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The Pre Rec is not saved to the SD card. It is kept it a data buffer within the DSP of the unit. Then when the RECORD button is hit, the data saved in the buffer is saved to the SD card. This is part of the reason the Pre Rec length caries depending on WAV settings.
 
ZoomOfficial said:
The Pre Rec is not saved to the SD card. It is kept it a data buffer within the DSP of the unit. Then when the RECORD button is hit, the data saved in the buffer is saved to the SD card.
Click to expand...

Awesome news! Thus I don't to worry about ever wearing out parts of the SD cards.

I might as well *ALWAYS* use Pre Rec? (would there be any danger of note in doing that? Other than using up a bit more data over the day)

ZoomOfficial said:
This is part of the reason the Pre Rec length caries depending on WAV settings.
Click to expand...

Of course! That is so obvious it must not write directly to the card beforehand when you remember how the pre record length depends on the settings.
 
ZoomOfficial said:
The Pre Rec is not saved to the SD card. It is kept it a data buffer within the DSP of the unit. Then when the RECORD button is hit, the data saved in the buffer is saved to the SD card. This is part of the reason the Pre Rec length caries depending on WAV settings.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Samuel.
 
IronFilm said:
Awesome news! Thus I don't to worry about ever wearing out parts of the SD cards.

I might as well *ALWAYS* use Pre Rec? (would there be any danger of note in doing that? Other than using up a bit more data over the day)



Of course! That is so obvious it must not write directly to the card beforehand when you remember how the pre record length depends on the settings.
Click to expand...

Having the Pre Rec on all the time will reduce battery life slightly, but I personally always have it on.
 
Hello Samuel. I've not read the entire thread, so apologies if these are already answered.

1. What is the least expensive Zoom recorder that will record multichannel .wav files. I'm looking to record 4 channels into one file, rather than two stereo files.

2. Starting with the least expensive and moving up, which is the first model that will record date/time as the file name in 4 channel mode?

3. Are there any models that can satisfy both above features?
 
Jim Simon said:
Hello Samuel. I've not read the entire thread, so apologies if these are already answered.

1. What is the least expensive Zoom recorder that will record multichannel .wav files. I'm looking to record 4 channels into one file, rather than two stereo files.

2. Starting with the least expensive and moving up, which is the first model that will record date/time as the file name in 4 channel mode?

3. Are there any models that can satisfy both above features?
Click to expand...

Hello Jim,

I believe the answer to all your questions is the F4 and the F8. All of our other recorders would make 2 stereo files
 
IronFilm said:
I might as well *ALWAYS* use Pre Rec? (would there be any danger of note in doing that? Other than using up a bit more data over the day)
Click to expand...

I do. There is one minor thing to keep in mind and that is you WILL be putting that buffer into the file so you will have a few seconds of hot mic. I have gotten files in post where there were snipits of a conversation that I'm sure were not meant for "others ears".
 
I've always had at least a 5 second pre-record used if pre-record is available. Not as critical for dialogue (although handy to cover your rear if you are late hitting the record button after "roll sound" is called), but it is very handy for sound effects recording, especially nature stuff.
 
OK Samuel. Here's another product line question.

What is the least expensive Zoom recorder offering:

1. Switchable Mic/Line inputs. (4 minimum.)
2. Analog Limiters.
3. Multi-channel .wav files. (As opposed to multiple stereo files.)
4. Date/Time, or at least Time, as the file name.

Here's the finished product I'm looking for. A single 24 bit 48 kHz .wav file holding two mic and two line level signals with nominal peaks at -12dB, no chance of overmodulation, and the time recording began as the file name.

Can you help?
 
Jim, doesn't exist.

Just get yourself a Zoom F4 and use your head when on set with workflow. It really is very easy once you put your mind to it :)
 
IronFilm said:
Jim, doesn't exist.
Click to expand...

You're familiar enough with the entire Zoom product line to state that as fact?

Points 3 and 4 seem doable in the F4. I know 2 isn't there, but I was hoping another model might have that.

Building any DAR without 1 just seems...wrong to me. Is it really true that Zoom has not one model in the lineup with this feature?
 
Hello JIm,

None of our recorders do 1 and 2.

The F4 and F8 can both fulfill 3 and 4. Mic/Line is determined by input jack (XLR is Mic and TRS is Line) and the hybrid limiters do a great job in any environment.

Hope this helps?
 
ZoomOfficial said:
Mic/Line is determined by input jack (XLR is Mic and TRS is Line)
Click to expand...

Often yes, but not always. Your own lineup, it seems, offers only mic level from both XLR and TRS. Whereas the Tascam DR-40 (an analog to the venerable Zoom H4n) offers a Mic/Line switch for their XLR/TRS combo inputs, so I can use mic or line from either XLR or TRS.
 
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ZoomOfficial said:
the hybrid limiters do a great job in any environment.
Click to expand...

Well, after watching a review of the F4, I'm not convinced. Curtis Judd was able to make the input clip (and hence overmodulate). In the environment I will be using the device, there is a very real possibility of this happening to me.
 
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