ZOOM F2 Review & Tentacle Sync TRACK E Comparison
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 2. 07. 2024
- Review of the ZOOM F2 portable field recorder with comparison to the Tentacle Sync TRACK E for audio quality, ergonomics, and value.
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đŒ Tentacle TRACK E Review: âą The PERFECT Pocket Aud...
Review of the ZOOM F2 portable field recorder with comparison to the Tentacle Sync TRACK E for audio quality, ergonomics, and value.
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Table of Contents:
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0:00 - Intro & Disclosure
1:07 - Sound Comparison
2:39 - Price & Kit Differences
3:34 - Bluetooth vs Standard
4:33 - Controls & Playback
5:44 - Batteries & Power
6:37 - Build Quality
7:24 - Headphone Output
8:39 - Quirks & Imperfections
9:47 - Final Thoughts
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#zoomf2 #tentaclesync #audio - VÄda a technologie
@GeraldUndone - at 8:29 talk about how you could use this with a wireless transmitter module to get 32bit flow wirelessly. But wouldn't the monitoring audio output NOT be 32bit? Since you can change the gain on the output, this leads me to believe the benefits of 32bit would not passively transfer through the built in output.
Thanks for this video! I've been waiting for it.
Right, yeah, and you might run into line level vs mic level issues. My thinking was more for just monitoring. You still record locally on the 32-bit recorder, but you attach a wireless transmitter so you can monitor the sound wirelessly.
@@geraldundone Gotcha. Thanks for the quick reply. Here's a use: If you're syncing in post via Multicam Clip in FCPX based on audio, you could wirelessly shoot the monitor audio into your camera from afar, making syncing a breeze, sin timecode ;).
I saw another comment asking if they could use a L/R channel 3.5 splitter to record 2 audio sources simultaneously. I was thinking- similarly to the use-case above, use your Rode (or w/e brand) wireless transmitter on one subject, and place the receiver on the other subject, receiving into the R channel. Then the other Lav, on the 2nd subject goes into the L channel.
@@geraldundone I have a couple decent Lavs, rechargeable AAA's, and an iPhone. Would you recommend going with the cheaper Zoom in my case?
Yeah, the Zoom would probably be a better use of money since you're essentially the perfect customer. đ
@GeraldUndone Would it be possible to put a 3.5mm wireless receiver like the RodeLink into the F2's mic input and record 32 bit audio wirelessly into the unit itself that way? Or is that just wishful thinking?
You know gerald, when you asked to collaborate, I didn't know you were gonna....THATS MY F'N MIC!!! well played sir.
If anyone wants to know what Josh was talking about at 8:51, he was laying down a theory that in those "cinematic b-roll" videos, the music is actually the a-roll. đ€đ€Łđ
That's why I love the guy
@@geraldundone man, music and sound is always a-roll!
Although, I think thereâs something to be said that there shouldnâtâ be such a a thing as a b-roll, as it suggests less significance.
Thanks for the reviews btw. This 32-but float seems like actual damn magic!
Gerald forgot to mention one important detail. The tentacle track E has the option to change the plug in power voltage. High end lav mics like the DPA or the cos11d need 5 Volts. The zoom only has one plug in power voltage which can only deliver 2.5 volts, the track E has several voltage settings. Not having the right voltage will limit the sensitivity of certain lav mics.
Thanks for this comment! I have the zoom f2 and used it with the Shure Twinplex TL47 and felt like something was limiting it from sounding its best. Didn't know what it was until reading your comment.
oh. thanks for saving me some money. I was going to get an F2 to pair with my cos11d...
My fiance said that I sound like Gerald Undone this morning and I said that it was the best compliment that she had given me ever.
Ngl, it's kinda sad that it is the best compliment you ever received
Do you have an affinity for purple?
@@mehdisheriff yikes.
@@mehdisheriff â That could also means even receiving good compliments Undone means even more to @Johnny Hurcomb :D
"Dum dum Gerald Undone dum dum dum He's Crazy!" Anyone else singing along?
How could you not.. That bass tone slapps
This gets stuck in my head multiple times per week.
