Zoom's F8n is the next generation of professional field recording.
When developing the F8n, Zoom's mission was to provide every sound professional with the tools to create something exceptional. With features such as Advanced Look-Ahead Hybrid Limiters, Zoom AutoMix™, and mic/line options for both XLR and TRS inputs, the F8n is the next generation of professional field recording.
Features
- 8-channel/10-track field audio recorder/mixer
- 8 discrete inputs with locking Neutrik XLR/TRS combo connectors
- Compact and lightweight aluminum chassis, weighing just
2 pounds (without batteries) - High quality mic preamps with up to 75 dB gain and less than -127 dBu EIN
- Switchable +4dB inputs with mic/line options for both XLR and TRS
- Advanced Look-Ahead Hybrid Limiters
- Zoom AutoMix™ software
- Support for up to 24-bit/192 kHz recording, and 44.1 kHz, plus 47.952 kHz/48.048 kHz for HD video compatibility;
16-/24-bit resolution - Accurate Time Code (0.2 ppm when on and up to 0.2 ppm when powered off) I/O on standard BNC connectors; dropframe/non-drop formats with Jam Sync
- Three different power supply options: 8x AA batteries, external DC battery pack with Hirose connector, or 12V AC adapter (AA’s and DC battery pack not included)
- Dedicated gain control knob, 6-segment LED level meter, and PFL/Solo switch for each channel
- High pass filter, phase invert, and Mid-Side decoder
- Input delay of up to 30 msec per channel / output delay of up to 10 frames per output
- Compatible with Zoom microphone capsules; optional extender cable enables remote positioning
- Dual mini-XLR (TA3) balanced Main Outs plus ⅛" stereo mini-jack Sub Out
- Dedicated headphone output (100 mW) with front panel volume control
- 2.4" full-color backlit LCD with monochromatic mode
- Dedicated PFL display with viewable trim settings
- Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card slots, up to 512 GB each
- Records in BWF-compliant WAV or MP3 file formats
- Support for extensive metadata (BWF and iXML); input time, date, project, scene number, etc.
- Built-in slate mic/slate tone with front panel switch
- Use as an 8-in/4-out USB audio interface (@ 96 kHz)
- Free Zoom F8 Control App for iOS allows wireless remote control, file renaming, and metadata entry
Advanced Look-Ahead Hybrid Limiters
The F8n is equipped with Advanced Look-Ahead Hybrid Limiters that provide overload protection no matter what comes your way. By adding a 1 millisecond delay, the limiters “look ahead” anticipating clipping before it’s recorded. Limiting is applied to each of the 8 channels simultaneously at full resolution, with 10 to 20 dB of headroom to ensure pristine audio on every take.
Mic Preamps
The F8n features a super-low noise floor (−127 dBu EIN) and high gain (up to 75 dB). Mic/line levels are selectable for both XLR and TRS inputs.
Zoom AutoMix™
Meet your new assistant sound editor, the Zoom AutoMix™. This smart software automatically adjusts the levels of your mix to reduce the amount of ambient sound, so you can focus on what really matters – capturing a well-balanced mix.
State-Of-The-Art Time Code
The F8n utilizes a Temperature Compensated Crystal Oscillator (TCXO) that generates time code at 0.2 ppm accuracy, enabling rock-solid syncing of audio and video. When powered off, the F8n will maintain up to 0.2 ppm accuracy. Time code I/O is provided on BNC connectors.
Simultaneous-Recording
The F8n can record to an SD card and your computer via USB simultaneously. For use during livestreaming, file back-up and more. And you can easily back up your files and stream live while recording.
LOUDER, CLEANER, AND CLEARER MONITORING
Volume, clarity, and immersion are equally important for proper monitoring in the field. That’s why updates have been made to the F8n’s headphone processing to maximize all three. A digital gain boost has been added to minimize ambient bleed, which can cause comb filtering resulting in poor audio quality.
Signals can be freely routed to the left and/or right headphone channels, pre- or post-fader. Additionally, the headphone output can be switched to mono. You also can set headphone alert tones for low battery, recording start/stop, or recording errors.
