Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum Zoom Q3 - review needed

So, so sorry. I tried to search the archives, but anything with the word "zoom" comes up. I may get a Zoom Q3, and I know other forum members have this, but I couldn't find the old posts.

Please give me a review. I'd like an "all-in-one" device, and also, my flip-corder doesn't have a mic. output jack, so a Zoom H1 isn't feasible.

Overall, do you like the audio quality of the Q3? I just browsed a few YouTube videos that used the Q3, and the quality is pretty good to me.

This might be the thread that you're looking for. I have one and I'm pretty happy with it. All my videos are recorded with the Q3. It's convenient because you don't need to do much editing.

Here's a video I did recorded on the Q3



Converted the .mov file using Any Video Converter.

For easy video recording with decent sound quality at a reasonable price, it's hard to beat the Zoom Q3. If you're curious, you can check out my youtube channel; many of the videos there were made using the Q3. (I always specify the recording setup in the comments.) I also have a few videos with H4 audio, if you want to compare.

That being said, for pure audio recording, I prefer my H4. The problem with the Zoom Q3 is that it is not possible to import the files into audacity (or, at least, I haven't figured out how to do so), which means that I am not able to normalize the audio portion of the file. And it's hard to tinker with the recording levels to get the volume at the right point. So I still use my H4 to record .wav files to burn to CD, while simultaneously recording with the Q3 for YouTube purposes, and I just put up with the lower than desirable volumes on my Q3 videos.

I sure wish Q3 would come out with a HD version, though. I'm tempted by all the beautiful HD videos I see on YouTube that people are making with the Flip HD, but I am too cheap/lazy to buy one and edit my H4 audio to the Flip video. (The Flip audio is not adequate, imo.)

I've got a flip vidoe recoded too, and using the Zoom H1 with it really isn't so bad. Most vedeo editing software will allow one to add audio and adjust the position of the audio so one can sync the two.

Another benefit is that I can put the audio recorder right above the open lid of my upright. Plus , at about 100$ us it's a good deal if you alredy have the video recorder.

Just my 2 cents.

I think that the sound quality is very nice. You cannot beat the convenience of having both audio and video together. To be honest, I haven't explored editing possibilities yet, being the technological dolt that I am, it will take a bit of time to do so. However, for the purposes I use my Zoom Q3 for right now (recording my weekly improvements, recording aspects of my lessons, recording my sons playing their instruments), I am really happy with it. Hope that this helps.

Ben, Monica, and Icicles: I have spent lots of time on all your channels, and I do quite like the sound quality (and of course your playing too).

Monica, I remember your old posting where you weren't quite satisfied with the sound quality of the Q3 (and had to revert back to the Q4), so this had me a little concerned. Icicles, thanks for reposting the thread. I read through it, and now understand how you got around it.

eweiss, thanks for posting your link too. I think both the sound and video is awesome. I don't need HD quality for piano videos, as I'm more interested in the sound quality.

@Ben, I saw your new videos with the H1, and they're great. Unfortunately, my JVC Everio has no mic. output, otherwise I would've gotten the H1 too...

PS-I start my new job in November so I'll be getting myself a Christmas present...maybe an early one for the recital.

Hmm... maybe I came across more pessimistic than I intended to, cebukid. I wouldn't say that I wasn't "quite satisfied" with the Q3 sound, and I am indeed still using it for YouTube purposes. But I like the H4 sound a smidgeon better and record with it at the same time for purposes of burning to CD.

http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/products/q3hd/

I'm waiting for that one to come out. With a bit of luck I can get it just in time to make a recording for the ABF recital.

I'd also need to get my pieces recital-ready and my piano freshly tuned, of course.

oh man... you DID have to show me that, didn't you?!?

Guess I know what's going to be on my Christmas list.

Ooh... Sweetwater is showing the Q3HD as being "available very soon." Of course, that's what they said about the Q3 for maybe six straight months.

But I emailed the catalog page to my hubby and hinted strongly that I would be asking Santa for one for Christmas.

i have a zoom q3; click on my youtube link below for recordings with it.

things i like about it: good sound quality; easy to use; easy to post-process and upload

things i don't like about it: audio & video in one unit (so you're always compromising either camera location or mic location); does NOT have a mid gain - only high, low and auto (this is my biggest complaint, and that doesn't change with the Q3 HD)

things i don't care about: HD

all in all i'm happy with it.

VERY tempting indeed!
- Steve

How much does it cost?

Current street price is $299. I remember when I jumped on the H2 yonks ago, this time I'm going to hold out for prob 6mths and pick one up for $199 hopefully.

Besides I'm saving for my iPad although I torn since I know next year (Q2?) they're going to produce v2.0 with a bloody retina screen

Very much looking forward to condensing my sheet music library into one easy to carry around device. The other great thing is I can store my music on there also as a reference as to how the pieces are supposed to be played.

OK sorry kind of went off on a side loop there
- Steve

Hi Monica-

I also have a Zoom Q3, and I am able to import the files into audacity or whatever else. When you plug your Zoom Q3 into your computer, you should see a folder pop up on your desktop, just as if you had plugged in an external drive. If you drill into that folder a couple levels, you'll find the .wav files for everything on the Q3. You can then copy them onto your desktop. In fact, that's the only way I transfer files from my Q3 to my computer. I don't use any special software that might have come with the recorder.

(In fact, my complaint about the Q3 is that I find I *have* to normalize the audio-- on the low input setting it's too soft, and on the high input setting it gets loud and distorted; my solution is to record on low and then normalize. I find this very unsatisfactory; maybe I'm doing something wrong. I'll make some tests and ask about them later on.)

-Jason

You have a very nice repertoire and I have subbed to your channel.

Upon a lot of side discussions with BenPiano (thanks Ben!), I have decided to "go cheap" and get the Zoom H1. I like the sound quality, and I won't have to compromise mic. location.

I'm "tech-savvy" (and patient) enough to blend audio and video to get a decent YouTube video and audio recording. My JVC Everio does have HD functionality so I don't ever have to worry about video quality either. Plus, I'd like to start recording my practice sessions more often, audio only, and would like to get optimal sound quality.

Anyway, thanks everyone for the feedback on Q3. Maybe one day when it's cheaper, I'll buy it.

Glad I could help, you'll be happy with it!

On a side note, after listening to a couple of other pieces I've recorded on my new H1, I think the recording sounds better than hearing the upright live in the room it's in. It seems kind of strange that it would, but I'm really digging this thing so far.

Now only if it could help me hit the right notes.

Hmmm... I could've sworn that when I tried to import my Q3 files into audacity, the program bombed. Are you recording audio only? Or both audio and video? Maybe I was importing the video portion and not the .wav portion. I will definitely go back and fiddle with it some more, because I'd love to normalize the volume on my videos.

Hi Monica
I also use Jason's technique.
I've never used the video function on my ZoomQ3, only the audio.
My computer can take a couple of minutes to recognise I have plugged in the ZoomQ3.