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Gear / Technical Help => Recording Gear => Topic started by: justme on November 10, 2020, 12:24:34 PM
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At last!
This is a really nice little thingy. :)
It appears it’s yet another mono recorder…
F2 FEATURES
- Light and compact audio recorder
- 32-Bit Float recording for full dynamic range and clip free recording
- No gain adjustment necessary
- Records 44.1kHz/32-bit float or 48kHz/32-bit float audio files
- Rec Hold function to avoid accidental operation of buttons
- Stereo ⅛" Mic/Line In mini phone jack with Plug-in power (2.5V)
- Stereo ⅛" Phone/Line Output jack with dedicated volume control
- 80 Hz low cut filter
- High precision internal clock (±0.5ppm) to avoid audio and video syncing issues
- Wireless timecode synchronization (F2-BT model only)*
- Records directly to micro SD and SDHC cards up to 512 GB
- USB-C for connection to F2 Editor for settings
- Built-in Bluetooth for connection to the F2 Control app for settings adjustment and remote transport control (F2-BT model only)
- Runs on only 2 standard AAA alkaline, Lithium, or NiMH rechargeable batteries, or AC adapter (AD-17)
- Up to 15 hours of operation (14 hours on the F2-BT) with two AAA alkaline batteries
*F2-BT connection to UltraSync BLUE device by Timecode Systems is required.
https://zoomcorp.com/en/us/field-recorders/field-recorders/zoom-f2/
(https://zoomcorp.com/media/images/LockNLav_inset_2.width-500.jpg)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKF0No9D_S0[/list]
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Amazing. Everything I wanted!
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https://www.newsshooter.com/2020/11/11/zoom-f2-ultracompact-32-bit-float-portable-field-recorder/
Saw this write-up that it only records in mono--can anybody confirm?
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Stereo ⅛” Mic/Line In mini phone jack with Plug-in power (2.5V)
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But does it record in stereo?
Video I saw with BT only had one level bar.
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It’s a bit fuzzy on the stereo or mono part.
This is from the manual.
Recording formats:
WAV
44.1kHz/32-bit float, 48kHz/32-bit float Mono, BWF format supported
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Live chat/Q&A with Zoom reps happening right now:
https://youtu.be/lYlSFvyqKKY
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Records mono wav/bwf files, but the input will accept a stereo 1/8" plug. Does that mean it mixes down internally to mono if input stereo?
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Two concerns brought up by a quick glance of the owner's manual:
https://zoomcorp.com/media/documents/E_F2.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2GxejLMaSLvnu5AycwLh0zE56YikhzrLpSx_CtgLXZkvKSGarkxz6VMR8
Page 7: 2.5v PIP is constantly provided by the input jack. There isn't a way to turn it off, when using an external BB.
Page 12 WAV: 44.1/32 and 48/32. mono BWF supported. I'm hoping this means in addition to stereo files. It would be silly to have a stereo input, but only record to mono....
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B&H use the following wording:
The F2 boasts two high-quality recording resolutions to choose from—32-bit / 44.1 kHz or 32-bit / 48 kHz, both in mono uncompressed BWF (Broadcast Wave File) format. (my emphasis)
:-(
Well - crossing fingers for an F3
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From wharfratjoe, who reached out to Zoom's customer service department:
Zoom support clarified it is a mono file even if you use stereo mics. It will only record the left channel.
So...a stereo input that only records to mono. Lame. Super lame.
It's basically just a less expensive Tentacle TRACK-E, which also isn't built for our purposes. And obviously a deal breaker.
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TRS can be used for a balanced signal also.
No idea if that is why this accepts a "stereo" input??.
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boo. another tentacle track E basically
they’re always so close, yet so far away
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boo. another tentacle track E basically
they’re always so close, yet so far away
Ugh, so close.
My ideal would be something like this just with two stereo inputs.
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My ideal would be something like this just with two stereo inputs.
I'll settle for one stereo input...as long as the thing, you know, records two tracks.
I wonder if they have the "stereo" input on this just as a supply chain sort of thing. Like, they're already buying tons of the stereo input jacks and it's cheaper to just use those than to buy a bunch of mono input jacks :shrug:
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My ideal would be something like this just with two stereo inputs.
I'll settle for one stereo input...as long as the thing, you know, records two tracks.
I wonder if they have the "stereo" input on this just as a supply chain sort of thing. Like, they're already buying tons of the stereo input jacks and it's cheaper to just use those than to buy a bunch of mono input jacks :shrug:
The reason why these units have 3.5 mm TRS but are mono inputs is to receive lav mics that terminate in TRS plugs, such as those from Sennheiser.
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The other thing about this unit that would be a potential deal-breaker for TS members is the max input level of -5.5 dBu.
As has been discussed at length on the F6 thread, 32-bit float recording means you don't have to set levels and can shift levels up or down by huge amounts in post without problems, but you can still overload the input if your levels are hot enough. The +4 dBu max level on the F6 was already concerning to some people, and -5.5 dBu max on the F2 is going to be a problem much more often.
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Totally agree. Useless as you just move your concern about setting levels too hot in not-32 bit recorders to the concern for an input overload; with the difference that, in this latter case, you can do nothing.
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This recorder was designed for a specific purpose--mono sound pickup via an electret lavalier mike--and like many other items available in the pro sound realm, we aren't the target market, and it's not suitable for our purposes. We're a MUCH smaller market than film/video sound (think business applications, not just Hollywood and film schools) or interview recording for broadcast production. At least in that latter category some podcasters can benefit.
In general we shouldn't get their hopes up at every little thing that those other people are getting. If you know the Tascam DR-10 L, this is an arguably better version of that--with the convenience of auto gain-ranging (IF your microphone's sensitivity and the given SPLs are within bounds), longer battery life, and (I'll have to check, but I think) possibly closer tolerances for its internal clock speed. No idea about the actual dynamic range or other qualities of the mike preamp; people REALLY need to get over the idea that a wide-range recording channel (e.g. 32-bit float, or 24-bit linear PCM for that matter) buys you ANYTHING beyond than the dynamic range of the analog electronics that feed into it. Remember chains and weakest links, please.
If you're looking for a stereo recorder in this format, among major manufacturers I think the Lectrosonics is probably about it. There may be far eastern knockoffs sooner or later, of course; good luck with those.
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If you're looking for a stereo recorder in this format, among major manufacturers I think the Lectrosonics is probably about it. There may be far eastern knockoffs sooner or later, of course; good luck with those.
and the deity bp-trx which should be out any month now
larger than this unit (but so is the lectro spdr)