Why every filmmaker needs a Zoom F3.

In this video I show you a tool every filmmaker needs. The Zoom F3 can SAVE the audio in your videos so you'll never record bad audio ever again. It's simple to use and extremely effective at what it does, heres why you need to try it and how it works.
Zoom F3 - geni.us/zoomf3
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GearFocus link contest - contests.gearfocus.com/
LUTs I use to grade - geni.us/phantomluts (get 15% OFF with code 'Chris'
30 Days FREE music for YOUR Videos: geni.us/epidemiclink
Download my A7IV Settings - geni.us/A7IVsettings
Book a Coaching Session - geni.us/coachingwithcb
0:00 - Intro
0:30 - 32-bit Float wizardry
0:52 - How to use Zoom F3
1:21 - Understanding Waveforms
2:00 - Editing 32-bit Audio
2:35 - Design of Zoom F3
3:00 - Use at weddings
3:57 - Battery Life
5:30 - Hot Swappable batteries
6:06 - Final cut pro compatibility
6:36 - Mounting the Zoom F3
7:30 - Phantom Power
7:47 - Recording options
8:05 - Cons of the Zoom F3
8:56 - Outro
GEAR I’M USING IN 2022 (Amazon affiliate links)
CAMERAS
Vid Camera - geni.us/sonya7siii
B Camera - geni.us/S-FX3
Stills and C Camera - Sony A7IV - geni.us/A7iv
Old Full Frame Cam (still good!!) - geni.us/SonyA7iiiCB1
Cheap APSC Cam - geni.us/sonya6100cb
Drone - geni.us/mavicair2cb
Best BTS Cam - geni.us/Insta36amz
BEST BUDGET LENSES
50mm - geni.us/sony50mmF18cb
24mm F1.8 - geni.us/viltrox24mm
85mm F1.8 II - geni.us/viltrox85mm
(all in one -) Sigma 24-70 - geni.us/sigma2470
LENSES I USE
Best All round lens - geni.us/sigma2470
Real Estate Lens - geni.us/Sony1635F4CB
FAV Lens EVER - geni.us/Sony24mmF14CB
The BOKEH lens - geni.us/50mmf12
Close up lens - geni.us/sony90mmmacro
B Roll Beast Lens - geni.us/Sony85mmF18CB
Sharpest Lens - geni.us/Sony55mmF18CB
Zoomy Sniper Lens - geni.us/sony70200f4cb
CAMERA ACCESSORIES I USE
Ninja V - geni.us/ninjavcb
FAV Portable Light - geni.us/p1vloggercb
A7iii EyeCup - geni.us/Eyecup
A7iii Grip/L Bracket - geni.us/a7iiilbracket
MICS I USE
Vlog Mic - geni.us/rodevideomicrocb
Podcast/KZbin Mic - geni.us/sm7cb
Camera Mic - geni.us/smic2cb
BAGS
HUGE Backpack - geni.us/lowepro450awCB
Travel Bag - geni.us/peakdesign20l
LIGHTING
Main Studio Light - geni.us/aputure120dcb
Studio light Dome - geni.us/lightdomecb
Budget Light - geni.us/godoxsl60
Budget light Dome - geni.us/neewerlightdomecb
Battery powered Light - geni.us/aputure60xcb
Spotlight Zoom (for pattern on wall) - geni.us/spotlightminizoom
All gear I use: geni.us/amazoncb
Wedding Gear I use on Kit: kit.co/chrisbrockhurst
#sonya7siii #zoomf3 #32bitfloat
FOLLOW ME
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Twitter: / chrisbrockhurs
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
Some of the links used in the description will direct you to Amazon, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
SPONSORSHIP/COLLABS
For collaborations, sponsorships and business enquiries email us here: [e-mail]
If you have a question or want to chat, use the Instagram or Twitter links above, thanks! chris brockhurst

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Gearfocus firesale link in the description!!

[@MLPics]

Did you sell everything already? your GF is empty!! If so congrats!

