P4
Quick Guide
You must read the Usage and Safety Precautions before use.
The Operation Manual can be downloaded from the ZOOM website (www.zoom.jp/docs/p4). This
page has les in PDF and ePub formats.
The PDF le format is suitable for printing on paper and reading on a computer.
The ePub format can be read with electronic document readers and is designed for reading on
smartphones and tablets.
© 2020 ZOOM CORPORATION
Copying or reprinting this manual in part or in whole without permission is prohibited.
Product names, registered trademarks and company names in this document are the property of their respective companies.
All trademarks and registered trademarks in this document are for identification purposes only and are not intended
to infringe on the copyrights of their respective owners.
You might need this manual in the future. Always keep it in a place where you can access it easily.
The contents of this manual and the specifications of the product could be changed without notice.
Functions of parts
■Top/Back/Front
INPUT SELECT switches
1–4
Set these according to the
connected equipment.
Dynamic mic
Condenser mic
(supplies +48 V
phantom power)
Smartphone, etc.
USB audio return
signal output from
computer
INPUT knobs 1–4
Use to adjust input
signal levels.
MUTE buttons 1–4
Use to mute (lit) and
unmute (unlit) signals.
Display
This shows the recorder
status and MENU screen.
SOUND PAD A–D
Use these to play the
sounds assigned to
them.
SOUND PAD knob
Use to adjust SOUND
PAD volumes.
PHONES knobs 1–4
Use to adjust the
volumes of signals
output from PHONES
jacks 1–4.
Input jacks 1–4
These input jacks have
built-in mic preamps.
PHONES jacks 1–4
These output the signals
adjusted by PHONES
knobs 1–4.
PLAY indicator
This lights during playback
and blinks when paused.
REC indicator
This lights during
recording and blinks when
recording is paused.
MENU button
Use to open the MENU
screen and to return to
the previous screen.
PLAY/PAUSE/
Use to play/pause
recorded les.
Use to move the cursor
up in the MENU screen.
STOP/
Use to stop recording/
playback.
Use to move the cursor
down in the MENU
screen.
REC/ENTER button
Use to start/stop
recording.
Use to conrm a
selection in the MENU
screen.
button
button
2
■Left/Right
NOTE
• Use only one type of battery (alkaline, NiMH or lithium) at a time.
• Set the type of battery used correctly so that the amount of remaining battery charge can be
shown accurately. (
page 15)
• The battery charge can be checked on the Home Screen.
SD card slot
Cards that conform to SDHC and
SDXC specications are supported.
Format the SD card with the
before use.
Power supply connector
for BTA-2
Use this power supply
connector when
connecting a BTA-2
wireless adapter.
P4
Smartphone connection jack
By using a 4-contact mini-plug cable, the signal from
a smartphone can be input on channel 3 while the
signal mixed on the
signal) is returned to the smartphone simultaneously.
Power supply USB Type-C port
This power supply USB port is
for connecting an AC adapter or
portable battery.
(excluding the channel 3
P4
USB Type-C port
This USB port is for connecting
with a computer, smartphone
or tablet.
POWER switch
Use to turn the power
on and off.
Installing batteries
To run the P4 on battery power, open the battery compartment cover on the bottom and install
two AA batteries.
Open while pressing down.
3
Connection examples
Mics
Dynamic and condenser mics
AC adapter
(ZOOM AD-17)
USB Type-C
SD card
Smartphone
Guests can participate
by phone during
podcasting.
USB Type-C
port
port
Wireless adapter (ZOOM BTA-2)
This enables wireless connection to
smartphones and tablets.
Computer, smartphone or tablet
Using the audio interface function,
audio can be shared with a computer,
smartphone or tablet, and recordings on
the SD card can be transferred for editing.
This might not be usable with some
communication apps.
Headphones
4
Use examples
■Using on location
By using the P4 with batteries or a portable battery, audio can be recorded on location. The recorded
audio is saved on an SD card and can be transferred to a computer for editing and distribution.
■Using for live streaming
By connecting a P4 to a computer, you can use it to stream audio in real time.
Internet
5
Explanation of terms
USB audio return
When the
is connected as an audio interface, this is the signal output from the computer.
P4
Background music can be played from a computer during podcasting.
SOUND PAD buttons
Audio files can be assigned to these. Press one to play the assigned file. These are convenient to play
opening and closing music as well as interviews that have been recorded in advance.
USB Mix Minus
When using the
as an audio interface, signals input by USB can be set to not be output back to
P4
USB. When recording while calling through the computer, this can prevent feedback to the person at
the other end.
