Zoom F3 Recorder | Detailed Review (32-bit float)
Zoom F3 Recorder | Detailed Review (32-bit float)
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◽️ Zoom F3 Recorder: https://amzn.to/3CtOwfV
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◽️ Second Lens: https://amzn.to/3HnzWIH
◽️ Audio-Technica AT4053B: https://amzn.to/3HCWjto
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CHAPTERS
0:00 – Intro
0:45 – What’s in the box?
1:05 – Recorder overview
2:30 – Side note (cheap table tripod)
3:00 – 2 days of use
3:50 – LCD screen
4:40 – Menu options
6:55 – Track options
8:05 – Waveform and gain
9:20 – Record button
10:15 – Markers
10:50 – Bluetooth app
13:00 – 32-bit audio tests
14:15 – Sound samples
15:50 – Zoom F3 vs Tascam X8
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#Audio #32bit #ZoomF3
What extra’s would I need to use timecode with my camera? My BMPCC6k doesn’t produce a timecode but I could plug in a timecode device right into both of them and sync them in post right?
I’m curious if the overpriced bluetooth adapter could be replaced with a generic model that uses the same internal chipset? If you connect the Zoom Bluetooth adapter to your PC, does it show up as a regular Bluetooth device or is it proprietary?
So you need an adapter that will take the headphone out and link via Bluetooth to a pair of Bluetooth audio headphones and tada – full remote control. It’s a dirty way to solve what you should have thought be done with the hardware they sold you. Alas, even the Tascan DRnnWL models (22 and 44) that had WiFi control couldn’t even stream the audio. Definitely, a shortcoming that field recorders have that should not be.
Awesome review!
I still don’t see the point of recording in 32 bit. Having more headroom doesn’t mean you’ll never clip. If your capture source clips the mic, you’ll still have clipped audio. Both loud and quiet tests still rely on the microphone having a high SPL and low self noise and are not a conclusive pro to 32 bit. There’s also the issue of moving into floating point. Computers are not capable of representing floating numbers accurately and many audio editors will internally convent float audio to integer, rendering the "advantage" pointless.
Any chance you could provide the recorded wav files? For my use case I am only interested in the soft voices and noise floor (yes, yes, I know, every mic is different) and actually I don’t trust the yt audio quality 😀
Any experience if the F3 is immune to cell phone EMF? I have a tascam dr07II and it cannot be used at all around my iPhone as it’ll pick up digital clicking noise. I need to be able to record and multitask with the phone at the same time.
Great review.
When you the F3 Control app you mentioned you can select either the app "OR you can select timecode". Was that intentional? Does this mean that timecode is not available while using the app or can the F3 connect to the app AND receive timecode at the same time?
Many thanks.
I enjoyed this review. Can’t wait to get my hands on my own F3
I use the F3 with a shotgun mic and it’s perfect for that purpose. It doesn’t have a lot of the features my zoom H6 has, but all I need it for is one input on my belt well I hold a boom pole. The 32 bit float is an absolute must for audio recording these days! It’s like when I shoot raw video on the RED cameras I use, but for audio!
dang, this would be a no-brainer if it used XLR-1/4" combo inputs.
¿How good is the Zoom F3 works for room tone
?
What is the Android App called? Is it the F2 Control? I’ve got my Zoom F3 in hand, just waiting on the Bluetooth adaptor. Thanks
thanks for this, very thorough review, really showing off the capabilities!
this thing is severely overrated. Rode wireless mic ii and the new dji mic are better.
the Tascam x8 sounds so much better
Dude- you should read some playboy articles in that quiet voice! hahahhahah
Can you enter Slate information through the app?
Great review. I’ve had mine for about a week. Bought it for 32bitfloat for those rare times it’s needed. So far love it.
Does the line out can be change to mic level?
Amazing review, the Zoom F3 I think is the perfect foolproof recorder, excelent for me I think =D. I’m just getting into recording video, and I want to record really low noises and having that editing power to lower or increase the levels… Amazing. One question that I have regarding the Zoom F3, did you use a IOS device or an Android device (smartphone) when you test it? Do you know if it would be possible to connect the Zoom F3 to my android phone and record video + 32 bit float internaly to the phone and this way I do not have to sync the audio in post? I’m totally new to all of this so all the help is usefull. Thanks alot, and again dope review.
great video sorry if i missed it in this video but may I ask when does it also support 32 bit float when used as a usb audio interface, as I believe the tascam does not.
How did you get it from BH THEY say
Available not until March 22?
NO L/R routing is a deal breaker. The signal coming out of the F3 line out is a mixed down stereo signal. I can’t believe Zoom would not implement this in their F3 when it’s on all their other mixers. :-/
Terrific review man! Thank you for demonstrating the 32 bit float noise floor and clipping recovery– astounding. Good luck on the big build of your new studio and thanks for making such great vids.
Nice review! How long is the battery life? 2 hours perhaps with phantom power?