[@JakeSloan]

raw vs jpeg except in audio. best description of 32bit float audio I've heard lol

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Sort of makes sense too haha

[@daletidy.]

Seriously the best film gear / tips channel on KZbin right now. I find everything you post so relevant and helpful, and I've been doing this for a few years and watched 100's of hours of youtube. Keep crushing it Chris! Really appreciate it

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Appreciate You.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Great video. Thanks so much for the review. Really helpful.

[@MrBassonist]

The interesting thing is that I have been recording for the last 20 years using 24 bits and never having it distort. Simply aim for -20dB full scale and record. With my mics I got lazy and set the preamp to 30dB - done, working ,never over Still bought a F3 because it is small and runs on AA batteries.

[@Djangounframed]

The interesting thing to me is that all the reviewers of this recorder are acting as if 32 bit floating point is a new thing and the film making world is at the forefront of cutting edge idiots technology. Bless them. Us sound engineers have been using it for years lol. I still bought an F3 for the same reason. Small. Two batteries.

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

Fun video to watch. The way you kept the backgrounds changing was intriguing.

[@TheFinalCutBro]

This is sick! I had no clue how insane 32bit float was. Great video. Also love the animated text 👊

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Dylan!!!! Text is all your work which i'm sure you realize haha, appreciate everything you do. Soon as i saw you had Pateron I signed up fast for those assets!

[@PatrickRambles]

I've been using the Mixpre 3 ii for some time and it changed everything! Immediately ordered a Zoom F3 as a field recorder. I can't imagine not using 32bit float anymore, it makes the process so much easier!

[@BenjaminCutting]

Really intriguing. Will certainly look in to - cheers mate

[@robschulerofficial]

Thank you for the final cut tip

[@veereels]

More 32 bit float animations pls 😂 thanks for this!

[@chrisbrockhurst]

I was so close to making it every time 😅

[@Hadaf-uj6og]

I love ur channel. Ur editing amazing

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Appreciate it 🙏🏼

[@SebastianCristanchoYT]

Epic editing

[@jbpasion071]

Ouuu yeahh buddy! Recently used Zoom F6 for a simple talking head video and damn, sounds so good!

[@KevinFedde]

I have used this at like 3 or 4 events so far and it is SUCH a nice little recorder! I do have a Zoom F6 as well but for smaller jobs/weddings you really don't need something that massive! Nice video1

[@chrisbrockhurst]

So useful for events!! F6 is great too but as you say pretty large!

[@KevinFedde]

@@chrisbrockhurst Definitely! I basically only ever use 2 inputs at most weddings anyways. I do wish that this had come out earlier since I took my F6 with me to 2 weddings in Mexico this last year and that was a bit obnoxious since I was traveling super light with just 1 backpack!

[@jer3006]

Hi, Kevin. Based on your experience and F3 usage, I would appreciate if you have time to offer advice on my question-comment above (there are 2, so I mean the more recent lengthy one). Thanks, Jer. PS, I'll only be doing hobby talking head stuff and learning DaVinci Resolve. 😊

[@smallbizdigitalmedia]

Look forward to this being available in the uk sometime before I retire…

[@edwardlin2941]

Very helpful

[@FamauMedia]

Ordered mine a month ago, finally arriving this week! I've been having some real issues with the F2 so I'm hoping the F3 stands up to its claims. Nice video as always 🧙‍♂️

Hi , what kind of issues ? I am quite interested in F2 cheaper than F3

[@FamauMedia]

@ on a couple of occasions it’s just not recorded a track after the first take. I’ve stopped trusting it.

[@tradesmith_yt]

Snagged the YC Onion! So Stoked needed this! Wanted to grab the filter but I have a mist. Still a great deal.

[@tradesmith_yt]

I do wish I could have got that mic though!

[@tradesmith_yt]

Caved and picked up the gimbal as well.. 😂

[@Bo_Hazem]

This is a must! If only Sony XLR-KM3 had internal memory + 32-bit float.

