Mastering Timecode: Zoom F6 Field Recorder Setup Guide and Modes Explained

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  • čas přidán 22. 08. 2024

Komentáře • 79

  • @tsubasamaruno9851
    @tsubasamaruno9851 Před 3 lety +7

    Hi. Great video. But I'm a little confused. Before you plugged in the cable from the Tentacle, TC was 16:28:23:xx and after plugged in TC was 16:28:10:xx, then when you unplugged, TC was16:20:24:xx. How come? It didn't neither stay with the TC from the Tentacle nor go back to the original TC. I thought "EXT Continuous" would keep the TC from the Tentacle?

    • @ChrisSpiegl
      @ChrisSpiegl  Před 3 lety +11

      Great catch. You are totally right, that is confusing. Now, I just tested it again on my F6 and with the Tentacle Sync E and it worked as I expected. When using the Ext + Ext Audio Sync + Ext Continuous setting it will auto-sync, take that timecode, and continue even if you unplug the Sync E. Why exactly this happened this time when I was creating this video… I am not sure, to be honest 😔.
      Feel kinda stupid for not catching this during the edit 🙈. There are so many details to keep in mind and I am trying to keep on top of things next time.

    • @tsubasamaruno9851
      @tsubasamaruno9851 Před 3 lety +4

      @@ChrisSpiegl Thank you for the reply and checking. It's really good to know. But thanks to your video, now I know what to do. By the way, even if you turn off the F6, the timecode keeps running so it stays synched with the Tentacle (Camera)? For example when you have to switch battery? Thank you!

    • @ChrisSpiegl
      @ChrisSpiegl  Před 3 lety +7

      @@tsubasamaruno9851 in theory, yes, the Timecode keeps running. However, I would always re-sync if the device was turned off for whatever reason. Because some drift may occur - and there are few things as annoying as having to sync a second of drift. 😅

    • @tsubasamaruno9851
      @tsubasamaruno9851 Před 3 lety +4

      @@ChrisSpiegl Thank you so much for this info!!

  • @NickMirro
    @NickMirro Před 3 lety +3

    Wow perfect explanation! Very nice to see Tentacle Sync E and F6 displaying the exact timecode :)

  • @CAP2009films
    @CAP2009films Před 8 měsíci

    Great clip. Very useful. Looking forward to applying to my F6 - Deity TC-1 combo. Thanks

    • @ChrisSpiegl
      @ChrisSpiegl  Před 8 měsíci

      Glad it was helpful!

    • @CAP2009films
      @CAP2009films Před 8 měsíci

      Just as a follow up, and it took me some trial and error to figure this out, when using the Deity TC-1 as the external source to set the F6 TC you need to set the Deity to output line level signal (L-Out) so the F6 accepts it. I was using an audio cable to sync my Deity TC-1s to the nominated master unit and did this no problem with them set as Audio level out (A-Out - which is mic level I guess) but when I plugged that master into the F6 it did not recognise it and did not sync. I could not figure out why. It does not seem intuitive to me as when using the Deity TC-1 with the audio cable connected to a mirror less camera it needs to be Audio level out (A-out) - you just need to switch to line out briefly to sync the F6. Hope this helps someone else out.

  • @bobmusikk
    @bobmusikk Před rokem +2

    I did everything you explain but still, the Tentacle Timecode Tool App says that ther's no TC in the Zoom F6 file. Can't find aynthing on this

  • @michaelanderberg
    @michaelanderberg Před rokem +2

    Thanks!

  • @mariorivas7886
    @mariorivas7886 Před 3 lety +1

    Thx so much, loud and clear.

  • @CaptainShorif
    @CaptainShorif Před rokem

    Thank you!! Very helpful video.

