Thank you for bringing the issue of RF interference on the M3 to our attention. We have investigated and creators can find information on how to obtain a free replacement on the NEWS section of our website. We value the creators who use our products and we never want to let you down!
Zoom is a great brand, and as well have great services. I'm sure they will have this issue resolved soon. Great video, thanks for taking the time to go thru the process of testing this mic out.
Man, 32-bit float does not stop the mic membrane from physically distorting over the maximum SPL (or simply just air pressure). The poor RF shielding of the Zoom M-series is an apparent disaster, thank you for pointing that out!
Thank you for the testing. 32-bit float is the holy grail, and it's great to see it incorporated in a stand alone mic. Looks like there is room for improvement for the M3 so I'll hold off for now.
Thanks for the review. Appreciate it. Interesting the comments at the bedroom experiences. I use the Audio-Technica AT8024 and have absolutely 0 issues with it in my professional broadcast productions.
I just received my unit in the mail. I might not even take it out of the box at this point. I'm a bit concerned seeing so many negative reviews. SO. MANY. I think I might pass on this one. I love their Zoom F3. I use it religiously. Thanks for the video!
Thank you so much! I've watched many reviews on M3, but only after your video and your screaming test I finally was convinced to get it. I want to use it for filming live concerts. I guess it will fit perfectly.
Is there a way to trigger the internal recording of the m3, when you hit record on camera? So you dont have to press record and stop on both every time...
Is it possible to set the gain level with the software (because there is no physical gain wheel)? Will it be saved into the device for using it with a smartphone for example? (Just like with the Rode Video mic go 2) (I know that i don't have to set the gain level when i record in 32 bit float, but there will be many times in which I don't want to use 32 Bit float recordings... so I wonder if it's possible to set the gain in the device when using it via USB with my Smartphone for example.)
Wow, thank you for doing these tests. The sad news is, this is the 3rd Zoom recorder produced recently with an RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) problem…The Free To Use Sounds RU-vid channel just did a review of the M2 and M4, and they both have a problem with it as well (Zoom better start doing a lot more testing before releasing products)!
Is it sound the same as Sennheiser MKE 440 in stereo and MKE 600 in mono? Is XLR mic necessary nowadays? I thought to get a stereo mic MKE 440 for everyday and RU-vid videos on a Panasonic HC-X1500 camcorder, a shotgun mic MKE 600 to source outdoor sounds for game development and a pencil condenser mic Line Audio CM4 to source indoor voice and instruments, should I get these or Zoom M3 instead? Can M3 record behind the camera voice clearly when in stereo modes? Is there an adaptor to able to plug the CM4 45⁰ directly into the Zoom F3 to make a small 90⁰ stereo mics pair? Can you cover the sides vents and it will basically become a small diaphragm condenser mic?
my question is, when you plug this into a camera does it automatically start to turn on like some of the rode' mics? how does this work , is it to where if you want the 32bit float you have to hit the record button separately or does it record automatically , can you touch on this
The 32 bit only records directly to the mic sd card, and you do need to hit record on the actual mic to start recording. Bummer it doesn’t start automatically.
I feel like there was a lot of distortion even at 10:04 - "when I talk like this...", why did you decide to edit this video with that distortion in? Not trying to find mistakes in the edit, just curious about the workflow limitations. Thanks
Very good video! I have two big issue with M3 and I hope you can help me with your experience: 1) internal recording is only 16 bit and I didn't find a way to change this setting by software. 2) 32 bit recording don't start when I press rec on camera: I have to press rec on mic to start recording so it's very frustrating! Is there a way to fix these issues? Thanks
Can you try a follow video, using a radio, perhaps the one in your car. See if you can find the Radio station the music is coming from. Does the M3 pick up the same station every time. It sounded like a classical music station...
Not a bad idea. And not quite sure if it’s the same station everytime. It is sensitive to other electronics tho, creating that same interference noise.
We get similar sounds that we use to say was radio signals on paranormal investigations. But they are clearly not cause the nearest radio station is over 100 miles away and other radios pick up zero. It’s inter dimensional bleed over
👀👀👀 I wish I would have grabbed a radio and seen if i could have dialed in the same channel, if not, I would have kept it for this reason alone!!! Dimensional bleed over…. Amazing. It was classical, I know that. I wish I would have listened longer.
