Become a Site Supporter and Never see Ads again!

Author Topic: Zoom F3  (Read 67966 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline gaijin

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 48
Zoom F3
« on: January 19, 2022, 08:05:48 PM »
https://www.newsshooter.com/2022/01/19/zoom-f3/

Curious about the groups thoughts on this one.  I have not been a huge fan of the preamps on the Zooms historically.  Don't love the lack of a mini jack line in either. Curious if anyone has an opinion on this vs a MixPre3ii, the new Tascam Portacapture, or any similar devices.

Portable Recorder
Form Factor   Handheld Recorder
Primary Use Applications   Audio-for-Video
Number of Tracks   2
Number of Input Channels   2
Max Sample Rate/Resolution   192 kHz / 32-Bit
Microphone   None
Number of Mic Preamps   2
Built-In Speaker   No
Memory Card Support   microSDHC (4 GB to 32 GB)
microSDXC (64 GB to 1 TB)
Internal Storage   None
Special Features   Remote Control Capable (Remote Available Separately)

Recording
Audio File Formats   BWF, iXML
Sample Rates   44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 / 192 kHz
Bit Depth   32-Bit
Signal Processing & FX   None
Timecode Support   Yes
Included Software   None

Connectivity
Analog I/O   2 x XLR 3-Pin Female Balanced Line/Mic Input (Lockable)
1 x 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS Female Unbalanced Line Output
1 x 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS Female Unbalanced Headphone Output
Digital I/O   None
Phantom Power   +24 / 48 V, Selectable On/Off
Phantom Power Current   10 mA per Channel
Host Connection   1 x USB Type-C (USB 2.0)
Audio Interface Capability   Stereo Only

Performance
Max Input Level   Mic Inputs:
+4 dBu
Line Inputs:
+24 dBu
Max Output Level   Line Outputs:
+1 dBu
Headphone Output Power   50 mW per Channel into 32 Ohms
Impedance   Mic/Line Inputs:
≥3 Kilohms
Line Outputs:
200 Ohms
Headphone Outputs:
200 Ohms
EIN   ≤-127 dBu

Power
Power Options   Battery, USB Bus Power, or AC/DC Power Adapter
Battery Type   2 x AA (Included)
Approximate Battery Life   48 kHz/32-Bit:
8 Hours (AA Alkaline, 2 Channels, Recording)
8.5 Hours (AA NiMH, 2 Channels, Recording)
18 Hours (AA Lithium, 2 Channels, Recording)
AC/DC Power Adapter   5 VDC at 1 A (Not Included)

Physical
Included Accessories   Batteries
Mounting Options   None
Dimensions   3 x 1.9 x 3" / 75 x 47.8 x 77.3 mm
Weight   8.5 oz / 242 g (with Batteries)

Available End of Feb 2022
MSRP $349.99

« Last Edit: February 17, 2022, 01:43:29 PM by gaijin »

mcfoster

  • Guest
  • Trade Count: (0)
Re: Zoom F3
« Reply #1 on: January 19, 2022, 09:28:14 PM »
That thing looks pretty sweet. I would be afraid of losing it though. If it sounds really good and is affordable, I would up fr trying it. I wonder if it can do 8 hours with internal batteries on P48?

Offline kindms

  • Trade Count: (6)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 5950
    • The Breakfast
Re: Zoom F3
« Reply #2 on: January 20, 2022, 09:35:08 AM »
does usb audio. would be a nice small recorder to pair with my sonosax m2d2 vs phone
AKG c426, AKG414 XLS/ST, AKG ck61, ck22, >nBob colettes >PFA > V3, SD MixPre >  TCM-Mod Tascam HDP2, Sony M10
Little Bear tube Pre >Outlaw Audio 2200 Monoblocks > VR-2's

Offline fireonshakedwnstreet

  • Trade Count: (8)
  • Taperssection Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 835
  • Gender: Male
  • David
Re: Zoom F3
« Reply #3 on: January 20, 2022, 09:43:05 AM »
This looks really nice.
Mics: AT 3031; AT 853Rx (c, o); Samson C02; Studio Projects C4 (c, o, h); Nak 300/Tascam PE-125/JVC M510 (cp-1, cp-2, cp-3, JVC M510 superdirectional caps)
Recorders: Tascam DR-680 MkII; Tascam DR-70D
Pres: Edirol UA-5 (Oade PMod & WMod); Marantz PMD661 (OCM); Marantz PMD620 (Oade WMod); Naiant MidBox; Shure FP11 (x2)
https://archive.org/details/@fireonshakedwnstreet

