Great review. I have used this recorder for some time now and I find the 9 buttons to push for the convoluted menu system hard to bear. I sort of wish I had bought the H8 but it doesn't have floating point. But to alleviate the pain of the menu system I purchased the bluetooth adapter which hooks up to my Android phone and presents a much better menu interface alternative than fooling around endlessly trying to find a certain menu or sub-menu. Someone on YT actually made a diagram of all the menus and sub menus to help one find a certain feature. But the sound is fantastic and it records to my Canon camera flaelessly, and it records a backup on the F3. I don't find the need to upload the WAV file from the F3 to tweak it in post as the camera records it perfectly; although I do tweak the audio in Screenflow with the camera audio, as it is all in sync.
I agree, I find the F3 much easier to operate using an Android tablet connecting via Bluetooth. A feature I wish the F3 had is the ability to transfer the recordings via Bluetooth, but maybe not a practical idea since that's not a very high speed connection so moving big files might take some time. Thanks!
Thanks. Thinking about this vs one of the new H series. I'm thinking the F series will still have better pre amps than the new H Essential series. I see the F3 at $350.00 still. Was it at $400.00? I don't see it anywhere for $300.00
Wonder if the price dropped since they released the R4? Close the gap a bit so people don't just settle on the R4 and upgrade to the f3 instead, maybe?
Yeah, good point! The R4 looks like a really good deal for musicians, and a cheap(er) way to get into 32-bit recording. From what I see... The F3 is a better recorder, it's built better, it has better (quieter) mic preamps, and higher sample rates available. It does lack a lot of the R4 built in effects, and the ability to mix 4-tracks etc. So, I'd say for "pro" use, or serious recording, the F3 is the better choice, but for musicians who want the ultimate "porta-studio" device, the R4 looks great. I'm not jazzed about the plastic construction of the R4, one of the things I appreciate about the F3 is that it's a solid little metal brick, it's tiny, and just feels quality. The F3 can also be easily slipped on your belt if you want to wander about with it. Good point, it seems like each of these units have a place where they'd be a good fit. Thanks for mentioning the new Zoom R4!
Great review. I have used this recorder for some time now and I find the 9 buttons to push for the convoluted menu system hard to bear. I sort of wish I had bought the H8 but it doesn't have floating point. But to alleviate the pain of the menu system I purchased the bluetooth adapter which hooks up to my Android phone and presents a much better menu interface alternative than fooling around endlessly trying to find a certain menu or sub-menu. Someone on YT actually made a diagram of all the menus and sub menus to help one find a certain feature. But the sound is fantastic and it records to my Canon camera flaelessly, and it records a backup on the F3. I don't find the need to upload the WAV file from the F3 to tweak it in post as the camera records it perfectly; although I do tweak the audio in Screenflow with the camera audio, as it is all in sync.
I agree, I find the F3 much easier to operate using an Android tablet connecting via Bluetooth. A feature I wish the F3 had is the ability to transfer the recordings via Bluetooth, but maybe not a practical idea since that's not a very high speed connection so moving big files might take some time. Thanks!
Thanks Berry. I like that clamp.
Yeah, I have a couple, and I think they're really great. Good quality, and not too expensive also.
Always good info Barry ...thank you
Thanks!
Awesome!
Thanks!
Thanks. Thinking about this vs one of the new H series. I'm thinking the F series will still have better pre amps than the new H Essential series. I see the F3 at $350.00 still. Was it at $400.00? I don't see it anywhere for $300.00
Thanks for the update! Looks like pricing has gone back up a little bit. Such are the times we seem to be living in.
Wonder if the price dropped since they released the R4? Close the gap a bit so people don't just settle on the R4 and upgrade to the f3 instead, maybe?
Yeah, good point! The R4 looks like a really good deal for musicians, and a cheap(er) way to get into 32-bit recording.
From what I see... The F3 is a better recorder, it's built better, it has better (quieter) mic preamps, and higher sample rates available. It does lack a lot of the R4 built in effects, and the ability to mix 4-tracks etc.
So, I'd say for "pro" use, or serious recording, the F3 is the better choice, but for musicians who want the ultimate "porta-studio" device, the R4 looks great. I'm not jazzed about the plastic construction of the R4, one of the things I appreciate about the F3 is that it's a solid little metal brick, it's tiny, and just feels quality. The F3 can also be easily slipped on your belt if you want to wander about with it.
Good point, it seems like each of these units have a place where they'd be a good fit.
Thanks for mentioning the new Zoom R4!
@@Barry-Watson I'm more interested in the F3, personally, but I see the R4 being super useful to a lot of people. Thanks for another great video!
You bet! Thanks for the tip!
I should have mentioned the new R4.