How effective would this be in a two person interview from 4-7 feet from the camera at a tradeshow, not a garage? Wireless lavs are a PITA. The garage has a lot of echo, not the best test.
I would recommend booming a mic right over each speakers head, just out of frame. Or use a lav (not wireless) on each subject and line up the audio in post. This mic has some shielding issues. I’d go for the audio technica one I posted in description or if you go for lavs the tascam.
I also have this unit and noted that it is susceptible against certain types of interference, particularly from strong Wi-Fi signals. It would be nice to have seen your spectrograms for those closet signals. But if you take it out of doors away from such signals it doesn't show this problem. I didn't notice any interference when you were outside recording Canada Geese? It doesn't seem to have the handling noise issues of the M2 and M4 because it is not handheld normally. I think the real benefit of this recorder is as a M/S recording setup for under $200. Can you get quieter mics and do M/S recording, of course. But not for anything like $200, it is more likely to be 5x or 10x as much money.
The radio interference is there, but it probably won't be noticeable if volume is normal. Although the radio interference might be an issue, darn, I was looking for a light weight setup. Conclusion: The Zoom M3 is not for the audio perfectionist, or someone recoding nature sounds. For that, get Zoom f3/f6 with separate mic. This mic might be excellent for quick on street interviews, city environments, travel videos since mic is light weight.
whats a good mic shotgun or lav mic you can recommend that wont distort when someone yells into it, the issue i have is that some devices i have have 32bit float but the mic itself distorts not the audio so its not fixable in some cases
@@YoungBlaze You may have already figured it out already (?) , but from what I've learned, the best & simplest way to find a mic with high level of max sound pressure, is to go from condenser mics to dynamic, if that's the most limiting factor ; you may, if possible, add some pop filter/wind protection, which will also help dissipate that pressure on the membrane, with minimal impact on the REC.
Given the price of M3 - think of the recorder electronics, the shockmount etc, then how much really are those TWO microphone capsules worth? Zoom cannot produce miracles, so you are stuck with a “kit lens” on a all-in-one system.
Marcel over at Free to Use sounds had the same interference in the M2 and M4 he tested. Seems to be a problem across the entire lineup. It’s such a bummer because I like where Zoom is headed, but these look like major flops after the big success of the F series.
I would have thought that a decent editing program which accepts 32 bit audio and supports VST plugins would enable the stereo width to be manipulated directly using Voxengo MSED free VST plugin. It shouldn't be necessary to export using the Zoom utility program. Indeed, if you simply have the mic set to record in full width, you can reduce that width all the way down to mono if you want, using MSED without needing to access the "Raw" file at all. As far as I can see, it's all just standard MS audio stuff, no magic involved. As for RF noise - I wish someone would properly investigate this - for instance, all the tests I've seen which show this (that I've seen) involve the user wearing headphones - is the interference being picked up with via the headphone cable aerial?? Does it still happen with the headphones unplugged? The interference seems to be at a very low level - in any kind of normal use, would it matter? Well, I guess for those making highly amplified recordings in a closet... Anyway, very interesting review, thanks.
I bought the M3 despite this review and the RF interference. I did tests - it’s not just headphones. The RF interference is persistent throughout the recordings.
@@sampatton9348 Interesting. Is it at a level which would be significant in normal use? Is it there all the time? Personally if I had one I'd be making a video to really explore the issue but sadly it won't be available here for weeks.
Very good video! I have two big issue with M3 and I hope you can help me with your experience: 1) internal recording is only 16 bit and I didn't find a way to change this setting by software. 2) 32 bit recording don't start when I press rec on camera: I have to press rec on mic to start recording so it's very frustrating! Is there a way to fix these issues? Thanks
Very good video! I have two big issue with M3 and I hope you can help me with your experience: 1) internal recording is only 16 bit and I didn't find a way to change this setting by software. 2) 32 bit recording don't start when I press rec on camera: I have to press rec on mic to start recording so it's very frustrating! Is there a way to fix these issues? Thanks
