Update: After showing the high pass filter options in this video, I mistakenly left the filter turned on. The filter was applied to the audio of the Rode PodMic and the sample of the VideoMic GO II. My apologies! I'm going to re-record those samples and upload the new tests as an unlisted video. I will update the description and this comment with the link once the video is uploaded. Thanks to viewer Chris Robinson for catching this mistake!

Terrific review man! Thank you for demonstrating the 32 bit float noise floor and clipping recovery-- astounding. Good luck on the big build of your new studio and thanks for making such great vids.

I have the zoom h8 which I love and I thought 32 bit would be something cool but unnecessary. I decided to get this f3 for its size to use on a camera rig. Boy was I wrong about 32 bit. It’s a game changer. While technically unnecessary it simplifies audio so much that you could give this to someone with zero know how and they could get good recordings. and and the recovery is just amazing. I’ll probably just use my h8 as an audio interface when recording music or more controlled environments where I need more than 2 inputs.

That first clip of the Podmic scared me until I realized you still had the 240 Hz high pass on. 😂

I've had my F3 for a few days now, and I love it. I see it as a "set it and forget it" audio recorder. Because its 32-bit float, you can adjust the levels in post. The main concern being that you have a good microphone for capturing the audio. Beyond that, the F3 will take care of capturing high quality audio. As a low budget/indie filmmaker, that's a no-brainer right there. And thank you for this walkthrough. I learned some things about the F3 that had questions for and now you gave me the answers. Many thanks.

Pretty sure if you slide the record button to record and then move it to "hold" you won't have to worry about it bumping or buttons being hit.

I use the F3 with a shotgun mic and it’s perfect for that purpose. It doesn’t have a lot of the features my zoom H6 has, but all I need it for is one input on my belt well I hold a boom pole. The 32 bit float is an absolute must for audio recording these days! It’s like when I shoot raw video on the RED cameras I use, but for audio!

The dealbreaker for me, and for many others working in the field of video or acoustic music, is that inexplicably they haven't offered support for M/S mic monitoring. So if you use M/S mics, you'll have to hope that your mics are correctly placed in relation to the sound source, or you'll have to use something (what?) between the headphone output and the headphones themselves to dematrix the M/S so you can really judge the stereo image. I really hope they can fix that omission in a FW update - I would have thought it wouldn't be at all hard to do.

That's cool, it should work with Boya 35C XLR-Pro

What a brilliant, thorough and well presented video! Thank you! I've ordered a Zoom F3 and I look forward to using it. BTW what is the microphone mount your are using for your AT4053b? (I have the same microphone - and currently use the mount from the Rode NTG video mic.)

Best Zoom F3 review yet

I loved the part you lower and increase the levels and reflected on the video so I felt I was using it on the field while adjusting the volume. The silence and clipping test are what I really whated to at home now when mine arrives I can go to field and start using.

I do have to say that this vid was INCREDIBLE! Thank you for all the detail that you put into explaining how the Zoom F3 works. One thing I would like to ask, I'm currently using the Zoom F2-BT for basic voice over dialogue (outside). I was hoping is to test how much better the F3 would sound using the same lav mic (LMF-2) with the F3. Now I know you'll need a voltage XLR adapter. I already have one (the ROD VXLR Pro). So attaching that to the F3 and testing it. I just was looking to see if the F3 would sound better than the F2. That's all. I already ordered the F3 and should be receiving it in a couple of more days to test it out. The one main thing that I like about the F3 is you can increase the sound level before you record your audio (which is something that you can't do with the F2). I know I can do that in post with other audio apps, but I was desiring to see if doing it on the F3 would make it sound better. Let me know if it will make any difference or not. Thank you.

F3 noise floor is less than the x8 noise floor. F3 does not have 3.5mm mic input.

Hey man, just picked one up and this was helpful. I have the F2 which I picked up in a pinch when I forgot my mics on a trip and loved it, so the F3 was an easy decision. Regarding the missing 3.5mm jack, I wonder whether Zoom left that off to avoid cannibalizing the F2, since the F3 would be small enough to use as a lav unit.

Will the F3 operate without batteries in USB audio interface mode when connected to a PC via USB cable?

great review thx a lot, I was specifically looking for info on high pass filter (hpf) because Sennheiser mkh8020 omni mic picks up sounds starting at 10Hz

Excellent video. The comparisons with the Tascam are also helpful.