Signal ow
INPUT 1
INPUT 2
INPUT 3
INPUT 4
Lo Cut Limiter
Lo Cut Limiter
Lo Cut Limiter
Lo Cut Limiter
MUTE
MUTE
MUTE
MUTE
When using the smartphone connector, the
sound input through INPUT 3 (smartphone
sound) is not included.
When the USB Mix Minus setting (
15) is On, the sound input through INPUT
page
4 (sound input through USB) is not included.
Smartphone
connection jack
USB
TRACK 1
Separate recording
TRACK 2
les for each mic
(mono/stereo)
TRACK 3
TRACK 4
SOUND PAD recording
le (stereo)
SOUND PAD
Recording le for
podcasting (stereo)
L/R
6
Home Screen
HINT
• Press to return to the previous screen.
• To return to the Home Screen, press
repeatedly until it appears.
This screen appears on the display when the P4 power is turned on.
This shows the
conditions, including recording status and input levels.
P4
Status icon
This shows the
recording/playback
status.
Stopped
Recording
Paused
Channel and level meters
These show the names of the
channels and their current input
levels.
Time Display
This shows either the current recording time
or the remaining time.
Remaining battery charge
When the remaining
battery charge becomes
low, replace the batteries
or connect an AC adapter
or portable battery.
Full Empty
Master level meters
These show the output
signal levels.
Basic MENU operations
Use the MENU screen to make settings, including for recording and the SOUND PAD buttons.
MENU screen
This shows MENU items.
A scroll bar appears at the right
edge if there are more items than
This opens the MENU screen.
can be shown on the display.
Conrm selection.
to select the item above
Use
and
to select the item below.
In this Quick Guide, MENU item names are shown with gray backgrounds, and the procedure of
selecting items on the MENU screen using
, and is abbreviated as follows.
Procedure example: Select Settings on the MENU screen
Example of explanation in “Other functions and settings”: MENU screen > Settings > Battery
7
Making preparations
NOTE
• Disable write-protection on the SD card before inserting it.
• Inserting or removing an SD card while the power is on could result in data loss.
• When inserting an SD card, be sure to insert the correct end with the top side up as shown.
• If an SD card is not loaded, recording and playback are not possible.
• Before using SD cards that have just been purchased or that have been formatted on a computer,
they must be formatted by the
P4
( page 15).
NOTE
The power will automatically turn off if it is not used for 10 hours. To keep the power on at all times,
set the Auto Power Off function to Off (
page 15).
HINT
Operation is possible using power supplied from the power supply USB port by connecting a
dedicated AC adapter (ZOOM AD-17) or portable battery to it.
HINT
The date and time setting can be changed later
using MENU screen > Settings > Set Date/Time.
■Inserting SD cards
With the power off, open the SD card slot cover, and insert an SD
card all the way into the slot.
To remove an SD card, push it further into the slot and then pull it
out.
■Turning the power on
Press until “ZOOM” appears on the display.
1.
This turns the power on and opens the Home Screen.
To turn the power off, press
until “Goodbye! See You!” appears on the display.
■Setting the date and time
The first time the power is turned on after purchase, the Set Date/Time screen appears on
the display. Use
use / to change its values, and use to confirm it. Then, repeat for each item.
Year Month Day
Hour
/ / to select the year, month, day, hour or minute,
Minute Conrm the date and time.
8
■Connecting mics
NOTE
When an INPUT SELECT switch is set to , +48 V phantom power is supplied to that input jack.
When connecting a device that is not compatible with phantom power, do not set the INPUT
SELECT switch to
. Doing so could damage the device.
Mics
Use mic cables (with XLR connectors)
to connect them to input jacks 1–4.
INPUT SELECT switches 1–4
when using a
Set to
dynamic mic or to
using a condenser mic.
when
■Connecting headphones
Lower
Raise
2: HOT
MUTE buttons 1–4
Press to mute inputs. These
light when muted.
1: GND
3: COLD
PHONES knobs 1–4
Use these to adjust
headphone volumes.
Headphones
Connect to PHONES jacks 1–4.
9
■Connecting smartphones
NOTE
Use a Lightning to USB Camera Adapter (or
Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter) to connect to
an iOS/iPadOS device with a lighting connector.
When podcasting, the voice of a guest participating by phone can be input on channel 3. By
using a 4-contact mini-plug cable, a signal can be input from a smartphone and a mono signal
can be sent back to it simultaneously. Since this output signal does not include the sound from
channel 3, guests participating by phone will not have an echo.
INPUT SELECT switch 3
Set to
.
