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Author Topic: Zoom F8 Review  (Read 44519 times)

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stevetoney

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Re: Zoom F8 Review
« Reply #30 on: November 24, 2015, 09:55:59 PM »
And it would make sense to compare it to the 680 MKII (not the original)

A comp would be nice.  Even though I've also owned both this and the 680, I wouldn't want to give an opinion without an actual comp to support my statements.  It's been well over a year since I've owned the 680 and I haven't had a 680MKii.

Offline 2manyrocks

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Re: Zoom F8 Review
« Reply #31 on: November 24, 2015, 10:15:23 PM »
Dr70 comp could be done.  Its reasonably in the ballpark to either dr680 IMO. 

Real question for some would be a comp with SD7xx.

stevetoney

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Re: Zoom F8 Review
« Reply #32 on: November 24, 2015, 10:18:06 PM »
Dr70 comp could be done.  Its reasonably in the ballpark to either dr680 IMO. 


OK, I'll do that.  I'm recording on Friday, so I'll take both sets of m934b mics and go straight into the preamps of both units.

Offline scorsesefan

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Re: Zoom F8 Review
« Reply #33 on: November 25, 2015, 12:03:24 AM »
Dr70 comp could be done.  Its reasonably in the ballpark to either dr680 IMO. 

Real question for some would be a comp with SD7xx.

I think the sd 7xx/dr680 is a closer comparison. The 70d is meant to be a dslr partner more than a bag recorder, although I've heard it has excellent sound...

stevetoney

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Re: Zoom F8 Review
« Reply #34 on: November 25, 2015, 03:40:01 AM »
Dr70 comp could be done.  Its reasonably in the ballpark to either dr680 IMO. 

Real question for some would be a comp with SD7xx.

I think the sd 7xx/dr680 is a closer comparison. The 70d is meant to be a dslr partner more than a bag recorder, although I've heard it has excellent sound...

True, but i don't have those other units and he knew that i also own a dr70d so i can easily comp that and the f8.  Since the dr70d and dr680 mkii might use the same preamps (i'm not sure if they do or not) it might be a nice comp for ppl to see.

Offline Life In Rewind

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Re: Zoom F8 Review
« Reply #35 on: November 25, 2015, 08:43:25 AM »
Dr70 comp could be done.  Its reasonably in the ballpark to either dr680 IMO. 

Real question for some would be a comp with SD7xx.

I think the sd 7xx/dr680 is a closer comparison. The 70d is meant to be a dslr partner more than a bag recorder, although I've heard it has excellent sound...

True, but i don't have those other units and he knew that i also own a dr70d so i can easily comp that and the f8.  Since the dr70d and dr680 mkii might use the same preamps (i'm not sure if they do or not) it might be a nice comp for ppl to see.

I'm a 70D owner - but also F8-curious...I'd like to hear this.

Offline 2manyrocks

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Re: Zoom F8 Review
« Reply #36 on: November 25, 2015, 09:11:15 AM »
Although I think the 70d uses different preamps than the 680II, another member posted an excellent comp between the 70d and the 680II in the 680MKII thread.  It was so close that it was difficult to tell them apart.  That's my basis for thinking a comp of the F8 to the 70d would be informative. 

Offline scorsesefan

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Re: Zoom F8 Review
« Reply #37 on: November 25, 2015, 10:36:05 AM »
Although I think the 70d uses different preamps than the 680II, another member posted an excellent comp between the 70d and the 680II in the 680MKII thread.  It was so close that it was difficult to tell them apart.  That's my basis for thinking a comp of the F8 to the 70d would be informative.

Yeah, I think the pres are close, but I spoke to the Tascam rep at BH right before the 70D was released and he confirmed that the the 680II's pres are slightly higher end...

stevetoney

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Re: Zoom F8 Review
« Reply #38 on: November 30, 2015, 10:32:44 AM »
Dr70 comp could be done.  Its reasonably in the ballpark to either dr680 IMO. 

Zoom F8 vs Tascam DR70D

Here are 24bit samples I made on Friday night with mics connected directly to the recorders.  All the normal caveats...mics on same stand in the same location in the venue.  One pair of mics was several inches above the other.  Slight gain added to both files in post to approximately equalize their gains, but no other variations made.

Schoeps M934b capsules > Schoeps CMMT30 bodies > DR70D
https://www.idrive.com/idrive/sh/sh?k=n3a4c8n2l8

Schoeps M934b capsules > Schoeps CMMT30 bodies > Zoom F8
https://www.idrive.com/idrive/sh/sh?k=p4z9o7q4y8

My opinion is that they both sound great, but different.  I personally give an edge to the Zoom F8 based on warmth and soundstage, but for a $200 four channel recorder, I'd use the DR70D as a stand-alone without hesitation.
« Last Edit: November 30, 2015, 10:36:56 AM by tonedeaf »

Offline scorsesefan

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Re: Zoom F8 Review
« Reply #39 on: November 30, 2015, 11:58:01 AM »
Hm, F8 file didn't play...

Offline 2manyrocks

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Re: Zoom F8 Review
« Reply #40 on: November 30, 2015, 12:01:37 PM »
Much appreciated.   

Timecode on the f8 is one feature that I'm curious about.  Before the f8, the least expensive recorder with timecode was the Roland R88 which was about $2,000.  But it looks to me like the timecode on the f8 may be aimed at a different user than the timecode via hdmi on the Tascam Dr701.  Could be Tascam undercut the f8 on price and connectivity for people who have the Panasonic GH4--making sync'd recordings possible at an overall lower price point when adding up the combined cost of the audio and camera equipment required to pull this off?

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Re: Zoom F8 Review
« Reply #41 on: November 30, 2015, 01:07:59 PM »
Pro video cameras typically utilize timecode in and out via BNC connector, so yes zoom is aimed at different user.

It's odd that the tascam only has a BNC in for timecode but at least it can slave to an external TC generator in a pro environment.

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stevetoney

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Re: Zoom F8 Review
« Reply #42 on: November 30, 2015, 01:54:30 PM »
Pro video cameras typically utilize timecode in and out via BNC connector, so yes zoom is aimed at different user.

It's odd that the tascam only has a BNC in for timecode but at least it can slave to an external TC generator in a pro environment.

I'm not cognizant of the pro vs. consumer video market, but just to make sure it's clear, timecode in and out of the Zoom F8 is from BNC connectors, so from the above comment that implies it's targeted to pro video users.

stevetoney

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Re: Zoom F8 Review
« Reply #43 on: November 30, 2015, 05:27:45 PM »
Hm, F8 file didn't play...

Right click to download the files and play in your player or DAW.  I'm not sure why the idrive player won't work for both files.

Offline jielka

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Re: Zoom F8 Review
« Reply #44 on: January 03, 2016, 03:12:36 PM »
Hello from Baden-Baden !
I am a french soundhunter.
I like my Mixy sound ( plus Marantz pmd 661) with my ribbon mics (Beyer M160).
Has anyone tried the F8 with ribbon's?
JLK

 

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