To purchase this or one of the Zoom Handy Recorders on Amazon, please help me out by using one of the following links (I get partial credit for the sale): Zoom F6 - amzn.to/2EFtzFH Zoom H6 - amzn.to/2EQkslt Zoom H4n - amzn.to/3gQS2Vs Zoom H8 - amzn.to/2YTty7C
I wish Zoom would make a 2 track version of this with 32 bit float recording. I'd buy it in a heart beat. You're paying a premium for 6 XLR inputs when 2 would be enough if all you need to do is record audio off a mixing board during a live music concert.
Thank you for making the video, your video is very detailed, I love and know which recording device I need to buy, your video helped me, I like your video!
I'm really torn on this!! I thought I was set on the H6 but with knowing that I can't clip out with the F6 is a real draw! I am looking at something to live stream "sing bowls" which have quite the high highs and I would hate to give clients poor quality with clipping. I do wish that the F6 would have a x/y mic and I wish it had the combo inputs like the H6. The F6 doesn't have overdubbing which is disappointing but I have heard overdubbing on the H6 is tricky anyhow, besides isn't that what I can do in post anyhow? I could live without but I was excited about that with the H6. The biggest disappointment I had that stopped me in my tracks with the H6 was reviews on the poor noise floor, but I wonder if I would of ever noticed that if I never read it. I do really like the idea of two clean pre amps on the F6 and the low noise floor. If only the F6 had an x/y mic, overdubbing, combo inputs. A lower price point. I could over look those short falls. If only the H6 had 32 bit (no clipping), a better noise floor. I could over look these short fails but at more of a price to pay with clipping. But it's not like people didn't work around clipping before 32 bit came around. So could over look these points as well. This is quite the toss up for me!
If you'll be recording/streaming "sing bowls" then overdubbing shouldn't even enter the equation... you can always overdub after the fact in post with a DAW. Lack of combo jacks are easily solved as there's a plethora of options from adapters to converter cables. X/Y mics built in means you're stuck with the quality of the built-in condenser mics... there's better options out there (Audio Technica had their AT 2022 (an X/Y mic), and there's others)... I've used a pair Rode M5's mounted on X/Y mounts (search "X/Y Mic Mounts). The F6 has vastly superior mic pre's, which will give you quite an advantage over anything else! 32-bit float alone does not protect you against clipping (ie: Tascam Portacapture X8 is an example of that)... its Zoom's dual A/D converters (one for high dB and one for low) on each channel that accomplishes that (Tascam's X8 does NOT have that so you can still clip very easily). What 32-bit float does do, is allow you to increase your signal without raising the noise floor or risking clipping in post. Bottom line: Excellent and clean Mic Pre's, the fact that you don't even have to set levels, are the main reasons to go with the F6. Everything else is secondary.
@@PianoManChuck Oh sorry I didn't specify clearly. The over dubbing option is really just for personal use in music adventures of my own. Yes I recently considered for overdubbing do it straight to the DAW. Thanks for all that. I'll furtherly research all your mentioning! I wrote off the F3 cause I thought it was overkill but I see also it's not an issue of that. In time I maybe very glad I have something on this level. I was moving towards a Zoom H6, so many people rave about them and I see the potential but the noise floor isn't great and I dont think it has a dual pre amp but I could be wrong! If I got you here still...is it possible to live stream music with a F3 through its interface or however?
Zoom H6 (or any of the H series for that matter) do NOT have dual mic pre's per channel. F3 is relatively new and I have no experience with it at this time.
Hey PianoManChuck. Great video. Very fun to watch and super enlightening. I’m considering the f6 specifically because of the 32 bit float. As a musician and recording my own music, I’ve experienced many times of messing up gain levels, or by the time I’m done adjusting gain, I’m not inspired to play anymore. I love the simplicity of being able to just hook up mics and hit record with the 32 bit float. My one issue with this zoom is that it doesn’t have the add on option for zooms stereo mic. I would love that as an option to make the setup even more simplistic. Do you know if zoom is planning on releasing a future version with that? I’ve seen the f8n has an option for a zoom add on mic, but it doesn’t have 32 bit float. Any suggestions?
Unfortunately, Zoom (and pretty much all other manufacturers) never reveal their future plans - they only announce them when they reveal a new unit for sale. With the current F6, there wouldn't even be room on it to put that interface for Zoom mics on it anyway. On the other hand, with the F6, you can add virtually ANY mic (from $19 to $10K)... its purely a professional unit. While Zoom makes some good mics, they're definitely not the kind of quality you can get from high-end conventional (XLR) mics.
