50 min

The Zoom Podtrack P4 Portable Podcast Recorder School of Podcasting - Plan, Launch, Grow and Monetize Your Podcast

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The Zoom Podtrack P4 is coming out next month (from what I hear) and this appears to be a game-changer for those podcasting on a budget. Here are some of the features of the Zoom Podtrack P4:
Zoom Podtrack P4 Podcast Recorder
Four mic inputs with XLR connectors
Four headphone outputs with individual volume control
Gain control knobs and mute buttons for each input
Phantom power for all XLR inputs
Automatically prevent feedback from call audio using the Mix-Minus function
Easily connect your phone using the TRRS connection
Trigger sound effects using four assignable Sound Pads with 11preset sounds
All input sources can be recorded on separate tracks
16-bit /44.1kHz audio WAV
Records directly to SD, SDHC and SDXC cards up to 512 GB
2-input, 2-output USB audio interface
Class-compliant mode for iOS compatibility
Up to four hours of use with just two AA batteries or a USB power supply
Can be powered via 2 AA Batteries
Can be powered via USB or Zoom AD-17 AC Adapter
Comparing the Podtrack P4 to the Rodecaster Pro Zoom P4 VS Rodercaster Pro
Zoom Podtrack P4 Manual (pdf),
Price:
Zoom Podtrack P4 is $199 Rodecaster is $599
Audio Processing:
The Rodecaster has built-in APHEX audio processing and mic modeling. There is a "big bottom," an aural exciter, a compressor, and noise gate. The P4 has a low cut (to cut out unnecessary frequencies) and a limiter (to make sure you don't peak and distort). ThePodtrack P4 does have very powerful preamps that are very quiet. The Rodecaster also features a built-in ducking option so if the host is in channel 1, and someone tries to talk at the same time this feature (which can be turned on and off) will ensure the host (mic 1) is heard.
Sound Pads:
The Rodecaster has 8 pads for sound effects vs the 4 on the P4. If you're doing things live and want the ability to play sounds with a press of a button. As both the Rodecaster and the P4 have the ability to plug a phone in and you could use an app like Backpack studio which enables you to have a ton of sound pads.
Slider Vs Knobs
The Rodecaster has sliders vs the knobs on the P4
Storage:
The P4 has a SD card, the Rodecaster has a micro SD Card. On their website, the Rodecaster mentions Micro SD up to 256 Gigs. The Podtrack P4 mentions card up to 512 Gigs. Both of those sizes are huge.
Bluetooth:
The Rodecaster has built-in Blue Tooth, the P4 has an optional BTA-2 Bluetooth option ($49)
Recording Sample Rate:
The Rodecaster records in 48khz/24-bit, the P4 is 44.1khz/16 bit. While I don't feel this makes that much of a difference (as in the end your podcast is listened to in earbuds, car speakers, and portable speakers). However, if you're doing anything with video, your video editor will be happy you have the ability to record in 48khz.
Number of Tracks:
The Rodecaster can record up to 8 tracks, the P4 records up to 4
Both units provide a stereo mixdown, and in addition to the mic inputs, they provide tracks for the pads. The Rodecaster has the ability to turn off the multi-track recording.
Recording Into Your Computer
Both send a stereo mix to the computer (great for live streaming), but the Rodecaster can also send map individual tracks to channels.
Interface
The Rodecaster has a touch screen. The P4 has a simple to use menu system.
Markers
The Rodecaster has the ability to add markers (which can be very useful for editing)
While other room recorders have this feature the P4 does not )
Outputs
The Rodecaster has 4 headphones out in addition to a stereo out.
The Zoom P4 has four headphones out.