[@HikingWithCooper]

Just got one yesterday and am pretty impressed by it. Even the menu system is decent. The H4N menus drove me crazy. One thing: is there a way to remove that incessant beep when playing files back? I did find the headphone beep in the output menu and turned that off so that helps but it didn't turn the playback beep off. That's really not a sound I (or, presumably anyone else??) would want blasted into closed back cans.

[@jer3006]

Now that is cool! And so is your way of showing us it really works! Thanks for the info and the laughs.

[@sunj_av]

Thanks Chris, no other video mentions the fact the FCP doesn't like 32 bit float files. Good to know!

[@seaninherts]

Thank you for the content. All content is much appreciated and this is really useful. You, and everyone must use the set up that works for you and I certainly don’t think I know better. This is just an opinion, based on a little bit of professional experience. You are seriously always better using a dedicated recording device and synchronising in post. I’m not sure what you used to edit from the Final Cut for example, do you know the select the two clips and right click and then synchronise the clips that way or even quicker, option command g I think it is. It will always sound More crisp and nice because the preamps in your zoom recorder will kick Burrels out of whatever the camera as you are using, whether that’s a cheaper Mirrorless camera or an extremely expensive one. What works, works but just throwing this thought in here. Brilliant to have something that is usable in an emergency though straight out of camera

[@LouisLuzuka]

I need this

[@CinemaSteve]

There's also the Tascam Portacapture X8 which I prefer at $100 more than the F3. Mainly because the amount of extra inputs is super nice, not to mention you can set your gain (instead of amplification level on the F3) and it has a beautiful touch screen with great menus. I'd rather pay $400 for something that has the same 32 bit float but so many more features and not Zoom's menu system from 2000. Battery life is 2 hours worse but I just use a battery bank via USB-C and it's great.

[@KaesarSousa]

I use the 32bit flow files of the zoom F2 with Fcpx and they work fine! Are you sure the files from the F3 dont work?

[@andrefrueh]

Got halfway through the video and bought it on Amazon instantly lol

[@chrisbrockhurst]

First time I saw it I did the same haha

[@bryantfalk7021]

Great energy dude! Thanks for straight forward. Already own one of these. Any Shotgun mics you recommend?

[@arthurw8054]

What I've been wanting to see is a portable wireless kit with dual transmitters (like the DJI, Rode, Comica etc.) that record internal 32-bit float. Is there or will there be such a thing? Nice review.

[@DonBurnette]

Great video, but I just want to emphasize to your viewers that I’ve been using 32-but float recordings from the F2 in FCP without any issue whatsoever. They load and play back just as any other audio file would. I would definitely check your configuration and make sure you’re on the latest version of FCP. I wouldn’t want your video to incorrectly scare FCP users off from trying 32-but float.

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Thanks for sharing. Interesting, I'm using a brand new Mac Studio, latest version of FCPX and its completely un-useable, waveforms don't update in real time as i said, very odd.

[@honestnerd]

@@chrisbrockhurst Hey Chris any update on this? Did you get it to work on your Mac?

[@VidaEats]

Some chapters would have been very useful in this video, great info!

[@usernamenotvisibIe]

Great video! What specific Rode product did you say you used to transmit to your camera?

[@JohnWelshPhotographer]

Yep, good comparison, RAW vs. Jpeg. Got mine before watching this. No turning back.

[@chrisbrockhurst]

This isn’t me ^

[@steze]

3:44 mate the F3 has an output limiter to prevent it from peaking on a camera if you line out so no stress there.

[@jezzavisuals]

This would be amazing for weddings! The amount of times I get stuffed up by the dj or celebrant’s sound system

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Bingo! This is literally the perfect tool for weddings

[@tomsunday]

What if you have input 1 and 2 plugged in and also outputting via the 3.5 out to your camera. What kind of audio can you expect to be baked in? Will input 1 be on channel 1 and input 2 on channel 2? Thanks for the video Chris. You rock. Btw a great mouting option is a small rig monitor mount on a nato rail that sits anywhere on the rig. I have my FX3 rigged up and ready to go!