I sing it. But replace "he's" with "I'm"... Usually makes the other passengers on the bus change seats.
on videos like this one, only here for the intro
What I really want is for Tentacle Sync to complete their ecosystem by making a full XLR/Phantom power version of their recorder that I can slap on the back of a boom pole and control every source and camera TC from the app. That would be beautiful.
I literally commented on your track e video yesterday and asked for this comparison. Youâre on top of it, THANK YOU FOR THIS!
Tough call. As an audio engineer, I would prefer to use a better lav mic than either of the ones included, but if I had to use the included mic, I might actually prefer the ZOOM. It's easier (and faster) to EQ out the boxiness in the ZOOM mic than to address the noise on the TRACK E mic. I was pretty surprised at how loud the noise was on the TRACK E.
This comparison is the holiday gift I wanted most đ
Also, your Canadian really comes out when you yell... bud. I love it!
Yesss I was waiting for a quality review on this
Amazing Gerald. Just the review I was hoping for!
Thank you again for a (as always) detailed, honest review, that covers everything I want to know and what would take so much time to find out myself.
great comparison. One thing you didn't mention is that in the F2BT, you can only work with one unit at a time via the app, whereas the Tentacle Sync, you can control and view levels on more than one device at a time via the app.
That's a big negative for the Zoom for me, damn.
@@paulfairchild8942 yup.
The ending tho. Pure gold
Thanks for making this! I've been waiting and hoping
Thank you for mentioning the battery door. That was probably my biggest concern with the F2 since my F1 battery door broke as soon as it was out of warranty. Between that and the ease of timecode use on the Track E, I know what I'm going with.
I'll be completely honest, I was so blown away with the Track E I almost got it blind but this vid definitely reminded me to check all the options first.
The type of review I was WAITING FOR!!
GREAT review! Many thanks for this.
Solid comparison, thinking of grabbing one of these a a backup and for some bts.. Another note, as a guy from southern Ontario you're a role model for me, you set a high bar in your analysis and I appreciate that.
Finally, my b-roll can be ON TARGET. Thanks story blocks đđ»
Thanks a lot for your videos, and thanks to CZcams and your sponsors for compensating your thoroughness on our behalf. I personally hear an agressive high pitch everytime you pronounce the S sound, I wanted to share that with you, so if I'm not the only one who hears it, maybe some EQ tweaking or a de-esser could come in handy... otherwise, it might just be my ears or headphones ^^'
The review i was waiting for!
I think your outro should be shouted from now on. Definitely grabs your attention more! đ
Hey Gerald, huge fan, love all your videos, I think you're one of the best video/audio reviewers anywhere. This is great. I know your focus is more on video and more on the basic consumer/prosumer side of things when it comes to audio, but I wish you could use your skills and resources to review more professional sound recording tools that net barely any coverage on CZcams (save for the legendary Curtis Judd) yet are used widely on professional sets, e.g. Lectrosonics wireless systems,
Sound Devices 6 series and 8 series recorders, Zaxcom etc. I would especially love to see you comp the pro, $1000+ circuit of shotgun microphones: stuff like Schoeps CMIT5U, DPA 4017, Sanken CS-3E, Neumann KMR-81. These are industry standards on pro sets but the most I ever see CZcamsrs (again, outside of Curtis Judd) go into is the MKH416, as if it's the only pro mic, when it's actually an older mic that Sennheiser has long since upgraded from with the MKH 60 and 8060 mics. Pro lavaliere mics, like the Sanken COS11-D, DPA series, Countryman B6, etc., would also be very interesting to look at! None of these are new, flashy products to market, but I just think there is a big gap for you to explore here and there is almost no one else I would rather see do it. Thanks so much! Keep keeping on. Love your channel
FYI, Curtis Judd just talked about the ability to prevent the stopping of the Track E recorder via their app.
Superb video and comparison!
Ever since I saw the first review of the F2( was two weeks ago ) I've been waiting for your take on it !
I really need to improve my audio... Maybe content too , but ill start from the audio
Awesome Review, thanks a lot Gerald
Hi Gerald, great video as always. I enjoy what you say and feel it helps my understanding of video production. I'm a video newbie with lots still to learn. Been shooting stills competently for many years and now feel it's high time I start learning and practicing video production too. I'm starting to think that timcode recording sound, for sync via DaVinci/Fairlight in post, might be a better way to go than radio transmission back to camera or waveform sync to a scratch camera recorded track. There seems a lot to learn, but for audio I find you and Curtis Judd most helpful.