So strange that they don't include BT inside...

thanks for this, very thorough review, really showing off the capabilities!

I enjoyed this review. Can't wait to get my hands on my own F3

Thanks for this review! Congrats on your knew studio!

Would be perfect if it was a bit more rugged/weatherproof... it's a "field" recorder!

When connected to a DJ mixer (wedding) doest it still records in 32bit? Someone said it's kind of useless for that. I'm an audio noob.

Amazing review. I liked the most when you speak through at4053b. Which pro mic would you suggest for violin recording to use with zoom f3?

Great review. When you the F3 Control app you mentioned you can select either the app "OR you can select timecode". Was that intentional? Does this mean that timecode is not available while using the app or can the F3 connect to the app AND receive timecode at the same time? Many thanks.

Doesn’t the hold button serve the purpose of not turning off the recording by accident?

Thanks for the great video. I just ordered an F3 via your link. Hope you get a few buckaroos.

Is there a way to attach 2 pencil mic directly, do you think Line Audio CM4 will able to fit? Is there a joint adaptor to able to rotate the mic so it can be 90,120 or other form of stereo mix? Do you think it's worth all that or just get a Sennheiser MKE 440 stereo mic? Is it possible to record these 2 XLR as individual track and also the 3.5mm line in as its own track so 2 stereo tracks? I want to record stereo walk video with my behind the camera commentary on a camcorder, I can use the Sennheiser MKE 440 as stereo mic and a single Pencil Condenser CM4 facing backward to me that way, but can it be achieved and can I line all this out to the camcorder so I don't have to sync but still able to record to the Zoom F3 internally as a higher quality and also a backup? Are these build in rotatable stereo mic like Sony A10, many of the Zoom recorder and Tascam X6 good and don't need to make your own stereo pair and don't need Sennheiser MKE 440?

So 32db float is both for recovering peaks and also lows?

Great review! I'm planning on renting a Zoom F3 for filming a dance recital next spring. I can shoot two of the nights but I can't be there for the third night (I have another recital). So I will leave my camera and the F3 for someone else to shoot that night. The F3 looks easy to use after I initially set everything up. I'll tell them to press record on the camera and press record on the F3 and we should be good to go! My main recorder is a Sound Devices MixPre 6-II and I'll keep that with me for the other recital since it's a lot more complicated. And if the F3 works as planned... I might end up buying one to have as an additional/backup recorder. I have quite a collection of audio recorders already: Zoom F1, Zoom H1, Tentacle Track E, MixPre 6-II... so what's one more? 😎

wow your video really gives me something to aspire to. Great review, I already ordered my F3 but being in the middle of no where Canada up north there isn't even a major city of any sort for 7.5 hours of a drive so I am stuck waiting. For me the purpose is to reduce the size of my setup and not use my bulky in comparison Vocaster Two which can clip audio if not being careful and have no way to recover clean audio. Also since this is mono and Stereo it acts like the Scarlett 2i2 did without being locked to 2 channel mono like the more expensive kind of upgrade yet downgrade double the price same price as this device Vocaster Two mono system. Lastly I HATE being tied to a computer :P

What extra's would I need to use timecode with my camera? My BMPCC6k doesn't produce a timecode but I could plug in a timecode device right into both of them and sync them in post right?

Amazing review, the Zoom F3 I think is the perfect foolproof recorder, excelent for me I think =D. I'm just getting into recording video, and I want to record really low noises and having that editing power to lower or increase the levels... Amazing. One question that I have regarding the Zoom F3, did you use a IOS device or an Android device (smartphone) when you test it? Do you know if it would be possible to connect the Zoom F3 to my android phone and record video + 32 bit float internaly to the phone and this way I do not have to sync the audio in post? I'm totally new to all of this so all the help is usefull. Thanks alot, and again dope review.

Hi, as you've mentioned you can connect the zoom f3 directly to a camera, I have a deity connect system that has 2 transmitters with 2 3.5mm to xlr cables and I'm planning to use the the zoom f3 as a recorder/preamp. My question is, if I connect the zoom f3 to the camera will it be able to record separately?

WHEN USING the blueetooth can oyou plug headphones into your phone and listen?

32 bit float is truly amazing. I just wish the recorder had a 3.5mm input it would be near perfect

How do you synch your video footage with the audio recording of the Zoom F3 recorder? Please explain in detail. Thanks 😎😎

Awesome review!