[@BespokeFotografie]

Great another thing to add to my list 😂

[@top_tech.500k]

*Great informative review 👍 ✨ ✨ ✨ What lav mic did you use a part of this video????*

[@ciekaweurzadzenia]

When AA batteries are installed and I connect to a smartphone via USB C, does it consume AA batteries or smartphone batteries? Does it have settings which battery takes priority when USB C cable is connected?

[@PaulFeinberg]

Pretty cool stuff. FCPX bummer

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Time for resolve maybe haha

[@pictureusfamily]

Great video. How could I use the F3 on my Fx30 without physically having the F3 on my person? Would you say staying within the recommended Rode Wireless range is the best way to go? Does the F3 offer an additional range?

[@paulg3388]

Another great Video Chris, I am going to purchase one of these having been pondering for awhile. But as always, your Video has made my mind up. I just like the idea of using that in a simple way to just record both my Mics at my Desk, then sync the audio in Davinci and knowing the levels will never be a problem, that is a huge plus. Now all I need to do is decide on the right Mic for my Studio, pencil Mic, Boom Mic, oh GOD the amount of Videos telling me different things .. arrrghhhhhhh ... lol. Actually, any suggestions Chris? I was looking at the Rode NTG-3, but now I am leaning towards the Oktava MK-012 to save the money for other kit .. as it seems to sound great from Gerald Undone's Video and others .. as always appreciate your advice here? thanks

[@chrisbrockhurst]

appreciate you 🙏🏼

[@forfilmssakeUK]

Hey Chris, how's it going? 1. if you please enlighten me as to which Rode receiver you use, referenced in this video? I didn't quite catch the model name of that within the video. 2. Have you used the same configuration in a run and gun situation? If 'yes', how did you set up the mic hooked to a wireless receiver, whilst all connected to a camera of course, in a way that you can actively moving with all these gears, on foot? Reason for asking: to see if this befits my workflow in shooting films. Thanks and take care. Regards.

[@gcprost]

I have a broken Sound Devices MixPre3 (Gen 1). Sound Devices is asking for $396 US pre approval to fix it. I shoot live theatre, concerts and dance shows, primarily. I was wondering should I fix it or buy a F3? I use a Rode NT4 with the recorder. Thanks for doing this review and thanks for the GearFocus tip.

[@personaltrainersg]

When you have 2 XLR inputs connected (and working fine when using the f3 to record) And you use the lineout to your camera, does each lineout channel represent 1 of the XLR inputs? E.g. 1x shotgun, 1x wireless system. The stereo lineout is 1 channel shotgun, 1 channel wireless? thanks!

[@ckashif008]

@Chris, I am unable to understand why would you plug your wireless reviewer in "Out" line?

[@seaninherts]

Hi again Chris. Firstly please forgive me I’m not stalking you honestly :-) did you Final Cut things sort itself out? I use 32-bit float on a zoom F6 With final cut all the time. I also use this on about three different Mac systems, so I’m wondering whether it was unique to your thing? Interestingly, one of the systems does occasionally say that you can also fix the audio, but it really works flawlessly if you just leave it for me. It should import it as a 32 bit poorly Wi-Fi or stereo depending what you have your set up as

[@gobec]

One question, how long does it record with both phantom channels running?

[@anyuisbjoern]

The 3.5 to xlr adapter only works for mono. If you have stereo you need a 3.5 jack to 2 xlr adapter.

[@seaninherts]

You can run left and right into different channels

[@CameraRay]

Can you use the single plug 3.5mm Clippy EM272Z1 Stereo Microphones with that adapter? Will the Zoom F3 put out the proper voltage? Thanks.

[@ChoicesHabitsAttitudeLuck]

I wanted to buy the Zoom F3 to connect my RODE ME and Sennheiser MKE 400 Directional On-Camera Shotgun Microphone. Please Help. Link to that adapter please

[@johnnyray5515]

So can I use the Diety TC-1 to sync timecode from the Zoom F3

[@erbartlett]

have they updated final cut to handle 32 bit directly?

