Recording to Zoom H4N Recorder from Mackie Mixer

builttospill

I’m interested in getting a Zoom recorder to record tracks from my mixer, I’ll be taking the RCA tape outs from mixer into the zoom. I watched a video on YT recently where it described that the incoming sound from mixer can be hot and distort into the zoom, the guy from video recommended some XLR impedance adaptors to connect to the zoom to minimise this issue. Is this correct? Tips greatly appreciated 

Danny1969

You can just lower the level leaving the mixer on the master fader. The Zoom also has adjustable input sensitivity so it shouldn't be a problem. 

builttospill

Danny1969 said:

You can just lower the level leaving the mixer on the master fader. The Zoom also has adjustable input sensitivity so it shouldn't be a problem. 

Thank you @Danny1969 ;

steamabacus

Something similar came up in this recent thread - https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/190262/zoom-h5-recorder-and-yamaha-mixing-desk-mg12xu-12/p1

If your H4N is the same as the H5 discussed there, then using the XLR input will automatically default to 'mic level'. Use the TRS part of the combined input socket for 'line level' which will match better with the desk line level outputs. If your Mackie desk only has XLR outs you could buy some XLR-to-TRS cables.

builttospill

steamabacus said:

Something similar came up in this recent thread - https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/190262/zoom-h5-recorder-and-yamaha-mixing-desk-mg12xu-12/p1

If your H4N is the same as the H5 discussed there, then using the XLR input will automatically default to 'mic level'. Use the TRS part of the combined input socket for 'line level' which will match better with the desk line level outputs. If your Mackie desk only has XLR outs you could buy some XLR-to-TRS cables.

Ha! thank you @steamabacus FYI my Mackie is this one can I use the RCA tape outs to the zoom? 

steamabacus

builttospill said:

steamabacus said:

Something similar came up in this recent thread - https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/190262/zoom-h5-recorder-and-yamaha-mixing-desk-mg12xu-12/p1

If your H4N is the same as the H5 discussed there, then using the XLR input will automatically default to 'mic level'. Use the TRS part of the combined input socket for 'line level' which will match better with the desk line level outputs. If your Mackie desk only has XLR outs you could buy some XLR-to-TRS cables.

Ha! thank you @steamabacus FYI my Mackie is this one can I use the RCA tape outs to the zoom? 

Yes, the 'tape out' should just be a feed from the main stereo out bus. Just make sure your Zoom recorder is set to 'line' level (which is much higher than mic level)

steamabacus

Looking more closely at the pic of that Mackie mixer, it seems the main XLR outs can actually be switched to 'mic' level so that's another way of matching to the Zoom's mic level XLR inputs.

builttospill

I didn’t even notice that @steamabacus I should have studied the manual