Zoom F-Control for F4 & F8 Overview
Zoom disrupted the audio recorder market for enthusiast filmmakers with their F4 and F8 audio field recorders in 2015 and 2016. The quality of these recorders was unprecedented at their price points (now priced at $600 and $900 respectively) I like both of these recorders so much that I bought both of them!
But one thing that is difficult to do with them is to truly mix while recording. The controls are rather small and placed in close proximity to one another. And when working on a dark set, they’re nearly impossible to see. That’s where the Zoom F-Control makes a huge difference and simplifies the process of making a good mix.
Also, we talk a little bit about what a mix is and why you care if you’re a filmmaker or Vlogger.
If you’d like to learn how to record and post process your sound, be sure to have a look at my sound for video courses at http://school.learnlightandsound.com
Visit us at https://learnlightandsound.com for more updates on how to improve your lighting and sound for video. Also be sure to subscribe to get new episodes every week!
Gear used or mentioned in this episode:
Zoom F-Control Surface (FRC-8) for Zoom F4 and F8 Recorders
Zoom F4 Audio Field Recorder (Price recently reduced to $600 USD)
Zoom F8 Audio Field Recorder
Sony MDR-7506 Headphones (my new favorite headphones for recording, but not for post work)
Sound for Video Session: Lavalier Mics, Air Conditioning, Music Videos
This week we answered sound questions from several of you including the following:
- 3 questions about lavalier microphones
- How to deal with noise like air conditioning
- How to record/shoot music videos
Gear discussed and used to produce this episode:
RODE VXLR 3.5mm TRS to XLR Adapter
Tascam DR-70D Audio Recorder (4 inputs)
Electrovoice RE20 Dynamic Microphone (Voiceover for this session was recorded with this)
Antelope Orion Studio Audio Interface (Voiceover for this session was recorded with this)
Sound for Video Session: Recording Foley & Stereo Width
In this week's Sound for Video Session we discuss the fundamentals of recording foley sound and why the Zoom handy recorders allow you to change the stereo width with their in-built microphones.
Items mentioned in the session:
Foley short film - The Secret World of Foley
- RODE Stereo VideoMic Pro Review (sample stereo recording)
- Shure MV88 Review - Mid-Side and Adjustable Stereo Width Microphone Review
Gear discussed and used to produce this episode:
Aputure Deity Shotgun Microphone - This is the mic I used to record the foley for my current project. I was happy with the results.
Sound Devices 633 Mixer/Recorder - My production mixer. You don't have to have one of these to record good foley sound.
Electrovoice RE20 Dynamic Microphone - Voiceover for this session was recorded with this microphone
Antelope Orion Studio Audio Interface - Voiceover for this demo was recorded with this audio interface.
Price Drops on Zoom F4 and F8 Recorders, FRC-8 Control Surface Coming Soon
Many of of you know that I am rather fond of the two Zoom F series recorders the F8 and F4. For me they strike a very good balance between price, quality, and feature set. The preamps are very impressive for the price, the build quality is good, and they have the features that independent filmmakers need.
And now, somehow, Zoom has managed to reduce the pricing on the F4 by $50 and the F8 by $100. The Value to price ratio just got even better. Nice work Zoom!
Earlier this month, they also announced the Zoom FRC-8, a control surface for the F4 and F8 which allows you to mix more effectively. Larger mixers/control surfaces like this make it much easier to manage the madness that can occur during production. I have one on order and will be reviewing it a few weeks after it arrives.
I expect that this will be a big improvement over the iPad app Zoom has for the F8. While the app is great for metadata entry and setting the gain before shooting, I did not find it to work well when in the heat of a recording. Smoothly moving the faders on a touch screen just wasn't the same because they would jump too suddenly. The FRC 8 also allows you to connect a USB keyboard making metadata entry even faster. Can't wait to try the FRC-8!
Sound for Video Session: Richer Dialogue, Reporter's Mics, Lip Smacks, Recorders for Ambience
This week we answered sound questions from several of you including the following:
How can I make dialogue sound fuller?
Recommendations on “reporter’s” microphones?
Is there a faster way to remove lip smacks and other mouth noises?
Recommendations on handheld stereo recorders for capturing ambience and foley?
Gear discussed and used to produce this episode:
Sennheiser MD46 Cardioid Dynamic Reporter’s Microphone
Zoom H5 Handy Recorder (for ambience and foley)
Electrovoice RE20 Dynamic Microphone (Voiceover for this session was recorded with this)
Antelope Orion Studio Audio Interface (Voiceover for this demo was recorded with this)
Saramonic SmartRig+ Audio Adapter Mixer Review
Saramonic’s SmartRig+ is a compact, light weight adapter which allows you to record professional grade XLR and 3.5mm microphones directly to your camera or smart phone. Pretty impressive little device for a very good price.
Could be a good option for run 'n gun shooting, musicians who want to record guitar and vocals, and those on a tight budget who want to add higher quality audio to their production.
Let’s have a listen!
Gear used or mentioned in this episode (affiliate links):
Saramonic SmartRig+ Audio Adapter/Mixer
Aputure Deity Shotgun Microphone
RODE VC1 3.5mm Extension Cable (10 feet) - If you need to run a 3.5mm microphone closer to the talent.
Sound for Video Session: Mixing Effects for a Short Film
In this week's session, I quickly demonstrate the overall idea of mixing the sound effects for a short film. For serious projects I would definitely spend more time on the details but wanted to give you a quick example to show the basics. I hope you find it useful!
Limiters for Recording Sound: Analogue vs Digital
When recording sound for video, is there a difference between analogue and digital limiters? If so, should you upgrade your recorder? Here’s an example and my thoughts.
The samples were recorded with the following:
Sound Devices 633 Audio Mixer/Recorder (My pro-level recorder/mixer)
Zoom F8 Audio Recorder (My favorite in the $1000 USD range)
Tascam DR-60DmkII Audio Recorder (My favorite in the sub $200 range)
What is striking to me is that if you're careful and willing/able to do retakes more often, you can get recordings that sound almost as good on a $200 USD recorder as on a $3200 USD recorder. But if you're working for a paying customer, retakes may make you look less than professional and possibly even cost you your next job. That's where a limiter can save you.
But if you're not paid for your recordings, don't sweat it! Besides, not having an analogue limiter forces you to be very careful and learn to be a ninja quality sound guy.
Sound for Video Session: Fix Waveform Asymmetry, Gear, Bias Power, Preamp Quality
In this week's episode we cover questions submitted by our little community on how to record and process better sound:
- How to fix asymmetric waveforms in Audition
- Recommended gear for no/low/big budget films
- Sound Devices MM1, Tascam DR-10CS and bias power
- Recording dynamic scenes
- Getting audio from FCPX to Audition
- Why is there such a big quality difference between the Zoom H6 and F8?
Here are links to some of the things we discussed in this episode:
Episode on Microphones:
Audio Recorders/Mixers:
Tascam DR-10CS (not available in the US)
XtoCC (App to convert an XML file of the audio from FCPX to a format that Audition can read):
Shure MV88 Microphone for iPhone Review
The Shure MV88 is a microphone made specifically for lightning based iPhone, iPad, and iPod mobile devices. Despite its small size, it produces impressive sound quality and proves quite flexible with its four polar pickup patterns for different situations: Stereo with adjustable width, cardioid, bi-directional (figure 8), and mid side stereo. These patterns equip you to record in a variety of situations including live music, VLOGs, podcasts, and ambience for films.
To decode mid side stereo recordings, you'll need a decoder plugin. I use Voxengo MSED (free plugin to decode mid side recordings).
