Zoom M3 MicTrak
Stereo Shotgun Recorder
- Stereo M/S microphone (polar pattern: supercardioid) with 2 selectable recording angles (90° / 120°) and mono mode
- No levelling required due to 32 bit float converter technology
- 32 Bit / 48 kHz (WAV)
- Recording media: microSDHC cards up to 32 GB, microSDXC cards up to 1 TB (memory card not included)
- Line output for direct connection to camera: 3.5 mm stereo jack
- Headphone output: 3.5 mm stereo jack
- Recording and streaming via USB to Mac, PC, iOS and Android
- Power supply via 2x AA batteries (not included) or USB bus power
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 200 x 70 x 41 mm
- Weight: 91 g
- Includes Quick Start Guide, windscreen, 3.5 mm stereo jack cable and shock mount with flash shoe adapter
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Available since January 2023
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Item number 557323
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Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
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Polar Pattern Supercardioid
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Accessories Battery, Mount, Windshield
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Integrated Stereo Microhone Yes
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Recording Tracks 2
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Microphone Inputs 0
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Line Inputs 0
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Storage Medium SD
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Max. Memory 1
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Headphone connection Yes
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Resolution max. 32 bit
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Max. Sample Rate 48 kHz
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Recording Format WAV
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Power Feed Batterie and USB
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Dimensions 200 x 70 x 41 mm
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Weight 91 g
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Included In Delivery Quick Start Guide, Windscreen, 3.5 mm Jack Cable, Elastic Mount with hot shoe adaptor
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Stereo audio for any video
The Zoom M3 MicTrak is a compact stereo recorder and microphone designed specifically for video applications. At its core is an M/S capsule arrangement – a supercardioid mid element focused on sound directly in front of the camera, combined with a bidirectional side element – that captures stereo audio at 48kHz/32-bit float to microSD card or directly via USB-C. The 32-bit float recording engine removes the need to set input levels in advance, and can handle up to 133dB SPL without clipping. Four tracks are recorded simultaneously: decoded stereo plus the raw M/S file, which can be freely adjusted for stereo width in post using the companion Edit & Play software. At 135g including batteries, it is the lightest recorder in the MicTrak range.
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Adjustable stereo width
With 32-bit float, the M3 MicTrak can capture recordings with a wide dynamic range, with distortion is effectively eliminated: Levels can be adjusted flexibly after recording, eliminating the need for manual gain setting in advance. Similarly, the M3 MicTrak's stereo width is switchable between mono, 90°, and 120° – mono for focused dialogue, 90° for accurate transparent stereo capture, and 120° for wider ambient recording. A lo-cut filter reduces low-frequency interference such as handling noise and wind rumble. The interface is deliberately minimal: The record button is front and centre, transport controls handle playback and stop, and the stereo width switch and lo-cut filter are the only adjustments needed during recording. Two AA batteries provide approximately 12 hours of continuous operation on alkaline cells, or up to 21 hours on lithium.
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Optimised for cameras
The Zoom M3 MicTrak is designed specifically for use with cameras. Using the supplied hot shoe mount with elastic suspension, it can be attached quickly while helping to reduce unwanted vibrations from the camera body. The audio signal can be fed directly to the camera via the line output, so sound and picture are recorded in sync. In mono mode (stereo off), the M3 behaves like a classic shotgun microphone, focusing entirely on sound coming from in front of the camera. For interviews involving more than one person, for instance, the stereo width can be set to 90°, allowing for a touch of ambient sound while still keeping speech clearly defined. The 120° setting introduces a wider sense of space, capturing more of the surrounding environment. The M3 MicTrak also comes with a foam windscreen, an indispensible accessory for making clean recordings outdoors.
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About Zoom
Founded in 1983, the Japanese company Zoom manufactures a variety of audio equipment, including a range of portable "handy" recorders as well as multi-effects processors, effects pedals, drum machines, and samplers. Over the past thirty years, the company has built a reputation for producing innovative yet affordable products based on original microchip designs. Since the Zoom-9002 (an ultra-compact multi-effects processor that can be attached to a guitar strap) was introduced in 1990, Zoom has become one of the leaders in digital audio processing.
Flexible workflow in post
Recordings made with the Zoom M3 MicTrak are stored to microSD card (up to 1TB SDXC) in 32-bit float WAV format, with BWF metadata support for broadcast and video workflows. The raw M/S file travels with every recording, giving users complete control over stereo width in post without committing to a decoded stereo image at the time of recording – useful when the ideal width isn't clear until the edit. The Edit & Play companion software handles M/S decoding, stereo width adjustment, and normalisation. Recordings can also be converted onboard to 24-bit or 16-bit formats for broader DAW compatibility, and the USB-C port allows the M3 to function as a 2-in/2-out USB microphone at 48kHz/24-bit for direct computer or mobile device recording.
