Zoom F6 is a pretty cool device. This is straight from the Website, but I will tell you I am not associated with Zoom but LOVE this device for this feature...
32-BIT FLOAT RECORDING -In the field, fluctuating dynamics can prove challenging. Loud sounds can cause clipping and quiet sounds can get lost in the noise. The F6 uses 32-bit float recording with dual A/D converters to capture both explosive and subtle sounds at full audio quality – without ever needing to adjust gain!
Please recommend a great audio recorder for the field...
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Here's where to talk about preamps, cables, microphones, monitors, etc.
Here's where to talk about preamps, cables, microphones, monitors, etc.
- monkey man
- Posts: 13935
- Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2005 10:01 pm
- Primary DAW OS: MacOS
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
Re: Please recommend a great audio recorder for the field...
I know there's very little of it in these things, but I heard years ago that the quality of the noise in the Zooms isn't as easy-on-the-ear as, say, the Tascams.
Someone cranked tracks of the two side-by-side and it was a no-brainer.
People care about such things but of course IMHO it's irrelevant in the real world.
Someone cranked tracks of the two side-by-side and it was a no-brainer.
People care about such things but of course IMHO it's irrelevant in the real world.
Mac 2012 12C Cheese Grater, OSX 10.13.6
MOTU DP8.07, MachFive 3.2.1, MIDI Express XT, 24I/O
Novation, Yamaha & Roland Synths, Guitar & Bass, Kemper Rack
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- mikehalloran
- Posts: 15242
- Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 5:08 pm
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- Location: Sillie Con Valley
Re: Please recommend a great audio recorder for the field...
Because of my handicap, I am very much into small, light and portable. 25 years ago, my “portable” rig barely fit onto a card table and I was happy that I got it down that small. That was then…
I bought a CENtrance MixerFace 3 in 2020 and got a pair of X/Y mics with it at a good introductory price.
https://centrance.com/mixerface/
It’s ok and sounds pretty good but the tiny little buttons and 4-level metering are less than satisfactory, especially being the one-armed guy. Nevertheless, I have a portable stand rig that has good acoustic isolation and it can take my iPhone 13 to record video if I want.
I’m looking at selling it and getting the Zoom F3 but wish that Zoom had plug-in mic modules for it like their lesser field recorders. Pre-pandemic, I did a lot of acoustic recording—choirs, chamber orchestras and the like. A good M+S mic would seal the deal for me and bring out my credit card. Unfortunately, this is not available. Yes, I can put a rig on top but it’s yet another thing that I must set up.
If I need multiple inputs, my M-Audio AIR gives me 6 into a laptop or iPad (or even my iPod Touch 7 if I wanted). I have a Zoom R24 for 8 Ins but that is rare. My old band is trying to muster the enthusiasm for a final album. If we do it, I’ll set up the R24 in one of the churches where I work and use that room. The mic pres aren’t great but I’ve got that covered. I could use mic pres with my 828mkII but the R24 records to SDHC cards—I don’t need to set up a laptop in addition.
I bought a CENtrance MixerFace 3 in 2020 and got a pair of X/Y mics with it at a good introductory price.
https://centrance.com/mixerface/
It’s ok and sounds pretty good but the tiny little buttons and 4-level metering are less than satisfactory, especially being the one-armed guy. Nevertheless, I have a portable stand rig that has good acoustic isolation and it can take my iPhone 13 to record video if I want.
I’m looking at selling it and getting the Zoom F3 but wish that Zoom had plug-in mic modules for it like their lesser field recorders. Pre-pandemic, I did a lot of acoustic recording—choirs, chamber orchestras and the like. A good M+S mic would seal the deal for me and bring out my credit card. Unfortunately, this is not available. Yes, I can put a rig on top but it’s yet another thing that I must set up.
If I need multiple inputs, my M-Audio AIR gives me 6 into a laptop or iPad (or even my iPod Touch 7 if I wanted). I have a Zoom R24 for 8 Ins but that is rare. My old band is trying to muster the enthusiasm for a final album. If we do it, I’ll set up the R24 in one of the churches where I work and use that room. The mic pres aren’t great but I’ve got that covered. I could use mic pres with my 828mkII but the R24 records to SDHC cards—I don’t need to set up a laptop in addition.
DP 11.31; 828mkII FW, micro lite, M4, MTP/AV USB Firmware 2.0.1
2023 Mac Studio M2 8TB, 192GB RAM, OS Sonoma 14.4.1, USB4 8TB external, M-Audio AIR 192|14, Mackie ProFxv3 6/10/12; 2012 MBPs Catalina, Mojave
IK-NI-Izotope-PSP-Garritan-Antares, LogicPro X, Finale 27.4, Dorico 5.2, Notion 6, Overture 5, TwistedWave, DSP-Q 5, SmartScore64 Pro, Toast 20 Pro
2023 Mac Studio M2 8TB, 192GB RAM, OS Sonoma 14.4.1, USB4 8TB external, M-Audio AIR 192|14, Mackie ProFxv3 6/10/12; 2012 MBPs Catalina, Mojave
IK-NI-Izotope-PSP-Garritan-Antares, LogicPro X, Finale 27.4, Dorico 5.2, Notion 6, Overture 5, TwistedWave, DSP-Q 5, SmartScore64 Pro, Toast 20 Pro