Zoom F6: Is it time to upgrade your recorder?

In this episode we discuss whether or not you should upgrade to a new recorder from your ZOOM F6. We cover things to consider when choosing a potential new recorder– and when to pass on shiny new tech. In this episode we examine what’s available on the market in late 2023, show you how to determine whether recorder features will be useful to your workflow, and give you some opinions on and examples of when it’s best to upgrade versus not. Let’s take a closer look!

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX.

Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVEStore, Perfect Circuit, Trew Audio or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- Zoom F6 Field Recorder/Mixer — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Zoom F8n Pro Field Recorder/Mixer — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Sound Devices MixPre II Series — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Sound Devices 888 Field Recorder/Mixer — B&H, Sweetwater

- Sennheiser MKH 50 Supercardioid Condenser Microphone— B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Sennheiser MKH 416 Supercardioid Shotgun Microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Sennheiser MKH 8050 Supercardioid Condenser Microphone — B&H, Amazon

- Mogami XLR cables — B&H

- Canare XLR cables — B&H

- Impact Turtle-Base C-Stands — B&H, Amazon

- Amaran 200x S LED light — B&H, Amazon, Aputure

- Aputure Light Dome II soft box — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Aputure Spotlight Mount — Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Rosco Prismatic Glass Gobo in Cool Lavender — B&H

- Canon C70 Cinema Camera — B&H

- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8 lens — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic GH5 camera — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II lens — B&H, Amazon

The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “Dynamo” by Virgil Arles. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.

Copyright 2023, Curtis Judd

Sound for Video Session: ZOOM F6 Setup & Q&A

In this week's session, we run through the ZOOM F6's menus to solve common questions and issues. Then we answer your sound for video questions.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. We have a course on sound for live-streaming with the ATEM Mini and just added Introduction to Izotope RX for Dialogue Audio.

Gear I often use or that we mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Waves, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- ZOOM F6 32-bit float audio recorder — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Mackie DLZ Creator — B&H, Amazon

- Earthworks ETHOS microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Sound Devies 888 field recorder/mixer — Trew, B&H, Sweetwater

- Sound Devices MixPre II Series Recorders - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Panasonic GH5 camera - B&H, Amazon

- Canon C200 Camera - B&H

- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 lens — B&H, Amazon

- ATEM Mini Extreme & Extreme ISO - B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Allen & Heath SQ5 Digital Mixer - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel, pre-amp, EQ, compressor - Sweetwater, B&H

- Universal Audio 6176 channel strip pre-amp, EQ, compressor — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.

Copyright 2023, Curtis Judd

Audio Recorders for Film, Video, & Podcast Production — 2022 Edition

In this week’s episode, I share my thoughts and opinions on the audio and sound recorders for video, film, podcast, and livestream production I have used. In this updated version, we also add podcast and consumer wireless microphone recorders. The section on body pack recorders is also much larger in this video.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX.

Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVEStore, Perfect Circuit, Trew Audio or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- Zoom H1n — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Zoom H4n Pro — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Zoom H5 — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Zoom H6 — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Tascam DR-05 — B&H, Amazon

- Tascam Portacapture X8 — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Zoom F1 — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Tascam DR-10L — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Tentacle Track E — B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Zoom F2 — B&H, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Amazon

- RODE Wireless Go II — B&H, DVE Store, Sweetwater, Amazon

- DJI Mic — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Tascam DR-60D Mk II — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Tascam DR-70D — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Zoom F3 — B&H, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Amazon

- Zoom F6 — B&H, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Amazon

- Zoom F8n Pro — B&H, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Amazon

- SoundDevices MixPre II Series — B&H, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Amazon

- RODECaster Pro II — B&H, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Amazon

- Zoom Podtrak P4 — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Zoom Podtrak P8 — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Zoom LiveTrak L-8 — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Sound Devices 833 — B&H, Sweetwater

- Sound Devices 888 — Trew Audio, B&H, Sweetwater

- Sound Devices Scorpio — Trew Audio, B&H, Sweetwater

- Sound Devices CL-16 control surface — Trew Audio, B&H, Sweetwater

In-depth reviews:

Zoom H1n

Zoom H4n Pro

Zoom H8

Tascam Portacapture X8

Zoom F1

Tascam DR-10L

Tentacle Track E

Zoom F2

RODE Wireless Go II

Tascam DR-60D Mk II

Zoom F3

Zoom F6

Zoom F8n Pro

SoundDevices MixPre II Series

Zoom Podtrak P4

Zoom Podtrak P8

Zoom LiveTrak L-8

RODECaster Pro II

Sound Devices 833

Sound Devices Scorpio

Copyright 2022, Curtis Judd

Sound for Video Session: Recorder/Mixer Routing & Q&A

In this week's Sound for Video Session, we revisit the topic of routing for field recorders and mixers. One of our community members asked, "How do I route the slate microphone to a boom operator?" We'll also cover headphone routing which is super important so that you have a good sense for what you're recording and whether there are any issues which need fixing.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. We have a course on sound for live-streaming with the ATEM Mini and just added Introduction to Izotope RX for Dialogue Audio.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Waves, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- Universal Audio VOLT 276 USB audio interface — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Earthworks SV33 studio vocal microphone — B&H, Sweetwater

