About to get an F3. What options are there to edit 32 bit float audio files?
I’ve been reading everywhere that Live was not compatible but I guess that seemed to change at some point as written here:
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i’ve been editing 32-bit files from my H1e in Ableton 11 no problem
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Jendrik
2480
Love watching this guy from time to time. 
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robbie
2481
In “free, quick, & easy” options, Audacity certainly does. In fact I believe 32 bit float is its default setting now.
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i’ve used ableton, Audacity, Ocenaudio, reaper, bitwig; never had any issues with any software supporting 32-bit float, it’s a pretty old standard
edit to add—
it’s really cool when it looks clipped at 0dBFS and you pull the gain down of a sample and you see it’s all still there, nothing is lost and it’s revealed back in the waveform view
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I have another question for the community:
Will a phantom to PiP adapter (like RØDE VXLR+) work without phantom simply as an adapter for sources that doesn’t need voltage (e.g. piezo, EM pickups or line input)?
If so, does it come with some downsides to the signal, like changing the impedance?
HenryO
2484
Are there decent all in one MS recorders that also have XLR/line inputs?
I need something with decent mics and pres, but that also has 2 additional XLR/line.
The Zoom H2n looks quite nice, has the ability to record MS and stereo simultaneously (which is really cool) but it is very cheap and only stereo 1/8 inch line input (which might not be the end of the world if the mics and pres and the H2n are decent).
Are there other alternatives?
I don’t want a box with external mic. It must be small and self contained.
If not then I’m looking at the Tascam X6 with stereo mics built in.
Thanks.
The Zoom H5 and H6 can use the MSH-6 MS mic capsule. The H5 would give you the 2 XLR inputs you require, while the H6 would provide you with 4 XLR inputs. The MS mic module would be an additional purchase, but it’s not too pricy.
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gusp
2486
Reaper works well with 32 bit as well.
I was shocked when first recording a very dynamic setting (train going over bridge in quiet landscape) in 32 bit - It sounded kind of rubbish in the studio - I was so used to (good) limiters and/or clipping in this situation that I wasn’t prepared for the dynamic range! To make it listenable and not to kill my speakers I had to use LOADS of compression. I think my ears have a built in limiter 
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Shiftr
2487
They actually do! It’s a muscle in the ear called the Tensor Tympani
If you listen really carefully you can hear and feel it kick in with really loud sounds.
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slowwild
2488
you would probably not want to use something with active circuitry for this, a simpler xlr to 1/4” or 1/8” adaptor/cable would be better for line level devices
But for contact mics, hydrophones and similar, you may want an impedance adaptor like this:
Hosa Technology MIT-129 1/4-Inch TS to XLR3M Impedance Transformer
these are the same ones sold by JrF, details here:
JrF - xlr adaptors
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Anyone tried testing Zoom F3 and F6 vs MixPre 3 or 6?
Im wondering how are they with very subtle sounds in regards to the noise of the preamp. I figure it also has to do with self noise from the microphone, but do wonder if there is significant reason to go with MixPre as opposed to the Zoom F6 32bit line.
What do you mean by very subtle sounds? As in quiet field recordings? There are some slight differences between the designs of the preamps but in general for these purposes I think you won’t notice them. Your choice and positioning of microphones will have a far greater effect than the minor differences between the preamps.
The reasons for choosing between the two fall in other areas for me. First of all SD gear you can get repaired, Zoom you are basically on your own. Zoom is cheaper, SD costs more and tends to eat more power. F3 being lightest and lowest power consumption of the three if all you want is stereo. The F6 is very compact, but it also has some things that I consider pretty glaring design flaws or not great design in terms of ergonomics. Other people have similar complaints about aspects of the Mixpre series that they don’t like. Mixpres will have much better headphone amp, which if you are using good headphones and need very high quality monitoring of quiet sources might be beneficial. F3 can not monitor in mid/side, F6 or Mixpre can. Mixpre has various plug ins you may need or find helpful and has better bluetooth control, Zoom is exactly what you get and nothing more. F6 gets you 6 actual preamps, Mixpre 3 gets you 3, Mixpre 6 only gets you 4 with the aux inputs not having as good of a noise floor.
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I have this one that I guess I could use in oposite direction with some passive adaptors.
Well, that may add enough clutter to go for the one you linked.
Also, I plan to use piezo with a geophone in tandem, afaik the impedance mismatch would roll the lows and mids of the piezo down, but the geophone would capture them. I will do some testing before committing to it, I don’t want to add more adaptors to my setup.
May as well build one too if they are simple enough (schematic pointers appreciated).
gusp
2492
Good name for a compressor! Tensor Tympani!!
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xmacex
2493
Exploring field recording, lesson number 1:
Have a dead cat.
I am sure this was already obvious to everyone else.
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HenryO
2494
Does anyone here use a Tascam X6 or X8?
I’m looking at buying one of them for both field recording and for line-level recording of synths etc.
The X6 is more in my budget, but the X8 has combo XLR/TRS, whereas the X6 only has XLR inputs + 1/8" stereo TRS.
If I got the X6, can I just get some XLR > TRS leads? Does that affect the recording levels or quality at all? Or am I better getting the X8 and going TRS > TRS?
The X8 says its inputs are balanced. I can’t find info on if the X6 is balanced through the XLR.
Thanks.
robbie
2495
The Tascam Europe X6 product page lists:
Mic inputs 3–4 (balanced):
XLR-3-31 equivalent (1: GND, 2: HOT, 3: COLD)
6.3-mm TRS jacks (Tip: HOT, Ring: COLD, Sleeve: GND)
(phantom power over XLR only)
(In general it’d be a bit odd to find XLR inputs that weren’t balanced, unless they were being used for something strange like unbalanced stereo through a single cable.)
xmacex
2496
Crafting a dead cat
I have to be honest it is going to be very difficult for me to resist the urge of adding eyes.
Computer enhance
Computer enhance
Do you have them? If not, whyyyyyy?
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timp
2497
re why - a recordist a few decades ago did similar & was out recording… And a bear took interest as with the eyes their mic looked like potential lunch… So that’d be the whyyyy not…
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