Zoom F6 Audio Recorder Review

Index:
00:00 Intro
00:28 Major features overview
01:33 Demo 32-bit float recover clipped and under-gained audio in post
04:57 F6, MixPre II, and 888 Sound Samples
06:07 Features in detail
21:15 Who is the F6 for?
22:24 Who is the F6 NOT for?
22:52 F6 vs Sound Devices MixPre II
23:20 What the F6 has and MixPre II doesn’t
25:33 What the MixPre II has and F6 doesn’t
27:45 Summary

In today’s episode, we give you some audio samples from the new RODE NTG5 shotgun microphone and Zoom F6 recorder while we talk about the bebob micro cinema batteries. The headline feature of these batteries is that they are tiny relative to other cinema style batteries. They come in V-mount/V-lock or Anton Bauer Gold Mount. While they aren’t the cheapest cine batteries out there, they appear to be top quality and have some unique features like twist d-tap outputs, USB outputs, and an in-built flash light. But what is more interesting is that once the batteries have been used and their ability to hold a charge degrades, you can send them back to bebob and for about 1/2 the price of the original battery, they will put new cells in the battery. If you drop your battery and one of the physical parts break, they can be replaced.

#Zoom #F6 #Recorder

Gear used or mentioned in this episode:

Copyright 2019 by Curtis Judd

[momchilyordanov]

The + / - 60db recovery in the beginning was the most impressive thing I've ever seen lol

[curtisjudd]

*CORRECTION* F6 CAN record 32-bit Float at 192kHz. To do so, you must turn off the LR Mix and AutoMix and Limiters. *ALSO* recently found that many cameras record rather noisy audio when you feed audio from the F6's output to the camera's microphone input. I didn't have this issue with the BMPCC6K when I sent a line level signal but did have the issue with a Panasonic GH5 with a mic level signal. I have reported this issue to Zoom North America. AND, DaVinci Resolve now handles 32-bit float files.

[geraldundone]

Great video, Curtis! And thanks for the shout-out. 🤓🙏

[fatheadvideollc]

Curtis, first of all THANKS for your well done informational YT channel. I purchased the F6 for a short film I made a few weeks ago and it worked flawlessly in 32 bit for the barely audible young actor along with a scene with a lot of loud screaming, and crying. I purchased it based on your initial review of this great piece. THANK YOU and I am glad you have the reviews you do.

[MyOtheHedgeFox]

Curtis, your style is incredible – from the short and succinct intro with the text-based channel intro and summary (both a rarity these days!) to the professional and practical delivery.
Even if most of these devices cost far too much for me to even consider, I still await your every new notification. Sound capture, warm confidence, classy no-frills editing – there’s everything to strive for!

[markjob]

Hi Curtis: I just wanted to take this opportunity and thank you for your very thorough and direct reviews and how to videos you do here on your YouTube Channel. You are easy to listen to, easy to understand, and you have a great gifting to teach :) I learn so much from watching all your various reviews and analysis of audio and video products. These are the tools we are all using as film makers almost every day, and it's greatly appreciated. You are an important technical resource.

[mattgray]

Definitely one of the best pieces of kit I’ve ever used. Not worrying about gain makes one-man-crew operations so much easier. Been using this for weeks and I love it.

[TheGreyfoo]

I just receently bought one of these (in Australia), based on your review. I love it!
32-bit, clipless audio is such a profound, incredible leap forward, and I can't thank you enough for bringing it to my attention.
As a solo videographer, I'm certainly never going back!
...
Of note, I found that - beyond just letting me set the perfect 'gain' in post, I was also able to apply some really extreme EQ to the 32-bit WAVs inside Adobe Premiere (a 20dB swing from -10dB to +10dB) without the usual appearance of coloring/ugliness/smearing I'd otherwise expect in a highly-processed sound. (I don't actually know if any of Adobe Premiere's EQs are specifically linear phase but doubt it). Or so it appeared to me, anyway:
...
On the F6 I recorded 32-bit/48kHz, and just two days previously the H6 (24-bit/48kHz) - in the same theatre/space, same mic (NTG3).
The space isn't acoustically treated for bass, so (coupled with the NTG3s low-midness), I have to apply a very strong EQ cut to lows, and boost to highs.
I applied the same (massive) EQ to both recordings, and the 32-bit just SINGS.
...
On top of that, Zoom knocked it out of the park with the power options. I bought an Atomos 2-pack and charger, with over 8 hours of run time on a single L-battery, which can be swapped out in mere seconds. I'm not going to miss AA batteries at all. Stupidly happy.
...
Thanks again Curtis.

[nobbystyles]

my jaw nearly hit the floor on that audio recovery section. i was expecting some audible floor noise at least. i am absolutel buying one of these this week. i was going to get an h6 but this thing is a beast.

[treffensaintjohnllc]

This device is excellent for recording conferences that have questions coming from the audience and there is not a "roaming" mic nearby. In post you can correct the volume without raising the noise floor. It will save TONS of time in post-production! Conversely if you clip the audio this device will save you big time! WOW! Just WOW!

[makatron]

Insane details, imagine in a decade when 48 bit recording is available so it can recover the file even after unplug the microphone 😅

[emilybeth]

My mind is blown within the first 2:30 minutes! The post-gain-editing has me stunned. Absolutely great review

[LangstoniusRex]

Why am i watching this when i already have the zoom f6? (love it. just used it for a week on a web series)

[riparianstudios]

So what you're telling me is that this recorder could perfectly capture the sound of my head exploding while watching this demo, even with its sudden and percussive loudness.

[iancraig]

What a great recording device. Love that dynamic range that it offers and you were able to rescuse the overblown and ‘underblown’ recordings!

[zedamex]

Curtis, I may just be another random commenting from the net but I must thank you for basically being relentless and carrying on reviewing audio gear like this. I last commented talking about the F8 when that first came out as I purchased it. It's great to see you still going strong.

Ever since then I've always wanted something with a much better headphone amp for listening to your recordings with a less tinny sound, and mic amp with the warmer base sound of the sound devices but with the live podcast-able features and not at $5000 price point.

The new F6 (less clipping when doing offline recording) and Mix Pre II has me excited about audio interfaces again.
Now I just need to save some money - as for me this is a hobby so the top teir stuff just can not be justified.

[philipbloom]

great review Curtis. I just got mine and am wading though it. Love the 32 bit float!

[JensLarsen]

Great overview. Your channel and these detailed reviews really makes it easier to figure out what might work and what might not work. Thank you!!

[VitinhoXXL]

That "good bye" message sold me out :)

[johnbixby]

Instantly subscribed. Curtis this is the most efficient and polished review I have ever seen on a piece of audio equipment... Flawless victory.