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.

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.

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

■ Top

Built-in shotgun mic (mid-side format)

This is a super-directional shotgun mic. The inclusion of a side mic enables stereo recording.

POWER 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

STEREO 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.

LO 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.

PLAY/STOP button

This starts and stops playback of the most recently recorded file.

REC 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.

REC/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.

■ Left side

■ Right side

LINE OUT jack

This stereo mini jack can be used to output audio. Connect the external input of a DSLR camera or other device here.

USB 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.

HEADPHONE VOLUME buttons

Use these to adjust the headphone volume.

PHONE OUT jack

Use this to output sound to headphones.

■ Front	■ Bottom

microSD card slot

Insert a microSD card here.

Battery compartment cover

Open this when installing or removing AA batteries. (→ Installing batteries)

To power the M3 with batteries, open the battery cover while pressing it and install two AA batteries.

Connect the cable of the dedicated AC adapter (AD-17) to the USB port (Type-C), and connect the adapter to an outlet.

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.

When recording with the M3, files are created on microSD cards in the following manner.

Stereo files

Normal stereo files are created using the set stereo width in the root folder of the microSD card.

When stereo width is set to OFF, the same signal is recorded to both left and right channels. (→ Adjusting the stereo width)

MS_RAW folder

M/S RAW format files are created here.

M/S RAW files

M/S RAW format files are created with the mid mic signal on track 1 and the side mic signal on track 2.

The stereo width can be adjusted later using the M3 Edit & Play application. (→ Using M3 Edit & Play)

File names are assigned in the following format.

File name example	Explanation
	Date The set date is used. Take number This number is increased by one every time recording is started anew.

Use this to adjust the stereo width of M/S RAW format files recorded by the M3.

This cannot be adjusted for ordinary stereo files.

Stereo width

Drag the slider to adjust it. Increasing the angle strengthens the stereo sound.

Numbers next to the slider (90º for example) can be clicked to move the slider to that position.

The volumes of files recorded by the M3 can be adjusted.

Volume

Drag the slider to adjust the volume.

Numbers next to the slider (+12 for example) can be clicked to move the slider to that position.

Double-click it to move the slider to the 0 position.

The volume can be checked in real time during playback.

The level changes according to the stereo width and gain settings.

Information about the application can be viewed.

In Windows, select Help > About.

In Mac, select ZOOM M3 Edit & Play > About ZOOM M3 Edit & Play.

M3 documents can be checked on the Internet.

Select Help > M3 Help.