You can set the Zoom H8 for dual recording. A 12 decibel lower signal be recorded. So it can provide some protection against clipping. It's not as good as the F6, but it does have that feature.
Yes your review of the F6 communicated that very well. I have no doubt that the F6 is a superior audio recorder to the H8. However, I do not use the devices like you do. I am a songwriter, singer and musician and I am not in a band. I will record indoors most of the time under controlled circumstances where I can set the gain level. So the H8 will be more than sufficient for what I need. My goal is to record and copywrite my original songs. And later present them on RUclips. For the complex recording that you do, the F6 is simply amazing, and your review was excellent. Thanks for sharing your knowledge on this subject because there is a steep learning curve to understanding how to record audio in a high quality manner. You clearly know what you are doing. I would like your recommendation of a microphone to record musical vocals as well as a mic to record guitar if you have time. Thanks
@@franklong6269 Thank you for your feedback. However, when it comes to microphones there's way too many variables to make any kind of mic recommendation (what instrument(s), electric or acoustic, room size, what kind of voice (with even more variables when it comes to voice type), has the room been acoustically treated, what type of music, and at least a dozen other variables to take into account). I highly recommend you seek out a musician's forum that focuses on microphones - you'll get more help there than just about any place else.
@@PianoManChuck Hello, I am in the process of purchasing a high-end Taylor acoustic guitar - I have outgrown my Yamaha. I would characterize my original songs as somewhat "folk" style, similar to Ed Sheeran, but I have my own style. The room size is approximately 15' x 20'. I have not acoustically treated the room (I am recording from my home). Actually, I am a Christian and I have a contact for a group of Christian musicians and that is one of the next steps I am going to take. I believe they can help me understand recording audio and video - there is a steep learning curve. A musician's forum is an interesting idea. I will look into it. Do you have a forum that you can recommend? Thank you again for sharing your experience and for your videos. I think I will subscribe to your channel even though what you are doing is very different from what I will be doing with audio and video.
@@franklong6269 You might start with the various forums (including mics) over at homerecording.com where you'll gain a lot of knowledge from others. One thing I will say is that if you have an untreated room, stay away from condenser mics as those will pick up EVERYTHING in the room, including sounds you didn't even know you had as part of the room noise! There's excellent dynamic mics that will block out unwanted noises yet still have condenser mic quality! ElectroVoice RE20, Audio Technica BP40 are excellent choices. I know everyone wants a Shure SM7B but you really need to know what you're doing if you're going to use that mic, which may not even be a good match for your voice!
Chuck. I’d love to hear some music samples using the floating point. They have just released f8n pro with floating point and I am considering getting it for a live event recording kit.
Hi Chuck, Thanks for you video. I can't seem to find an answer to my question anywhere: Can you do overdubs on the Zoom F6? In other words, can you record music while listening to a pre-recorded track? I really hope you can provide me with the answer here.
@@PianoManChuck Thank you so much! Yes I did watch the video but I skipped through it, looking for this, but I guess I skipped a bit too much. Sorry about that. But I really appreciate your reply. Best wishes from Amsterdam!
Great video Chuck. I'm a wedding filmmaker who needs to work with the DJ's to capture great audio for the toast. I have the F6 and need to know how to set it up coming out of the DJ's speakers using XLR cables Thanks Chuck..
Great review, thanks man! I'm disappointed that you can't playback and record simultaneously, as I was hoping I could use this to have a pre-recorded file, go to a singer's house and have her follow to the music via closed headphones and sing into a mic. But if this also works as a standard audio interface, I suppose you could do this by recording from the F6 directly into a laptop DAW while another audio track is being monitored?
Agreed about not being able to record & playback simultaneously. But yes, you can do that with your DAW and the F6 as an audio interface... and it makes a fantastic interface!
thanks for this. can i use the zoom f6 or 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.
@PianoManChuck thanks. Tascam X8/X6 are also field recorders but they are also capable as multi channel portastudios. So a better fit for me and others who both want a field recorder and a porta studio for music production.
I would probably prefer the F6 if I was only looking to get a field recorder though. It looks a lot more sturdy and has more high quality inputs of course
@@DavidBerglund Tascam Xx is NOT a field recorder, but has a Field Recorder Selection among many other selections. This does NOT make it a field recorder.
