I am trying to find out what gear you use to record your sets when you play out?
Currently I am doing the following but I am running into very disappointing issues with the recorder I use:
mixing externally
plugging Zoom H2N recorder into mixer RCA rec output via RCA and minijack input (line) in recorder
Regardless how low or high the incoming levels are set on the recorder it sounds completely distorted on the kicks.
The mixers levels are always just below the red and the channels are set just like it. Input levels on recording device is low enough not to distort or be too soft, horrific results though…
How high/low are the channel gains set in Traktor,? Even mixing externally you can control each Traktor channel individually so might be clipping before even getting to your mixer.
I think he’s talking about using CDJs / vinyl. If he was using Traktor, he could just run the mixer session out into the Traktor sound card (physically if audio 6/8/10 or virtually if DJM-900 etc) and use Traktors recording feature.
Anyways, I am also looking for a compact / quality / inexpensive way to record my CDJ live sets.
Traktor levels are decent, before clipping. If the general Traktor output would be distorting that would most certainly be heard once it comes out the mixer wouldnt it? In any case, the signal coming out of the mixer going into PA is clean. Only issues is distortion on recording unit.
Thanks DJ SB, actually very good idea. I am currently only using two channels hence Audio2 is working out perfect for me, but this could actually be an option should I upgrade to Audio6, good idea. Otherwise my tech shop reckons I should get an inline attenuators like this one: Redirecting...
Correct - but theres a fair share of people who would not notice peoples ears beeding on the dance floor from a crunchy bassline, so had to ask
Just Strange that you mention:
Have you tried just a basic line level device directly into the Zoom, e.g. CD player, just to ensure that its not either
A dodgy input on the Zoom
A dodgy Record output on the mixer
Dodgy Cables
If its clipping anywhere along the signal path, there should not be distortion of any kind on the recording - so before shelling out $30 on a volume knob…
Im not too familiar with the zoom, but there isn’t a pre-amp switch on the input or simultaneous microphone recording or anything that could be enabled ?
I have both a Zoom H2 (the older one), and an H4N. I use them both in exactly this way, and never had an issue.
My H2 is left at home, connected up semi-permanently to the record out of my Rane MP-2016 using an RCA->1/8" mini line cable.
My H4N is the one I take with me. I still use record out of whatever mixer it is (usually a DJM-800 or 900), RCA->two 1/4" jacks into the H4N.
You set the input gain in the menu, and not the mic gain on the side, correct?
On mine (the H4n, out of memory), when I hit “record” the first time I can see the levels on the recorder, and adjust it using the up/down arrow buttons, then hit record to start the recording.
On my home setup (Technics, DJM-909, Audio 6) routing the mixer session out to the 3rd in on the Audio 6 and setting the session level according to Traktors recorder level indicator works flawlessly so if you do upgrade, problem solved.
For me, I only play on Turntables (and bring my laptop) to a handful of venues and I’d like to be able to record my CDJ live sets without dropping > $200 on a recording device haha.
Distortion might be caused by the output levels being to high. You need an attenuator to lower the output voltages or change the impedance for the output (better said, the input which probably is high impedance).
I have managed to get a perfect recording with the unit I linked earlier: Redirecting...
What this allows me to do is set the recording input level at the Zoom recorder to 50 (out of 100) and then manually control the incoming levels through the knob. I made sure the incoming levels sat pretty high but without clipping = Rec quality is perfect!
That 1/8" input on the h2n is total shite for recording anything with a wide range. Which soundcard are you using on your comp? Are you using the DJM built in or and audio 8/10. It will cause you the forth deck, but you can designate channel d’s input to the record input in traktor then route the record out to the channel 4 line in and record directly in traktor. I personally carry around my mbox mini and record in audition running in the background behind traktor. I did forget it at home once and had to record via the method I described.
i had a very similar problem with an h1. could never get it to record cleanly. tried multiple settings on both my mixer (djm800 at the time) and the h1. i think it had something to do with the input on the h1, but i could never remedy the problem. long story short i returned the h1 and upgraded to the djm850.
