Zoom R24 Multitrack Recorder/Interface/Controller/Sampler

Comments about Zoom R24 Multitrack Recorder/Interface/Controller/Sampler:

I really would like to give this device 5 stars ? because I want to say it?s great ? but the truth is I?m not completely satisfied. Sorry to rain on anyone?s parade. Here?s the deal: I read reviews on this and they were glowing. So I bought it from Guitar Center based on the reviews. I?ve been using it to record *live* events in specific, not studio-type work. First the good news: The fact that it records to SD is terrific. No parts to wear out. (Well no disk crashes at least!) I have the max size SD chip that it will accept in it ? 32 Gig. I?m recording at max resolution, which is 24 bit/48 Khz . At that rate, it will record 8 tracks simultaneously for over 7 hours of record time (that?s 7 hours per track for 8 tracks in parallel.) I consider this to be amazing. The sound quality is ?OK? in my estimation. Honestly, I don?t have much to compare it to, so maybe all computers (including MAC) would only be ?OK? in my estimation. I?m not sure. I consider it acceptable. Maybe I just need to learn to apply all sorts of wiz-bang effects at mix-down time. I?m recording *flat* in every way. Maybe that?s the reason I?m not jumping up and down. (?) Now that bad news: I?m recording with a Mackie board. The board sounds great to my ears for live work. I am using that same board to mix the band live through the house speakers. So, then, what I?m doing with the R24 is this: I?m hooking it up to the channel insert jacks on 8 of the channels. In other words, I?m sending a signal to the R24 from each channel insert, but not actually inserting a return signal back into the board. (This is a trick I learned form the Mackie user manual). This does work, however ? and here?s the problem ? The R24?s preamps are simply too ?hot?. Even with the input trim dials on the R24 turned all the way to ?0?, the channels still peak-out way too often. By the way, I searched Google on this problem. Turns out that Zoom recorders of all sorts of model numbers, for years now, have had the *same problem*. The solution to it is to put in an in-line attenuator. I have looked and looked for these on the Internet. What I really want is an ? inch TRS jack which has attenuation in it, that I could put in-line with each of the 8 input channels. So far, I have found that *they do not exist anywhere*. One site recommends that I *make my own*. Great. The 2nd option is to put a XLR attenuator on each channel. You know what they cost? The cheapest I can find is $40 each. Multiply that by 8. That changes the whole picture, doesn?t it? And either of these solutions is make-shift. There are some real reasons why even attenuators aren?t a great idea ? but I won?t go into it. So since I have no attenuators on the input channels, I get distortion no matter what I do. Alternatively, (remember I?m doing this live) I have put mic-splitters on each mic, sending one side to my Mackie for the PA system and the other side to the R24. Well, that works, but the mics (IMO) don?t sound as good if they?re plugged directly in, vs. going through a mixing board?s own preamp. So that?s the dilemma I have. I actually originally was planning on buying a 2nd R24 and hooking them together for 16 channels. The User manual for the R24 says, however, that there is a ?1 or 2 millisecond? timing issue between the 2 machines if you do that. They say that it?s due to the timing clock of USB 2.0, which is used to sync them. IMO 2 milliseconds should be acceptable, but you decide for yourself. Also ? I haven?t been able to get the feature working whereby the R24 can actually be used as an Digital Interface, between your instruments and your computer DAW. It?s an amazing ?additional personality? of the device. It would be great if I could get it working, too. All in all, the device does do what I wanted ? it?s good for live work ? and if your sound source can be turned *down* enough that it won?t peak-out the channels, you?re in good shape. (Insert channels on most sound boards are *constant* in their output, regardless of your channel faders, sub-faders or main faders, so if they?re too hot, you?re in my same boat.) Thank you and take care. :)

Comments about Zoom R24 Multitrack Recorder/Interface/Controller/Sampler:

