Topic: New Zoom HxEssential recorders

[unidentified]

Again, fellow tapers have warned me from their experience that combined inputs are more prone to failure than single purpose XLRs.  Adapters are cheap and easier to replace than a faulty input on a device.

[TheJez]

Again, fellow tapers have warned me from their experience that combined inputs are more prone to failure than single purpose XLRs.  Adapters are cheap and easier to replace than a faulty input on a device.

I can imagine that build quality of such connectors might differ between devices. Maybe your friends can tell exactly which devices with combo connectors they had problems with, so one could avoid these particular devices. Otherwise it may become a 'bluetooth on recorder X sucks' statement, while in fact many Android phones had problems while iPhones had not.
I am not arguing if it's a good idea or not to use such combo connectors. I don't know. I'm just pointing out to Dan33185 that if he really likes a recorder with combo connector, he could consider the new Tascam... I guess he also already read your warning.

[unidentified]

Again, fellow tapers have warned me from their experience that combined inputs are more prone to failure than single purpose XLRs.  Adapters are cheap and easier to replace than a faulty input on a device.

I can imagine that build quality of such connectors might differ between devices. Maybe your friends can tell exactly which devices with combo connectors they had problems with, so one could avoid these particular devices. Otherwise it may become a 'bluetooth on recorder X sucks' statement, while in fact many Android phones had problems while iPhones had not.
I am not arguing if it's a good idea or not to use such combo connectors. I don't know. I'm just pointing out to Dan33185 that if he really likes a recorder with combo connector, he could consider the new Tascam... I guess he also already read your warning.

I checked with a friend who has been a prolific taper for many years and has used a range of gear. He ran into this problem with the combined inputs of his Roland R44 recorder.  The mechanism of his interchangeable inputs failed after he had been switching back and forth between XLR and quarter inch.  According to him, he was told by Doug Oade that these combined jacks fail after a little use.  I myself have never had a machine with combined inputs, but out of an abundance of caution, I would prefer to use external and easily replaced adapters than to rely on an internal mechanism. YMMV.  For it's worth,  the Zoom F3 is available from Amazon today for just under $220 -  https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-F3-Professional-Recording-Converters/dp/B09SVN6J35?th=1

[TheJez]

Again, fellow tapers have warned me from their experience that combined inputs are more prone to failure than single purpose XLRs.  Adapters are cheap and easier to replace than a faulty input on a device.

I can imagine that build quality of such connectors might differ between devices. Maybe your friends can tell exactly which devices with combo connectors they had problems with, so one could avoid these particular devices. Otherwise it may become a 'bluetooth on recorder X sucks' statement, while in fact many Android phones had problems while iPhones had not.
I am not arguing if it's a good idea or not to use such combo connectors. I don't know. I'm just pointing out to Dan33185 that if he really likes a recorder with combo connector, he could consider the new Tascam... I guess he also already read your warning.

I checked with a friend who has been a prolific taper for many years and has used a range of gear. He ran into this problem with the combined inputs of his Roland R44 recorder.  The mechanism of his interchangeable inputs failed after he had been switching back and forth between XLR and quarter inch.  According to him, he was told by Doug Oade that these combined jacks fail after a little use.  I myself have never had a machine with combined inputs, but out of an abundance of caution, I would prefer to use external and easily replaced adapters than to rely on an internal mechanism. YMMV.  For it's worth,  the Zoom F3 is available from Amazon today for just under $220 -  https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-F3-Professional-Recording-Converters/dp/B09SVN6J35?th=1

Thanks for elaborating! And thanks for sharing your warning. The F3 pricing is indeed nice. It seems the Zoom and Tascam battle for this particular market has started, as I noticed the first price drops on the Tascam too... 

[jj69]

Is it possible to switch off the PIP on the H1 Essential's LINE IN jack?  The manual says it provides 2.5V of PIP.  I know that's not enough for a loud rock show with my CA=14 cards, so I've been using my 12V Sound Professionals battery box with it.  If there's no way to turn the PIP on the H1E off, will using the 12V battery box + the 2.5V PIP damage my mics, the H1 or both? 

FYI, I had a major problem using this setup tonight.  Either my left channel mic has an intermittent connection, or the 12V + the 2.5V of PIP are causing an issue! 

 

[TheJez]

Is it possible to switch off the PIP on the H1 Essential's LINE IN jack?  The manual says it provides 2.5V of PIP.  I know that's not enough for a loud rock show with my CA=14 cards, so I've been using my 12V Sound Professionals battery box with it.  If there's no way to turn the PIP on the H1E off, will using the 12V battery box + the 2.5V PIP damage my mics, the H1 or both? 

FYI, I had a major problem using this setup tonight.  Either my left channel mic has an intermittent connection, or the 12V + the 2.5V of PIP are causing an issue! 

I can't imagine the PIP would cause this problem. The first thing in the signal path inside your battery box would be a capacitor, intended to block the 12V going into your recorder. But it will also block any PIP from your recorder going into your mics! It just blocks all DC voltage in either direction, only passing through the AC from your mics.