@@PianoManChuck ok. People use it as one though. Filmmakers, among others. People that would have got a regular field recorder otherwise. I think it's valuable to know that these multi purpose devices exist.
This was already covered in the video. Its modes are either "record" or "playback" but not both simultaneously, therefore no overdub. But you can use this as an audio interface (6 in / 4 out) and it can be used how you wish (ie: overdub) when using it with your computer-based DAW.
Here's an excellent demonstration by Curtis Judd that shows how recordings made at extreme low or high recording levels can be salvaged with absolutely no consequences to the recording when recorded in 32-bit float with the dual A/D converters: ruclips.net/video/byMZkEvYRKw/видео.html
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
To purchase this or one of the Zoom Handy Recorders on Amazon, please help me out by using one of the following links (I get partial credit for the sale):
Zoom F6 - amzn.to/2EFtzFH
Zoom H6 - amzn.to/2EQkslt
Zoom H4n - amzn.to/3gQS2Vs
Zoom H8 - amzn.to/2YTty7C
Thank-you for the info vid. Heck thanks for all your vids! Have to say I cracked up at 4:28 when you made the reference about cricket recordings.
Glad you enjoyed it! It is a 'field recorder' - they use it to record real-world sounds for movies and television (like crickets, birds, creeks etc.).
Great review Chuck! I did not even mind that you gave me the middle finger so many times explaining the noise floor and the 32 bit float.
LOL!!
I wish Zoom would make a 2 track version of this with 32 bit float recording. I'd buy it in a heart beat. You're paying a premium for 6 XLR inputs when 2 would be enough if all you need to do is record audio off a mixing board during a live music concert.
I wanted 2-4 inputs with time code
now Zoom F3 is just announced, with 2 XLR inputs
Looking good, nice unit, full of information. Thanks
Thank you for making the video, your video is very detailed, I love and know which recording device I need to buy, your video helped me, I like your video!
Glad it was helpful!
great review, thanks I thought I wanted this one, now I know I do.
Enjoy it
up to 48mhz you can set the unit to record with a 6 second prerecord in case you are late hitting the record button
i wish they put combo connector. like F8n, so people can connect their instrument with an instrument cable.
as the video goes on it keeps getting better and better of information. i was already sold at 6 min in.
I'm really torn on this!! I thought I was set on the H6 but with knowing that I can't clip out with the F6 is a real draw! I am looking at something to live stream "sing bowls" which have quite the high highs and I would hate to give clients poor quality with clipping. I do wish that the F6 would have a x/y mic and I wish it had the combo inputs like the H6. The F6 doesn't have overdubbing which is disappointing but I have heard overdubbing on the H6 is tricky anyhow, besides isn't that what I can do in post anyhow? I could live without but I was excited about that with the H6. The biggest disappointment I had that stopped me in my tracks with the H6 was reviews on the poor noise floor, but I wonder if I would of ever noticed that if I never read it. I do really like the idea of two clean pre amps on the F6 and the low noise floor.
If only the F6 had an x/y mic, overdubbing, combo inputs. A lower price point. I could over look those short falls.
If only the H6 had 32 bit (no clipping), a better noise floor. I could over look these short fails but at more of a price to pay with clipping. But it's not like people didn't work around clipping before 32 bit came around. So could over look these points as well.
This is quite the toss up for me!
If you'll be recording/streaming "sing bowls" then overdubbing shouldn't even enter the equation... you can always overdub after the fact in post with a DAW. Lack of combo jacks are easily solved as there's a plethora of options from adapters to converter cables. X/Y mics built in means you're stuck with the quality of the built-in condenser mics... there's better options out there (Audio Technica had their AT 2022 (an X/Y mic), and there's others)... I've used a pair Rode M5's mounted on X/Y mounts (search "X/Y Mic Mounts).
The F6 has vastly superior mic pre's, which will give you quite an advantage over anything else! 32-bit float alone does not protect you against clipping (ie: Tascam Portacapture X8 is an example of that)... its Zoom's dual A/D converters (one for high dB and one for low) on each channel that accomplishes that (Tascam's X8 does NOT have that so you can still clip very easily). What 32-bit float does do, is allow you to increase your signal without raising the noise floor or risking clipping in post.
