Why involve the mixer at all? I would plug your Heil PR40 directly into the Zoom H4N. That way, there will be far fewer controls to set and the sound quality will be better by not having to be passed through a mixer of that particular make.

Don't forget also that you can use the H4N as a USB audio interface for your computer and, rather than record the sound on the H4N and transfer it to a computer, actually record the sound directly on the computer using some digital audio workstation (DAW) software such as Audacity or Reaper. One reason I suggest this approach is that it is much easier to view the waveforms live on the computer monitor than using the information on the small H4N screen. You can easily see whether you are too low or too high in level, and make the adjustments to the H4N gain control before you start recording the main take.

Boswell,

Thanks for the response. I do know that I could go directly to my PC via the h4n. The only reason I didn't want to do this was because if I have a PC failure during recording, I lose everything. I like recording to units like the h4n because they're much more stable. However, I may end up doing exactly as you say. I'm finding the mixer and the h4n too much to deal with.

I've been playing with my mixer and h4n for at least 8 hours and I haven't been able to figure out how to get a good compressed professional broadcast sound. I've done it before so I know it's possible, I just can't figure out what my settings were!! Highly frustrating.

I did try inputing the Heil directly to the h4n and into my Mac. I couldn't get the sound I was looking for so I gave up. However, I should probably keep trying until I can get the right sound.

Boswell,

Also, there are two different ways to input the h4n to my Mac. I could use the USB interface, but that will only give me limited control for compression effect. If I use the line out (headphone) I can get away with more control over the Vocal Pre Amp's compression effect.

Don't use the headphone out -> line input route, as this will degrade the audio considerably. The recommendation I made did specify using the H4N as a USB interface.

However, one thing I assumed, prossibly erroneously, is that you would follow good practice and record the audio straight (no compression, no equalisation), and then apply any needed functions in post-processing using the DAW software. In this way, you can retain the original ("dry") track and not have to re-record if you screw up in setting the compression parameters or other effects. I'm in no way denigrating the H4N, but a good DAW such as Reaper has a better range and control of effects (including compression) than can be packed into a handheld device.

Boswell,

Thanks for the input. I'll start playing around with that. I've been listening to the Podcast Answer Man ([[url=http://[/URL]="http://podcastanswe…"]Podcast Answer Man[/]="http://podcastanswe…"]Podcast Answer Man[/]) and basically going by what he says. He has the best sounding podcast I've ever heard. He uses a Heil PR40 > Mackie Mixer > Behringer MDX 4600 > Edirol digital audio recorder. The audio already sounds good at that point, but then he runs it through the Auditions broadcast multiband compression. He sounds fantastic. I was just attempting to mimic his workflow. However, if you think I can get a good sound by going through the h4n as a USB interface and processing in post then I'll give it my best try.

I'll let you know how it turns out.

Thanks for the advice. I truly appreciate it!!

I know I can still get a great sound the way I had it set up before. I had a very low noise floor and a great compressed sound. The problem is that I don't really know anything about mixing. I don't know how to replicate that.

I've been trying to use my h4n as a USB interface and the sound is just really poor. I don't know where the problem lies. The ambient noise is to high. My h4n and Audition are both hitting -25 to -15db on their respective level meters. Unfortunately I have no idea whether the h4n is using a vocal preamp when it outputs via USB. Roswell, you probably know the answer to that.

Anyway, even with post-production broadcast multiband compressor and adaptive noise reduction it doesn't sound good. It just doesn't sound compressed enough. It doesn't have that tight sound that broadcast vocals should have.

Thanks for your help thus far. Any other suggestions?

Well, I finally figured out my settings. It's not perfect, but it's good enough. Post production processing will help. Part of the problem was that I was making the noob mistake of having my levels turned up way to high. Thanks Boswell.

recaster, post: 376632 wrote: Roswell, you probably know the answer to that.

Yes, that's the explanation! A UFO incident!

Glad you got it sorted out, though. I suggest you get comfortable with recording directly into the computer and then when you have a feel for the H4N settings that work you can expand to recording to the H4N memory. Leave the B* mixer out of it.

The H4N is a surprisingly good little recorder, but is slightly tricky to get it running in its sweet spot. I have one and often use it for simple stereo recordings where transporting large bits of gear and running power leads would be a no-no.

Yeah the h4n is really tricky.

Yeah the h4n is really tricky. I still don't have it dialed in exactly. I may just end up buying a real compressor and eventually I'd like to get a Mackie mixer. Right now I'm going Heil > Behringer > h4n > Mac/Garage Band. That might not be optimal but it's working for me. Without the effects in Garage band the sound is just ok. I can send Garage Band's audio out to Screeny (for screencasts/voice overs) using a little (free) app called Soundflower.

Thanks for your help Boswell. I really appreciate it.

I think I'm going to sell my equipment and buy new stuff. I just can't get the sound right. It sounds all muffled, not clear, crisp, and compressed like radio. I'm looking into something like the Joe Meek 3Q. A solid preamp, compressor, EQ.