Sound Devices MixPre vs ZOOM F3 | 32-bit Float Recording

[@russtvmedia]

Bought the F3 when it first came out. I'm a one person team, so it really works well for me that I don't have to keep an eye on the levels. In the past I've used the H4, H6, and F1. Glad the F3 can keep up with the MixPre-3 II in sound quality.

[@writedirect]

Yeah, I’m really impressed with this little thing. Sure there can be more analysis done, but with good headphones and studio monitors, the dialogue sounds almost identical.

[@mijnheertenhave]

Bought the SD because of the analog limiters. It allways works, sounds great and the power options are endless. It just works! Wireless Lavalier sets with compressors to transmit 24 bit and recording on 32 bit float is a kind of overkill without a cause. The editor doesn’t eat 32bit float so conversion is needed. Once you arrange the levels of your SD you can dump your soundbag in a corner. It just works!

[@writedirect]

Yeah, analog limiters was one of the big reasons I bought the MixPre II back in 2020. And of course...it's Sound Devices. Haha. Last film I was 24-bit but also had a sound mixer most of the time. If I can't control gain I'm def in 32-bit float. And if someone doesn't have a lot of money, I'd have them throw more at the shotgun mic and go with the ZOOM F3.

[@kane01337]

Fantastic video & great comparison - keep up the great comparison videos + audio stuff! Not enough people covering quality audio in video realm on youtube! Subbed

[@writedirect]

Hey thanks! I wanna compare a couple shotgun mics for dialogue. Will get to that eventually. Much appreciated.

[@musar03580]

Thank you for this comparison. I own the MixPre-3 II.

[@writedirect]

The MixPre II is solid and I love it. Have used mine quite a bit--I'd only evaluate again if buying new. Because the ZOOM F3 holds up IMO. So I can have one and a backup and still come out ahead.

[@mijnheertenhave]

My backup is a SD Mixpre-D (AES- out) mixer with a Tascam DR100 mark iii (AES-in) . Both work for hours on 2AA penlights each. Same analog limiters and preamps as the Mixpre3-II. 24-bits 48kHz AD-conversion. It is allways my old setup which forms my new backup

[@Dracomies]

I tested them and I just like the F3 because of its compact size. The Mix Pre does have warmer preamps but the F3 preamps are still very good and more than fine for everything needed for a job. But yeah the F3's compact size and price (relative to the Mix Pre) won me over.

[@writedirect]

Yeah, it’s interesting. If there was more of a distinct difference, the MixPre would be a slam dunk. I’m guessing the MixPre will be more durable. But then again, I can buy two F3‘s and still spend less money.

[@MatthewLevett-hc8dw]

Great comparison! Thanks! I’m a one man band & have a mix pre 3 (original bought it for voice overs). When shooting scene with dialogue I use some rode lapels but obviously want to cover it with some shot gun mics. Mostly I’m just maning the camera so I gotta put the mix pre somewhere discreet so it can pick up the dialogue. Since I don’t have a zoom that points in both directions (that would cover the two people in the scene) - what would your solution be? Just hook up 2 shotguns into the mix pre? Any mix recommendations?

[@writedirect]

Two shotguns. Don’t mix. Imperative to record each dialogue mic to separate tracks. If you watch my other class in the MixPre Advanced Mode you’ll see how. Basic mode combines them all.

[@birbs4life174]

Have and love both of them. In terms of sound quality, for my purpose (recording birds) there is no audible difference. The price, compact size, and ease-of-use with the F3 are truly amazing for the sound quality it offers. However, I do enjoy the MixPre’s ergonomics a bit more in the field, as well as the metering. At the end of the day, I think if you only need a few inputs and want great sound quality, you can’t look past the F3. It is about three times cheaper than the MixPre and offers sound that is at the same level.

[@writedirect]

Yes, spot on! I love Sound Devices. But it is such a large price gap.

[@asili2tv767]

i bought a Zoom F3 to try and do field recording (birds and other environment sound recordings) my novice tests tends to put the Zoom 3 at a better noice floor than the Mixpre II, i don't know if my brain is playing tricks on me, but i find it better than all the other recorders i have on noice floor, MixpreII(32), , Tentacle Sync E(32) , edirol R-44, Zoom F4, Tascam 10L, Zoom H1, my take, im not a sound expert

[@writedirect]

Interesting. Great info, thank you! I'm really impressed with this thing. I've primarily used Sound Devices...but after getting my hands on the ZOOM F3 it's hard to justify the extra expense for what I'm doing specifically.

[@asili2tv767]

@@writedirect only slight downside is missing the 3,5 trs, but i found a Rode VXLR Pro 3.5mm TRS adapter which does not introduce noise at all, the other normal adapters introduce noise, but Rode VXLR Pro does the magic with that wonder thing

[@writedirect]

@@asili2tv767 yeah, again back to features: the MixPre wins. But for single mic XLR based recording? The zoom F3 is awesome for this price.

