Zoom M3 MicTrak Stereo Shotgun Microphone and Recorder

The M3 MicTrak from Zoom is a lightweight device perfectly suited for journalism, audio for video, and documentary projects. This 4-channel, camera-mounted unit functions as both a shotgun microphone and a recorder. It features two internal shotgun microphones that can easily switch between hyper-focused supercardioid (90°) and wider bidirectional (180°) modes with a simple button press. Utilizing dual AD converter circuits derived from the professional F-Series recorders, the M3 eliminates the need for gain adjustments, ensuring high-quality audio capture at 48 kHz / 32-bit floating point, resulting in clear sound without distortion.

The M3 features a 3.5mm headphone output that allows for real-time monitoring, as well as a 3.5mm stereo line output for transmitting audio directly to an external recorder, including a camera audio input or an additional field recorder. It is fully compatible with microSD cards for onboard recording, which reduces the amount of equipment required during shoots. Additionally, the M3 can be powered by two AA batteries, USB-C bus power, or an optional Zoom AD-17 AC adapter, which is sold separately.

F-Series Features in a Shotgun Microphone

The M3 MicTrak is engineered to integrate the professional capabilities and features of the F-Series recorders with the practicality and compact design of a fully stereo shotgun microphone. This balanced approach enables the M3 to deliver outstanding performance at a competitive price, while ensuring ease of use in various video recording situations.

• The device offers 32-bit floating point recording, which provides ample headroom and minimizes the risk of clipping. With a high maximum sound pressure level (SPL) of 132 dB, it offers additional protection against clipping in loud environments, such as concerts or crowded events.
  
  
• The M3 boasts a battery life of 12 hours, enhancing operational efficiency, and supports multiple power sources, including AA batteries, USB bus power, or an AC adapter (available separately). Furthermore, it features dual AD converter circuits, adapted from the F-Series, which eliminate the need for manual input gain adjustments. It also supports broadcast and film-quality BWF WAV format.
  
  

Easy to Use

The M3 MicTrak simplifies location shooting by incorporating durable built-in recording capabilities, eliminating the need for additional recording equipment. It also offers dedicated outputs for headphone monitoring and line-level signals. The internal 4-channel system enables stereo recording while allowing simultaneous monitoring of the mid and side microphones, facilitating the discernment of differences. This feature proves advantageous for mixing an optimal stereo signal from a broad, bidirectional recording.