Zoom F4 with six inputs and eight tracks (is like a new low priced F8!)

[Uno Castillo]

you just describe my case, uuups LOL
Yes i am one man crew, i am not and don´t want to become a sound guy, some times i don´t have budget to hire a proper sound, so i have to find a solution. F4 it seems to be a reaaaaallllyyyy good solution for me.

 

[Mark Spraker]

Mark, if you only have one Tentacle Sync then make sure you NEVER TURN OFF the Zoom F4.

And if you do turn it off, then you need to rejam. Essential.

But if you make sure you do this, and set it up right, then you should stay in sync all day long. (but rejam at lunch anyway, just to be safe)...

Yea, I did my own testing over the last couple days and this is spot on. The way I have mine setup I keep the timecode BNC connected and leave the 3.5mm plug hanging out the top of the bag for easy access. Then I can just jam and go with no effort!

I was also looking for a cheap battery solution since I need to keep mobile and saw that Juicebox has a new version of their Magic Power battery (Version 2.0). I'm probably biased since I've used a lot of their batteries (and own two of their 150w V-Mounts), but it looks like a good, cheap solution since I don't have the spare cash for NP-1s....the similar form factor doesn't hurt either!

I only had time for one quick test so far — best case scenario, just leaving it on and no mics powered lasted well over 9 hours and still had 59% charge left (The Tentacle Sync was still spot on as well). I'll do another test tonight with 4 phantom powered mics recording WAVs to both SD cards the whole time and see what I get. I also have Eneloop AAs in there as a backup so I can get a real world usage estimate out of this combo.

 

[David Peterson]

David,

Any reason(s) in particular you fancy the Ultrasync ONE over the Tentacle Sync?

I have both, been using the Tentacle Syncs for a little while now (even shot an entire feature film with them), and only just got the Ultrasync ONE (using them this weekend for the first time).

Basically the Ultrasync ONE only costs a relatively small amount extra, but has waaaay more features! (blink network, genlock, screen, etc)

Their range is impressive:

 

[Ryan Williams]

David,

Thanks for the response. Could you drop back in after the weekend and let us know your thoughts, both good and bad, on the UltraSync after you put it through it's paces? Would really appreciate it.

 

[David Peterson]

Thanks for the response. Could you drop back in after the weekend and let us know your thoughts, both good and bad, on the UltraSync after you put it through it's paces? Would really appreciate it.

Have an unboxing here of them:

 

[David Peterson]

Just got notified B&H has a Zoom F4 for $420 daily deal.

Pounce on it! Is the golden perfect recorder for any one to start out on, and that is unbelievably cheap.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1260110-REG/zoom_zf4_f4_multitack_field_recorder.html