Using the Zoom H2 as an audio interface
Panic in Blue
a 1.25 gHz G4 Mac. So far, no luck. Here's what I've been doing:
First I adjust the H2's settings so that it can be used as an external
audio interface. I connect it to my computer, and go to System
Preferences --> Sound. The H2 is being recognized and is clearly
transmitting sound. Then I launch Cubase SX. I go to Devices -->
Device Setup --> VST Multitrack. I change "ASIO driver" to "H2 Audio
(1)." Now if I select an audio track, there are no selectable audio
inputs, so I can't record. Then I try going to Devices --> Device
Setup --> VST System Link. The ASIO output pulldown is set to H2
Audio (1), which is weird, since the H2 is not an output device. Then
I try to set the ASIO input to H2 Audio, but there is nothing at all
in the ASIO input pulldown.
I remember I had this exact same problem when I was trying to use a
friend's external audio interface years ago. Then, someone on a forum
explained to me how to properly set up Cubase. Sadly I can't find
that thread anymore. But I know it can be done.
Thanks,
j.b.
Dott. John Ferdano
Auguri di Cuore.....Buone Festivitą.
http://mario-tradilaine.blogspot.com/
"Panic in Blue" <iqui...@collegeclub.com> ha scritto nel messaggio
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NickM
"Panic in Blue" <iqui...@collegeclub.com> wrote in message
news:a7d6cfbb-99d0-41a9...@i20g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
You need to add audo input busses.
Devices > VST Connections > Inputs > Add Bus - (you can select whether these
are stereo or mono)
Panic in Blue
under devices. Probably because I'm using v1. There is an "add/
remove" under Device Setup. It has a list of devices that I can add,
but none of them are the Zoom H2.
-j.b.
On Dec 28, 8:54 am, "NickM" <ni...@nospam.net> wrote:
> "Panic in Blue" <iquit...@collegeclub.com> wrote in messagenews:a7d6cfbb-99d0-41a9...@i20g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
Aphelion
<iqui...@collegeclub.com> wrote:
>Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately there is no "VST Connections"
>under devices. Probably because I'm using v1. There is an "add/
>remove" under Device Setup. It has a list of devices that I can add,
>but none of them are the Zoom H2.
Under "Devices" don't you have the entry "VST Inputs"
Key command is F5.
Open that, activate the Inputs.
Ap
Panic in Blue
do in this window, except rename the built in audio ports.
What am I missing here?
Thanks again for your reply.
Aphelion
<iqui...@collegeclub.com> wrote:
>Ok, I'm in the VST Inputs window, but I'm afraid there's nothing I can
>do in this window, except rename the built in audio ports.
>
>What am I missing here?
Not sure why you would be seeing the built-in audio ports if the H2 is
your selected audio driver?
Are the inputs active? (click the center button, it should be blue)
There's a scroll bar on the right, anything else hiding there?
Ap
NickM
"Panic in Blue" <iqui...@collegeclub.com> wrote in message
news:2c2a9432-aee5-4045...@l33g2000pri.googlegroups.com...
OK - I have an H4 - you have to put it in PC mode for it to be able to talk
to the computer. I assume the H2 s the same and I guess that you may not
have done this. Once that is done the H2's ASIO driver should become active
and you should be able to select it in Audio Devices in Cubase LE - AND then
with any luck you should be able to select the appropriate VST inputs, add
any necessary busses and away you should go merrily making music :-)
Panic in Blue
> >> Ap
>
> OK - I have an H4 - you have to put it in PC mode for it to be able to talk
> to the computer. I assume the H2 s the same and I guess that you may not
> have done this. Once that is done the H2's ASIO driver should become active
> and you should be able to select it in Audio Devices in Cubase LE - AND then
> with any luck you should be able to select the appropriate VST inputs, add
> any necessary busses and away you should go merrily making music :-)
Actually, it is in PC mode, and I know my computer is recognizing it,
because when I open the sound system pref, the H2 appears and shows
that it's receiving audio.
The audio devices button is turned on, and there is no scroll bar on
the side. All that are available are "Built in Audio L" and "Built in
Audio R." Also, I discovered that if I go to Devices --> Device
Setup --> VST Multitrack and change the ASIO driver to "H2 Audio" it
won't even let me open the VST Inputs window anymore. It just gives
me the dialog "No Inputs!" and then no window opens.
