Audition Recording from Zoom H4N and SM7B Microphones Off Pitch and Distorted

Report · Nov 13, 2020

Hi everyone. Recently I purchased two new Shure SM7B microphones to use to in recording podcasts. I am using a Zoom H4N as a driver to record directly into audition. For some reason, when I am playing back my recordings they sound off pitch and distorted. I know it is not a problem with my microphones or Zoom because I did record a quality podcast the other day. To set up my workflow, I plug my mics into the Zoom and the Zoom into my computer via usb selector. I then set my frequency to 48000 and switch the input to microphones. In Audition, I create a new multitrack session with no template, a frequency of 48000 and a bit depth of 32, and mono. I then set track one and two to record, set the audio hardware to the left and right channel of my Zoom. The last podcast I recorded in Audition came back with distortion, cutting out, and a weird pitch adjustment. I am trying to figure out what I did wrong, and salvage the recordings if possible. I have them as .WAV files in a folder outside of audition, but they sound distorted there too. I was wondering if anybody has any idea what I may have done wrong or suggest a fix for this problem. Like I said, I'd really love to be able to recover my recording, but at the least establishing a sufficient workflow moving forward is something I need to do. I plan on buying a pair of headphones to monitor audio next time I record, which I guess I should have been doing already. I really appreciate any help you can give me, thanks so much in advance.

Report · Nov 13, 2020

It's very likely that your problem here is those three little words 'via usb selector'. Basically, don't do this - plug it into the machine directly and you are much more likely to get a working result... certainly works fine with an H4N here.

Report · Nov 24, 2020

I'm having a similar problem with am H4N and a Zoom U-44. Works fine in Garage Band, but I need the functionality of Audition. Hopefully Adobe does an update.

As for "via usb selector" if you mean plugging one end of the usb cable into the Zoom device and the other into the computer that's how you do it.

Steve when you say "plug it into the machine directly" if you mean use the headphone/line out you won't have channel separation. The USB turns the Zoom into an interface where the inputs can be mapped to thier own audio tracks.

Report · Nov 25, 2020

I'm fully aware of what the Zoom does, thank you. I have one here, as I noted earlier.

The problem is with the 'USB Selector', better described as a USB hub, and being external to the computer. What you need to do is plug the Zoom directly into a USB port on the computer, and not go via a hub. USB hubs have been noted for causing difficulty with Zoom devices before. I only used the term 'USB selector' because the OP did; it's more accurate to describe them as active hubs, and for some reason Zooms don't always like them very much, although that appears to vary amongst different machines. Best bet though is not to use one.

Report · Nov 25, 2020

Just so I understand correctly, what would a USB hub be? I have the chord that came with it, that I use with a usb c adapter, but would I need something else?

Report · Nov 25, 2020

Thanks Steve. I agree plugging direct is best. Truett - no that's all you need just the usb cable that came with your Zoom into the computer.

Not sure what you could do in term of salvaging your audio.

It might be worth looking at the Zoom firmware to make sure it's up to date. Does yours say Version 1.9?

The latest update can be found here https://zoomcorp.com/en/ca/handheld-recorders/handheld-recorders/h4n/h4n-support/