For each input circuit, the H4essential has two A/D converters with different input gains. This design enables high-quality audio recording without the need to adjust gain settings, a step that is normally indispensable.

Providing amazing dynamic range

By combining two A/D converters, a wide dynamic range not possible with a single A/D converter has been realized.

Switching between two A/D converters

The H4essential constantly monitors data from the two A/D converters, and automatically selects the one that provides the best recording results.

32-bit float WAV files have the following advantages over conventional 16/24-bit WAV files.

Due to these advantages, the audio quality of recording can be maintained afterward when editing in a DAW or other software.

Resolution advantage

32-bit float WAV files have the advantage of being able to maintain high resolution even at low volumes. As a result, quiet sounds can be made louder when editing after recording without degrading their quality.

■ 16/24-bit WAV
	Volume raised		Resolution is low

■ 32-bit float WAV
	Volume raised		Resolution is high

Clipping advantage

If a waveform sounds clipped when output from the H4essential or in a DAW, it can be edited after recording to lower its volume and restore an unclipped waveform because the data in the 32-bit float WAV file itself is not clipped.

■ 16/24-bit WAV
Clipped recording	Volume lowered	Still clipped

■ 32-bit float WAV
Clipped recording	Volume lowered	Not clipped

■ Top

■ Bottom

Built-in XY mic

This stereo mic has two crossing directional mics. This mic can record three-dimensional sound with natural depth and width.

Display

This shows various types of information.

MIXER button

This opens the Mixer Screen.

STOP button

This stops recording/playback.

Press when the Playback Screen or a settings screen is open to return to the Home Screen (with some exceptions).

REW button

Press during playback or when paused to move to the previous file, the beginning of the file, or the previous mark.

Press and hold to search backward.

Track buttons and status indicators

These turn on/off the corresponding tracks. Status indicators will light red when tracks are on.

REC button and indicator

This starts recording. The indicator lights during recording.

Press when recording to stop recording.

PLAY/PAUSE button

This starts and pauses playback.

FF button

Press during playback or when paused to move to the next file or the next mark.

Press and hold to search forward.

Speaker

Sound is output here during file playback.

If headphones are connected to the PHONE/LINE OUT jack, sound will not be output from the speaker.

Tripod mounting threads

This can be used to attach the H4essential to a tripod, for example.

Battery cover

Open this when installing or removing AA batteries. (→ Installing batteries)

■ Left side

■ Right side

MIC/LINE IN jack (supports plug-in power)

A connected mic can be used to record.

Mics that require plug-in power can be used with this jack.

PHONE/LINE OUT jack

Use this stereo mini jack to output sound to headphones or a connected device.

VOLUME

This adjusts the output to the built-in speaker, headphones or connected device.

microSD card slot

Insert a microSD card here.

Selection dial

Use this to select items on the various screens.

ENTER button

Use this to confirm items selected using the Selection dial.

USB port (Type-C)

Connect this to a computer, smartphone or tablet to use file transfer functions and to use the H4essential as an audio interface.

This supports operation on USB bus power.

REMOTE connector

Connect a ZOOM BTA-1 or other dedicated wireless adapter here.

This enables use of the H4essential Control smartphone/tablet app to operate the H4essential wirelessly.

In addition, this enables SMPTE timecode to be input to the H4essential using an UltraSync BLUE made by Timecode Systems.

POWER/HOLD switch

Use this to turn the power on/off and to disable button operation.

INPUT 1 and 2 jacks

Connect mics and instruments to these. These can be used with XLR and TRS plugs.

When disconnecting an XLR plug, pull it while pushing the connector lock release button.

This screen appears on the display when the H4essential power is turned on. This shows conditions of the H4essential, including recording status and input signal waveforms.

Status icon

The recording status is shown by an icon.

• Stopped

• Recording

Elapsed recording time

This shows the current elapsed recording time.

Recordable time

This is the current available recording time.

Remaining battery charge

This is shown when operating on batteries. When the remaining battery charge becomes low, replace the batteries (→ Installing batteries) or connect an AC adapter (→ Connecting an AC adapter) or portable battery (→ Using other power sources).

Waveform display (built-in XY mic, inputs 1 and 2)

This shows the waveforms of signals input into the H4essential. Waveforms that are currently being recorded are shown in red.

The input types are shown at the left end of each waveform.

• MIC L: Built-in XY mic left channel

• MIC R: Built-in XY mic right channel

• 1: Input 1

• 2: Input 2

A muted icon will be shown when a track is off. (→ Enabling tracks for recording)

Menu bar

This shows icons for various setting items so settings screens, including input, output, recording and system, can be opened and settings can be made easily.

Use to select an icon, and press to conduct the following operations.

