Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording

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Recording
- Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/01 Process
  - Recording process
    A recording session has six stages: connect, turn the power on, prepare, record, play back and check, then overdub and edit.
    In MULTI FILE mode the H5 handles recording and playback data as projects. In STEREO FILE mode it handles the data as individual files.
    Connect
    Attach the XY mic: Zoom H5/UG/04 Mics.
    Plug mics, instruments and other equipment into INPUTS 1/2: Zoom H5/UG/05 Inputs.
    Turn the power on
    Zoom H5/UG/07 Prep/03 Power On Off
    Prepare to record
    1. Set the recording mode: Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/03 Select Mode.
    Choose MULTI FILE or STEREO FILE mode. The two modes record different file types and formats.
    Other settings to make at this stage include:
    Automatic recording — Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/08 Auto Rec
    Pre-recording — Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/09 Pre-Rec
    Backup recording — Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/12 Backup Rec
    Low cut — Zoom H5/UG/13 Settings/01 Low Cut
    Compressor/limiter — Zoom H5/UG/13 Settings/02 Comp Limiter
    Metronome — Zoom H5/UG/12 Tools/02 Metronome
    2. Select the tracks to record: Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/05 Inputs and Levels.
    Press the track buttons. A track's input can be monitored once its indicator lights red.
    In MULTI FILE mode, the 1 and 2 track buttons can be linked so Inputs 1 and 2 record as one stereo track (stereo link).
    3. Adjust the input levels.
    Turn the input volume knob for each input.
    Set each level so the meter stays near −12 dB when the loudest sound comes in.
    With an MS capsule, the side mic level can also be adjusted: Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/11 Side Mic Level.
    Record
    Press REC to start recording, PLAY/PAUSE to pause and STOP to stop.
    Marks can also be added while recording: Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/06 Recording.
    Play back and check
    Press PLAY/PAUSE to start playback and STOP to stop it.
    Playback settings include:
    Marks — Zoom H5/UG/09 Playback/01 Basic Playback
    Playback mode — Zoom H5/UG/09 Playback/03 Playback Mode
    Playback pitch — Zoom H5/UG/09 Playback/04 Pitch
    Playback speed — Zoom H5/UG/09 Playback/05 Speed
    AB repeat — Zoom H5/UG/09 Playback/06 AB Repeat
    Project mixer — Zoom H5/UG/09 Playback/07 Mixing Projects
    Overdub and edit
    Overdub — Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/13 Overdubbing
    Mix down to a stereo file — Zoom H5/UG/10 Project and File Editing/04 Mixdown
    Check project and file information — Zoom H5/UG/10 Project and File Editing/01 Info
- Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/02 Mode Overview
  - Recording mode overview
    The H5 has two recording modes, MULTI FILE and STEREO FILE. They create different file types and allow different recording formats.
    MULTI FILE mode
    The L/R inputs from the XY mic or another input capsule record to the L/R tracks. Inputs 1 and 2 record to tracks 1 and 2. Each track is saved as a separate file.
    Because every input has its own file, the playback volume and panning of each one can be changed independently after recording.
    Only 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz WAV, at 16 or 24 bits, can be recorded in this mode.
    Linking Inputs 1 and 2 records them together as one stereo file. A recording with the link on creates two stereo files: one from the L/R inputs and one from Inputs 1/2.
    MULTI FILE mode: one file per track, mixed for monitoring
    STEREO FILE mode
    Whichever of the L/R inputs and Inputs 1/2 are selected record together into a single stereo file. Each pair is switched on or off as a pair: Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/05 Inputs and Levels.
    Only two tracks can be recorded, but any recording format can be chosen: Zoom H5/UG/12 Tools/08 Rec Format. This includes 96 kHz WAV at 16 or 24 bits, and MP3.
    Use this mode for the highest audio quality or for smaller files.
    STEREO FILE mode: one stereo file
- Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/03 Select Mode
  - Selecting the recording mode
    1. Press MENU, then use the scroll button to select REC MODE.
    While REC MODE is highlighted, the bottom of the menu screen shows the current mode.
    2. Select MULTI FILE or STEREO FILE, then press the scroll button.
    REC MODE screen
    MENU cancels.
- Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/04 Folders and Files
  - Folder and file structure on the H5
    Recording creates folders and files on the SD card in a fixed layout.
    Folders and files on the SD card
    Folders
    The card root holds a MULTI folder for MULTI FILE mode and a STEREO folder for STEREO FILE mode.