[@mijnheertenhave]

The selfnoise of the microphones you use is the main cause of the noise. The whole setup has to be on the same level. Use what you got and produce some film. Do what you like most. It is the man on the wheel and not the machine.

[@asili2tv767]

@@mijnheertenhave what are you talking about, did you read what i wrote? the mics are tested in all those recorders and i have good mics dpa 6060 and 4061, mhk416 and AT4053

[@nicolasfieldsoundservices]

32 bit float is a great solution for cabled microphones with a high SPL rating. Mic capsules can distort at high SPLs regardless of your bit rate. Additionally, wireless microphones require proper gain staging at the transmitter and do not transmit at 32 bits, so folks using wireless mics in their 32 bit recording device still need to be very careful with clipping the transmitter. Sincerely, a pro sound mixer :)

[@writedirect]

Thanks man! So I primarily use a Senn MKH 416. Love the microphone. But I do notice at louder levels even if the field recorder doesn’t peak, I get bad audio that I have to do damage control with an EQ in post. Have you seen this with mic? What’s your preferred dialogue mic?

[@nicolasfieldsoundservices]

@@writedirect 416 has a relatively high SPL rating but the design doesn’t handle room reflections very well and can lead to phasey sounding recordings. It’s generally better suited for outdoor work. I have a few MKH50 I like a lot for sit down interviews. DPA4017c is my favourite all around shotgun mic.

[@writedirect]

@@nicolasfieldsoundservices thanks man! I've read that a supercardioid is a better dialogue mic at times. Will keep a note on your recommendation.

[@TaylorDixson]

I have the original. One of the best pieces of kit I own. I imagine I’ll hand it down to my kids 😂

[@manutecsounds]

Very nice Video ThankYou

[@writedirect]

Right on! Thank you.

[@bernios3446]

Interesting! I am listening to this on the Airpods Pro 2, and I definately hear the difference. It is not night and day, but the sound of the MixPre is more subtle and - in the second loud/ low example - more nuanced in the dynamics. It's like "perfectly good" compared to "excellent" sound. But obviously the price and size and the battery situation is important too....

[@writedirect]

Interesting! Thank you for this feedback. Good to know it’s coming across that way on those.

[@BlakeCDMedia]

I had no idea what 32 bit float meant, other than it's good, until the first 2 minutes of this video. 🍻 thank you! Edit: I use a Zoom H4N Pro, any reason to upgrade?

[@writedirect]

It was forever before I understood it. I’ve compared the MixPre to the Zoom F3. But not your specific recorder. For me and narrative film, it’s all about recording quality. The MixPre has other benefits like Kashmir preamps. And Sound Devices quality.

[@MANGO-FILM]

Hi, thanks for the video. I have a Sony FX3 And FX30 and the Zoom F3. And I need time code. So I´ve got the deity TC 1 . There seems to be no way using it with the Zoom F3. Or is there a solution?

[@writedirect]

Hey! I’ve read that it will take external timecode, but it’s only compatible with the Atomos UltraSync Blue.

[@Gaborproductions]

Hey, I’m shooting a short film this summer. I want to ask you which aspect ratio is the best when shooting with the BMPCC4K and uploading it on KZbin.. so far I’ve only went with the normal. Thank you

[@writedirect]

Either one is totally fine. 4K UHD or 4K DCI. DCI mode will use the full sensor in the pocket 4K. You’ll get black on the top and bottom but not much.

[@Gaborproductions]

@@writedirect Then it's the one I've been automatically been using. Thank you. Btw I have watched plenty of videos about filmmaking and about the BMPCC.. Your channel is, for me, the best one out there. You're very pedagogical and straight to the point. And the videos are not long either. I've actually learned a lot. Well done, I hope your channel will grow!

[@writedirect]

@@Gaborproductions thanks for your blind words! Really appreciate that.

[@Average-AL]

I have seen this and some other demos of 32 bit recorders. I totally get it that a clipped recording can be lowered down and not be clipped, but does 32 also help with boosting a low recording to a higher lever without introducing noise?

[@writedirect]

Good question. Not that I’m aware of. I think if it’s soft, the noise floor is going to raise just like normal.

[@Average-AL]

@@writedirect Ok, that I don't have so much use for 32 bit then I think cause my main issue is with low signals when I record, but I can definitely see the advantage of not clipping if I was doing field recording in trafic.

[@writedirect]

@@Average-AL yeah. I think experienced sound engineers push back at 32-bit float as they can totally work their magic on set. But when you're doing indie film and you don't have a dedicated sound mixer, 32-bit float can save your bacon.

[@Average-AL]

@@writedirect Yes. As an hobbyist dabbling with music I am curious if if could help me bringing up lower signals with less noise from my old instruments or if it is just about avoiding clipping.

[@writedirect]

@@Average-AL I don’t think it will help you with that. It’s about protecting peaks. An analogy: if this were about lighting, it would protect from over exposure, but it would not give more detail in the shadows.

[@brettalexander.studio]

Thank you for this!!!❤

[@writedirect]

Right on! Hope it helped.