Zoom F6 - NAB 2019
Zoom just announced their new F6 field recorder for location sound audio recording. Rather than just tweak the form factor, which they did, they also moved to dual analogue to digital converters which record to 32 bit. So the way you record changes pretty dramatically. When recording to 32 bit, you don't set the gain trim (there is none), you simply adjust the fader for each input channel. If you missed the level, no problem, in post you can cleanly normalize to the levels you need with no degradation in audio quality.
They've also switched up a few other things: The screen is a slightly smaller version of the high resolution screen from the F8n, the back of the recorder is a Sony NP-F (L series) battery sled, and you can now power the F6 via its USB-C input. The same quality timecode generator from the F8n is on board, this time with a 3.5mm TRS input/output jack. The F6 has a single SD card slot for recording media and still includes the advanced hybrid limiter when you record in 24 bit.
Auto mix is included and the with an adapter, you can use the Zoom Control app for iOS. You can also use the Zoom F-Control control surface.
We'll have a full review after the F6 starts shipping, hopefully in June 2019. Pricing still to be announced.
Gear discussed and used to record this interview:
Zoom F6 at Amazon - Coming Soon
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS Lens
Electrovoice RE50L Dynamic Interview Microphone
Sound Devices 633 Audio Field Recorder/Mixer
Copyright 2019 by Curtis Judd
Music Copyright 2017 by TVAC. Used with permission.