Zoom F1 Audio Recorder - take on Tascam DR10 series

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Specs

2-Channel Field Audio Recorder
Attach on Belts, Slip into a Pocket
Compatible with all Zoom microphone capsules
LMF-1 Omnidirectional Lavalier Mic
1/8" Stereo Mic/Line Input
24-Bit/96 kHz Audio, WAV and MP3
WAV 44.1 kHz/16-bit, 48 kHz/16-bit, 48 kHz/24-bit, 96 kHz/24-bit
MP3 48 kbps, 128 kbps, 192 kbps, 256 kbps, 320 kbps Mono/stereo ID3v1 tags supported
On-Board Limiter and Auto-Level Control
One-Touch Controls, Easy-to-Read Display
Up to 32GB on microSD or microSDHC Card
Micro-USB port for data exchange to and from computer
Use as an audio interface to record directly to your computer or iOS device
Tone generator for calibrating audio levels between the F1 and a DSLR video camera without the need for an attenuation cable
Sound marker function outputs quick tone for syncing audio and video
2 x AAA Batteries Record up to 10 Hours
Windscreen, Belt Clip, Mic Clip
Shotgun
- Directionality: Super cardioid (3 directional mic units)
- Sensitivity: −39 dB/1 Pa at 1 kHz
- Input gain: −∞ – +50 dB
- Maximum sound pressure input: 122 dB SPL
Lav Mic Input
- Connector: 3.5 mm stereo mini (with screw lock)
- Supports plug-in power (2.5 V)
- Input gain: −12 dB – +36 dB
- Input impedance: 2 kΩ or more
Available for $199 at
- https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1385361-REG/zoom_zf1lp_zoom_f1_field_recorder.html
Or for $249 with shotgun module
- https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1385362-REG/zoom_zf1sp_f1_field_recorder_with.html

IronFilm

Disappointed it lacks TC, like all the other Zoom F series have had.

As without that I am doubtful it is a compelling enough choice to pick over the cheaper Tascam DR10L. (although I guess if the Tascam isn't on sale, and you need one asap then it makes sense perhaps to pick the Zoom instead at the same price? But the Tascam seems to be going on sale at a fairly semi regular basis)

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Disappointed it lacks TC, like all the other Zoom F series have had.

What for you need TC for such autonomous recorder?

Issue with F1 is that designers do not clearly understand usage scenarios.
Lack of double track recording on device where you can't monitor audio just make it no buy.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Manual and QG

Pages

IronFilm

What for you need TC for such autonomous recorder?

It is in Zoom's higher end "F series", thus in my eyes it would have made sense for it to have TC.

Imagine you're doing a reality TV series with a dozen F1 recorders scattered around, going to be a royal pain in the ass to sync those up!

Lack of double track recording on device where you can't monitor audio just make it no buy.

I agree that is very important too, but reasonably confident that there is a good chance it might come in a future firmware update. It is a two channel recorder after all.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Imagine you're doing a reality TV series with a dozen F1 recorders scattered around, going to be a royal pain in the ass to sync those up!

No one will be doing this, you have Zaxcom for it - they are 100x more suitable with wireless timecode, transparent dual recording and much more.

I agree that is very important too, but reasonably confident that there is a good chance it might come in a future firmware update. It is a two channel recorder after all.

You can't make this just "by firmware". As you need actual routing of signal to second ADC channel. And being stereo recording actually reduce this chance extremely.