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Author Topic: Zoom F4 with six inputs and eight tracks (is like a new low priced F8!)  (Read 50650 times)

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Offline IronFilm

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My blog post on this news: http://ironfilm.co.nz/news-leak-zoom-f4-with-six-inputs-and-eight-tracks-is-like-a-new-low-priced-zoom-f8/ (some of it repeated below)

I thought the Zoom F8 when it was announced was a groundbreaking new recorder in what it brought to a new low price point for soundies.

Now the F4 is even cheaper ($650 vs $1K), and has nearly everything the F8 has! Except for most notably the lack of extra XLR inputs (8 vs 4, thus the names: F8 vs F4. The "F" = field recorder, "H" = handheld recorder such as H1/H4n/H5/H6) and the lack of an app for the F4 to mix on a tablet like you can with the F8. Oh, and in a more minor point the F4 has a monochrome screen vs the 4 color screen of the F8.

But everything else (such as pre amps, and time code) is basically exactly the same as the F8!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g-7wTzEQzM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tlJYn3hci0


Here is the blurb and specs list from B&H (page is currently down, you need to use Google cache to view it):

Quote
Designed to provide big Hollywood sound on an affordable indie budget, Zoom F4 is a 6-input / 8-track professional field recorder featuring super-low-noise preamps and timecode with pinpoint accuracy. The unit provides recording and playback resolutions up to 24-bit/192 kHz with impressive audio specs including an extremely low noise floor (-127 dBu EIN) and high gain (up to +75 dB), with +4 dB line-level inputs. The on-board temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) generates timecode at 0.2 ppm accuracy and supports all standard drop-frame and non-drop formats, as well as jam sync for external devices.

The advanced on-board limiters provide overload protection for all inputs and outputs, which lets you capture audio in a wide range of environments. Limiting can be applied simultaneously at full resolution with 10 dB of headroom and features controls for setting threshold, attack, and release.

The F4 offers four combo XLR-1/4" inputs, a 1/8" stereo input, and includes a Zoom mic-capsule input for recording six discrete tracks with an additional stereo mix, all at full 24-bit/192 kHz resolution. Additionally, inputs 5/6 can function as a camera return for audio monitoring only for confidence checks. The dual-SD card slot features simultaneous recording to both cards allowing you to make a backup or split recording with all eight tracks on one card and a stereo mix on the other.
Each of the four XLR-1/4" inputs offers a dedicated preamp with gain control, phantom power, a six-segment LED level meter, plus a Record Ready and PFL switch. In addition to the 1/4" headphone output with a dedicated volume control, the F4 provides two main balanced XLR outputs, as well as two sub outs on a single unbalanced 1/8" stereo mini-jack, enabling easy connection to a camera. All timecode I/O is provided on BNC connectors and the unit includes a variable-frequency slate-tone generator to confirm levels.

An easy-to-read 1.9" LCD display is suitable for use in all lighting environments including dark low-light sets to bright sunlight. The on-board mixer not only provides user-adjustable level, pan, and input/output delay, but also offers high-pass filtering for noise and wind reduction, phase inversion, and Mid-Side decoding. The F4 ships with a camera-mount adapter, AC power adapter, and download codes for Cubase LE and Wavelab LE.

Six-input / eight-track multitrack field recorder with integrated mixer

Six discrete inputs, including four with locking Neutrik XLR/TRS combo connectors, a stereo 3.5mm input, and Zoom mic-capsule input

Compact and lightweight metal chassis, weighing just two pounds (without batteries)

High-quality mic preamps with up to 75 dB gain, less than -127 dBu EIN, and +4 dB line inputs

Support for up to 24-bit/192 kHz recording as well as 96, 88.2, 48, and 44.1 kHz, plus 47.952 and 48.048 kHz for HD video compatibility; 16-/24-bit resolution

Accurate timecode (0.2 ppm) I/O on standard BNC connectors; dropframe/non-drop formats with Jam Sync

Two different power supply options: 8x AA batteries or external DC battery pack with 4-pin Hirose connector

Dedicated gain control knob, 6-segment LED level meter, and PFL/Solo switch for each channel

