EDC Gear Guides: Zoom F8N Field Recorder

Overview

The Zoom F8N is a multitrack field recorder with up to  8-inputs / 10-track recording for on set and in the field. It fits well in a sound bag that you can sling it over your shoulder. It's rugged frame is durable in the bag.

Use this recorder when you need multiple microphones and create crisp and clean recordings.

Table of Contents

• EDC Zoom F8N Field Recorder Component Guide
• Compatible SD Cards
• Quick Start Guide
• Troubleshooting
• Compatible EDC Accessories
• Tips & Tricks

EDC Zoom F8N Field Recorder Component Guide

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Compatible SD Cards

• SDHC or SDXC Memory Card Type
• 1 UHS Speed Class
• 4 or 10 Speed Class
• 120 MB/s Write & Read speed

Capacity is dependent on how much you need to record. Luckily, audio files do not take up a lot of space, even the higher quality types. Many short films are able to use 32GB cards for their production. We recommend 32GB or 64GB cards. 

Recommended Cards

SanDisk 32GB Ultra UHS-I SDHC Memory Card

SanDisk 64GB Ultra UHS-I SDXC Memory Card

Quick Start Guide 

* You will need a Nano U-98 battery (vended separately)
& SD Card* not vended by EDC)

First Steps

• Inserting an SD Card
  • Lift the SD card cover up on the side of the recorder and insert the SD card as shown below
    
  • To remove, push in on the SD card and it will eject.
• Powering On
  • Connect the 4-Pin Hirose side of the D-Tap to 4-Pin Hirose cable to the side of the recorder until it clicks.
    
  • Do NOT force the cable in.
  • Connect the D-Tap side into the Nano U98 Battery's D-Tap port
  • Press the small power button on the bottom right side of the front of recorder until it turns on.
                                 
• Inserting Headphones
  • Make sure the 1/4" headphone adapter is securely screwed into the headphone's 1/8" end.
  • Plug the headphones into the 1/4" headphone jack on the side of the recorder
                               

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Connecting a Microphone

• If using a shotgun microphone or wired lavalier, use an XLR cable to connect the shotgun microphone to the XLR/TRS jack(s) on the XLR inputs on the side of the recorder.
  • Line up the 3 pins on the XLR cable to the 3 holes in the XLR jack. Push in Gently until it clicks.
                      
                             XLR                       ->                       Recorder Inputs
• If using the AVX Wireless Lavalier kit, connect the receiver directly to the XLR jack. The receiver can rotate the pin section if needed.
  Line up the 3 pins on the receiver to the 3 holes in the XLR jack. Push in Gently until it clicks.   
•                           
                 RECEIVER                             ->                              Recorder Inputs

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Operations

• Formatting an SD Card
  • Press the MENU button next to the screen.
  • Move the dial above the menu button left/right to scroll to SD CARD
    
  • Press the dial in to select.
                                   
  • Move the dial left/right to scroll to FORMAT
  • Press the dial in to select
                                      
  • Move the dial left/right to scroll to your SD Card you want to format
  • Press the dial in to select.
                                   
  • Move the dial left/right to select YES
  • Press the dial in to select.
• Recording Settings
  • Setting Recording Format
    
    • Press the MENU button next to the screen.
    • Move the dial above the menu button left/right to scroll to REC.
    • Press the dial in to select.
                               
    • Move the dial above the menu button left/right to scroll to Rec to SD1 or Rec to SD2 (depending on which slot you insert your SD card)
    • Press the dial in to select.
    • Move the dial above the menu button left/right to scroll to your preferred recording format
    • Press the dial in to select.
                                         
           
  • Setting Sample Rate
    • Press the MENU button next to the screen.
    • Move the dial above the menu button left/right to scroll to REC
      
    • Press the dial in to select.
                               
    • Move the dial left/right to select SAMPLE RATE
    • Press the dial in to select.
                               
    • Move the dial left/right to select your sample rate.
      • Standard Sample Rate is 48kHz - see chart below for more information.
    • Press the dial in to select.
                                   
  • Setting WAV Bit Depth
    • Press the MENU button next to the screen.
    • Move the dial above the menu button left/right to scroll to REC
    • Press the dial in to select.
                                 
    • Move the dial left/right to select WAV BIT DEPTH
    • Press the dial in to select.
                                 
    • Move the dial left/right to select 16 or 24
      • Use 24 for standard recording to give you more dynamic range.
    • Press the dial in to select.
  • Setting MP3 Bit Depth
    • Press the MENU button next to the screen.
    • Move the dial above the menu button left/right to scroll to REC
    • Press the dial in to select.
                                 
    • Move the dial left/right to select WAV BIT DEPTH
    • Press the dial in to select.
                               
    • Move the dial left/right to select 128kbps, 192kbps or 320kbps
      • Use 320kpbs for best quality.
    • Press the dial in to select.
• Setting Input Source to MIC (Use for all microphones + lavs)
  • Press the MENU button next to the screen.
  • Move the dial above the menu button left/right to scroll to INPUT
    
  • Press the dial in to select.
                                     
  • Move the dial left/right to select INPUT Source
  • Press the dial in to select.
                                     
  • Move the dial left/right to select your track #
  • Press the dial in to select.
                                         
  • Move the dial left/right to select MIC
  • Press the dial in to select.
• Using Phantom Power (Use with non-battery powered microphones ONLY)
  • Press the MENU button next to the screen.
  • Move the dial above the menu button left/right to scroll to INPUT
    
  • Press the dial in to select.
                                         
  • Move the dial left/right to select PHANTOM
  • Press the dial in to select.
                                       
  • Move the dial left/right to select ON/OFF
  • Press the dial in to select.
                                     
  • Move the dial left/right to select your track #
  • Press the dial in to select.
                                   
  • Move the dial left/right to select ON
  • Press the dial in to select.
                                       
• Selecting Inputs & Adjusting Levels
  • Press the your input track's indicator light 
    
    • Red Light = Track is enabled
    • Grey = Track is disabled
  • Use the track's dial to increase/decrease the inputs sensitivity.
    • The smaller lights above the dial will show you rough levels
    • Use the levels on the screen to accurately monitor your levels. 

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Troubleshooting

Q: I am not getting any levels.

A: Ensure that you have the right track selected. If the microphone needs phantom power, turn it on in settings.

Q: The levels are high but I can't hear through the headphones.

A: Adjust the headphone volume by using the 🎧 dial - located below to the menu button.

OR
Your headphone cable might not work. Contact the EDC for further assistance.

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Compatible EDC Accessories

Access is dependent on class equipment allocations & availability 

•  Microphones
  • Sennheiser MKE-600
  • Sennheiser MKH-416
  • Sennheiser MKH 50
  • All Sanken Microphones
• Lavaliers
  • Sony Wired & Wireless Lavaliers
  • Sennheiser AVX Wireless Lavaliers
  • Sennheiser G3 Wireless Lavaliers
• Hand Microphones
  • EV RE50B Omnidirectional Handheld Microphone
  • Shure VP64A Omnidirectional Handheld Microphone
  • SM58-LC (Switchless) Handheld Microphone
  • SM58-S (On/Off Switch) Handheld Microphone
• Speciality / Other
  • Hydrophone
  • Comtek Wireless Audio Monitoring Kit

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Tips & Tricks

• Always format your SD card to ensure the files are saved correctly.
• Always pay attention the the audio levels on the screen instead of using the headphones as a basis for monitoring audio.
• Be gentle when plugging in and releasing XLR connections. If you force it, it can break the jack and become stuck.
• Before you return the recorder, be sure to collect your SD card and batteries!

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