Footprint:
The Rodecaster is 14" X 11" the P4  4.1" X6.1.' This might be important for those with smaller desktops. The P4 is  1/4th smaller than the Rodecaster.
For my friends across the pond the Rodecaster is 350 mm x 275 mm the Podtrack P4 is 112 mm x 155 mm
Warranty:
RodecasterPro: Limited 1-Year Warranty with 1 Additional Year upon Registration. (source BNH).
Podtrack P4: Limited 1-Year Warranty (source

The Zoom Podtrack P4 is coming out next month (from what I hear) and this appears to be a game-changer for those podcasting on a budget. Here are some of the features of the Zoom Podtrack P4:
Zoom Podtrack P4 Podcast Recorder
Four mic inputs with XLR connectors
Four headphone outputs with individual volume control
Gain control knobs and mute buttons for each input
Phantom power for all XLR inputs
Automatically prevent feedback from call audio using the Mix-Minus function
Easily connect your phone using the TRRS connection
Trigger sound effects using four assignable Sound Pads with 11preset sounds
All input sources can be recorded on separate tracks
16-bit /44.1kHz audio WAV
Records directly to SD, SDHC and SDXC cards up to 512 GB
2-input, 2-output USB audio interface
Class-compliant mode for iOS compatibility
Up to four hours of use with just two AA batteries or a USB power supply
Can be powered via 2 AA Batteries
Can be powered via USB or Zoom AD-17 AC Adapter
Comparing the Podtrack P4 to the Rodecaster Pro Zoom P4 VS Rodercaster Pro
Zoom Podtrack P4 Manual (pdf),
Price:
Zoom Podtrack P4 is $199 Rodecaster is $599
Audio Processing:
The Rodecaster has built-in APHEX audio processing and mic modeling. There is a "big bottom," an aural exciter, a compressor, and noise gate. The P4 has a low cut (to cut out unnecessary frequencies) and a limiter (to make sure you don't peak and distort). ThePodtrack P4 does have very powerful preamps that are very quiet. The Rodecaster also features a built-in ducking option so if the host is in channel 1, and someone tries to talk at the same time this feature (which can be turned on and off) will ensure the host (mic 1) is heard.
Sound Pads:
The Rodecaster has 8 pads for sound effects vs the 4 on the P4. If you're doing things live and want the ability to play sounds with a press of a button. As both the Rodecaster and the P4 have the ability to plug a phone in and you could use an app like Backpack studio which enables you to have a ton of sound pads.
Slider Vs Knobs
The Rodecaster has sliders vs the knobs on the P4
Storage:
The P4 has a SD card, the Rodecaster has a micro SD Card. On their website, the Rodecaster mentions Micro SD up to 256 Gigs. The Podtrack P4 mentions card up to 512 Gigs. Both of those sizes are huge.
Bluetooth:
The Rodecaster has built-in Blue Tooth, the P4 has an optional BTA-2 Bluetooth option ($49)
Recording Sample Rate:
The Rodecaster records in 48khz/24-bit, the P4 is 44.1khz/16 bit. While I don't feel this makes that much of a difference (as in the end your podcast is listened to in earbuds, car speakers, and portable speakers). However, if you're doing anything with video, your video editor will be happy you have the ability to record in 48khz.
Number of Tracks:
The Rodecaster can record up to 8 tracks, the P4 records up to 4
Both units provide a stereo mixdown, and in addition to the mic inputs, they provide tracks for the pads. The Rodecaster has the ability to turn off the multi-track recording.
Recording Into Your Computer
Both send a stereo mix to the computer (great for live streaming), but the Rodecaster can also send map individual tracks to channels.
Interface
The Rodecaster has a touch screen. The P4 has a simple to use menu system.
Markers
The Rodecaster has the ability to add markers (which can be very useful for editing)
While other room recorders have this feature the P4 does not )
Outputs
The Rodecaster has 4 headphones out in addition to a stereo out.
The Zoom P4 has four headphones out.


Footprint:
The Rodecaster is 14" X 11" the P4  4.1" X6.1.' This might be important for those with smaller desktops. The P4 is  1/4th smaller than the Rodecaster.
For my friends across the pond the Rodecaster is 350 mm x 275 mm the Podtrack P4 is 112 mm x 155 mm
Warranty:
RodecasterPro: Limited 1-Year Warranty with 1 Additional Year upon Registration. (source BNH).
Podtrack P4: Limited 1-Year Warranty (source

50 min