I think you understate the significance of 32-bit float in practical application. No matter how careful you setup your audio levels, as soon as you point/attach your mikes to people, messy stuff happens (speak quieter or louder, move around, shift their lav position, etc.). And then you sit there in post with a clipped track or a track with levels so low that if you boost it to normal levels, barely any of the 24 bits of fidelity are left, and there is no way to fix it. This will never happen with 32-bit float.
The dynamic range that can be represented by a 32-bit (floating point) file is 1528 dB. Since the greatest difference in sound pressure on Earth can be about 210 dB, from anechoic chamber to massive shockwave, 1528 dB is far beyond what will ever be required to represent acoustical sound amplitude in a computer file. -sound devices
The price difference between rhe MixPre and the Zoom F series is huge, at least here in Europe. So I have gone for the Zoom F8n Pro and a second hand F3 when I need something smaller, and I am still not at the price of MixPre3-II. But I would very much love to try one as I like a few things about that recorder. But I am totally happy with my current arsenal of recorders.
I had a mix pre 10T gen 1 which was great but I’m trying to downsize my kit so I bought the Zoom F6 and there is so many great things about it (powering options, being able to record one track without L/R mix, size, price, form factor) but for speed and usability I found it frustratingly slow having to drill down constantly through the menus to access the channel/track settings. For example to solo a channel which is something you do all the time it’s 5 clicks of the menu to get to where you need to go and then you have to click your way back out of it to get back to the main menu. That would drive me insane. If you didn’t know anything different you would probably be fine with it but for me it was like going from an Audi to a Hyundai. I never realised how fast and how intuitive the touch screen on the Mix pre is. I took it back and I’ll get a Mix Pre 6 ii even though in Australia is $1000 more for 2 tracks less.
I am researching on the F6 now and reading through the instruction manual, you can return to the home screen wherever you are by pressing and holding down the menu button. Maybe this was only implemented in a newer firmware from when you previously had the F6?
I just got a zoom H4 and while I need to put on updated firmware so far its been amazing. I mostly use it as an XLR to 3.5mm so I can use nice lavs into my DSLRs
...edit - I agree with you on the form factor and the battery slide. At the same time, people really shouldn't overlook Zoom's poor plastic quality. Its nothing like Tascam/Sony plastic. I just returned a Zoom L8. The faders were a joke, rocking left and right all the way from here to Texas. Nothing seems to be mounted to the housing - it all seems to be merely held by the PCB solder joints. Good luck for field use! On your desk, it might be ok, depending what you do at your desk ;-D Awesome! Recording the big bang without clipping! Does ZOOM offer the required portable time machine to get there?
I just also bout the RODE GO II set. For the life of me I can't get the 2nd GO transmitter to register on the F6. I've tried both stereo mode and mono. Also went through all the setting on the F6, swapped and changed everything and the 2nd transmitter still doesn't show up. I've looked at the tracks in Adobe Audition and split them. Still just the 1 transmitter being transmitted. Mind you, the GO II's receiver picks it up, and works fine plugged into my Sony a7s3 (I can see the 2 channels) but when I plug in the receiver into the FX, nothing comes out of the 2nd unit. I blow in the lav, and nothing, even the levels show up on the GO Receiver. If you can sus that out if/when you get the RODE GO II that will be great :-)
Always enjoy your videos Curtis. I have issues from time to time with the unit clipping when coming out of a DJ's speaker with XLR cables. Even using a -20 db attenuator the unit gives me a warning " exceeds the maximum input level for the input source". Sometimes Its okay an other times it can't handle the signal coming out of the speakers. Any thoughts on this. Thanks Curtis.
At about 8m20 is a bit confusing, when you mention the warmth of the Zoom and the MixPre. I think you mean that the MixPre is a little warmer sounding.