    Each of these holds ten folders, FOLDER01 to FOLDER10. New recordings go to the selected one: Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/07 Save Location.
    MULTI FILE projects
    Each recording creates a new project folder, named ZOOM0001 to ZOOM9999.
    A project folder holds one audio file per recorded track and a project setting file (.hprj). The setting file takes the project's name.
    Examples:
    Folder ZOOM0002, Inputs 1/2 recorded as mono, no backup recording
    ZOOM0002_TrLR.WAV — stereo file from the L/R inputs
    ZOOM0002_Tr1.WAV — mono file from Input 1
    ZOOM0002_Tr2.WAV — mono file from Input 2
    ZOOM0002.hprj — project setting file
    Folder ZOOM0003, project name DualStereo, Inputs 1/2 stereo-linked, with backup recording
    ZOOM0003_TrLR.WAV — stereo file from the L/R inputs
    ZOOM0003_Tr12.WAV — stereo file from the linked Inputs 1/2
    ZOOM0003_TrLR_BU.WAV — backup of the L/R inputs: Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/12 Backup Rec
    DualStereo.hprj — setting file named after the project
    Folder ZOOM0004, project name 140531-163015, with a voice memo
    ZOOM0004_TrLR.WAV — stereo file from the L/R inputs
    ZOOM0004_VM.MP3 — voice memo: Zoom H5/UG/10 Project and File Editing/12 Voice Memos
    140531-163015.hprj — the project name when project naming is set to DATE: Zoom H5/UG/12 Tools/10 Naming
    Folder ZOOM0005, project name LongRecording, a recording larger than 2 GB
    ZOOM0005_TrLR-0001.WAV — first file
    ZOOM0005_TrLR-0002.WAV — second file, started when the first reached 2 GB
    LongRecording.hprj
    Folder ZOOM0006, with an added recording and a mixdown
    ZOOM0006_TrLR.WAV — first stereo file, recorded to the L/R track
    ZOOM0006_Tr12-01.WAV — stereo file added later on tracks 1/2: Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/13 Overdubbing
    ZOOM0006_ST001.WAV — stereo file made by mixdown: Zoom H5/UG/10 Project and File Editing/04 Mixdown
    ZOOM0006.hprj
    STEREO FILE files
    Each recording is saved as a file directly in the selected folder.
    Examples:
    FOLDER01
    ZOOM0001.WAV — stereo file from the L/R inputs
    ZOOM0002.WAV — stereo file from Inputs 1/2
    FOLDER02
    ZOOM0001.WAV — stereo file from the L/R inputs
    ZOOM0001_BU.WAV — backup of ZOOM0001.WAV
    ZOOM0002_MN.WAV — stereo WAV of a mono mix of Inputs 1/2: Zoom H5/UG/12 Tools/07 Mono Mix
    FOLDER03
    140101-120000.MP3 and 140101-120500.MP3 — MP3 files named with file naming set to DATE
    FOLDER04
    ZOOM0001.WAV, ZOOM0002.WAV, ZOOM0003.WAV — first, second and third files of one recording that grew past 2 GB
- Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/05 Inputs and Levels
  - Selecting inputs and adjusting levels
    Choose whether to record the L/R inputs, Inputs 1/2, or both.
    In MULTI FILE mode, the L/R inputs record to the L/R tracks and Inputs 1/2 record to tracks 1 and 2.
    Track buttons (steps 1 and 2) and input volume knobs (step 3)
    1. Press the track buttons for the tracks you want to record.
    The indicators of the selected buttons light red. Their input signals can then be monitored through the headphones and line outputs.
    Note/Info In STEREO FILE mode, L or R selects the L/R inputs, and 1 or 2 selects Inputs 1/2.
    Note/Info In STEREO FILE mode, inputs are selected in pairs. One input of a pair cannot be selected on its own.
    In STEREO FILE mode, skip to step 3.
    2. In MULTI FILE mode, to record Inputs 1/2 as one stereo file, press 2 while holding 1.
    Press 2 while holding 1 again to turn the stereo link off.
    With a combo-type input capsule on the L/R inputs, press R while holding L to link or unlink those tracks the same way.
    3. Turn the input volume knob of each selected input to set its level.
    Level meters in MULTI FILE mode
    Aim for peaks around −12 dB.
    If the sound distorts even with the input level turned down, move the mics or lower the output level of connected devices.
    The compressor/limiter can also control the level: Zoom H5/UG/13 Settings/02 Comp Limiter.
    Wind and other noise can be cut while recording: Zoom H5/UG/13 Settings/01 Low Cut.
    Files created
    MULTI FILE mode creates one file per selected input. nnnn is the project number.
    L/R input — ZOOMnnnn_TrLR.WAV, stereo
    Input 1 — ZOOMnnnn_Tr1.WAV, mono
    Input 2 — ZOOMnnnn_Tr2.WAV, mono
    Inputs 1/2 with stereo link — ZOOMnnnn_Tr12.WAV, stereo
    All files from one MULTI FILE recording are managed together as one project.
    STEREO FILE mode creates one stereo file, ZOOMnnnn.WAV or ZOOMnnnn.MP3. Here nnnn is the file number, and each file is managed on its own.
- Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/06 Recording
  - Recording
    Recording controls: REC (1), scroll button (2), PLAY/PAUSE (3), STOP (4)
    1. Press REC to start recording.
    2. Press the scroll button to add a mark, a reference point for playback.
    During playback, press Back or Forward to jump to a mark.
    Note/Info Marks can only be added to WAV files.