  • @ChristophIsbjorn
    @ChristophIsbjorn Před rokem

    Man this is fantastic! I'm picking one of these up on the used market tomorrow, and I'm so excited to be able to jam it once with a tentacle sync and then use that sync on a camera again while I know the audio recorder is synced up.
    Based on this video, it seems like it would also be possible to do the following if you had two cameras:
    1. Jam F6 with tentacle sync so they match up.
    2a. Take tentacle sync off F6 and put it onto Camera 1
    2b. Use F6 timecode out to connect to camera 2
    3. Now Cameras 1&2 and the F6 should all be on the same timecode
    Is that correct?

  • @terrygriffin5201
    @terrygriffin5201 Před 2 měsíci

    Your video explainations are superb. Question, if we want timecode on a multi-track recording to be output on seperate layers,, what is the setup and workflow. I am also using Deity's TC-1 as an external generator. I need 3 channels. Boom mic, and 3 lav mic inputs. Thanks in advanced.

    • @ChrisSpiegl
      @ChrisSpiegl  Před 2 měsíci +1

      When you use a device like the Zoom F6, you do not need the timecode on a separate layer because it is automatically embedded in all the single tracks as well as the L/R Mix recording. This metadata timecode is understood by all major audio and video editing programs. And actually: much more supported than for example the SMTPE Audio Track Timecode, which for example, is not supported by Premiere Pro at this time.

    • @terrygriffin5201
      @terrygriffin5201 Před 2 měsíci

      @@ChrisSpiegl That is even better. The new Deity TC Sync can export xml that works with Resovle, final cut, and Premiere Pro. So I guess F6 will work and I will only need one box for my Camera. Deity has caught up to Tentecle TC and it does the same but with a cheaper ecosystem. But I am interested in the Zoom recorders so I can complete my setup. What about any audio drift? Do you notice a audio drift when importing the files?

  • @sleepvisionstudio3884
    @sleepvisionstudio3884 Před rokem +1

    Hi Chris! 🙂
    Will Tentacle Sync system work with other 32bit float devices like Zoom F3 or Tascam X8/X6? From what Tascam wrote it only works with Atomx sync ecosystem. 😕

  • @michaelrojas190
    @michaelrojas190 Před 3 lety +1

    So I think I finally got an answer I was searching for by watching this. So I guess if the F6 is receiving bluetooth timecode from an Atomos or Ultrasync blue, it can't also export that timecode. If it could you could jam a tentacle with bluetooth timecode from a competing system.

    • @ChrisSpiegl
      @ChrisSpiegl  Před 3 lety +2

      This is something I would love to look into further however, the investment into the AtomoX Module + Zoom F6 Bluetooth Module is not currently something I am able to afford.
      However, in theory: you could jam the Tentacle Sync into the Zoom F6 which in turn should be able to sent the Timecode over to the Ultrasync Blue.
      Alternatively, with the proper Splitter Cable (TRS Left Right Channel Split) you can also send the TC into the Tentacle Sync E… but not continuously but rather one time and then use that for something else.
      Hope that helps?

  • @KK47..
    @KK47.. Před rokem

    I’m running 6 wireless dji mis on thef6. I keep getting clicks and pops in my recording. Do you have any idea why?

  • @SamanthaCoolBeans
    @SamanthaCoolBeans Před 3 lety +1

    Great video, answered almost all of my questions apart from one. Maybe you can help?
    I normally run a large format multitrack recording system for live concerts, normally done over madi and laptops etc… the setup is waaay too much if I just want to record a single timecode synced mic feed or overall stereo mix.
    If I got one of these little recorders, could I take the LTC audio feed coming from the stage playback system and just hit record once before the show, and then as the playback system plays the various timecoded songs the F6n would keep up and just sync to that timecode whilst recording?
    Or would it stop each time the timecode stops?
    For example:
    Song1 00:00:10:00
    Song2 00:00:20:00
    Song3 00:00:30:00
    Etc etc
    Would it just ‘jam’ internally once the external TC is stopped, and then automatically resume recording or playing back once the Ext TC is back?
    This gizmo might save me carrying a bunch of laptops and external TC gear around on my next arena tour.
    I just need it to be able to automatically jump around and playback and record without me pressing buttons all the time.

