Zoom F4 with six inputs and eight tracks (is like a new low priced F8!)

I

IronFilm

Veteran
My blog post on this news: http://ironfilm.co.nz/news-leak-zoo...ight-tracks-is-like-a-new-low-priced-zoom-f8/ (some of it repeated below)

I thought the Zoom F8 when it was announced was a groundbreaking new recorder in what it brought to a new low price point for soundies.

Now the F4 is even cheaper ($650 vs $1K), and has nearly everything the F8 has! Except for most notably the lack of extra XLR inputs (8 vs 4, thus the names: F8 vs F4. The "F" = field recorder, "H" = handheld recorder such as H1/H4n/H5/H6) and the lack of an app for the F4 to mix on a tablet like you can with the F8. Oh, and in a more minor point the F4 has a monochrome screen vs the 4 color screen of the F8.

But everything else (such as pre amps, and time code) is basically exactly the same as the F8!



Here is the blurb and specs list from B&H (page is currently down, you need to use Google cache to view it):

Designed to provide big Hollywood sound on an affordable indie budget, Zoom F4 is a 6-input / 8-track professional field recorder featuring super-low-noise preamps and timecode with pinpoint accuracy. The unit provides recording and playback resolutions up to 24-bit/192 kHz with impressive audio specs including an extremely low noise floor (-127 dBu EIN) and high gain (up to +75 dB), with +4 dB line-level inputs. The on-board temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) generates timecode at 0.2 ppm accuracy and supports all standard drop-frame and non-drop formats, as well as jam sync for external devices.

The advanced on-board limiters provide overload protection for all inputs and outputs, which lets you capture audio in a wide range of environments. Limiting can be applied simultaneously at full resolution with 10 dB of headroom and features controls for setting threshold, attack, and release.

The F4 offers four combo XLR-1/4" inputs, a 1/8" stereo input, and includes a Zoom mic-capsule input for recording six discrete tracks with an additional stereo mix, all at full 24-bit/192 kHz resolution. Additionally, inputs 5/6 can function as a camera return for audio monitoring only for confidence checks. The dual-SD card slot features simultaneous recording to both cards allowing you to make a backup or split recording with all eight tracks on one card and a stereo mix on the other.
Each of the four XLR-1/4" inputs offers a dedicated preamp with gain control, phantom power, a six-segment LED level meter, plus a Record Ready and PFL switch. In addition to the 1/4" headphone output with a dedicated volume control, the F4 provides two main balanced XLR outputs, as well as two sub outs on a single unbalanced 1/8" stereo mini-jack, enabling easy connection to a camera. All timecode I/O is provided on BNC connectors and the unit includes a variable-frequency slate-tone generator to confirm levels.

An easy-to-read 1.9" LCD display is suitable for use in all lighting environments including dark low-light sets to bright sunlight. The on-board mixer not only provides user-adjustable level, pan, and input/output delay, but also offers high-pass filtering for noise and wind reduction, phase inversion, and Mid-Side decoding. The F4 ships with a camera-mount adapter, AC power adapter, and download codes for Cubase LE and Wavelab LE.

Six-input / eight-track multitrack field recorder with integrated mixer

Six discrete inputs, including four with locking Neutrik XLR/TRS combo connectors, a stereo 3.5mm input, and Zoom mic-capsule input

Compact and lightweight metal chassis, weighing just two pounds (without batteries)

High-quality mic preamps with up to 75 dB gain, less than -127 dBu EIN, and +4 dB line inputs

Support for up to 24-bit/192 kHz recording as well as 96, 88.2, 48, and 44.1 kHz, plus 47.952 and 48.048 kHz for HD video compatibility; 16-/24-bit resolution

Accurate timecode (0.2 ppm) I/O on standard BNC connectors; dropframe/non-drop formats with Jam Sync

Two different power supply options: 8x AA batteries or external DC battery pack with 4-pin Hirose connector

Dedicated gain control knob, 6-segment LED level meter, and PFL/Solo switch for each channel

Phantom power (+48V/+24V) on every preamp

Advanced on-board limiters for input and output

High-pass filter, phase invert, and Mid-Side decoder

Input delay of up to 30ms per channel / output delay of up to 10 frames per output

Compatible with all Zoom mic capsules; optional ECM extender cable enables remote positioning

Dual XLR balanced Main Outs plus 1/8" stereo mini-jack Sub Out

Dedicated headphone output (100mW) with front-panel volume control

1.9” white, backlit monochrome LCD

Dedicated PFL display with viewable trim settings

Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card slots, up to 512GB each

Records in BWF-compliant WAV or MP3 file formats

Support for extensive metadata (BWF and iXML); input time, date, project, scene number, etc.

Built-in tripod mount; camera-mount adapter also included

Use as a 6-in/4-out USB audio interface (@ 96 kHz)
Click to expand...
 
I own the F8 and it's a great recorder except the issue with digital stepping noise when adjusting gain when phantom powered. Now that the F4 is out they owe it to the F8 owners to address this issue..
 
Well, it certainly is a better value proposition than the Tascam DR-701D. I was kind of eyeing the F8, but it was a bit of overkill with 8 xlr inputs. This looks like a better fit for my use scenarios. I'd like to see some user reviews first, but on paper it looks very, very good - my wallet is already trembling in fear...
 
Looks good and would be an ideal sep recorder or expansion for extra tracks to your location camera.
 
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"Is the stepping noise audible if you're mixing with the bluetooth app in lieu of adjusting the physical fader/trim knobs? Do you think a firmware update would fix this?"
- Aside from a firmware update, likely not, it's still digital and the gain increments are by default. Most budget devices w/digital gain, have the dreaded zipper noise, especially with sine-wave type signals.
 
Rick R said:
"Is the stepping noise audible if you're mixing with the bluetooth app in lieu of adjusting the physical fader/trim knobs? Do you think a firmware update would fix this?"
- Aside from a firmware update, likely not, it's still digital and the gain increments are by default. Most budget devices w/digital gain, have the dreaded zipper noise, especially with sine-wave type signals.
Click to expand...
I haven't used the bluetooth app so I can't say... I record in some pretty noisy environments (run n' gun doc) so the stepping noise isn't a huge issue for me, but if you were working in narrative or such I could see it being a problem. I have done some experiments and it seems to be isolated to phantom power and is definitely more noticeable when you ride the gain quickly and in big steps. As Rick noted, I suppose this is the price you pay for a low priced recorder... I did, however, reach out to Zoom re: the issue and got this response via email:

"Hello,
Thank you for reaching out and following up with us. At the moment we have been in conversation with our engineers. They are still currently working on a solution for this. We do not have have an ETA yet."

So one would assume it's something that could be addressed with a firmware update?
 
We had that zipper type noise when we were developing the old AMS Neve AudioFile and it occurs when the ramping is across the sine waves of certain frequencies, the fix was to offset the ramping slightly or change the ramping profile to suit the fade. It can be done and a software / firmware update should solve it once they write the code.
 
GaryNattrass said:
We had that zipper type noise when we were developing the old AMS Neve AudioFile and it occurs when the ramping is across the sine waves of certain frequencies, the fix was to offset the ramping slightly or change the ramping profile to suit the fade. It can be done and a software / firmware update should solve it once they write the code.
Click to expand...
Ah good to know. Thanks, Gary
 
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