I was experimenting, and I discovered that I have the same problem if
I try to use the audio from my USB webcam, so I guess this problem is
not specific to the H2. I'm starting to think that I should reinstall
Cubase SX, or maybe delete the preference files. Except it would be
such a nightmare getting everything set up again.
Thanks again for all the suggestions. Any other ideas?
-jb
Aphelion
<iqui...@collegeclub.com> wrote:
>Actually, it is in PC mode, and I know my computer is recognizing it,
>because when I open the sound system pref, the H2 appears and shows
>that it's receiving audio.
>
>The audio devices button is turned on, and there is no scroll bar on
>the side. All that are available are "Built in Audio L" and "Built in
>Audio R." Also, I discovered that if I go to Devices --> Device
>Setup --> VST Multitrack and change the ASIO driver to "H2 Audio" it
>won't even let me open the VST Inputs window anymore. It just gives
>me the dialog "No Inputs!" and then no window opens.
>
>I was experimenting, and I discovered that I have the same problem if
>I try to use the audio from my USB webcam, so I guess this problem is
>not specific to the H2. I'm starting to think that I should reinstall
>Cubase SX, or maybe delete the preference files. Except it would be
>such a nightmare getting everything set up again.
Well... as a matter of fact.
I didn't see your original post, which version of the OS are you
running? Is the H2 supposed to be system compliant audio (no drivers
required) or does it ship with a driver?
Have you tried another USB port?
By sound system prefs do you mean Audio/MIDI setup?
Does it list the H2 inputs there?
Ap
Panic in Blue
>
> Well... as a matter of fact.
>
> I didn't see your original post, which version of the OS are you
> running? Is the H2 supposed to be system compliant audio (no drivers
> required) or does it ship with a driver?
>
> Have you tried another USB port?
>
> By sound system prefs do you mean Audio/MIDI setup?
>
> Does it list the H2 inputs there?
>
> Ap
>
>
I was referring to Apple Menu --> System Preferences --> Sound -->
Input
I just did a search on my computer for "Audio/MIDI setup" and I
couldn't find anything. Is this something I should download?
Thanks again,
j.b.
Panic in Blue
10.4.11. Switching ports doesn't make any difference. What I'm
mostly curious is this Audio/MIDI setup. I'm wondering if it's
something that's supposed to come with the system, and maybe I
accidentally deleted it...
NickM
> I was referring to Apple Menu --> System Preferences --> Sound -->
> Input
>
APPLE???? Er.... you didn't mention Apple anywhere before. It might have
helped to know that :-) I was referring to the Windows version of Cubase -
although the menus should be pretty much the same in whichever version you
use.
However could this be the reason it's not working for you:
http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1916 (see the
box-out at the bottom of the page):
Quote:
"Please note: The Zoom H2 will not mount as a USB Drive on MAC OS X 10.5.0
Leopard unless you update to H2 Firmware version 1.2 or higher.
You may download the latest H2 firmware and read the installation
instructions at Zoom's site here"
I know it states "USB Drive", but it could also affect use as an audio
interface. You should probably update the unit's firmware anyway if you
haven't already - I did with my H4 and it was fine
Aphelion
It's in either Utilities or Applications.
Ap
Panic in Blue
> On Fri, 2 Jan 2009 21:27:08 -0800 (PST), Panic in Blue
>
> >Oh, and it's not supposed to require drivers. And I'm using OSX
> >10.4.11. Switching ports doesn't make any difference. What I'm
> >mostly curious is this Audio/MIDI setup. I'm wondering if it's
> >something that's supposed to come with the system, and maybe I
> >accidentally deleted it...
>
> It's in either Utilities or Applications.
>
> Ap
Thanks, it was in Utilities.
My H2 device is recognized by both the system's Sound control panel,
and by the Audio/MIDI setup. In fact, I can even use it to record
with other applications and it works just fine. The only problem is
when I try to use it with Cubase SX. I also realized that I have this
problem with *any* USB audio interface, not just the H2. Cubase just
won't let me use them.
