Zoom F3 Review - Should You Purchase?

[@deimonslagg1187]

Thank you. I bought an f3 via your affiliate link. And it's not just you with the door flaps on zoom products. I'm upgrading from an H5, and it's sd card flap has been secured with a piece of electrical tape for some time now.

[@GrantBurks]

I appreciate you utilizing my link!🙂let me know how the F3 treats you! It’s been an incredible device for my projects. Glad I’m not alone on the door flaps 😆 it’s my one gripe with a lot of gear. The door flaps on the Tascams drive me crazy haha

[@jetlag1488]

What's with all reviewers on KZbin saying they shouted into the mic and then they reveal that they just talked close to the mic? I can't find any test in which someone actually records themself shouting. Same with recording low levels of audio. Instead of talking or whispering really quietly, people just record with low levels. I don't really mind that much now because I have the F6, but back when I was doing research on 32-bit float recorders, finding proper examples of the dynamic range was difficult.

[@GrantBurks]

Thank you for the feedback! I’ll take note of this and adjust for future reviews. I hope you’ve had a great experience with the F6!

[@shaeduane]

Great quality video. In my opinion you deserve more subs and views. The only thing is, you said that you turned the levels as low and as and high as you could set them so I'm assuming 1024 and 1. But, the audio levels on the F3 don't control gain because it's 32 bit float. Adjusting the audio levels will adjust the signal amplification and you can hear that amplification in your headphones and the F3 will apply that amplification to the recorded file, but you aren't actually changing the gain. I'm not sure you fully understand this principle. You didn't really show the extremes of loud and quiet. I just did a test where I literally screamed directly into my mic and then whispered three feet away using my F3. The screaming sounded great by just reducing the dBs a little but the whisper introduced a lot of internal noise. However, I was able to get rid of the noise using noise reduction. I would have liked to have seen those extremes in your video because it doesn't actually sound like you were screaming or whispering, you just adjusted the signal amplification.

[@GrantBurks]

Thanks man! Yea I should have better clarified that adjusting the amplitude level on the F3 doesn’t change gain at all and explained that there’s no option to adjust gain given the audio is 32-but float. I appreciate the feedback and will work to improve future reviews!

[@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?

[@GrantBurks]

Hey! I’m sorry I’m unsure about this. I don’t have any experience using the zoom with a lapel microphone or the VXLR adapter. Anybody else here able to provide any insight?

[@Internat_11mektep]

Thank you for the answer. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@GrantBurks]

My pleasure! Hoping somebody can help provide us some insight here

[@zahnmorrison4620]

Thanks knew instantly this was the real review

[@zahnmorrison4620]

does the aux jack has plug in power and if the usb c charge breaks connection does it seamlessly back up to battery?

[@GrantBurks]

I appreciate your kind words!🙏🏼

[@GrantBurks]

Just did a quick test and the device switches to battery power once you unplug the USB-C connection! You can go battery to USB-C the back to battery. USB-C takes over power supply when you plug it in then it reverts to battery when you unplug it. I hope that helps and best of luck with future projects!

[@apostolicbible1]

I bought a Zoom F3 to my dismay. I should have purchased the Zoom H8. The menu system on this thing rivals Casio watches convoluted settings. The H8 has a beautiful screen and intuitive menu. I think Zoom is having people give this so so gizmo good reviews which it doesn't deserve, unless you really need its small size and that is your only criteria.

[@GrantBurks]

I haven’t used the H8 but I’ve really enjoyed my F3. Zoom didn’t ask me to give a review of the F3, would be nice if I was that big 😂 I haven’t had any issues with my F3 though and it’s been perfect for my needs!

[@zhoujo]

7:41 At scenes like this, may I ask where the Zoom F3 is being used here? The mic in their hands seems to be hooked to the Sony digital recorder you have linked in the description. Which scenarios are most suited for the F3 at weddings? And what mics do you pair with it? Do you usually use both xlr inputs at once? Thank you

[@GrantBurks]

Great question! I try to record 3 lines of audio during any important moments throughout projects. For example, at this moment in the wedding, I had the sony recorder tucked into the 'mic sleeve' on the mic, a shotgun mic on my camera near the speaker, and then my Zoom f3 hooked up to the DJ's sound board to get a line out from the DJ's system. I hooked the f3 to the DJ's XLR out on his speaker at this wedding because he did not have a quarter inch out from his soundboard. I typically only use 1 xlr input at once. I connect my f3 to the DJ's soundboard and capture audio through that during the ceremony, during entrances to the reception, during dances, and during speeches. I hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

[@ericaerts2158]

Thanks!!

[@GrantBurks]

My pleasure!!

[@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.

[@GrantBurks]

This is a good question that I actually don’t have the answer to! I don’t own either the x8 or x6 so I can’t do a test on them. I can tell you the noise floor appears to be incredibly low on the f3 to me. If you do end up finding the answer, please do share as I would love to know!

[@muhaiminabdullahdotcom]

How it performs in audio interface mode? Have you tested it?