- Earthworks ETHOS microphone — B&H, Sweetwater

- Neumann U87 Ai microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Epiphan Pearl 2 live stream appliance — B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Epiphan Pearl Nano live stream encoder — B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Sound Devices MixPre II Series Recorders - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Panasonic GH5 camera - B&H, Amazon

- Canon C70 Camera - B&H

- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8L IS lens - B&H, Amazon

- TA3-M to XLR-F Adapter cable to feed microphones to C70 or Blackmagic Pocket cameras - B&H

- ATEM Mini Extreme & Extreme ISO - B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Allen & Heath SQ5 Digital Mixer - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel, pre-amp, EQ, compressor - Sweetwater, B&H

Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.

Copyright 2022, Curtis Judd

Sound for Video Session: ZOOM F8n Pro Setup & Menus, Q&A

In this week's Sound for Video Session, we take a closer look at the new ZOOM F8n Pro 32-bit float audio recorder. We'll cover the basic settings and walk through the menus. Then we answer your sound for video related questions.

To learn more about 32-bit float wide dynamic range audio, please have a watch of our previous session on the topic here.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. We have a course on sound for live-streaming with the ATEM Mini and just added Introduction to Izotope RX for Dialogue Audio.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Waves, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- ZOOM F3 32-bit float audio recorder — B&H, Sweetwater, DVE Store

- ZOOM F6 32-bit float audio recorder — B&H, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Amazon

- ZOOM F8n Pro 32- bit float audio recorder — B&H, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Amazon

- Earthworks SV33 studio vocal microphone — B&H, Sweetwater

- Earthworks ETHOS microphone — B&H, Sweetwater

- Neumann U87 Ai microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Universal Audio Volt 276 USB audio interface — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Epiphan Pearl 2 live stream appliance — B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Epiphan Pearl Nano live stream encoder — B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Sound Devices MixPre II Series Recorders - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Panasonic GH5 camera - B&H, Amazon

- Canon C70 Camera - B&H

- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8L IS lens - B&H, Amazon

- TA3-M to XLR-F Adapter cable to feed microphones to C70 or Blackmagic Pocket cameras - B&H

- ATEM Mini Extreme & Extreme ISO - B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Allen & Heath SQ5 Digital Mixer - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel, pre-amp, EQ, compressor - Sweetwater, B&H

Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.

Copyright 2022, Curtis Judd

ZOOM F3 32-bit float audio recorder review

In this week’s episode, we have a look at the ZOOM F3 audio recorder. This sound recorder can record wide dynamic range sound with its dual analogue to digital converters per input and 32-bit float recording capabilities. This tiny recorder features two high quality microphone inputs and a solid body that can attach to a camera or your belt or even to your wrist with a strap.

To learn more about 32-bit float wide dynamic range audio, please see this sound for video session.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX.

Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVEStore, Perfect Circuit, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- ZOOM F3 32-bit float audio recorder — B&H, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Amazon

- ZOOM BTA-1 bluetooth adapter — B&H, Amazon

- ZOOM F8n Pro 32-bit float audio recorder — B&H, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Amazon

- Sound Devices MixPre II series 32-bit float recorders — B&H, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Amazon

- Tascam Portacapture x8 32-bit float audio recorder — B&H, Amazon

- Sennheiser MKH416 Microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Amazon

- AA Li-Ion rechargeable batteries — Amazon

- Aputure 600D PRO LED Light — Aputure, B&H, DVE Store

- Impact Luxbank softbox - B&H

- Aputure Amaran 100D - Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Aputure Spotlight Mount - Aputure, B&H, DVE Store. Amazon

- Rosco Prismatic Glass Gobo Cool Lavender creates the color pattern on the back wall - B&H

- Panasonic GH5 camera — B&H, Amazon

- Olympus 45mm f/1.8 lens — B&H, Amazon

Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.

Copyright 2022, Curtis Judd

CEntrance PortCaster Podcast & Livestream Audio Recorder & Mixer

In this episode, we take a look at and a listen to the CEntrance PortCaster podcast and livestream recorder and mixer. The PortCaster is unique in that it does not have a screen or menus, just buttons, dials, and switches. Its durable build and compact form factor make it an interesting option for mobile podcasters and live streamers. The preamplifiers are top notch and the analogue limiters help prevent distortion when things get a bit louder than expected. Let’s have a closer listen!

