Zoom F3 vs Tascam X8 - Which is best for Wedding Filmmakers?

The Zoom F3 and Tascam X8 are both great audio recorders! But which is best for wedding filmmakers?! Here is an in-depth comparison of the F3 and X8!

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0:00 Zoom F3 vs Tascam X8! Which should you buy?!
0:44 Size and Weight Comparison
1:16 Screens
2:14 Audio Inputs
4:52 Audio Quality (32-bit float woohoo!)
7:53 Dual Recording
8:23 Memory Cards
9:26 Timecode
9:53 Bluetooth and Apps
11:30 Battery Life
12:50 Startup Times
13:16 WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU BUY?!
14:31 Do you upload videos to YouTube?

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[whoismatt]

❓ F3 or X8?! Which one are you getting?

[MarkShawMedia]

how does the x8 compare to the f3 noise floor? I've heard the noise floor is better on the f3 which is a big factor for doing ambient recordings

[Storysium]

Excellent video Matt! I picked up the X8 and I am pretty happy with it so far. I am combining it with the Rode Wireless Go II. These wireless mics have internal recording and this way I have a backup recording.
I use the Tentacle Sync Track-E recorders when I need to monitor wireless (Via Bluetooth). So that might be an excellent alternative product for anyone who wants to avoid the limitation you mentioned on 10:56. Anyway, I hope Tascam and Zoom will just enable this feature; I don't understand why they don't do that.

[ArtShockstudio]

Hi Matt! What do you say about Zoom R4 MultiTrak Recorder? Will it be suitable for a wedding videographer? I consider it as an alternative Zoom F3.

[MatthewBlaine]

I already have the F6 so for now I'm holding off, but I think the Zoom makes the most sense for wedding filmmakers.

[wilswilcox]

Excellent video. You do a great job.

Does the Zoom F3 also receive power through the USB-C cable when plugged into your laptop, tablet or a portable charger?

[PeterMossUkulele]

Most excellent comparison Matt. Thank you to both you and Sweetwater for making this happen. Peter.

[LouisLuzuka]

Which would be a good upgrade to my zoom h4n ? 😀🙏🏽

[performancedmv]

Rented the X8 two times. Each time it presented a new problems. Glitchy software, I/0 problems, inaccurate battery life display. Bought an F3 and it just does the job. Yes it’s limited, but I’ll be purchasing a second as recorders in multiple locations works best for me as opposed to getting the F6.

[akmediaproductions]

FYI - Unfortunately F3 with BTA do not support the timecode Tentacle Sync E. they have agreement with Ultra Sync Blue but not with Tentacle Sync E

[Internat_mektep]

In the specifications of the Rode VXLR Pro adapter, I read that the plug-in power supply is 4 Volts when the phantom power supply is 24 Volts and 48 Volts. It turns out that the Rode VXLR PRO adapter, connected to the Zoom F3 audio recorder, converts a phantom power supply of 12-48 Volts to a voltage of 4 Volts and transmits it to the Rode Lavalier Go lavalier microphone. Does this mean that in such cases it will not matter whether I set up a phantom power supply of 24 Volts or 48 Volts in the settings of the Zoom F3 audio recorder? After all, the adapter will still convert to 4 Volts, which is necessary for a lapel microphone? Most importantly, will the adapter prevent the Rode Lavalier Go Lavalier microphone from breaking (burning) due to high voltage? One point is unclear to me. They write that first you need to attach a lapel microphone to the Zoom F3 audio recorder, and then install 48 Volt phantom power in the Zoom F3 settings. Otherwise, the lavalier microphone will burn out. And doesn't the Rode VXLR Pro adapter convert 48 Volts to 4 Volts, despite the fact that before or after connecting the lapel microphone, I installed phantom power in the Zoom F3 audio recorder?

[JacobMedler]

Thanks Matt. I knew I needed to buy a recorder and thankful your beard has done all the research for me.

[Alexanderboost]

No Pokemon. Not considering the Zoom f3 anymore. Thank you for telling us Matt

[marcgregoryneville]

Hi. Great video! Which one, or others similar, would you think to be preferable for recording a handpan instrument at a budget no higher than $400 USD? Thank you.

[MotionArtweddingfilms]

My H4ns have been work horses over the years but so glad to say goodbye to slow start up times.

[tbgtom]

Any indications on how much memory it would take to record one hour of audio using 32 bit float at the highest bitrate?

[chinmayn]

Amazing should i get this for capturing motorcycle exhaust sounds and while riding? Which mic should i place under the seat since doesn’t have a capsule?

[mj]

I've got a question: I have aTascam x6 and I'm experimenting with 32 float at the moment, but when I try to edit a clipped audio file in audition, nothing is restored. I see when you lower the DB, it recovered audio that spike past the limits; my audio just gets chopped off at the top and remains chopped when I lower the DB. does that make sense? what might I be doing wrong?

[TrailAmbience]

Thank you for this video. Question about the zoom f3. I want to use it as a dslr camera interface. Running my mic into the f3 then use the 3mm jack output directly into my camera to record both video and audio together. Does this allow me 32bit float with the line out 3mm jack to camera? If so, how do I set it as I don't see anything about this anywhere online. I only see volume line level adjustments. In other worlds, can I still get 32 bit float directly into my camera? Thank you

[Banquet...]

Great video, although it would have been great if you had let us know about the quality of the mics on the X8