That 32-bit format seems super useful for me who wanna record cars in a dyno and on the strip. It's not the easiest subject to record since the range between idle and full blast 1000 whp straight pipes sounds are quite wide... 😢🤣
Hi! Nice video, very helpful. Sorry for being nitpicking: there is a typo in your disclaimer ("purhcased") which drives me crazy. Just in case you are using this as a template for other disclaimers ... and yes, I know, is an older video ... sorry again ..
At 4:14 you mentioned that the F6 can use an external drive via the USB-C to back up what's being recorded simultaneously to the SD card? I can't seem to find that info anywhere else. Is that correct?
9:07 You mentioned the inability to disable the limiter and other features in order to record in 192Khz, do you know if this is also true for the Zoom F3?
thanks for this. can i use the mixpre-3 ii with the rode video mic pro + via the 3.5 jack? are there limitations to this quality wise compared to using a xlr shotgun mic? thanks so much for your thoughts.
worst case snario if u cant plug the 3.5mm directly in u can get 3.5mm to xlr adapters that pretty commonly used for modmics etc and u probably get better quality naturally out of xlr mic tho at equal price this probably wont be the case
I mean it’s not new on a software level but it’s very new in being implemented and accessible at the point of recording in field recorders and interfaces. Editing in a 32bit float mode and capturing it are very different things
You would need a DI box to get instrument level to line level, then set the input on the F6 to line level in rather than Mic in. Quite simple to do and anyone recording guitar should have a DI box around anyhow. Beringer has the DI400P for $19 or I'd recommend the Radial ProDI for a quality mid price point DI box.
Uhmm, WHERE is the MixPre3 Comparison? Title click Bait?? And....uhm maybe its a little bit the skill either how to pull off SD Card. I am 6'3 and think have big hands, even fingers, and i get it out easily.
I have had the Tascam dr-70d which is about half the price and does most of what you would need for years now. Every Zoom product I have ever bought broke after regular use.
Ha! I read through the comments to see if someone else also had bad experience with Zoom, and here you are! I agree there are SO much better options, especially if you're thinking about throwing $600 at a product. The DR-70D looks sweet - I have a TASCAM DR-40 I was always very happy with, though I tend not to need something that portable so just record to my DAW through a more traditional rack mounted interface.
My problem is with the Tascams, the XLR Cable refused to come out of the dr-70d ended up braking it, checked around, it was acommon problem. The dr-10x, the XLR mount has come loose and the signals goes off-on all the time. never had a problem with the zoom h4n or the f4, thats 100% tascam breaking and 0% zoom.
@@mattunwin As far as portable 32 bit recorders there are bot many. There is this one and other one he mentioned. The company also has a slightly larger models of them. If you didn't care about 32 bit there are plenty of choices. I think you don't understand what the benefit of having 32 bit is. With 32 bit you can't ever clip the audio. You would over power your microphone first. 16 bit and 24 bit audio clips at 0DB. The representative of sound devices said with 32 bit you can record over 700dB over the 0dB mark. Would die from whatever is that loud before the audio clipped. How high of a SPL you can get is limited to your microphone.
@@EposVox i can understand that but Zoom decided to put 6 XLRs for input lines and that did not seem to be cost prohibitive so they could easily add another one for line out. it seems like none of their portable recorder the H or F series have XLR outs
@@EposVox now you want me to reverse engineer this product because i identified a need/deficiency? i am sure the many engineers that are getting paid by zoom including their product development team and resources that are available to them from manufacturing design perspective can use their ingenuity and creativity to find the solution. narrow minded responses like this is what led to the creation of Kickstarter and Indiegogo to provide a platform for those who dont mold their thinking within the standard frame work of mainstream manufacturers. but i will say this if Zoom could figure out how to fil 6 XLR inputs and many knobs and buttons including headphone jack etc. into this product they can think further and design a solution with one more XLR for line out.
