ZOOM F3 Field Recorder – Compact 2-Track Audio Recorder with 32-Bit Float Recording – For Podcasts, Interviews, Live Recording – Charcoal Grey

This little recorder packs a serious punch for anyone needing high-quality, portable audio. Pros: What truly shines here is the combination of power and convenience. The build quality is fantastic, just as you'd expect from Zoom; it feels robust and ready for field use. Its tiny form factor is a huge plus, making it incredibly easy to mount on a camera rig or just slip into a pocket. The star of the show, however, is the 32-bit float recording. This is a game-changer, as it essentially eliminates the risk of digital clipping. You get a massive safety net, so you no longer have to worry about a sudden loud noise ruining a perfect take. The microphone preamps are exceptionally clean and quiet, and the dual XLR inputs make it versatile for everything from interviews to capturing ambient sound. It has been my go-to for outdoor shoots with my camera and a shotgun mic. Cons: My only real critique is with the user interface. While it's functional, navigating the menus can feel a bit dated and isn't as intuitive as it could be. It takes a little patience to learn your way around, and a small refresh would make this device near-perfect. Despite the slightly clunky interface, the Zoom F3 is an outstanding piece of gear. The combination of its rugged build, compact size, and the magic of 32-bit float recording makes it an essential tool for videographers, podcasters, and content creators. If you need a reliable, "set-it-and-forget-it" audio recorder that delivers pristine sound every time, look no further. Highly recommended

I've owned a Zoom H1 for years and didn't think a recorder could get much better. But the Zoom F3 certainly is. It's very well built and was smaller than expected, but not fiddly to use. It has a tripod bush on the bottom, or two rails that can be used to attach it to other mountings. It has only two XLR sockets for microphones and these need phantom power- which the F3 provides. I use two Clippy mics, which are truly excellent, and also a Sennheiser MKE 600 shotgun mic. Battery life is, in my experience, around 3 hours on two AA Eneloop batteries, but I use a power bank which plugs into the F3's USB port. Fortunately, the F3 will use the power bank first and the AAs when that expires. The real strength of the F3 is 32 bit floating point recording. This gives it a huge dynamic range and there's no need at all to set the gain as one would normally. This is similar to RAW photographs with a DSLR camera. Sound quality is very good indeed, and self noise is very low indeed. Whilst the F3 can't be called heavy on features, it does what it's supposed to do extremely well. The design and interface is reasonably intuitive and simple. Most of the time, you'd just switch it on and start recording without any meddling.

As someone who’s always on the hunt for reliable, high-quality audio gear, the Zoom F3 has absolutely blown me away. This compact, high-end 2-track field recorder packs an incredible punch for its size and price point. First off, the build quality is outstanding. It feels solid and professional, with an intuitive design that ensures it’s as durable as it is easy to use. The size is another huge plus—small enough to be unobtrusive, yet it doesn’t sacrifice functionality. It’s the perfect companion for on-the-go audio recording, whether you’re working on films, interviews, or sound design. The dual AD converters and 32-bit float recording are game changers. This recorder effortlessly handles extreme dynamic ranges, capturing pristine audio without clipping, even in unpredictable environments. The audio quality is rich, clear, and versatile, making post-production a breeze. Pair it with a high-quality mic, and you’ve got studio-grade recordings in the field. The battery life is commendable, too. It lasted through long recording sessions without needing constant attention—a must-have for anyone working on time-sensitive projects. The Bluetooth app control is another thoughtful touch, making it easy to adjust settings remotely and monitor levels in real time. Overall, the Zoom F3 is a powerhouse in a compact form. It’s perfect for professionals and enthusiasts alike who demand top-tier audio quality and portability. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable field recorder—it’s worth every penny!

