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Description
For those who capture sound under challenging conditions, the Zoom F8 Field Audio Recorder is an essential companion. Engineered for professional field recording, this device offers pristine sound quality without compromise. With eight high-quality mic/line inputs that accommodate both standard and high-SPL environments, the F8 is perfect for capturing everything from the quietest whispers to the loudest explosions with clarity. The recorder features dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card slots, providing ample storage and data security, making it ideal for long recording sessions in the field.
Equipped with advanced preamps, the Zoom F8 boasts a remarkable low noise floor, ensuring your recordings are as clean as the environment allows. The built-in time code is accurate to 0.2 ppm, allowing for seamless synchronization in post-production. Featuring a robust metal chassis, this recorder is designed to withstand the rigors of any location shoot or field work.
Key Features:
- Eight high-quality mic/line inputs with XLR/TRS combo connectors
- Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card slots for extended recording time
- Advanced preamps with low-noise floor
- Built-in time code with 0.2 ppm accuracy
- Sturdy metal chassis for durability in the field
- User-friendly interface with full-color LCD display
Product specs
| Brand | Zoom |
| Model | F8 Field Recorder |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 2010s |
| Categories | Recording Gear |
FAQs
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What are the main features of the Zoom F8 Field Recorder?
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The Zoom F8 Field Recorder features 8-input/10-track recording, low-noise preamps, and supports high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/192 kHz, making it ideal for filmmakers and sound designers.
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Does the Zoom F8 support phantom power for microphones?
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Yes, the Zoom F8 provides switchable phantom power (+24V/+48V) for each of its eight inputs, allowing you to use condenser microphones that require external power.
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Can the Zoom F8 Field Recorder be used for film production?
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Absolutely, the Zoom F8 is designed for professional film production and sound design, offering timecode functionality and high-quality audio capture suitable for on-location recording.
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What kind of storage does the Zoom F8 use for recording?
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The Zoom F8 records audio onto SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards, providing flexibility and ample storage capacity for long recording sessions.
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How portable is the Zoom F8 Field Recorder for field use?
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The Zoom F8 is compact and lightweight, making it highly portable for field recording. Its rugged design ensures durability in various recording environments.
Videos
Curtis Judd Audio
Setting up the Zoom F8 Audio Field Recorder 30 June 2016
Setting up the Zoom F8 Audio Field Recorder 30 June 2016
Curtis Judd Audio
Zoom F8 - Basic Setup
Steven Wyatt
Zoom F8 Initial Impressions: Audio Recorder for Enthusiast Filmmakers
Curtis Judd
Zoom F8 MultiTrack Recorder - Things to Know
LensProToGo
Zoom F8 Field Recorder | Reverb Demo Video
Reverb
Zoom F8 Portable Field Recorder – Accessories Overview | Full Compass
Full Compass
Zoom F8 Audio Recorder Overview
CMAC
Reviews
PROS
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Compact design packs 8-track recorder and mixer in a small, portable unit
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Supports up to 8 mics with dual SD card recording for redundancy
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Hybrid XLR/TRS inputs provide flexibility with different mic types
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Low noise floor and impressive dynamic range for high-quality audio
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Versatile routing options for inputs and outputs
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Capable of Bluetooth control and USB interface functionality
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FRC-8 mixing board enhances live mixing capabilities
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Built-in timecode functionality aligns easily with video equipment
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Pre-recording feature captures audio just before hitting record
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Affordable price point for 8-channel capability
CONS
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Headphone amp is weak and colors sound, affecting critical listening
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Digital compressors and limiters less effective than analog counterparts
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Complex menu navigation with more clicks needed for common tasks
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No simultaneous recording to SD and USB audio interface usage
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iOS app has limited functionality and device compatibility issues
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Lacks digital inputs/outputs, limiting interface with some high-end gear
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XLR inputs are mic level only, requiring adapters for certain setups
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Zoom F8 - Field Audio Recorder.
Features and functionality
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The F8n allows for mic/line input level adjustments via software, eliminating the need for adapters.
