Connect USB interface balanced output to ZOOM H5

[Richard Crowley]

#1 is the prefered method. As you say, your Roland Tri-Capture has a balanced, line-level output. And the Zoom H5 TRS inputs (part of the XLR/TRS “combo” input jacks) will accept LINE-LEVEL audio when the H5 is configured properly.

Note you are NOT connecting to the H5 “mic-input”. You cannot connect ANY line-level audio signal to a mic-level input. Note also that whether a signal is balanced or not is quite independent on the signal level (mic-level, line-level, etc.)

#2 is neaarly the same as #1 except that it uses an UN-balanced signal. While that may work just fine in many cases, there may be some situations where the balanced connection’s ability to reject ambient noise could be a big advantage. No particularly good reason to use unbalanced cable (TS) when you have a proper balanced source and a balanced destination. Of course, if you had an unbalanced source (which you DO NOT) and a balanced destination, then using an unbalanced TS cord would be preferable.

#3 is NOT likely to perform as well as #1 (or even #2). The headphone output of most gear is not designed to the same standards of quality as the main output.

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Recording audio without metering and monitoring is exactly like framing and focusing without looking at the viewfinder.

[Gami Rosd]

Thanks for your detailed reply.
If I am going with option #1, what is the settings for Zoom H5 I should use? as I am really very confused for how to adjust it.
Does the MIC 1 & 2 inputs for Zoom H5 TRS are balanced or not?

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GR!

[Richard Crowley]

I am confused, also. Somehow in 116 pages of English-language manual they never actually explained the TRS inputs of the combo “1/2 INPUTS”. So it is not at all clear whether the 1/4 TRS inputs can be used as line-level, mic-level or instrument-level. This is a gross failure on their part, but unfortunately it is all too common for this pro-sumer gear to have documentation that is so “dumbed-down” it is practically useless.

Upon closer inspection of the (poor) documenation, it appears that the only input that is identified as “line-level” is the 3.5mm “MIC/LINE input jack” on the upper right side. That means you would need to use a “stereo break-out” cable like this to connect the outputs from your Roland Tri-Capture to the 3.5mm TRS “MIC/LINE input jack” on your H5.

https://hosatech.com/product/cmp-150/

This is just one example from Hosa. There are many other similar cables that would work exactly the same.

I found the manual here: https://www.zoom.co.jp/sites/default/files/products/downloads/pdfs/E_H5_0.pdf
And on page 98 is the only information I found on configuring the H5 for line-level input.

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Recording audio without metering and monitoring is exactly like framing and focusing without looking at the viewfinder.

[Gami Rosd]

Thanks a lot.
I will order this type of cable and try it and feed you back.
Note: When you typed this pro-sumer gear, you mean that Zoom is not a professional digital recorder? in that case, which brand and model considered a professional digital recorder?
Thanks

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GR!

[Gami Rosd]

Just another quick question before I place my order for the cable you recommended.
As far as I understand the Line-In input in the Zoom H5 is stereo and balanced and this is why we are using a Stereo Mini 3.5mm Male.
Regarding the USB interface out, according to my understanding it is Balanced which mean it should be a 2 Stereo 1/4″ Male, right!?
So the right required cable should be a (Stereo Mini 3.5mm Male) =TO> (2 Stereo 1/4″ Male) and not 2 Mono 1/4″.
So did I understand it correctly or still confused 🙂

GR!

[Richard Crowley]

The Zoom “H” series is pro-sumer at best. However, recently Zoom have started making a couple of more professional-level products, the F4 and F8 recorders. They appear to have significantly improved performance and build quality compared to the little plastic “shaver” F-series recorders.

NO, The 3.5mm input is TRS and stereo. It is NOT balanced at all. You can’t do balanced stereo with only 3 conductors (T, R, S) Stereo on any TRS plug is UN-balanced by definition. Always.

Because the input to the Zoom recorder is unbalanced, then you need UNbalanced, TS plugs at the source (the Roland Tri-Capture).

———————————————————————————
Recording audio without metering and monitoring is exactly like framing and focusing without looking at the viewfinder.