No regrets buying that Track E. Timecode feature is a win here
Thanks for the comparison đđđŸ
Great work, dude! Very modern vlog
Great video! I really like the 32 bit float on the Zoom F2. It can perfectly handle high SPL and dynamic sound from engine. With minor touch in post processing, the audio can be synced to the video and it does the job very well. The only cons is quality of the lav mic. I use deity w lav pro to improve the clarity.
Great review!
Very good. One point you didn't mention - Bluetooth control makes a huge difference when recording music performances as I have found with the Zoom F6 during the Covid pandemic. It has been possible to keep a good distance from the performers while still controlling the recording. I have been using the Zoom F1 for recording spoken segments but without bluetooth I have to leave the F1 on the subject and record the whole session of several segments without being able to switch off and on as needed. Regaining this control is why I want one of these two recorders you just reviewed. By the way, I find the Lavalier supplied with the F1 to be a terrific microphone and the F1 to be an excellent recorder, providing you don't use the auto levels feature. I hope that the F2 Lavalier is not a downgrade - maybe you could compare the for us?
Great video as always! Question: Where is your MKH50 mounted for this video? The sound is amazing!
I remember feeling bad for you when i saw the Zoom F2 release literally an hour after watching your initial Tentacle Track E review.
Thanks for this dude!
If they can make 32bit recorders so small now why doesn't every camera just have 32bit float as standard?
Yeah, that'd be pretty wild. đ
I think future cameras will have 32 bit float recording as standard. It's gotta be in the works. And so, all sound recorders ever sold would be like that too.
Underrated comment/idea
Patents. But yeah, hopefully! I can't wait for digital wireless 32-bit.
I'm getting a bit sick of patents holding technology back. This and RED owning internal raw seems a bit much :/
Great review. Funny at the end. đđ
Damn, I bought 5x Tascam DR-10Ls a few weeks ago... I'll buy one of these to check them out. Very helpful review as always.
@GeraldUndone - Great review! Iâm left with a question though. The two recordersâ default lav microphones sounded quite muffled. I wonder what the recordings are like with better quality microphones. Have you had a chance to test them with other type of mics? A shotgun for instance?
Thank you. Very useful!
Hi, are you having any mic input issues if you rock the input left and right? This is a realistic scenario and I'm now considering returning my F2 and getting Tentacle Sync Trac E.
And this is why I follow your channel and will continue to. You save me a lot of money by making good decisions. Thanks Mr. Undone (He's crazy)
Loved the outro!!!!đđđ
Dude you probably already know this, but your audio is smooth as butter.
You sold me on the Track Eđđœđ
What would you suggest as an upgrade mic for the Zoom F2?
One thing that didn't get mentioned so far (I think) when talking about value for money for both devices is that with the Tentacle Sync Track E you apparently get their Tentacle Sync Studio software (macOS) for free (value of 150 Euro). I suppose this might be particularly useful for those who don't own a software that supports 32bit float audio (fully).
So, these would be a great workaround for use with the Sony FX6 that "loses" it's audio inputs when the handle is removed. Great review.
Well yeah kind of, except for this is only 3.5mm and you get phantom power XLR on the FX6 handle. A lot better than nothing still
Exactly the video I wanted to see! Pricing out a new creator kit and a pair of zooms would decrease the cost a bit. But the track e is slick...
waited for this! :D
Happy Birthday! đđđ„ł
Thanks for the info. As an android user, I was able to switch my preorder to the non Bluetooth version. 50 saved đđ»
Great review! Can you use any of them to record audio straight to PC via usb cable? Like the zoom h1/h5/h6 and so on?
How are the clips on the back? The Tascam DRL10 is really tight and you can't barely clip it on a thick belt....
