ZOOM F3 32-bit float audio recorder review

Hey Curtis! Great review and thanks. Just ordered one of these for voice recording based on the really low noise floor for fixed booth recording as well as a “doubling” for use as a 32 bit interface. The ability to color the voice and inflection from a whisper to a yell while reading and NOT need to use a Mac with the NT1 5th Gen in USB mode, or even a dynamic mic is appealing. Appreciate your work!

3.1k likes and 0 dislikes Wow. Good job

Amazingly detailed and clear video. Thank you. I have a question please: For recording solo acoustic guitar with one condenser and one ribbon, will the Mixpre 3 give better result than the Zoom F3 in terms of sound quality?

Do I have to tell the recorder that the input signal is line or mic level? or do I just hit record regardless?

Genuinely one of the best reviews for anything I've ever seen. Super insightful and in-depth. Thank you sir

Hey Curtis,

Would running a Diety TC1 or Rode Wireless Pro Receiver into one of the XLR ports be another workaround to get Timecode into the F3? Trying to get switched over to using 32 bit float and timecode for my one man docu-style shoots, but the F6 would blow the budget I'm working with. Currently using 2 original Rode Wireless Go units, a NTG3 and Zoom H6 and 2 Sony mirrorless cameras.

Thank you for your detailed videos and thank you in advance if you respond. 🙌

Zoom F Models have RF Protection
No RF Protection on M Models

Can we say?

I know that's not exactly the subject, but I need to connect a TRS line out (from the F3) to a TRRS mic in (smartphone, PC), to monitor the sound with an app...
If I'm using a TRS to TRRS cable, and send a mono signal/mix from line out (ie set file type to mono in the F3), the microphone of the PC/phone should get a good signal?
I'm asking because I need to buy the cable! (TRS to USB cable is another possibility about the same price despite the additional chip, but I'm not sure the app can read the USB sound, it's developed for the internal mic)...

Thanks so much for that in depth review. One Question: Is it possible to solo (or mute) one of the two channel, while recording? I would like to use it, for a MS Set-up. Therefore i need, to be able to check, the different Microphones singled out. Thanks, and greetings from Germany

Could this record if let's say people are on stage talking on microphones ? Like plug this into the interface or something

how would you use this zoom f3 device to synch audio in camera with a canon c70?

3030 upvotes and not a single downvote really speaks for the quality of your videos :) finally pulled the trigger on the F3 today, one year after watching your video on release. Just had to hear your opinion again before buying. Keep up the great work!

Is the preamps as good as the f6? Will it be the same quality of audio recording?

Can this be used in Audio Interface mode like the Zoom H5?

Fantastic review. Thank you for sharing!

Is it possible to connect a Rode VXLR+ to a Zoom F3, followed by a lavalier mic such as the Rode Lavalier II? Would this configuration result in good sound quality? Which lavalier mic do you recommend I buy under $300?

Does the zoom F3 have 48volt phantom power please Curtis?

Is it possible to record single track mono files on the F3?

Thank you

Hi Curtis, after much research I've settled on ordering an F3 as my main recorder for use with my camera. However I'm still not clear on one aspect of it. Must I necessarily hit record on the F3 when I'm recording on the camera or will the F3 simply passthrough the signal on its line out? Thanks!

Hi Curtis! Thanks as always for the great videos! Maybe you answered this before but do you know if the pre-amps on the F3 and F6 are the same? I use the F6 and love it and need to get something smaller for a colleague but would like the same pre-amp performance (for our hissy SM7Bs). Thanks, Tom

Hey! which software were you using to edit the sound?

I am going to stick with my h4n zoom pro I'm done upgrading and having more toys for me it's like when is enough enough I've got enough

It sure seems like a super nice unit

Main reason I went for the zoom f3 over the tascam x6 or x8 was because the zoom supposedly has lower pre amp noise levels. I do mostly ambient and quiet as well as some foley recording. I am interested in seeing how much of a difference in self noise there really is bewteen the zoom and tascam. Would you pick the f3 over the tascam for doing ambient recordings like birds, crickets etc.? If the tascam had almost equally good noise levels I would go with that instead since it would be a lot more versatile overall. I plan on hooking up a matched pair of se s8 mics to the zoom f3 as I know the built in mics on the tascam wouldn't compare.

Mate you are so authentic. Thank you!

I cannot find any info on the pre-amp gain... does the 32bit float void the need for proper pre-amp gain?..... For instance: How well would the F3 function with the Shure SM7B?

Hey Curtis Awesome video do you think this recorder would be suitable for feature film work !!

I'm hoping to pick this up soon and create a more compact recording setup that I can travel with easily. This would be perfect with a shotgun mic on a boom pole. Recording a frog or dam with something like this would be perfect. My H6 works for that too but I need a fethead to give its preamps some help and the H6 doesn't have locking connectors which isn't ideal. The H6 has its advantages too though, different gear for different situations.

