Forget about clipping, forget about gain, and forget about hassle; just power on the Zoom F3 Portable Field Recorder 2-Input 2-Trackportable 2-track field recorder and press record to capture clear, distortion-free sound from your external XLR mics in an instant for your next video shoot, interview, or sound design excursion. With two premium mic preamps and 32-bit float technology, the F3 handles the softest and loudest sounds you can throw at it while avoiding distortion, maintaining low-noise performance, and freeing you from the responsibility of adjusting gain. Recordings ruined by clipped converters and poorly set preamps are things of the past.

From the real-time waveform display and one-touch controls to the flexible powering options and precision timecode functionality, the F3 is properly equipped to please novices and demanding veterans alike. Whether you need long-duration stereo recording for an interview, redundant capture of dual-mic setups for a video shoot, or failure-proof recording on location, the F3 has the modes, resolutions, and media support to handle your crucial audio tasks. Plus, its operational versatility ensures that the F3 will always enhance your workflow, be it simple, complex, or always changing. You can feel confident using it as your main recorder, a USB audio interface for your dedicated computer rig, or a backup unit for added safety.

For Videographers & Sound Recordists    2 Ultralow-Noise Mic Pres via XLR Jacks    No Gain Adjustment Needed    32-Bit Float Recording Avoids Clipping    Headphone and Line Outputs    Hold Switch Averts Unintended Operation    USB Power / 8 Hours via AA Batteries    microSD Card Recording / USB Audio I/O    Waveform Display, Easy 1-Touch Controls    Boompole- and Pocket-Friendly Design

The F3 utilizes dual A/D converters and 32-bit float recording technology to capture intensely loud signals without clipping the converters and bring in extremely quiet sounds without overwhelming noise, all without requiring any gain adjustment from you. Record with confidence, knowing that you can just connect your microphones and start recording to attain crisp, clear audio.

Two balanced mic/line inputs with locking XLR jacks and switchable +48V phantom power make the F3 an ideal match for professional microphones such as handheld dynamics and shotgun condensers as well as line-level feeds from a dedicated field mixer.

The F3 supports high-quality sample rates between 44.1 and 192 kHz, in mono or stereo uncompressed BWF (Broadcast Wave File) format. No data compression means that no quality is lost in the creation of the audio files.

Maximize portability by recording directly to a microSDHC/microSDXC card (available separately) for up to 1TB of storage space.

While the line output enables straightforward routing to your camera, DSLR, or secondary recorder, a 3.5mm stereo headphone jack with dedicated volume control offers convenient audio monitoring.

To keep up with the pace of on-location production, the F3 can be powered via two AA alkaline, Lithium, or NiMH rechargeable batteries, a Zoom AD-17 power adapter (available separately), or a USB Type-C battery pack (available separately). With up to eight hours of run time on AA batteries, all-day shoots are no problem for the F3.

Since the F3 has a USB Type-C port, simply connect it to your computer via a USB cable (available separately) to transfer files to your computer or use the F3 as a 2x2 USB audio interface capable of 32-bit float / 96 kHz resolution.

Add the separately available Zoom BTA-1 Bluetooth adapter and UltraSync Blue (from Timecode Systems or Atomos) to take advantage of high-precision timecode that realizes accurate synchronization with video.

For convenient wireless remote control from an iOS/Android mobile device, connect a Zoom BTA-1 Bluetooth adapter (available separately), then use the free F3 Control app via Bluetooth.

Intuitive one-touch buttons—record, play, stop, and volume up/down—provide fast, hassle-free operations with no menus to wade through. The onboard screen shows real-time waveforms and clear indication of battery status, recording time, and more. Per-channel buttons let you quickly zoom in or out for a better view.

Flip the Record switch down to the Hold position to engage the Hold function, which prevents interruptions to the recording caused by accidental button presses.

With its minimalist profile, the lightweight F3 attaches to boompoles via hook-and-loop fastener (available separately) or slips into a pocket to be hidden from sight.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. What microphone(s) would you suggest with the F3 to record nature sounds?

A: A stereo microphone such as the Sony ECM-MS2 Stereo Electret Condenser Microphone (BH #SOECMMS2) would pair nicely with the Zoom F3 2-Input / 2-Track Portable Field Recorder for capturing nature sounds.

Q: 2. If you have the app added to both a tablet and a phone, could you control 2 separate F3 units in the same space?

A: Yes, if you have two separate Zoom F3 Portable Field Recorders, each recorder be controlled remotely by a separate mobile device (smartphone and tablet) via the Zoom F3 Control app.

Q: 3. What frame rates does the F3 support? Can I sync recorded F3 audio to say a 25fps or 59.94 video?

A: The specifications for the Zoom F3 Portable Field Recorder do not provide any information regarding the frame rates that are supported, but the timecode sync is provided via Bluetooth when using the Zoom BTA-1 Bluetooth Adapter (B&H # ZOZBTA1) and the Atomos UltraSync BLUE Wireless Timecode Sync (B&H # ATOMSYBL01US). The UltraSync BLUE supports 23.98 to 29.97 FPS. You can find more information on how to view the timecode information on the F3 when using the BTA-1 and UltraSync BLUE, with the FPS rate displayed, on page 87 of the user manual: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/lit_files/817196.pdf

Q: 4. if I connect a camera to the f3 zoom, do I get the audio recorded in the camera? in case I can have the double recording in the camera and directly on the zoom f3?

A: Yes, you can connect the line out from the Zoom F3 Portable Field Recorder to the input on your camera to record audio in the camera while simultaneously recording audio on the SD card in the Zoom F3. The F3 does have an adjustable line-level output so you can set the line output level to match the input level of your camera. See page 41 of the user manual for information on adjusting the F3's line-level output: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/lit_files/817196.pdf.

Q: 5. Can I connect this to the JBL Partybox 710 to record music?

A: Yes, you can use the 3.5mm line out from the JBL PartyBox 710 Wireless Speaker to connect to the input on the Zoom F3 Portable Field Recorder to record audio directly from the PartyBox.

Q: 6. Can you provide power from the to the USB port?

A: The Zoom F3 Field Recorder can be powered via USB. This can be through a computer's USB port, a power bank, or wall charger.

Q: 7. Can you use tentacle sync to jam timecode via Bluetooth?

A: When used with the Zoom BTA-1 Bluetooth adapter, the Zoom F3 2-Input / 2-Track Portable Field Recorder specifies timecode compatibility with UltraSync Blue devices but does not specify similar compatibility with Tentacle Sync devices at this time.

Q: 8. When using the F3 as an audio interface with a computer (via USB-C), will the computer power the F3 or does it still need batteries?

A: When connected to a computer via USB, the Zoom F3 Field Recorder can operate on USB power and function as a USB audio interface.

Q: 9. Can you use this to make a soundboard recording? I'm trying to plug into the soundboard to record a band?

A: Yes, the Zoom F3 can record line-level input from a mixer.

Q: 10. Can you tell me which external batteries (like Anker) will work with this F3? I don't want to select the wrong wattage/volts

A: The Zoom F3 requires only 5 VDC at 1 A, so almost any portable power bank will be compatible. Something like BH #BEBPB002BTBK would be suitable.