Topic: Hiss in Zoom H2 recording

[chunga1]

hello all.
I am having some trouble locating where the hiss is coming from..It sounds like cassette hiss.

SP-CMC-2(AT-831>SP-SPSB-1(w/107Hz rolloff)>Zoom HZ volume at around 100

when I used my JB3 I had no problem with Hiss.. I went to record Groundation in DC the other day. I tried my Zoom and the shows came out OK but has tons of his..

I have tried removing the hiss with Soundforge Audacity and Goldwave andf nothing works..

The show was recorded at a low volume by mistake so increasing the volume is adding hiss.
However, When I recorded my voice and myself drumming at a good volume the hiss is still there..

I just this morning recorded my just talking and my voice sounds clean but the hiss is really annoying.

Not sure whats going on.

since I lost my disc for the Nomad JB3 I can't use that anymore..

any help

[acidjack]

hello all.
I am having some trouble locating where the hiss is coming from..It sounds like cassette hiss.

SP-CMC-2(AT-831>SP-SPSB-1(w/107Hz rolloff)>Zoom HZ volume at around 100

when I used my JB3 I had no problem with Hiss.. I went to record Groundation in DC the other day. I tried my Zoom and the shows came out OK but has tons of his..

I have tried removing the hiss with Soundforge Audacity and Goldwave andf nothing works..

The show was recorded at a low volume by mistake so increasing the volume is adding hiss.
However, When I recorded my voice and myself drumming at a good volume the hiss is still there..

I just this morning recorded my just talking and my voice sounds clean but the hiss is really annoying.

Not sure whats going on.

since I lost my disc for the Nomad JB3 I can't use that anymore..

any help

The Zoom H2 has, from all I have heard, pretty crummy analog inputs and noisy preamps.  Recording at too low of levels is going to introduce hiss if you get to the point that you're below the noise floor of your machine's inputs.  That problem is not unique to the H2.

If it it is hissy even when you record at adequate levels, that, to me, is a sign that there is an actual problem with the line level inputs themselves.  I think this is also a known issue with Zooms.

[chunga1]

the crappy thing is..
I recorded Return to Forever with this same rig in 2008 and it came out amazing..
However,I forget what was done once I put into the computer..The other show (Rush) I used this did not come out well...the wind didnt help but i dont hear the hiss..

could the hiss come from a low batteryy in my battery box??

I only used it this time Because my JB3 wont power up anymore and the start discs are gone...

edit..I just found my jb3 disc and my Vista doesnt recognize the discs...

thinking i need a new recorder....haha

[cybergaloot]

Did you use the line in or the external mic in port? The ext mic port sucks but the line in should be fine.

How old is the battery in your SP-SPSB-1? Maybe it needs to be changed out.

16 bit or 24 bit recording?

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

[F.O.Bean]

Did you use the line in or the external mic in port? The ext mic port sucks but the line in should be fine.

How old is the battery in your SP-SPSB-1? Maybe it needs to be changed out.

16 bit or 24 bit recording?

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

I would like to know this too

[chunga1]

i recorded at 24..
external mic in..
battery age:
I'm not sure..It was fairly new..

when I plug my battery box to "line in"
I get no sound going into the zoom..
Even if I plug the mic straight in.. no sound..

[F.O.Bean]

i recorded at 24..
external mic in..
battery age:
I'm not sure..It was fairly new..

when I plug my battery box to "line in"
I get no sound going into the zoom..
Even if I plug the mic straight in.. no sound..

Hmmm, you should be using line in if using a battery box/preamp, MOST TIMES. Sounds like a broken zoom IMO, you should invest in a Tascam DR2D or Sony M10

[cybergaloot]

I have an original H2 and have never used the ext mic in because all I have read says that it is noisy. I have used the line in many times with Church Audio mics and preamp with no problems. It works much better than the detractors would have you believe.

[F.O.Bean]

I have an original H2 and have never used the ext mic in because all I have read says that it is noisy. I have used the line in many times with Church Audio mics and preamp with no problems. It works much better than the detractors would have you believe.

Wonder why he's getting NO sound/signal going line in

[chunga1]

I'm going to head to the store now and get a new batteries and see if that works..

