Zoom recorders, the Camera Kit, and Garageband for iPad
Tuesday, September 18 2012 @ 08:31 AM CDT

I am constantly trying to find ways to compress my travel kit.

I really like Garageband for iPad as a basic quick way to record, but have not been happy with microphones designed to work with it.

I have a Zoom Handy Recorder which I like quite well for field recordings.

I understand the Apple Camera Kit will allow the connection of USB microphones to the iPad.

Wondering if anyone has any experience of doing this, and specifically of hooking Zoom products to the iPad. Can it be done? Does this give you full stereo recording?

If not, does anyone have any experience using some kind of hardware to get multi-track or at least stereo recordings of a decent quality into an iPad?

Thans for your help, Jammers.

Re:Zoom recorders, the Camera Kit, and Garageband for iPad
Tuesday, September 18 2012 @ 03:02 PM CDT

Here's some info from a commenter via MacRumors:

Using Zoom H2 USB with iPad
I can report that using the H2 with a powered hub works beautifully with the iPad through the camera connection dongle. Insert the hub's USB out, into the dongle and connect the H2 (mini US to the hub. Set the H2 menu to USB>audio I/F>connect, and you'll be able to record in stereo using the Fire Field Recorder app (Blue Fire probably works also, and it's free). Set the Zoom mic for high sensitivity, rec level about 50 and kick the gain on Fire up a bit as well. Here's an added bonus, because the USB connection is in/out you can monitor while recording AND during playback via the line out (earphone) jack on the Zoom, using the volume control on the side. Sounds great, too.

I would think that the results would be the same with GarageBand. I'll be looking into getting the Camera Kit to hook up my H2. I just got the GarageBand app.

Some more tidbits in this article: Secrets of the iPad Camera Connection Kit

Re:Zoom recorders, the Camera Kit, and Garageband for iPad
Wednesday, September 19 2012 @ 06:34 AM CDT

Intriguing! Thanks for the info. Please post your results, if you get your kit up before I get mine. I just bought a Zoom H4n, which could theoretically record four sources at the same time, though I'm not sure how they would show up on the iPad (stereo?).