Preview: Zoom F8 Field Recorder
Zoom is taking on the likes of Sound Devices and Nagra with its grown-up field recorder, the F8.
7 June 2015
Zoom is taking on the likes of Sound Devices and Nagra with its grown-up field recorder, the F8. With 8-input/10-track recording, low-noise preamps (-127dBu EIN), and support for 24-bit/192k audio (with onboard limiters), the F8 is built to capture pristine audio anywhere.
The F8’s timecode clock uses a precision oscillator that generates timecode at 0.2ppm accuracy for rock-solid sync. Weighing in at under a kilo, the F8 is easy to lug but durable thanks to an aluminium chassis. Meanwhile, the display is a revelation – a bright 2.4-inch full-colour backlit LCD. The F8 records in BWF-compatible WAV format at 16- or 24-bit resolution, and at any standard sample rate up to 192k. When recording files in MP3 format, you can choose bit rates of 128, 192, or 320kbps. There’s plenty of redundancy to ensure you get your recording, including two card slots and three power sources. Files are saved periodically during recording and there’s a dual-channel recording mode, which allows you to create safety tracks on Inputs 1-4, each with independent level, limiting, delay, phase inversion, and high-pass filtering. Also for peace of mind there’s a pre-record function which allows you to capture up to six seconds of audio before you hit the Record button. There’s plenty of monitoring flexibility along with a beefy 100mW headphone amp. Zoom’s launching the F8 as the first field recorder to come with wireless Bluetooth control. The F8 Control App for iOS provides extensive wireless remote control. The F8’s onboard mixer enables signal routing from all inputs to all outputs, either pre- or post-fader, with user-adjustable level, pan, and input/output delay.
Price: Expect to pay ~$1600
Dynamic Music: (02) 9939 1299 or www.dynamicmusic.com.au
ZOOM F8 SPEC ROUNDUP
Recorder Specs
- 8-input/10-track recorder @ 24-bit/192k resolution
- 8 gain control knobs and six-digit LED level meter for each channel
- 2.4-inch full colour LCD with ‘monochrome mode’ for outdoor recording
- USB ready 8-in/4-out audio interface
Mic Preamps
- Maximum 75dB gain
- Less than -127dBu EIN
- +4dBu line input supported
Output Configuration
- Mini XLR (TA-3) balanced main outs
- Stereo minijack sub out (for DSLR camera)
- 1/4-inch Headphones Out (100mW for monitoring in noisy environments)
- Free routing from input to main and sub outputs
Battery & Back-up Options
- 3 x Battery/Power Options (‘AA’, AC Adaptor and Hirose for ext. packs)
- Dual SDXC card slot (recording and backup)
Other Functions
- Integrated mixer
- BWF and iXML metadata
- On-board slate mic
- 47.952k, 48.04k sampling rate for HD video
- Low-cut, limiter, phase invert and MS decoder
- Input and output delay
RESPONSES