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Flattened audio waveform when recorded through ext mic on H4N
Hi all,
We filmed a wedding ceremony on the weekend and when recording the audio we got a weird flat waveform from the zoom. It seems to distort quite a bit. Does anyone know if this can be resolved in adobe audition or know how to stop this from happening again? While it was recording I thought it was fine because the peaking was sitting around -18
Any help would be much appreciated!
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5 Replies
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You are right the signal is clipped….
What were you feeding from then into the Zoom H4n?
Mic or line level?
Were you using any in line pads?
What inputs were you using XLR or 6.5mm socket -
Ok
1) did you listen to this record setup before the ceremony started?
2) did you make a test recording and check it back?The audio level hitting the input electronics of the zoom h4n was too high (hot) therefore adjusting the recording levels up and down on the zoom will only adjust this already poor sound quality.
I generally pad down a line level output (desk etc) by -20db and find this brings the signal off the input stage buffers.
Peter
Post Production Dubbing Mixer
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I was using the external mic input on the back of the H4N. Used a 3.5mm jack from the output on the celebrants speaker.
I’m not familiar with inline pads? how do they work? -
Thanks for the response Peter. Unfortunately i didn’t have time before the ceremony started to do a test run.
How does the pad down work?
Is it something I can buy on eBay and put it inline with the 3.5mm jack?
Cheers -
How bad does it sound.
Do you want to post a short bit. We might be able to say what can be done before the bride fries you.the -20db pad does just that. it drops the level by using resistors in the unit by 20 db. Used where line level is just too hot for the electronics.
eg
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20db-XLR-In-Line-Balanced-Attenuator-Adapter-Volume-Noise-Reduction-Audio-Amp-/310334543675?hash=item484161573b:g:k1AAAOSwD0lUkGW5youd need to look at your connector types etc.
Peter
Post Production Dubbing Mixer
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