I’m so glad I finally took the plunge and got this. I’ve a collection of handheld recorders with inbuilt microphones. These are great & convenient, but I was looking for something with better preamps / self noise. What always put me off the F3 was its lack of inbuilt microphones. I just find the inbuilt mics can be very helpful and convenient capturing quick sounds when out in the field. I was put off the F3 initially because I didn’t know if I could be bothered using external microphones all the time and having to setup something each time for recording. However, I’ve found this not to be an issue. I’ve popped this on a tripod via a clamp and have the Clippy EM272Z1 microphones attached to the top of the tripod. With a bit of cable management in place, you can just pop the tripod down and get recording. It’s obviously not the smallest setup or discrete, but it’s easier than I thought it would be. For a discrete setup - I’ve clipped the microphones onto the sides of a bag and had the F3 inside the bag recording. This is perfect for stealth recording where you want to capture high quality audio without influencing the sound in the area at all. The dynamic is an environment always changes when people can see recording equipment & sometimes you want to get a subtle sneaky recording where people’s behaviour isn’t altered by seeing anything recording sound. The size is great. It’s easy to take around with you and throw in a bag. I also appreciate the build quality of this unit. It’s built like a tank and actually has metal on the body which makes me confident it can take a bit of a beating or survive a drop - not that I would ever recommend testing this out, but accidents do happen. Compared to other zoom products I have used (Zoom H1E, H8, H5 and H3-VR), this easily has far better build quality. The F3 has very little self noise, which is sensational when paired with some highly sensitive microphones. I believe it’s around (-127) in terms of self noise which definitely puts it higher in ranking for self noise than other Zoom products. My understanding is that the H range has significantly worse self noise than the F range and going from the H range to the F range I can attest to there being a huge difference in noise levels with the F series. Then there’s the magic of 32-bit float recording. This is amazing as you can set it and forget it - just hit record and go with little worry of any clipping occurring. It’s highly unlikely you will get clipping in 32bit float. I’d always recommend knowing how to set levels effectively as it’s a useful skill to have and requires practice, experience and an element of trial and error. However, 32bit float is great for everybody because you just hit record and capture audio with no clipping. This can be a life saver in loud or unpredictable environments where levels can go from extremely quiet to sudden loud bursts of sound. The menus are a little fiddly and confusing initially, but you get used to them and it’s not a deal breaker. Battery life with 2 AA is ok, but supplying phantom power to microphones will drain those pretty quickly. I always offset this by using a power bank into the USBC slot. This is great for drop rigs that are being left for long periods of time or just extra peace of mind with regard to power. I wish I had got the F3 sooner. It’s going to have a nice home amongst my other recorders and I can definitely see it getting significant use out in the field. Don’t be like me and put it off, take the plunge and see for yourself how good it is. The F3 is held in very high regard, and it’s easy to see why.

The Zoom F3 MultiTrack Field Recorder is a portable audio recording device designed for professional sound capture in various settings. Here's a brief review of the item: The Good: - **Versatility**: The Zoom F3 is suitable for a wide range of applications, including film and video production, podcasting, music recording, and more. - **MultiTrack Recording**: The device is capable of recording multiple tracks simultaneously, allowing for individual channel control and post-production flexibility. - **High-Quality Preamps**: The F3 is known for its high-quality microphone preamps, which ensure clean and accurate audio capture. - **Timecode Generation**: The built-in timecode generator is beneficial for synchronizing audio with video recordings, essential for professional film and TV production. - **Durability**: The rugged build of the device makes it suitable for field use, ensuring it can withstand various environments and conditions. The Not-So-Good: - **Learning Curve**: The device offers advanced features that might require some learning and experimentation to utilize effectively. - **Price**: The Zoom F3 is positioned at a higher price point compared to consumer-level audio recording devices, making it more suitable for professional users. In summary, the Zoom F3 MultiTrack Field Recorder is a powerful tool for professional audio recording in a variety of settings. Its multi-track capabilities, high-quality preamps, and timecode generation features make it well-suited for filmmakers, podcasters, and audio professionals. While the learning curve and price should be considered, the F3's versatility and audio quality can be valuable assets for those who demand professional-level results.