Review of Zoom R24 I actually reviewed the Zoom R24 before, and my comments were not so nice. However, I have had some more time to play and experiment with the device, so I?m adding this review so as to add/update/change a few things from last time. First of all, I now have 2 of these units. I bought a 2nd one so that I can gang them together to get 16 channels. I?ll say that I did test out how well the 2 units would sync-up. Note that the documentation says that due to limitations on USB, they units could be out of sync by as much as 2 milliseconds. My own testing showed that they could be out of sync by 16 milliseconds, if I recall correctly. This was most-noticeable if I took a microphone, split its output and sent a signal to each unit. Then, if I played a real percussive sound, like a drum hit, I could really notice the difference. However, I found that when I switched the units ? I made the other unit the Master ? the sync was better. I don?t have the numbers, but it is better. Also, I found that I can organize which instruments I put on which unit. So if there were an instrument with multiple outputs (like a keyboard or drum), I just make sure to put all of those outputs on 1 unit. By doing this, I cannot discern any latency problem in the final mix. In my last review I complained that the inputs to the units do not have enough of a ?pad? so as to handle the ?insert? jack ?sends? of my Mackie board. This is still the case; the Mackie will overload the inputs, even with the trim control of the R24 on minimum position. I reasoned that I?d have to buy passive ?pad? devices for each channel, and that the lowest possible price I could find anywhere was $40 each. Now multiply that by 16, and see why I was complaining. The solution I came up with is this: I bought two Behringer 8-channel active direct box units. I plug my Mackie?s insert-send jacks into the input of the Behringer direct boxes, and take the output of the direct boxes and plug them into the Zoom R24?s. Then, I press the ?30 db attenuation? button on each channel of the Behringer. I also adjust each channel of the Zoom to a certain location (about 10:00) which I have fore-determined at home which works correctly. The end result is that I can now make perfect recordings on the R24 with no distortion. Now, I should also mention that I am using these units exclusively for LIVE work. That is the ONLY reason I use them. Their sound quality is *not* as good as my Presonus device, but they are self-contained and don?t require a PC. This is very important to me. They also appear to be crash-proof. As I?m playing outdoors, off a gas power generator, this also is important. Then I take the WAV files from the R24 and import them into Cubase and edit them from there. I do not use the R24?s for editing of the tracks. I don?t use the built-in effects. Besides, I?m creating the sound tracks for videos, and that requires 48K. The R24?s effects only work at 44K. (Don?t ask me why.) I also bought new speakers for my PC workstation. That, itself, made a significant difference in my perception of the sound quality of the R24 wav files. They still are not as good as a Presonus interface (definitely a difference) but they blow the doors off anything you could get from a video camera?s built-in ?microphone?. Ha. The sound is ?respectable?, IMO. So that?s the updated review. Hope it helps you. :)

Comments about Zoom R24 Multitrack Recorder/Interface/Controller/Sampler:

I have owned the R8 the R16 and now the R24.I love everyone of them.I have my own little One Man Band.So this unit is perfect.i use all the Built in Effects I use no Amps of any kind.I mic all my drums.My Recording are almost Studio Quality.If you watch the YouTube Video's on this Product you can learn how to use the EQ and Mold your sound perfectly.Takes some time but let me tell you man it sounds good when you're done.If you have experience with Multi-Track recorders it will be easy to use.Only thing I wish you could do is use the Drum pads while your Recording .For example I would like to add let's say an Urban kick Bass to certain Parts of a Song.I would give this 10 stars if I could.

Comments about Zoom R24 Multitrack Recorder/Interface/Controller/Sampler:

Another thing about the R24: I am using Cubase (came with it), which I upgraded. I finally figured out how to use the R24 so as to act like a ?control surface? for Cubase. In fact, I managed to make my 2 units to control 16 channels of Cubase! Now that is *nice*. It did take some fooling around to do it, and it?s not well documented. It was frustrating to figure out. And the documentation that is there does *not* tell you how to make 2 units to control 2 banks of 8 channels each in Cubase, but I guessed and played with it and got it working. So, this is another VERY USEFUL feature of the R24!!

