The Zoom F8n Pro Field Recorder
If you’re a professional sound recordist, you know that having a reliable and high-quality field recorder is crucial to capturing pristine audio on location. The Zoom F8n Pro is one such recorder that boasts a wealth of features designed to make your job easier.
One of the standout features of the F8n Pro is its 2.4-inch full-color backlit display, which is equally easy to read in low or direct lighting. The display also has a monochromatic mode for conserving battery life. Transport controls on the control panel include stop, search forward and search backward keys, as well as illuminated play/pause and record buttons.
Input/Output
The F8n Pro provides eight discrete inputs with locking Neutrik XLR/TRS combo connectors, allowing you to plug in any microphone, wireless pack, or line-level device. Each input features a built-in preamp with a dedicated gain control knob and a 6-segment LED level meter. The unit’s 1/4″ headphone jack also comes with a dedicated volume control.
The F8n Pro provides four outputs: two Main Outs (on balanced TA3 mini-XLR jacks) for connection to external mixers and processing devices, and two Sub Outs (on a single unbalanced 1/8″ stereo mini-jack) for connection to a camera. The F8n Pro also provides a selectable +4 dBu output.
Additionally, the F8n Pro boasts high-quality mic preamps with up to 75 dB gain and less than -127 dBu EIN, accurate timecode I/O on standard BNC connectors with dropframe/non-drop formats with Jam Sync, and Zoom AutoMix™ software.
Redundancy at its Finest
Another useful feature of the F8n Pro is the ability to record on two SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, up to 1 TB each, simultaneously. This allows for instant backup or split recordings. The recorder also has a USB port, which enables firmware updates, file transfer, and allows the F8n Pro to be used as an 8-in/4-out USB audio interface operating at sample rates up to 32-bit float / 96kHz.
The recorder is powered by eight AA batteries, an external DC battery pack with Hirose connector, or a 12V AC adapter (AA’s and DC battery pack not included). Its proprietary 10-pin connector enables the use of interchangeable Zoom mic capsules, with optional extension cables that allow for remote positioning.
Overall, the Zoom F8n Pro is a versatile and powerful field recorder that offers a range of features and options for professional sound recordists. With its intuitive controls, high-quality preamps, and robust design, it’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to capture pristine audio in the field.
