Zoom F6 or F8n? There's Only One Winner! 

Hi Gerald - thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment. When I think back to carrying a Nagra over my shoulder stuffed full of C cells, we are spoiled for powering options in this modern digital world. Have a good new year. Ta like, ppm6.

Dear Dominique - I have to say bluetooth sounds very interesting. I haven't got the bluetooth dongle but I'll look into that. Happy recording with your F6! What mics are you using with it? Ta like, ppm6.

@@ppmtv-qh9qk I'm not much of a sound man, more of a one-man filmmaker. For my primary (corporate) use I typically use Sanken Cos-11 lavalier microphones with Sennheiser EW systems. In addition, depending on the needs of the production, either a couple of small diaphragm microphones or a super-cardioid. But I also use the F6 to record voiceovers, and sometimes small bands of music. One of my favorite mics is a Sennheiser MD421

Hi Dominique - I think many people are one-man crews or indeed one-woman crews these days. I have often wanted an MD421 but never found one cheap enough, well not yet anyway. I do love the Cos-11 but you have to be so careful with the cable as it is very hard to solder! Enjoy the F6. Ta like ppm6.

Rene - you are dead right- I hope they paid well for the 50 episodes! Ta like, ppm6.

Thanks Heiner - lots of good points in there. I'm sure the 32 bit option is the best feature of the F6 against the F8n and the ability to power over USB is not too far behind. I like the ability to slap a Sony F series battery on the back but covering the card slot with the battery makes no sense to me. I'm not actually so bothered by the F8n's dual card slots but I know some people value them. Time code on mini jack is more of an issue for me - it's not a great connector and BNC on the F8n is. I guess if you go the 32 bit set and forget route then the menu system is not such an issue but for me it's the deal breaker if I was starting from scratch. As it is I have an F6 and I don't think I'll go to the bother of selling it to fund an F8n. Sound Devices make wonderful machines - their 32 bit option in the MixPres has an even wider dynamic range, however I hear that battery life is distressing. It would be good if someone who actually has a MixPre could pitch in on that. Ta like, ppm6.

Thanks getjourneyman - always good to hear from people using the kit, there's no substitute for real world experience and of course once size does not fit all. Top drone footage btw! Ta like, ppm6.

Good point Hugh, the F8n can do domestic line or professional line level outputs but not mic. I think all pro mixers offered this facility SQN, Filmtech and CooperSound certainly did. I just checked my AD Portaflex AD066 mic amp and it too has mic/line outputs - great bit of Audio Developments kit. Sneaked it in here ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1seT72kWaes.html At about five minutes in. Seems progress doesn't make things better! Thanks Hugh.

Hi Jamie - you are absolutely right and I should have covered that in the review. Good to have your experience in the field though as it were. I've got the BTA-1 bluetooth adapter for the F6 and I'm keen to give that a try to see if that helps with some of the work flow issues. Having said that I feel both the the F6 and the F8 are great value for money but probably aimed at different markets. I think the F6 is more like a set and forget recorder for the one man band. While the F8 is capable of being a sound recordists tool. I just wish I had an F8 so enjoy yours! What's in your boom? Ta like, ppm6.

Hi NikCan - I have an H8 here which I will be reviewing soon. Ta like ppm6.

@@ppmtv-qh9qk That's brilliant news and thanks very much. My friend is on the fence regarding the F8n or the H8 for his job

Hi Matchat, if you set the F6 to 32 bit float then there's a menu option to have the pots control trim, this seems the wrong way round to me but there you are. However, there is hope I've just a Zoom BTA-1 bluetooth dongle that allows control of the F6 from an iPad or iPhone. The 'home' screen shows trim pots and faders. So it looks like a step in the right direction. Video coming. Ta like, ppm6.

@@ppmtv-qh9qk thx for the 32 bit float tip, I'll check that as soon as i see the F6 again! cheers

Have a look here zoomcorp.com/media/documents/E_F6_04.pdf Page 194 Converter“Rec Level” adjusts the recording levels of each input, and “ Tr1-6 Fader” adjusts the levels of each input sent to the LR track. Both types of levels can be adjusted with . The behavior of the “Rec Level” and “Tr1-6 Fader” when is operated can be set to one of the following two options usingMenu > INPUT > Track Knob. ■ Reference Level (default) Operating when recording is stopped adjusts the “Rec Level”. When recording starts, the “Rec Level” becomes fixed at the levels set at the time recording started. During recording, adjust the “Tr1-6 Faders”. ■ Rec Level always adjust the “Rec Level” both during recording and when recording is stopped.The “Tr1-6 Faders” are bypassed.

Hi FWGH - there's no doubt the F6 has some advantages, I now have the bluetooth adapter BTA-1 which I hope will get round some of the workflow issues. Video coming, thanks for the comment. Ta like, ppm6.

Thanks Sosha, wise words. I haven't had an SD card fail me in a Zoom recorder. But then I would always be keen to add the cost of a new card(s) to a project. So I'm not wearing them out. Course now the F8 has added 32Bit to the top end model - it kind of drags you in that direction. But the extra money is quite considerable. So not for me unless 2023 is much, much better than 2022. Ta like, ppm6.

Thanks George - the F6 has certainly been good to me and I'm pretty sure the mic amps are the same. In float do you set the track knobs to enable adjustment (the Rec Level setting) or do you set and forget? Ta ppm6.

@@ppmtv-qh9qk In float, the track knobs are used for monitoring.

You can set them to 'Rec Level' in the menu (INPUT), page 191 of the manual.

