Zoom P4 PodTrak - Podcasting Mixer and Interface

Product Information

The LCD window is where you see what’s happening while you record, such as level meters and recording timer. But it is also where you need to look to do everything with the menu, changing settings, etc. So it’s pretty important to be able to see the information in this window.

Zoom PodTrak P4 Podcast Recorder, Battery Powered, 4

Critically, you don’t need an external mic to get recording with the H4N because it has integrated mics. You can also use it as a 2-input/2-output USB interface by connecting it to your computer. The limiter does have its issues though, which I’ll mention in the “Not so good” section further down in this post. Use it as an interface to record onto a computer or mobile device Yes, you can connect any Smartphone to your Podtrak P4 using a TRRS cable, which will allow you to speak to people over the phone and record your co-host or guest through input 3. You can also do this using a computer connected to the USB port on input 4. Here is the voiceover with the same setting as above: PodTrak P4 + EV RE20 Mic – Limiter on, Input Level 9, Voiceover Although that wasn’t the ideal start and made me question the build quality of the unit, as stated above the SD card door has been fine since.A limiter helps to prevent peaking and clipping by preventing the volume from ever reaching the maximum threshold for peaking/clipping.

Zoom PodTrak P4 Quickstart Guide | Sweetwater Zoom PodTrak P4 Quickstart Guide | Sweetwater

OK, so it’s an interface. What makes it special? I mentioned that it is totally mobile. You do not need a computer or a mobile device (phone, tablet, etc.) to record ONTO. Just plug a mic in and record onto the SD card. But what makes it specifically good for podcasting? Four sound pads that you can customize to trigger sound effects during your recording. You can choose from the PodTrak P4’s preloaded effects or add your own. Storage CapacityNOTE – Make sure you buy the right cable. It must be a TRRS cable and not a TRS or TR cable. If you get the wrong cable you will hear the audio coming from your guest or co-host but they won’t hear you. A TRRS cable has three rings in the plug. When I first saw the spec for the Zoom PodTrak P4, my initial reaction was one of great excitement. With 4 x XLR inputs and headphone outputs, in-built sound pads, and the ability to plug in and record either a phone or USB device meant that I thought all my prayers had been answered when it came to finding the ultimate podcasting tool. The P4 has 70db of gain which is more than enough to power gain hungry microphones like the ElectroVoice RE320, Shure SM7b, or the Heil PR40. There is more than enough gain to use these microphones without an additional boost from a Cloudlifter, Fethead, or simply sound device. The P4 can only record in 44.1khz and 16bit resolution. This is standard in podcasting but some people will not be satisfied with this. I don’t think the Pro Video Coalition will be happy about this. Limited Sound Pad Buttons I answered the phone, turned up the input level knob on channel 3, and suddenly the phone’s audio was coming through the PodTrak! I adjusted the input knob until her volume was good, and we were all set.

PodTrak P4 - ZOOM

What I like about the Zoom H6 is that it can mount on your tripod or camera as long as you have a hot-shoe adapter. Another advantage Zoom H6 has is its changeable mic capsule. Besides the included mic capsule, you will have some optional capsules and accessories to buy including the mid-side capsule and shotgun capsule. This is fantastic! Just make sure the input level is loud ENOUGH by testing and watching the meters on the face of the device. And you don’t have to ever worry about something being too loud. I wish more recording interface units had this function.Although not the perfect podcasting tool, I’d say it was closer to perfect than I’ve previously found, especially at that price point.

Zoom P4 PodTrak - Podcasting Mixer and Interface

Since you can turn up the input gain as high as you want, that means cranking up the noise from the mic/interface as well. There is a way to avoid this, which I’ll talk about below (after the super noisy audio sample). Can’t use USB mics There are two USB-C ports on the P4. The one on the right should be used when using the unit as an audio interface and the one on the left when powering with a power bank. The Menu The audio below is the “noise-only” version of that recording. Note how much less noisy (average of -65.07) this is compared to the one above with the limiter on (but set to input level 8). PodTrak P4 + Rode NT2-A – No Limiter, Input Level 5, Noise Only One of the most important podcasting benefits of the PodTrak is the ability to have 2 kinds of remote guests/co-hosts. Channel 3 can be switched to accept an incoming phone call. And channel 4 can be set to accept the audio from a Zoom (or Skype, or any online conference app) session. And yes, you can have both at the same time! You can actually also use the Zoom PodTrak P4 for live streaming by connecting it up to your computer. CompactYou and your guests are not always together. That’s why the P4 makes it easy to incorporate remote interviews. Just connect your phone to the P4 with a TRRS cable. Or connect your computer via USB, using your favorite conferencing software. Yes, the Zoom PodTrak P4 does have phantom power if you need it. Can you use the Zoom PodTrak P4 for podcasts?