Zoom F8 - Part 2

[wigglepuppy]

Zoom, if you are reading this, why not use any other button except the 'stop' 3 combo to access the link/unlink gain function? Someone mentioned the select encoder. That would work for me. I know it can be accessed in the menu but it would be nice to have a safer shortcut. As far as the gain/mix knobs go, how many people would prefer those knobs to be the same as select encoder? I think it would be way easier to have a round knob with 360 degrees of points for your fingers to contact as opposed to just two. Other than that, happy so far.
Ted

[justme]

I have no real use for the F8, the DR-680/680mkII would be more then enough and the 70D would probably be perfect.
But the F8 looks as sexy as it can and is packed with performance at a very attractive price.

[Ukiah Bass]

Just completed my first project with the Zoom F8.  Works great!!

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[ArchivalAudio]

Just completed my first project with the Zoom F8.  Works great!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuwLlkqJzco&feature=youtu.be

WOW Telefunken tubes xy to mic a bass cabinet, now that's unusual! very nice job.

[404 Not Found]

Telefunkens sound sweet!....is that an F8 I see recording in the background j/k  of course it is?  Nice recording and video.

[Ukiah Bass]

Just completed my first project with the Zoom F8.  Works great!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuwLlkqJzco&feature=youtu.be

WOW Telefunken tubes xy to mic a bass cabinet, now that's unusual! very nice job.

Yeah, the M60s are now my "best" mics but I've tried a bunch and despite expectations, was very pleased the M60 stereo pair on my bass cab did the best job.  I tried using just one M60 and it sounded a bit thin. But the stereo pair was superb, perhaps because I am using a 2-way cab with a super fine crossover.  Whatever.  Goes to show one should not be judgmental and be willing to experiment with mics and positioning.

FWIW, the other mics I've tried include a Sennheiser MD421, an ElectroVoice RE-20, Shure SM57, and one of the original AKG Perception 400s (large diaphragm condenser).  Of these, I prefer the Perception 400 in cardioid mode; the MD421 is a close second to that.  The X/Y pair of M60s beats everything hands down.

[ArchivalAudio]

I am a sucker...
I ordered one on Saturday from Amazon it arrived on Sunday! I waited until Saturday since I was going to be out of town, until Monday. I have prime and had a bunch of points because of my Amazon bank card so I too the leap!
I was hoping it would arrive today Monday as I just returned home but I received a notification that it was delivered yesterday. One day shipping for free was pretty sweet. The box was at our door when we arrived home! It's clod so i am waiting until it reached room temp until I check it out.

[stevetoney]

I am a sucker...
I ordered one on Saturday from Amazon it arrived on Sunday! I waited until Saturday since I was going to be out of town, until Monday. I have prime and had a bunch of points because of my Amazon bank card so I too the leap!
I was hoping it would arrive today Monday as I just returned home but I received a notification that it was delivered yesterday. One day shipping for free was pretty sweet. The box was at our door when we arrived home! It's clod so i am waiting until it reached room temp until I check it out.

Nice.  You'll love it. 

Don't forget to install the latest firmware and you'll have channel ganging capability. 

If I might make a suggestion, you also might want to consider getting a pair (or two or three pairs) of these...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Audio2000s-E23103-3-Ft-1-4-TS-Right-Angle-to-XLR-Female-Microphone-Cable-/221395387092?hash=item338c3182d4:g:kFUAAMXQyY1TSGpi

The key feature of these cables, of course, is they're right angle TRS.  If you record really loud shows, you'll find the extra headroom using Line In to be needed.  At first I didn't like that I had to buy new cables in order to use the Line In function of the Zoom F8, but now that I have right angle TRS connectors going into the recorder, I actually love them because they rotate freely in the recorder so I can adjust the exit angle to any angle I need.

Anyway, these Audio2000 cables are inexpensive, well made, and come in lengths of I think 1, 3, 6, 12, and 25 feet.  Pay attention to whether you need male or female XLR on the one end.  Just search ebay for other listings for the various combo's of lengths and/or connectors.

[noahbickart]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Those are TS not TRS, don't you want to keep your signals balanced?

[carlbeck]

I noticed they weren't TRS as well but still ordered a pair to have in the bag, curious to hear everyone's thoughts on them.

[ArchivalAudio]

I am a sucker...
I ordered one on Saturday from Amazon it arrived on Sunday! I waited until Saturday since I was going to be out of town, until Monday. I have prime and had a bunch of points because of my Amazon bank card so I too the leap!
I was hoping it would arrive today Monday as I just returned home but I received a notification that it was delivered yesterday. One day shipping for free was pretty sweet. The box was at our door when we arrived home! It's clod so i am waiting until it reached room temp until I check it out.

Nice.  You'll love it. 

Don't forget to install the latest firmware and you'll have channel ganging capability. 