Offline rocksuitcase

  • Trade Count: (4)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 8282
  • Gender: Male
    • RockSuitcase: stage photography
Re: Zoom F3
« Reply #4 on: January 20, 2022, 01:51:16 PM »
So tiny. I was discussing with kindms that the apparent market for this is amateur video and field reporter types who work with small crews. Although it fits on a boom pole, it is certainly not a device for large scale movie/film production as the timecode isn't universal.
music IS love

When you get confused, listen to the music play!

Mics:         AKG460|CK61|CK1|CK3|CK8|Beyer M 201E|DPA 4060 SK
Recorders:Marantz PMD661 OADE Concert mod; Tascam DR680 MKI x2; Sony PCM-M10

Offline WiFiJeff

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Taperssection Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 980
  • Gender: Male
  • I tape therefore I am.
Re: Zoom F3
« Reply #5 on: January 20, 2022, 01:59:32 PM »
Japanese site is charging ~$310 for it, though it might be different here:

https://www.kizaiya.jp/shopdetail/000000001693/

Other than 32 bit, not sure why you would run it with an M2D2 since the A/D on that has to be better than the Zoom's, even an iPod Touch makes a better bitbox.  But 32 bits helps if you're trying to record crickets near a nuclear explosion, I guess.

Jeff

Offline WiFiJeff

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Taperssection Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 980
  • Gender: Male
  • I tape therefore I am.
Re: Zoom F3
« Reply #6 on: January 20, 2022, 02:07:09 PM »
B&H now has it listed for end of February, no price yet.

Offline rocksuitcase

  • Trade Count: (4)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 8282
  • Gender: Male
    • RockSuitcase: stage photography
Re: Zoom F3
« Reply #7 on: January 20, 2022, 02:23:40 PM »

Other than 32 bit, not sure why you would run it with an M2D2 since the A/D on that has to be better than the Zoom's, even an iPod Touch makes a better bitbox.  But 32 bits helps if you're trying to record crickets near a nuclear explosion, I guess.

Jeff
We were thinking using USB in does not use the AD on the f3. Probably incorrect, but maybe a menu setting?
Currently, kindms is using an old, no telephone line iPhone7S. Seemed to work GREAT the first time we used it.
music IS love

When you get confused, listen to the music play!

Mics:         AKG460|CK61|CK1|CK3|CK8|Beyer M 201E|DPA 4060 SK
Recorders:Marantz PMD661 OADE Concert mod; Tascam DR680 MKI x2; Sony PCM-M10

Offline Nico11104

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Taperssection Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 178
  • Gender: Male
    • My records on the Live Music Archive
Re: Zoom F3
« Reply #8 on: January 20, 2022, 03:04:52 PM »
I don't think it's as small as it seems.  Physical dimensions listed as 3" x 3" x 2".  By comparison, the F6 is 4" x 4.7" x 2.5".  So with an inch less of width and 1.7" less of length, you get four fewer preamps.  I know that when stealthing every inch counts but I don't think this is tiny.  It won't slip into your pocket, although it will mount on your belt

Offline kindms

  • Trade Count: (6)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 5950
    • The Breakfast
Re: Zoom F3
« Reply #9 on: January 20, 2022, 04:13:35 PM »
Japanese site is charging ~$310 for it, though it might be different here:

https://www.kizaiya.jp/shopdetail/000000001693/

Other than 32 bit, not sure why you would run it with an M2D2 since the A/D on that has to be better than the Zoom's, even an iPod Touch makes a better bitbox.  But 32 bits helps if you're trying to record crickets near a nuclear explosion, I guess.