I bought this on the day the H5 Studio was released and for half an hour thought I'd made a bad purchase decision. Not because there is anything wrong with the F3, but because the H5 uses the same F series technology and has more features (four tracks instead of two being the main difference). However, after watching Curtis Judd, I knew this was the right field recorder for my purposes. Having owned previous field recorders, there is one thing Zoom isn't very good at: isolating handling noises of the unit from the built-in mics. Unless you have a Zoom field recorder mounted, hands-free, if using the built-in mics you will almost certainly pick up vibration noises from handling the unit. At the time I wasn't sure if I wanted built-in mics (just as a backup), but after watching Judd's review in which he warns of these issues, I knew the H5 didn't offer anything the F3 doesn't, other than 4 tracks and a 3.5mm input, which could be useful for a single lav (that's nothing that an XLR-to-3.5 adapter can't sort out). The H5 is more expensive by £100 at the time of writing, and has unnecessary digital gain controls, which with 32bit float are not really needed. It's also bigger than the F3, because the F3 is pretty diminutive. The F3 has great build quality. What I wanted was the simplest two-channel 32bit recorder with a low noise floor that my wife could operate. No disrespect to her but she's not bothered by dials and controls and just wanted something she can turn on and hit record with. The simple black and white wav file display is non-distracting but useful to make sure the mic is receiving phantom power, which the F3 provides. We've paired this up with the Sennheiser MKE600 for bird recordings and it produces excellent results. We got some great footage and was able to easily isolate the bird song from the noisy motorway in the background. This really does have a low noise floor and is a cut above any of the H series Zooms I've used previously. Don't be fooled into thinking the H5 Studio is 'better' than the F3. If you're looking for a simple but pocketable 2-channel XLR 32bit float recorder, this is a great option. The H5 could be over-kill if you have similar requirements to mine.

This tiny little field recorder is solidly built and can be powered by two AA batteries or via usb C. It’s heavier than it looks and I really like the form factor, although mounting it on the wrist is a little optimistic. It’s capable of producing 48v phantom power through its two XLR inputs. These are the only inputs so you will need adapters if you use TRS output mics. It records in 32 bit float so it’s almost idiot proof in operation. Of course you can ruin your recordings if you are inept enough, but providing you position your mics thoughtfully you should always end up with usable audio, as 32 bit float offers a great deal more flexibility in post processing. It comes with manuals in a lot of different languages, but not much else ( the manuals take up most of the space in the box ), so you will need a micro SD card and batteries. I am yet to record bad sound with it, even whispering into an old Nokia phone ear bud produced usable voice recording. If you need more than two channels this won’t be the recorder for you, maybe consider the Zoom F6, but I love this little battery munching F3.

Great product. Easy to use. Very well built. Sound quality is great. Looking forward to using on my next professional project.

Great product but has a couple of downfalls: Cannot set it to automatically start recording when threshold reached When recording with external battery pack, it doesn't automatically switch over to internal batteries if external source goes flat. Device turns off.

Ein super Recorder, den ich nur empfehlen kann! Verkäufer und Abwicklung top - sehr gerne wieder!

När en produkt överträffar förväntningarna på riktigt. Jag är väldigt nöjd med mitt köp – 32-bit float, låg brusnivå, lätt att arbeta med och startar snabbt. Bygget känns robust rakt igenom. Jag matar den med ström från en powerbank via USB-C, och den kan gå riktigt länge på det sättet.