Hello I have tried to use different programs for recording my voice with CDG,s. None have worked well. I have had problems with Microphone ,( echoing and latency). Also have a problem with my Headphones, ( windows 10 not recognizing them). I have read everything I could find to correct the problem. Maybe it's just windows 10 , hate it, XP pro was so much better! I have realtek and 2-E-60-E3 (AMD High Definition Audio Device as my audio), they are on board. Pc Model- ASRock Amd SOCKET am4 b450 pRO 4-F. Maybe I need a good Audio card for recording. I have been using Audacity , also have Siglo's Karaoke Player Recorder 2. What I want to do is sing on one track and Play the CDG,s on another, then mix them. I do not record with my Guitar, exc. I think maybe most of my problem lies in the Audio Software and Program. I have uninstalled the Audio and redownloaded it for Realtek, Did not help at all. I have tried the Motu M4, windows would not recognize it .If you have any Ideas, let me know, Thanks Doyle
For normal recording is the noise floor that much better on the f6 than on the h5/h6? I know its better but does it justify the price difference if that was the only reason buying it over the h6?
I have never written a negative comment until today. This was a totally biased review. Your attitude is dripping with dislike for the Zoom since you seem to have a love affair with the Mix Pre 3. I could care less about the sound devices Mix Pre 3 but you need to mention it every other sentence. Give up reviewing Zoom products please. Just review what you like - obviously. BTW, not a fanboy of Zoom either, but I do like non-biased reviews. Will not be subscribing or liking this one.
LOL holy shit what are you smoking? I have no dislike for Zoom, posed this as a much more compelling choice for some users, and have personally helped many people buy the F6 over the MixPre-3 for their needs. "I could care less about the sound devices Mix Pre 3 but you need to mention it every other sentence." Did you even read the fucking title? "Zoom F6 vs MixPre-3" of course I'm going to mention one of the products that this video is a comparison between. For someone claiming to have never written a negative comment, you sure have the same nonsense logic that most negative commenters have. Jesus christ, this ain't it. The only bias in this video is for the specific features *I prefer* - as clearly defined and stated when that might be different for the viewer - and not somehow *against* Zoom o_O And I've rented the F6 on more than one occasion for other side projects as well. Sorry someone shat in your cheerios but this was completely off the mark. Take a fucking nap. While you're at it, hit the bell icon so you never miss an upload.
I think you understate the significance of 32-bit float in practical application. No matter how careful you setup your audio levels, as soon as you point/attach your mikes to people, messy stuff happens (speak quieter or louder, move around, shift their lav position, etc.). And then you sit there in post with a clipped track or a track with levels so low that if you boost it to normal levels, barely any of the 24 bits of fidelity are left, and there is no way to fix it. This will never happen with 32-bit float.
Exactly, it's such a revolution
I have the original MixPre 3. I love the analogue limiters. For the kind of work I do, I film live theatre, concerts and dance shows, it works great.
Nicely done, EposVox! Sounding good!
I watched your review as well in regards to the sound devices, you are the guy to go to in terms of audio ;))
The dynamic range that can be represented by a 32-bit (floating point) file is 1528 dB. Since the greatest difference in sound pressure on Earth can be about 210 dB, from anechoic chamber to massive shockwave, 1528 dB is far beyond what will ever be required to represent acoustical sound amplitude in a computer file. -sound devices
The price difference between rhe MixPre and the Zoom F series is huge, at least here in Europe. So I have gone for the Zoom F8n Pro and a second hand F3 when I need something smaller, and I am still not at the price of MixPre3-II. But I would very much love to try one as I like a few things about that recorder. But I am totally happy with my current arsenal of recorders.
I had a mix pre 10T gen 1 which was great but I’m trying to downsize my kit so I bought the Zoom F6 and there is so many great things about it (powering options, being able to record one track without L/R mix, size, price, form factor) but for speed and usability I found it frustratingly slow having to drill down constantly through the menus to access the channel/track settings. For example to solo a channel which is something you do all the time it’s 5 clicks of the menu to get to where you need to go and then you have to click your way back out of it to get back to the main menu. That would drive me insane. If you didn’t know anything different you would probably be fine with it but for me it was like going from an Audi to a Hyundai. I never realised how fast and how intuitive the touch screen on the Mix pre is. I took it back and I’ll get a Mix Pre 6 ii even though in Australia is $1000 more for 2 tracks less.
