Input 3 can be used to connect to a mobile phone call and input 4 can connect to a computer via USB for Skype or Zoom calls. You can connect a phone to the Podtrak P4 by using a TRRS cable or by attaching the Podtrak P4 Bluetooth Adapter (not included). A computer can be connected using USB which will allow you to bring in Skype or Zoom calls. So I did another recording with the limiter off. And because there is no longer anything to prevent distorting if things get too loud, you need to be careful about levels. I turned the input knob on the PodTrak to level 5. There are two USB-C ports on the P4. The one on the right should be used when using the unit as an audio interface and the one on the left when powering with a power bank. The Menu The customizable sound pads allow you to live mix during your recording. All you need to do is tap the pad and trigger your chosen music, jingles, or other pre-recorded audio. You can choose to upload your own media or choose from the PodTrak’s pre-loaded selection. Record directly to your computer or phone And here is the voice recording with the same situation (limiter on/input level 8) – PodTrak + Rode. PodTrak P4 + Rode NT2A – Limiter On, Input Level 8, VoiceOver

It wasn’t so long ago that podcasters recorded their content through gear that was, first and foremost, designed with music in mind. Both the low-cut filter and the limiter can be applied in post-production so if you don’t turn them on you can apply these effects after the fact. There are some advantages to hardware effects but if they are over-applied it can ruin your audio because the effects are baked in. Here is the audio from my Zoom call test with Lisa. I had her downstairs on her laptop with a USB mic ( Samson Q2U) connected. This resulted in higher quality audio, as you should be able to tell from the audio below. The problem is that the 4 microphone inputs on the P4 are the XLR type – the standard 3-pin connection. Since USB mics connect with a USB cable, you would clearly not be able to plug them into the PodTrak P4. There are a few options for connecting up your phone. You can simply use a 3.5mm – 3.5mm cable. If you do this, you just need to bear in mind that your guest will be hearing you through the phone mic, as opposed to your XLR mic. This should be different if you were using a TRRS (as opposed to TRS) cable. TRS means “tip ring sleeve”, and TRRS have an extra ring on them (look at the 3.5mm plug on your smartphone for an example of this). I didn’t have access to a TRRS adapter during my short time with the PodTrak P4, so I’m unfortunately unable to confirm this just yet.The PodTrak P4 weighs about 290g. That’s the equivalent to eight Roborovski dwarf hamsters. Or 7.2% of a cat. More practically – a bit more than the weight of your smartphone, a bit less than your favourite coffee mug. First are recordings I made on my computer with my standard audio interface, the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. All of these recordings will have a “noise only” sample, as well as me reading some text. BTW, I adjusted the levels of all these recordings to be the same. That way the volume won’t be a factor when comparing. This is especially true of the noise. Audio from Rode NT2-A large diaphragm condenser mic The Rode is a condenser mic and so needs phantom power. That means you have to turn on the phantom power switch on the PodTrak. Sound Pads are basically just a bank of pre-recorded sounds or clips you can play in real-time, during a recording session. Admittedly, few podcasters will find use for these. Most prefer to add in all their music and audio effects in post-production. But there are a couple of reasons why this feature might be appealing to you. If an item can not be repaired, a similar alternative product or cash discount (as defined in this policy) will be offered

The unit is made entirely of plastic. This includes all the buttons, switches, and dials. For a unit with so many features and at such a low price point, I did expect that to be the case and even though it’s all plastic, it feels fine when in use and I don’t worry about anything breaking. If you look after it when in transport and in use, it should last just fine. Power Options For customers in outlying areas of the country, the price of the Extended Warranty may be marginally higher, due to the potential for higher collection and redelivery transport costs. You really can do either. But for out-of-office, I think the Podtrak would be easiest to deal with and your best bet. You can plug a phone into that. Plus you don’t need a computer. You cannot plug a phone into an interface. At least not without jumping through a lot of hoops with adapters and things. You can plug microphones and headphones into either thing (PodTrak or interface). Keep in mind that for both the Podtrak or an interface, you need standard XLR mics. You can’t use USB mics. Note: Using channel 3 and 4 for remote interviews leaves you with only channel 1 and 2 for microphones. So you can do 4 microphones for host + 4 in-person guests. Or you could have 3 mics with one remote guest, or 2 mics with 2 remote guests. Customizable sound padsAs I mentioned earlier, you still only have 4 inputs. For each remote guest, you give up one of the microphone inputs. So if you had 1 remote guest, you could only use 3 mic inputs. If you had 2 remote audio sources, then only 2 people can use microphones.

Since you can use the PodTrak P4 as an audio interface, you can choose to record directly to your computer or device. Livestream The Zoom PodTrak P4 is an all-in-one podcast recording solution. I used the word “solution” because it is hard to describe in one word, and it solves a number of common podcasting problems. Plus you can use it for several things other than just podcasting. So what is it? With four headphone outputs with individual volume controls, everyone can monitor their own audio at their preferred volume. Call-in remote guests The display – although similar in quality and style to the P4, I personally found the meters easier to monitor whilst recording

Media

One of the most important podcasting benefits of the PodTrak is the ability to have 2 kinds of remote guests/co-hosts. Channel 3 can be switched to accept an incoming phone call. And channel 4 can be set to accept the audio from a Zoom (or Skype, or any online conference app) session. And yes, you can have both at the same time! So, all in all very straight forward and a lot of the settings are set as a one-time setup job. After that, the only real reason to visit the menu is to format the SD card! Things I Love About the Zoom PodTrak P4 The RE20 is a dynamic microphone (see my post: Condenser vs Dynamic Microphone: What Is The Difference?). That means not only do you NOT have to turn on the phantom power on the PodTrak, but the mic is already much quieter, requiring a lot more power just to be heard at all. The P4 has 70db of gain which is more than enough to power gain hungry microphones like the ElectroVoice RE320, Shure SM7b, or the Heil PR40. There is more than enough gain to use these microphones without an additional boost from a Cloudlifter, Fethead, or simply sound device. There ARE some things that could be better with the PodTrak P4. Here is my list of those things: Can be very noisy, especially if using the limiter function.

THAT is still some pretty loud noise, at -52.31dB. But it isn’t as loud as the Rode was when the limiter was on. Each of the participants you’re recording should be wearing headphones. This means they can hear exactly how they sound, as the recording is happening. If they keep popping the mic, they’ll know about it. If they’re too far away from the mic, they’ll know about that too. Or at least, they should. You might still need to step in and advise them on their technique now and then, but it certainly makes your life easier.Dimension-wise we’re looking at 112mm (W), 155mm (D), 47mm (H), so ever so slightly longer than the average pen. The LCD is small and that makes it difficult to monitor levels and watch for peaking but given the size of the device that isn’t a real complaint because it can’t really be made any bigger. The LCD light goes off while recording to save battery usage and that can be annoying. Only records in 44.1 khz and 16 bit resolution I really love the Podtrak P4. As you will soon read, I had to really look hard for things that I don’t like about this device. But here they are… Noisy recording if limiter is on Firstly, if you do live podcasting, this can really enhance the production level of your show. You’ll have effects, music beds, transitions, and sweepers at the touch of a button. There are 11 pre-recorded presets on the PodTrak P4, and you can load in your own, too. This could be anything from an intellectual long-form interview, to a puerile fart noise that you’ll hit each time your co-host attempts to tell a joke.