360° AUDIO
Ambisonics
Capable of recording 360-audio, the F8n is a must-have for engineers of the future. The F8n’s Ambisonics mode features A to B decoding, gain and settings linking, and a customized metering screen.
The VR Dream Team
For the ultimate VR rig, pair the Zoom F8n with a Sennheiser AMBEO mic. Built for mobility and backed by two quality names, this combination lets you capture premium 360-audio anywhere and everywhere.
RECORDING MEDIA
| DUAL SD CARD SLOTS SUPPORTS: | 16MB–2GB SD cards, 4GB–32GB SDHC cards and 64GB–512GB SDXC cards |
INPUTS 1-8
| CONNECTORS: | XLR/TRS combo jacks (XLR: 2 hot, TRS: TIP hot) |
INPUT SOURCE SET TO MIC
| INPUT GAIN: | +10 – +75 dB |
| INPUT IMPEDANCE: | 2 kΩ |
| MAXIMUM INPUT LEVEL: | +14 dBu (at 0 dBFS, limiter ON) |
| PHANTOM POWER: | +24/+48V 10mA maximum for each channel |
INPUT SOURCE SET TO LINE
| INPUT GAIN: | -10 – +55 dB |
| INPUT IMPEDANCE: | 2.6 kΩ |
| MAXIMUM INPUT LEVEL: | +24 dBu (at 0 dBFS, limiter ON) |
INPUTS: ADDITIONAL INFO
| EQUIVALENT INPUT NOISE: | −127 dBu or less (A-weighted, +75dB input gain, 150Ω input) |
| FREQUENCY CHARACTERISTICS: | 10 Hz – 80 kHz +0.5dB/−1dB (192kHz sampling rate) |
| A/D DYNAMIC RANGE: | 120 dB typ (−60dBFS input, A-weighted) |
| CROSSTALK: | −90 dB or less (between adjacent channels, 1kHz) |
| MIC IN: | ZOOM mic capsule input (use disables Inputs 1/2) |
| SLATE MIC: | Built-in mic for voice memos can be assigned to tracks freely |
OUTPUTS : MAIN OUT 1/2
| CONNECTORS: | TA-3 connectors, balanced output (2: hot) |
| OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: | 150 Ω or less |
| REFERENCE OUTPUT LEVEL: | −10 dBV (normal output level), +4 dBu (Output Level: Line), 1 kHz, 600Ω load |
| MAXIMUM OUTPUT LEVEL: | +10 dBV (normal output level), +24 dBu (Output Level: Line), 1 kHz, 600Ω load |
OUTPUTS: SUB OUT 1/2
| CONNECTOR: | 3.5mm stereo mini unbalanced output jack |
| OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: | 100 Ω or less |
| REFERENCE OUTPUT LEVEL: | −10 dBV (normal output level), −40 dBV (mic output level), 1 kHz, 10kΩ load |
| MAXIMUM OUTPUT LEVEL: | +10 dBV (normal output level), -20 dBV (mic output level), 1 kHz, 10kΩ load |
HEADPHONE
| CONNECTOR: | 1/4" unbalanced stereo output jack |
| OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: | 15 Ω or less |
| MAXIMUM OUTPUT LEVEL: | 100mW + 100mW (32Ω load) |
D/A
| D/A DYNAMIC RANGE: | 106 dB typ (−60dBFS input, A-weighted) |
RECORDING FORMATS: WHEN WAV SELECTED
| SUPPORTED FORMATS: | 44.1/47.952/48/48.048/88.2/96/192kHz, 16/24-bit, mono/stereo//2-10ch poly, BWF and iXML |
| MAXIMUM SIMULTANEOUS RECORDING TRACKS: | 10 (8 inputs + stereo mix) |
| 8 (at 192kHz sampling rate) |