■ When recording paused

• File List: This opens the File List Screen where the files on the microSD card can be checked. (→ File List Screen)

• Input: This opens a screen with settings related to input. (→ Making input settings)

• Output: This opens a screen with settings related to output. (→ Making output settings)

• Rec Settings: This opens a screen with settings related to recording. (→ Making recording settings)

• SD card: This opens a screen with settings related to microSD cards. (→ Managing microSD cards)

• USB: This opens a screen to connect the H4essential to a computer, smartphone or tablet in order to check and move files on the microSD card and make audio interface settings. (→ Managing microSD cards, Using as an audio interface)

• System: This opens a screen where various unit settings, including date/time and display settings, can be made. (→ Making various settings)

■ When recording

• Mark: Use this to add a mark to the file being recorded. (→ Adding marks during recording)

• Output: This opens a screen with settings related to output. (→ Making output settings)

• Trash: Use this to move the file being recorded to the TRASH folder. (→ Moving the file being recorded to the TRASH folder)

When the Home Screen is open, pressing to start playback will open this screen on the display.

This shows playback conditions of the H4essential, including playback time and recording file waveforms.

Status icon

The playback status is shown by an icon.

• Playing back

• Paused

• Searching backward

• Searching forward

Playback time

This shows the elapsed time since the start of playback.

File length

This shows the length of the file currently playing.

Remaining battery charge

This is shown when operating on batteries. When the remaining battery charge becomes low, replace the batteries (→ Installing batteries) or connect an AC adapter (→ Connecting an AC adapter) or portable battery (→ Using other power sources).

Waveform display (built-in XY mic, inputs 1 and 2)

This shows the waveforms of the recorded files being played. The parts of the waveforms that have already been played appear green.

The positions of marks can also be checked. (→ Adding marks during recording)

The input types are shown at the left end of each waveform.

• L: Built-in XY mic left channel

• R: Built-in XY mic right channel

• 1: Input 1

• 2: Input 2

The waveform will be shown in gray when a track is off.

Mark bar

This shows a mark added to the file being played back.

Menu bar

This shows icons for various setting items so settings screens, including output and repeat, can be opened and settings can be made easily.

Use to select an icon, and press to conduct the following operations.

• File List: This opens the File List Screen where the files on the microSD card can be checked. (→ File List Screen)

• A-B Repeat: Use this to set the starting and ending points for repeat playback. (→ Repeat playback of a set interval (A-B repeat))

• Output: This opens a screen with settings related to output. (→ Making output settings)

• Export: Use this to change the format, for example, of the playing file and export it. (→ Changing the format and exporting files)

• Trash: Use this to move the file being played to the TRASH folder. (→ Moving the file being played to the TRASH folder)

When the Home Screen or Playback Screen is open, use to select (File List) and press to open it.

This lists the files on the microSD card on the display, allowing the content of the card to be checked and files to be played and moved to the TRASH folder, for example.

Use to select this and press to return to the Home Screen or Playback Screen.

Remaining battery charge

This is shown when operating on batteries. When the remaining battery charge becomes low, replace the batteries (→ Installing batteries) or connect an AC adapter (→ Connecting an AC adapter) or portable battery (→ Using other power sources).

Status icon

The playback status is shown by an icon.

• Playing back

• Paused

• Searching backward

• Searching forward

Playback time

This shows the elapsed time since the start of playback.

File length

This shows the length of the currently selected file.

File list

This shows the files on the microSD card in a list.

• Use to select files.

• When a list has more files than will fit on the display, a scrollbar will appear on the right edge.

• Use to select a file and press to show the Menu bar at the bottom of the screen.

Menu bar

Use to select a setting item, and press to conduct the following operations.

• Play View: This opens the Playback Screen for the selected file. (→ Playback Screen)

• Trash: Use this to move the selected file to the TRASH folder. (→ Moving the file being played to the TRASH folder)

• Back: This closes the Menu bar and enables file selection again.

Press to open this.

The volume balance of sound from all inputs and playback tracks can be mixed.

Status icon

The playback status is shown by an icon.

• Recording

• Recording paused

• Playing back

• Playback paused

• Searching backward

• Searching forward

Elapsed recording time / playback time

During recording, this shows the current elapsed recording time.

During playback, this shows the elapsed time since the start of playback.

Available recording time / file length

During recording, this shows the current available recording time.

During playback, this shows the length of the file currently playing.

Remaining battery charge

This is shown when operating on batteries. When the remaining battery charge becomes low, replace the batteries (→ Installing batteries) or connect an AC adapter (→ Connecting an AC adapter) or portable battery (→ Using other power sources).

Volume setting

These show the volume settings for each track.

Level meters

These level meters show the monitoring levels for each track.

Track status

These show the names and statuses of tracks.