    • @ChrisSpiegl
      @ChrisSpiegl  Před 3 lety +1

      Hello SamanthaCoolBeans, I am not exactly clear on what you are trying to achieve as I do not have any experience with this topic. But from what I understand:
      You'd like a device that records the timecode which is coming from the stage to later sync audio recordings of the whole show to some video?
      The F6 is as far as I am aware not really made to change the timecode during the recording… I mean you can hook up a LTC signal to the timecode in port, and then you could set it up to "use the external timecode" and so it would simply write whatever timecode it get's any given moment. However, I have no proof of that since I use my setup very differently and also would not know how to read the timecode form those audio recordings to see when the timecode changed.
      Maybe it would be easiest to just record the timecode into an audio file? So hook it up to an audio recorder as a audio track instead of an actual LTC signal?
      Or maybe you have an option to have one global timecode running and somehow sync all things to that?
      I hope you find a solution for your setup so that you can simplify your work 🌸.

    • @SamanthaCoolBeans
      @SamanthaCoolBeans Před 3 lety

      @@ChrisSpiegl kinda…
      Will the F6n record to whatever timecode it see incoming?
      Example… if it’s seeing 00:00:12:00 coming in, will the recording be locked to that timecode, so that when I playback at that timecode, it automatically jumps to that part of the recording?
      Now imagine I’ve got 20-30 songs all with different timecodes… I want to know that I can put this unit into ‘recording armed mode’ and have it record without having to actually press the record button each time it sees a new timecode.
      Maybe I need to get one and try it, I know my use would be quite specific

    • @ChrisSpiegl
      @ChrisSpiegl  Před 3 lety +2

      ​@@SamanthaCoolBeans I honestly don't know that feature and have never used the function to have it start recording via timecode signal. Somehow there seem to be some settings for that but I don't have the compatible gear to test it.
      So I guess it would be best for you to purchase one and return it if your use case does not pan out (or rent/lend it from someone you know).
      The F6 is able to take external timecode and jam the internal one, it can also just run on an external, but as I mentioned: no idea about the whole record by timecode stuff and so on 🙈.
      Good luck figuring that out and as mentioned as well: I hope you get a great solution for your setup.

  • @sibtainmushtaq5201
    @sibtainmushtaq5201 Před rokem +1

    8:14 i just realised your time went back to default and not running the tentacle timecode, am i missing something?

  • @ClimateRealism
    @ClimateRealism Před 2 lety

    excellent - thank you

  • @MylonasFilms
    @MylonasFilms Před 3 lety +1

    fanstastic cheers

  • @film-manufaktur
    @film-manufaktur Před 2 měsíci

    I use exactly the same configuration. When I connect the tentacle to the f6, it gets the TC from the tentacle, but when I compare it with the Teantacle Timebar App on my iPhone, tehere is a differents of 2 upto 3 frames. Same with the new Rode Wireless Pro. The TC on the Display is not the same. In the case of the Rode, they drift direct from the beginning with 2 frames per second. Strange....

    • @ChrisSpiegl
      @ChrisSpiegl  Před 2 měsíci +1

      I have seen a similar behavior. But need some more investigation if it’s actually a difference or just the monitor having a delay or refresh rate thing.

  • @jerrystevens738
    @jerrystevens738 Před 3 lety +2

    I have an F6, and a BMP6K, I've watched this video and I'm still confused on what to do. Can I just plug the F6 into my camera and sync it that way without the tentacle sync? Timecode is very confusing to me! Thanks for making this video though, I know it's me and not you, as far as grasping this information.

    • @ChrisSpiegl
      @ChrisSpiegl  Před 3 lety +2

      Hi Jerry, you actually are probably going to be fine with a simple stereo mini Jack wire as shown in this video: czcams.com/video/an9Nu9ICSRI/video.html
      However, I have heard that you may need a Stereo to Mono adapter on one end for the Blackmagic cameras. At least Curtis Judd showed that in his Zoom F6 review. Maybe check that out as well: czcams.com/video/byMZkEvYRKw/video.html (at about 14 minutes).
      Good luck and I hope to see you again on the channel.