Thank you for including the silence. But now I have even more questions. The silence at 14:28 and 14:45 reveals a higher noise level than I expected. I am curious if that comes through even with the mics unplugged. Is it just the noise floor or was there some background noise coming in through the mics?
I was planning on buying one because I wanted to record some super quiet stuff without a noise floor. Could be a deal breaker. I already have a zoom h5 that is too noisy. I heard that you could get a lower noise floor with a higher bit rate. What settings are you using?
The AT seems a little quieter than the rode. Is that because you left on the low cut filter on the rode? Both rode mics sound very thin actually.
32 bit float is truly amazing. I just wish the recorder had a 3.5mm input it would be near perfect
Were did you order from?
How is the time ode feature?
Thanks for that great review. I can’t seem to get an answer out of Zoom. Do you know if the F3 will connect with the AtomX Sync into NinjaV the same way the F6 does? Or is it only via BLUE?
What a brilliant, thorough and well presented video! Thank you! I’ve ordered a Zoom F3 and I look forward to using it. BTW what is the microphone mount your are using for your AT4053b? (I have the same microphone – and currently use the mount from the Rode NTG video mic.)
Thanks for this review! Congrats on your knew studio!
Did the F-3 come in a bag as shown in the unboxing? They now come in some cleverly folded cardboard.
Hi Paul (@GearTest_Tech), I explored and found zoom f3 with BTA is not compatible with Tentacle Sync E MKII for timecode sync. there is a temporary workaround but not via bTA. I Wish they make it compatible !!
Hi, as you’ve mentioned you can connect the zoom f3 directly to a camera, I have a deity connect system that has 2 transmitters with 2 3.5mm to xlr cables and I’m planning to use the the zoom f3 as a recorder/preamp. My question is, if I connect the zoom f3 to the camera will it be able to record separately?
I loved the part you lower and increase the levels and reflected on the video so I felt I was using it on the field while adjusting the volume. The silence and clipping test are what I really whated to at home now when mine arrives I can go to field and start using.
Thank you for such an informative video. Can I ask if you felt the TASCAM x8 or Zoom F3 has better sound or preamps? Would love to see more in-depth comparison between the two. Heard of problems on the X8 in stability, monitoring, etc.
I’ve had my F3 for a few days now, and I love it. I see it as a "set it and forget it" audio recorder. Because its 32-bit float, you can adjust the levels in post. The main concern being that you have a good microphone for capturing the audio. Beyond that, the F3 will take care of capturing high quality audio. As a low budget/indie filmmaker, that’s a no-brainer right there. And thank you for this walkthrough. I learned some things about the F3 that had questions for and now you gave me the answers. Many thanks.
great review thx a lot, I was specifically looking for info on high pass filter (hpf) because Sennheiser mkh8020 omni mic picks up sounds starting at 10Hz
Great stuff!
Excellent video. The comparisons with the Tascam are also helpful.
The other cool thing you might mention about the Bluetooth module is that it gives you timecode sync with Atomos Sync modules. They let you sync multiple cameras, audio recorders, and even iPhones.
Meanwhile, as I wait for my F3 to arrive, I’m wondering if anyone makes a small stereo XLR mic assembly that would turn this thing into a handy recorder like other handheld field recorders. Ideas?
does it can be powered by the usb c?
I have the zoom h8 which I love and I thought 32 bit would be something cool but unnecessary. I decided to get this f3 for its size to use on a camera rig. Boy was I wrong about 32 bit. It’s a game changer. While technically unnecessary it simplifies audio so much that you could give this to someone with zero know how and they could get good recordings. and and the recovery is just amazing. I’ll probably just use my h8 as an audio interface when recording music or more controlled environments where I need more than 2 inputs.
The dealbreaker for me, and for many others working in the field of video or acoustic music, is that inexplicably they haven’t offered support for M/S mic monitoring. So if you use M/S mics, you’ll have to hope that your mics are correctly placed in relation to the sound source, or you’ll have to use something (what?) between the headphone output and the headphones themselves to dematrix the M/S so you can really judge the stereo image. I really hope they can fix that omission in a FW update – I would have thought it wouldn’t be at all hard to do.
Wow, for $349.99, I would expect a lot more than this. The Tascam X8 does everything that this does except for inserting a Timecode and it has far more options. The X8 is a $150.00 more, but it has six more mic connections and it also comes with apps to use for each specific function. Really, there is no comparison between the two.
Will the F3 operate without batteries in USB audio interface mode when connected to a PC via USB cable?
I’m still thinking I’ll keep my F4.
Update: After showing the high pass filter options in this video, I mistakenly left the filter turned on. The filter was applied to the audio of the Rode PodMic and the sample of the VideoMic GO II. My apologies! I’m going to re-record those samples and upload the new tests as an unlisted video. I will update the description and this comment with the link once the video is uploaded. Thanks to viewer Chris Robinson for catching this mistake!