Topic: Zoom F8

[404 Not Found]

^ The H6 allows linked stereo channels (which you've probably used), but not ganged channels.  Ganged would mean that you assign one gain pot to adjust 2 or more channels in unison, so your absolutely sure your channels are set exactly the same after adjusting levels.  I believe the Tascam DR-680 does this, as do several pro recorders.

Very good to hear about the different metering / display options though.  If you can show numerically that your channels are the same, then ganging becomes less important.

You are correct in re. to the H6 and ganging, as I was not thinking on my part that I ran my mics and line through a SD552 before the H6.

The display does show in great detail your levels when you roll the screen to all channels for recording.  meters are read from Left to Right Horizontal stacked 1 through 8.  Setting these levels was quick and easy with perhaps a bit of a small tweak here and there due to possible peak issues when a vocal would come into play.  Was a 1st time run and noting that, it was extremely easy and fast.  I am not even worrying about the ganging feature to be honest.  I rarely stereo link as it is, unless it was due to an MS setting.

Will try and take some pics and upload for a better view. 

[acidjack]

Has anyone tried the Bluetooth control on this thing?  Given that the Sonosax costs way more and apparently is vaporware, this thing is starting to look more like a possible option.

[jbell]

How many people have order one of these??  Looking forward to hearing more recordings.

[Scooter123]

My supplier got a shipment in Today, and they've playing with them since last week.  This is what I was told

--This is designed for the film industry, as a cheaper alternative to the SD788.  It has a in and outputs for an external time clock.
--Preamps are better than the H6.
--Tracks can be solo'ed and a custom mix sent to the headphones.
--Headphone Amp is terrible--very hissy and low gain. 

And the good news about this unit--this is really incredible--Zoom added a female jack in the back so you can use those incredible Zoom X-Y microphone heads from the H6 on tracks 1-2.  That sealed the deal for me. 

[pohaku]

I'd be interested in hearing what our early adopters think of the headphone amp.  It isn't really that big a deal as this is a weak point in many recorders, however I had the impression that the HP amp had decent gain.  I am less concerned with how it sounds than whether it has adequate gain.

[vegeta_ban]

Has anyone tried the Bluetooth control on this thing?  Given that the Sonosax costs way more and apparently is vaporware, this thing is starting to look more like a possible option.

I have tried it in a controlled environment, but not in the field. I like it so far, it gives lot of control without having to open up yiour gear bag/case.

[swaneon]

Here is the first impression by a video focused person.
Zoom F8 impressions LightForm Film

Audio files comparing the F8, dr-70d and Mix Pre D are included.

[Ozpeter]

Maybe the headphone amp is fussy about the connected headphones.  I can't believe they'd stuff up something as straightforward as a headphone amp having (apparently) got the rest of it right.

[stevetoney]

The challenge with using TRS cables in my eyes is that the input won't supply phantom power at the point requiring me to switch to XLR if I have a preamp problem. Which is why my original thought is that I'd need two pairs of cables just in case. Sure, not that big of a deal to have the extra cables in my bag BUT why not have switchable phantom like the DR-680 for those just in case situations. Again, major miss on Zoom's part IMO.

Contemplating the Line In vs. Mic In scenario's, I think I might buy and carry these instead of additional cables.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1023319-REG/kopul_a_xftrsm_adapter_xlr_f_to.html

[carlbeck]

Yep, that's what I might do as well if I go with the F8, it doesn't look like it will add much length since I already run stubbies.

[stevetoney]

I forgot to mention that B&H is now showing a custom bag for the F8 at $150.  The bag looks pretty slick and at $150, though it could be cheaper, as custom bags go that's a decent price.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1178107-REG/zoom_zpcf8_zoom_pcf_8_protective_case.html

[carlbeck]

Wow, that bag is awesome, I like it but please stop Steve. I've been avoiding placing my order & you're killing me

[stevetoney]

Wow, that bag is awesome, I like it but please stop Steve. I've been avoiding placing my order & you're killing me

OK, I already placed my order so you'd have to wait at least one extra place in line to get yours.  There, hope that helps.

[voltronic]

Maybe the headphone amp is fussy about the connected headphones.  I can't believe they'd stuff up something as straightforward as a headphone amp having (apparently) got the rest of it right.

Or, this could have been a place they identified where they could save some money.  Unfortunately if it does have a poor headphone stage, that alone may scare away the serious mobile sound professionals they are targeting, if comments on JWSound are any indication. 

We've been talking for a while here about how they are able to sell a recorder with these features and supposedly very good recording quality for this price.  Cheap foreign labor probably gets you a good deal of the way there, but there must be some other compromises made, or else I would imagine they wouldn't be making very much profit on this.

[2manyrocks]

I have no clue what their profit margin is, but its just a recorder.  Could it be more complicated than a video camera,  a DSLR, or a big screen TV?  At $1,000 is it 5x the recorder than the 70d?  Maybe the availability of time code at this price point is its primary appeal to some?  There don't seem to be many detailed reviews yet although there were a slew of teasers put up before it was even released for sale.