The new firmware for the Zoom H4n with dual level control capability has been available for a while now (it came out in November of 2010), but if you’re like me, you’ve been too busy/lazy to get around to doing it. Welp, I finally got around to it, and I figured I’d write a post explaining the process to make it easier for you.
It’s not clear where the firmware is located on Zoom’s website. There isn’t any mention of it on the H4n’s product page. The easiest way to find the firmware update is to Google the words: zoom H4n firmware update. Doing so will lead you to this page:
http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/download/software/h4n.php
Here you will see that the latest firmware update is actually from January 12th 2011, not November of last year. So once you get finished with this, you’ll be even more up-to-date than the people who were on the ball last year. Ha!
As we go through the steps of this update, I’ll paste in Zoom’s instructions, and then translate them into plain English. Here we go…
1) Extract the downloaded file. Then, you’ll find the “SYSTEM.BIN” file.
Okay, what they’re saying to do is to download the file (by clicking on the Download button on that page). There will be a file in the folder that you download named SYSTEM.BIN.
2) Copy the “SYSTEM.BIN” file into the root directory of the SD card via a USB connection.
What they want you to do here is to move the SYSTEM.BIN file from the folder you downloaded to the Zoom H4n. You are going to need to attach the Zoom H4n to your computer with a USB cable. You may be wondering “Where the heck is the root folder?” I did this on a Mac, so I’m not really sure how it would happen on a PC. But if you rifle through the folders on the H4n when connected to a computer, you won’t see one named “root.” On a Mac, all you need to do is drag the SYSTEM.BIN file from the downloaded folder, and drop it on the Zoom H4n icon on your desktop.
3) Terminate the USB connection between the H4n and the computer.
They want you to disconnect the Zoom H4n from the computer. The proper way to do this on a Mac is to drag the Zoom H4n icon from your desktop to the trash bin (which turns into an Eject button when you’re dragging a mounted device). Once you’ve ejected it, you can unplug the USB cable. The Zoom H4n should turn off the moment the USB cable is unplugged.
4) Then turn power on while holding down the [PLAY/PAUSE] key.
I have to give the Zoom tech writers some credit here. This instruction is right on the money. Do as they say. Turn the power on while simultaneously holding down the Play/Pause button.
5) Move the cursor to “OK” by using the [DIAL].
Again, excellent work by the Zoom folks. This is easy! Just turn that push buttony dial thing that’s on the right side of the H4n so that the screen highlights OK.
6) Push the [DIAL] to start the system update..
Now just push the push buttony dial thing. The H4n will update itself from here. Your work is done! Your Zoom H4n now has dual level control. This means that you can plug two microphones into the XLR inputs, and set a different preamp level for each input. This is a super important thing to be able to do! A little elbow grease goes a long way, eh? I’m proud of you. You’re growing up so fast! Oh my. I think I’m going to sob. Pardon me…
Sam
Thank you for posting such clear instructions. I found your blog by cutting/pasting the sentence on the Zoom website re: “system.bin file….”. With you help, I was able to update the Zoom’s software. I just purchased the H4n yesterday. I managed to record a guitar piece in 4 channel mode. I will check out your blog for other helpful tips about the Zoom H4N
bless you! two hours trying to figure out: Copy the “SYSTEM.BIN” file into the root directory of the SD card via a USB connection.
Drag bin to highest H4n level….
I can’t get my zoom to mount on my mac desktop, period. I got it used and it didn’t come with a software disk. I can’t find any mac software for it (drivers, etc.) on line, only PC. They say you can’t mount it on a mac with 10.5 or later without updating the firmware, but I can’t drag your firmware onto my zoom if it doesn’t mount.
????????????????
David
David… when you connect it through USB and turn it on, you are given a screen that gives you the option to select “Storage” or “Audio I/O,” highlight Storage and select it. Then the H4n turns into an external storage device and appears on your desktop.
Just FYI, I had the same problem David had. There was no icon to begin with on my desktop, hence there was nowhere to drag the system.bin file to. Luckily someone else had already asked this question, and your solution to select “Storage” finally made it appear on my desktop. Thank you!
Sorry it’s taken me this long to follow through on your advice. But now that I did, THANKS!! It is SO simple when you know what to do!
David
Thanks for the clear instructions for MAC application. I always dread updates but you made it as easy as it is suppose to be.
Thanks!
unfortunately I’m having the same problem of h4n not mounting as a hard drive on my mac and selecting “storage” does not mount either. any other ideas?
I just mounted my H4n to remind myself how I did it…
1) With the power turned off on the H4n, I plug it into my Mac (the computer is on and running)
2) The moment I plug the H4n into the USB port, it comes to life.