    • @agentsixsix
      @agentsixsix Před 3 lety

      @@ChrisSpiegl @Jerry Stevens: Tip: you definitely don't want dangling adapters and wobbly connections when transferring timecode, so I suggest a firm cable with the appropriate wired (angled) connectors on both ends. Or use a decent STEREO to L/R splitter cable.

  • @bobmusikk
    @bobmusikk Před rokem

    Just bought these, after 2 days still can't timecode the Zoom F6, the Tentacle Timecode Tool App, says that the audio coming from the Zoom "audio TC not found"

  • @rickhickman2730
    @rickhickman2730 Před 9 měsíci +1

    This is a complete noob question, but I desperately need an answer. If you are recording with one camera, and recording audio with an external recorder (my case - zoom f6 and sony a7c), if you record audio with the recorder, you have time code capabilities either with the tentacle sync or your audio timecode like you explain in the other video, does that mean i can import all of my clips and all of my audio files, drag them all into an editing timline, hit sync with timecode and now the files will match up to each other perfectly? Or with timecode do I still have to try to manually record which file name on my camera applies to the related file name on the audio recorder (eg. C1001 on camera has to be selected and T001 has to be slected, then hit sync)

    • @ChrisSpiegl
      @ChrisSpiegl  Před 8 měsíci +1

      The syncing is easier. You don't really have to record which video file belongs to which audio file. That is managed by the syncing process. You can do the syncing with Resolve based on timecode easily. Premiere Pro (sadly) is a bit more cumbersum because they don't do audio timecode sync and only do it for "real timecode" (which you should be able to get with the F6 + a7c).
      Sync demonstrated in this video:
      czcams.com/video/o8OrUt_J1cg/video.html
      czcams.com/video/xSHb30jusJc/video.html
      czcams.com/video/29CjqfGoKwI/video.html

    • @rickhickman2730
      @rickhickman2730 Před 8 měsíci

      @@ChrisSpiegl I just have to convert timecode in DaVinci, then I can sync by timecode and I should be good. You've found it accurate? Ugh I'm excited! Thank you for responding 😁

  • @owenacevedolara8850
    @owenacevedolara8850 Před 9 měsíci

    I am very clear with everything you explain. Is it possible or does it make sense to use one channel of the f6 to introduce the timecoded audio signal from the Tentacle Stnc and direct that channel to exit the recorder through a single channel (L or R) to record that timecoded audio on the camera that Doesn't it accept timecode jam?
    Thanks for such good content.

    • @ChrisSpiegl
      @ChrisSpiegl  Před 8 měsíci

      It's much easier though: You can just connect the Sync E once at the start to the Timecode port of the F6 => the F6 then has Free Run Timecode which is synced to the Sync E. Then you can connect the Sync E to your camera mic port and have timecode on the audio track of the video.

  • @gavinarnoldgoodman3248

    Thank you so much for the video. I was also considering testing out using a splitter 3.5mm cable from the f6 to both my fuji cameras seeing as I’m usually quite close to my recorder. You think this would work? As I don’t have a tentacle yet and my audio guy has an f6 but I haven’t been able to test it yet.

    • @ChrisSpiegl
      @ChrisSpiegl  Před rokem +1

      Glad it was helpful! Yes, splitter cables do work. Just make sure it's not a "Left Right Splitter" but rather a "Listen together on the Plane" kind of splitter cable.

  • @jerryr6891
    @jerryr6891 Před rokem

    Hi Chris,
    Thank you for the helpful video.
    I have an issue with the sync tentacle with Zoom F6. I did step by-step following you... Unfortunately, I can't match the TC between the devices. Tentacle is running faster by 3ms than F6. How to fix this?