Does anyone have any other ideas? I'm really at the end of my rope
here. This shouldn't be so difficult!
Thank you,
-j.b.
Aphelion
>>
>> Ap
>
>Thanks, it was in Utilities.
>
>My H2 device is recognized by both the system's Sound control panel,
>and by the Audio/MIDI setup. In fact, I can even use it to record
>with other applications and it works just fine. The only problem is
>when I try to use it with Cubase SX. I also realized that I have this
>problem with *any* USB audio interface, not just the H2. Cubase just
>won't let me use them.
>
>Does anyone have any other ideas? I'm really at the end of my rope
>here. This shouldn't be so difficult!
Let's run over this one more time.
First, the H2 ASIO driver must be the selected ASIO driver in Cubase.
Second: Under Devices/VST Connections.... select the "Inputs" button.
If you don't see any bus listen and the window is blank, select "Add
Bus". Is there an Audio Device listed? If so, under "Device Port"
select the H2's input ports.
If the is a Bus listed, you may just have to select the Device and
Ports... click in the blank spots and a pop up window will list the
ports.
Ap
Panic in Blue
I'm able to do the first step. But then it won't even let me open the
VST Inputs window. When I try, it just gives me the prompt "No
Inputs!" and no window opens. I can't open the VST Inputs window
until I change the ASIO driver back to "Built-In Audio." And even
then there still no "add bus" option on the window, nor is there any
pop-up window or pull-down list or anything. The only interaction I
can have with the VST Inputs window is to click on the power button,
or change the names of the built-in audio ports.
I'm guessing that things are different in the version of Cubase SX
that I have, version 1.0.51. Maybe it's not supported in OSX 10.4,
which is what I have. Maybe I should have stuck with OSX 10.3, cause
I used to be able to use these external devices in Cubase. *sigh*
Cyberserf
>
> - Show quoted text -
Perhaps you could try to download and install ASIO4ALL. It is a free
ASIO driver (I think it is available for both MAc and PC) and it ought
to give you a bit more control over your hardware to Cubase interface.
You will still have to configure the ASIO driver and add the input and
output busses, but this may provide some relief (or it may not).
HTH, CS
Aphelion
Panic,
Try this:
1. Open the "Utilities" folder from "Applications" folder.
2. Click on "Audio MIDI Setup" icon to start "Audio MIDI Setup".
3. Click on "Open Aggregate Device Editor" from "Audio" in menu bar.
4. Click on "+" button to add "Aggregate Device".
5. You can change the name to new one by double-click on "Aggregate
Device". Put the new name (ex."H4 Audio IN/OUT") here.
6. Check both "H2 Audio In" and "H2 Audio Out" boxes and click "Done"
button.
7. Set the default input and output to a newly created Aggregate
Device (ex."H2 Audio IN/OUT") from the "Audio MIDI Setup" window.
8. To use the create Aggregate Device in your DAW software, select the
created "H2 Audio IN/OUT" through audio setup menu of the DAW
software."
Ap
Panic in Blue
Hallelujah! I was starting to have serious doubts about whether this
would ever work. Thanks Ap. You saved the day. You probably saved
me a lot of money, too, since I was thinking about having someone come
out here and take a look.
j.b.
Aphelion
<iqui...@collegeclub.com> wrote:
Hey, glad it's working, either the H2/H4 firmware update or an OSX
update caused the inputs/outputs to become (be seen as) separate
devices.
best-
Ap
NickM
> Hallelujah! I was starting to have serious doubts about whether this
> would ever work. Thanks Ap. You saved the day. You probably saved
> me a lot of money, too, since I was thinking about having someone come
> out here and take a look.
> j.b.
Nice one :-) Glad Ap helped you work through it. Now back to making music
Nick
John Albert
"However - I can't find this: "Aggregate Device Editor".
It's not there
in "Audio Midi Setup".
Am I going blind?"
I'm using 10.3.9 on a g4, and that choice does not appear in
my copy of Audio/MIDI Setup, either.
However there is a choice (in both the "MIDI Devices" panel
and up above in the menus) to "Add Device".
Have you tried that?
Let us know if this works for you.
- John
Peter Hjuler Christensen
It does work. Thanks for your help.