Zoom M4 MicTrak Handheld Recorder with Timecode Generator

The Zoom M4 MicTrak is a four-track handheld recorder that pairs built-in X/Y stereo mics with two XLR/TRS inputs, records in 32-bit float, and carries its own timecode generator.

Microphones and Inputs

Its two mic capsules face inward in an X/Y pair, covering a wide area while keeping sound in the center clear. They handle up to 135 dB SPL, and the mics and the glossy body finish reduce handling noise.

The two locking XLR/TRS combo inputs take mics or line-level sources through the same low-noise preamps as Zoom’s F-Series recorders, with an equivalent input noise of -127 dBu. They supply +24 V or +48 V phantom power and can be stereo-linked. A 3.5 mm mic/line input with plug-in power takes a lavalier mic in place of the X/Y mics.

Recording and Monitoring

Dual A/D converters record every track in 32-bit float, so there is no gain to set and no clipped take. The M4 records up to four tracks at once as WAV files at up to 192 kHz, with BWF and iXML metadata, to microSD cards up to 1 TB.

The 1.54-inch color LCD shows a real-time waveform for all four tracks. Pre-recording keeps up to six seconds of audio from before the record button is pressed, and the Normalize function raises or lowers a recording to the best level without compressing it. A 3.5 mm line output sends a backup or sync track to a camera, and a headphone output and built-in speaker handle monitoring.

Timecode

The built-in timecode generator runs at ±0.2 ppm precision, drifting less than half a frame in 24 hours. It can also follow external timecode. The M4 writes timecode to its own files while sending it from the 3.5 mm timecode jack, either to a camera’s timecode input as metadata or to the audio input of a camera without one.

Interface and Power

Over USB-C it is a 4-in/2-out audio interface at 48 kHz, 24-bit or 32-bit float, for a PC, Mac, iOS device, or Android device, and records to its card at the same time. It runs about 19 hours on four AA batteries when recording two tracks, or on the AD-17 AC adapter or USB bus power. The optional RC4 remote control starts and stops it from up to 5 meters away.

Features

• Four-track 32-bit float recording with no gain to set
• Built-in X/Y stereo mics, 135 dB SPL maximum
• Two locking XLR/TRS combo inputs with F-Series preamps
• +24 V or +48 V phantom power
• 3.5 mm mic/line input with plug-in power
• Timecode generator with ±0.2 ppm precision and a 3.5 mm in/out jack
• 1.54-inch color LCD with waveform display
• Six-second pre-record, Normalize, and low-cut filter
• 4-in/2-out USB-C audio interface
• About 19 hours on four AA batteries