    Note/Info A project in MULTI FILE mode, or a file in STEREO FILE mode, holds up to 99 marks.
    3. Press PLAY/PAUSE to pause.
    Pausing adds a mark at that point.
    Press PLAY/PAUSE again to resume recording.
    4. Press STOP to stop.
    Note/Info In MULTI FILE mode, when a file grows past 2 GB the H5 starts a new file in the same project and keeps recording without a break. The file names end in -0001, -0002 and so on.
    Note/Info In STEREO FILE mode, when a file grows past 2 GB the H5 starts a new file in the same folder and keeps recording without a break.
- Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/07 Save Location
  - Setting where projects/files are saved
    New recordings go to one of ten folders: projects in MULTI FILE mode, files in STEREO FILE mode.
    1. Press MENU, then use the scroll button to select FOLDER.
    While FOLDER is highlighted, the bottom of the menu screen shows the current folder.
    2. Select the folder for new recordings, then press the scroll button.
    Folder screen
    The folders are FOLDER01 to FOLDER10. MENU cancels.
    Folder layout on the SD card: Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/04 Folders and Files
- Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/08 Auto Rec
  - Recording automatically
    Recording can start and stop on its own in response to the input level.
    1. Press MENU, then use the scroll button to select REC > AUTO REC > ON/OFF.
    2. Select ON, then press the scroll button.
    Note/Info The other automatic recording settings, REC START LEVEL, REC STOP LEVEL and AUTO STOP, are covered in Zoom H5/UG/12 Tools/09 Auto Rec Settings.
    3. Return to the Home Screen.
    A dotted line on the level meters marks the level that starts recording.
    Home Screen with the start level line
    4. Press REC. Recording standby starts and the screen shows Wait for signal....
    Recording standby
    When the input rises above the start level shown on the meters, recording starts.
    Recording can also stop on its own when the input falls below a set level: Zoom H5/UG/12 Tools/09 Auto Rec Settings/02 Auto Stop.
    5. Press STOP to leave standby or to stop recording.
    Note/Info AUTO REC cannot be used together with PRE REC, METRONOME or PRE COUNT. Turning AUTO REC on disables them. See Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/09 Pre-Rec, Zoom H5/UG/12 Tools/02 Metronome and Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/10 Count In.
- Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/09 Pre-Rec
  - Pre-recording
    With pre-recording on, the H5 keeps capturing the input, so each recording starts two seconds before REC is pressed. This helps when a performance starts suddenly.
    1. Press MENU, then use the scroll button to select REC > PRE REC.
    2. Select ON, then press the scroll button.
    Note/Info PRE REC cannot be used together with AUTO REC, METRONOME or PRE COUNT. If any of them is on, PRE REC is disabled. See Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/08 Auto Rec, Zoom H5/UG/12 Tools/02 Metronome and Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/10 Count In.
- Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/10 Count In
  - Counting in before recording
    A count-in can play before recording starts.
    1. Press MENU, then use the scroll button to select TOOL > METRONOME > PRE COUNT.
    2. Select the precount number, then press the scroll button.
    The choices are OFF, 1 to 8, and SPECIAL.
    SPECIAL plays two bars of 4/4: clicks on beats 1 and 3 with rests on 2 and 4, then four clicks.
    Special precount pattern
    MENU cancels.
    Note/Info PRE COUNT cannot be used together with AUTO REC. Turning AUTO REC on disables PRE COUNT: Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/08 Auto Rec.
    Note/Info PRE COUNT cannot be used together with PRE REC. Turning PRE COUNT on disables PRE REC: Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/09 Pre-Rec.
- Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/11 Side Mic Level
  - Adjusting the side mic level
    This works only with an input capsule whose side mic level (stereo width) can be adjusted, such as an MS capsule. Set the level before recording.
    1. Move the scroll button up or down to adjust the side mic level.
    The settings are OFF, −24 to +6 dB, and RAW (MS-RAW mode). Higher values give a wider stereo image, and the icon changes with the value.
    Side mic level display, from RAW and the widest setting down to OFF
    Note/Info For a recording made in MS-RAW mode, move the scroll button up or down during playback to adjust the side mic level.
    Note/Info An MS-RAW file is not an ordinary stereo file. To use it with other equipment, convert it to normal stereo with ZOOM MS Decoder or similar software.
    Note/Info MS-RAW mode is available only when recording in WAV format.
- Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/12 Backup Rec
  - Backup recording
    Backup recording works only with the L/R input and with 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz WAV formats.
