first choose which source you wish to modify
the volume for by pressing the corresponding input
select button.
• NOTE: The REC LEVEL (+) or (-) button should
not be confused with the VOLUME (+) or (-) button
found on the other side of the recorder.
The VOLUME button controls the levels of audio
output (the speakers or headphones).

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MTR Mode

5. You can record using effects, overdubbing, and mixing track levels
after recording.

Warning: Extremely complicated and probably not what you need.

• MTR Mode is designed to record onto 4 separate tracks. Each track can be recorded
and modified independently. Additionally, tracks 1 & 2 or 3 & 4 can be recorded
together. Each track can record from any of the input sources.
• To begin recording in MTR mode:
• Choose which track (or pair of tracks) you would like to record to.
• Choose the inputs you would like to record onto that track.
• To change the recording volume in MTR mode:
• Press the track number and input source buttons that you would like to change.
• Use the REC LEVEL (+) or (-) button to change the recording levels. This will
only change the recording levels for the selected inputs on the selected track.
Setting for the same inputs on other tracks will remain unchanged.

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6.
• To select
MODE push the MENU
button
• REMEMBER to put in your
SD Card

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7.
• Scroll down using the
wheel until MODE is
highlighted.
• Push the wheel to select.
• Highlight the MODE you
desire and push the
wheel again.

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8.
• To begin recording, hit
the record button twice.

• Hitting it once will only

put the device on
standby.

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9.
• To pause the recording, press pause.

• To stop the recording, press stop.

• To play your recording, hit play.

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10
• To change folders into which
you are recording your files,
select the “1” button.

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11 • To view individual files in that

folder, select the “2” button.

• To delete, rename, encode, or

get information about a file,
select the file name by pushing
the wheel.

• MENU will serve as the “back”

button.

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12
• If you find the recording
volume of your audio is too
low or high, adjust volumes
using the sides.

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13 • If you find the playback

volume of your RECORDED
audio is too low or high,
adjust volumes using
the sides.

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14
• To upload your audio to a
computer, plug the H4n
Handy Recorder using its
USB cable

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15
MAC USERS

• Select USB on the H4n Audio Recorder Screen.

• The computer icon will indicate its connecting to
Mac (just plugging it in to the computer will NOT
do this!)
• The ICON will appear on
the desktop
• DOUBLE CLICK icon to
open folder
• You will see the 3
different types of
recorded MODES
(select yours )

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MAC USERS

• OPEN the folder where you have

SAVED your files

• DRAG your AUDIO file to desktop and

DROP in Folder file

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PC USERS

• This box should

appear

• Select “Open folder

to view files.”

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PC USERS
• However, it is very likely this
convenient box will not appear.
• In this case select:
- Start (My) Computer
Removable Disk (E)
• You will then Select your CHOSEN
MODE:

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19
PC USERS
• OPEN THE FOLDER you stored your files within
(you selected this on the H4n

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20
• You can import the file by dragging and
dropping to your desktop
OR
• By importing into a music software like
Windows Media Player or iTunes.
• Left click the file and select a software to
“Add” the file too.

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21 RECORDING times and FORMATS available

on the H4n

.
• MP3 is a COMPRESSED audio file format that means SMALLER FILES
SIZES but diminished audio quality
• WAV audio format is RAW uncompressed audio for high quality audio
files but larger file sizes

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