Zoom H4n Pro User manual

QUICK GUIDE
Handy Recorder
You must read the Usage and Safety Precautions before use.
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02
Names and functions of parts
Front Back
Input jack for external stereo
mic that uses plug-in power
Built-in mono speaker
Threaded tripod mount
Battery cover
STAMINA switch
90/120° stereo
XY mic (built-in)
• STEREO/4CH mode
shortcut buttons
1 FOLDER
2 FILE
3 SPEED (Stereo mode)
4 WAV/MP3 (Stereo/4CH mode)
• MTR mode TRACK
1–4 buttons
STEREO/4CH/MTR
mode indicators
Display with
backlight
INPUT
MIC, 1–2 buttons
Transport control buttons
REC button

XLR TRS
1：GND
2：HOT
3：COLD
TIP：HOT
RING：COLD
SLEEVE：GND
21
3
03
Right side Left side Bottom
DIAL Optional remote
control jack
DC 5V AC adapter jack
Strap
attachment
hole
XLR/standard phone
input jack 1
XLR/standard phone
input jack 2
MENU button LINE/PHONE output
stereo mini jack
REC LEVEL (+/−) VOLUME (+/−)
SD card slot
USB jack
(Mini-B)
POWER/HOLD switch

04
Battery/Power setting
The H4n Pro can be powered by a standard power outlet or batteries.
• Using a standard power outlet • Using batteries
Always use the specified AC adapter.
Use of an AC adapter other
than the specified model
could cause malfunction.
Specified AC adapter:
ZOOM AD-14A/D
Install two AA batteries. 1Open the battery
compartment cover.
NOTE:
Make sure the power is off!
Conrm that the power is off whenever you
open the battery compartment cover or
connect/disconnect the AC adapter. Failure to
do so could damage recording data.
2Insert the batteries.
(Follow the +/– orientation.)
3Set the STAMINA switch.
: Ordinary use
(using AC adapter or batteries)
ON: STAMINA mode on
(conserves power when using batteries)
4Close the battery
compartment cover.
• You can use conventional alkaline and nickel metal hydride rechargeable batteries.
• Use MENU > SYSTEM > BATTERY to set the type of battery so that the amount of remaining battery
charge can be shown accurately.

05
Loading an SD card
The SD card is required to record. Make sure to turn off power before inserting or removing the SD card.
How to install an SD card
1Make sure power is off.
2Insert the SD card into
the slot.
How to remove an SD card
1Make sure power is off.
2Push the SD card in to
remove it from the slot.
NOTE:
TURN THE POWER OFF!
Never insert or remove an SD card while the power is on. This could
destroy data.
CAUTIONS WHEN INSERTING
SD CARDS
• You can use 16MB to 32GB SD cards.
For a list of operation-certied SD cards
please refer to the ZOOM website:
zoomcorp.com
• If you use an SD card that was used
by a computer, digital camera or other
machine, formatting in the H4n Pro is
required.
• If “No Card” appears on the display at
startup, check if the SD card is correctly
inserted.
• When “Format Card” appears on the
display at startup, this means the SD card
has not been formatted in the H4n Pro. To
format it, press the DIAL and select YES.
• When the startup screen says “Card
Protect”, the card is write-protected. To
disable this, slide the lock switch on the
SD card.
No SD card warning when
starting up.
This warning will appear if an
SD card is not in a recognized
format. Select YES to format
the card. This will delete all of
its data.
SD card recording capacity (approximate)
16GB SDHC card Recording time
(approximate)
44.1 kHz/16-bit WAV
(stereo track) 25 hours
44.1kHz/128kbps MP3
(stereo track) 276 hours

06
Using the POWER/HOLD switch and turning the power on/off
Left side
POWER/HOLD
switch
1Turn all connected
equipment off rst.
2Insert an SD card.
3Slide the POWER
switch to turn the
power on and start up.
4Turn connected
instruments and
monitoring equipment
on in that order.
Turning the power on and starting up
NOTE:
• Before turning the power on, lower the
volume of instruments and monitors
connected to the H4n Pro.
• If
the display
reads
“No Card” when
starting up, make
sure that an SD
card is inserted
correctly.
• If the display says “Reset DATE/TIME”
when starting
up, the date and
time have been
set to their default
values.
HINT: Turning multiple devices on
When many devices are connected, turn
them on in the following order.
Instruments H4n Pro
ON ON ON ON
Mixer Amp