Comments about Zoom R24 Multitrack Recorder/Interface/Controller/Sampler:

This is my first digital recorder. There is no comparison to the old school tape. Tape sound is a little better but at a thousand dollars a track that is to be expected. I dont think there is that much diference and the plus's for a home recording, portable digital recorder far outweght the nailed to the floor tape hassle and cost. There is a learning curve but I had my first song out in a day finding my way around was a breeze with the Manual. I did watch a R 8 youtube to figure out the drum sequncer. Love the size and portability. Runs off aa batiries and I can use four diferent mic choises to record nature sounds in stereo for dubbing over video. It is great to take over to my buddies and record what ever instruments we are playing. No more how did that piece go. I just pull out the lap top and bring it up, dates and a good name and number system makes this Quick. A person could use flash or usb thumb drives to store takes it is a cheaper buy as you need and cheaper than a laptop. If were on the move and start a impromptu I use the onboard condenser mics to save ideas. This is a great little unit and has mutple recording applications. I do video too so useing four diferent mics is a great thing I can pick my favorite take on one set of mics or use a little of all or any combanation to get a perfect reproduction of a water fall or thunder. crickets ext... I just put it in my padded day pack with mics, cables a couple stands and I am off to record for the day no problem. 32 gb flash card and extra batteries, a usb thumb drive or two to help keep sets seperate. I thought I had it all figured out then heard of pro audios tutorial and bought it. Glad I did because I learned a lot more it was way worth the price. Dont let anybody talk you out of taking a class or buying a tutorial the more Knowledge you learn about the R 24 the more you get out of it. Now that I have used it for six mounths and used the tutorial a dozen times I can give it five stars and the drum sampler that was so so now sounds exellent because I learned how to fully use the tools and effets. You can loop the r24 with another or if you dont need two drum samplers you can use the R 16 as slave and have sixteen live mic inputs but eight is all I need and 24 track play back. With makie interface to operate sliders and controls on the computer daw sreen make finale mix down in your compatible DAW a breeze. More hands on control less mouse work That was just one place the video came in handy. I tkink they should give the tutoial Video out with the R 24. This recorder get five stars+ from me. Because it is portable I got the extended warrenty with accident coverage.

Comments about Zoom R24 Multitrack Recorder/Interface/Controller/Sampler:

I own two Zoom recorders for linking together .The R24 and an R16.I only give the r24 a 4 star rating due to its build quality,which is fragile,I have really grown to admire what this company can do w/ just some of the compressors and preamp effects in this machine.I took some serious time to get into deep editing and I never did not come up w/ something that was unusable.I have good mics that I use w/ this,as well as an average SM 57,they all work well in this machine.It has a good way to boost,or reduce a signal to the level you need to be at and still be clean.I have used the R24 as my control surface w/great success and I must point out that you must be informed on your device setup to get this to work.This is where the manual fails on information to the user.Make sure that all MIDI connections are going to the R24,then your drivers in the multitrack link (Cubase,that is)then your good to go.Fader and Transport work very well.I use this in conjunction w/ my Focusrite DSP24 and they are a good pair.This is a very versatile and ,practical tool for producing music that does not get in the way creatively,I went from using 1 inch tape to this format literally overnight and I have not looked back,I love my Otari mx70 but have you seen the price on replacing just the pinch roller ? Not in my budget,this was a great solution all way around and I had happy clients,That is what matters at the end of the day.

Comments about Zoom R24 Multitrack Recorder/Interface/Controller/Sampler:

I purchased this unit after my old Zoom 1608 started skipping and wouldn't record anymore. This unit seems to be much improved in terms of overall sound and functionality. I've only been using it for a couple of weeks now. My first project is mostly acoustic guitar, bass and drums and vocals. In recording the initial GTR tracks. I utilized the two onboard condenser mikes, a Carvin Tubed Condenser Mike and a 4th track with my Taylor 714 going direct into the unit (4 tracks total). With the 3 mikes and direct signal it really gives a lot of flexibility in mixing. I am recording the drum sampler with the metronome for a guide. I did notice the drum samples could be louder, but I've maxed it out on the setting...so I guess the solution is to turn down the faders on the guitar. Currently working on transferring the tracks into Cubase to further tweek the mix.

