Zoom F1-LP Lavalier Body-Pack Recorder, Audio for Video Recorder, Records to SD Card, Battery Powered, Includes Lavalier Microphone

I bought this recorder primarily to use for recording the audio portion of videos for my YouTube channel. I've long had a love affair with my venerable Zoom H6 multitrack recorder, and all the various mic attachments I already own for the H6 fit the F1, as well. Most of the time I use the lavalier mic which came with the F1, but I have also used my SSH-6 shotgun mic, and the EXH-6 XLR expansion module to use a low-impedance XLR mic with the F1. Using the EXH-6, you can use any low impedance mic, as long as it doesn't require phantom power. The Auto setting on the Rec Level works great, and I've never been able to overload the input signal, so no distortion is evident. I'm not a big fan of the metal bars which constitute the belt loop, as I think a) they add unnecessary bulk to the unit, which would otherwise fit even more easily into one's pocket, and b) the bars really get in the way of both the battery compartment door and the micro SD slot door, making it very difficult to remove the tiny, micro SD card from its slot. The F1 has a great form factor otherwise, though. The audio quality is great. Miles above the audio you'll get from any camera's built-in mic. And don't stress over syncing the audio in post. Almost all video editing programs have a function to sync the external audio with the camera audio in a single click. Just make sure you're camera's mic is on so the software has the two signals to compare and sync. If your camera has a mic input, you can connect the F1's headphone output to the camera's input, and then you don't even have to worry about syncing audio in post. The F1 is tiny and easily pocketable, with enough buttons that you don't have to do too much menu diving to do what you need. The F1 works almost perfectly for its intended use, and I'd definitely buy it again.

This thing is amazing, you can take it anywhere. You can put it on your belt and secretly record conversations with your boss, hiding the lab mic under your shirt. And it's handy with the mic capsule for quickly capturing sounds you hear around you. Very convenient, wish mine still worked. But one day it never powered on again. Don't let that stop you though, you should still purchase this over any similar items. As I've had it for probably over 3 years regardless. And it has wav 96 at 32bits I think. Whatever it was, was good 👍!!!!

I love the ease and audio of the unit. I need three units for my typical video shoots. Unfortunately, I have had to purchase five because the doors break and there are no replacement doors. I need to count on the equipment when I am in the field. This last weekend, a host fumbled the Zoom F1 on Astro Turf from less than 30 inches and the door broke. The units are great otherwise; I will keep buying them because they are perfect. I wish they would sell replacement doors. Of course, then I would have only bought three instead of five -- so far.

I’ve created hundreds of YouTube and Vimeo videos and I’ve almost every small pocket sized field recorders on the market! And each and every one had glaring issues for me. Most of the issues stemmed from the plug in, and even with expensive field recorders such as the ZOOM H4N the 3.5 port would pop out half way through my recording and I would have to reshoot because the audio would not record. My main setup as a presenter and one man crew is a lav mic plugged directly into the device. And as someone who works all over the world with no crew completely by myself, there are moments that only come once and if you miss it.... you missed it. So having a reliable device that ensures you get the job done correctly the first time, look no further than this guy. The 3.5 jack screws into my Senheiser ME2 lav and I know that if I tug on the chord or bump the port it won’t pop off and destroy the moment. So for anyone new to video or someone who is a veteran out there, please consider this essential tool. The only downside to this is it does go through AAA batteries quickly so always have a pack on hand to replace them. Also the battery door is a bit odd to deal with. But those are very small things because this tool has saved my audio recording life :)