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest course is Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini.

Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVEStore, Perfect Circuit, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

• CEntrance PortCaster podcast recorder/mixer - B&H

• Canon C200 camera - B&H

• Canon EF 24-105 f/4.0L lens - B&H, Amazon

• Sennheiser MKH8050 microphone - B&H, Amazon

• SHURE SM7B microphone - B&H, Sweetwater, Perfect Circuit, Amazon

• SHURE KSM8 microphone - Sweetwater

• RODE NT1 microphone - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

• Aputure C120DII LED Light - Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

• Aputure Light Dome II soft box - Aputure, B&H, Amazon

• Aputure Amaran 100D LED light - Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

• Aputure Spotlight Mount made the background lighting - Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.

Copyright 2021, Curtis Judd

Sound for Video Session: CEntrance PortCaster, RODE Thread Adapter, & Q&A

In this week's Sound for Video Session, we answer your sound for video related questions. We also have a listen to the new CEntrance PortCaster and a look at the RODE Thread Adapter.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. We also just added a course on sound for live-streaming with the ATEM Mini.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVE Store, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- CEntrance PortCaster audio recorder, mixer - B&H

- RODE Thread Adapter - B&H, DVE Store, Sweetwater

- USB to Hirose adapter cable - Amazon

- Earthworks SR314 - B&H, Sweetwater

- Panasonic GH5 camera - B&H, Amazon

- Canon C70 Camera - B&H

- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8L IS lens - B&H, Amazon

- TA3-M to XLR-F Adapter cable to feed microphones to C70 or Blackmagic Pocket cameras - B&H

- ATEM Mini Extreme & Extreme ISO - B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Allen & Heath SQ5 Digital Mixer - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Sound Devices MixPre II Series Recorders - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel, pre-amp, EQ, compressor - Sweetwater, B&H

Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.

Copyright 2021, Curtis Judd

Sound for Video Session: Routing and ZOOM ZDM-1 Microphone

In this week's session, we'll take a look at how to set up headphone routing in the Sound Devices MixPre or ZOOM F series recorders. This is important to understand, especially if you will be using your recorder as an audio interface. We will also do a proper demo of the new ZOOM ZDM-1 dynamic broadcast microphone and compare it to a couple of other common dynamic microphones.

If you'd like to submit your questions ahead of time, please join over at School.LearnLightAndSound.com. Opt in to the mailing list and I'll contact you once a week where you can reply with your question.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. We also just added a course on sound for live-streaming with the ATEM Mini.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, Pictureline or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- ZOOM ZDM-1 Dynamic Microphone Pack - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Shure SM-7 B Dynamic Microphone - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Shure SM58 Dynamic Microphone - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Earthworks SR314 - B&H, Sweetwater

- Canon C200 Camera - B&H, PictureLine

- ATEM Mini Pro ISO - B&H, Pictureline, Amazon

- Sound Devices MixPre II Series Recorders - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

Thanks to Musicbed for the music for this session - “Light Blue” by Utah. Get a free trial of the best music for your videos at Musicbed.

Copyright 2020, Curtis Judd

Live Sound for Video Session: Q&A

Hello Soundies, in this week's Sound for Video Session, we discussed your sound for video questions. You can sign up to receive the invite email where you can submit your questions ahead of time over at School.LearnLightAndSound.com.

Castmarker can help you make marks in your podcast recordings even if your recorder doesn’t support markers.

Gear discussed or used for this livestream. Full disclosure - the links below are affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

- ATEM Mini Pro 4 HDMI capture and switcher for live-streaming - B&H, Amazon

- ATEM Mini 4 HSMI capture and switcher for live-streaming - B&H, Amazon

- Sound Devices MixPre II Series audio recorders - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Behring Shark FBQ100 Automatic Feedback Destroyer includes an audio delay feature which you could potentially use to re-sync your audio to video when live streaming - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- XLR Audio cables. I have mine custom made by Performance Audio

- Audient USB audio interfaces - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- RODE VideoMic NTG on-camera shotgun microphone - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- DEITY D3 Pro on-camera shotgun microphone - B&H, Amazon

- DEITY Connect wireless microphone system - B&H, Amazon

- Shure SM-7B broadcast dynamic microphone - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Sennheiser MKH416 shotgun microphone - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Sennheiser ME66/K6 shotgun microphone - B&H, Amazon

- Sennheiser G4 wireless microphone system - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Shure in-ear monitors (se215) - B&H, Sweetwater

- Azden SGM-3500L shotgun microphone - B&H

Copyright 2020, Curtis Judd