3) Now I have the option to select either STORAGE or AUDIO I/F (whatever the heck that is..)
4) I highlight STORAGE with the push-buttony-dial-thing on the right side of the H4n
5) With the word STORAGE highlighted, I push the push-buttony-dial-thing in
6) After pressing the dial, the H4n mounts and shows up on my desktop as H4N_SD
Thanks man! Very helpful.
Super helpful. Thanks!
I’m having a problem with getting the firmware to stay uploaded. I also got my Zoom used, use a Mac, and I’ve actually been able to get the System.bin file onto the Zoom h4n and even though the Zoom will boot up and display that it is now version 1.72 the new options aren’t there. For instance, under my Record Settings menu (REC), all I have available are ‘Auto Rec’ and ‘File Name’. I can’t even switch out of 44.1khz.
Did I miss something important by upgrading from Version 1.01 to 1.72? Is there a way to re-format this and start from scratch. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!
I am totally new to this kind of technology. I bought this to record separate tracks for my pupils’ compositions. In MTR mode I cannot hear a previously recorded track whilst recording new on a different track. I am clearly doing something wrong or haven’t enabled something. Can anyone please advise?
Thanks
Jon
Thank you!
Can anyone help? I seem to be the only person whose H4 doesn’t display “storage” and “Audio I/O” when plugged in… Instead, my zoom’s screen lights up and displays “Audio I/O” and “Connect to PC.” When I select “Connect to PC” it just says, “No connecting to PC forever and never mounts”…
Whoops – turns out it was mounted the whole time – under the icon “Lexar Media” – sorry folks
Ur blog is very helpful!! why do i hear static in the right channel of my Zoom during playback AND record mode? I hear it on the wav file when I downloaded it onto my Mac as well. Just got the Zoom H4n today and it is pretty much a bummer for my live video shoot recording session. i have another shot at it tomorrow but it pretty much just made today a waste of time and money. sad.
Nice work, you saved me hours of frustration! Well done, excellent, clear article.
Hi Sam
I came across this site in a search to solve a problem with my H4N.
When I hold the on switch it begins to boot up… the now loading screen comes on.. the light turns on and then it goes blank and switches off.
I updated the software to version 1.72 in the hope that it would solve the problem but it’s just the same.
It began when I was recording it would mysteriously switch itself off during recording.And finally not even boot up fully.
Can you help at all?
Thanx
Tarshito
Thank you so much! Everytime I read their website I just unplug the Zoom, put it in a drawer and get to it later! I am also using a MAC so seriously thank you!
I followed the procedure exactly as it is given here to update from version 1.60 to the current one. The device boots up but the system.bin file does not run. I don’t get any dialogue box to update the version. Will any body help? I guess may be first I have to update to version 1.70 and then to 1.72. Can anybody send me a link to the earlier version i.e., 1.70?
These are great instructions to follow to update the 1.72 firmware and I made it to the “Version Up-Complete” stage but when I turn the Zoom h4n on the screen still just reads: VERSION 1.72 & the device does not boot up. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Does anyone know how to restore this thing to factory settings? Maybe this will help. Thanks~ J
Sam,
Thanks so much for your clear instructions. Would that Zoom would hire you to explain the process for them, so we wouldn’t all have to go scouring the net for some clarity. Shame on them. They don’t have a native English speaker on their staff, and their inaccurate translations cost their users thousands and thousands of hours of needless wasted time trying to penetrate the inscrutable walls of their otherwise fine products. Hire the man, Zoom.
THANKS
I have a MacBookPro OS X v10.7.5
I’ve followed your instructions but can’t find the H4N icon anywhere on my screen or HD Can you help this dinosaur? Thanks!
Hi BHW. My Mac is running 10.6.8, so I can’t verify what may be different on your computer. In the past, I shared every detail of how I mount my H4N. Here it is:
If you’re still having trouble, someone else posted a comment that their H4N showed up on their desktop as the name of their SD card, something like “Lexar SD,” so keep an eye out for that as well.
Thank you!
Every thing works fine for me works fine for me until I get to the “hold pause/play button and turn on” phase. My H4N has been having an issue where it turns on and the screen is orangish-red with diagonal lines. Obviously I was hoping the firmware would solve this, but apparently now this problem is blocking even the firmware. Any idea how to beat this issue? Anyone seen this phenomenon?
Griffey
Hi,
My H4n is great, but my computer can’t read the software necessary to download the System Bin. I have Vista 32 and never had this problem. Please help if you have the time. Thanks.