Bottom line: Excellent and clean Mic Pre's, the fact that you don't even have to set levels, are the main reasons to go with the F6. Everything else is secondary.
@@PianoManChuck Oh sorry I didn't specify clearly. The over dubbing option is really just for personal use in music adventures of my own. Yes I recently considered for overdubbing do it straight to the DAW. Thanks for all that.
I'll furtherly research all your mentioning!
I wrote off the F3 cause I thought it was overkill but I see also it's not an issue of that. In time I maybe very glad I have something on this level.
I was moving towards a Zoom H6, so many people rave about them and I see the potential but the noise floor isn't great and I dont think it has a dual pre amp but I could be wrong!
If I got you here still...is it possible to live stream music with a F3 through its interface or however?
Zoom H6 (or any of the H series for that matter) do NOT have dual mic pre's per channel. F3 is relatively new and I have no experience with it at this time.
@@PianoManChuck Thx, I meant the F6, possible to live stream with?
Hello sir… I just purchased the F6 to record my solo piano songs. Can I ask you a few questions? Thankyou
i guess the question is, if it does clipp or distort is it because of the mic now?
Neither until you supercede the range of the microphone.
Hey PianoManChuck. Great video. Very fun to watch and super enlightening. I’m considering the f6 specifically because of the 32 bit float. As a musician and recording my own music, I’ve experienced many times of messing up gain levels, or by the time I’m done adjusting gain, I’m not inspired to play anymore. I love the simplicity of being able to just hook up mics and hit record with the 32 bit float.
My one issue with this zoom is that it doesn’t have the add on option for zooms stereo mic. I would love that as an option to make the setup even more simplistic. Do you know if zoom is planning on releasing a future version with that? I’ve seen the f8n has an option for a zoom add on mic, but it doesn’t have 32 bit float.
Any suggestions?
Unfortunately, Zoom (and pretty much all other manufacturers) never reveal their future plans - they only announce them when they reveal a new unit for sale. With the current F6, there wouldn't even be room on it to put that interface for Zoom mics on it anyway. On the other hand, with the F6, you can add virtually ANY mic (from $19 to $10K)... its purely a professional unit. While Zoom makes some good mics, they're definitely not the kind of quality you can get from high-end conventional (XLR) mics.
You can set the Zoom H8 for dual recording. A 12 decibel lower signal be recorded. So it can provide some protection against clipping. It's not as good as the F6, but it does have that feature.
Yes, but because the H8 is not 32-bit float, you're going to bring the noise floor up along with the signal in post when you process it.
Yes your review of the F6 communicated that very well. I have no doubt that the F6 is a superior audio recorder to the H8. However, I do not use the devices like you do. I am a songwriter, singer and musician and I am not in a band. I will record indoors most of the time under controlled circumstances where I can set the gain level. So the H8 will be more than sufficient for what I need. My goal is to record and copywrite my original songs. And later present them on RUclips.
For the complex recording that you do, the F6 is simply amazing, and your review was excellent. Thanks for sharing your knowledge on this subject because there is a steep learning curve to understanding how to record audio in a high quality manner. You clearly know what you are doing.
I would like your recommendation of a microphone to record musical vocals as well as a mic to record guitar if you have time.
Thanks
@@franklong6269 Thank you for your feedback. However, when it comes to microphones there's way too many variables to make any kind of mic recommendation (what instrument(s), electric or acoustic, room size, what kind of voice (with even more variables when it comes to voice type), has the room been acoustically treated, what type of music, and at least a dozen other variables to take into account). I highly recommend you seek out a musician's forum that focuses on microphones - you'll get more help there than just about any place else.
@@PianoManChuck Hello, I am in the process of purchasing a high-end Taylor acoustic guitar - I have outgrown my Yamaha. I would characterize my original songs as somewhat "folk" style, similar to Ed Sheeran, but I have my own style. The room size is approximately 15' x 20'. I have not acoustically treated the room (I am recording from my home).
Actually, I am a Christian and I have a contact for a group of Christian musicians and that is one of the next steps I am going to take. I believe they can help me understand recording audio and video - there is a steep learning curve.
A musician's forum is an interesting idea. I will look into it. Do you have a forum that you can recommend?
Thank you again for sharing your experience and for your videos. I think I will subscribe to your channel even though what you are doing is very different from what I will be doing with audio and video.
