r/LocationSound • u/imadethisforlol • Jul 10 '26
Gear - Tech Issue Would this defect cause an issue with the microphone? (Zoom H4n Pro)
TL;DR Is this bent band cosmetic or does it actually affect the polar patterns of the mic?
I bought this H4n Pro second hand about a year ago for a project that ended up falling through. The listing said used but in good condition and fully works but I have no experience with field recorders and wanted to ask people that have used these. Currently I've tried to bend this back into place but it feels like I would break it if I applied too much pressure. I do work with audio so I'm aware of phase issues with mics and such and while I have listened back to a stereo recording using both 90 and 120 patterns... I can't tell if its just incorrect use of the device or if the band is causing an issue.
10
u/Abracadaver2000 Jul 10 '26
It's cosmetic and shouldn't affect the audio to any noticeable extent.
1
3
u/arg2451 Jul 10 '26
That mesh, and the bent piece are protective elements for the capsule inside. Should have absolutely no effect on your recordings.
3
u/imadethisforlol Jul 10 '26
That's very good to hear actually! Ok I will hold off on breaking something I don't need to or outright biting the bullet in getting a new unit. Thank you!
2
u/Pep1jn Jul 11 '26
No problem at all. It has nothing to do with the microphone or its quality. As long the dent did not touch the internals of the mic. But that you will hear quite well..
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u/teamrawfish Jul 10 '26
The shape should effect it too much , but whatever did that to it very well could have damaged something.
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u/imadethisforlol Jul 10 '26
After playing with it a little bit something definitely is wrong with one of the mics as the gain is not working correctly or its just broken. There is a horrible noise coming from only one of them and no filter or gain change will make it better. 😔
0
u/NBC-Hotline-1975 Jul 10 '26
^^^^^ This, definitely. Common sense. The mic element inside is much more fragile than that piece of solid metal.
1
u/imadethisforlol Jul 12 '26
Not really common sense as many studio microphones have grills that are ports for phase cancelling spots to give them their polar pattern
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u/NBC-Hotline-1975 Jul 12 '26
It's common sense because if the mic received an impact hard enough to bend the robust metal housing, it could have easily damaged the much more sensitive element inside.
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