
Fresh on the scene and a welcome sight, the new Zoom F6 Multi-Track Field Recorder is the latest in the company's heralded F series. Zoom is among the best in the industry for portable, powerful audio recording solutions that appeal to filmmakers, audio mixers, and VR/AR recordists, and the F6 is no exception. With its clever integration of 32-bit float technology, it even blazes a new trail into the world of high-resolution recording.
At first glance, the F6 is a 6-channel mixer, but it goes so far beyond that. Yes, it has six XLR mic/line inputs, which happen to feed independently adjustable mic preamps that boast immense gain (up to 75 dB), ultra-low noise (-127 dBu EIN), and selectable 24/48 VDC phantom power. Though that alone is impressive, it's what happens after the inputs that's even more incredible. Dual-path A/D converters allow you to record simultaneously in 24-bit (192 kHz maximum) and 32-bit float (96 kHz maximum).
For 24-bit recording, the F6 uses look-ahead hybrid limiters to prevent clipping, while 32-bit float uses its extremely wide dynamic range to record audio that can't be distorted in the digital domain (please note, you can still distort any analog input, in accordance with the laws of physics). Basically, you can record distortion-free data that provides additional flexibility in post-production processing.
The F6 offers MP3, BWF-compatible WAV, and Ambisonics formats, and allows you to record to an SD card, stream audio over USB, or do both at the same time. Plus, you can record in stereo, the expected 6-track mode, or a slick 14-track mode, which records the six inputs in 24-bit and 32-bit float in addition to the stereo mix. To improve your mix quality and workflow efficiency, the F6 offers AutoMix, a software that automatically adjusts mix levels to minimize ambient sounds.
Look closer at the F6, and you'll see several 3.5mm mini jacks. One is an unbalanced line output, another is a stereo headphone port, and the third is for timecode I/O. Speaking of timecode, the F6 packs in a Temperature Compensated Crystal Oscillator (TCXO) that maintains stable, reliable synchronization with ±0.2 ppm accuracy even when the unit is powered off.
Regarding power, the F6 presents a buffet of options. It may be powered via four AA batteries, Sony L-Series batteries, USB bus power, or a Zoom AD-17 AC adapter. No matter how you work or where you are, the F6 has the flexibility to go and go and go. If your preferred working style involves remote control of your recorder, Zoom has two potent and separately available options—the F-Control with its 60mm faders and convenient knobs and buttons, or the F-Control app combined with a BTA-1 Bluetooth adapter for wireless control of your F6 from your iOS device.

There's much more to the F6, so don't stop here. Come to the B&H SuperStore or visit our website to learn all about it!
3 Comments
Hello....is the featured bag/case available for sale?
Perhaps too early to answer; will the F6 provide power to a connected camera or other device via USB output?
Hi Joe -
The Zoom F6 recorder will not provide output power to cameras or other devices via its USB port (USB Type-C (I/O, USB 2.0)