Audio signal
from phone
participant
4-contact miniplug cable
Master output
signal (excludes
audio signal
from phone
participant)
■Connecting a computer, smartphone or tablet by USB
Using the audio interface function ( page 15), music, interviews and other audio played back
on a computer, smartphone or tablet can be input through channel 4. Sound input through the
and sound played with SOUND PAD buttons can also be streamed live directly.
P4
Recording files on SD cards can also be transferred for editing. (
USB Type-C
port
page 13)
INPUT SELECT switch 4
Set to
.
10
Recording
HINT
When smartphone or USB audio return signals are being input (INPUT SELECT switches are set to
or ), the input will be in stereo and stereo level meters will be shown.
■Adjusting input levels
Lower
INPUT knobs 1–4
Use to adjust input levels.
Level
Raise
−6 dBFS
−12 dBFS
Input levels are shown on the display.
Adjust the levels so that they are
between −12 dBFS and −6 dBFS.
■Making mic settings (Mic Settings)
The Lo Cut and Limiter functions can be turned on/off for each input.
The factory default setting is on for all.
Select Mic Settings on the MENU screen.
1.
Select a setting
2.
• Lo Cut: This can cut low frequencies to reduce the sound of air conditioning, wind, vocal pops
and other noise.
• Limiter: This can prevent distortion by reducing input signals that have excessively high levels.
Select the mic (Mic 1–Mic 4) for which you want to turn this function on.
3.
The Lo Cut or Limiter setting is on for the mics that have check marks.
11
■Recording
HINT
• When the channel 3 INPUT SELECT switch is set to or the channel 4 INPUT SELECT switch is
set to
, those channels will record in stereo.
• If you do not want to record a channel or you want to turn its input off temporarily, press
to
mute it.
HINT
Files can also be selected and played using MENU screen > Files > select le > Play.
The input signals of each channel, the sounds (stereo) played by
pressing SOUND PAD buttons, and the master channel signal (stereo)
can be recorded simultaneously as separate files to the SD card.
Press when the Home Screen is open.
1.
Recording will start and the REC indicator with light red.
Press
blink). Press again to resume recording.
Press or .
2.
Recording will stop.
when recording to pause recording (REC indicator will
Playing recordings
Elapsed recording time
REC indicator
Recorded files can be played back.
Press when the Home Screen is open.
1.
The most recently recorded le will start playing and the
PLAY indicator will light green.
• Pause: Press
• Search backward: Press and hold
• Search forward: Press and hold
• Cue: Press to return to the beginning of the le.
• Stop playback: Press
to the HOME Screen.
to start/pause playback alternately.
.
.
to stop playback and return
12
Playback le name
Elapsed playback timePLAY indicator
Transferring les to a computer, smartphone or tablet
Recorded files can be transferred to computers, smartphones and tablets.
Select File Transfer on the MENU screen.
1.
Use a USB cable to connect the P4 with a computer, smartphone or tablet
2.
page 10).
(
Transfer the les needed.
3.
folder and le structure
■
P4
When recording with the P4, folders and files are created on SD cards in the following manner.
Root
2020_0101_0000.WAV
2020_0101_0010.WAV
2020_0101_0024.WAV
P4_Multitrack 2020_0101_0000
(Recording le for podcasting (stereo))
A folder with the same name as the recording
le for podcasting (stereo) will be created that
will contain recording les for each track.
2020_0101_0010
2020_0101_0024
P4SETTING.ZST
settings le)
(
P4
(Mono le recording of signals from INPUT 1)
MIC1.WAV
(Mono le recording of signals from INPUT 2)
MIC2.WAV
(Mono le recording of signals from INPUT 3)
MIC3.WAV
or
Stereo le recording of signals from smartphone connection jack
(
PHONE.WAV
(Mono le recording of signals from INPUT 4)
MIC4.WAV
or
(Stereo le recording of signals from USB)
USB.WAV
SOUND_PAD.WAV
(Stereo le recording of SOUND PAD signals)
)
13
Using SOUND PAD functions
NOTE
To assign a file on an SD card to a SOUND PAD,
use a computer beforehand to store the audio
file on the card in any directory other than the
P4_Multitrack and P4_Settings folders.
HINT
When a setting is changed, the changed state
will be saved.
Audio files can be assigned to the SOUND PAD buttons. Press one to play the assigned file.
These are convenient to play opening and closing music as well as interviews that have been
recorded in advance. The volume and playback method can be set for each pad.
■Assigning audio files to SOUND
PAD buttons
Built-in sounds and audio files saved on an SD
card can be assigned to SOUND PAD buttons.
Select Sound Pad on the MENU
1.
screen.
Select the SOUND PAD (A–D) to
2.
which you want to assign an audio
le.
Select Sound Assign.
3.
The built-in sound sources or the audio les
stored on the SD card are shown in the list.
