
Zoom has been the indie filmmaker's audio friend for quite some time, especially now with their low-cost field recorder.
Zoom has unveiled the F4, an 8-track/6-input field recorder and mixer. They took everything we enjoyed about the F8 and made it bite-sized. With more recording capacity than a Nagra Seven or Sound Devices 744T, and at a cheaper cost ($649.99), it looks to be a solid companion for any run-and-gun audiophile.
The multitrack recorder features four locking Neurtik XLR/TRS combo connections with the XLR inputs offering switchable 24/48V Phantom power. Each input has a dedicated six-segment LED level meter and a Record Ready and PFL switch. A 3.5mm stereo input or a Zoom mic capsule provides inputs for tracks 5 and 6. If you're not familiar with the Zoom mic capsule, it's a 10-pin connection where an optional EXH-6 Dual XLR/TRS Combo capsule adds two extra XLR mic/line inputs.
Like the F8, the F4 features extremely low noise mic preamps of -127 dBu and +75 dB of input gain—line level inputs are +4 dB. Inputs 5 and 6 can be used as a camera return for monitoring, e.g. confidence checks and there's a variable-frequency slate tone generator to confirm levels.
Zoom also added onboard limiters to all four channels with 10 dB of headroom. Additional threshold, attack, and release controls have been added which makes it perfect for louder sound environments or an unexpected scream. The unit records Broadcast Wave Format (BWF) files at 16-bit or 24-bit resolution at any standard sample rate up to 192 kHz. There's also MP3 recording options at 128, 192, or 320 kbps. In dual-channel recording mode you can create safety tracks on inputs 1 and 2 with independent levels, delay, high-pass filtering, limiting, and phase inversion.
What's more surprising about the F4 is that you get time code at this price point. You can ask any audio manufacturer and the spec that inevitable bumps the cost is TC. The F4 uses a Temperature Compensated Crystal Oscillator (TCXO) that generates accuracy of 0.2 ppm with selectable rates at 23.976ND, 24ND, 25ND, 29.97ND, 29.97D, 30ND and 30D.
For power, you can use 8 AA batteries or an external DC battery pack with a converter cable connector. It also comes with a AD-19 power supply for a wall outlet, and for those using DC-HIROSE, an adapter is available. And as you'd expect the F4 has a built-in tripod mount.
Features
- 6-input/8-track multitrack recorder with integrated mixer
- Input 5/6 can be used as a camera return for monitoring
- High-quality mic preamps
- Support for up to 24-bit/192 kHz recording
- Accurate time code
- Dedicated gain control knob
- 6-segment LED level meter for each channel
- Phantom power (+48V/+24V) on every preamp
- High pass filter, phase invert, and Mid-Side decoder
- Advanced onboard limiters
You can preorder the Zoom F4 at B&H for $649.99. To learn more, head on over to Zoom.
Be sure to check out more of our IBC 2016 coverage.
Your Comment
9 Comments
Anyone know how long we should expect out of the battery on this? My H4n sucks the life from a battery in no time :(
Edit: A B&H youtube video is claiming 8 hours on the lithium-ion batteries which seems.... I want to say good but lithium-ions are not cheap.
They should have an option for Canon batteries etc.
September 6, 2016 at 10:53PM, Edited September 6, 11:02PM
It will probably depend on how much 48 volt phantom power you are using, as phantom power can easily kill the batteries in lower cost units.
Overall this looks like a great unit.
September 6, 2016 at 11:11PM, Edited September 6, 11:14PM
I have the F8... getting about 2.5 hours - 3 hrs with phantom power on one channel on 8 AA batteries. I bought an extra battery brick (that you fill with AA's) as a backup. Really slick system. Never felt like battery power is insufficient. Coming from the Tascam DR60d - this is the same or better.
September 7, 2016 at 3:31PM
Like with the f8 you can power it from virtually any battery that output between 9 and 16 volts. And on the f8 with 8000mah sony battery you last +/- 9hours with phantom power, so with a 30$ 15000mha battery you last more than you will ever need.
September 8, 2016 at 1:35PM
Well, shit, Zoom. This is perfect.
September 7, 2016 at 6:21AM
That's a great news, it looks perfect. It really makes me want to get one!
September 7, 2016 at 7:15AM
It's looks similar to the Tascam DR-701D. I look forward to seeing comparison videos. I almost never need four XLR inputs, but I would still consider this device for the likely improved preamps. The F4 sure looks more robust than the Tascam but who knows, looks can be deceiving.
September 7, 2016 at 7:23AM, Edited September 7, 7:29AM
The price is close, I think the main difference is the preamps and some pro fonction like mid side decoding. As a sound guy I would go for the zoom, as a onemenband dslr shooter I would go for the tascam, probably.
September 7, 2016 at 8:54AM
I shoot solo often. I have the F8 - absolutely love it. Comes with a mount you can put your DSLR on top of.. so it will sit on the tripod under your camera. Excellent for all applications imo. Preamps are such an improvement over cheaper options. Really really good.
September 7, 2016 at 3:34PM