Just ran a simple test to find out if the input sensitivity settings below '1' which have been introduced with V1.30 do really affect things ahead of the A/D-converter or if Zoom are again just fooling around in the digital domain.
Connected the H4n's 3.5 mm mic input to a sine-wave generator (1000 Hz) and its line output to an oscilloscope. With the H4n's input level control set to '1', digital saturation begins at a generator (=input) level of about 290 mV rms (-8.5 dBu), the level indicator in the display shows 'full scale', the 'MIC' led is flashing to indicate overload in the digital domain, and the oscilloscope shows a noticeable degree of flat-topping.
Lowering the input sensitivity of the H4n to '0.1' - with the same input level - brings the level indicator and the output level down by 24 dB while the 'MIC' button is still flashing and the scope still shows the same amount of flat-topping of the output signal.
Draw your own conclusions...
Ralf
Topic: Zoom H4n improved level control - the emperor's new clothes (Read 2165 times)