Features of the H4n
- Four-track simultaneous recording
- High-fidelity mic preamps
- Built-in X/Y stereo microphones, adjustable between 90˚ and 120˚
- Record up to 140 dB SPL with X/Y microphones
- Two mic/line level inputs with XLR/TRS combo connectors
- Stereo 1/8″ Mic In mini phone jack
- +24 or +48V phantom power for main inputs and Plug-in power (2.5V) via Mic/Line In mini phone jack
- Output/headphone jack with dedicated volume control
- Records directly to SD and SDHC cards up to 32 GB
- Supports up to 24-bit/96 kHz audio in BWF-compliant WAV or a variety of MP3 formats
- Built-in effects, including compression/limiting, low-cut filtering, modulation, reverb/delay and amp models
- 2-in/2-out USB audio interface for PC/Mac computers
- Mounts to mic stand or tripod, or directly to DSLR with optional Hot Shoe adapter
- Runs on 2 standard AA alkaline or NiMH rechargeable batteries with up to 5.5 hours of operation (up to 8 hours in Stamina mode)
The H4n Pro Black
With onboard X/Y microphones, two combo input jacks, overdubbing, effects, and more, the H4n Pro is packed with features that allows musicians to create songs from start to finish.
Zoom H4n Pro
A portable 4-track recorder built around X/Y condenser microphones, dual XLR/TRS combo inputs, and a low-noise preamp stage — handling everything from studio overdubs to location sound for film.
Key specifications
Recording resolution
24-bit / 96 kHz
Max SPL
140 dB
Noise floor (EIN)
-120 dBu
Simultaneous tracks
4 channels
File formats
WAV (BWF) / MP3
Storage
SD / SDHC up to 32 GB
Battery life
6 hrs / 10 hrs stamina
Dimensions
73 × 157 × 37 mm
Weight
294 g (10.4 oz)
Display
128 × 64 px LCD
USB interface
2-in / 2-out (PC/Mac)
Phantom power
+24 V / +48 V
Built-in microphones
X/Y stereo
Adjustable capsule array
Two condenser capsules in a crossed configuration at 90° or 120°. Because both capsules share the same origin point, phase cancellation between left and right channels is eliminated. Captures up to 140 dB SPL without distortion.
M/S decode
Mid-Side processing
On-board M/S decoder lets you adjust stereo image width in post using external M/S microphones connected to the combo inputs — useful for broadcast and sound design workflows.
Inputs and connectivity
2× XLR/TRS combo jacks
Locking connectors. Mic/line and instrument signals. +24V or +48V phantom power per input.
Stereo 1/8″ mic in
External mic/line mini jack. Supplies 2.5V plug-in power for compatible mics (e.g. lavaliers).
1/8″ headphone out
Dedicated volume control. Doubles as line output for monitoring and DAW return.
Mini-USB
2-in/2-out audio interface mode for PC/Mac. Also used for file transfer and firmware updates.
Mic stand / tripod thread
Standard thread. Hot shoe adapter (optional) mounts directly to a DSLR or mirrorless camera.
Recording modes
Stereo
Built-in or external mics
Standard stereo capture using the X/Y capsules or external microphones. Ideal for live performances and acoustic instruments.
4-channel
Simultaneous X/Y + external
Records onboard X/Y mics and both external inputs at once — e.g. stereo room ambience plus a console board feed in a single pass.
Multi-track
4-track studio mode
Full overdubbing workflow with punch-in, bouncing, and onboard effects. Tracks can be bounced to stereo or mono for further layering.
USB interface
DAW integration
Acts as a 2-in/2-out interface for any PC or Mac DAW, routing audio through the H4n’s preamps and monitoring via the headphone output.
Built-in effects
Compression / limitingLow-cut filterReverbDelayModulationGuitar amp modelsBass amp modelsAuto-record / auto-stopPre-record (2-sec buffer)Auto-track markersBWF timestampsMS decode
Who it’s for
Film / video
BWF time-stamped files sync automatically to video. Mounts to a DSLR hot shoe for run-and-gun shoots.
Musicians
Rehearsal recording, 4-track demos, overdubbing, and onboard amp modeling for guitar and bass.
Podcasters
Two XLR inputs with phantom power handle condenser mics. USB interface mode feeds directly into a DAW or recording software.
Journalists / ENG
Handheld form factor, auto-record, and track markers make it practical for news gathering and interviews in the field.
