I have a question about the Zoom F3's "Exceeding maximum input" warning. I understand this is displayed when the signal exceeds +4 dBu (MIC) or +24 dBu (LINE). Is the maximum input level designed to coincide with the waveform display looking clipped - say, if it doesn't fit the display at x1 magnification, as if it were exceeding 0 dBFS? This would make sense to me, but then toggling between MIC and LINE would change the representation of the same input level, correct? Does this actually happen? Does the wave look smaller when you've switched to LINE?
And if the waveform representation does not change when you toggle modes, then what does the wave on the display need to look like for the input to clip the analogue stage of the device?
Using my CA-11s, I was unable to exceed +4 dBU with my home speakers. Using a pair of clippys, I was able to exceed it by having the speakers at full volume about 20cm away from the mics. But I didn't pay attention to the waveform when this happened, and I won't be able to run more tests any time soon because of the neighbours.