07
1Turn the monitoring system and connected
instruments off in that order rst.
2Slide the POWER switch to turn the power off.
Turning the power off and shutting down
HINT: Order for turning off equipment
Instruments H4n Pro
OFFOFFOFFOFF
➀➁ ➂➃
MixerAmp
HOLD Function
The H4n Pro features a HOLD function
that disables button operation to prevent
misoperation during recording.
If you press any button while HOLD is
active, the screen will display “Key Hold” for
two seconds. To deactivate HOLD, slide the
POWER switch away from HOLD.
Slide the POWER switch
toward HOLD.
Activating the HOLD function

1Press. 4Set YEAR ➝MONTH ➝DAY ➝TIME
(hour: minute: second)
2Select SYSTEM and press.
3Select DATE/TIME and press.
5Select OK and press.
08
Setting the date and time
NOTE:
If “Reset DATE/TIME” appears
during startup, the date/time
needs to be set.
Select the item on DATE/TIME:
Change the value.
Press the DIAL.
The selected item value is highlighted.
Press the DIAL.
The cursor appears again.
Turn the DIAL to
select the item.
Turn the DIAL to
set the value.
• If no power source is connected
for more than three minutes, the
DATE/TIME setting will reset to
the default value.
• You cannot set this during
recording and playback.
Each le will automatically record the date/time.
To facilitate searching for les by date, be sure to set the date/time after every battery change.

09
Setup: Connecting external devices
The H4n Pro offers versatile connectivity with options for any recording application.
Remote control
(optional)
INPUT: mic
INPUT: instrument
Stereo mic
SD card
Headphones
Monitors
Mixer USB
INPUT: instrument
AC adapter specified for H4n Pro
Personal computer (PC)

10
Setup: Built-in microphones
These are the special features of the H4n Pros built-in microphones.
Capturing the stereo image center Centered 90°
Wide 120°
Stereo images without phase cancellation.
Ordinary stereo mic placement
Ordinary stereo mic placement
H4n Pro stereo mic pair
H4n Pro stereo mic pair
Time lag
Movable
High quality microphones in an XY
pattern ensure a natural stereo image
when recording sounds.
Stereo recording is often done by placing two microphones
in a V-shaped configuration. Pointing microphones
outward will result in stereo separation, but the recording
will lack definition around the center, resulting in a poor
stereo image.
The H4n Pro utilizes an XY stereo mic configuration. By
placing two microphones in a crossed pattern (opposite
angles), the H4n Pro can cover a wide area and capture
sound sources in the center with clarity and definition.
Sounds reach both mics simultaneously, so no phase
cancellation occurs between right and left channels.
XY mic placement 90° or 120° directivity

1
Press.
2
Select
INPUT and
press.
3
Select
PHANTOM
and press.
4
Select the
voltage
and press.
11
Setup: INPUT 1/2 connections and phantom power
Use INPUT 1 and 2 to connect to a guitar, bass or keyboard, for example.
You can directly plug a guitar
or a bass into either INPUT 1 or
INPUT 2.
Plug a keyboard with stereo
output into both INPUT 1 and 2.
Dynamic
microphone
Condenser
microphone
(phantom
power)
Connect microphones with XLR plugs to INPUT 1 and
INPUT 2. If you need phantom power, such as when using a
condenser microphone, make the following setting.
Setting PHANTOM power
Press the MENU button for
more than 2 seconds, and start
operation from the top screen.
Connecting instruments
INPUT 1 INPUT 2
Connecting microphones

12
Mode overview
The H4n Pro has four operation modes: STEREO, STAMINA, 4CH (4-channel) and MTR (multitrack).
Choose the mode according to your need.
• STEREO mode
You can easily create a stereo recording
using the built-in microphones or an
external microphone.
The STEREO mode is convenient for
recording live band performances,
acoustic instruments, voices, lectures,
and subtle soundscapes. You can then
use it to play stereo WAV and MP3
files.
• STAMINA mode
This mode enables longer battery life.
STAMINA mode is similar to STEREO
mode, but has less functions.
The continuous usage time with alkaline
batteries is approximately 11 hours (but
could be less depending on usage).
When in STAMINA mode, the H4n
Pro can only record/playback in WAV
44.1kHz/16-bit and MP3 formats.
To enable STAMINA mode
when using batteries, set the
STAMINA switch before
turning the power on.
• Field recording
• Live outdoor recording
• At conferences and in other situations
when changing batteries is difficult
• 4CH mode
In 4CH mode, you can record two
stereo signals simultaneously. You
can capture live sounds via the built-in
mics and direct instruments via external
inputs at the same time.
• Simultaneous recording with both
line input and mics
• Surround recording via front and rear
microphone placement
• Simultaneous recording of both
ambient and direct sound sources
• Recording both ambient and direct
sounds to add a live feel to recorded
performances
• MTR mode
You can record using effects in this
mode. You can also overdub recordings
and use sound files previously recorded
using the other modes.
When creating a demo, you can record
backing tracks at home and record
instrumental tracks in the studio while
listening to the backing tracks.
• Recording parts one track at a time
• Overdubbing
• Recording using effects
• Mixing track levels after recording
• Indoor and outdoor rehearsals
• One-pass stereo recording of live
performances and rehearsals
• Direct recording of a single instrument
• Field recording
• Voice memos
• Recording meetings

