More often than not, for one-man band shooters, getting decent wireless audio at events or from moving subjects can become a cumbersome task. There’s no shortage of audio recorders out there, but when you have to be mobile and very light on your rig, juggling another piece of gear that is often bigger than the camera things often get complicated.
However, Zoom has a new pocket-friendly audio recorder that videographers who often shoot events, weddings, and all sorts of crazy and unexpected happenings, can surely benefit from. The Zoom H4n was one of the staples of the so-called “DSLR Revolution” (damn, I feel old just saying that now…) as it was one of the most popular affordable audio recorders on the market at that time that offered decent pro audio. And just like we’ve moved on quite a bit since the end of the last decade image-wise, so has the way we capture audio for video.
Zoom also started to make bigger, more advanced multi-track recorders such as the Zoom F8 and more recently the Zoom F4. targeting a more advanced user. However, the market for super compact audio recorders have been a wild west for a while. Since the days of the H4n, Zoom have also been busy bringing out the upgraded H4n Pro, (which we covered here), and the Zoom H6 handy recorder, but the F1 feels more at home with event shooters due to its unique “pocket-able” size.
The Zoom F1 is available in two versions – one with a Shotgun mic attachment, and one with a lav mic so is can be easily placed on your subject leaving you to focus on capturing great images.
In either package, the F1 recorder is the same – it can capture pro quality audio (24bit/96 kHz) in either broadcast WAV or a variety of MP3 flavours, and has easy to access one-touch controls. The F1 is also compatible with a variety of Zoom-made attachments such as Stereo X/Y capsule, various shotgun capsule, a Mid Side capsule and more via a proprietary 10-pin connection system. Those of you who have used the Zoom H6 should be familiar.
Zoom F1 Features and Highlights
- 2-channel discreet audio recorder
- Compatible with Zoom mic capsules via 10-pin connector:
- SSH-6 Stereo shotgun capsule
- XYH-6 Stereo X/Y Capsule
- MSH-6 Stereo mid-side capsule
- XYH-5 Stereo X/Y capsule
- EXH-6 Dual combo input capsule
- SGH-6 Mono shotgun capsule
- Supports up to 24-bit/96 kHz audio in WAV/MP3
- One-touch button controls
- 1.25” monochrome LCD display
- Rec Hold function to avoid accidental operation of buttons
- Stereo ⅛” Mic/Line In mini phone jack with Plug-in power (2.5V)
- Stereo ⅛” Phone/Line Output jack with dedicated volume control
- Built-in limiter and auto level control to avoid clipping
- Pre-Record function
- Tone generator for calibrating audio levels between the F1 and a DSLR
- without the need for an attenuator cable!
- Sound marker function that outputs quick tone to make syncing audio and video easy
- Records directly to micro SD and SDHC cards up to 32 GB
- Micro USB port
- Can be used as an audio interface with computer or iOS device
- Runs on only 2 standard AAA alkaline, Lithium, or NiMH rechargeable batteries
- AC adapter (AD-17) also available
- Up to 10 hours of operation with alkaline batteries (when using lavalier)
- Zoom F1 + Lavalier Mic:
- Zoom F1 + Shotgun Mic:
ZOOM F1 + LAV MIC – what’s included:
- F1 Field Recorder
- LMF-1 Lavalier microphone
- WSL-1 Windscreen
- MCL-1 Mic clip
- BCF-1 Belt clip
- 2 AAA batteries
- Quick guide
- Price: $199 at B&H
ZOOM F1 + SHOTGUN MIC:
- F1 Field Recorder
- SGH-6 Shotgun Microphone
- SMF-1 Shock mount
- WSS-6 Windscreen
- SMC-1 Stereo Mini Cable for Camera
- 2 x AAA Batteries
- Price: $249.99 at B&H
So, what do you guys think? Any event shooters out there thinking of getting this? At $199 it is priced within reach for most, and you also get a lav mic, which I think is a really good deal. I will do my best to check this out hopefully at BVE 2018 in London towards the end of February.
For more details and full specs head over to Zoom.
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I just bought a pair of Tascam DR-10L. They only need one AAA battery and seem to be even smaller with about the same features.
Glad to see some competition though.
I own three of three of the Tascams. They are good but battery life poor. They advertise about 10 hours battery life but it is more like two.