Zoom H4essential User manual

zoomcorp.com/help/h4essential
© 2024 ZOOM CORPORATION
Copying or reprinting this manual in part or in whole without permission is prohibited.
You might need this manual in the future. Always keep it in a place where you can access it easily.
The contents of this manual and the specifications of the product could be changed without notice.
Proper display is not possible on grayscale devices.
Quick Tour
You must read the Usage and Safety Precautions before use.
Software and documents related to this product can be found at the following
website.

2
Inserting microSD cards
Supported recording media:
microSDHC: 4 GB – 32 GB
microSDXC: 64 GB – 1 TB
We recommend using microSD cards that have been
conrmed to operate with this product.
See the ZOOM
website (zoomcorp.com) for information about
microSD cards that have been conrmed to work with
this unit.
• Always turn the power off before inserting or removing a microSD card.
• To remove a microSD card, push it further into the slot and then pull it out.
Turning the power on
Alkaline,
nickel-metal hydride
or lithium batteries
Open while pressing up.
Power can also be supplied through the USB (Type-C) port by connecting a commercially-available portable battery
or a dedicated AC adapter (AD-17).

3
Making settings when rst turned on
Use (select) and (conrm/execute) according to the screen.
Accessibility setting
A function that can enable audio guidance and
beep sounds is included to assist use by people
with vision impairments.
Language setting
Press to return to the previous screen.

4
Date format setting
The year, month and day will be used in
recording le names in the order set here.
Date and time settings
Select a setting item and
conrm.
After setting all the items, select
“OK” to complete setting the date
and time.
Change the value and
conrm.

5
Battery type setting
We recommend running SD card tests on microSD cards after purchasing them new or using them
with a different device.

6
After settings are complete, the Home Screen will open.
■Home Screen overview
Status icon
Remaining
battery
charge
Counter
(elapsed recording time / available recording time)
Menu bar ( FILE LIST / INPUT / OUTPUT / REC / SD CARD / USB / SYSTEM )
Waveform
display
(MIC, INPUT 1-2)
Preparing to record with the XY mic
■Enabling tracks
The indicator will light red, showing it is
ready to record.

7
■Connecting headphones and adjusting the volume
Headphones
■Reducing noise from wind and vocal pops
can be pressed to return quickly to the Home Screen (from most screens).

8
■Tip to improve recording sound quality
If the H4essential is placed directly on a table, reected sound can interfere with recording and
reduce clarity. We recommend using a tripod, for example, to distance it from the table. Placing a
handkerchief, for example, can also be effective in reducing sound reected from a table.
■Using external mics
An external mic or line-level device can also be connected to the MIC/LINE IN jack and recorded.
This can also provide plug-in power to mics that use it.
External mic

9
Preparing to record with inputs 1–2
■Connecting dynamic/condenser mics
Condenser mic
XLR plug
Dynamic mic
Turn on phantom power for inputs that have con-
denser mics connected.
When disconnecting an XLR plug, pull it while pushing on the connector.

10
■Connecting wireless mics
If the receiver output jack is stereo mini, use an adapter for XLR conversion.
XLR plug
Receiver
■Connecting mixers and other line-level equipment
Use a cable or adapter so that a TRS plug is used to connect to the H4essential.
TRS plugTRS plug
Keyboard PA mixer
When stereo-linked, tracks are recorded as a
stereo le with track 1 on L and track 2 on R.