How to Reduce Handling Noise on Your Zoom Handy Recorder

Author: Tosh Lubek Published: 18th January 2024

If you use a handheld microphone, you’ll know handling noise can be an issue. Small movements of your hand as you grip the microphone can produce sounds that can be picked up by the mic capsule and heard on your recording. The same is true when using a Zoom Handy recorder, such as the H4n, H5, and H6.

When I use my Zoom H4n and H5 for audio and video production, handling noise isn’t normally a problem. That’s because I don’t handhold the recorder. It’s usually mounted on a camera or sits on a desk.

But when I handhold a Handy recorder, when using it like a reporter’s interview mic, or when I record ambient sounds and sound effects, handling noise can be an issue.

In an interview scenario, the repeated twisting of the hand so that the mics point at the interviewee and then yourself, will cause the handling noise. When recording sound effects, any handling noise can become more noticeable if you need to increase the mic gain to record quiet sounds.

To reduce handling noise, the obvious answer is to stop holding the Zoom Handy recorder directly. That’s easy to say, but how is it done in practice?

How to mount your Zoom Handy recorder

I’ll demonstrate a few ways to minimize handling noise with my Zoom H5 recorder that involves avoiding direct contact with the recorder. In most cases, this involves using the ¼”-20 tripod mounting hole on the recorder’s rear. Don’t worry if you don’t have an H5 recorder; most Zoom Handy recorders have a mounting hole on the back or base, including the H1n, H2n, H4n, H4nPro, H5, and H6.

Zoom HS-1 Hot Shoe Mount Adapter

You can mount the recorder on the camera’s hot shoe mount if you’re recording video. Zoom produces the HS-1 Hot Shoe Mount Adapter. It costs about twice as much as cheap equivalent adapters on Amazon and eBay, but it’s a better quality product and isn’t expensive at about $15.

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Zoom MA-2 Mic Stand Adapter

Zoom also produces the Zoom MA-2 Mic Stand Adapter, which allows you to mount the recorder on a mic stand using a standard mic clip. This accessory has a standard ¼”-20 tripod threading at the top of a tapering plastic body. Screw this into the mounting hole on the Zoom Handy recorder and then slip the tapering handle into the mic clip.

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Camera Handle Grip Mount

You might think you could use it as a handle after attaching the MA-2 Mic Stand Adapter to a Handy recorder. It would work to some extent, but the hard plastic material transmits sound to the recorder. A rubberized camera handle grip like the one from Chromides is a better option. Once attached to a Handy recorder, it lets you move the recorder with reduced handling noise, even though it is intended as a simple camera stabilizer or LED light handle.

Last update on 2024-03-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Handy Recorder Shock Mount

Both Rycote and MOVO produce shock mounts for Zoom Handy recorders. Portable recorders can be mounted on a camera hot shoe, boom pole, light stand, or mic stand using Rycote shock mounts and their patented Lyre technology. A 180-degree swivel head lets you point the mic capsules in the required direction. They offer excellent isolation and handling noise reduction, but they cost over $100.

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A cheaper option is the MOVO SMM5-B Universal Portable Recorder Shock Mount. It fits the Zoom Handy recorders and other recorders with a 1/4″-20 tripod mounting screw hole. The suspension design is different from that on the Rycote shock mount but does the same thing without the 180-degree swivel head.

Last update on 2024-03-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Photography Camera Tripod

You can mount the recorder on a tripod since Handy recorders have a tripod screw mount hole on the back. However, not all tripods are made equal when it comes to mounting a portable recorder.

After extending the legs of a standard photography tripod, the camera mount and recorder can be quite far from your subject. But a tripod with an extending horizontal center column (like a boom arm) lets you position the recorder closer to your subject.

The Amazon Basics 50-inch tripod, below, is an inexpensive option, and can also be used for your camera.

Last update on 2024-03-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Meanwhile, the K&F Concept 67-inch tripod with a horizontal center column is better and more flexible, albeit at a higher price.

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Mini Tripod

The mini tripod may be the most useful type of tripod. The tripod can be used as a desktop mount, and the ball head is adjusted to point microphone capsules toward the speaker. Alternatively, fold the tripod legs together and use the tripod like the camera handle grip. These mini tripods also have a use when you don’t need to reduce handling noise. Even when recording with XLR mics, I’ll sit the H5 on my desk using my mini tripod and angle the recorder towards me. That gives me a good view of the LCD display, allowing me to keep an eye on the recording levels.

Last update on 2024-03-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Light stands

Modern light stands include a ¼”-20 tripod screw in addition to a spigot connector on the top. I’ve used this type of light stand with my Zoom H4n. It works, although you cannot angle the recorder to point the mics towards the speaker.

Last update on 2024-03-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Microphone stand Thread Adapter

I’ve already mentioned using a mic stand with Zoom’s MA-2 Mic Stand Adapter. You can also use a thread adapter, like the one from CAMVATE below, that fits on a mic stand’s 5/8″-27 thread and gives you a 1/4″-20 thread. These are often used to mount camera monitors, but just as easily you can attach a Handy recorder. Adding a ball head will allow you to point the mics at the person who’s speaking.

Last update on 2024-03-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Summary

So, that’s seven ways you can use your Zoom Handy recorder to reduce or prevent handling noise on your recordings. These include attaching the recorder to some kind of stand to avoid doing it or using some type of handle that reduces or prevents the transmission of sound to the recorder. Some of these solutions can also be combined. For instance, you could use the Rycote or MOVO shock mounts with the camera grip handle or mini tripod to help reduce the transmission of sound vibrations to the Handy recorder.    

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