Audio
April 21, 2024
In this episode we walk you through the process of setting up your new Zoom F3 recorder straight out of the box. We cover the basics of adding memory cards and batteries, show you how to set up mics for the best sound possible, and go over a couple handy settings that will help optimize your recording workflow! Let’s see how it’s done.
Note that we do NOT cover using the F3 as an audio interface in this video. We’ll cover that in a separate tutorial coming soon!
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. See https://school.learnlightandsound.com for more info!
Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com: http://ko-fi.com/curtisjudd
Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
- Zoom F3 2-Track Field Recorder — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon https://geni.us/6RvZm
Some of my other studio gear:
- Sennheiser MKH50 microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon https://geni.us/iYb065
- Sound Devices MixPre audio recorder — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon https://geni.us/O8e0
- Impact Turtle-Base C-Stands — B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/8a8tt
- Aputure LS 600x Pro Bicolor LED Light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/EreRQa
- Aputure Light Dome III Softbox — Aputure, B&H https://geni.us/AVHU1p
- Amaran 300c RGBWW Single-Point LED Light — https://geni.us/uGkDX
- Amaran Spotlight SE — Aputure, B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/4DuyTz
- Rosco Prismatic Glass Gobo in Cool Lavender — B&H https://geni.us/GWKt
- Canon C70 Cinema Camera — B&H https://geni.us/ABYB
- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8 lens — B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/qwsEs
- Panasonic GH5 camera — B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/InspOl
- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II lens — B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/gr47
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: https://geni.us/G7by
Copyright 2024, Curtis Judd
A quick setup guide for recording with microphones on the Zoom F3. Insert a microSDHC/XC card (up to 1TB) — audio needs far less space than video, so a 32GB card goes a long way; check Zoom's website for a compatible card list if buying new.
Power with two matching AA batteries (don't mix types/brands) or via USB-C. After powering on and completing any initial language/date setup, go to Menu > System > Power and select your battery chemistry (lithium, alkaline, or NiMH) so the F3's battery gauge reads accurately; when powering via USB, the onboard battery indicator disappears since it can't read an external bank's charge.
Format your SD card in the recorder itself (Menu > System > SD Card > Format), and run the card's write-test the first time you use a new card to confirm it performs reliably.
Plug in your microphone(s) via the XLR combo inputs. For each input, use the gear-icon button to enable the input and choose its Source: "Mic" for a dynamic mic needing no phantom power, "Mic +48V" for condenser mics needing 48V phantom power (check your mic's documentation if unsure), or "Line" if feeding in from a mixer.
In the Record menu: set Sample Rate to 48kHz for the vast majority of cases (higher rates like 192kHz mainly help slowed-down sound effects work, not everyday dialogue — most trained ears can't distinguish 48kHz from 192kHz otherwise). Choose Mono for individually-managed voices you'll edit separately (e.g., two people talking), or Stereo only for genuinely matched stereo sources like nature ambience recordings. Also worth enabling: Pre-Record, which continuously buffers about 6 seconds of audio before you press record, so you can capture a moment even if you're a beat late hitting the button (higher sample rates reduce how much pre-record buffer you get).
Adjust input levels using the dedicated level button/dial per channel, aiming for waveforms that use a healthy amount of headroom without hitting the very top of the meter. Once set, slide the physical record switch to start; slide it back to stop. You can also engage the Hold switch to lock all controls and prevent accidental bumps mid-recording, releasing it when you're ready to stop.
