❓ Are you getting the Zoom F3 or Tascam X8? I have a video coming soon that compares the two recorders in-depth! P.S. This video was colored with my presets! Get them here - whoismatt.com/luts
Thank you for the heads up on the battery door. The reality is zoom deliberately engineers their products to fail and I learned my lesson from the F one when they refused to sell me a replacement battery door and instead insisted that I buy a whole new recorder from them! F#ck those guys! Perfectly good recorders are winding up in landfills because of engineered obsolescence which is a form of consumer fraud that this company needs to be called out on!
These are game changer! I Immediately bought 2 for our wedding videography company. It's already making a huge difference being able to click record and not stress about audio.
@@RossBarnett02 nice, I recently bough a Lark Max Duo to weedings, and Im thinking to get this F3, to connect with the Lark and the soundboard (when it haves), to get a safer sound
@@sladjj Because you can change the inputs from line or mic in. It works very well running to the DJ soundboard directly. I always keep a 1/4 to XLR cable and an XLR to XLR cable in the bag with me. Typically can go into the line out of the back of a DJ's speaker, or - through the soundboard directly (if you trust the DJ to run proper outs to your recorder) ...speaker is always a better option so you know what you're getting though!
I cannot wait to use this thing at a wedding! If I wasn't sold before, the audio level waveform zooming function sealed it for me. I know traditionally people like to stick to -12 to -6 decibels, but I often find myself just trying to find what 'sounds good', while trying to imagine what the waveform will look like. I finally don't have to imagine anymore!
Hi Matt. Can you go into more detail about hooking this up to a DJ speaker line out or a DJ mixer board. During the dinner music his volume is low and when he starts to announce or when the dancing begins the volume is high from his line-out both from the speaker out and board out. My question is, how important is it to set the F3 recorder to line in and set the audio graph before I start recording to have a nice, recorded level on the micro-SD card? Also why does Zoom have a mic and a line-in source menu setting on the recorder since it’s a 32bit recorder?
Silly question but if I have a shore SM 7B or any other gain hungry mic, would a cloudlifter be needed? I’m guessing it would help to bring down noise floor just like any interface?
I don't have this myself, but perhaps I can suggest something for folks who are asking about its not having a 3.5mm lav mic input. If you already have a nice lav mic of that kind and want to use it with this device, you might want to read about the Rode adapters that let you plug a 3.5mm mic into an XLR input and convert phantom power down to plug-in power. (I tested one inserting a COS 11-D that has a Sennheiser-style plug into the XLR input on a device and it worked nicely.)
this looks pretty cool and the price is right. fwiw, the zoom f6 is my favorite piece of filmmaking equipment. great for onemanband. 32bit float (never peaks), much much improved menu system, solid build quality, 96kHz, phantom power, 6 inputs, stereo/mono file grouping. set it and forget it. admittedly, coming from zoom h4n, the zoom f6 is a giant leap foward (32bit float, can +48v phantom power an mkh416, sony L-type batteries last 8hrs, 6 inputs,) but the satisfaction of bein able to record with my g4 lavs and mkh 416 boom as a safety, without having to worry about powering the mics, peaking, audio quality, battery life ....it jus dramatically improved my filmmaking quality of life. reallly glad products like these exist
Hey matt, great videos. Have a question. After watching your review, I decided to buy the F3. Question is, since limited to only 2 inputs, are we able to use an xlr splitter, plug one into a dj console (with a quarter jack,if necessary) and the other side of the splitter to use with the deity timecode sync. In this case,the second xlr input will tied up it , say wireless go ii mics…thanks
Very important note Use a fast Micro SD card otherwise your audio will be corrupted as it happed to me I used SanDisk Ultra and the 4 hours of wedding recording became 2.5 hours and I was using 192Khz WAV and now I got the Extreme pro and it works perfect
Hey mat. I know this is a f3 video. But when I record 6 mics ( DJI wireless) I keep getting clicks and pops in the recording. Do you think it’s the cables or. The settings on the zoom 😢
It is my opinion that Zoom F3 and Tascam X8 are two different animals and consequently both useful for different reasons. The XLR combo of the Tascam X8 are extremely useful and the menu setting is also very detailed while the F3 is much smaller and simpler, switch on and record. I have the Tascam X8 and will also buy the F3. Thanks Matt. A hug
What's up Matt, do you have any samples of audio using the Zoom F3 from a reception, going from speeches to the DJ music? Does 32bit really adjust it perfectly so I don't have to keep running and checking the levels?
