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Im Using Zoom H4n as a USB interface.

I plugin two SM58 Mics in the two bottom inputs, and get sound from Input 1 on the left channel and Input 2 on the right channel. I'm trying really hard to figure out how to get sound from both inputs to come out of both channels.

The only solution I could think of does not seem right for some reason, maybe someone can tell me if its a good idea or not: I can construct an XLR splitter and plugin both mics into input 1 and have only input 1 turned on (which sends the same mono signal to both channels). Any thoughts?

Comments

Boswell Sat, 11/01/2014 - 07:28

As PC indicated, if you set up two mono channels for the mics instead of one stereo channel in your DAW, they will both automatically be centred.

I hope you are aware that when using the H4N as an audio interface, due to limitations of the driver you only get 16-bit data and not 24-bit. Keep the levels up and it will not be a problem.

anonymous Sat, 11/01/2014 - 14:10

Ok, thing is i'm using the zoom to speak into SAM Broadcaster, for a radio streaming. Sam doesnt seem to have an option to make the audio input mono (2 channels), i've looked everywhere.

So if I have two mics plugged into zooms input 1 and 2 i get sound streamed to channel 1 (first mic only) and channel 2 (second mic only), turns out weird, i wanted both mics in both channels. So why isnt the splitter an option? I know it isnt too pretty thats why i am asking for advice heheh thanks guys

MarkF48 Sun, 11/02/2014 - 05:29

Inexpensive two channel mixer and set panning for each channel to "center". Left out of the mixer goes to input 1 on the Zoom, right out of the mixer goes to input 2 on the Zoom. The result should be "centered" into the Sam broadcaster. You could even skew the panning a slight bit on each mic so as to make it sound as if each person was not in the same position.
Some small mixers have USB interfaces that could be used rather than the Zoom. I've not used a USB mixer, but I suspect a channels input can be centered in the USB output with the panning controls.

Boswell Mon, 11/03/2014 - 10:05

As others have indicated, the H4N is not really the right tool for what you are trying to achieve. A cheap 2-channel mixer with built-in USB interface would give you more flexibilty. Something like the [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.sweetwat…"]Alesis MultiMix 4 USB[/]="http://www.sweetwat…"]Alesis MultiMix 4 USB[/] would do the job, as it has individual pan controls on its two microphone channels.

anonymous Thu, 11/20/2014 - 12:51

If this is just for spoken word recording? Sure, you can use a 2 XLR to 1 XLR. And then 1 XLR to 2 XLR's. You'll then have to balance the audio of the microphones, using distance to make them approximately equal. This also loads the microphones down to each other but should not be a big factor if it's for spoken word recording.

Then you can use the built in compressor/limiter in your H4, to even things out. It would be adequate in that kind of an application. I certainly wouldn't do the same, necessarily, for music purposes. Which is why everyone else's response is that of proper music oriented recording technique & suggestions.

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