El tamaño compacto y la ligereza hacen que el Zoom F3 sea cómodo de usar en cualquier condición. Se puede montar fácilmente en un trípode o soporte de micrófono. La capacidad de grabar en formato flotante de 32 bits proporciona una gran flexibilidad en el procesamiento de audio. Incluso con cambios significativos en el volumen, la señal mantiene su calidad sin distorsión, lo cual es especialmente útil en situaciones de grabación difíciles con sonidos muy bajos y muy altos. La alta calidad de los preamplificadores y el bajo nivel de ruido (EIN -127 dBu) permiten lograr grabaciones de audio con mínimas interferencias, comparables a las de mezcladores profesionales. Esto hace que el Zoom F3 sea una excelente herramienta para trabajar con una amplia gama de sonidos. Yo uso este dispositivo con un micrófono Shure SM7B y un preamplificador Tonor para aumentar la ganancia y obtener un mayor nivel de volumen del micrófono. Conecto directamente este micrófono a la cámara Sony A7 IV, y funciona perfectamente. No tengo necesidad de grabar el audio por separado y luego sincronizarlo con la grabación de video, lo que resultó ser una solución muy conveniente para mí, aunque más costosa. La interfaz sencilla y el diseño minimalista del dispositivo permiten configurarlo rápidamente para grabar. La función "configurar y olvidar" elimina la necesidad de ajustar constantemente los niveles de entrada, lo que es especialmente importante para el trabajo en exteriores. La posibilidad de utilizar USB-C para la alimentación aumenta significativamente la duración de la grabación, eliminando la necesidad de cambiar las baterías con frecuencia. Al conectar una batería externa, el dispositivo puede funcionar durante muchas horas sin interrupciones, lo cual es especialmente útil para sesiones prolongadas. El cuerpo robusto de aluminio con elementos de plástico brinda una buena protección al dispositivo. El diseño especial previene daños incluso en condiciones de uso intensivo, lo que prolonga la vida útil del equipo. La compatibilidad con tarjetas microSDXC de hasta 1 TB permite grabar una gran cantidad de material, y la función integrada de prueba de tarjetas ayuda a evitar problemas con medios incompatibles. El Zoom F3 se puede utilizar como una interfaz de audio, lo que hace que el dispositivo sea versátil. La compatibilidad con el formato de 32 bits al conectarse a computadoras y dispositivos móviles permite usarlo para transmisiones en vivo y otras tareas. Las dos entradas XLR con alimentación phantom (+24 V o +48 V) permiten conectar micrófonos dinámicos y de condensador. Las funciones de pregrabación y los ajustes de modos mono/estéreo facilitan la grabación de escenas de audio complejas y aumentan la confianza durante el trabajo. Sin embargo, el dispositivo tiene desventajas. El menú y los controles parecen anticuados, y a menudo se requiere una combinación de botones para realizar ajustes, lo que puede ralentizar el flujo de trabajo. La falta de un indicador claro de grabación puede generar confusión: el pequeño LED no es lo suficientemente visible. El compartimento de baterías parece frágil y puede romperse con un uso frecuente. La duración de la batería es limitada: con baterías alcalinas estándar, es de unas dos horas, y solo con baterías de litio se pueden alcanzar 6-7 horas. La falta de una entrada de 3.5 mm limita la compatibilidad del dispositivo, lo cual es inconveniente al conectar micrófonos u otros dispositivos que usan este estándar, como los de solapa. Para usar la funcionalidad Bluetooth, se requiere la compra de un adaptador separado, lo que crea costos adicionales y complicaciones, especialmente considerando que esta tecnología ya es estándar en la mayoría de los dispositivos modernos. El sistema de código de tiempo solo es compatible con Atomos UltraSync BLUE, lo que también limita su funcionalidad. A pesar de las desventajas mencionadas, me gusta usar este dispositivo. Más bien me he adaptado a sus características que aceptarlas como fallas. Por el momento, no veo alternativas en este rango de precios que satisfagan todas mis necesidades y ofrezcan un conjunto de características similar. Aunque el Zoom F3 no es perfecto, sus fortalezas, especialmente en términos de calidad de grabación de audio, superan sus debilidades. Es fácil de montar y, durante el proceso de grabación, no he tenido problemas: si comencé a grabar, siempre se completó con éxito. Lo único que echo de menos es una mayor seguridad de que la grabación realmente está en curso. La indicación podría ser más evidente y útil.

Pre di ottima qualità, peccato per il modulo bluetooth non incorporato