[@GrantBurks]

I haven’t tested that yet, but I’ll test it out tonight/tomorrow and let you know!

[@GrantBurks]

Just tested it out. Really intuitive and sounds great. You simply plug it in using USB-C cable, update your audio settings on your Mac or PC, and you will see the levels coming through on the device and your streaming software. I tested it using OBS and it took me 3 min to get set up. You can watch this vid below to help you get it up and running as audio interface. Best of luck with your streams! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmKldWSseb9rpKc

[@MCFilms7]

Hi! how to you use F3 when you record the sound from mixing board from band? You use 2 XLR inputs from F3 to whatever is a the band mixer? someting like 2 XLR from f3 to 2 rca 2 xlr - 2 jack Or you use 1 XLR from f3 to two RCA to mixer board ? Thank you

[@GrantBurks]

I believe the best route to go here would be to get a ‘mix out’ from one of the speakers and use an XLR cable to connect the ‘mix out’ to the F3. That should provide you with the bands instruments that are connecting to the soundboard as well as any vocals! Would love to hear if anyone else has more insight here though^

[@MichiMallu]

Nice video, you could use Zoom AD-17 Replacement AC Adapter instead of batteries or a battery pack!

[@GrantBurks]

Great idea as well! Continuous power and inexpensive!

[@bangsmash]

It’s a great little recorder. Nice vid 🤙

[@GrantBurks]

Thanks for your kind words!😀best of luck with any upcoming projects

[@schumcreative]

Awesome video Grant. This helped me a bunch in my decision making. Question: Can I adjust levels for when I use it as an audio interface for recording training videos using Screenflow or a screen recording software or for live streaming using OBS?

[@GrantBurks]

Thanks so much for your kind words! This is a great question and I actually don’t know the answer 🤔 I’m wondering if the wave form adjustment would adjust the levels for that use case or if you could adjust the levels within Screenflow or OBS.

[@schumcreative]

@@GrantBurks No worries. Thanks for the reply. Many don't reply. I'll run some tests and come back and share my findings. I got an Amazon deal for $250 and it arrives on Monday. :-)

[@GrantBurks]

It's my pleasure! Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance here. Congrats on the deal! :) Please comment back what you find as I'm sure others have/will have the same question and will find value in knowing your findings.

[@gcprost]

I heard that the F3 breaks the files into tiny short pieces of audio. Is this true?

[@GrantBurks]

I have not had the F3 break the recordings into multiple files. Every time I have used it I have had a single recorded file for every time that I start and stop recording. Let me know if you’d like me to test out any specific situation/settings and best of luck with any upcoming shoots!

[@birajadas293]

Can it handle thunderstorm/s

[@GrantBurks]

Hey! To verify, are you wondering if it is waterproof/resistant or if it could capture quality audio of someone during a thunderstorm?

[@birajadas293]

@@GrantBurks : recording thunder

[@GrantBurks]

@@birajadas293 Yes you could definitely record thunder with this device. You would obviously need to attach a microphone to it, but this device is capable of recording loud noises such as thunder without the audio being blown out!

[@birajadas293]

@@GrantBurks Bro, I got an old Rode sterio vdo( Omni,the ball type one) mic with battery option and -10db pad, what's ur opinion,also Rode M3,.if u could plz suggest. 🙏

[@GrantBurks]

@@birajadas293 I personally don't have any experience with that microphone but it appears that it should work fine with the Zoom F3. You can power the mic with phantom power using the Zoom F3 so you shouldn't have any issues. Best of luck with future shoots!

[@woojongs]

good

[@GrantBurks]

Thank you!🙂

[@petrub27]

talking about headroom, you don't need that much in your video interviews, lol

[@GrantBurks]

I appreciate the feedback!

[@orestes1984]

Ummm.... A sound board still has enough DBs to blow out even a 32bit recorder.

[@GrantBurks]

Thanks for the feedback. I would be curious to see what levels on a sound board would be capable of blowing it out as I have recaptured inaudible levels with it and fully peaked levels as well. Any insight as to how many DB's to high it would take to blow it out?

[@ricardleandro]

Why do you talk like that? Are you ok?

[@GrantBurks]

Would love any constructive feedback. In what way are you referring?

[@ricardleandro]

@@GrantBurks the video was very helpful! Thank you! I just got to the end of the vídeo breathless because your voice seemed to be having trouble being projected out. I was a lil bit anxious and worried about that. Nothing to do with the video tho. Cheers. Take care.

[@ricardleandro]

Specifically in the end of your sentences. Yeah. You seem to hold your breath from the inside…really weird, like you were shocking. Can you hear it?

[@GrantBurks]

@@ricardleandro thanks for the feedback! I think I needed to project a bit more as you said. I’ll work on this for future vids!

[@selectweddingfilms_cny]

​​@@GrantBurksIt's vocal fry, and it can be bad for you in the long run. Try to project more. Good luck, great video.

[@olegkalinkin6877]

Nor sure you know what shouting is or are even capable of shouting.

[@GrantBurks]

Haha dang man, I hope you found something valuable in the video.