The Zoom F8 Packs Serious Pro Audio Features for Filmmakers & Sound Designers
The Zoom F8 Packs Serious Pro Audio Features for Filmmakers & Sound Designers
Zoom recently showed a demo version of their latest multi-track recorder the F8 a few months back in Las Vegas during NAB 2015, and earlier today Zoom announced their F8 is available for pre-order with estimated deliver in late July/early August. The F8 boasts a ton of impressive professional features, and is bound to be a Game-Changer for filmmakers and sound designers working in the field of professional TV, Film and corporate production.
The F8 is equipped with 8 XLR/TRS combo inputs that utilize Zoom’s finest mic preamps to date. The F8’s preamps feature a super low noise floor (-127dB EIN) and high input gain (up to 75 dB), recording at up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution.
Weighing in at just over 2 lbs, the F8 is packed with feature such as rock solid time code at 0.2 ppm accuracy and dual SD Card slots each compatible with SD/ SDHC/SDXC cards of up to 512 GB.
The F8 is the first field recorder to come with wireless Bluetooth control. The Zoom F8 Control app provides control of the F8 from your iOS device via Bluetooth LE. Transport controls, level monitoring, and metadata editing make controlling the F8 with your iOS device a breeze.
Included in the box:
Camera mount adapter
Zoom AD-19 12V AC adapter
Operation manual
TA3 to XLR cable x2
Cubase LE and WaveLab LE download codes
Optional F8 Accessories
PCF-8 Protective case for F8
ECM-3 Extension cable for mic capsule (3m)
XYH-5 X/Y mic capsule
XYH-6 X/Y mic capsule
MSH-6 Mid-Side mic capsule
SGH-6 Shotgun mic capsule
SSH-6 Stereo Shotgun mic capsule
Zoom F8 FeaturesIndustry Leading Mic pre-amps
Outfitted with our finest mic preamps to date, the F8 features an extremely low noise floor (−127 dBu EIN) and high gain (up to 75 dB), with +4 dB line inputs.
High-resolution audio and advanced limiters
The F8 can record at 24-bit/192 kHz resolution and is equipped with onboard limiters designed to provide overload protection. Limiting can be applied to all 8 channels simultaneously at full resolution, with 10dB of headroom and controls for setting threshold, attack, and release.
Time code with pinpoint accuracy
The F8’s time code is state-of-the-art. It utilizes a precision oscillator that generates time code at 0.2 ppm accuracy, enabling rock solid syncing of audio and video.
The F8 supports all standard dropframe and non-drop formats, and can jam sync to time code being provided by external devices. An input and output are provided on standard BNC connectors, enabling easy integration into any rig.
Weight and build
The F8 is not only versatile and feature rich, it is the smallest field recorder with eight XLR combo inputs ever made. Weighing just 2.1 pounds (without batteries), its aluminum chassis is both rugged and durable.
Display
Sound professionals sometimes work in dusty, hard-to-see environments. Level meters with adjustable brightness and its 2.4 inch full-color backlit LCD (which can be set to monochrome mode), make the F8 easy to use in any environment — from low-light to direct sunlight.
File formats, resolution, and sample rates
The F8 records in BWF-compatible WAV format at 16 or 24-bit resolution, and at any standard sample rate up to 192 kHz. When recording files in MP3 format, you can choose bit rates of 128, 192, or 320 kbps.
The F8 provides every option you need to create professional field recordings:
Phantom power (+24V/+48V) can be turned on and off for each input individually.
Plug in any Zoom mic capsule.
10 tracks—8 input channels, plus a stereo mix track*—allow you to simultaneously record stereo and surround sound.
An onboard mixer with flexible routing of all inputs and outputs (pre- and post-fader). Each channel has controls for pan, input/output delay, filtering, and limiting.
The F8 can be mounted to a tripod and attached to your camera using the included mounting bracket.
* Stereo mix track not recorded when 192 kHz sampling rate is selected
Here's a few helpful videos to demonstrate the features of the Zoom F8 by leading Hollywood sound designer Mark Lanza.
The Zoom F8 Multi-Track Field Recorder will be available in August 2015 for £798 including VAT. For more information including specs and videos, please visit Zoom's official website here and to place your pre-order visit our Zoom F8 page here.