Thanks, subscribed. Question if you have the time. I want to use this as a passthrough device to my red Komodo using the audio out. Is this a viable set-up? I know I'm relying on Red's preamps so I won't get as good a sound, but it's not super important to get the absolute highest quality audio, I only really need the 32 bit float capabilities. Thanks!

Will it only connect bt to app or sync blue or to both at the same time?

I'd like to know how you rig your overhead Sony A7C. Thank you for your F3 video and I watched it more than once.

odd question.... but would you know if you're able to use this as like an upgraded preamp for in camera recording to a blackmagic or red camera by daisy-chaining it via headphone jack. For example, plug in a RODE WIRELESS Go Receiver to an Ursa 12K and then attach the f3 to the headphone jack on the ursa or a gemini for 32bit internal recording? Make sense?

NO L/R routing is a deal breaker. The signal coming out of the F3 line out is a mixed down stereo signal. I can't believe Zoom would not implement this in their F3 when it's on all their other mixers. :-/

Thanks for that great review. I can't seem to get an answer out of Zoom. Do you know if the F3 will connect with the AtomX Sync into NinjaV the same way the F6 does? Or is it only via BLUE?

I'm intrigued to know how you use markers in your audio workflow, if you could possibly do a video about that?

Great video and just subscribed. Thank you! I just bought the F3, so this overview was very helpful. And your suggestion on the tabletop tripod is great - just ordered two! May I ask what brand/model the flexible/jointed arm is at your right that your shotgun mic is attached to? I could also use one of those. And what shock mount is that you are using for your shotgun mic? Thanks again!

The biggest issue for me is the F3 does not allow for recording to the microSD card while in Audio Interface mode - you have to choose one or the other. With my Zoom F6, I can do both as long as I choose "32/24" mode. The 24-bit signal goes to the PC/Mac via USB while the SD card gets a 32-bit float recorded WAV file. I generally like this approach since renaming the files can be a bit of a hassle on the device so I just use those files as a backup in case I clip my recording - normally this isn't an issue but I love the insurance policy this approach gives me.

Can we do timecode with the f3

Did the F-3 come in a bag as shown in the unboxing? They now come in some cleverly folded cardboard.

Beginner's question: when you say you can "bring back" the sound after it's clipped or peaked, how do you do that ? Can you do this in FCPX for instance, or do you need a specific music software ? Thanks.

Great review. 👍

Did you test the timecode?

Great stuff!

Any chance you could provide the recorded wav files? For my use case I am only interested in the soft voices and noise floor (yes, yes, I know, every mic is different) and actually I don't trust the yt audio quality :D

1. How did you adjust gain to demonstrate "recovery"? 2. What is the additional headroom F3 32 bit float recording provides? 3. Can you compare recovery of too low 32 bit float vs 24 bit on F3? 4. How do you understand and for what mode max input levels are? (+4dBu mic, +24dBu line)

Thank you for including the silence. But now I have even more questions. The silence at 14:28 and 14:45 reveals a higher noise level than I expected. I am curious if that comes through even with the mics unplugged. Is it just the noise floor or was there some background noise coming in through the mics? I was planning on buying one because I wanted to record some super quiet stuff without a noise floor. Could be a deal breaker. I already have a zoom h5 that is too noisy. I heard that you could get a lower noise floor with a higher bit rate. What settings are you using? The AT seems a little quieter than the rode. Is that because you left on the low cut filter on the rode? Both rode mics sound very thin actually.

¿How good is the Zoom F3 works for room tone ?

Just got myself a F3 but those Rode mics sound really harsh compared to the Audio-Technica AT4053B.

Does the line out can be change to mic level?

Dude- you should read some playboy articles in that quiet voice! hahahhahah

Thank you for such an informative video. Can I ask if you felt the TASCAM x8 or Zoom F3 has better sound or preamps? Would love to see more in-depth comparison between the two. Heard of problems on the X8 in stability, monitoring, etc.

Mate please never run phantom power to a trs mic through an xlr adapter again.

I'm curious if the overpriced bluetooth adapter could be replaced with a generic model that uses the same internal chipset? If you connect the Zoom Bluetooth adapter to your PC, does it show up as a regular Bluetooth device or is it proprietary?

Any experience if the F3 is immune to cell phone EMF? I have a tascam dr07II and it cannot be used at all around my iPhone as it’ll pick up digital clicking noise. I need to be able to record and multitask with the phone at the same time.

