[LAU] Using the Zoom H5 as a audio interface under Linux

[Faheem Mitha]

On Tue, 29 May 2018, Jeanette C. wrote:

> Hey hey Faheem,
> I'm no expert, but I've used an H4 and other stuff with Linux.

Hi Jeanette,

Thank very much for the helpful reply.

I figured out eventually that I didn't have the L/R mics turned on. You 
have to press buttons labelled L and R and there are little red lights 
above them that light up. Once I did that, it worked.

I also for some reason forgot that the levels in pavucontrol won't move 
unless recording is already happening.

I've got a couple of additional/followup questions about using the Zoom 
H5 as an audio interface with Linux, in case anyone feels like answering 
them.

1) I've noticed that if I select both input and output in pavucontrol 
(Configuration/Profile), then recording in Audacity does not work, even 
though both the H5 and pavucontrol shows levels as normal, and there are 
no indications (other than sound not being recorded) that there is 
anything wrong. I need to select only input for recording in Audacity to 
work. Why is this the case?

2) I'm getting significant background noise. This is a quiet room which 
nobody but me in it, so the sound manifests itself as a muted hiss. But 
the recordings I've heard of the H5 are much quieter. Is there some way of 
dialling back the background noise?

Regards, Faheem Mitha

> May 29 2018, Faheem Mitha has written:
> ...
>>     May 28 21:38:01 orwell kernel: [1505026.660071] usb 11-1: Warning! 
>> Unlikely big volume range (=4294967295), cval->res is probably wrong.
> Maybe you can set appropriate recording and playback volume on your
> Zoom, there are hardware controls, right? Your system just doesn's get
> what the Zoom is saying about volume, if it is saying anything. Could be
> hardware only control.
> ...
>> The H5 is also showing up in `pavucontrol`. The configuration section
>> offers various options. I'm not sure which one to choose - the options
>> are:
>> 
>> Analog Stereo Output + Multichannel Input
> that sounds fine. Not even sure if the H5 has digital output?
> Does it say S/PDIF or Digital out somewhere on the device? Do you use
> that? This sounds save enough for a start.
> ...
>> If I choose `Multichannel Input`, then it shows up in `pavucontrol`
>> under `Input Devices`, but the volume level (or whatever it is called)
>> for that device stays at zero.
> See the quoted kernel warning above. Hopefully you'll get a professional
> answer. For now: really try the hardware volume controls (buttons,
> knobs,...) on the Zoom.
>
> Have you tried playing back audio through your Zoom? The H4 could be set
> to a certain samplerate, when hooking it up to the computer, say 44.1kHz
> and then you could use aplay - or another player - to play a ripped CD
> track or something to it.
> ...
>> And finally, can someone exactly what an "audio interface" means,
>> exactly?
> For your purpose: audio interface = soundcard. It's a piece of hardware
> that can play and/or record audio. It's just more general than
> soundcard. The Zoom is not a card. Other examples: those USB/firewire
> boxes, mixers with direct USB audio support, even some powerful
> keyboards/synthesizers. I'm sure there is an official definition
> somewhere, but this should do for your case.
> ...
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Jeanette
>
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