The Zoom F2 Field Recorder (Black) is a small but powerful Portable Recorder that can be carried around with its Belt-Clip and is designed for Recording on the go. It comes with a matching Lavalier Microphone with a 1.6m Cable and a sturdy 3.5mm Jack Plug with Screw Cap. Up to 512GB of Audio Material can be stored on a separately available Micro SD Card, and the Recording Time can be an impressive 15 Hours with just 2x AAA Batteries. Operation of the F2 is further facilitated by an automatic Recording Level setting. A Sample Size of 32-bits ensures a sufficiently large Dynamic Range, so that quiet passages are not lost and louder passages do not Overload so easily. For uncomplicated handling, the Function Keys can also be locked during Recording (Hold Function). These features predestine the F2 for working outdoors and on the road, but of course they also make it suitable for Casual Recordings by Musicians or Singers who can use it to record Demos or pieces for practice purposes.
In the Software supplied, Data can be transferred to and from the F2, the SD Card can be Formatted and the Recording Settings can be adjusted. Also included is a special Podcast Version of Steinberg's Audio Editor WaveLab. With its help, you can remove the Original Sound from a Video and replace it with the Sound from the F2, Mix and Process it with EQ and Compressor, remove Noise and Hiss, and adjust the Output Level of the finished Audio File to your needs. So with the help of the Zoom F2 and the included Accessories (as well as a suitable USB-C Cable), you can create high-quality Sound Recordings, even under adverse conditions, and process them professionally.
Pros:
Tiny, lightweight
Batteries last all day
Turn it on and forget about it (except remember to turn it off before people need the toilet)
32 bit float means you WILL have usable audio
Competitively priced
Cons:
Lock switch needs to be disengaged, in order to stop recording, by rotating towards the off position. Easy to accidentally switch the unit off instead of unlock, and your recording is gone (!)
Mic is only entry level
Micro SD cover is flimsy and construction feels a bit cheap overall
Of course I made my most recent purchase from DV247…it’s always the first place I look. I’ve been shopping with them for years for 3 simple reasons…excellent service, prompt delivery, and always competitive.
And I’ve no doubt I’ll be making my next purchase from them.
(By the way…the Zoom field recorders are excellent!)