Phantom power (+48V/+24V) on every preamp

Advanced on-board limiters for input and output

High-pass filter, phase invert, and Mid-Side decoder

Input delay of up to 30ms per channel / output delay of up to 10 frames per output

Compatible with all Zoom mic capsules; optional ECM extender cable enables remote positioning

Dual XLR balanced Main Outs plus 1/8" stereo mini-jack Sub Out

Dedicated headphone output (100mW) with front-panel volume control

1.9” white, backlit monochrome LCD

Dedicated PFL display with viewable trim settings

Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card slots, up to 512GB each

Records in BWF-compliant WAV or MP3 file formats

Support for extensive metadata (BWF and iXML); input time, date, project, scene number, etc.

Built-in tripod mount; camera-mount adapter also included

Use as a 6-in/4-out USB audio interface (@ 96 kHz)

Offline Life In Rewind

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Re: Zoom F4 with six inputs and eight tracks (is like a new low priced F8!)
« Reply #1 on: September 06, 2016, 11:57:45 AM »
Cool - this must be what they were teasing Facebook the past few weeks...

Offline nolamule

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Re: Zoom F4 with six inputs and eight tracks (is like a new low priced F8!)
« Reply #2 on: September 06, 2016, 11:59:39 AM »
Looks good and the knobs are bigger than the F8. :coolguy:

Offline Sebastian

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Re: Zoom F4 with six inputs and eight tracks (is like a new low priced F8!)
« Reply #3 on: September 06, 2016, 02:47:27 PM »
Here's Zoom's product page: https://www.zoom-na.com/products/field-video-recording/field-recording/zoom-f4-multitrack-field-recorder

Looks like 4 inputs, with the ability to record safety tracks for two of them (which I always find extremely helpful for SBD sources for which you can't guess the levels beforehand). It also works with the EXH-6. That gives you two additional analog inputs. Also, they now seem to be including a DC to Hirose adapter cable, which is nice.
A little disappointing is the fact that the XLR mic inputs are still 20dB hotter than the TRS line inputs. But that can be solved with simple attenuator cables. Also, the SD card slots were moved to the back of the unit, compared to the F8. But with cards of 64GB and more, I doubt this is a problem for anyone. I just don't understand that design choice as the F4's dimensions are exactly the same as the F8's.

At that price point, the F4 looks like a perfect recorder for AUD/SBD mixes and similar situations. I'd be all over this if I hadn't gotten myself a F8 earlier this year.

Online aaronji

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Re: Zoom F4 with six inputs and eight tracks (is like a new low priced F8!)
« Reply #4 on: September 06, 2016, 03:20:49 PM »
^ The way I read it, you can also get six channels from the XLRs plus a stereo 1/8" input.

Off topic a bit, but do you find that you generally need attenuators with the F8?

Offline HJD

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Re: Zoom F4 with six inputs and eight tracks (is like a new low priced F8!)
« Reply #5 on: September 06, 2016, 03:26:23 PM »
Thanks for posting this IronFilm and for the writing up that detailed blog post! :) It just great that high quality preamps are becoming more affordable. I'm quite tempted by the F4 and look forward to reviews, but if the F8 is anything to go by, then the F4 should be a winner ;)

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Re: Zoom F4 with six inputs and eight tracks (is like a new low priced F8!)
« Reply #6 on: September 06, 2016, 04:06:01 PM »
Off topic a bit, but do you find that you generally need attenuators with the F8?

I don't.  When i bought my f8 a year ago I also bought a pair of in-line attenuators while I was awaiting delivery bc i didn't like the idea of using TR or TRS connectors instead of xlrs.  Since then I've become a bit of a fan of using my TRS connectors.  Mine are right angle and the size of my bag is such that there's no risk of them being pulled out accidentally.  They're super easy to install and remove without the need to pull the recorder out like you generally have to with locking xlrs.  Best of all is that they rotate to whatever exit angle / position you need them to. 

Offline Sebastian

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Re: Zoom F4 with six inputs and eight tracks (is like a new low priced F8!)
« Reply #7 on: September 06, 2016, 05:31:47 PM »
Off topic a bit, but do you find that you generally need attenuators with the F8?

The first time I used it, the levels got a bit too hot for my tastes with the gain all the way down. I always used the attenuators since then.

