Portable Recorder for Vocals

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digitalhecht
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2016/11/21 17:30:10 (permalink)

Portable Recorder for Vocals

Hi Folks,

I haven't recorded in a while, but am ready to jump back in again. My process involved laying down tracks in Sonar, sans vocals, exporting to a WAV file and recording dry vox in my walk-in closet on my Zoom H6. I then process the vox back in Sonar. Alas, I have forgotten the procedure on how to record vocals on this unit, over prerecorded audio!
Per page 25 of the Zoom H6 manual, I have tried the following with no luck:
1) Formatting the SD Card on the Zoom. Then plugging the same card into my computer and placing the pre-recorded file (i.e. song, sans vox) in FOLDER01.
2) Naming the pre-recorded music track to "ZOOM0001_LR.WAV" (44k/16-bit stereo) and placing it in FOLDER01. Zoom cannot play it or see it.
3) Mixing the above file to mono (in a DAW) and naming it "ZOOM0001_Tr1.WAV" (44k/16-bit mono) and placing it in FOLDER01. Still, Zoom cannot play it or see it.
4) Since "Overdub" will not even be selectable if there is no track in a folder, as a last result, I tried placing a previous project file, naming it "ZOOM0001.hrpj" in the same folder. No dice.
I have scoured YouTube, looking for tutorials and it seems this function is well-overlooked. (Non-existent?) I am beginning to think that maybe I did this on my old Zoom H4n and is not possible on the H6. (Though why they would remove this function in a later generation is dumbfounding...)
Assuming that it's NOT possible on the Zoom H6, can anyone recommend a competing product that does support this function? I am currently considering the Tascam DR60 Mk II. I just have no idea if it has the capability I am looking for. Thanks in advance!
Ed
#1

5 Replies Related Threads

    Cactus Music
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    Re: Portable Recorder for Vocals 2016/11/21 20:57:59 (permalink)
    My Tascam DR 40 is a 4 track recorder so you can overdub 2 more tracks. 
    I've never done this but seems straight forward in the manual.  I'm sure  that would be where your answer to this question is,  as it certainly looks like a complicated piece of gear. 
     
    Not sure why or how your using it, why are you putting the tracks on it when it would seem it's an audio interface as well (and using Stienberg drivers to boot, very impressive). Why not just monitor Sonar as you record using the mikes? You risk having your vocal track drift  out of time otherwise. 

    Johnny V  
    Cakelab  
    Focusrite 6i61st - Tascam us1641. 
    3 Desktops and 3 Laptops W7 and W10
     http://www.cactusmusic.ca/
     
     
    #2
    digitalhecht
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    Re: Portable Recorder for Vocals 2016/11/21 22:18:30 (permalink)
    Thanks for your response, Cactus. I did get a response from Zoom:
    "Its possible this was done on the H4n, but this is not possible with the H6. You would have to re-record the file on to the H6. Transferring in the manner described does not work due to metadata attachments on the H6."
    Ironically, I am clearing the egg from my face as I sold my H4n to upgrade to the H6, assuming it had all the bells and whistles (and more). Now I need to downgrade.
    To answer your question about my recording method,the room where my workstation/DAW is located has terrible acoustics (aka my office). So the best way to get dry vocals is to sing along to the existing track. No drift at all-it's all digital.
    Related, a rep at B&H told me that the Tascam DR60 does NOT have this capability either. Luckily, the original H4n models can be got on eBay for about $125.
     
    #3
    digitalhecht
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    Re: Portable Recorder for Vocals 2016/11/21 22:35:44 (permalink)
    I realize this may be the most crude solution, but I just purchased an IK Multimedia iRig Pre at my local Fry's. Paired with an iPhone 7 Plus (and the included Lightning to 3.5mm adapter), it works just fine-outside of having to grab the recorded tracks via Apps in iTunes. (Existing/pre-recorded tracks must be imported the same way, btw.) I'll take $40 over $100+!
    #4
    Cactus Music
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    Re: Portable Recorder for Vocals 2016/11/22 10:34:29 (permalink)
     No drift at all-it's all digita
     
    There can always be drift if the recording is not synced to the same clock. Over a 3 min song it might not be more than a few samples so all is OK, but you do need to be aware that it can happen. And all clock sources are not created equal. 

    Johnny V  
    Cakelab  
    Focusrite 6i61st - Tascam us1641. 
    3 Desktops and 3 Laptops W7 and W10
     http://www.cactusmusic.ca/
     
     
    #5
    digitalhecht
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    Re: Portable Recorder for Vocals 2016/11/22 12:41:37 (permalink)
    Thanks, Cactus. Duly noted. I meant to mention I am using the iRig with a $10 iOS app called (oddly enough) DAW. It's pretty intuitive and is working quite well so far.
    #6
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