Not sure how much that helps, but as you plug the H5 on audio interface mode, you can select stereo or multitrack.
If you select multitrack, Audacity will only pickup the signal coming from the L/R H5 input. (other software that work with ASIO drivers will pickup the full 4 H5 inputs).
BUT, if you select stereo, H5 lets you choose which stereo inputs you will use. You can enable L/R or the 1/2 XLR inputs, although not at the same time. Audacity will then record the signal from the inputs you have selected.
On another note, were there earlier versions of Audacity that shipped with ASIO support enabled? I have a recollection of having the 4 inputs on my H5 enabled, but I've never compiled my own build with ASIO support. Is it possible that earlier versions supported ASIO or is this just my memory failing me.
Getting Multi-track with a zoom H5 and Audacity
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and the exact three-section version number of Audacity from "Help menu > About Audacity".
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This forum is for Audacity on Windows.Please state which version of Windows you are using,
and the exact three-section version number of Audacity from "Help menu > About Audacity".
Audacity 1.2.x and 1.3.x are obsolete and no longer supported. If you still have those versions, please upgrade at https://www.audacityteam.org/download/.
The old forums for those versions are now closed, but you can still read the archives of the 1.2.x and 1.3.x forums.
Re: Getting Multi-track with a zoom H5 and Audacity
There have never been official releases of Audacity with ASIO support enabled. That has never been possible due to licensing restrictions.
Even if the current H5 drivers do not support multi-channel with MME, DirectSound or WASAPI, it is possible that older drivers may have supported multi-channel with MME, DirectSound or WASAPI.
9/10 questions are answered in the FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Re: Getting Multi-track with a zoom H5 and Audacity
Brilliant, genius, you are absolutely right!Even if the current H5 drivers do not support multi-channel with MME, DirectSound or WASAPI, it is possible that older drivers may have supported multi-channel with MME, DirectSound or WASAPI.
So I've unplugged my H5, went into my Device Manager, selected 'show hidden devices', and deleted everything related to my Zoom H5.
Then, I've uninstalled Zoom ASIO drivers. Reboot.
In the H5, I've selected USB -- Audio Interface -- Multitrack -- BusPowered. Then connected it to the computer. Windows 10 natively recognized the H5 and when I went into Audacity, there it was, all the four tracks and inputs!
I hope this helps!