1Press.
2Select MODE and press.
3Select among STEREO, 4CH
and MTR modes and press.
13
Switching and conrming modes
Be sure to select the appropriate mode for your application.
Note: To engage
STAMINA mode,
use the switch
located in the battery
compartment.
STEREO
4CH
MTR
Mode indicators
STAMINA mode
indicator
HINT:
Mode conrmation
• The current mode is indicated by a mode indicator LED on
the front panel.
• The H4n Pro will power up in the same mode it was in
when turned off.
• When starting up for the rst time, the default mode is
STEREO.
Press the MENU button for
more than 2 seconds, and start
operation from the top screen.

14
Mode details
In STEREO mode, you can select 2 different inputs
either INPUT MIC or INPUT 1 and 2, and record and
play one stereo file at a time.
Files are saved in one of the ten sub-folders in the
STEREO folder.
In STAMINA mode, the functions are limited to
maximize the battery life time.
In 4CH MODE, the H4n Pro records two stereo
WAV files: one stereo WAV file for the built-in
mic or stereo mic input and one stereo WAV file for
INPUT 1 and 2.
These FILES are saved in one of the ten 4CH
sub-folders.
You can record tracks in MONO or STEREO from
INPUT 1, INPUT 2 and a stereo microphone.
You can combine them with tracks recorded in other
modes and overdub existing tracks.
In MTR mode, project data and settings are saved as
a project in the MTR folder.
STEREO mode 4CH mode MTR mode
Input and output levels as well as saving and le formats are different in each mode.
STAMINA MODE

15
Mode screens: STEREO and STAMINA modes
• Explanation of the top screen
Recorder status
File format
Remaining battery life (when battery used)
Optional setting indicators
File names
Clipping indicators
Level meters
Remaining recording time
Remaining possible recording time on SD card
Recording and playback levels
The clip indicators “light” if the recording or playback
level reaches 0 dB and remain lit until the file ends or
the stop button is pressed.
Name of file selected, being recorded or
playing back
If there is no file in any folder, “No Data” appears.
These icons appear on the display when
optional functions are ON.
Elapsed recording or playback time
(hours): (minutes): (seconds): (milliseconds)
Format of file selected, being recorded
or playing back
• WAV file: kHz/bit
• MP3 file: bit rate
STAMINA MODE
Stamina
icon
If “Low Battery” appears on the display, it is time
to change the batteries.
Counter
Stopped
Recording standby
Blinks
Blinks
REC button
blinks
REC button
lights
Playing
Recording
Paused
96kHz/24-bit WAV indicator
128kbps MP3 indicator
LO CUT function
COMP/LIMIT function
Phantom power (48V/24V)
MS stereo matrix

16
Mode screens: 4CH mode
• Explanation of the top screen
Recorder status
Remaining recording time
File format
Optional setting indicators
Elapsed recording or playback time
(hours): (minutes): (seconds): (milliseconds)
These icons appear on the display when
optional functions are ON.
Remaining possible recording time on SD card
If “Low Battery” appears on the display, it is time to
change the batteries.
Name of file selected, being recorded or
playing back
If there is no file in any folder, “No Data” appears.
The clip indicators “light” if the recording or playback
level reaches 0 dB and remain lit until the file ends or
the stop button is pressed.
Input sources and recording and playback
levels
MIC ..... Input from either the built-in mics or an
external stereo mic
IN ........ Input from INPUT 1 and INPUT 2
Format of file selected, being
recorded or playing back
LO CUT function
COMP/LIMIT function
Phantom power (48V/24V)
MS stereo matrix
Stopped
Recording standby
Blinks
Blinks
REC button
blinks
REC button
lights
Playing
Recording
Paused
Counter
Remaining battery life (when battery used)
File names
Clipping indicators
Input sources and level meters