Hi BOYDE - I haven't come across Tracer batteries so will check those out. I think the F6 is aimed more at the one man crew with a DSLR and the recorder is most likely planned to be bolted to the tripod under the camera. And it does provide a lot of bang for the buck, I have the BTA bluetooth adapter here and I'm going to give it a go. But yes the F8 is a better bet for a sound recordist. I'm very excited about the HC22 - I was about to say 'I wonder who makes them for Rycote?' and then I read this - Our new microphones were designed in-house and are made at Rycote in our factory in the U.K. As such, we are able to utilise much of our current manufacturing and testing resources we use to make other Rycote products. Therefore our investment costs for production was not as high as if we had started making mics from scratch. This combined with a modular material and components design allowed us to create two hypercardioid mics cost effectively and pass on more value to you. Mics made in the UK, got to give those a try. Ta like, ppm6.

Hi, they are both good recorders and it would be nice to have the 32 bit float, but the F8n is just more of a pro machine. I wish I had one! Enjoy. Ta like, ppm6.

Johnsy - I'm very very sorry. But a bit envious because I'm struggling on with an F6... Actually I'm waiting for the Bluetooth dongle to try the iPad app which has been recommended as a way round the interface limitations of the F6. It's either that or an FRC-8 and neither of us wants to spend that much more money! www.soundkit.co.uk/product/9004266/zoom-f-control-frc8-fader-panel Thanks for getting in touch I hope you and the F8n have many happy sound adventures ahead, and I don't say arsk either! Ta like, ppm6.

@@ppmtv-qh9qk I was merely joking around :) It was thanks to your advice that I opted away from the F6. I went over to SoundKit, but unfortunately I couldn't get it on finance from there (My Paypal limit is too low) . I will however certainly keep him in mind for other purchase, ones which don't need me to sell limbs for. I definitely think the Ipad version would be far more useable than the Iphone version and certainly cheaper than buying the FRC 8. Could you not tether an ipad to an iphone for the purpose of trying out the app? Save waiting for a dongle. Cheers, Chris :)

Hi Chris - I'm afraid you seriously overestimate my phone tethering skills - I have a mobile phone and sometimes I switch it on, but mostly not! Sorry to be so far off the pace - but how would tethering work in this context? It would be nice to try the app before stumping up for the dongle! I forgot to ask what sort of stuff you are planning on recording - is it music or film stuff or maybe both? I've just enjoyed Van Man Morrison - your lucky to be alive! Ta like, ppm6.

​@@ppmtv-qh9qk Hey dude. I might be barking up the wrong tree but I think that you are wanting the dongle so that you can connect the iPad to the internet and then to the Zoom interface. I've only ordered my unit this morning so I'm not sure how it's all working. Anyway, if that's the case and you only need a dongle to get online, you can actually use your phone. If you have an iPhone you can click on settings and then Personal Hotspot. It will show a password or you can enter a new one. Then all you do is open up the internet connection settings on the iPad and find your phone listed, click on it and add that password. From then on you are using your phones data for the iPad. It's really handy for when I'm travelling. I will connect either my iPad or Macbook to the phone and stay connected. It's not just Apple either, all the phones do this pretty much. Regarding the Zoom, I work for a little film company doing some freelance work for them (recording, editing, music compositions) In the past I have had to go straight into the camera, which never comes out sounding that great, and I'm then also limited to 2 channels. We are doing some stuff in a few weeks and I want to get the three actors wearing lavs. In the past I've taken my Motu interface with me and recorded it to the laptop, it's a lot of messing about though, and using the cameras inputs and my little Tascam recorder isn't going to be great, so I was looking at just getting a better field recorder like the Zoom F6, just to make life simpler, especially with the Tascam not having Timecode. Then I watched your video and thought bugger it, I might as well just get the F8n. It's a bit more serious and I will be able to use it for other jobs if I come across any!. So I've looked at it as an investment. Glad you liked the Van Man Morrison vid!, stuff like that happens all the time, so I've put it on here for people to have a look at. :) Thanks for your videos too, they are so informative :) Will keep popping back to them. Take care Chris :)

Hi Chris - my understanding is that the dongle gives the power of Bluetooth to the F series device and then I can connect directly to it. I think that means you don't have to have a network involved. But it wouldn't be the first time I have been tragically wrong. Mind you in this modern age - your ordered it this morning you might well be enjoying it by now! Or maybe not. The F8n is a very fine recorder I'm sure you will be very happy together! Take care now, ppm6.

I know the feeling - I'm trying to get the F8n Pro in for review - why not call it the F9? But I have also got the bluetooth adapter for the F6 and that means some of the work flow limitations are overcome, if you don't mind lugging your iPad to the gig.... Will work for some, but of course not all! Thanks for the feedback. Ta like, ppm6.

It's a free world, well sometimes. Enjoy the F6 Ta like, ppm6.

or maybe the F8n Pro - which Zoom have just released which is also 32 bit. Ta like, ppm6.

Hi Rob - thanks for that info - my theory is just call it the F9! But it's a very significant upgrade and I wonder if both models will remain in the catalogue. I think the F6 is half the price of of the F8N PRO so it looks even better value for money if 32 bit is your bag. Ta like, ppm6.

@@ppmtv-qh9qk I'm very new to video and sound, for now I only did ONE job :) I bought the Rode Wireless 2 and the Zoom F2 wich is 32 bits, for sure next time I buy something it will be 32 bits, ita fantastic.

Hi Robert, glad you are enjoying the F2, hope you get lots of work, got to save up for that F8N PRO! Ta like, ppm6.