Educators / researchers
Long battery life and SD storage support extended sessions. Audio quality exceeds most lecture-room options.
Live sound
Capture a stereo board feed plus room ambience simultaneously in 4-channel mode for post-mix options.
Power and storage
Power options
2× AA batteries or DC 5V AC adapter
Stamina mode
Up to 10 hrs alkaline / 12 hrs NiMH
Storage format
SD / SDHC (max 32 GB)
Max record time
~68 hrs at 16-bit / 44.1 kHz
Specs
General
| Number of simultaneous recording tracks: | 2 (STEREO mode), 4 (4CH mode), 2 (MTR mode) |
| Recording time 4 GB (SDHC): | Approx. 380 minutes (WAV 44.1 kHz / 16-bit stereo track) |
| Approx. 68 hours (MP3 44.1 kHz / 128 kbps stereo track) | |
| * Recording times are approximations. Actual times may differ according to recording conditions. | |
| Maximum file size of simultaneous recording: | 2 GB |
| Projects: | 1000/card |
| Locate function: | Hours/Minutes/Seconds/Milliseconds |
| Other functions: | Punch-in/out, Bounce, A-B repeat |
| Effects modules: | 2 |
| STEREO / 4CH Mode: LO CUT, COMP/LIMITER | |
| MTR Mode: PRE AMP module, EFX module | |
| Types: | 53 |
| Patches: | 60 |
| Tuners: | Chromatic, Guitar, Bass, Open A/D/E/G, DADGAD |
| Metronome sound sources: | 5 |
| Variable beat: | 1/4 – 8/4, 6/8, unaccentuated |
| Tempo: | 40.0 – 250.0 BPM |
| A/D conversion: | 24-bit × 128 oversampling |
| D/A conversion: | 24-bit × 128 oversampling |
| Recording media: | SD card (16 MB – 2 GB), SDHC card (4 GB – 32 GB) |
| Display: | 128 x 64 dots Full-dot backlit LCD |
Data Type – WAV Format (Record/Play)
| Quantization: | 16- / 24-bit |
| Sampling frequency: | 44.1 / 48 / 96 kHz |
Data Type – MP3 Format (Recording)
| Bit rate: | 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 80, 96, 112, 128, 160, 192, 224, 256, 320 kbps, VBR |
| Sampling frequency: | 44.1 / 48 kHz |
Inputs
| Input [1] [2]: | XLR (balanced input) / standard phone (unbalanced input) combo jack |
| Input impedance: | (Using balanced input) 3 kΩ or more, pin 2 hot |
| (Using unbalanced input) 470 kΩ or more | |
| Input gain: | (Using balanced input) −16 dB to +43 dB |
| (Using unbalanced input) -30 dB to +32 dB | |
| Built-in stereo mic: | Unidirectional condenser microphone |
| Sensitivity: -45 dB/1 Pa at 1 kHz | |
| Input gain: -16 dB to +51 dB | |
| Maximum sound pressure input: 140 dB SPL | |
| External mic: | Mini stereo phone jack |
| Input impedance: 2 kΩ or more | |
| Input gain: – 16 dB to +51 dB |
Outputs
| Line/phone: | LINE Output load impedance: 10 kΩ or more |
| LINE rated output level: -10 dBu | |
| PHONE: 20 mW + 20 mW (into 32Ω load) | |
| Monaural speaker: | 400 mW 8 Ω |
| Phantom power: | 48V, 24V, OFF |
| USB: | USB 2.0 High Speed Mass Storage Class operation, Audio interface operation |
| (USB functions can be operated by USB bus power) | |
| Power requirements: | DC 5V 1A AC from AC adapter (ZOOM AD-14), 2 x AA batteries |
| Batteries: | IEC R6 (size AA) x 2 |
| Continuous recording time: | STEREO mode |
| Using built-in mics at 44.1 kHz/16-bit without headphones connected | |
| About 5.5 hours using alkaline batteries or about 7.5 hours using NiMH (2500mAh) batteries | |
| STAMINA mode | |
| Using built-in mics at 44.1 kHz/16-bit without headphones connected | |
| About 8 hours using alkaline batteries or about 10.5 hours using NiMH (2500mAh) batteries | |
| Dimensions: | 73 (W) × 157.2 (D) × 37 (H) mm |
| Weight: | 294 g |
| * 0 dBm = 0.755 Vrms | |
| * Design and specifications subject to change without notice. |