That’s odd. Go to this link:
http://www.zoom.co.jp/download/H4n_v1.72E.zip
You can download a zip file named “H4n_v1.72E.zip” at that link. You unzip it after downloading, and you’ll have folder with some stuff in it, and the new firmware should be in there. Sorry, but I don’t have any personal experience with Vista 32. Good luck!
Thanks for your quick reply Sam. I downloaded the zip file. No problem. I was able to open the http://www.zoom.co.jp/download/H4n_v1.72E.zip. I tried this also at work with a Dell, using Windows 7. No luck. Is there a reader that can recognize this folder. Adobe doesn’t work. IE8 causes the computer to start opening and closing the zip file very quickly. Sounds like a compatibility issue. At work, I couldn’t find a program to open the zip file. Help Sam, what do I do? If anyone has suggestions, please send me ideas! Thanks.
The file name is SYSTEM. BIN File. 1793 KB.
The File folder is H4n_v1.72E
If any of this helps.
Thanks.
Sam, you are just awesome. You’ve helped me twice today, by chance (first, regarding the nifty neck attachment for Zoom H4n and then later I performed another random Google search regarding the firmware and landed on your blog AGAIN!)!! Thanks so much for being awesome.
Hang on, reel. I’m confused as to what your actual problem is. You downloaded the zip file, and it seems like you unzipped it. You don’t need a reader. In my instructions above, there is no mention of any “readers.” What you need to do now is to move the “SYSTEM.BIN” file onto your Zoom H4n.
You need to connect your H4n to your computer with a USB cable. Once you do that, I think you need to click on “My Computer” or perhaps it’s called “Libraries” in Windows Vista (they call it Libraries in Windows 7, anyhow). From there, you should be able to see the Zoom H4n as a mounted device (it will likely look like a drive). Try just dragging the SYSTEM.BIN file from the desktop (or where ever) and dropping it onto the Zoom H4n in “My Computer” or “Libraries” or whatever it’s called. From there, eject the Zoom H4n (this may be accomplished by right-clicking), and follow my instructions above starting from step 3.
Thanks Sam. Just to clarify. I have the folder in my programs. Turn on the Zoom and via USB cable, download the file directly to H4n. Eject and follow instructions from step 3. Correct?
I am slow at this stuff and really appreciate your assistance.
Thanks.
No worries. This stuff is confusing. That’s why I blog about it. :) Yes… give it a try the way you described it and let us know how it goes.
Hi Sam,
I have made more progress in downloading the software for the H4n. My computer doesn’t open the file, H4n_v1.72zip and can’t extract SYSTEM BIN. As a result, I dragged the entire folder onto the SD card of the H4n via USB cable and to the desktop. Then: Storage.USB Storage and cancelled the connection.The Version Up went OK, System:1.72, Boot:1.00 , OK, Checking Data: ERROR, Please Power Off. What did I do wrong? Thanks Again, Sam.
Hmmm. So, when you power up your H4n on its own (not connected to your computer), can you do anything?
Very good question, Sam. Yes, it records, plays back. How do I know if anything occurred in the computer>H4n>transaction. One way, I attempted was to see on the memory disk how much space would have been used. Hard to tell, since the amount of download is minimum. Any other ideas?
You’re finished. Don’t worry about the computer>H4n>transaction. Use your H4n to make recordings, and forget about this technical stuff.
Thanks Sam. Great advice to just enjoy the H4n. Since the download from the computer to the card failed, how do I download the data onto the computer so I can keep the card free? Otherwise, I must keep buying 32GB cards. Also at work, there is a WIndows IE7 computer. I downloaded the H4n_v1.72zip file from the internet. Then opened the file and System Bin was there with 2 other folders. I tried with various software to read the information or unscramble the info for System Bin. The other folders worked fine with Adobe. I tried Adobe, IE7, notepad, etc. None of them the worked for System Bin Folder. Should I download this from my work computer and try this on my home computer? Or that doesn’t matter? I appreciate all your assistance, Sam. Thanks!
Hi Sam,
What’s new? Tonight I am attempting to find the software needed to read the necessary BIN file. The only problem is the old software available is older than my Vista 32. Apparently, many of the older software for this are for XP or earlier. Any ideas, you know where to find me. Thanks.
Thanks for translating!
Hi Sam, I’m trying to upgrade firmware from v 1.50 straight to v 1.72E. I did follow your very clear instructions and all went well until I tried to power on while holding ‘SIMULTANEOUSLY’ the Play/Pause button (it’s the same button on my H4n unit for both PLAY/PAUSE). Nothing happened. I did power it on by holding the switch on the left side but it does’t display the ‘OK’ prompt, therefore I haven’t been able to update firmware. Do I need to update firmwares inbetween v1.50 and v1.72E first? How come PLAY/PAUSE cannot power it on? What gives? TIA!
