ZOOM P4 PodTrak Portable Multitrack Podcast Recorder User Guide

: June 5, 2024
: Zoom

ZOOM P4 PodTrak Portable Multitrack Podcast Recorder

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Functions of parts

Top/Back/Front

Left/Right

Installing batteries

To run the P4 on battery power, open the battery compartment cover on the bottom and install two AA batteries. ZOOM- P4- PodTrak -Portable- Multitrack
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NOTE

Use only one type of battery (alkaline, NiMH or lithium) at a time.
Set the type of battery used correctly so that the amount of remaining battery charge can be shown accurately. ( page 15)
The battery charge can be checked on the Home Screen.

Connection examples

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Use examples

Using on location

By using the P4 with batteries or a portable battery, audio can be recorded on location. The recorded audio is saved on an SD card and can be transferred to a computer for editing and distribution. ZOOM- P4- PodTrak -Portable-
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Using for live streaming
By connecting a P4 to a computer, you can use it to stream audio in real time. ZOOM- P4- PodTrak -Portable- Multitrack -Podcast- Recorder
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Explanation of terms

USB audio return

When the P4 is connected as an audio interface, this is the signal output from the computer. Background music can be played from a computer during podcasting.
SOUND PAD buttons

Audio files can be assigned to these. Press one to play the assigned file. These are convenient to play opening and closing music as well as interviews that have been recorded in advance.

USB Mix Minus
When using the P4 as an audio interface, signals input by USB can be set to not be output back to USB. When recording while calling through the computer, this can prevent feedback to the person at the other end.

Signal flow

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Home Screen

This screen appears on the display when the P4 power is turned on. This shows the P4 conditions, including recording status and input levels. ZOOM- P4-
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Use the MENU screen to make settings, including for recording and the SOUND PAD buttons. ZOOM- P4- PodTrak -Portable- Multitrack -Podcast- Recorder
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In this Quick Guide, MENU item names are shown with gray backgrounds, and the procedure of selecting items on the MENU screen using , and is abbreviated as follows. Procedure example: Select Settings on the MENU screen Example of explanation in “Other functions and settings”: MENU screen > Settings > Battery

HINT

Press to return to the previous screen.
To return to the Home Screen, press repeatedly until it appears.

Making preparations

Inserting SD cards

With the power off, open the SD card slot cover, and insert an SD card all the way into the slot. To remove an SD card, push it further into the slot and then pull it out.

NOTE

Disable write-protection on the SD card before inserting it.
Inserting or removing an SD card while the power is on could result in data loss.
When inserting an SD card, be sure to insert the correct end with the top side up as shown.
If an SD card is not loaded, recording and playback are not possible.
Before using SD cards that have just been purchased or that have been formatted on a computer, they must be formatted by the P4 ( page 15).

Turning the power on

Press until “ZOOM” appears on the display. This turns the power on and opens the Home Screen. To turn the power off, press until “Goodbye! See You!” appears on the display.

NOTE
The power will automatically turn off if it is not used for 10 hours. To keep the power on at all times, set the Auto Power Off function to Off ( page 15).
HINT
Operation is possible using power supplied from the power supply USB port by connecting a dedicated AC adapter (ZOOM AD-17) or portable battery to it.

Setting the date and time
The first time the power is turned on after purchase, the Set Date/Time screen appears on the display. Use / / to select the year, month, day, hour or minute, use / to change its values, and use to confirm it. Then, repeat for each item.

HINT
The date and time setting can be changed later using MENU screen > Settings > Set Date/Time.

Connecting mics

NOTE

When an INPUT SELECT switch is set to , +48 V phantom power is supplied to that input jack. When connecting a device that is not compatible with phantom power, do not set the INPUT SELECT switch to . Doing so could damage the device.

Connecting headphones

NOTE
When an INPUT SELECT switch is set to , +48 V phantom power is supplied to that input jack. When connecting a device that is not compatible with phantom power, do not set the INPUT SELECT switch to . Doing so could damage the device.