just remember 32bit won't work with many nle. it will work with adobe audition ( pay per month to use ) or izotope rx ( expensive) also, it won't help with the quality of the sound , you still need a good mic and the right placement of it
I with they'd make a 32bit float version of the H2n... I just love the ambient audio I can capture with that device. Being able to put it down in front of musicians or singers and create great sounding audio without plugging into soundboards which may or may not exist is just such an easy way to work. Perhaps the X8 is for me, but it seems so large and clumsy
@@TylerLeeKenyon I did think about that, but I can't find mics that would plug in via XLR and allow the mic to pivot the angle, so I could set it up either X/Y config or A/B.
No Neutrik jacks... Frankly that's a bigger oversight than the flimsy battery door. Also, getting a product for free is the same thing as getting paid to do a review. This silly idea that not getting paid cash to do a review absolves you of the same issues as getting paid cash to do a review needs to be bludgeoned to death with an F3.
I would Love something like a zoom h2 with onboard mics and 32bit recording. Maybe with one xlr and one 3.5mm Input. That would be a banger. Plus an internal battery that lasts actually a bit
When you have 2 XLR inputs connected (and working fine when using the f3 to record) And you use the lineout to your camera, does each lineout channel represent 1 of the XLR inputs? E.g. 1x shotgun, 1x wireless system. The stereo lineout is 1 channel shotgun, 1 channel wireless? thanks!
I like this device to be used mainly with my podcast when I do interviews in the field. The size and weigh it make it perfect but my question is… can I record using a lav mic? How it can be done?
When AA batteries are installed and I connect to a smartphone via USB C, does it consume AA batteries or smartphone batteries? Does it have settings which battery takes priority when USB C cable is connected?
Is it possible to connect a Rode VXLR+ to a Zoom F3, followed by a lavalier mic such as the Rode Lavalier II? Would this configuration result in good sound quality? Which lavalier mic do you recommend I buy under $300?
Hi Matt , F3 well done on a super introduction, I have the zoom h4n and it's great to record using the external mics but XLR s to main out on my mixing desk the playback is distorted and honestly annoying, I just want as you said a recorder that will be basically plug and play and record crystal clear ,is this for me , as just of late it was said to me I cannot connect the zoom h4n directly to my main outs I need to attach attenuators 🤔 something simple straight forward and gets the job done and pop in my aux cable in the vans stereo and listen to my gig just played , thanks in advance for your help
lmfao I have used the H4n and the Zoom H6 for many years and have never broken the SD or battery door. I thought that section was pretty funny considering it titled the Most Incredible Feature lol. But i'm super excited for this recorder aside from that amazing feature
Hey Matt! Great video. If you plug this directly into camera, do you still get all the functionality of this little beast? I'd rather not have to synch separate audio in post if possible. I will, of course, but if I get the same quality direct to camera, that would be my preference. Thank you!!
Hi there. Not quite. You would not get the 32 bit float, however if you set levels fine, and your camera pre-amps as low as they will go, you’ll enjoy the sound. Never will it be as good as that recorded to the micro SD but it will be very good and if your audio is not hissing or popping - too quiet or loud, it’s fine. If it does, then you’ve hopefully pressed record too and have an insurance policy. Good luck.
Hey Matt, I'm beginning to record some of my track day footage, and i'd like to pick up something portable to secure within the car, and (3) mics - exhaust, engine, and on person. Wondering if this F3 would suffice or something like an Zoom H6? Not sure if both of these are overkill....
Nice review from you but in my opinion, it's stupid recorder. This is because Zoom decided not to respect their customers and make F3 compatible with their accessories that cost money! I mean Zoom SGH-6, XYH-6 and other. Shame Zoom, i'm disappointed, i will sell everything and move to other places...
Hue dude, hope all is well. How would I connect the Zoom F3 to a MV7 Shure microphone? Thanks for any help :) If there is something can you put a link for me so I buy the correct thing? Thanks again!
I have a Zoom H4nPro and I love it's recording quality and options but one thing that annoys the hell out of me is that it needs a freakin' 43 seconds to start up. Seriously, 43 seconds just to turn on!!! I swore to never buy a Zoom recorder again, but learning that this one is "booting" in less than a tenth of my Zoom H4nPro sounds promising.
