Zoom F1 Field Recorder with Lavalier Microphone

I’ve created hundreds of YouTube and Vimeo videos and I’ve almost every small pocket sized field recorders on the market! And each and every one had glaring issues for me. Most of the issues stemmed from the plug in, and even with expensive field recorders such as the ZOOM H4N the 3.5 port would pop out half way through my recording and I would have to reshoot because the audio would not record. My main setup as a presenter and one man crew is a lav mic plugged directly into the device. And as someone who works all over the world with no crew completely by myself, there are moments that only come once and if you miss it.... you missed it. So having a reliable device that ensures you get the job done correctly the first time, look no further than this guy. The 3.5 jack screws into my Senheiser ME2 lav and I know that if I tug on the chord or bump the port it won’t pop off and destroy the moment. So for anyone new to video or someone who is a veteran out there, please consider this essential tool. The only downside to this is it does go through AAA batteries quickly so always have a pack on hand to replace them. Also the battery door is a bit odd to deal with. But those are very small things because this tool has saved my audio recording life :)

I bought this recorder primarily to use for recording the audio portion of videos for my YouTube channel. I've long had a love affair with my venerable Zoom H6 multitrack recorder, and all the various mic attachments I already own for the H6 fit the F1, as well. Most of the time I use the lavalier mic which came with the F1, but I have also used my SSH-6 shotgun mic, and the EXH-6 XLR expansion module to use a low-impedance XLR mic with the F1. Using the EXH-6, you can use any low impedance mic, as long as it doesn't require phantom power. The Auto setting on the Rec Level works great, and I've never been able to overload the input signal, so no distortion is evident. I'm not a big fan of the metal bars which constitute the belt loop, as I think a) they add unnecessary bulk to the unit, which would otherwise fit even more easily into one's pocket, and b) the bars really get in the way of both the battery compartment door and the micro SD slot door, making it very difficult to remove the tiny, micro SD card from its slot. The F1 has a great form factor otherwise, though. The audio quality is great. Miles above the audio you'll get from any camera's built-in mic. And don't stress over syncing the audio in post. Almost all video editing programs have a function to sync the external audio with the camera audio in a single click. Just make sure you're camera's mic is on so the software has the two signals to compare and sync. If your camera has a mic input, you can connect the F1's headphone output to the camera's input, and then you don't even have to worry about syncing audio in post. The F1 is tiny and easily pocketable, with enough buttons that you don't have to do too much menu diving to do what you need. The F1 works almost perfectly for its intended use, and I'd definitely buy it again.

I love it for its size. but i don't use it as much as i should. Need to fix that. Wished if we used the accessories to get the top part to have 2 mics. That is would record in stereo. Instead of Mono

This thing is amazing, you can take it anywhere. You can put it on your belt and secretly record conversations with your boss, hiding the lab mic under your shirt. And it's handy with the mic capsule for quickly capturing sounds you hear around you. Very convenient, wish mine still worked. But one day it never powered on again. Don't let that stop you though, you should still purchase this over any similar items. As I've had it for probably over 3 years regardless. And it has wav 96 at 32bits I think. Whatever it was, was good 👍!!!!

Small!! and in time I can plug in an XLR capsle, shotgun, X/Y....whatever!! and record at 24bits 96Khz! With a 32 GB micro SD Card I get 30 hours or recording time at 24/96 .WAV format if it helps.Now.....The included lav, it WILL get the job done and sounds fine, BUT! I happened to have a Rode Smartlav+ and the TRRS to TRS cable and decided to see what that would sound like on this compared ot the included Lav. I also tossed it into Adobe Audition to see the Wave Forms. IMO, the Rode took this Zoom F1 to an entirely different level, FAR less background hissing, I had to set the volume for the Rode to High+ to get the same - 6ish....DB level but compared to the included Lav with the same =6 when set to High, the Rode still had less noise and a faaar richer sound, clearer bassy tones, highs and mids.So if you get this, know in time you can upgrade the Lav and get very nice sound later just for the smartlav+ you need the adapter as it was meant for an iPhone and Droid. Oh....and IF you are wondering, the Zoom F1 made the SmartLav+ by Rode sound LIGHTYEARS better than it does on the phone and the RODE designed app.Again, I compared the 2 lavs in a small soundbooth and listened to it with monitor headphones by Audio-Technica, so the test was not from small logitech speakers, I hear all details.Zoom F1-LP + Rode SmartLav+ = Next level amazing in your pocket!!!!!!!