[@malakanmusic]

Sorry, I watched the whole thing but I’m not sure I understand, will the f3 still record in 32bit float even when connected/synced with the camera? Or to use the 32bit float you have to record separately and sync in post?

[@distensione11]

in your opinion, it could replace the sony klm-3 xlr audio unit?

[@Internat_11mektep]

In the specifications of the Rode VXLR Pro adapter, I read that the plug-in power supply is 4 Volts when the phantom power supply is 24 Volts and 48 Volts. It turns out that the Rode VXLR PRO adapter, connected to the Zoom F3 audio recorder, converts a phantom power supply of 12-48 Volts to a voltage of 4 Volts and transmits it to the Rode Lavalier Go lavalier microphone. Does this mean that in such cases it will not matter whether I set up a phantom power supply of 24 Volts or 48 Volts in the settings of the Zoom F3 audio recorder? After all, the adapter will still convert to 4 Volts, which is necessary for a lapel microphone? Most importantly, will the adapter prevent the Rode Lavalier Go Lavalier microphone from breaking (burning) due to high voltage? One point is unclear to me. They write that first you need to attach a lapel microphone to the Zoom F3 audio recorder, and then install 48 Volt phantom power in the Zoom F3 settings. Otherwise, the lavalier microphone will burn out. And doesn't the Rode VXLR Pro adapter convert 48 Volts to 4 Volts, despite the fact that before or after connecting the lapel microphone, I installed phantom power in the Zoom F3 audio recorder?

[@MarkShawMedia]

Is the noise floor/self noise better on the f3 than on the x8 or x6 tascam??? I purchased an f3 because it specifically advertises "very low self noise", but if the tascam has same or very close noise floor i would rather return it for that. I do mostly quiet ambient recordings of nature.

[@jamesb8193]

When I export it to final cut Pro x can I reduce the waveform on clips in the FCPX software?

[@MrDro1128]

Have a video you made on the avx system?

[@chrisbrockhurst]

its been featured in a few of my vids. great system, I use it for Pro Work.

[@michaelcahn]

Are there any other applications where you can utilize the 32 bit float editing other than audition? For instance audacity? Thanks great video by the way!

[@seaninherts]

Yes, 32-bit float should work in most software packages. For instance, it definitely works in Final Cut as well as audition and it would work in Logix C, Reaper etc. in fact, I’ve so far only come across one very bulky bit of old broadcasting software that doesn’t like 32-bit float, but that is about 25 years old :-) good luck with it as it’s great

[@Soul_Visuals_Photography]

Hey Chris, Do you know if final cut has fixed that 32 bit float problem when directly importing a video with 32 bit float audio recording attached?

[@WillNewcomb]

I still don't understand how this is possible! If the source is distorted how can anything on the wrong side of it correct it???

[@jer3006]

Chris, I would appreciate some help. I keep thinking about your great F3 review here b/c I was just about to pull the trigger on a Beachtek DXA-MICRO-PRO PLUS Active Audio Adapter Mixer, BH #BEDXAMICROPP • MFR #DXA-MICRO PRO+ for $189. I admit I don't know what I'm doing being video-inexperienced, but it seems the F3 would be better for $150 more. I mean, I would still get 2 channels, various in&outs, and a bkup simultaneous recording, right? And never worry about gain settings at a cost of +$150? Worth it, I think! As a hobbyist, so far I have in my kit an a7iv to be rig mtd, a Rode VideoMic GO II, a Deity V.Lav (not wireless), and a Zoom H1n. All brand new. So I was thinking about the mixer. Is there a reason I should not instead find another $150 and get the F3? I guess I would also need 2 of the 3.5mm > XLR adapters you showed to convert my 2 Mics to XLR to input into the F3, right? If Chris is busy, maybe a commenter below who has an F3 could help, please?