    • @TheReelport
      @TheReelport Před 9 měsíci

      Did you fix it? Seems like there is a display drift, they also don't match on your edit software?

  • @akmediaproductions
    @akmediaproductions Před 2 lety

    Nice if you have access to zoom f3, Help on timecode with zoom f3 via tentacle sync

    • @ChrisSpiegl
      @ChrisSpiegl  Před 2 lety

      I have no access to the F3 at this time. Sorry.

  • @destynick
    @destynick Před 5 měsíci

    Hello, 1-hour audio of Zoom F6 lasts 1 second more than the audio of my Lumix FZ2500. Is there any idea how to decrease the duration of F6 audio track? Thanks

    • @ChrisSpiegl
      @ChrisSpiegl  Před 5 měsíci

      I would just cut it in an editing program. Generally, I am not sure how you managed to start/stop the devices exactly at the same time to get a perfect match for the recording to begin with.

    • @destynick
      @destynick Před 5 měsíci

      @@ChrisSpiegl Clap when starting and another one before stopping the recording process. As to cutting - sometimes it's not a solution, as, for example, a violinist stops playing, but his violin still sounds within a second... that's the issue.

  • @LA-Creative
    @LA-Creative Před 2 lety

    Can the Tentacle Sync E receive the timecode from the Zoom recorder (and then send the Zoom timecode to the camera via the 3.5 mic port)? In the syncing demonstration the timecodes were so similar that I couldn’t tell which way the devices were syncing. Great video tho!

    • @ChrisSpiegl
      @ChrisSpiegl  Před 2 lety

      You can sync the Timecode between the zoom and Tentacle. Then detach the tentacle and hook it up to your camera.

    • @RezaMehr
      @RezaMehr Před 3 měsíci

      I have a question about a reverse scenario: Can I sync my F6 via external timecode and then use the F6 to jam sync another camera? My setup includes an F6, a Fuji XH2S (which requires Bluetooth for timecode sync), and a Blackmagic camera (which syncs via a 3.5mm cable). My timecode generator is the Atomos Blue, which only provides Bluetooth timecode and lacks the cable option.

  • @photo-markus
    @photo-markus Před rokem

    Nikon z 9 has timecode generator too. How can I sync the 2 timecodes without a tentacle? What setting do I need on f6 and on Z9?

    • @ChrisSpiegl
      @ChrisSpiegl  Před měsícem

      Don't know as I have never used a Z9.

  • @johanvanhuyssteen9217

    I purchahsed two separate 3.5mm TRS cables. I don't think this works with any other cable than Tentacle's cable.

    • @ChrisSpiegl
      @ChrisSpiegl  Před rokem

      I have used regular TRS to TRS cables. A few different ones actually. So it should work.

    • @johanvanhuyssteen9217
      @johanvanhuyssteen9217 Před rokem

      ​@ChrisSpiegl you're right. Tentacle support finally came back to me via email. It seems I was mixed up between the 'Sync E' and the 'Track E'. They told me the following:
      - Sync E: can send timecode or be jammed
      - Track E: can NOT send timecode, but can be jammed*
      *Disclaimer with Track E: you need to reverse left/ right rings on your TRS cable (difficult) OR buy a special cable from their website, specifically for Zoom F6, enable this.
      If I missed anything here please let me know.

  • @karstenwolff4354
    @karstenwolff4354 Před 2 lety

    thank you for the understandable video, . my dream with the F7 and my Canon C70 would be: 1) One Tentacel Sync on Zoom f6 und one tentacle on the C70. i press record on the C70 camera and automaticly die F6 starts recording the sound. Is that working? is that possiblel? ore 2) do i have to press record on the camera AND record on the Zoom F6 anytime? ore 3) do i record for hours all the time during shooting an sync it in the studio app later and than import in premiere for editing?

    • @ChrisSpiegl
      @ChrisSpiegl  Před 2 lety +1

      With the Tentacle Sync E there is currently no way to "start recording" in sync.
      But as you mentioned: the easiest is probably to just keep recording on the audio recorder and start stop as needed on the C70.

