Forget about clipping, forget about gain, and forget about hassle; just power on the Zoom F3 Field Recorder Kit with ORCA Mixer Bagportable 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.

Zoom F3 Recorder + ORCA Mixer Bag    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    Case with Rigid Frame & Easy F3 Access

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. Is there any noise on the line out as it was with F6? I am thinking to use it to connected XLR mics to Canon R5.

A: We have not yet had the opportunity to test the Zoom F3 Recorder but we certainly will once it is available in stock. There are no specs listed for the noise level of the recorder's outputs, but the spec for equivalent input noise is very low at ≤-127 dBu which does aid in the recorder's ability to deliver audio with low noise.

Q: 2. Can I control the F3 from an iPhone and sync with timecode at the same time?

A: When using a timecode system like BH #TETE2MK2 for example, you can use the Tentacle Sync app to monitor timecode on your iPhone between your Zoom F3 and other devices.

Q: 3. What software do you use to edit 32-bit audio files? Looking for Adobe alternate.

A: If you are using an Apple computer, PreSonus Studio One is available in 32-bit on that. If you are using Windows or Apple you can also use Reaper.

Q: 4. I've heard that the neutrik connectors may have issues with some XLR cables. I know someone who almost got the connector broken because the XLR wouldnt come off so I'm afraid of using microphones with non-neutrik connectos such as the sennheizer ew series that come with a 1/4 TRS to a male XLR. Should I be worried?

A: The Zoom F3 2-Input / 2-Track Portable Field Recorder features standard, locking female XLR inputs that should be compatible with a wide range of male XLR connectors, including those from brands other than Neutrik. The issue described may have been an isolated issue with the locking mechanism of that particular unit, but in general, the Zoom F3 should have no issue connecting and disconnecting to and from its XLR inputs.

Q: 5. Can this be used to interface with an Android smartphone?

A: Yes, the Zoom F3 Portable Field Recorder can be used as an audio interface to connect to an Android smartphone.

Q: 6. How do I turn off phantom power?

A: Instructions for turning the Zoom F3's phantom power on or off can be found on page 33 of the manual here: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/lit_files/817196.pdf

Q: 7. How many XLR mics I can use in same time with this device ?

A: The Zoom F3 2-Input / 2-Track Portable Field Recorder allows the user to record two XLR-wired microphones at one time.

Q: 8. Any way to PAUSE while recording? Just received mine & I can't find a way to do it. (Bluetooth/phone app disaster doesn't count)

A: While you can pause playback on the Zoom F3 Portable Field Recorder, recording is unfortunately not able to be paused. Recording can only be stopped, but not paused.

Q: 9. What is the actual headphone out impedance? This listing says 200 Ohms, but the specs on Zoom's website says 15 Ohms.

A: The headphone output impedance of the Zoom F3 2-Input / 2-Track Portable Field Recorder is specified at is 15 ohms or less.

Q: 10. Any way to PAUSE while recording?

A: Yes, the Zoom F3 2-Input / 2-Track Portable Field Recorder can be paused while recording.