Jeff

To use as a dedicated USB audio recorder. Phone works fine but I like the idea of a dedicated recorder. so A/D in the m2d2 and just sending 1s and 0s to the zoom over USB.
AKG c426, AKG414 XLS/ST, AKG ck61, ck22, >nBob colettes >PFA > V3, SD MixPre >  TCM-Mod Tascam HDP2, Sony M10
Little Bear tube Pre >Outlaw Audio 2200 Monoblocks > VR-2's

Offline illconditioned

  • Trade Count: (9)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 2995
Re: Zoom F3
« Reply #10 on: January 20, 2022, 09:20:54 PM »
Got a love hate relationship with Zoom gear.
Love the small size and also the locking connectors on the F1 (stereo) and F2 (float) rigs.However, I've had the USB fail on a Zoom F1 and an H3-VR already.

Please DO NOT mail me with tech questions.  I will try to answer in the forums when I get a chance.  Thanks.

Sample recordings at: http://www.soundmann.com.

Offline heathen

  • Trade Count: (23)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 3528
Re: Zoom F3
« Reply #11 on: January 21, 2022, 04:10:37 PM »
I have not been a huge fan of the preamps on the Zooms historically. 

https://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=186654.0
Mics: AT4050ST | AT4031 | AT853 (C/SC) | Line Audio CM3 | Sennheiser e614 | Sennheiser MKE2 | DPA 4061 Pre: CA9200 Decks: Zoom F8 | Roland R-05

Offline voltronic

  • Trade Count: (40)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 4104
Re: Zoom F3
« Reply #12 on: January 22, 2022, 08:08:40 AM »

Other than 32 bit, not sure why you would run it with an M2D2 since the A/D on that has to be better than the Zoom's, even an iPod Touch makes a better bitbox.  But 32 bits helps if you're trying to record crickets near a nuclear explosion, I guess.

Jeff

Comparing specs, the F3 and F6 look like they use same preamp circuit, but obviously different ADC.

I can believe that Sonosax has better A/D than Zoom, but I don't know how the iPod Touch would be a better bitbox than a dedicated audio recorder. Or are you just saying that in the context of using the M2D2 in front of it?

Regarding your "crickets" comment: Don't you own an F6? Mine has made what I do so much easier, specifically because of the auto-ranging dual DACs and 32 FP setup. When you're often recording your own performances, and/or don't have a rehearsal to set levels, you can just hit record and go without concern for limiters, safety tracks, etc. I feel like that this has been discussed to death on various threads, with most of the criticism coming from people who are making assumptions about these units without any firsthand experience.
« Last Edit: January 22, 2022, 08:10:20 AM by voltronic »
I am hitting my head against the walls, but the walls are giving way.
- Gustav Mahler

Acoustic Recording Techniques
Team Classical
Team Line Audio
Team DPA

Offline voltronic

  • Trade Count: (40)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 4104
Re: Zoom F3
« Reply #13 on: January 22, 2022, 08:26:27 AM »
I have not been a huge fan of the preamps on the Zooms historically. 

https://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=186654.0

The Zoom H series preamps are quite noisy, and deserving of criticism. F6 and F8 in a different league, and are now on par with Sound Devices and other pro units in all areas except max input level. I haven't heard the F1 / F2 so I can't speak to those. As I said earlier, the F3 looks like it might use the same preamps as the F6.

If you need some proof: WiFiJeff posted some excellent solo piano recordings a while back made with an F6 (which I can't locate; maybe he will be willing to repost).

Here are some choir recordings of mine, all with an F6.

I also did some measurements of my F6 before/after upgrading firmware. There was a low-frequency noise issue in the F6 that you will see has been corrected by the latest firmware (even though the issue was totally inaudible).
I am hitting my head against the walls, but the walls are giving way.
- Gustav Mahler

Acoustic Recording Techniques
Team Classical
Team Line Audio
Team DPA

Offline voltronic

  • Trade Count: (40)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 4104
Re: Zoom F3
« Reply #14 on: January 22, 2022, 08:43:13 AM »
One concerning thing I just caught in the specs:

Quote
Phantom Power
Channel total 10 mA or less

Typically you see a spec of of 10 mA max for each channel. Something to be aware of when selecting mics. Most good mics don't have very high current consumption anymore, but you couldn't use a pair of AKG C414 or Gefell M221, for example.
I am hitting my head against the walls, but the walls are giving way.
- Gustav Mahler

Acoustic Recording Techniques
Team Classical
Team Line Audio
Team DPA

 

RSS | Mobile
Page created in 0.11 seconds with 43 queries.
© 2002-2024 Taperssection.com
Powered by SMF