    Along with the normal recording, the H5 records a second file from the L/R input at a level 12 dB lower. If the main recording distorts because the level was set too high, the backup can be used instead.
    1. Press MENU, then use the scroll button to select REC > In L/R BACKUP.
    2. Select ON, then press the scroll button.
    Note/Info The backup file takes the original name with _BU added. A recording named ZOOM0001_TrLR.wav gets the backup ZOOM0001_TrLR_BU.wav.
    Note/Info No backup file is created if the L/R input is not selected.
    Note/Info The LO CUT and COMP/LIMITER settings do not affect the backup recording.
    Note/Info To play a backup, select and play the file whose name ends in _BU. In MULTI FILE mode, assign it to a track as described under "Assigning files to tracks" in Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/13 Overdubbing. In STEREO FILE mode, pick it from the file list: Zoom H5/UG/09 Playback/02 Select from Lists.
    Note/Info Backup recording uses more SD card space.
- Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/13 Overdubbing
  - Overdubbing
    Overdubbing works only in MULTI FILE mode, with 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz WAV formats.
    New recordings can be added to a project that has already been recorded.
    Recording an overdub
    1. Press MENU, then use the scroll button to select PROJECT.
    2. Select the project to overdub, then press the scroll button.
    Only projects recorded in MULTI FILE mode can be overdubbed.
    3. Select MIXER/OVERDUB > MIXER/OVERDUB.
    The track button indicators light green for tracks that already hold recordings and stay unlit for empty tracks.
    MIXER/OVERDUB screen: the cursor marks the selected track, and the icons at the left show its setting values
    4. Press the track button of the track to overdub. Its indicator lights red, and that track's input can be monitored.
    The Input 1/2 stereo link can also be changed here: Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording/05 Inputs and Levels.
    5. Turn the input volume knob to adjust the input level.
    6. To hear an existing track while overdubbing, press its track button so its indicator lights green.
    Each press steps the indicator through red → green → unlit.
    Press PLAY/PAUSE to hear the green tracks play back along with the input of the track chosen in step 4. Use this to rehearse and to check the input level.
    The volume and panning of the tracks that play back can be adjusted.
    7. Press REC. Overdubbing on the track chosen in step 4 starts.
    Note/Info AUTO REC and PRE REC cannot be used with overdubbing.
    Note/Info While the MIXER/OVERDUB screen is in use, the project's PLAYBACK SPEED and KEY CONTROL settings are disabled.
    8. Press STOP to stop.
    The overdubbed track is no longer record-ready, and its indicator lights green.
    An overdub never overwrites the file already on a track. It creates a new file named after the track with a two-digit take number, such as ZOOM0001_TrLR-01.WAV. Any file can later be assigned to any track.
    An overdub on track 1 adds a file to the project folder
    9. Press PLAY/PAUSE to check the recording. Tracks with green indicators play back.
    Mixdown combines overdubbed recordings into one stereo file: Zoom H5/UG/10 Project and File Editing/04 Mixdown.
    Assigning files to tracks
    1. On the MIXER/OVERDUB screen, use the scroll button to select the track, then press the scroll button.
    2. Select FILE, then press the scroll button.
    Track settings screen, showing the track name and the name of the assigned file
    3. Select a WAV file from the same project folder, then press the scroll button.
    MENU cancels the assignment.
    Select NONE to remove the assigned file from the track.
    Note/Info A stereo track accepts only stereo files, and a mono track accepts only mono files.
    Note/Info Files recorded in MS-RAW mode cannot be assigned to tracks 1/2.
    Playing back a mixed-down file while overdubbing new tracks lets recordings be layered again and again: Zoom H5/UG/10 Project and File Editing/04 Mixdown.
    Ending overdubbing
    Press MENU to end overdubbing.
    From then on, the files assigned to the tracks are used when the project is played back or edited.

Zoom H5/UG/08 Recording

Recording

Recording process

Connect

Turn the power on

Prepare to record

Record

Play back and check

Overdub and edit

Recording mode overview

MULTI FILE mode

STEREO FILE mode

Selecting the recording mode

Folder and file structure on the H5

Folders

MULTI FILE projects

STEREO FILE files

Selecting inputs and adjusting levels

Files created

Recording

Setting where projects/files are saved

Recording automatically

Pre-recording

Counting in before recording

Adjusting the side mic level

Backup recording

Overdubbing

Recording an overdub

Assigning files to tracks

Ending overdubbing

55 Linked References

Hierarchy

Unlinked References