RECORDING FORMATS: WHEN MP3 SELECTED
| SUPPORTED FORMATS: | 128/192/320kbps, 44.1/48kHz, ID3v1 tags |
| MAXIMUM SIMULTANEOUS RECORDING TRACKS: | 2 |
RECORDING TIME
| USING A 32GB CARD: | 30:51:00 (48 kHz/24-bit stereo WAV) |
| 7:42:00 (192 kHz/24-bit stereo WAV) |
TIME CODE
| CONNECTOR: | BNC |
| MODES: | Off, Int Free Run, Int Record Run, Int RTC Run, Ext, Ext Auto Rec (audio clock can be synchronized to timecode) |
| FRAME RATES: | 23.976ND, 24ND, 25ND, 29.97ND, 29.97D, 30ND, 30D |
| PRECISION: | ±0.2 ppm |
| SUPPORTED INPUT LEVELS: | 0.2 – 5.0 Vpp |
| INPUT IMPEDANCE: | 4.6 kΩ |
| OUTPUT LEVEL: | 3.3 Vpp |
| OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: | 50 Ω or less |
POWER SUPPLIES
| BATTERIES: | 8 AA |
| AC ADAPTER: | AC adapter: AD-19 DC12V 2A (center plus) |
| EXTERNAL DC POWER SUPPLY: | HIROSE HR10A-7R-4S 4-pin connector |
| (1 pin: −, 4 pin: +), 9–18 V | |
| POWER CONSUMPTION: | 15 W |
CONTINUOUS RECORDING TIME WHEN RECORDING 2 CHANNELS AT 48KHZ/16-BIT TO SD1 WITH MAIN/SUB OUT OFF, TIME CODE OFF, LED/LCD BRIGHTNESS 5, 32Ω HEAD- PHONES, PHANTOM OFF
| ALKALINE BATTERIES: | 6 hours or more |
| NIMH (2450MAH): | 8.5 hours or more |
| LITHIUM BATTERIES: | 12 hours or more |
CONTINUOUS RECORDING TIME WHEN RECORDING 8 CHANNELS AT 48KHZ/24-BIT TO SD1 WITH MAIN/SUB OUT OFF, TIME CODE OFF, LED/LCD BRIGHTNESS 5, 32Ω HEAD- PHONES, PHANTOM OFF
| ALKALINE BATTERIES: | 3.5 hours or more |
| NIMH (2450MAH): | 6 hours or more |
| LITHIUM BATTERIES: | 8 hours or more |
CONTINUOUS RECORDING TIME WHEN RECORDING 8 CHANNELS AT 192KHZ/24-BIT TO SD1 WITH MAIN/SUB OUT ON, TIME CODE INT FREE RUN, LED/LCD BRIGHTNESS 60, 32Ω HEADPHONES, PHANTOM 48V
| ALKALINE BATTERIES: | 1 hour or more |
| NIMH (2450MAH): | 2 hours or more |
| LITHIUM BATTERIES: | 3 hours or more |
DISPLAY
| 2.4" FULL-COLOR LCD: | 320x240 |
USB: MASS STORAGE OPERATION
| CLASS: | USB 2.0 High Speed |
USB: MULTI TRACK AUDIO INTERFACE OPERATION (DRIVER REQUIRED FOR WINDOWS, NOT REQUIRED FOR MAC)
| CLASS: | USB 2.0 High Speed |
| SPECIFICATIONS: | 44.1/48/88.2/96kHz sampling rate, 16/24-bit , 8 in/4 out |
USB : STEREO MIX AUDIO INTERFACE OPERATION (NO DRIVER REQUIRED)
| CLASS: | USB 2.0 Full Speed |
| SPECIFICATIONS: | 44.1/48kHz sampling rate, 16-bit , 2 in/2 out |
AUDIO INTERFACE WITH REC. (DRIVER REQUIRED FOR WINDOWS, NOT REQUIRED FOR MAC)
| CLASS: | USB 2.0 High Speed |
| SPECIFICATIONS: | 44.1/48 kHz sampling rate, 16/24-bit , 10 in/4 out |
| *Note: iOS device audio interface operation supported (stereo mode only) |
EXTERNAL DIMENSIONS
| MAIN UNIT: | 7.0 in. (W) × 5.5 in. (D) × 2.1 in. (H) 178.2 mm (W) × 140.3 mm (D) × 54.3 mm (H) |
| WEIGHT | |
| MAIN UNIT ONLY: | 2.2 pounds (1000 g) |