[@novaplius1]

Halo friend, what conected fuji x t 4? xrl adaper for 3,5 jack? have rode video mic pro + mic

[@johnnyray5515]

What would you recommend if I wanted to transmit the audio from the f3 to my 6k pro wirelessly? I’ve thought about just getting the diety tc-1’s to sync the timecode but they’re quite expensive.

[@p3rcey]

Could you use this to capture a line out from a mixing desk potentially?

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Absolutely.

[@DavidBrackett385]

Wait the line out doesn’t capture 32 float right? You were just talking about using one of the xlr as a safety track of sorts?

[@jandzoe9249]

I think he meant that you can record with the lineout directly on the camera to have it more conveniently but if it happens to peak you still have a backup on the F3 that can be recovered. However, the Wireless GO II itself also has a safety track option so I don't really know if you really need the F3 to go with it. Here you go - replied after one year :D

[@northparkfilms3045]

Hey Chris have you used the Bluetooth adapter? Do you find that the range is ok mine seems to stop working when I'm not even that far from it

[@chrisbrockhurst]

I havnt used it personally, I wouldn’t trust Bluetooth for wireless recording especially at a wedding, too many other potentially Interferences

[@bilalallafbee]

dude u made me laugh hard lol. Subscribing, please dont change to nikon

[@OGtalks]

the mono stereo thing is killing me on this thing. i thought this thing would be plug and play. been struggling with it for 2 days now..

[@flamonaut]

Is there a small xlr mic which plugs directly in the recorder? Then you can mount it directly on the cold shoe as a tiny on camera mic.

[@chrisbrockhurst]

The rode one I showed is about as small as you can get

[@flamonaut]

Or these kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2Kyen-Ve7p6aLM

[@CarsonHolt]

1:35 “Subscribe or I’ll switch to Nikon” aight bruh no need to scare us like that 😭

[@galindovisita6482]

Does anybody know how long last the regular batteries with this device ?

[@chrisbrockhurst]

After more usesge now with decent batteries you’ll get 5-8 hrs

[@jeffrey3205]

Couldn't you just use the M3 mictrak instead?

[@andrewwhite8762]

Can't get one in Vancouver nobody know where they are and when they are arriving.

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Try a US site and get it shipped over. You’ll have more luck

[@andrewwhite8762]

@@chrisbrockhurst Yes that's a good idea I may do that.

[@robvezpro]

My man Chris switch to 30fps !?

[@chrisbrockhurst]

First person to notice!

[@ezrashanti]

It is 100% not smart to use the wireless into 3.5 mm into your camera preamp as your primary audio. That should be your backup. No question.

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Works fine. Been doing this for years

[@northparkfilms3045]

YES SCREAM LOUDER IN MY EAR DADDY!!!

[@petersuvara]

How good is the Zoom F3 Chris. I did an unboxing and review on my channel Chris. :) Check it out if you're interested in the F3. :)

[@GoodBaleada]

DUDE SAID WAV. ITS A WAVE. DONT STOP THE WAVE.

[@anywherenearzero]

Or even easier solution, simply use a ball joint then connect to a cold or hot shoe 🙄

[@MadsGOlsen]

you might want the sound to be recorded from a different place than you want your camera ;)

[@anywherenearzero]

@@MadsGOlsen yes hence a cold shoe. could be attached to any arca swiss bracket etc etc etc so many other options. you might even want to use a threat to then double back onto a quick release plate to a tripod etc ! i just thought the idea of just a strap and hang was a naff way out

[@Tennisers]

i really wish this just had dual trs/xlr inputs. not being able to use trs ins makes it unecessarily difficult to use with guitar/synth. if it had dual trs/xlr i would have gotten it right away. i bet they'll release a dual version in 2 years and laugh at everyone who bought the F3

[@JeffCorcelius]

Gear Focus only works if you have a youtube channel with thousands of subscribers.

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Huh?

[@mattwruff]

Zoom makes cheap products I much prefer SoundDevices MixPre's...

[@mickywes3733]

Having trouble taking someone who holds a shotgun mic up to his moth seriously.🤦‍♂️