Small!! and in time I can plug in an XLR capsle, shotgun, X/Y....whatever!! and record at 24bits 96Khz! With a 32 GB micro SD Card I get 30 hours or recording time at 24/96 .WAV format if it helps. Now.....The included lav, it WILL get the job done and sounds fine, BUT! I happened to have a Rode Smartlav+ and the TRRS to TRS cable and decided to see what that would sound like on this compared ot the included Lav. I also tossed it into Adobe Audition to see the Wave Forms. IMO, the Rode took this Zoom F1 to an entirely different level, FAR less background hissing, I had to set the volume for the Rode to High+ to get the same - 6ish....DB level but compared to the included Lav with the same =6 when set to High, the Rode still had less noise and a faaar richer sound, clearer bassy tones, highs and mids. So if you get this, know in time you can upgrade the Lav and get very nice sound later just for the smartlav+ you need the adapter as it was meant for an iPhone and Droid. Oh....and IF you are wondering, the Zoom F1 made the SmartLav+ by Rode sound LIGHTYEARS better than it does on the phone and the RODE designed app. Again, I compared the 2 lavs in a small soundbooth and listened to it with monitor headphones by Audio-Technica, so the test was not from small logitech speakers, I hear all details. Zoom F1-LP + Rode SmartLav+ = Next level amazing in your pocket!!!!!!!

I love the device. Married it to a high end RODE Lav and get very nice results with this device BUT....... I purchased the unit in May and store the batteries outside of the unit when not in use. Today, I replaced the batteries in the unit and went to lock the battery compartment shut. There is a very small plastic slider switch that holds the locking panel in place which bent back on itself when I tried to seal the unit. So, now the unit is unusable until I can get a new tiny battery door to replace the one that failed. That seems ridiculous to me. I would highly recommend getting either the extended product warranty on purchase or picking a different unit. The lost opportunity to use the unit is actually worth more than the unit itself. I've contacted the vendor directly and will update this once I am informed of how they can help with this issue.... OK...So I said I would update this review when I got a response from ZOOM. They replied to my request to repair the device and acted on this immediately. They were prompt and professional.... I returned my device and they replaced it....with an F! that looks to have a more robust battery compartment cover. I'm super happy with how I was treated and their prompt resolution to my issue. The product does a great job, as I previously stated.

I’ve had this unit for a few months now, mainly for audio capture for a video podcast I shoot for a friend, it’s worked well, until I dropped the unit and it hit at the right angle to break the battery door cover. After contacting the company (Originally to see if I could purchase a replacement part) they had me ship my broken unit to them and they replaced it with a new unit. Great customer experience so far!

I love this recorder and lav. It is a high quality mic with a great recorder. I used Sennheiser G3s for years and get frustrated when the interviewee has their phone with them or nearby. Interference from it, from other electrical devices in the room, and just generally frustrating sessions. But with the F1, no interference whatsoever due to the wired connection. It does come with two downsides. One, you have to sync in post due to the nature of the recording. The G3s allowed for internal recording in cam so no need to sync to a track, but the F1 will need it. No biggie, but does extend the post a bit. The second is the mic wire is thinner than the Sennheiser mics, so the chance of them going bad is likely increased. I keep all my lavs in a hard shell case for a portable small harddrive. I loosely coil and then lay into the case, zip up, and don't need to worry about kinking in transit or storage.

Es, sin duda, la mejor opción en Lavalier. Con este te olvidas de comprar un receptor, un transmisor y andar cargando con una grabadora o interfaz para grabar, simplemente dejas este dispositivo con la persona a quien le colocas el micro y se queda guardado en el dispositivo. Sumamente útil para entrevistas, cine o para uso personal. Antes usaba los tradicionales transmisores pero con este dispositivo te ahorras algunos pasos y hasta equipo.

A wonderful product from zoom. It’s amazing. Only that the battery cover should be treated with care. Otherwise it will be broken. On the other hand, it’s a fantastic product for Vloggers and location-sound technicians.

Forget about these reviews complaining about the lav and bad battery. The lav is great and even superior to my Diety Lav I own. Those who complain about the static sound when it moves don't know how to properly wire somone. The battery door is good so long as you are not reckless when closing it. Just use it the way it's meant to be used and it's good. Great sound. Way better than zoom h1. Solid device. I'll be buying another one, probably the one with the shotgun mic so I can try that out next.

he probado otras grabadoras digitales y siempre tuve problemas con las conecciones o con las baterias, con esta no hubo problema alguno, ha sido una ventaja y ha durado jornadas muy rudas de grabacion, 100% recomendable

This is a great little sound recorder. The sound is good. The lavalier is good. I lost the clip which sucks. Would be nice if they gave extra. Also found I needed to buy cat tails for it to cut down wind noise even from regular speaking indoors. No complaints. It’s a nice unit