Hey Matt, I have a Lom Elektrousi that I can’t seem to get any sound from. I’m using the 3.5mm output. Someone told me I need to assign the out to 3.5 but I can’t seem to find out how to do that for the life of me. I keep searing all menu and setting options and looking at the manual but I’m obviously missing something. Thank you for your time
why do you have to plug quarter inch cables into this recorder ?for weddings ? also will this still be 32 bit float if I synch this the zoom f3 into c70 camera ?
I bought one of these. I'm a photographer first and foremost, so this was my FAST way into good audio. I'm hoping to not just photograph and film birds but also catch their songs. It's a 1-man operation so 1-button operation is amazing.
Matt, I'm pretty sure I know the answer to this but can you change the recording levels when using the wireless blue tooth adaptor? Or it more just stop record and see the meters?
I was holding off on buying the X8 due to numerous reviews reported issues/glitches about it. I really need to decide since I need one of these. Can't wait for the comparison!
Thank you Zoom. You got this one right. Been on the sidelines waiting on a portable and affordable 32 bit float recorder. Just need to update the zoom h1 to 32bit float that allows lav mics and field xy and you will have a homerun double play.
Great video. The reality is finding out that it could use a battery warning light. In dark venues it is hard to see what is taking place. With 2 mics plugged in your battery power is challenged. Could have added a back up battery power, 2 sd slots. Overall a very good investment especially if you are no expert. Glad i listened and bought. It is editable.
I can't really wrap my head around this concept... How does 32bit float help when shooting weddings? If you use wireless mics and the signal is to hot to the wireless preamp, 32bit float won't correct that. Same thing if the signal is too weak, it's the wireless system noise floor that governs. Same thing if you tap from a mixing console. As I understand it, the only situation when you would benefit from 32bit float is, when the mics are hardwired to the XLR-inputs and and the F3's preamps are used. Are you using wired mics to the F3 at weddings? I'm a newbe in video (but not in audio) and don't really get the hype... Please help me understand. :-)
i just received it today, is amazing but i noticed a problem :( we all know that when we zoom i the wave form it affect the line out and the recording, BUT if you set the Zoom and start recording then any changes on the zoom will affect the Line out only, not the recording, in my case i need this feature as i record everything coming out of the DJ, so i would set different zoom level when people dance than the level at speeches time and i don't want to keep stop and starting the recording!! anyone knows any thing about that??
i bought tascam x8 based on your experience, but it looks like that i cant stand microphone to capture through it in stereo, like binaural Roland CS-10EM is there any way? Looks like no way...
Nobody makes films about weddings. Well Tarantino. But they serve a purpose to a larger narrative. Wedding videographers are basically audio/visual technicians one step about porno film crews.
How about a case or a sound bag for the Zoom F3? There are very nice cases available for other Zoom recorders and audio gear. Does the Sachtler SN615 case which fits the Tascam X8 compatible with the Zoom F3?
If you need more than two XLR inputs, but two of those. Seriously, If Zoom figure out a way to daisy chain those or sync them up from the app, they're going to make themselves a seat at the top.
Another great video - you're so good at this. I have the F6 and sing its praises every chance I get. As an audio engineer with possibly more years of experience than you've been on the planet, I can say that nothing has changed audio recording like 32-bit float. I might take issue with your assertion that this is a 'beginner model' recorder. This thing smokes many much more expensive 'pro' recorders I've used. The only real shortcoming would possibly be the preamps, and that lack of combi-jacks. But none of that is said to take away from your overview. Keep up the great work. OH... and you can use those 'feet' to hang this on your belt. I use a stiff tactical belt. No more audio bag needed: run one channel to your boom, slap a Hollyland receiver in channel two for lav backup audio, done dealio.
Thanks fellow Matt! Haha you’re right about beginner model, it’s definitely an advanced beginner model 😂 I’m was talking about it more in terms of ease of use which makes it harder for beginners to screw up.
Thank you very much for this useful video. A question: to record to a Zoom H6, in a event, from a speaker, should I use the 1/4 cable -like from a mixer- or the XLR cable? I would say, the out of a speaker is line or microphone level? Thank you very much again.
I have a Zoom F2BT and an AudioDevices MixPre 6 II - this covers both ends of my needs. And I have Sony's new digital camera mic for direct-to camera recording. The Tascam looked interesting, but that also wasn't really something to replace what I already have... If someone does a tiny portable 32bit mixer the size of a QSC Touchmix, and without the need for 120-240V, I'll buy it! But with ww3 incoming I harbor no expectations other than freezing in a cave in nuclear winter...