[jj69]

Is it possible to switch off the PIP on the H1 Essential's LINE IN jack?  The manual says it provides 2.5V of PIP.  I know that's not enough for a loud rock show with my CA=14 cards, so I've been using my 12V Sound Professionals battery box with it.  If there's no way to turn the PIP on the H1E off, will using the 12V battery box + the 2.5V PIP damage my mics, the H1 or both? 

FYI, I had a major problem using this setup tonight.  Either my left channel mic has an intermittent connection, or the 12V + the 2.5V of PIP are causing an issue! 

I can't imagine the PIP would cause this problem. The first thing in the signal path inside your battery box would be a capacitor, intended to block the 12V going into your recorder. But it will also block any PIP from your recorder going into your mics! It just blocks all DC voltage in either direction, only passing through the AC from your mics.

Thank you!  I think my mics just need a re-wire. 

[goodcooker]

Again, fellow tapers have warned me from their experience that combined inputs are more prone to failure than single purpose XLRs.  Adapters are cheap and easier to replace than a faulty input on a device.

This is anecdotal evidence with nothing but hearsay to support it. Repeating it doesn't make it true. If you want to not use combo inputs that's your choice but trying to convince others without any real support for your claim doesn't really help anyone.

In 30 years of using recording devices I have never experienced a failure of a XLR/TRS combo input.

If you want this cautionary tale to be taken seriously then specify what device, what connector, what use case, age of device, known manufacturing faults, etc. This kind of parroting in the internet age sometimes ends up being "repeated until it's facts" info.

[unidentified]

You may have missed my previous post in this very same thread on October 8th in which I reported the following:  I checked with a friend who has been a prolific taper for many years and has used a range of gear. He ran into this problem with the combined inputs of his Roland R44 recorder.  The mechanism of his interchangeable inputs failed after he had been switching back and forth between XLR and quarter inch.  According to him, he was told by Doug Oade that these combined jacks fail after a little use.  I myself have never had a machine with combined inputs, but out of an abundance of caution, I would prefer to use external and easily replaced adapters than to rely on an internal mechanism. YMMV.  For it's worth,  the Zoom F3 is available from Amazon today for just under $220 -  https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-F3-Professional-Recording-Converters/dp/B09SVN6J35?th=1 Sorry if this is merely "anecdotal."  It reflects some one's experience that does not seem to be the same as your experience.  Whether you consider it worth taking it seriously is up to you, but please do not refer to me as a parrot. Thank you.

[goodcooker]

Look man I'm not trying to start a flame war or anything but "parroting" is exactly that - repeating secondhand information without any first hand experience to back up the claim. If you have not had a combo connector fail on you then you kinda proved my point.

Combo XLR TRS inputs are NOT more prone to failure yet you needed to come back and repeat yourself about it. It's okay that we have different opinions on the matter. Doug Oade, if you don't know him, is prone to having very specific opinions about such things that he developed decades ago and is loathe to change his perspective about.

One recorder failing doesn't make a case for an entire range of products to be characterized as "failure prone".

It's okay for people to have different opinions on things and it's okay for someone to disagree. That's one of the things user based forums like this are for.

[unidentified]

If passing along information from a friend who is a very experienced taper, citing his gear, noting the view of a respected technician, and properly caveating it as I did so ("YMMV", noting that I did not have first hand knowledge) , is "parroting " in your view, so be it.  I consider the term to be unnecessarily derogatory and chilling to the free and casual exchange of views here. No issue as far as I am concerned for you to say that you have never had a problem with these inputs.  In fact, I consider your experience to be reassuring and a useful piece of info in my deciding whether or not to buy this piece of gear.  I have long valued all your posts here, Goodcooker, and they have helped guide my decisions on gear and approaches.  With all respect. 

[capnhook]

Thanks unidentified, this parrot runs a couple of R-44s and will heed your warning, thanks

[Dan33185]

H4E received a firmware update

Version 1.22
Release to add the following function and fix the following issues in October 2024
■ Function added
1. A function that pauses recording has been added.
■ Issues fixed
1. The mid-side stereo setting was not always applied to the monitoring sound.
2.The message “INPUT 1 (2) OVERLOAD!” was not shown sometimes.
3. Other minor issues have been fixed.

https://zoomcorp.com/en/us/handheld-recorders/handheld-recorders/h4essential/H4essential-support/

[Todd]

This thread has gone in a couple directions.   My interest in the H1 XLR was to have a stereo deck that could get thru metal detectors and XLR connectors.   I've gone thru 2 venues and metal detectors and tripped both times.  Fortunately in both instances, the security guy could care less for a small deck so went on thru.  I haven't had a chance to try with the batteries removed as am curious if the addition of batteries inside is the extra mass a detector would sound off for.  Do like the H1 XLR though from the couple shows I've taped.   

Here's a song from a recent H1 XLR recording from Gillian Welch and David Rawlings.  Very quiet hall and people so turned out decent.   https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/arasi13ipdblz7j7a391a/Gillian-Welch-David-Rawlings-12-8-24-Time-the-Revelator-Capital-One-Hall-Tysons-VA-F3-164-ADC.flac?rlkey=mwa1pfltvmpby612ij7usj6h2&dl=0

[Ozpeter]

I guess any device which has metal XLR sockets is likely to trigger detectors.  There's a fair bit of metal in those sockets.  I look forward to hearing that sample when I am back home with adequate replay stuff!