Zoom MicTrak M3 User manual

Operation Manual
You must read the Usage and Safety Precautions before use.
©2022 ZOOM CORPORATION
Copying or reprinting this manual in part or in whole without permission is prohibited.
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Notes about this Operation Manual
You might need this manual in the future. Always keep it in a place where you can access it easily.
The contents of this document and the specifications of the product could be changed without notice.
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and broadcasts, without permission of the copyright holder for any purpose other than personal use is
prohibited by law. ZOOM CORPORATION will not assume any responsibility related to infringements of
copyrights.
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Contents
Notes about this Operation Manual........................................................................................................................ 2
M3 overview................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Realizing high audio quality throughout recording and editing.......................................................................... 5
Super directivity realized............................................................................................................................................9
Mid-side format sound capture system.................................................................................................................. 9
Functions of parts..................................................................................................................................................... 10
Recording process..................................................................................................................................................... 14
Making preparations.................................................................................................................................................15
Supplying power........................................................................................................................................................ 15
Inserting microSD cards........................................................................................................................................... 17
Formatting the microSD card while starting up...................................................................................................18
Starting up without formatting the microSD card............................................................................................... 20
Turning the power off.............................................................................................................................................. 20
Attaching to a camera.............................................................................................................................................. 21
Making hardware settings........................................................................................................................................22
Making input settings...............................................................................................................................................23
Adjusting the stereo width...................................................................................................................................... 23
Reducing noise (low-frequency cut)....................................................................................................................... 24
Recording.................................................................................................................................................................... 25
Monitoring input sounds..........................................................................................................................................25
Recording.................................................................................................................................................................... 26
Playing recordings..................................................................................................................................................... 27
Managing files............................................................................................................................................................28
M3 folder and file structure.................................................................................................................................... 28
Transferring files to computers.............................................................................................................................. 30
Using as a USB mic...................................................................................................................................................32
Connecting computers, smartphones and tablets.............................................................................................. 32
Managing the firmware............................................................................................................................................34
Checking the firmware version............................................................................................................................... 34
Updating the firmware............................................................................................................................................. 34
Using M3 Edit & Play................................................................................................................................................ 35
M3 Edit & Play screen overview............................................................................................................................. 35
Installing M3 Edit & Play.......................................................................................................................................... 37
Making and checking various M3 settings............................................................................................................ 38
Selecting files..............................................................................................................................................................40
Playing files.................................................................................................................................................................41
Using the export function........................................................................................................................................44
M3 Edit & Play application menu........................................................................................................................... 46
Appendix..................................................................................................................................................................... 47
Troubleshooting.........................................................................................................................................................47
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Specifications..............................................................................................................................................................49
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M3 overview
Realizing high audio quality throughout recording and
editing
With dual A/D converter circuits and support for 32-bit float WAV files, the M3 can maintain the highest
audio quality from recording to editing.
Recording
Dual AD converter circuits enable recording from quiet to loud volumes without any need to make gain
adjustments.
Editing with video editing software and other apps
Recording with 32-bit float WAV file format allows the recording audio quality to be retained when editing.
5