Select the audio le that you want to
4.
assign.
■Playing SOUND PAD buttons
Press to play the assigned
audio le.
■Changing playback methods and
volumes for each SOUND PAD
Select
1.
Sound Pad
screen.
Select the SOUND PAD (A–D) for
2.
which you want to change settings.
Change the settings.
3.
Play Mode (playback method used when
a SOUND PAD button is pressed)
• One Shot: Each press plays the le once
from beginning to end.
• Pause: Each press alternately plays and
pauses. Playback stops at the end of the
le. Press and hold (for 2 seconds) when
paused to return to the beginning of the
le.
• Loop: Each press alternately plays and
pauses. Playback will loop until stopped.
• Hold: While pressing, loop playback will
continue. When released, playback will
stop.
Level (volume setting)
• −48dB–+10dB (30 steps): Adjust the
volume.
on the MENU
Use to adjust the volume.
When a SOUND PAD button is played, the le
name will be shown on the display for two
seconds after playback starts.
14
Other functions and settings
NOTE
Be aware that all data previously saved on the
SD card will be deleted when it is formatted.
NOTE
A factory reset will overwrite all settings to their
factory defaults. Be certain before using this
function.
Changing le names
MENU screen > Files > select file name to be
changed > Rename > input file name
Deleting les
MENU screen > Files > select file to delete >
Delete > Execute (Cancel: cancel)
Using as an audio interface
The P4 can be used as a 2-in/2-out audio
interface.
Connections
Connect the
tablet. (
Input settings
USB audio is input in stereo on INPUT 4. Set
INPUT SELECT switch 4 to
INPUT 4 knob to adjust the volume.
USB Mix Minus settings
MENU screen > Settings > USB Mix Minus
• Off: Sound from USB input is also output by
USB.
• On: Sound from USB input is not output by
USB.
to a computer, smartphone or
P4
page 10)
, and use the
Modifying the date and time
MENU screen > Settings > Set Date/Time >
modify the date and time > confirm with OK
Setting the type of batteries used
MENU screen > Settings > Battery
• Alkaline: Alkaline batteries
• Ni-MH: Nickel-metal hydride batteries
• Lithium: Lithium batteries
Adjusting the display contrast
MENU screen > Settings > LCD Contrast >
adjust the contrast (1–10)
Setting the Auto Power Off function
MENU screen > Settings > Auto Power Off
• On: The power will automatically turn off if not
used for 10 hours.
• Off: The power will not turn off automatically.
Testing SD cards
MENU screen > Settings > SD Card > Card Test
• Quick Test: Conduct brief test
• Full Test: Conduct complete test
(Execute: execute, Cancel: cancel)
Formatting SD cards
MENU screen > Settings > SD Card > Format >
Execute (or Cancel to cancel)
Restoring factory default settings
MENU screen > Settings > Factory Reset >
Execute (or Cancel to cancel)
15
Main Specications
Number of input channels 4 (mono/stereo)
Number of output channels 1 (headphone × 4)
Connectors MIC XLR jacks (2: HOT)
Smartphone
connection
jack
USB USB Type-C (audio interface and mass storage functions)
DC 5 V USB Type-C (for power supply)
Headphones 3.5 mm stereo mini
Phantom power +48 V
Recorder Formats WAV 44.1 kHz, 16-bit, mono/stereo
Recording
media
Audio interface 44.1 kHz, 16-bit, 2-in/2-out
Power 2 AA batteries (alkaline, NiMH or lithium)
Estimated continuous
operation time using
batteries
External dimensions 112 mm (W) × 155 mm (D) × 47 mm (H)
Weight (unit only) 290 g
TRRS mini jack (4 contacts, TIP: L, RING1: R, RING2: GND, SLEEVE: MIC)
Note: Use a USB cable that supports data transfer. USB bus power is
supported.
4 GB−32 GB SDHC-compliant cards (Class 10 or higher)
64 GB−512 GB SDXC-compliant cards (Class 10 or higher)
• We recommend usingNiMH batteries with the
AC adapter (ZOOM AD-17): DC 5 V/1 A (USB bus power is supported.)
Recording 44.1 kHz/16-bit/4ch audio to SD card (when 48 V is OFF and
headphone impedance is 63 Ω)
Alkaline batteries: about 4 hours
NiMH batteries (1900 mAh): about 4.5 hours
Lithium batteries: about 9 hours
• The above values are approximate.
• Continuous battery operation times were determined using in-house testing
methods. They will vary greatly according to use conditions.
P4
.
ZOOM CORPORATION
4-4-3 Kanda-surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0062 Japan
www.zoom.co.jp
Z2I-3975-01
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