@@franklong6269 You might start with the various forums (including mics) over at homerecording.com where you'll gain a lot of knowledge from others.
One thing I will say is that if you have an untreated room, stay away from condenser mics as those will pick up EVERYTHING in the room, including sounds you didn't even know you had as part of the room noise! There's excellent dynamic mics that will block out unwanted noises yet still have condenser mic quality! ElectroVoice RE20, Audio Technica BP40 are excellent choices. I know everyone wants a Shure SM7B but you really need to know what you're doing if you're going to use that mic, which may not even be a good match for your voice!
Chuck. I’d love to hear some music samples using the floating point. They have just released f8n pro with floating point and I am considering getting it for a live event recording kit.
Hi Chuck, Thanks for you video. I can't seem to find an answer to my question anywhere: Can you do overdubs on the Zoom F6? In other words, can you record music while listening to a pre-recorded track? I really hope you can provide me with the answer here.
This was covered in the video (did you watch it?). See 24:40
@@PianoManChuck Thank you so much! Yes I did watch the video but I skipped through it, looking for this, but I guess I skipped a bit too much. Sorry about that. But I really appreciate your reply. Best wishes from Amsterdam!
Heads up that this thing doesn’t output mic level which some cameras only accept. You’d have to buy an attenuator cable.
Thank you Pianoman :-)
Welcome!
Great video Chuck. I'm a wedding filmmaker who needs to work with the DJ's to capture great audio for the toast. I have the F6 and need to know how to set it up coming out of the DJ's speakers using XLR cables Thanks Chuck..
2:23 - "The paper represent's..." What language is that?
Great review, thanks man! I'm disappointed that you can't playback and record simultaneously, as I was hoping I could use this to have a pre-recorded file, go to a singer's house and have her follow to the music via closed headphones and sing into a mic. But if this also works as a standard audio interface, I suppose you could do this by recording from the F6 directly into a laptop DAW while another audio track is being monitored?
Agreed about not being able to record & playback simultaneously. But yes, you can do that with your DAW and the F6 as an audio interface... and it makes a fantastic interface!
thanks = good review
thanks for this. can i use the zoom f6 or 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.
Can you record separate channels individually to compose songs on this thing?
No - This is a FIELD recorder meant for field work such as live performances (one-shot recording).
@PianoManChuck thanks. Tascam X8/X6 are also field recorders but they are also capable as multi channel portastudios. So a better fit for me and others who both want a field recorder and a porta studio for music production.
I would probably prefer the F6 if I was only looking to get a field recorder though. It looks a lot more sturdy and has more high quality inputs of course
@@DavidBerglund Tascam Xx is NOT a field recorder, but has a Field Recorder Selection among many other selections. This does NOT make it a field recorder.
@@PianoManChuck ok. People use it as one though. Filmmakers, among others. People that would have got a regular field recorder otherwise. I think it's valuable to know that these multi purpose devices exist.
I bought the H6 are now suggesting I spend another 600 -700 bucks , its probably easier for me to just keep within the levels and not clip.
Absolutely agree with you! But if you were in the market for a new recorder at this time, this would be the way to go!
would soundevices be a preferrable though than zoom f6? (mix pre6 or pre 10)
If money are not an issue would one pick zoom or sounddevices?
sounddevices 192khz 32 bit float and kashmir preamps better sound for sure
@@themanwhobeateinstein already bought SoundDevices 6 months ago
Hey Chuck! Nice vid! I heard F6 doesn’t do overdubbing. I am a musician and wanna record layers of instruments ang vox. How can I do that with F6?
This was already covered in the video. Its modes are either "record" or "playback" but not both simultaneously, therefore no overdub. But you can use this as an audio interface (6 in / 4 out) and it can be used how you wish (ie: overdub) when using it with your computer-based DAW.
Here's an excellent demonstration by Curtis Judd that shows how recordings made at extreme low or high recording levels can be salvaged with absolutely no consequences to the recording when recorded in 32-bit float with the dual A/D converters:
ruclips.net/video/byMZkEvYRKw/видео.html
Hi anyone tried the new H8 against F6? Better pres then H6? Thanks
Is it possible to plug an acoustic guitar directly into the f6?
No
You would need a DI with a balanced output or a 1/4” jack to XLR. The DI would be the better choice.
Something like that but 24 tracks will be the ideal thing
wow
so h6 or f6?
F6
Maybe not that accessible for guitar though...