DAD 310
Sound Design for Film

Zoom H4n: field recording quick guide

DAD 310 — Fall 2026

Use this guide during our October 2 demonstration and when you make recordings for Assignment 3: Field Recording . Today, capture one short ambience bed with the recorder’s built-in X/Y microphones and one focused detail with the RØDE NTG5. Listen to both files before you leave. The recorder may say H4n or H4n Pro; check its labels as we work through the controls together.

Know the controls

ControlWhat it does
POWER/HOLD switchSlide and hold toward POWER to turn the recorder on or off. Check that HOLD is not engaged if buttons do not respond.
MENU and side dialPress MENU to open or back out of a menu. Turn the dial to highlight an item; press the dial to select it.
MIC, 1, 2Select the built-in X/Y microphones or an external input. The selected input button lights up.
REC LEVEL +/−Changes input gain. Watch the meters while adjusting it. This is different from headphone VOLUME +/−.
REC, STOP, PLAYPress REC once for recording standby, press it again to start, and press STOP to save the take. PLAY lets you check it. A moving counter confirms that recording has started.

Set up before the first take

  1. Check the batteries or power supply, SD card, and remaining recording time. Plug headphones into LINE/PHONE. Ask before formatting a card; formatting erases its files.
  2. Confirm STEREO mode. If another mode is lit, choose MENU > MODE > STEREO. If the recorder is in STAMINA mode, turn it off using the switch in the battery compartment while the recorder is powered off, then restart. Stamina mode does not offer the required 96 kHz/24-bit format.
  3. Set MENU > REC > REC FORMAT > WAV 96 kHz/24-bit before recording. If the recorder does not offer it, use its highest available WAV rate at 24-bit and note the setting in your recording log. Do not choose MP3.

Take 1: an ambience bed with the built-in microphones

  1. Press MIC and confirm its light is on. In MENU > INPUT, set MONO MIX to OFF so the X/Y microphones make a stereo recording.
  2. Choose a position that captures the whole place. Keep fingers off the recorder body while recording; use a stand or stable surface if possible. Outdoors, use the wind protection provided with the recorder.
  3. Press REC once for standby. Put on headphones and listen to the actual microphone signal. Set REC LEVEL while watching the meter, including the loudest likely passing sound. Leave space below 0 dBFS; if the meter clips, lower the level.
  4. Press REC again. Check that the counter advances. Say a short slate naming the place and sound, then let the scene run without talking or moving the recorder. Press STOP to save the file.
  5. Play the take through headphones. Listen for wind, handling noise, clipping, and whether the place sounds as you expected. Repeat the take if needed.

Take 2: a focused detail with the NTG5

  1. Stop recording. Connect the NTG5 to INPUT 1 with an XLR cable before turning on phantom power. Aim the microphone at the source and keep the cable from striking the mic or stand.
  2. Set MENU > INPUT > PHANTOM > +48V. The NTG5 requires 48 V phantom power. Press 1 and confirm the external input is selected. If you hear nothing, check the cable, phantom setting, input selection, and headphones before raising gain.
  3. Leave the recorder in STEREO mode, but use only the NTG5 connected to INPUT 1. STEREO is the recorder’s mode name; one NTG5 captures a mono signal. Set MENU > INPUT > MONO MIX > ON to record that signal in both the left and right channels of the WAV file, so you hear it in both ears. This is called dual mono. With MONO MIX off, INPUT 1 would appear only on the left. Turn MONO MIX back OFF before recording another X/Y ambience bed.
  4. Have the performer make the loudest planned sound. Press REC once, set REC LEVEL with headroom, and listen for background noise. Change mic distance or angle if that helps more than changing gain.
  5. Press REC again, check the counter, slate the source and action, and record several variations. Press STOP. Play at least one take back through headphones and check for clipping, wind, handling noise, and unwanted background sound.

When you finish, stop recording and lower the headphone volume. Turn phantom power off before disconnecting the NTG5 to help prevent a loud pop in your headphones. This is a recommended handling precaution. Keep the original, unedited WAV files for Assignment 3.

Copy and check your recordings

  1. Stop recording, connect the H4n to a computer by USB, and select USB > STORAGE on the recorder. You can also use an SD card reader.
  2. Copy the WAV files to your project folder. Open the copied files on the computer and confirm that both the ambience bed and the detail play. Keep a second copy before you clear or reuse a card.
  3. Eject the recorder or SD card in the computer before unplugging it. Do not delete files from the card until your copies are verified.

Today’s practice check

Play the bed and the detail for a partner. Can they hear the space in the first recording and the source in the second? Identify one technical problem in either take and try a change of position, wind protection, or input level. No submission is due today; use what you learn for Assignment 3 .

If you need a feature beyond this workflow, consult the H4n manual or H4n Pro manual . The NTG5 specifications confirm its 48 V power requirement.