Zoom Gear & Home Recording Forum

I'm not sure what's wrong, but I get no signal from a direct plug in from my acoustic/electric guitar to the H4n. I see the input level jump when I insert the plug, but nothing after that. I have tried all of the modes and the phantom power adjustments. What am I doing wrong or is there something wrong with my machine?

Thanks for the help.

No real help here, but... Phantom power should be OFF. Electro-acoustics typically have a built-in pre-amp, which is battery powered. Is the battery in good shape (second test -- do you get a signal plugged directly into a guitar amp?). In my experience the guitar pre-amp is switched by plugging the cable into the guitar -- leaving a cable connected when the guitar is not in use will leave the pre-amp powered up.

The battery in the pickup is fine. Does an aftermarket under-the-bridge pickup have a preamp as well?

Just to be sure, the guitar cable can be plugged directly into the H4n, right? No need to run through a direct box to transfer to xlr cable?

Does anyone know if the inputs 1 and 2 not functioning is a common problem with the H4n?

We are now beyond my experience...

I'm not absolutely sure, but I think inputs 1 & 2 are for the built-in imcs. Don't have my H4n in front of me. Could you be programming the wrong inputs or have the wrong input level? An under the bridge pickup will require the same amplification as a regular guitar pickup I think. So like the other poster said, do you get any sound plugging directly into a guitar amp?

Guitar works fine plugged into amp. Any last suggestions anyone? I'm at the point where I will be returning my H4n unit for another one that hopefully has functioning inputs.

Inputs 1 & 2 are the on-board mics and the 1/8" mic input. The XLR/TS jacks on the bottom are inputs 3 & 4.

Fran

Have you got the input level raised to about 50?
Changed the inputs from 1 & 2 to 3 or 4?
If all else fails, RTFM

I'm not sure what you mean by input 3 and 4? The inputs on the units are only talked about in terms of 1 and 2 and they're clearly labeled as 1 and 2 on the machine itself. -Still haven't figured out the problem.