I am researching on the F6 now and reading through the instruction manual, you can return to the home screen wherever you are by pressing and holding down the menu button. Maybe this was only implemented in a newer firmware from when you previously had the F6?
I’ve been waiting for your review of this, I’m waiting to grab this after I get a little more fun money for an awesome field recorder.
I like your voice & presentation.. clear and acceptable speech speed 👋🏻 this F6 is in my wishlist ❤
I just got a zoom H4 and while I need to put on updated firmware so far its been amazing. I mostly use it as an XLR to 3.5mm so I can use nice lavs into my DSLRs
Mix Pre iii is double the prise of Zoom F6 in Europe.....
Great review!
...edit - I agree with you on the form factor and the battery slide. At the same time, people really shouldn't overlook Zoom's poor plastic quality. Its nothing like Tascam/Sony plastic. I just returned a Zoom L8. The faders were a joke, rocking left and right all the way from here to Texas.
Nothing seems to be mounted to the housing - it all seems to be merely held by the PCB solder joints. Good luck for field use! On your desk, it might be ok, depending what you do at your desk ;-D
Awesome! Recording the big bang without clipping!
Does ZOOM offer the required portable time machine to get there?
An awesome review and video as per usual, Adam. 😁 👌
Cheers mate! 🍻
I just also bout the RODE GO II set. For the life of me I can't get the 2nd GO transmitter to register on the F6. I've tried both stereo mode and mono. Also went through all the setting on the F6, swapped and changed everything and the 2nd transmitter still doesn't show up. I've looked at the tracks in Adobe Audition and split them. Still just the 1 transmitter being transmitted. Mind you, the GO II's receiver picks it up, and works fine plugged into my Sony a7s3 (I can see the 2 channels) but when I plug in the receiver into the FX, nothing comes out of the 2nd unit. I blow in the lav, and nothing, even the levels show up on the GO Receiver. If you can sus that out if/when you get the RODE GO II that will be great :-)
Loved your review ! 👍
Thanks!
Always enjoy your videos Curtis. I have issues from time to time with the unit clipping when coming out of a DJ's speaker with XLR cables. Even using a -20 db attenuator the unit gives me a warning " exceeds the maximum input level for the input source". Sometimes Its okay an other times it can't handle the signal coming out of the speakers. Any thoughts on this. Thanks Curtis.
At about 8m20 is a bit confusing, when you mention the warmth of the Zoom and the MixPre. I think you mean that the MixPre is a little warmer sounding.
That 32-bit format seems super useful for me who wanna record cars in a dyno and on the strip. It's not the easiest subject to record since the range between idle and full blast 1000 whp straight pipes sounds are quite wide... 😢🤣
Absolutely! That's what it's great for!
Excellent review.
How did you turn off the stero mix? I cant seem to record my audio into my camera. Only to my sd card.
Hi! Nice video, very helpful. Sorry for being nitpicking: there is a typo in your disclaimer ("purhcased") which drives me crazy. Just in case you are using this as a template for other disclaimers ... and yes, I know, is an older video ... sorry again ..
Can you make a video comparing the Zoom F3 and the MixPre 3/6 recorder?
At 4:14 you mentioned that the F6 can use an external drive via the USB-C to back up what's being recorded simultaneously to the SD card? I can't seem to find that info anywhere else. Is that correct?
Dying for you to review the rodecaster pro kinda curious how it works with console stuff (since it's impossible to get a goxlr at the moment)
9:07 You mentioned the inability to disable the limiter and other features in order to record in 192Khz, do you know if this is also true for the Zoom F3?
Automix 32bit Yeiiiii, Thanks mate....