  • @infochannel392
    @infochannel392 Před rokem

    Can it run "time of day" timecode free run?

  • @timjenkins8943
    @timjenkins8943 Před 2 lety

    I took photos of the timecode on Zoom F6 and Tentacle Sync app and there is a 2-6 frame number difference between the two devices even with syncing. I then connected the tentacle sync E with cable to timecode input on Zoom F6 and there is still a difference in the frame sync. Is this normal? I was expecting frame accurate syncing. Zoom F6 shows EXT timecode sign on bottom of display and frame rates are set to same 23.97.

    • @ChrisSpiegl
      @ChrisSpiegl  Před 2 lety +1

      It should be accurate. May not display accurate but when you sync in post that's where it would be really interesting if there is drift.

  • @JimRobinson-colors
    @JimRobinson-colors Před 3 lety +1

    If an external audio device is for audio only and has timecode - why does it have a selection for frame rates?

    • @ChrisSpiegl
      @ChrisSpiegl  Před 3 lety +2

      Basically the frame rate is necessary because the timecode is different depending on the frame rate. So if you are trying to sync multiple devices they all need to be set to the same frame rate in their timecode settings to be able to sync in post production.

    • @JimRobinson-colors
      @JimRobinson-colors Před 3 lety +1

      @@ChrisSpiegl True, but a second, or a millisecond, is the same amount of time in the audio in any framerate. It seems to me that it just a visual guide when syncing. I think this is where people start getting confused. If you shot at 6o fps and your audio was set at 23.976 on this device - the audio would be exactly the same amount of time and the whole timecode would match except for visually seeing the FF part.

    • @ChrisSpiegl
      @ChrisSpiegl  Před 3 lety +3

      @@JimRobinson-colors I don't think that's how timecode works. The timecode is actually embedded with a frame count as the last digit instead of milliseconds. That's the way SMPTE timecode works.
      I have developed a few lines of code around this topic when trying to build my own timecode analyzer and there I learned about those things.
      So that's why you need the correct framerate for all devices… it's actually a frame count that is used for the timecode, not milliseconds.

  • @playaofficial
    @playaofficial Před 2 lety

    Hi, I have 2 RED Komodo cameras and a Zoom F6. Can I Jam timecode from F6 to RED Komodo cameras without SYNC-E ?

    • @ChrisSpiegl
      @ChrisSpiegl  Před 2 lety +1

      If the RED has a timecode port, then yes, you should be able to sync those two up with the use of an appropriate sync cable (depending on the port the RED Komodo uses).

    • @playaofficial
      @playaofficial Před 2 lety +1

      @@ChrisSpiegl Thanks Chris! Yes I just have to buy a cable for RED Komodo TC in. 👍

  • @johndaniel4532
    @johndaniel4532 Před 2 lety

    Which cable do I need for timecode between tentacle track E and Zoom f6?

    • @ChrisSpiegl
      @ChrisSpiegl  Před 2 lety

      A standard TRS to TRS cable (also known as AUX cable). It's the 3.5mm jack with 3 gold rings on both ends.

    • @johndaniel4532
      @johndaniel4532 Před 2 lety

      @@ChrisSpiegl I got the cable and Track E but I'm not able to Jam timecode or as shown in the video here. Nothing works, how do I sync with TRS cable and Track E?

    • @trankdart
      @trankdart Před 2 lety

      Make sure that your Track E or Sync E is set to output its timecode at LINE level, not MIC level. This can be adjusted in the Tentacle phone app. There is an “Auto” mode for the timecode volume in the phone app that sometimes mistakenly sets the timecode device’s level to MIC, in which case the F6 will not recognize its input as timecode. The Auto mode is a blue slider switch. Make sure it’s off, and LINE is selected. (Note: if you then need to attach the same Sync E to a camera or other device, you may have to use the phone app again to set the timecode level back to MIC.)