17
Mode screens: MTR mode
• Explanation of the top screen
Recorder status
Optional setting indicators
Remaining recording time L/R level meters
Track numbers
Level meters
Track menu icons
BOUNCE ICON
Counter
These icons appear on the display when
optional functions are ON.
Remaining possible recording time on SD card. These show the master left and right output
levels.
Icons are highlighted for tracks in recording
standby.
These show the recording or playback levels of
tracks 1-4.
Select an icon to access the track menu where
settings, including volume, panning and stereo/
mono, can be made.
If “Low Battery” appears on the display, it is time
to change the batteries.
Selecting this icon brings up the PUNCH IN/
OUT settings.
The icon only appears when recording in OVER
WRITE mode.
Selecting this icon brings up BOUNCE settings.
Counter function:
Specify a time
Stopped
Recording Standby
Blinks
Blinks
REC button
blinks
ALWAYS NEW
recording only
ALWAYS NEW
recording only
REC button
lights
Playing
Recording
Paused
DIAL operations
on top screen
Cursor
Remaining battery life (when battery used)
Auto punch in/out icon
Elapsed recording or playback time
(hours): (minutes): (seconds): (milliseconds)
Effects
Phantom power (48V/24V)
Protect function

1Press to enter recording
standby.
2Select input source and
press.
Press MIC to use the built-in mics, or
press INPUT 1 or 2 to use external
inputs.
3Adjust the recording level of
the input source.
4Press to start recording.
5Press to end recording.
18
Settings/recording: Recording in STEREO and STAMINA modes
These are the steps to record in STEREO or STAMINA mode.
Confirm the mode
is STEREO.
1. Enter recording standby
2. Select input source
3. Adjust recording level of
source
Record
4. Start recording.
(Pause, resume recording,
add marks.)
Change recording settings.*
REC FORMAT,
FILE NAME TYPE
Use recording functions.*
AUTO REC/STOP, PRE REC,
REC LEVEL AUTO
Use METRONOME*
5. End recording
*You can record without making
these settings.
Recording process Press the MENU button for
more than 2 seconds, and start
operation from the top screen.
The counter and
remaining time
start changing.
New file
name
Blinks
The counter
resets to 0.
STEREO MODE TOP
Blinks
Lit
Lit
Unlit

19
Pausing
RECORDING AGAIN
Press
Press
Ref. ☞OPERATION MANUAL
REC FORMAT P.049
Mark setting P.096
AUTO REC P.063
REC LEVEL AUTO P.069
FILE NAME P.050
METRONOME
P.079
PRE REC P.065
HINT:
Recording format
In STEREO mode you can
record in 19 different WAV
and MP3 le formats. The
recording format must be
selected before recording
a le begins.
File naming
Recorded les are named
automatically. Choose from
two formats. The default
format is DEFAULT.
DEFAULT: STE-xxx
DATE: 090531-xxx
The recording date is in
yymmdd format.
Marks
When the recording format
is WAV, you can mark a
le by pressing the REC
button while recording. You
can move swiftly to marked
positions during playback.
When you pause recording
of a WAV le, a mark will be
added at the paused point.
NOTE:
During recording and playback, the recording format and le
name type cannot be changed.
Blinks
Blinks
Lit
Counter does not return to 0.
See the Operation Manual for details about MTR mode.

1Press to enter recording
standby.
2Select the input sources
and press.
3Adjust the recording level of
the input source.
4Press to start recording.
5Press to end recording.
20
Settings/recording: 4CH mode recording
This is the method to record 4 channels (2 stereo) from the built-in mic and the external input jacks.
Switch to 4CH mode
1. Enter recording standby
2. Select input source
3. Adjust recording level of
source
Record
4. Start recording.
(Pause, resume recording,
add marks.)
Change recording setting.*
REC FORMAT
Use recording functions.*
AUTO REC/STOP, PRE REC,
REC LEVEL AUTO
Use METRONOME*
5. End recording
*You can record without making
these settings.
STEREO
MODE TOP
Recording process Press the MENU button for
more than 2 seconds, and start
operation from the top screen.
The counter and
remaining time
start changing.
The counter
resets to 0.
New file
name
Blinks
Blinks
Lit
Lit
Unlit
or
Select mic for the built-in microphones
Select INPUT 1 or 2 for external
inputs