Thanks for review but i want to ask is the sound in f6 go directly to camera or need sync edit to the post
thanks for this. can i use the mixpre-3 ii with the rode video mic pro + via the 3.5 jack? are there limitations to this quality wise compared to using a xlr shotgun mic? thanks so much for your thoughts.
worst case snario if u cant plug the 3.5mm directly in u can get 3.5mm to xlr adapters that pretty commonly used for modmics etc and u probably get better quality naturally out of xlr mic tho at equal price this probably wont be the case
@@Coffeeratgaming so using xlr straight into the zoom or mix pre 3 it's better quality then if you had to use adapters to make it xlr connection?
@@creativegreats6924 correct
32 bit float is not new, it's been around for decades and personally I remember it from using FL for the past 13 years.
I mean it’s not new on a software level but it’s very new in being implemented and accessible at the point of recording in field recorders and interfaces.
Editing in a 32bit float mode and capturing it are very different things
zoom f6 it's not compatible with Mojave sistem? because my mac don't find it
HI YOU CAN USE SONY L TIPE BATTERY ... WHICH TIPE? THE VOLTS? TNX
Which do you like better F6 or MixPre-3? I know Curtis Judd favors the MixPre.
I prefer the MixPre-3 II overall and is the one I ended up buying and keeping
Please put timestamps on your vids
What are the cheapest good studio audio interfaces that can record in 32 bit ?
This and the mixpre-3 are the first ones to do so
@@EposVox OK, so it looks like the Steinberg AXR4 is the first and only studio audio interface with 32-bit integer/384 kHz AD/DA conversion ?? :)
What are some good quality hybrid limiters ?
I like zoom so much but it pisses me off to no end that their apps don't work on Android.
Thanks.
Thanks for watching!
Wht kind of battery do you use ?
Is there a way I can record electric guitar directly to this without a mic is there an adapter or something I need to buy
You would need a DI box to get instrument level to line level, then set the input on the F6 to line level in rather than Mic in. Quite simple to do and anyone recording guitar should have a DI box around anyhow. Beringer has the DI400P for $19 or I'd recommend the Radial ProDI for a quality mid price point DI box.
thank you for uploading in 4k, but, 90% of the F6 footage appears out of focus
First time shooting Sony, its focus peaking was very misleading
EposVox focus issues with a Sony?
Uhmm, WHERE is the MixPre3 Comparison? Title click Bait?? And....uhm maybe its a little bit the skill either how to pull off SD Card. I am 6'3 and think have big hands, even fingers, and i get it out easily.
CHRISTMAS!!!!!!
I have had the Tascam dr-70d which is about half the price and does most of what you would need for years now. Every Zoom product I have ever bought broke after regular use.
Ha! I read through the comments to see if someone else also had bad experience with Zoom, and here you are! I agree there are SO much better options, especially if you're thinking about throwing $600 at a product. The DR-70D looks sweet - I have a TASCAM DR-40 I was always very happy with, though I tend not to need something that portable so just record to my DAW through a more traditional rack mounted interface.
Julian Morgan If you want 32bit float recording there currently is no alternative to Zoom F6 or Sound Devices MixPre II.
@@TheOneMonk if 32 bit is that important, your not gonna get a zoom or tascam. Just get an professional field recorder to with your second Ferrari.
My problem is with the Tascams, the XLR Cable refused to come out of the dr-70d ended up braking it, checked around, it was acommon problem. The dr-10x, the XLR mount has come loose and the signals goes off-on all the time. never had a problem with the zoom h4n or the f4, thats 100% tascam breaking and 0% zoom.
@@mattunwin As far as portable 32 bit recorders there are bot many. There is this one and other one he mentioned. The company also has a slightly larger models of them. If you didn't care about 32 bit there are plenty of choices. I think you don't understand what the benefit of having 32 bit is. With 32 bit you can't ever clip the audio. You would over power your microphone first. 16 bit and 24 bit audio clips at 0DB. The representative of sound devices said with 32 bit you can record over 700dB over the 0dB mark. Would die from whatever is that loud before the audio clipped. How high of a SPL you can get is limited to your microphone.