I don't.  When i bought my f8 a year ago I also bought a pair of in-line attenuators while I was awaiting delivery bc i didn't like the idea of using TR or TRS connectors instead of xlrs.  Since then I've become a bit of a fan of using my TRS connectors.  Mine are right angle and the size of my bag is such that there's no risk of them being pulled out accidentally.  They're super easy to install and remove without the need to pull the recorder out like you generally have to with locking xlrs.  Best of all is that they rotate to whatever exit angle / position you need them to. 

Yeah, I'd totally use TRS plugs, but the F8 does not pass phantom power through them.

Offline Hypnocracy

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Re: Zoom F4 with six inputs and eight tracks (is like a new low priced F8!)
« Reply #8 on: September 06, 2016, 06:11:45 PM »
Toney uses a external Preamp, not the onboard pre's of his F8.

The 1/4" inputs for Line Levels and XLR for Mic/Phantom Power is a "feature". I have that same feature on my old Fostex FR2LE. Saves the real estate, of which there is not much on these two units,  needed for a switch to choose Line or Mic (like the Mic/Line switch on DR680). It just requires you to be prepared with the right cables for the desired type of input.
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Offline Fried Chicken Boy

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Re: Zoom F4 with six inputs and eight tracks (is like a new low priced F8!)
« Reply #9 on: September 06, 2016, 06:19:22 PM »
To make sure I'm reading the specs correctly, this recorder has 4 XLR/TRS inputs and another input(s) for channels 5 and 6, yes?  In the pictures of the deck it appears that there are two ways to do the 5/6 input: an 1/8-inch (presumably stereo) plug and there's something else on the back of the device next to the SD card door.  Anyone know what type of input that is?  TIA. 

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Re: Zoom F4 with six inputs and eight tracks (is like a new low priced F8!)
« Reply #10 on: September 06, 2016, 07:32:22 PM »
Yeah, I'd totally use TRS plugs, but the F8 does not pass phantom power through them.

Excellent point of course, which I absent-mindedly didn't make in my response.  If I didn't use the phantom from my external preamps, I'd definitely be putting my attenuators to use.

Offline IronFilm

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Re: Zoom F4 with six inputs and eight tracks (is like a new low priced F8!)
« Reply #11 on: September 06, 2016, 08:54:50 PM »
To make sure I'm reading the specs correctly, this recorder has 4 XLR/TRS inputs and another input(s) for channels 5 and 6, yes?  In the pictures of the deck it appears that there are two ways to do the 5/6 input: an 1/8-inch (presumably stereo) plug and there's something else on the back of the device next to the SD card door.  Anyone know what type of input that is?  TIA.

That is adding on the same accessories used by the F8/H6/H5. Which includes the option to add in two more XLR inputs.

Offline F.O.Bean

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Re: Zoom F4 with six inputs and eight tracks (is like a new low priced F8!)
« Reply #12 on: September 06, 2016, 11:03:52 PM »
I really like the ability to do Channels 5/6 with the 1/8" stereo input! I RARELY get SBD patches, but that 1/8" input would sure come in handy for when I DO get a sbd patch and run 4 channels of DAUD mics! I also wish the XLR INs were possible of Line Levels, but its not a huge deal in the end I guess! But a really nice package/deal overall IMO, and makes me look away from the 701D for awhile, since this does have that 1/8" IN for 2 more channels! I just wish it was able to be powered with that USB connector, since I do LOVE that about the 70d/701d!
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Offline IronFilm

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Re: Zoom F4 with six inputs and eight tracks (is like a new low priced F8!)
« Reply #13 on: September 06, 2016, 11:17:23 PM »
F.O.Bean, I'd take power over hirose any day rather than USB power.

Offline caymanreview

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Re: Zoom F4 with six inputs and eight tracks (is like a new low priced F8!)
« Reply #14 on: September 07, 2016, 01:08:48 AM »
i hope the display is just a generic idea or switchable like the f8

this looks very interesting to me. the f8 is way overkill for me, and this would be perfect see ingly

but the display in the pics on b&h are absolutely horrible looking! the display and more so level metering on the f8 is its downfall. inaccuracy compared to everything else ive ran kind of irks me

 

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