Back in 2016, I decided to make a change to the way I was mixing and recording audio for productions by purchasing two different pieces of mixing/recording equipment and combining them together; The Sound Devices 442 Mixer and the Zoom F8 Multitrack Recorder. It turned out to be a great, cost-effective solution to mixing and recording broadcast-quality audio and was, and still is in parts of the world, a popular solution for some sound recordists. In this blog, I’m going to talk about both units individually, why combining them together worked so well and what challenges and issues I faced over the years while using the setup.
Sound Devices 442: The Heart of the Setup
At the core of this dynamic combination lies the Sound Devices 442 mixer, revered for its rugged build quality and transparent sound. Designed for professional field production, the 442 offers four high-quality microphone preamps, each equipped with individual level controls and selectable phantom power. Its compact size and intuitive layout make it an ideal choice for on-location recording, providing precise control over audio levels and signal routing.
One of the standout features of the 442 is its versatility. Whether you're working on a film set, documentary shoot, or live event, this mixer adapts to various recording scenarios with ease. Its comprehensive metering and monitoring options ensure accurate signal monitoring, while the robust construction guarantees reliability in demanding environments. With features like flexible input routing, low-cut filters, and adjustable limiters, the 442 empowers sound professionals to capture pristine audio in any situation.
Zoom F8: The Brain of the Operation
Complementing the Sound Devices 442 is the Zoom F8 field recorder, a powerhouse packed with advanced features tailored for modern recording workflows. Boasting eight high-quality microphone preamps, the F8 offers pristine audio capture with up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution, ensuring uncompromising sound quality for even the most demanding productions. Its lightweight and compact design make it perfect for location sound recording, allowing sound professionals to capture studio-grade audio anywhere.
One of the key advantages of the Zoom F8 is its extensive connectivity options. With a plethora of inputs and outputs, including XLR/TRS combo jacks, timecode I/O, and multiple SD card slots, the F8 accommodates a wide range of recording setups and peripheral devices. Its intuitive interface and touchscreen display provide quick access to essential functions, while features like dual-channel recording and advanced mixing capabilities streamline the production process.
A Synergy
Individually, the Sound Devices 442 and Zoom F8 are formidable tools for audio production. However, when combined, they offer a synergistic solution that enhances efficiency and flexibility in the field. By integrating the 442 mixer with the F8 recorder, sound professionals can leverage the best of both worlds – the pristine audio quality of the 442 and the advanced recording features of the F8.
The two units connect together via XLR cables, with the 442 being the ‘front-end’ mixer and the Zoom F8 mainly being the recorder element.
Why Not Use One or the Other?
It’s a good question and the reason is neither could perform at the desired level consistently in my opinion. For instance, the 442 has fantastic pre-amps and always sounds great, but it has no recording functionality as it’s solely a mixer. Therefore, rendering it incompatible for a lot of modern day productions where separately recorded audio is vital.The Zoom F8 has all the recording functionality a modern-day production needs, but doesn’t quite have the pre-amp input quality found in something like the Sound Devices 442. So combining the two together, you get the best of both worlds!
Personal Experience and Moving On
The 442 x F8 combo served me well for many years and was certainly cost-effective! When you break it down, and compare to some all-in-one units sold at the time (circa 2016), running this setup did save some pennies…
- Sound Devices 442 – approx. £800 - £900
- Zoom F8 – approx. £800 TOTAL: £1,600 – £1,700
- Sound Devices 664 Mixer/Recorder – approx. £4,000
It certainly always gave me so many options for inputs, outputs and level adjustments when working on set, check out my blog on my time shooting Villain where I used this setup.
It wasn’t always without it’s challenges though. The main challenge being the weight of the sound bag… it was quite heavy! Having two sizeable units in one bag, along with sets of cables and batteries etc, does add up and did sometimes put strain on my back when operating with it, even when using with a harness.
So why did I make a change? Well eventually, this combo sort of became unnecessary with the arrival of new products on the market, the main one being the Sound Devices MixPre series, an affordable light-weight all-in-one solution for sound recordists. So in 2022, I purchased the MixPre 10 ii to replace this combo. Check out my thoughts on the Mix Pre 10 ii here in my blog post all about it!
Final Thoughts
I have very fond memories of using the 442 x F8 combo and it served me well on so many productions in all kinds of genres. It never let me down and always gave me the broadcast quality sound that I and my clients expected. This combo idea may seem redundant now, and I’ve since sold my 442, but I know if I powered this synergy up again, it would still perform at the level I need it to.
read more about the Sound Devices 442 here.
read more about the Zoom F8 Series here.
Dan Guest
Sound Recordist
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