What is the best way to synch audio from the Zoom F3 with video camea footage in post production? 😎😎

So in order to synch audio with video when using the Zoom F3, does one slate with clapperboard and stick? 😎😎

I've been playing around with one of these. It's a tiny, powerful recorder/audio interface. It has taken my audio capture to another level. One thing I noticed and not sure if you ran into it as well, but when powering the F3 via USB C, using a wall adapter, you will get a loud buzzing sound in your capture, no matter what microphone/s you use. If powered from a battery bank or V-Mount battery, there is no problem. I used 2 types of wall adapters: Apple 20Watt charger, and Canon USB C wall adapter. Just something to keep in mind. This issue is not limited to just the F3. If I use a wall adapter to power any of my cameras (Sony/Canon), then you will inject this buzzing into all of your audio. 32 bit or not.

32 bit float!!, I have always wanted a recorder that floats! Perfect for recording whales!

What a revolutionary concept, almost like the automatic transmission in cars. At first automatic transmissions weren't embraced, but in the end almost everybody moved over.

Curtis,

I used the ZOOM F3 with the amplification set to 512 and a shure SM58 microphone to record some singing vocals.

Once recorded, I tried to modify/mix the vocals using the program “Studio One (Version 4).” When trying to bring the levels/gain down in Studio One, which looks very similar to how you do it this this video here, the audio waves are not able to be “recovered.” The waves are visibly cut off at the tops and bottom and very distorted even when normalized first then gain adjusted.

I haven’t tried rerecording the vocals using a lower amplification setting on the F3, but unless I am mistaken, I shouldn’t have to. I ought to be able to adjust this gain in a DAW to fix the clipped audio like how you show here.

Any thoughts? Thank you.

Got a new one today on Amazon for $232🎉
Thanks Curtis

That mono to stereo switch on the f3, is there anything like that on the mixpre devices?

Hey Chris, I have a Lom Elektrousi that I can’t seem to get any audio from. I’m using the 3.5mm and someone told me I need to assign them but I keep searching the menu and manuals to no avail. Any insight would be appreciated. Thank you for your time

Hey Curtis, thanks for the in depth review! I wanted to know if you had any experience using the F3 to capture an output from a mixer in a live setting (weddings and other similar events)? Is there a way to switch from mic to line for the inputs? I normally work with an H4n, which only has mic level inputs, so I use an attenuator to bring the hot signal down to something reasonable. Just curious if the increased dynamic range of 32-bit float would help with that or if an attenuator would still be necessary with the F3. I like not having to deal with gain controls and having the ability to recover things in post, because I often have to just set a general level, hit record, walk to the other end of the room back to my camera setup, and hope for the best with the audio. Maybe the F3 will make things a less stressful.

BTA-1 & Ultra Sync Blue Question: If one has the Zoom F3 set up with Ultra Sync Blue and simultaneously has a camera such as the Sony FX30 with Tentacle Sync E attached, is it feasible in post-editing workflow-to synch both the Zoom F3 audio recording with the Sony FX30 video visual recording? If so, have u had any experience with the Adobe product workflow vs the DaVinci Resolve product workflow in this regards? Suggestions and/or advice appreciated. 😎😎

Zoom F3, Timecode Question: I'm planning on attaching a Tentacle Sync E to a Sony FX30 for Timecode Sync purposes. However, I also want to have a separate audio track on an unattached Zoom F3 field recorder in sync with the camera. Is it possible to attach a Tentacle Sync E to the Zoom via 3.5 to XLR cable adapter and have the Tentacle Sync timecode signal on one of the audio tracks while having the other track attached to a mic such as a Deity s2s shotgun mic. I already have the Tentacle Sync E Recorder with lav mic which will also be recording the subject (audio back-up). Will this in fact work? Have you ever done this or do u know anyone who has? Suggestions and/or advice would be appreciated. 😎😎

Is it suitable to record a podcast for two interviews?

curtis help me please. If i put usb c to pc with zoom F3 with float options, then i cant find zoom f3 in windows 11. if I set up to linear then windows find it ...but float no. why

Just recently, I have seen this unit combined with a matched pair of capsule mics to create a high end stereo handheld recorder (foley etc) The mics just plug straight into the F3.

Thanks so much Curtis for such an informative review. How do you think the F3 would perform with a living stereo set-up with two small D rode Nt-5 mics in XY stereo recording a singer/acoustic guitarist in as one unit at chin level about 2 feet away..Would the 32bit float be effective with post input recovery of any clipping? Thanks Curtis!

Curtis, I actually bought the Zoom F3 based off your recommendation and I absolutely love it so thank you for doing this review. One question that I wanted to know is if there would be a difference in audio quality from what is being recording to the SD Card in the F3 to the audio quality that is being sent out via the line out to the camera?

The bluetooth adapter is likely so they don't have to go through FCC or other wireless testing, or it is due to patent reasons.