OVERVIEW:
This recorder has the perfect form factor for mounting to the top of a camera cage, so I can use my #1 tip for audio recording: "Always back up your audio (using a passthrough)." I would prefer more numerical gain steps (0-100) vs. the LOW, MID, HIGH increments. It doesn't include built-in stereo mics (like the H1, H1n) but Zoom does offer a variety of add-on mics. P.S. The battery door is a pain, and I actually had to replace it (with the newer metal version Zoom sent me for free).

MAIN POINTS:
PART 1: IS IT PORTABLE?
PART 2: IS IT AFFORDABLE?
PART 3: IS IT COMMON?
PART 4: HOW’S THE QUALITY?
PART 5: IS IT EASY TO USE?
PART 6: NEEDS ADD-ONS?
PART 7: WHERE DO I BUY?

PART 1: IS IT PORTABLE?
Yes, and even though it’s not a 32-bit float recorder, this is the reason I decided to try it out in the first place. Adding the 3.5mm headphone amplifier adds some size (and weight) but it’s still pretty compact overall.

PART 2: IS IT AFFORDABLE?
Yes, but for me adding a portable 3.5mm headphone amplifier is an essential add-on, so that will add $20-40 to the total price (with the 3.5mm AUX cable, etc.)

PART 3: IS IT COMMON?
It’s easy to find NEW but not super common USED yet.

PART 4: HOW’S THE QUALITY?
This part depends on getting the gain settings are right, and it’s not easy. The reason is, you have to use PRESETS (LOW, MID, HIGH, etc.) to set the level (instead granular gain control options, like most other Zoom recorders of this vintage have). The way I solve this is to add a mini headphone amplifier (with a short AUX cable). This really helps improve the quality in that it not only adds a BOOST (adds amplification) but it also adds a GAIN DIAL to the whole system which makes it a lot easier to use.

PART 5: IS IT EASY TO USE?
After adding a mini headphone amplifier to it (which has a GAIN KNOB/DIAL, and a LOW/HIGH boost) I think so, but it’s not easy-to-use right out of the box. The reason is the gain control system. It has a number of PRESETS (LOW, MID, HIGH, etc.) that only offer about 10 options…so it’s like being able to set the gain at 10, 20, 30, percent, etc. which hasn’t been enough for me to get a clean signal (because the preset levels that are clean are often too low, and the next step higher reveals too much pre-amp noise). That workaround to add a mini (3.5mm) headphone amplifier (using 3M Dual-Lock fastening tape) to add a gain DIAL (and a LOW/HIGH boost switch) really helps. The additional amplification, and the ability to use a DIAL instead of the stock PRESETS, makes the Zoom F1 a really good tool! All you have to do is set the preset to “MID” or “MID+” (the cleanest part of the preamp) and use that gain dial (on the headphone amplifier) to fine tune the level.

PART 6: NEEDS ADD-ONS?
Yes. It works a lot better when you add a portable 3.5mm headphone amplifier (to achieve a stepless audio level/gain control).

Shopping List:
1. Neotek NTK059 (Portable 3.5mm headphone amplifier)
2. Right angle 3.5mm AUX Cable (short)
3. 1 inch 3M Dual Lock (Fastener Tape)

PART 7: WHERE DO I BUY?
For most AUDIO items I recommend buying from Sweetwater, but absolutely for this one. I wrote an article (on my BLOG page) about the BATTERY DOOR breaking and how Sweetwater contacted Zoom, and they sent me the new METAL version of the battery door. Sweetwater contacted Zoom and got a response within a day, and they shipped the part to me within the week. It was not easy to install, and you want to ask Zoom to do it…but that BLOG post shows the steps I had to go through…

CONCLUSION:
I think it can be a good recorder IF you add that mini headphone amplifier…without that it isn’t easy to get a good signal with the PRESET again controls. So, wouldn’t recommend it, stock. Plus, if you have trouble with the battery door (if you got an older version without the metal door) it’s no fun to fix it (I wrote a blog post with the instructions though, if you want to take on that challenge!)