Thank you for explaining the headphone jack. For me itâs a deal breaker and I would go with the f2 so I could use it wirelessly. Did you also talk in your last video about how 32 bit float needs a video app that can read the files? I have Davinci Resolve so Iâm good
Great review Gerald! Do you know if I can uns Sennheiser or even Sony lav mics on the F2? I have a lot of Sony lavs here. And did you test the timecode accuracy? Did you Sync sound to Video in post? Do you know how many units you can sync with an ultrasync blue? I would love to record with these units directly on the talent and use my wireless units only for monitoring instead of carrying a heavy soundbag. Do you think that will work with four or even more units? I havent seen a test of the syncing of multiple units in the field and afterwards in post anywhere so far, so I am not sure if it will work..
I donât mind the sound of the F2 or the Tentacle... but one thing stood out to me: boom just always sounds better when you have good mic placement.
Having owned Zoom Recorders for years and currently owning four Tentacle Sync E, hands down, I will be buying the Track E over the Zoom. The Zoom is, I am sure, a fine product but I like Tentacle products better in general. How they operate, feel, the out of box experience is just better.
You are such a great CZcamsr and seem to be such a nice person. WE LOVE YOU
Nice video, thanks!
Thanks for the review. When you're connected via bluetooth to the mobile app, can you still use the physical record button on the Zoom F2 to start and stop recording? Or is that button disabled when the device is connected and controlled by the phone?
I ask because I like to use my phone for monitoring only. I want to start and stop recording with the Zoom F2 button.
Great review! I will say one of the biggest things with batteries....more so than cost or charge cycle is simply the idea that you get to set, the recorder was left on or forgot to charge it and now what do you do? Instead of running out to get triple A's you'll have to plug in the unit to the wall, which might not be possible especially for documentary stuff which is what I think this will be used most for.
Fair point. Cheers!
I like the Zoom, I don't have the budget for all this new gear that comes out. So the non-Bluetooth model would be a nice addition to my kit, especially since I'm just using a lav mic to my Tascam DR 05 recorder in the pocket already. I also thought the Tascam DR 10L had 32bit but I was mistaken. I'm still torn on something like this or the Rode Wireless Go.
Mmm, that MKH50 sounds great on your voice! Sort of a "My name is Gerald - voice of GOD - Undone..." And nice comparison, of course! One note: The Track E does have an app setting to disable the switch on the Track E. Not as simple as the lock position on the F2, but probably more secure.
The Sennheiser MKH 50 came out the hero in this video. Hands-down.
Is there an affordable(ish) lav you'd recommend if you are starting from scratch? I feel like I'll want to replace the lav for either system what with the self noise on the TS and the tone quality on the Zoom neither seems great.
What lav mic do you recommend for a pocket recorder? I happen to have 2 tascam dr-10L's and I am definitely interested in looking into the f2 and track E but I think I may can use a better mic than what came with the dr-10L and improve quality that way (treating it as an investment that will work with future recorders).
Interesting! Nice video âïž
Well, lets not forget about the most important thing for a good sounding recordings - Track E supports +4.5V plugin power for professional mics like DPA4061, those added mics might be good for youtube, but not for professional purpose. And timecode support is must have. I'm kinda shocked you can only use some not so popular timecode device with it, and its impossible to simply jam it with anything.
gerald! is the track e a ideal option for someone who has no trust in the wirless go 2 and wants a simple system
Another great video :)
Love the outro
Good comparison! Altho i'm thinking if i don't have any previous Tentacle products but have ninja V, then perhaps it's better to go with Zoom BT version, in chance of getting also Ninja V-s timecode addon in the future ?
Absolute genius using the ad as the audio comparison test.
if you apply the same refinements on the MKH on these 2 you are testing, what are the key differences? i'm trying to understand the differences between portable audio recorders vs proper studio setup in terms of audio quality
Thanks for this. How is the Zoom F2 battery door holding up?
Excellent review, i would love to see a review on lav mics.
I have batteries, a good mic and the Tentacle E has too much self noise for run and gun wedding videos. Think I'll be getting the Zoom. Great review as always!
They're both 3.5mm only, right? No XLR
I wonder how the zoom and a Deity v mic d3 pro would sound together. That could be the best low budget sound kit in theory
Great review. Do you think you can put a cheap wireless Bluetooth dongle you can find in general electronics stored in the headphone jack & monitor it with say AirPods while recording? I donât care about latency, just listening for mic rustle. Iâm in Australia đŠđș.