Hi Nestor,
I bought one a few months ago and very happy…now! I had the same difficulties when first getting my H4n. Drove me nuts, because of the bad directions written (I was warned on line by previous users). I had the same problem and tried about 900 times in three weeks. Did you hold the switch for 2 seconds? I’m serious. What software are you using? Might seems silly, but I opened the software using another application. Read my questions to Sam. Let us know if this helps. I’m very curious about your results. Once you get it, works fine. Thanks.
Hi reel, I hold the PLAY/PAUSE button longer than 5 secs to power up my H4n on its own (not connected to my computer), and it doesn’t do a thing. How come?
I’m using a MacBook Pro OSX v 10.8.5 Mountain Lion, processor 2GHZ Intel Core i7 Memory 8 GB
Success! The trick to start the H4n on its own was to hold both the SWITCH on its left side AND the PLAY/PAUSE button simultaneously. Then I highlighted OK with the dial, clicked on it and a VERSION UP prompt appeared. It updated itself and now I can plug 2 mics into the XLR inputs, and set a different preamp level for each input. Thanks Sam and reel for your kind help. Cheers!
Congratulations, Nestor! Glad to be of assistance (sounds like you were on the way there). Another suggestion is to get the 32G card, holds a bunch of data. Please, share any insight with using the H4n.
Thanks.
Hi … I have a zoom h4n and successfully upgraded to 1.72 but now when I turn it on, it doesn’t go any farther than the first screen .. stuck on Ver=1.72 ZOOM. I see someone else had a similar issue in this thread but didn’t see a resolve. Anyone know what I should do? Thanks!
Sorry to hear that! I don’t know how that person resolved this issue, either. Have you tried taking the batteries out, leaving them out for a couple of minutes, putting them back in and powering up? I just made that remedy up, but who knows… it might work.
Have you contacted Zoom for help?
https://www.zoom.co.jp/contact
https://www.facebook.com/ZoomNorthAmerica
Thanks for the quick response Sam … much appreciated!!
I’ve left a message with the Zoom techies. When I hear back, I’ll update this site.
Heya guys, thanks for all this. I’ve been stuck with the same issue and it’s infuriating, and even more so when they decide to discontinue the problem-ridden product, slap a new name onto it and release a newer version touting it as “critically acclaimed”.
Anyway, I’ve stayed stuck at version 1.72, then thanks to y’all got it to upgrade to 1.90 (using the hold PLAY while booting thing, and some patience), but it still does the same thing… nothing. I tried the japanese site as well on the off chance that maybe their file would be different, but it does the same thing, as does trying it with firmware from H1, H2, H5 etc (yeah, desperation). Zoom wiped their pages clean and the only update is 1.90, but I’m trying to find any way of downgrading in the hopes that that might help…
Sigh.
Thanks so much! Was at this for hours until I found your instructions!
I’m happy these instructions still work six years after I wrote them! :)
well, I’ve tried this repeatedly, and keep getting an “ERROR” message when getting to the firmware installation, after holding the play/pause button down when powering up
of course, I own no SD cards under 4gb, so I assume this is a moot point/I’m wasting my time?
The I//F audio means audio-interface as it can be used as an audio interface. It even includes guitar amp simulation, voice effects, etc
Also, I think the Zoom folks didn’t made the instruction that unclear… they assumed all users know how to eject USB devices on their computer etc
The only thing I found confusing, was the dial-button thing, this design is just plain bad and unnecessary IMHO, every other brand use play/pause or record button to select and the fast forward/backward button to navigate…
Otherwise clear explanations but Zoom products are extreme power-houses of functions, you even have a tuner for 7 strings guitar and special functions for Karaoke no kidding… all Zoom product requires quite a steep learning curve I do have to say. Firmwares are always a pain in the a*** to update tho no matter the manufacturer…
Thanks for your instruction regarding the wheel, needed that and I’m a pro, Zoom sometimes… smh
Hi Jasmin,
have you had any luck solving this problem?
Cheers,
Arnaud
Hi Sam and everyone,
Thanks for this guide, very useful!
I have the same problem as already mentioned by others: I get an “ERROR” message when updating the firmware, following exactly the steps as described above. Did anyone find a solution? Thanks for any help!
Louis
Sorry for the multiple posts – I just found what I did wrong: I was trying to update an H4n Pro with the firmware for the H4n. No need to comment on that… ;-)
No worries! Thanks for letting us know how you resolved it!