Recorder v Mixer

Rick R said:
The F8 has bal. line out via mini XLR (TA3) connectors. Unfortunately they are -10dB (DUH). I don't know about the F4, but it's probably the same. Both F4 & F8 front pots can be switched between record gain and fader.
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I believe that -10db was an often quoted mistake in one of the early reports on the F8. It was always actually +4, I have read.
 
Follow up, after looking at the F8's spec's: It seems the main output is -10db (reference level, whatever that is) to +10db (maximum level). I presume from the way the spec's are written that you can set the main output anywhere in that range. Which seems to indicate +4db is possible.

Can anyone clarify that?
 
graywolf said:
Follow up, after looking at the F8's spec's: It seems the main output is -10db (reference level, whatever that is) to +10db (maximum level). I presume from the way the spec's are written that you can set the main output anywhere in that range. Which seems to indicate +4db is possible.

Can anyone clarify that?
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Yep -10db (ref) means you have an extra 20db headroom on the signal before it clips....
If you wound up the output to +4 then it would still clip @ +10db giving only 6db of headroom......no way enough for real life.
 
graywolf said:
I believe that -10db was an often quoted mistake in one of the early reports on the F8. It was always actually +4, I have read.
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Yes, there was a quoted mistake.. but that pertained to the line input which can handle +4dB nominal. The main outputs (TA3 connectors) are -10dB nominal and have a maximum output level of +10dB. The Zoom product specialist at Zoom NA confirmed this. It would work but the level would be somewhat low feeding a +4 input.
 
graywolf said:
Why would it have +4db inputs, but -10db outputs? Makes no sense whatsoever.
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To answer my own question, after thinking about it a bit, You can feed a -10db signal into a +4db input safely. But you may not be able to safely feed a +4 signal into a -10 input.

Or to quote my old tag line "Idiot Proof = Expert Proof". Zoom F8 & F4 are intended to be idiot proof. So, much for them being Pro gear.
 
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