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The F8n's DC input handles a wider range of voltages, supporting 14V batteries, which is an upgrade over the original F8.
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The F8n Pro's 32-bit float recording is seen as beneficial for projects without constant gain adjustments, yet it deviates from standard 24-bit formats preferred in professional environments.
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The Zoom F8n Pro's preamps exhibit very low self-noise, making it highly suitable for field recording with quality microphones.
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The F8n Pro handles extreme low-frequency transients well, but using a pad is advised for very close, high-output microphone placements.
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Use cases and applications
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The Zoom F6 is preferred for recording sound effects, stereo setups, and ambisonics, rather than location sound due to limited support gear.
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The Zoom F8n Pro is favored for solo bag setups due to its lightweight design and sufficient channel capacity, despite lacking advanced communication features for boom operators.
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The F8n Pro is favored for outdoor acoustic instrument recordings, especially when handling high SPL sources like percussion in street bands.
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The F8n Pro's dual card recording feature and simple interface are preferred over the Mixpre 10ii for field and remote sessions.
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Setup and maintenance
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The F6 typically requires use of an app for metadata entry, making its setup less direct compared to other models.
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Comparisons
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The F8n Pro offers 32-bit float recording but lacks dual-gain recording available in 24-bit on the F8n.
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The F8n Pro lacks the dual recording capability found in the original F8n, which is critical for capturing safety channels in dynamic environments like motorsports.
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The Pearstone IMA 1030 pad is recommended for situations requiring attenuation, praised for its lightweight build and negligible audio quality impact.
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User experience
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The F6's small size makes it ideal for users who prefer a lightweight setup, like those using a waistbelt instead of a harness.
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The headphone output quality has been reported as subpar in the original F8 and F4 models, though software updates have slightly improved its performance.
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Some owners experienced RF interference when using wireless receivers near the F8n Pro, affecting sound quality.
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4.5 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings
618
Great entry level field recorder
Having used the Zoom F8 as a sound recordist for video production for the last 5 years I can safely say I’ve put it through its paces, and pushed it all the way to it’s limits.
The Zoom F8 is a versatile and effective field recorder, with clean preamps and solid timecode. Paired with the FRC8 mixing surface it makes for a budget conscious cart mixer. It is capable of Bluetooth control from an iPad, and can also be used as a multitrack USB interface in a variety of modes.
The menus are super simple and the metadata options work great. The display is decent enough for bright sunlight use too.
In a blind test I think you would struggle to pick it out against another field recorder of the same generation that might cost 10x the price. Interestingly it is still one of the only recorders on the market with 8 mic preamps. Sound Devices 888 is 10x the price.
In it’s most basic form you have 8 mic/line inputs and 4x output channels, which can be routed very flexibly from the IO matrix capable of delivering useful mixes to various different people on set.
Downsides: - There are no digital inputs or outputs. - The Mix channels are only routable from the pan selection. The pan law is set to increase volume at full pan so routing in this way can clip the mix bus, which isn’t ideal. - In EXT Timecode mode the pre-roll is disabled. - The headphone amp is a bit weak and seems to emphasise noise problems more than you’d like. It’s like a weird kind of compression. - The XLR inputs are mic level only, and the line level is accessed by the jack side of the combi-jack inputs. This means it doesn’t interface well with high end location kit which is all supplied with XLR’s and switchable output levels. (This is fixed in the F8n) - The output level of the main out is consumer line level rather than pro.
In all honesty though those are some pretty minor issues, and the pro’s far outweighs the cons. What you can achieve on the F8 is mighty impressive. I’ve done jobs that honestly would have been impossible on some more expensive machines.
I’m hesitantly upgrading soon, as I find I’m hitting its limitations more and more regularly. But the amount of money you have to spend to surpass everything this machine can do is frankly astounding! Find another machine with 8 channels that has access to all of the mix functions from the front panel… your instantly looking at 10x the cost of the F8.
Artist usage
Add artist
Yosi Horikawa can be seen using a Zoom F8 field audio recorder throughout this video, in particular at 0:35.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Zoom F8 - Field Audio Recorder, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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