The Zoom F3 portable 2-track field recorder simplifies the recording process by eliminating concerns about clipping, gain adjustments, and other complications. Simply power on the device and press record to effortlessly capture pristine, distortion-free audio from your external XLR microphones, making it ideal for video shoots, interviews, or sound design projects. Equipped with two high-quality mic preamps and advanced 32-bit float technology, the F3 adeptly manages both soft and loud sounds without distortion, ensuring low-noise performance and relieving you of the need to adjust gain settings. Gone are the days of recordings compromised by clipped converters and improperly configured preamps. The F3 is designed to satisfy both beginners and experienced professionals, featuring a real-time waveform display, intuitive one-touch controls, versatile power options, and precise timecode capabilities. Whether you require extended stereo recording for interviews, dual-microphone redundancy for video production, or reliable recording in various locations, the F3 offers the necessary modes, resolutions, and media compatibility to meet your essential audio requirements. Furthermore, its adaptability guarantees that the F3 will consistently improve your workflow, regardless of its complexity or variability. You can confidently utilize it as your primary recorder, a USB audio interface for your dedicated computer setup, or as a backup unit for additional security. Automatic Distortion-Free Audio The F3 employs dual analog-to-digital converters along with 32-bit floating-point recording technology, enabling it to accurately capture very loud signals without causing clipping in the converters, while also effectively picking up extremely quiet sounds without introducing excessive noise. This process does not necessitate any gain adjustments on your part. You can record with assurance, simply connecting your microphones and beginning the recording to achieve pristine, clear audio. Dual XLR Mic/Line Inputs Two balanced mic/line inputs with locking XLR jacks and switchable +48V phantom power make the F3 an ideal match for professional microphones such as handheld dynamics and shotgun condensers as well as line-level feeds from a dedicated field mixer. High-Quality Recording Settings The F3 supports high-quality sample rates between 44.1 and 192 kHz, in mono or stereo uncompressed BWF (Broadcast Wave File) format. No data compression means that no quality is lost in the creation of the audio files. Record Direct to microSD Cards Maximize portability by recording directly to a microSDHC/microSDXC card (available separately) for up to 1TB of storage space. Headphone and Line Outputs While the line output enables straightforward routing to your camera, DSLR, or secondary recorder, a 3.5mm stereo headphone jack with dedicated volume control offers convenient audio monitoring. Power for Hours To maintain the demands of on-location production, the F3 can be powered by two AA alkaline, Lithium, or NiMH rechargeable batteries, a Zoom AD-17 power adapter (sold separately), or a USB Type-C battery pack (also sold separately). With a maximum run time of eight hours on AA batteries, the F3 is well-suited for all-day shooting sessions. USB Audio and File Transfers Since the F3 has a USB Type-C port, simply connect it to your computer via a USB cable (available separately) to transfer files to your computer or use the F3 as a 2x2 USB audio interface capable of 32-bit float / 96 kHz resolution. Precision Timecode and Synchronization Add the separately available Zoom BTA-1 Bluetooth adapter and UltraSync Blue (from Timecode Systems or Atomos) to take advantage of high-precision timecode that realizes accurate synchronization with video. App-Based Remote Control For convenient wireless remote control from an iOS/Android mobile device, connect a Zoom BTA-1 Bluetooth adapter (available separately), then use the free F3 Control app via Bluetooth. Intuitive Controls and Built-In Display Intuitive one-touch buttons—record, play, stop, and volume up/down—provide fast, hassle-free operations with no menus to wade through. The onboard screen shows real-time waveforms and clear indication of battery status, recording time, and more. Per-channel buttons let you quickly zoom in or out for a better view. Hold Function Inhibits Accidental Interruptions Flip the Record switch down to the Hold position to engage the Hold function, which prevents interruptions to the recording caused by accidental button presses. Low Profile and Lightweight With its minimalist profile, the lightweight F3 attaches to boompoles via hook-and-loop fastener (available separately) or slips into a pocket to be hidden from sight.