❤AT I use several 4031s

How to connect zoom h6 vs iphone video

The other cool thing you might mention about the Bluetooth module is that it gives you timecode sync with Atomos Sync modules. They let you sync multiple cameras, audio recorders, and even iPhones. Meanwhile, as I wait for my F3 to arrive, I'm wondering if anyone makes a small stereo XLR mic assembly that would turn this thing into a handy recorder like other handheld field recorders. Ideas?

Thank you for this video. Question about the zoom f3. I want to use it as a dslr camera interface. Running my mic into the f3 then use the 3mm jack output directly into my camera to record both video and audio together. Does this allow me 32bit float with the line out 3mm jack to camera? If so, how do I set it as I don't see anything about this anywhere online. I only see volume line level adjustments. In other worlds, can I still get 32 bit float directly into my camera? Thank you

Do you think 32-bit recording is lazy, or is it a helpful tool?

How is the time ode feature?

great video sorry if i missed it in this video but may I ask when does it also support 32 bit float when used as a usb audio interface, as I believe the tascam does not.

dang, this would be a no-brainer if it used XLR-1/4" combo inputs.

Nice review! How long is the battery life? 2 hours perhaps with phantom power?

the Tascam x8 sounds so much better

So you need an adapter that will take the headphone out and link via Bluetooth to a pair of Bluetooth audio headphones and tada - full remote control. It's a dirty way to solve what you should have thought be done with the hardware they sold you. Alas, even the Tascan DRnnWL models (22 and 44) that had WiFi control couldn't even stream the audio. Definitely, a shortcoming that field recorders have that should not be.

does it can be powered by the usb c?

What is the Android App called? Is it the F2 Control? I've got my Zoom F3 in hand, just waiting on the Bluetooth adaptor. Thanks

Wow, for $349.99, I would expect a lot more than this. The Tascam X8 does everything that this does except for inserting a Timecode and it has far more options. The X8 is a $150.00 more, but it has six more mic connections and it also comes with apps to use for each specific function. Really, there is no comparison between the two.

How did you get it from BH THEY say Available not until March 22?

Can you enter Slate information through the app?

I'm still thinking I'll keep my F4.

Is this sponsored by Zoom? Sorry, but the F3 is a turd. Here's why: When recording if you plug your headphones in to monitor briefly, it turns the unit off. Doesn't just stop recording. Cuts power. It doesn't matter if you're half way through recording a live event for a paying client. Your recorder is turning off. Oh, and it also doesn't write the audio that had been recorded up to that point. I learned this one last week so now I get to spend hours and hours piecing together and cleaning up on-camera audio. Awesome. The Bluetooth app itself is pretty awesome, yes. That was covered entirely in this video. What wasn't covered and what is never covered is that if you switch apps on your phone (i.e. to adjust your Aputure lights) then the connection is cut. Ok, reconnect, right? Not that hard. Well, it actually is that hard...harder even. In order to reconnect, you have to power the F3 all the way off. No, seriously. You have to stop your recording, power it off then power it back on again and it will then finally connect. I really don't see the point in having this $40 trigger that only starts recording and does nothing else unless you have an assistant who can constantly keep the app focused and you never need your phone for anything else. FFS, it won't even pass the audio to your phone!! Bluetooth on phones basically IS audio, yet this turd can't do it?!?!? Those two faults make this recorder entirely useless for long form recording. Never mind that there are no mic plugs like they put on their H4N years ago. Never mind that the battery door is flimsy AF and is not replaceable. Never mind that you only get a couple hours on the batteries and you can't use external power. It's a turd.

Were did you order from?

No time code input? Should be standard these days. Why would a person need 48v on a line level source?

I still don't see the point of recording in 32 bit. Having more headroom doesn't mean you'll never clip. If your capture source clips the mic, you'll still have clipped audio. Both loud and quiet tests still rely on the microphone having a high SPL and low self noise and are not a conclusive pro to 32 bit. There's also the issue of moving into floating point. Computers are not capable of representing floating numbers accurately and many audio editors will internally convent float audio to integer, rendering the "advantage" pointless.

this thing is severely overrated. Rode wireless mic ii and the new dji mic are better.

its overpriced af

Hi Paul (@GearTest_Tech), I explored and found zoom f3 with BTA is not compatible with Tentacle Sync E MKII for timecode sync. there is a temporary workaround but not via bTA. I Wish they make it compatible !!