Hack a Zoom H2 Portable Audio Recorder to Accept Four Inputs (DIY)

I searched and didn't find this posted before, but it might have been.

http://lifehacker.com …der-to-accept-four-inputs

Looks like it could be rather useful in the field for those needing multiple inputs on a budget. Though, it might not be worth the time for the non-electronic/soldering inclined.

I wonder how that sounds... He's essentially taking the built in mic channels, tapping into them, attenuating the external incoming signal down and letting the recorder think its capturing those tracks from the internal mics. You could probably do the same thing with an H4n too. But how good are those internal mic tapped signals going to sound?!

With miniature mixers being so cheap I think I would be more inclined to add one of them rather than butcher a perfectly good recorder.

Well being the sound snob I am, I also wouldn't bother doing this to a Zoom recorder. A lot of work for very little return. So instead of recording two channels of crappy audio, now you get 4 channels of crappy audio!

There's a reason why some recorders cost $200 and some cost $2000 or more!

Indeed so. And while far from a $2000 recorder the Tascam DR 40 does exactly what he is trying to achieve for little more than the cost of an H2 and would still be worth something on eBay if you subsequently want to upgrade. The but his H2 would be worth nothing - whether you succeeded in doing the conversion or lashed it up.

I guess I'm just not a fan of the Zoom products as a whole. I like my Tascam DR-100 a whole heck of a lot more than even the H4n. Better sound and better features.

But as Ben knows, I also really, really like the Sound Devices products!! SO does he!

John Sims wrote in post #14907053
Indeed so. And while far from a $2000 recorder the Tascam DR 40 does exactly what he is trying to achieve for little more than the cost of an H2 and would still be worth something on eBay if you subsequently want to upgrade. The but his H2 would be worth nothing - whether you succeeded in doing the conversion or lashed it up.

Wait, the Tascam DR 40 is the same setup as the Zoom H2n and H4n isnt it? It will record four tracks, but only two from external and the other two are tied to the internal mics right? So this type of mod would be necessary there if you wanted four external input channels. Again still not a good idea, but possible I guess.

ChasWG wrote in post #14907077
I guess I'm just not a fan of the Zoom products as a whole. I like my Tascam DR-100 a whole heck of a lot more than even the H4n. Better sound and better features.

But as Ben knows, I also really, really like the Sound Devices products!! SO does he!

Yes, yes I do Chas! But man, Zaxcom is at it again... Have you seen the Zaxcom Maxx? LINK Sound Devices really needs to get on the ball and stop concentrating only on the damn 788T firmware and PIX line! I swear thats all they care about over there these days.

And OP, having forgotten about the DR 40, I would recommend that over the H4n. Better bang for the buck. Better user interface, better input connectors, lower price, etc.

ben_r_ wrote in post #14909093
Wait, the Tascam DR 40 is the same setup as the Zoom H2n and H4n isnt it? It will record four tracks, but only two from external and the other two are tied to the internal mics right? So this type of mod would be necessary there if you wanted four external input channels. Again still not a good idea, but possible I guess.......

My bad; as I believe you colonials say.

In fairness to the OP there are very few (none?) true multi track recorders with more than two external recording inputs available on a budget. IIRC most budget portastudios (while 4 track+) only record two external inputs at a time. As such one of the cheapest off the shelf options might be the Tascam DR680. At $700 it's still a lot more than a H2. Indeed, you could buy two H2's or two DR40's.

ben_r_ wrote in post #14909093
Yes, yes I do Chas! But man, Zaxcom is at it again... Have you seen the Zaxcom Maxx? LINK Sound Devices really needs to get on the ball and stop concentrating only on the damn 788T firmware and PIX line! I swear thats all they care about over there these days.

And OP, having forgotten about the DR 40, I would recommend that over the H4n. Better bang for the buck. Better user interface, better input connectors, lower price, etc.

I know, I know! I haven't had a chance yet to really look at that new Zaxcom Maxx, but from the quick look I saw of it, it looks like something I would love to own! And the price is getting better all the time! I will staill wait on getting one until I hear that they are rock solid.

My problem is that that now I can be handed a 788T and a large CF card and I can set it up in no time and be very, very successful with it. It always works and the UI is so straight forward. There are a couple of quirks, but I know them very well now. But am I going to spend $8000 for a 788T? Hell no! I'll rent if needed or the prod company can get it to me to use.

But if this Maxx is super solid, I would spend the money for the 6 channel recorder option on one of those.

ChasWG wrote in post #14915820
I know, I know! I haven't had a chance yet to really look at that new Zaxcom Maxx, but from the quick look I saw of it, it looks like something I would love to own! And the price is getting better all the time! I will staill wait on getting one until I hear that they are rock solid.

My problem is that that now I can be handed a 788T and a large CF card and I can set it up in no time and be very, very successful with it. It always works and the UI is so straight forward. There are a couple of quirks, but I know them very well now. But am I going to spend $8000 for a 788T? Hell no! I'll rent if needed or the prod company can get it to me to use.

But if this Maxx is super solid, I would spend the money for the 6 channel recorder option on one of those.

Agreed all around. I cant see myseld needing the six channel version, but if theyve made a solid device here Im pretty sure I could see myself picking the four channel version up over the 744T. Which is sad to say. SD needs to get their $hit back on track! They need newer, more featured and lower priced devices out NOW!

CHAS!!! ITS HERE ITS HERE!!! Time to sell that 552 buddy!!! LINK VIDEO

I know, I'm on several different mailing lists for different resellers.
Weren't we just complaining about Sound Devices lack of other options to combat Zaxcom?

I'd have to sell my 552 first. And the trend right now for some of the local production companies is to go with smaller, 3 channel rigs for some of these extreme shows they are doing locally. I've been thinking about getting a SD 302, but maybe not now. The 664 looks killer! Thou I will hold off a while. First run bugs and all.