Topic: Zoom F3 vs. Tascam DR-100mkIII

[gihl]

Hello,
I'm going to use the Audio-Technica AT822 microphone for recording city sounds.
I was planning to use the Zoom F3 audio recorder, but it's not available here in South Korea yet.
Instead, they sell the Tascam DR-100mkIII recorder at a lower price than Zoom F3.

Is it better to wait for Zoom F3 instead of DR-100mkIII?
If I use DR-100mkIII, I would like to turn on the Dual Level Recording function as a backup for unexpected loud sounds.

I'd love to hear your opinion.
Thanks.

[mepaca]

Hi,
   I have both recorders and used to have an AT822. Both recorders do a great job. With the F3 there is little to no chance of overloading the recorder.
The only issue is that the AT822 has an unbalanced output with its cable terminating in an 1/8 inch stereo plug. The F3 does not have an 1/8 unbalanced input. The DR100 mkIII does and would be a better choice for this microphone. It also has balanced xlr inputs for other microphones.
If you have not purchased the AT822 yet then you might consider the AT825 which is essentially the same microphone but with balanced xlr outputs.
Another good option would be the Rode nt3 which has both balanced xlr outputs and unbalanced 1/8 inch. Good luck.

[DavidPuddy]

If I’m looking at the correct mic, you can get an XLR-3F cable to 2x XLR-3M and it will work with any recorder with XLR inputs.

I would recommend a 32 but recorder for the ease of use alone.

[gihl]

Thanks to you both. 
I bought a new, unused AT822 microphone on eBay a few months ago. $85.
And I have a DIY cable that I made along this cable.
-- https://soundprofessionals.com/product/SP-XLRF3-XLRM3-2/?product=SP-XLRF3-XLRM3-2

If I choose DR-100mkIII, I will use Adobe Audition to replace the clipped part with the one in the safety track(-12 dB lower).

[mnm207]

ghil, I'm traveling from NYC to Seoul in August. If you're in Seoul and the timeframe works for you I'd be happy to play courier with an F3.

[fotoralf.be]

Is the F3 available anywhere at all, currently?

Here in Germany it's out of stock with all dealers, just like the F6. Thomann and Musicstore list it as 'available in 5 to 6 weeks' and the numbers haven't changed in a good while.

[illconditioned]

Thanks to you both. 
I bought a new, unused AT822 microphone on eBay a few months ago. $85.
And I have a DIY cable that I made along this cable.
-- https://soundprofessionals.com/product/SP-XLRF3-XLRM3-2/?product=SP-XLRF3-XLRM3-2

If I choose DR-100mkIII, I will use Adobe Audition to replace the clipped part with the one in the safety track(-12 dB lower).

Those AT822 microphones are great.Excellent for close up recording of acoustic material.Also excellent as room mic for rock recording.
Point and shoot, and sounds great.

[gihl]

ghil, I'm traveling from NYC to Seoul in August. If you're in Seoul and the timeframe works for you I'd be happy to play courier with an F3.

Oh, Great!
But.. I don't live in Seoul.. 
Anyway, I wonder which area of Seoul you are going to visit.
Of course, are you planning to record the sound of Seoul as well? 

[gihl]

Is the F3 available anywhere at all, currently?

Here in South Korea, F3 has already been imported, but Korea Certification is in progress.

[gihl]

Those AT822 microphones are great.Excellent for close up recording of acoustic material.Also excellent as room mic for rock recording.
Point and shoot, and sounds great.

I've been using the Audio-Technica AT2022, Rode NT4, and Stereo VideoMic X mics in the past, but the NT4 was my favourite. 
Anyway, now I'm trying to record city sounds with the AT822. I hope I can record good sounds. 
Thanks.

[mnm207]

ghil, I'm traveling from NYC to Seoul in August. If you're in Seoul and the timeframe works for you I'd be happy to play courier with an F3.

Oh, Great!
But.. I don't live in Seoul.. 
Anyway, I wonder which area of Seoul you are going to visit.
Of course, are you planning to record the sound of Seoul as well? 

I would like to record some while there, but it'll be a challenge on this visit. My wife and I are bringing our 1 year old to spend time with halmoni and also bringing my parents along to boot. So quiet solitary stretches of time for recording will be few and far between, but I'll certainly have my recorder with me. My mother in law's apartment is right at the foot of the Gukhoe-daero, and we tend to spend a lot of time in and around Hongdae where my wife grew up (though we're neither young enough nor cool enough anymore). I've also got a regular route of photo book stores I hit on each visit that takes me all over. Since my parents have never been I'll be taking them to most of the tourist highlights. And we're hoping to manage a few days outside of Seoul, maybe to the east coast around Donghae.

Anyway, if you're still trying to get an F3 at the end of the summer the offer still stands even though you're not in Seoul. I'm sure we could figure something out.

[GLouie]

If the AT822 is new-old-stock and more than a few years old, you might check the windscreen foam inside the grille, which cradle the mic elements. I have seen several vintage AT825 with rotted foam; I kludged replacements by shaping some Windtech foam with scissors.

[gihl]

I decided to purchase Tascam DR-100mkIII.
Here in South Korea, it's $80~$90 cheaper than Zoom F3.

I hope you have a good time in South Korea. 
Thanks.

[gihl]

If the AT822 is new-old-stock and more than a few years old, you might check the windscreen foam inside the grille, which cradle the mic elements. I have seen several vintage AT825 with rotted foam; I kludged replacements by shaping some Windtech foam with scissors.

- https://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=65977.0
- https://ameblo.jp/aoikenjo/entry-12055908102.html

Thank you for the information.
I need to disassemble the microphone to check the internal condition, right?..

[GLouie]

Yes, those links show the problem. IIRC, just 4 small screws on the sides of the grille assembly, and remove the top half of the grille.