Gerald, did you see that in the latest version of the Zoom f2 firmware you can now format SD card from app!
Amazing video, as always. Heck, here goes my money again.
Nice video. In an email I got from Zoom a while back they said it does stereo at 44.1khz and mono at 48khz. Is that how the unit you have works? I don't think I'd want to work with 44.1khz, but getting stereo recording at 32-bit could be useful for a lot of people. A dual head lapel would help limit shirt noise ruining a recording. I do a lot of outdoors stuff with my main audio with a stereo lapel plus an Olympus LS-P4 recorder. There have been times where I needed to pick a specific mic to use over the other one or splice them in post. It's too bad the Zoom doesn't have a simple timecode solution. The Timecode systems blue device that it works with has limited capabilities. :(
The Android app is out. I used it with my Pixel 3XL and it worked fine.
Once catch is that you can either use the app or timecode, not both. I guess that's fine.
I have 3 Atomos Syncs, 2 UltraSync Ones and a Zoom F8n. They all worked nicely together, no need for the Blue for me.
First Love your Channel and congrats on your success !!!
If this has been noted sorry to bring it up again
Battery life with Enaloop will greatly improve by selecting the NiMh type in the App to allow the F2 to read and stay active to the proper voltage threshold with NiMh
The noise floor seems significantly lower on the Zoom F2 than Track E. Checked on DT770 Pro 250ohm + RME converters.
What are your thoughts between the Sennheiser MKE 2-EW Gold vs Sanken COS-11D? Looking to connect to my Tentacle sync track E with a TRS connector. The lav that comes with the Tentacle sync produces too much self noise than I'd like
Excellent review Gerald. A few things to add. The Zoom F2 can currently only power lavs up-to 2.5V whereas the Tentacle will do 5V. This may change with the release model. Zoom are also looking into an Android app. As a professional sound recordist the F2-BT makes more sense to me ;if they can fix the 2.5V as I already own a plethora of lavs and I have the Timecode Systems Blue, which will sync all F2-BT (you only need to buy one unit and it's very cheap). The headphone output is a big deal for me as I need to attach radio mics to the device too. Zoom have obviously got deeper pockets than Tentacle ;)
Someone mentioned you can only view one F2 using their app vs multiple Track Es using Tentacle's app. That will be an issue for some.
In the specs it mentions the F2 has a stereo input but does it record a mono track? Or can I technically use a left/right splitter cable to send different signals to the left and right channels?
Can you do a comparison with the Tascam dr10, I'd also like to see the size difference
If you're invested in the Ultrasync-System and already own (supported) lav mics the F2BT is a good choice in my opinion. Using the Ultrasync BLUE you can sync Timecode to the Zoom F2BT, the Zoom F6 (w Zoom-BT module), the Mavis app on iOS, ⊠Combined with the Ultrasync ONE (using RF instead of BT) you can set up a TC-Network with the Atomos Ninja (w Atomos-TC-module, requires the Ultrasync ONE, works through RF not BT), cameras that support TC (with the same or more Ultrasync ONEs) and cameras that don't support TC (also with the Ultrasync ONE via 3,5mm, requires an extra cable that's quite expensive).
Not a cheap system, but works very well.
Nice, will have to pick these puppies up!
I was just looking at this thing!
I'm Gerald undone and this is the review you've been waiting for ...
you forgot one big difference in your review. The F2 has only 2.5V phantom output while the Track E has 5V. If you want to use a quality mic like the sanken cos-11 or dpa 4060/6060 the F2 isn't an option as the both need 5V.
Hi Gerald.
I have a question about the f2.
Can it be used as a bluetooth input device for a phone?
I don't know if you are the right person to ask, but you are the person who dives the deepest into tech that I've seen on youtube.
I'm looking for a bluetooth microphone for, amlng other things, live-streaming to Facebook from my phone. At the moment i use a sony sbh25 (and the app mono mono, that forces the mic input to be a connected bluetooth mic or else the Facebook app chooses the phone mic) and the quality is ok.
But I was thinking that it would be fantastic if you could have a bluetooth device (maybe the f2) that i could connect better mics to and then use mono mono to force Facebook to use the bluetooth device as input.
Do you know if that's possible or not?
I think I need this one...