Also new at IBC this year is the Zoom F4 and F8’s ability to gang more than two channels.

The F4 and F8 multi-track field recorders have four and eight input channels, respectively. Previously, users could gang only two channels on each of the field recorders, but with Zoom’s next firmware updates, users will be able to gang up to four channels.

How to capture spatial audio (with the Ambeo mic and F4)

What this means is, for use with multi-channel ambisonicPertaining to audio reproduction that captures the spatial acoustic qualities of recorded sound. microphones such as the Sennheiser Ambeo, you’ll be able to maintaing the same recording volume across all channels so audio coming from any particular direction will be consistent for the end listener.

Here is more in-depth information on ganging channels and using the Ambeo to record spatial audio.

The firmware update will become available to F8 users by the end of September and to F4 users in December.