29 May
2018
29 May
'18
3:20 a.m.
Hello everyone,
I've posted a question about using the Zoom H5 as an audio interface
to sound.stackexchange.com, see
https://sound.stackexchange.com/q/44364/24842
I've found scattered references to H5 working on Linux. One is on this
mailing list -
http://linux-audio.4202.n7.nabble.com/checking-passive-input-frequencies-on…
But I can't get it to work.
I've posted the contents of that question below. Any help would be
appreciated. Please copy me on any reply. Thank you.
Regards, Faheem Mitha
###################################################################
I just purchased the Zoom H5 sound recorder, with the intention of
using it both as a sound recorder, and also as a audio interface under
Linux. My OS is Debian stable. Currently 9/stretch.
Unfortunately, there is hardly any documentation on how to use it
under Linux. I managed, by looking at the manual, to get my OS (Debian
stable/stretch) to at least recognize the device.
However, right now I'm not sure how to go with either Stereo or 4
Track. In both cases I end up with a screen that shows `USB AUDIO I/F
XY5`, along with L, R, 1, and 2. But I see no motion in any of these.
However, right now I'm not sure how to go with either `Stereo` or
`Multitrack`. In both cases, it is clear that I need to go with the
`Bus Powered` option. As mentioned in various places, if I choose
`Stereo`, Debian thinks it is the H4, but with `Multitrack` correctly
identifies it as the H5.
In both cases I end up with a screen that shows `USB AUDIO I/F`, along
with L, R, 1, and 2. But I see no motion in any of these.
`lsusb` is showing the following:
Bus 006 Device 006: ID 1686:01c5 ZOOM Corporation
The syslog is printing a bunch of complaints:
May 28 21:38:01 orwell kernel: [1505026.660071] usb 11-1: Warning! Unlikely big
volume range (=4294967295), cval->res is probably wrong.
May 28 21:38:01 orwell kernel: [1505026.660076] usb 11-1: [2] FU [Mic Capture Volume]
ch = 2, val = 1/0/1
May 28 21:38:01 orwell mtp-probe: checking bus 11, device 3:
"/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:13.0/usb11/11-1"
May 28 21:38:01 orwell mtp-probe: bus: 11, device: 3 was not an MTP device
May 28 21:38:01 orwell systemd-udevd[28202]: Process '/usr/sbin/alsactl -E
HOME=/run/alsa restore 2' failed with exit code 99.
May 28 21:38:02 orwell pulseaudio[6363]: [pulseaudio] alsa-mixer.c: Your kernel
driver is broken: it reports a volume range from 0 to -1 which makes no sense.
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
Analog Stereo Output
Digital Stereo (IEC958) Output + Multichannel Input
Digital Stereo (IEC958) Output
Multichannel Input
Off
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. As it happens, I have another, regular
mic plugged into my main (PCI Express) sound card (Xonar DX) right
now, and that is responding fine. Also, I assume a working mic makes
some noise, and the mics on the H5 are completely silemt.
I'm sure I'm missing something obvious, so help would be much
appreciated, bearing in mind my knowledge of things sound-related is
very limited.
And finally, can someone exactly what an "audio interface" means,
exactly?
29 May
29 May
3:45 a.m.
Hey hey Faheem,
I'm no expert, but I've used an H4 and other stuff with Linux.
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
--------
* Website: http://juliencoder.de - for summer is a state of sound
* SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/jeanette_c
* Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMS4rfGrTwz8W7jhC1Jnv7g
* GitHub: https://github.com/jeanette-c
* Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeanette_c_s
Don't, don't let me be the last to know
Don't hold back, just let it go <3
(Britney Spears)
6 Jun
6 Jun
12:19 a.m.
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
--------
* Website: http://juliencoder.de - for summer is a state of sound
* SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/jeanette_c
* Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMS4rfGrTwz8W7jhC1Jnv7g
* GitHub: https://github.com/jeanette-c
* Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeanette_c_s
Don't, don't let me be the last to know
Don't hold back, just let it go <3
(Britney Spears)
2799
days inactive
2806
days old
linux-audio-user@lists.linuxaudio.org
2 comments
2 participants
participants (2)
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Faheem Mitha -
Jeanette C.