It is odd that the "line" gets nothing..
I bought this h2 when they first came out..It has seen minimal road time..so it being broken would be odd..

[acidjack]

I'm going to head to the store now and get a new batteries and see if that works..

It is odd that the "line" gets nothing..
I bought this h2 when they first came out..It has seen minimal road time..so it being broken would be odd..

Sadly, it's a Zoom. It's not that odd. 

[chunga1]

I'm going to head to the store now and get a new batteries and see if that works..

It is odd that the "line" gets nothing..
I bought this h2 when they first came out..It has seen minimal road time..so it being broken would be odd..

Sadly, it's a Zoom. It's not that odd. 

Good point.....lol!!!
Been digging around and it seems this noise is
Very common and equally annoying to all.
Has zoom fixed this noise problem?
Are they aware of it?

[cybergaloot]

If they fixed it they did it by introducing the next version of the H2. I haven't and wont be buying one of those so I don't know.

[Bluegrasser]

i recorded at 24..
external mic in..
battery age:
I'm not sure..It was fairly new..

when I plug my battery box to "line in"
I get no sound going into the zoom..
Even if I plug the mic straight in.. no sound..

Hmmm, you should be using line in if using a battery box/preamp, MOST TIMES. Sounds like a broken zoom IMO, you should invest in a Tascam DR2D or Sony M10

I understand the M10 recommendation but why the DR2D and not the DR40 or 100mkII (or is it just the cost differance?)  Curious

[ScoobieKW]

DR2D is 4 track. Audience + SBD or Onstage + SBD rock. And it's only $120 or so. Add in a tinybox or church preamp and you're golden.

I use my M10 as a preamp (and backup recorder) for my mics, output it into the DR2D along with a board feed.

http://kennedy-williams.net/scoobiesnax/2012/11/lukas-nelson-and-the-promise-of-the-real-the-tractor/

http://kennedy-williams.net/scoobiesnax/2012/11/ayron-jones-and-the-way-tractor-tavern/

http://kennedy-williams.net/scoobiesnax/2012/10/kate-borkowski-the-rendevous/

[F.O.Bean]

I just used 2 different M10s last nite for an onstage mk21>LB>M10 and SBD>M10 and they lined up perfectly once I aligned them. ZERO Drift after over an hour of music! I used to own a DR2D, and they are great recorders, but I MUCH PREFER the build quality and reliability of the M10. Plus, a DR2D wouldve been useless because I needed to be in 2 different locations for the show

[fguidry]

i recorded at 24..
external mic in..
battery age:
I'm not sure..It was fairly new..

when I plug my battery box to "line in"
I get no sound going into the zoom..
Even if I plug the mic straight in.. no sound..

Hmmm, you should be using line in if using a battery box/preamp, MOST TIMES. Sounds like a broken zoom IMO, you should invest in a Tascam DR2D or Sony M10

Is it not the case that the battery box SP-SPSB-1 provides _no_ gain? As I read its specs it's a power source only, so its output is still mic level and requires a preamp rather than a line in connection.

Fran

[acidjack]

i recorded at 24..
external mic in..
battery age:
I'm not sure..It was fairly new..

when I plug my battery box to "line in"
I get no sound going into the zoom..
Even if I plug the mic straight in.. no sound..

Hmmm, you should be using line in if using a battery box/preamp, MOST TIMES. Sounds like a broken zoom IMO, you should invest in a Tascam DR2D or Sony M10

Is it not the case that the battery box SP-SPSB-1 provides _no_ gain? As I read its specs it's a power source only, so its output is still mic level and requires a preamp rather than a line in connection.

Fran

It provides no gain but at high SPL (rock concert) levels should be sufficient via line in

[bonghitwillie]

i once recorded the same show using an r9 and an h2 with dp4061s and the core batt box. the stage volume was low and i had both units record levels maxed out going in line level. the h2 was definately more hissy. but for $100 and if you can get a good level into it, the h2 is fine.

[cybergaloot]

You'll never hear me say the H2 is a great recorder, just that it is not nearly as bad as some will have you believe.

[flicflac]

You'll never hear me say the H2 is a great recorder, just that it is not nearly as bad as some will have you believe.

This is the truth