No XLR line out. it seems like Zoom is having a philosophical problems with adding XLR connector for their product lines for line out.
Seems like a size/price range thing, as the mixpre3 doesn't either
@@EposVox i can understand that but Zoom decided to put 6 XLRs for input lines and that did not seem to be cost prohibitive so they could easily add another one for line out. it seems like none of their portable recorder the H or F series have XLR outs
@@Pissarrio "Easily" where... would you expect it to fit?
@@EposVox now you want me to reverse engineer this product because i identified a need/deficiency? i am sure the many engineers that are getting paid by zoom including their product development team and resources that are available to them from manufacturing design perspective can use their ingenuity and creativity to find the solution. narrow minded responses like this is what led to the creation of Kickstarter and Indiegogo to provide a platform for those who dont mold their thinking within the standard frame work of mainstream manufacturers. but i will say this if Zoom could figure out how to fil 6 XLR inputs and many knobs and buttons including headphone jack etc. into this product they can think further and design a solution with one more XLR for line out.
@@Pissarrio it's not "narrow minded"ness, it's recognizing the differences in feature sets for products in each tier and size.
Hello
I have tried to use different programs for recording my voice with CDG,s. None have worked well. I have had problems with Microphone ,( echoing and latency).
Also have a problem with my Headphones, ( windows 10 not recognizing them).
I have read everything I could find to correct the problem. Maybe it's just windows 10 , hate it, XP pro was so much better!
I have realtek and 2-E-60-E3 (AMD High Definition Audio Device as my audio), they are on board. Pc Model- ASRock Amd SOCKET am4 b450 pRO 4-F.
Maybe I need a good Audio card for recording.
I have been using Audacity , also have Siglo's Karaoke Player Recorder 2.
What I want to do is sing on one track and Play the CDG,s on another, then mix them. I do not record with my Guitar, exc.
I think maybe most of my problem lies in the Audio Software and Program.
I have uninstalled the Audio and redownloaded it for Realtek, Did not help at all. I have tried the Motu M4, windows would not recognize it .If you have any Ideas, let me know, Thanks Doyle
For normal recording is the noise floor that much better on the f6 than on the h5/h6?
I know its better but does it justify the price difference if that was the only reason buying it over the h6?
Can I record for USB blue yeti mic?, how to set it up,please help
This is for XLR mics, usb mics cannot be used with a field recorder.
@@EposVox what to do with a USB mic?
Plug it into a computer
@@EposVox yes , but not loud enough
I have never written a negative comment until today. This was a totally biased review. Your attitude is dripping with dislike for the Zoom since you seem to have a love affair with the Mix Pre 3. I could care less about the sound devices Mix Pre 3 but you need to mention it every other sentence. Give up reviewing Zoom products please. Just review what you like - obviously. BTW, not a fanboy of Zoom either, but I do like non-biased reviews. Will not be subscribing or liking this one.
LOL holy shit what are you smoking? I have no dislike for Zoom, posed this as a much more compelling choice for some users, and have personally helped many people buy the F6 over the MixPre-3 for their needs.
"I could care less about the sound devices Mix Pre 3 but you need to mention it every other sentence." Did you even read the fucking title? "Zoom F6 vs MixPre-3" of course I'm going to mention one of the products that this video is a comparison between.
For someone claiming to have never written a negative comment, you sure have the same nonsense logic that most negative commenters have. Jesus christ, this ain't it. The only bias in this video is for the specific features *I prefer* - as clearly defined and stated when that might be different for the viewer - and not somehow *against* Zoom o_O
And I've rented the F6 on more than one occasion for other side projects as well.
Sorry someone shat in your cheerios but this was completely off the mark. Take a fucking nap.
While you're at it, hit the bell icon so you never miss an upload.
Stop being a cry baby. I'm trying to decide which one to buy, they both have positives and negatives. I wish they both only had the positives.