Dual A/D converter circuit overview
For each input circuit, the M3 has two A/D converters with different input gains. This design enables
high-quality audio recording without the need to adjust gain settings, a step that normally had been
indispensable.
Providing amazing dynamic range
By combining two A/D converters, a wide dynamic range not possible with a single A/D converter has been
realized.
High-gain
AD converter
Low-gain
AD converter
AD converter
switches in
response to
input level
・Airplane
・Nearby thunder
・Train passing on tracks overhead
・Inside train
・Shouting
・Grand piano
・Noisy street
・Chimes
・Ordinary conversation
・Whispering
・Quiet library
・Late night in suburb
Wide dynamic range covered
by two AD converters
Input gain adjusted to
desired recording volume
Dual AD converters
Conventional equipment
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Switching between two A/D converters
The M3 constantly monitors data from the two A/D converters and automatically selects the one that
provides the best recording results.
Low noise
because high-gain
AD converter selected
Low noise
because high-gain
AD converter selected
No clipping
because low-gain
AD converter selected
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32-bit float WAV file overview
32-bit float WAV files have the following advantages over conventional 16/24-bit WAV files.
These features enable the quality of the sound during recording to be maintained even when editing
afterward.
Resolution advantage
32-bit float WAV files have the advantage of being able to maintain high resolution even at low volumes. As
a result, quiet sounds can be made louder when editing after recording without degrading their quality.
■ 16/24-bit WAV
Volume raised
Resolution low
■ 32-bit float WAV
Volume raised
Resolution high
Clipping advantage
If a waveform sounds clipped when output from the M3 or in editing software, for example, it can be edited
after recording to lower its volume and restore an unclipped waveform because the data in the 32-bit float
WAV file itself is not clipped.
■ 16/24-bit WAV
Clipped recording
Volume lowered
Still clipped
■ 32-bit float WAV
Clipped recording
Volume lowered
Not clipped
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Super directivity realized
With a single mic capsule and an original sound tube structure, a high signal-to-noise ratio and super
directivity have been realized. This is ideal for use as a mic mounted on a DSLR camera.
Mid-side format sound capture system
Mid-side format is used to capture stereo audio with mid and side mics. The mid mic captures sound from
the front center while the side mic captures sound from the left and right. This is converted to stereo and
recorded. The stereo width can be changed by adjusting the side mic recording level at this time.
Moreover, in addition to the normal stereo file, separate mid and side mic signal files (M/S RAW format
files) are recorded to the microSD card, so the stereo width can also be adjusted later.
This enables a wide range of recording styles from super-directive mono, which is used frequently, to
stereo, which normally would require the preparation of separate mics.
Mid
Side
R
L
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Functions of parts
Top
■ Top
❶Built-in shotgun mic (mid-side format)
This is a super-directional shotgun mic. The inclusion of a side mic enables stereo recording.
❷POWER button/indicator
This turns the power on/off.
When the power is on, the POWER indicator lights as follows.
• Lit green: Remaining battery charge is sufficient or external power supply is connected
• Blinking orange (slowly): Remaining battery charge has become low
• Blinking orange (quickly): Battery charge has become extremely low
❸STEREO button/indicator
This adjusts the stereo width. Pressing this cycles through the settings, which are shown by the
indicators.
When set to OFF, the mic can be used as a mono shotgun mic.
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❹LO CUT button/indicator
Low frequencies can be cut to reduce the sound of wind and pop noises, for example.
The LO CUT indicator lights when the low cut function is on.
❺PLAY/STOP button
This starts and stops playback of the most recently recorded file.
❻REC button
This starts and stops recording.
Pressing and holding this when starting to record will enable record hold mode, which disables all
other operations until recording ends. Press and hold the REC button again to stop recording.
❼REC/PLAY indicator
This shows the recording/playback status.
• Recording: Lights red.
• Playing back: Blinks green.
The power status is shown in the same way as the POWER indicator.
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Left and right sides
■ Left side
■ Right side
❶LINE OUT jack
This stereo mini jack can be used to output audio. Connect the external input of a DSLR camera or
other device here.
❷USB port (Type-C)
This can be used to supply power from an external source, connect to a computer for use as a USB mic
and make settings with the dedicated application.
This supports operation on USB bus power.
❸HEADPHONE VOLUME buttons
Use these to adjust the headphone volume.
❹PHONE OUT jack
Use this to output sound to headphones.
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Front/bottom
■ Front ■ Bottom
❶microSD card slot
Insert a microSD card here.
❷Battery compartment cover
Open this when installing or removing AA batteries. (→Installing batteries)
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Recording process
Recording follows the process shown below.
Preparation before
recording
• Insert a microSD card (→Inserting microSD cards)
• Supply power (→Installing batteries, →Connecting an AC adapter)
• Turn the power on (→Formatting the microSD card while starting up,
→Starting up without formatting the microSD card)
• Connect it to a DSLR camera, for example (→Attaching to a camera)
• Make hardware settings (→Making hardware settings)
• Make settings related to input (→Making input settings)
Recording
• Use to start recording and to stop it (→Recording)
Playing back and
reviewing
• Play and check the recording on the M3 or a computer (→Playing
recordings, Using M3 Edit & Play)
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Making preparations
Supplying power
The M3 can be powered by batteries or a power supply connected to the USB port (AC adapter, USB bus
power or portable battery).
When a power supply is connected to the USB port, it will be used before the batteries.

Installing batteries
To power the M3 with batteries, open the battery cover while pressing it and install two AA batteries.
NOTE:
• Use only one type of battery (alkaline, NiMH or lithium) at a time.
• Use the M3 Edit & Play application to set the type of battery used correctly so that the amount of
remaining battery charge can be shown accurately. (→Setting the type of batteries used)
• When the remaining battery charge becomes low, turn the power off immediately and install new
batteries. The remaining battery charge can be checked with the POWER and REC/PLAY indicators.
(→Top)
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Connecting an AC adapter
Connect the cable of the dedicated AC adapter (AD-17) to the USB port (Type-C), and connect the adapter to
an outlet.
USB (Type-C)
Using other power sources
By connecting a computer to the USB port (Type-C), the M3 can be operated using USB bus power. In
addition, a 5V portable battery (commercially-available) can also be used for power.
USB (Type-C)
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Inserting microSD cards
1. When the power is off, open the microSD card slot cover, and insert a microSD card all the way into
the slot with the pins facing up.
To remove a microSD card, push it further into the slot and then pull it out.
2. Close the microSD card cover.
NOTE:
• Always make certain that the power is off when inserting or removing a microSD card. Inserting or
removing a card while the power is on could result in data loss.
• When inserting a microSD card, be sure to insert the correct end with the correct facing.
• Recording and playback are not possible when a microSD card is not loaded in the M3.
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Formatting the microSD card while starting up
Before using a microSD card for the first time with the M3, always format it to maximize performance.
Using a microSD card that has not been formatted by the M3 could cause dropouts when recording or
recording to fail.
1. When the power is off, while pressing , press and hold .
This will start up in a state ready to format the microSD card (POWER, STEREO and LO CUT indicators
lit and REC/PLAY indicator blinking).
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2. Press to start formatting.
All the indicators will blink and the microSD card will be formatted.
Press any button other than to cancel formatting.
NOTE:
• Always format microSD cards in order to maximize their performance after purchasing them new or
using them with a different device.
• Be aware that all data on the microSD card will be deleted when it is formatted.
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Starting up without formatting the microSD card
1. Press and hold .
The M3 power will turn on, and the POWER and REC/PLAY indicators will light.
Turning the power off
1. Press and hold until the POWER indicator becomes unlit.
NOTE:
• When the power is turned off, the current settings will be saved in the M3.
• Do not turn the power off when recording.
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