Aussiesucker
1066 posts
Mar 27, 2012
9:21 PM
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I currently record via an amp through the air to a H2Zoom.I use a Fireball V mic via a delay plus I play backing tracks from an ipod through the line in on the amp. I download the mix into Audacity where I add the necessary ‘pepper & salt to taste’. Any changes I make apply to the mix.
I tried using a cheap Logitech USB mic recording direct into Audacity alongside pre loaded backing tracks that I listened to on headphones. The result proved that it works, can be done, is clean and real easy. But the quality on the cheap mic was not bad but not real good. But this enabled me to effect changes by editing different tracks.
My research led me to the Blue Yeti. So, I went to a large pro retailer who really took an interest in what I was doing ie Youtubes & Sound Cloud recordings. The knowledgeable sales assistant went through all my gear and then asked me why I would want or even need a Blue Yeti. He explained that the mic pattern set up on the H2Zoom was similar to a Yeti and it was a great USB condenser mic. I had only ever used the H2Zoom as a recorder & have found it to be a fantastic product.
Saving myself $200 I set about installing the H2Zoom USB drivers on 2 computers. One of my computers is Windows 7 professional which used 64bit driver & the other Windows 7 home requiring 32bit. Both downloaded and I was able to then use the H2Zoom as a USB mic.
The quality on voice recording was fantastic but with the harp there was a disturbing sparkly tinkling rattly sound which was always in the background. It’s a sound I couldn’t live with. It was the same on both computers. I don’t understand because when I record the harp into the Zoom and then download into Audacity the sound is good. Same mics in both cases?
I know there are other forum members using the H2Zoom recorders but are there any who are also using it as a USB Mic? If so what are the findings? Also am I on the right track in going for a Blue Yeti?
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HARPOLDIE’S YOUTUBE
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billy_shines
327 posts
Mar 27, 2012
10:07 PM
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record onto a hi fi VCR thick tape like studios. then plug it into the mic jack and record it on audacity. complete with hiss the way the gods intended blues to be.
digital sucks what can you do?
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Greyowlphotoart
992 posts
Mar 28, 2012
12:25 AM
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Hi Aussie, nice setup you have there. I have as you know just bought the upgraded Zoom H2 known as the H2N. I have tested it once as a USB mic through Windows 7 and it seemed to work ok without any of the distortion you mention. I can't think what's going on there with that unwanted sound you're getting.
As you say the Zooms are great for recording. The only issue I have is that the recording is a little soft when transferred to the PC and played through Audacity.
There is a normalise function on this model which can be utilised or I could boost the volume in Audacity but it's still quieter than if I record via line in to pc with my normal mic/amp set up.
I was wondering if this is normal with Zooms and how much latitude I have for increasing volume beyond normalise levels.
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Grey Owl YouTube
Grey Owl Abstract Photos
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Aussiesucker
1067 posts
Mar 28, 2012
1:39 PM
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Hi GreyOwl & thanks for your response. Thanks for the thumbs up on the new Zoom. I actually did some research on the H2N but nowhere does it highlight or review its capabilities when used as a USB mic.
I have not noticed any softness in the recordings I have done on the Zoom. Then again I have no real comparison. The Zoom I have has a gain switch with 3 levels and I find that when downloaded to Audacity the volume is ok . I am careful to not set the gain on other than low as it is very sensitive as I only place it about a foot in front of my amp. I don’t much like to fiddle with the volume in Audacity as it brings in too much noise. In Audacity about the only bits I add are some bass, delay, & fade in & out.
What I haven’t yet tried is a line in from my amps as this might be a solution that I’m after. I find that being able to see and sight read the backing tracks as well as hear the backing in headphones is an advantage for me. Sort of like having a conductor! With my current set up I am unable to see the tracks plus I hear them at a disturbing volume plus getting the mix right is a pain.
My thinking is to ultimately work towards complete portability which a Zoom plus a Laptop would give me. In the interim I will try the line in from my amp or lash out and purchase a Blue Yeti which is hardly portable as they weigh in at 3kgs.
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HARPOLDIE’S YOUTUBE
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MrVerylongusername
2306 posts
Mar 28, 2012
2:41 PM
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There's a discussion on this mac forum about distortion and noise from the h2 when it's used in USB mic mode. Seems that the USB port might not be able to supply sufficient power which is underpowering the mic and causing the unwanted noise. I don't know what you're running, but the same problem could arise on a PC system - especially a laptop.
The solution is to connect it via a powered USB hub, which you could get pretty cheaply if you don't already have one. I'd try that before forking out for the Yeti. The shop guy is right - there's little difference in the capsules, so actually the H2, being a free standing recorder too, has the edge.
If you really want to replace the H2, for not much more than the yeti, you could get a M-Audio USB audio interface (probably bundled with some juicy software) and an entry level, large diaphragm condenser mic like an Audio technica AT2020 or AT2035. You'd have a far more flexible set up then: more inputs, including instrument jacks and a mic you can use with any pro sound equipment.
The yeti you can plug into your computer and that's it.
Last Edited by on Mar 28, 2012 2:43 PM
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Aussiesucker
1068 posts
Mar 28, 2012
3:46 PM
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MrVLUN> thanks for that info. Macforum is an interesting read. Possibly underpowered from USB so I will get a powered hub. The noise I am getting & only on the harp, ie voice ok, is best described as the sound from sparklers eg a tinkling crackle.
The shop guy mentioned the M Audio Fast track or the option to use a Yamaha Audiogram 3 as an interface for my current dynamic mics.
If the powered USB hub fixes the Zoom then for me that's the ultimate on the go set up.
I have done an initial test using the line out of my Micro Cube direct to computer & it sounds promising. I'm getting a warmer tone, which I want, but volume is a bit weak and the amp is cranked up on full volume & gain. I have yet to try it using my ART Pre amp into the Micro Cube & if it works at cranking up the volume I will be a happy little vegemite.
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HARPOLDIE’S YOUTUBE
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garry
190 posts
Mar 28, 2012
4:10 PM
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this doesn't address your question, but have you considered recording just the harp part, separate from the backing tracks? when i do this, i play the background music through headphones, and record just harp through the air, rather than using the amp as a de facto mixer. you can then use audacity to tweak the two independently, adjust the relative volume of the channels, etc. the only nit is getting both channels to start at the same time, but that's not too difficult in practice.
i'm using this method to produce some collaborative work with my guitar guy, who lives to far away to get together often.
just a thought.
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Aussiesucker
1069 posts
Mar 28, 2012
4:53 PM
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Garry> yes that is a way that I have tried and it's not that difficult to align the tracks. It's an option to work with until something better crops up.
I will try the powered USB hub but I now doubt that is the problem. The USB lead with the Zoom is really short so I linked it with a longer 10' extension which I then figured could cause a power drop. I tried recording with the short lead and no difference. My computer has 16 USB ports and 6 of them are red ports which according to the specs are supposed to be fully powered.
Line out from the amp on further tests was not producing what I thought was a warmer tone only a muddy tone. I was able to tweak up the volume with my pre amp but it was not an acceptable sound.
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