• Track 1 on

• Track 1 off

When the volume setting of a track is being adjusted, the setting value will be shown numerically instead of the track name.

A muted icon will be shown in the level meter area when a track is off. (→ Enabling tracks for recording)

Stereo mix track

These level meters show the monitoring levels of the stereo mix.

Playback file name

During playback, the name of the file playing is shown.

Use this screen to make settings related to inputs.

Use to select a setting item or value, and press to confirm.

Name of input being set

Remaining battery charge

This is shown when operating on batteries. When the remaining battery charge becomes low, replace the batteries (→ Installing batteries) or connect an AC adapter (→ Connecting an AC adapter) or portable battery (→ Using other power sources).

Setting items and values

Menu bar

The inputs that can be set are shown by icons.

Use to select an input, and press to make settings for that input.

• MIC: Make settings for the built-in XY mic.

• (Input 1) and (Input 2): Make settings for inputs 1 and 2.

• Exit: Return to the Home Screen.

Other screens can be used to make settings related to output, recording, SD cards, USB and the system.

Use to select a setting item or value, and press to confirm.

Use to select this and press to return to the Home Screen.

Setting screen name

Remaining battery charge

This is shown when operating on batteries. When the remaining battery charge becomes low, replace the batteries (→ Installing batteries) or connect an AC adapter (→ Connecting an AC adapter) or portable battery (→ Using other power sources).

Setting items

Connect the cable of a dedicated AC adapter (AD-17) to the USB port (Type-C) and connect the adapter to an outlet.

By connecting the USB port (Type-C) to a computer, the H4essential can be operated using USB bus power. Moreover, it can also be powered by a 5V portable battery (commercially-available).

The H4essential uses an XY stereo format employing two mic units oriented perpendicularly to each other.

By having left and right diaphragms face inward perpendicularly to each other, a wide recording range can be covered while fully capturing sound sources in the center.

Moreover, since the points of recording are almost the same, no phase differences occur between the left and right channels.

Providing three-dimensional sound with natural depth and width, this recording technique is ideal for capturing specific sound sources that are nearby or at medium distance.

Use examples: solo and chamber music performances, live rehearsals, field recordings, etc.

In addition to input from the built-in XY mic, the H4essential also has inputs 1 and 2 as well as a MIC/LINE IN jack that supports plug-in power. These can be used together to input up to 4 channels.

Mics, mixers and other devices can be connected to inputs 1 and 2.

The H4essential has a MIC/LINE IN jack that can be used to connect an external mic or line-level device.

By turning on the plug-in power setting, this jack can also provide plug-in power to mics that use it. (→ Setting plug-in power)

Recording audio is possible in the following kinds of situations.

When recording with the H4essential, files are created on microSD cards in the following manner.

File folders

These are created each time recording is conducted. File folders are named in this format: Date_Time.

Mono and stereo files that are created are saved in them.

Recording files

Files recorded by the H4essential are saved in file folders on the microSD card.

For details about recording file names, see “Recording file names”.

• The files for each track along with the stereo file that is a mix of all tracks are saved here.

• Stereo files will be created if the MIC (built-in XY mic) “Mono Mix” input setting is “Off” or if inputs 1 and 2 are stereo linked. Mono files will be created in other cases. (→ Converting built-in XY mic input to mono, Enabling stereo linking)

Export folder

This is created when files are exported. Files created by exporting are saved in the Export folder. (→ Changing the format and exporting files)

Exported files

Files created by exporting are saved in a subfolder with the same name inside the Export folder. (→ Changing the format and exporting files)

TRASH folder

The TRASH folder is created automatically when an SD card is loaded in the H4essential. Files that have been moved to the TRASH folder are saved inside it. (→ Moving the file being recorded to the TRASH folder, Moving the file being played to the TRASH folder)

The files in the TRASH folder can all be deleted at the same time. (→ Deleting files in the TRASH folder)

Files are named with the following format.

File name example	Explanation
	Date The date of recording is included numerically. The numbers follow the set order (Setting the date format). Time The hour, minute and second are included numerically. Track name This shows the track used for recording. TrMic: File recorded using the built-in XY mic Tr1, Tr2: Files recorded using tracks 1 and 2 TrLR: File that is a stereo mix of all tracks

The line output level used for output from the PHONE/LINE OUT jack to headphones or another device during use as an audio interface can be adjusted.

For details about operation, see “Making output settings”.

If video and audio data both have recorded timecode, aligning them to a timeline and synchronizing them together is easy when using nonlinear editing software for editing.

Video file with timecode recorded Audio file with timecode recorded Nonlinear editing software

The UltraSync BLUE made by Timecode Systems transmits timecode, which is received by both the H4essential and the video camera, resulting in timecode being recorded in both the audio data and the video data.

The timecode is transmitted and received by Bluetooth.

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