If I might make a suggestion, you also might want to consider getting a pair (or two or three pairs) of these...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Audio2000s-E23103-3-Ft-1-4-TS-Right-Angle-to-XLR-Female-Microphone-Cable-/221395387092?hash=item338c3182d4:g:kFUAAMXQyY1TSGpi

The key feature of these cables, of course, is they're right angle TRS.  If you record really loud shows, you'll find the extra headroom using Line In to be needed.  At first I didn't like that I had to buy new cables in order to use the Line In function of the Zoom F8, but now that I have right angle TRS connectors going into the recorder, I actually love them because they rotate freely in the recorder so I can adjust the exit angle to any angle I need.

Anyway, these Audio2000 cables are inexpensive, well made, and come in lengths of I think 1, 3, 6, 12, and 25 feet.  Pay attention to whether you need male or female XLR on the one end.  Just search ebay for other listings for the various combo's of lengths and/or connectors.

Thanks! I downloaded the firmware, need to install it.
Now only if they had an android app . perhaps I can get a refurbed iPad mini for the sole purpose of remote control... I am an all Mac man except have an android Republic Wireless phone. no ipads (except my wife's and I dont see her wanting me to take it to shows. Oh and I do have ubuntu linux dell laptop for travel... but don't do windoz except at work...

The photo of those cables in the link are only TS not TRS  which I know will work fine and the Right Angle is cool, but not "balanced".  I've got some of these while not right angle they are nice and can be ordered in many colors http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XK9I3XY?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00 & http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XK9JDGK?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00 which help out for ins and outs from boards or used to be helpful on the DR-680 ch 5&6 to run balanced and Phantom  via TRS.
Q? does the F8 pass the Phantom on the TRS I see it's noted as -20db line in which would me think not.
I've also got some of their starquad cables also well built and inexpensive with "Neutrik" style gold xlr ends in various lengths and colors, easy to track cable runs and also identifiable.: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WZQGGXW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

--Ian

[stevetoney]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Those are TS not TRS, don't you want to keep your signals balanced?

Sorry about that.  Yes, I bought foot long TS cables to run between my preamp and my F8.

[stevetoney]

Thanks! I downloaded the firmware, need to install it.
Now only if they had an android app . perhaps I can get a refurbed iPad mini for the sol purpose of remote control... I am an all Mac man except have an android Republic Wireless phone. no ipads (except my wife's and I dont see her wanting me to take it to shows. Oh and I do have ubuntu linux dell laptop for travel... but don't do windoz except at work...

The photo of those cables in the link are only TS not TRS  which I know will work fine and the Right Angle is cool, but not "balanced".  I've got some of these while not right angle they are nice and can be ordered in many colors http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XK9I3XY?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00 & http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XK9JDGK?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00 which help out for ins and outs from boards or used to be helpful on the DR-680 ch 5&6 to run balanced and Phantom  via TRS.
Q? does the F8 pass the Phantom on the TRS I see it's noted as -20db line in which would me think not.
I've also got some of their starquad cables also well built and inexpensive with "Neutrik" style gold xlr ends in various lengths and colors, easy to track cable runs and also identifiable.: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WZQGGXW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

From a quick review of the manual, it looks to me like phantom is not available from the Line In connection.  Page 137 provides specifications and phantom is defined under the XLR inputs only.  Also, FWIW on Page 7 it doesn't say anything about mics being connected directly via line in...it shows keyboards and mixer.

As far as the app goes, I currently have an iphone but I want to go back to a droid in the worst way.  I'm strongly considering buying a used later generation ipod touch and just dedicating that to my gear bag as a sorta remote for my recorder.  Unless I'm mistaken, the later gen ipod touches have bluetooth, whereas the early gens don't.  That's probably a much cheaper option than a used ipad as well.  Now that I've gotten used to using the smaller screen on the iphone, I like the size and convenience of having it in my pocket at the show.  I think an ipad or even one of the smaller tablets might get overbearing to deal with at a show.  Alot probably depends on whether you're out in the audience like I usually am or back out of the crowd at the board and have someplace to stash your ipad when it's not in use. 

[noahbickart]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Those are TS not TRS, don't you want to keep your signals balanced?

Sorry about that.  Yes, I bought foot long TS cables to run between my preamp and my F8.

This seems like a big mistake to me. Why own balanced equipment only to forgo all the benefits by buying the wrong cable?

[jbell]

Here you go!!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Audio2000s-C20003P2-3-Ft-1-4-TRS-Right-Angle-to-XLR-Female-Cable-2-Pack-/221332078911?hash=item33886b813f:g:5uMAAOxy3NBSolXy


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Audio2000s-E20101P2-1Ft-1-4-TRS-Right-Angle-to-XLR-3-pin-Female-Cable-2-Pack-/221820135421?hash=item33a582a7fd:g:5t0AAOSwyQtVnDiE

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Audio2000s-C14001P2-1Ft-1-4-TRS-Right-Angle-to-XLR-Male-Balanced-Cable-2Pack-/321278537369?hash=item4acdb16e99:g:V7AAAOxy4dNSsjtJ