Topic: Zoom F8 Recorder Part 3

[Gutbucket]

..the "File Max Size" is still 2GB and it's not polywav or something, all mono tracks.

First thought was that it's writing a single polywav rather than individial mono WAVs, but even then it shouldn't start a new file until the 2GB point.  Funky file format on the card? Maybe try reformatting it in the F8, and make a test recording to see what happens.  Maybe try a different card.

I've never recorded polywavs on the F8.  I started out recording stereo WAVs with it, which I prefer, but switched to mono WAVs early on to increase time between splits, as it allows for entire sets or shows without splits most of the time.

[Gutbucket]

Can’t remember if I mentioned doing this previously- anyone else occasionally record the built in slate mic when there’s a spare track?  I can’t even recall if I’ve ever used it in a mix.

Played around with the slate mic early on just to check it out, but never actually used it or recorded with it.

[jefflester]

Funky file format on the card? Maybe try reformatting it in the F8, and make a test recording to see what happens.  Maybe try a different card.

Yeah, that did the trick, thanks for the suggestion. I thought I had been continuing to use the same card from before the change occurred, but I hadn't. I've never had any problems with cards on any recorders audio or video just pop in card and go, but in the last 6 months this issue popped up and two of my Zoom Q2n (video) got picky as well. So I've committed to identifying which cards go with which recorders and labeling them.

[Gutbucket]

Good to hear you figured it out.

I've not found the F8 to be picky about SD cards.  Still, Since it's quick and easy I always run the F8's SD card quick-test whenever I put a new card in, reformat, or delete files off a card without reformatting it.  Not sure if that would have caught your issue or not though.  Did you try the quick-test prior to reformatting?

In contrast to that, mostly because I've never had a problem with SD cards in the F8 and never wanted to wait for it to complete a full read/write-cycle for the entire card, I've never run the F8's SD card full-test.  Presumably that may have caught the problem.  Might be a good practice with new cards you aren't sure about.

[jefflester]

I was using my f8 for recording my own band but I switched back to my DR-680mkII due to high levels. I'm mostly recording direct line outs on XLRs (guitar amp, bass amp, keys, SBD feed, drum submix) and having to drop the levels to basically near zero to not have my levels be too hot. I didn't see any menu selection to alternate between mic in and line in so I was basically hitting my XLR inputs with line level when they were looking for mic level. So RTF, only way to really input a line level is through the 1/4" TRS rather than XLR, which is 20 dB lower. But the line level is still going through the preamp. Am I reading that right?

pg 25:
"Inputs connected with XLR plugs can be set from +10 to
+75 dB, and inputs connected with TRS plugs can be set
from –10 to +55 dB."

This continues to bite me in the ass, even running line-in on a TRS I've gotten clipping, a couple weeks ago from a keyword rack (his own custom setup) that had XLRs out and then last night from a Mackie(?) mixer. Very simple mixer that he was running a Nord into and then one output (1/4") went to an RCF powered speaker and I took the other 1/4". I ran a short 1/4" TRS to XLR through 25 feet XLR and then another short XLR to 1/4" TRS into the Zoom F8. Had to dial the level down to min and still it clipped all over the place. F8 manual says +24dBu max input, though does say "limiter on." Guess I need to always use XLR attenuator .... 

[EmRR]

I’ve taken a few board feeds that were so hot they really needed an inline pad with TRS input at minimum.  I’m not inclined to use the limiter over an external pad.

[Gutbucket]

Because I need phantom and am running an original model F8 where TRS is the only line-in option and P48 is only available on the XLR mic-level inputs, and because I'm not using attenuators across all inputs, I've instead reverted to leaving the advanced limiter on all the time, set maxed out to 0dB (which is not a classic threshold but a "never to exceed" limit with a variable ratio that increases as level approaches it).

Having to do that concerned me initially, but it no longer does.  With my mic sources the limiter typically only engages when I'm recording up close or on stage near the drum kit.  Thankfully its very transparent, so I just leave the advance limiter on all the time now and shoot to peak below the -10dbFS point where it gradually begins to activate.  In high SPL situations I just turn the input trims all the way down and let the limiter do its thing as necessary.  Thankfully that's proved fully acceptable for my use and ear.