Connecting smartphones

When podcasting, the voice of a guest participating by phone can be input on channel 3. By using a 4-contact mini-plug cable, a signal can be input from a smartphone and a mono signal can be sent back to it simultaneously. Since this output signal does not include the sound from channel 3, guests participating by phone will not have an echo. ZOOM- P4- PodTrak -Portable- Multitrack
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Connecting a computer, smartphone or tablet by USB
Using the audio interface function ( page 15), music, interviews and other audio played back on a computer, smartphone or tablet can be input through channel 4. Sound input through the P4 and sound played with SOUND PAD buttons can also be streamed live directly. Recording files on SD cards can also be transferred for editing. ( page 13) ZOOM- P4- PodTrak -Portable- Multitrack
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Recording

Adjusting input levels

HINT

When smartphone or USB audio return signals are being input (INPUT SELECT switches are set to or ), the input will be in stereo and stereo level meters will be shown.

Making mic settings (Mic Settings)

The Lo Cut and Limiter functions can be turned on/off for each input. The factory default setting is on for all.

Select Mic Settings on the MENU screen.
Select a setting
- Lo Cut: This can cut low frequencies to reduce the sound of air conditioning, wind, vocal pops and other noise.
- Limiter: This can prevent distortion by reducing input signals that have excessively high levels.
Select the mic (Mic 1–Mic 4) for which you want to turn this function on. The Lo Cut or Limiter setting is on for the mics that have check marks.

Recording

The input signals of each channel, the sounds (stereo) played by pressing SOUND PAD buttons, and the master channel signal (stereo) can be recorded simultaneously as separate files to the SD card.

Press when the Home Screen is open. Recording will start and the REC indicator with light red. Press when recording to pause recording (REC indicator will blink). Press again to resume recording.
Press or . Recording will stop.

HINT

When the channel 3 INPUT SELECT switch is set to or the channel 4 INPUT SELECT switch is set to , those channels will record in stereo.
If you do not want to record a channel or you want to turn its input off temporarily, press to mute it.

Playing recordings

Press when the Home Screen is open.
The most recently recorded file will start playing and the PLAY indicator will light green.
- Pause: Press to start/pause playback alternately.
- Search backward: Press and hold .
- Search forward: Press and hold .
- Cue: Press to return to the beginning of the file.
- Stop playback: Press to stop playback and return to the HOME Screen.

HINT
Files can also be selected and played using MENU screen > Files > select file

Play.

Transferring files to a computer, smartphone or tablet

Recorded files can be transferred to computers, smartphones and tablets.

Select File Transfer on the MENU screen.
Use a USB cable to connect the P4 with a computer, smartphone or tablet ( page 10).
Transfer the files needed.
- P4 folder and file structure When recording with the P4, folders and files are created on SD cards in the following manner.

Using SOUND PAD functions

Audio files can be assigned to the SOUND PAD buttons. Press one to play the assigned file. These are convenient to play opening and closing music as well as interviews that have been recorded in advance. The volume and playback method can be set for each pad.

Assigning audio files to SOUND PAD buttons

Built-in sounds and audio files saved on an SD card can be assigned to SOUND PAD buttons.

Select Sound Pad on the MENU screen.
Select the SOUND PAD (A–D) to which you want to assign an audio file.
Select Sound Assign. The built-in sound sources or the audio files stored on the SD card are shown in the list.
Select the audio file that you want to assign.

NOTE

To assign a file on an SD card to a SOUND PAD, use a computer beforehand to store the audio file on the card in any directory other than the P4_Multitrack and P4_Settings folders.

Playing SOUND PAD buttons

When a SOUND PAD button is played, the file name will be shown on the display for two seconds after playback starts.

Changing playback methods and volumes for each SOUND PAD

Select Sound Pad on the MENU screen.
Select the SOUND PAD (A–D) for which you want to change settings.
Change the settings.
Play Mode (playback method used when a SOUND PAD button is pressed)
- One Shot: Each press plays the file once from beginning to end.
- Pause: Each press alternately plays and pauses. Playback stops at the end of the file. Press and hold (for 2 seconds) when paused to return to the beginning of the file.
- Loop: Each press alternately plays and pauses. Playback will loop until stopped.
- Hold: While pressing, loop playback will continue. When released, playback will stop.
Level (volume setting)
- −48dB–+10dB (30 steps): Adjust the volume.