Comments about Zoom R24 Multitrack Recorder/Interface/Controller/Sampler:

I bought the Zoom R24 so I could record a small band live (8 channels simultaneous) and interface with my Pro Tools on Windows 10 home studio. I spent well over 40 hours over a couple months trying to get it set up, but it never worked. Updated all drivers and firmware, researching on a couple forums, trying every trick that I could think of or that I read about. Turns out that the R24 and Pro Tools use different protocols and they will not work together, and there's no indication that either company wants to fix that. Wish I'd known that. I had partial success with a couple budget DAWs that I already had installed, but only part of the functions worked. I didn't try the included Cubase LE because I already had projects started in Pro Tools and I didn't want to start over in a "light" version of a different package. After quite a bit of research it turns out there's also some issues with audio drivers on Windows 10 updated from Windows 7. People with native Windows 10 installations apparently don't have those problems. The Audacity website has more info on that. The multi-track recorder interfacing with Pro Tools was my primary goal, and when that wouldn't work, I didn't bother even trying using it as a standalone multi-track. So I'll give it the benefit of the doubt with 3 stars. - - Update: Zoom has released a new Windows 10 driver (Version 2.10, Nov 2016) and a couple new documents (compatible DAW software and Win10 Issues and Workarounds) that would have helped with my purchase decision a year ago.

Comments about Zoom R24 Multitrack Recorder/Interface/Controller/Sampler:

I already have a boss 1600 and a tascam neo which are amazing but I had some money to play with which is not often and I had seen many good reviews on this so I got a great deal at GC.I ordered the dvd owners manual after looking at the supplied text manual for 1 minute, Its a massive flow chart that I dont want to deal with. I recorded a couple songs on acoustic guitar using the built in mics and I must say they came out very good! I have 3 bluebird mics in my home studio and they would have done better but not much better! the drum sounds in the rhythm mode are not the greatest but again not that bad!the supplied usb drum loops from big fish are very good.I played with the sampler briefly and it could be very useful for someone who does that style hip hop etc. I didnt do any multi-tracking yet Im waiting for the dvd. I'll do another review in a few weeks to give an update on this interesting unit.

Comments about Zoom R24 Multitrack Recorder/Interface/Controller/Sampler:

This unit is great as a standalone recorder. 8 tracks simultaneously is superb! The bouncing, copying, track swapping, effects, and tools are very simple to operate. The manual is fine and easy to use. Don't believe the other bozos that say it is difficult. I like the way the projects retain all the track and slider info from the last time you tweaked the song. With my old Sony 4 track minidisc system, you could adjust all that, but unless you mixed down, nothing eq tweaked was retained on individual tracks. However, I do prefer the shuttle/jog wheel my Sony had for transport. The R24 has a jog wheel, but it is not used for transport, the arrow keys are. All this is moot if you use Cubase on a computer. However, the Cubase is problematic to set up. There was no license info included (unless it was on the box which I discarded). Hence, I have a useless Cubase 5 with my R24 (and it should be a current Cubase 6). Hopefully I'll get this resolved. Stereo linking a track after a recording wipes out the track, so be sure to link before recording. I lost a good recording making this mistake which you are not warned about. The built in mics are excellent and very sensitive to a wide frequency range. Set them up in stereo for fantastic vocal recordings.

Comments about Zoom R24 Multitrack Recorder/Interface/Controller/Sampler:

I've had the r24 for a week now and had the chance to really check it out and its really a lot of fun and very useful. I got the dvd owners manual which helped alot, the text manual looks very helpful if you understand all that tech stuff. I really love the built in mic's, my first time using them they were only ok but after positioning the unit in different spots I got some really good recordings, added a little reverb and eq and you could actually use these songs as a demo! I installed the supplied cubase software and it does a great job as an interface and controller. I created some loops with the sampler using the supplied big fish usb stick and those are very cool also. I guess I would say that the r24 is well worth getting if you need a multi-track that comes with alot of extra's and it works fine with the batteries also, I did some songs at the coffee table that sound great, just be careful if you take it somewhere it is plastic but very well made, I plan to do some great songs with this!

Comments about Zoom R24 Multitrack Recorder/Interface/Controller/Sampler:

I'll be playing overseas in January and wanted to be able to record the shows easily. When I found out this is also an A/D interface, I was sold. I love that it has built in mics for recording even if this is all you've got. (of course it would - it's a Zoom!) Had a difficult time hearing the audio in the headphones, but the audio sounds great on my PC. It may be my headphones or just user error. I'll investigate more and find out what's up.

Comments about Zoom R24 Multitrack Recorder/Interface/Controller/Sampler:

All good. The product arrived on time. And works awesome.

Comments about Zoom R24 Multitrack Recorder/Interface/Controller/Sampler:

This is a great system to record our songs and performances.