Zoom R16 Recorder : Interface : Controller

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Zoom R16 Recorder : Interface : Controller

The Zoom R16 is three amazing products in one! It’s a 16 track portable recording studio capable of recording up to 8 simultaneous tracks and outputting a complete, polished, multi-track production; It’s a computer interface enabling you to track at up to 24-bit/96kHz, high resolution audio as well as use it’s onboard effects for use within your DAW when in 44.1kHz (CD sample rate) mode; last but definitely not least, it’s a control surface for all major DAWs and their functions.

As a recorder:

The R16 allows you to simultaneously record up to 8 tracks at a time in .WAV format. You can play back 16 tracks at a time when in 16 or 24-bit/44:1kHz-sampling rate. There are 8 combination mic/line input jacks. It has Phantom Power on channels 5 and 6 so you can power up a pair of your favorite condenser microphones and use them along side your dynamic mics. A Hi-Z switch is employed on channel 1 accommodating a directly connected guitar or bass. You can bounce down your final multi-track mix to the dedicated Master Track eliminating the need for a separate mixdown deck.

The built-in mic preamps are high quality so have no fear when documenting your band’s live rehearsal or showing up to a live gig with just the Zoom R16 and a pair (or more) of mics to capture the performance. You’re in the good, safe hands of the Zoom R16. Even if you left home in a huff and forgot to pack those mics, the Zoom still has you covered; there is a pair of high-quality, sensitive condenser microphones built right into the handles. You can set and forget the R16 and it will faithfully record whatever you throw at it! You can also tap a feed directly from the front of house mixing board to supplement your mics and record direct into the R16. Blend all the tracks together for an outstanding document of the performance.

There are 135 types of digital effects built into the R16 for recording, mixing and mastering. 3 effects can be used simultaneously. There are 18 guitar amplifier models onboard, faithfully mimicking amps from Marshall, Vox, Fender and Mesa Boggie, as well as 6 bass amps including Hartke, Ampeg and Bassman. Built-in compression and EQ effects further enhance your tracks.

Back up and archive your recordings to the included 1 GB SD memory Card (up to 32 GB is possible) or transfer your recorded tracks to a PC or Mac via USB with the included USB Cable.

As a computer interface;

You can connect the Zoom R16 directly to your computer as it functions as an audio front end/interface. You can record up to 8 channels at a time and output 2 tracks at a time. Support for high quality 24-bit/96kHz encoding enables recording at high-end, professional levels. When using a sampling rate of 44.1kHz, the internal DSP effects of the R16 are also usable on your computer tracks. A dedicated control lets you adjust the mixing balance between the DAW playback sound and the direct sound for monitoring.

As a controller;

The Zoom R16 can be used as a control surface for all your major DAW functions in your favorite recording software. Transport and mixing operations of the DAW software can be controlled using the R16. This gives you greater control and a better feel for mixing than using a computer mouse alone. In Mackie Control emulation mode, major DAW applications such as Cubase, Logic, and Sonar are supported.

The Zoom R16 gets its power from the supplied AC adaptor or six AA/LR6 batteries. One set of batteries will last for about four and a half hours. The audio interface and control surface functions can also be operated on USB bus power, providing another power option.

If 16 tracks aren’t quite enough for your recording endeavors, two R16 units can be joined together via USB to create one powerful, seamless system. You can designate one to function as a USB host and the other as a USB slave, allowing synchronized transport operation. This lets you record on up to 16 tracks simultaneously to competently handle a live performance.

SO is the Zoom R16 all things to all music creating people? Indeed, it’s as close as it gets!

Features:

Digital recorder with 16-track playback and 8-track simultaneous recording utilizing Secure Digital (SD) memory

16/24-bit/44.1kHz linear PCM recording in WAV format

Built-in stereo condenser microphones

Includes 1GB SD card and supports cards up to 32GB SDHC

Allows simultaneous recording on up to 8 tracks

Battery operation for remote recording

USB power for audio interface and control surface operation

8 mic inputs / 2 outputs (8 x 2)

8 combination XLR-1/4-inch inputs

High-definition 24-bit/96kHz recording capability using digital audio software

Built-in effects can be used as outboard effects as well

Hi-Z input for direct connection of guitar or bass

Includes preamp with phantom power on two channels

Mackie control emulation via USB for popular DAW software including Cubase, Logic, Digital Performer and more

Over 100 built-in studio effects coming from advanced DSP

Amazing guitar amp and effects models

Professional quality mastering effects including multi-band compressor, normalizer and more

Operates as USB storage device for quick data transfer

Connect two R16s via USB for synchronized operation and 16 tracks of simultaneous recording

Undo/Redo functions

Comes with Steinberg Cubase LE 4

Supports Windows XP/Vista, Mac operating systems

Update May 2010

Zoom has released Version 1.2.0 for Macintosh that supports the 64-bit version of Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard. This update fixes the R16 functionality with Logic and GarageBand and is a free update.

Effects Available	Yes
Audio Connections	8 balanced, combination XLR-1/4-inch inputs; 2 outputs (8 x 2)
Sync/Timecode	No
Model	R16
Number of Faders	8
Power Supply	No
System Requirements	Windows XP/Vista, Mac operating systems
Computer Interface	USB
Transport Controls	Yes
Power Requirements	USB/6 "AA" batteries
Expansion Capabilities	Yes
System Compatibility	Mac and Windows
Display Type	LCD Disply w/LED Meters
Number of MIDI Ports	1
Automation	No
Software Compatibility	Cubase, Logic, Digital Performer and more

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

ZoomR16 Recorder Interface Control Surface

3.8

(based on 5 reviews)

80%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Compact (4)

Cons

Best Uses

Reviewed by 5 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-5

3/13/2012

5.0

Great low budget recorder/interface

By D the BASS

from Rhode Island

About Me Experienced

Pros

Accurate Controls
Compact
Easy To Use
Excellent Sound
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Amateur Recording

Comments about Zoom R16 Recorder Interface Control Surface:

I've had the r16 since it has came out. I use it at least 2 times a week as a stand alone recorder and interface for 2 computers. Works great! Love the built in mics and the ability to record 8 tracks at once, I do rough recordings with the unit stand alone, then when I really want to take it to the next level I use it as an interface. Very easy to figure out if your just a little tech savvy. Everyone around me that has used it wants one. Great piece of equipment

7/21/2010

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Great for a few jobs. Not for all jobs

By gibsonboogie

from Atlanta, GA

About Me Experienced

Pros

Compact
Easy To Use
Lightweight
Runs on Batteries
Versatile

Cons

Limited recording time

Best Uses

Amateur Recording
Events
Performances

Comments about Zoom R16 Recorder Interface Control Surface:

This device has plenty of uses, but after a few months of playing around with all them, I found that I ended up using it for these main purposes:

* Scratch pad. This is probably the Z16's biggest strength. Get a big SD card, 16GB or higher. The DI and built-in effects sound fine for scratch material. It actually sounded a lot better than I thought it would. The unit can function as a USB card reader and WAV files can be copied into individual projects/songs. They can then be assigned to tracks. So this allowed me to add drum machine tracks to songs. As a guitarist and not a drummer, this was amazingly useful. Zoom's new R24 actually has a drum machine built-in. Someone there listens to their customers.

* Rehearsal recordings. I use an old laptop bag and carry it around. Just place it somewhere and turn on the built-in mics. Up to 6 hours of battery life can be expected. There is a limit to how much you can record until the device just writes noise to the tracks. Don't know what it is, but this cannot record 6 tracks for 40 minutes. So keep the recordings under 30 mins.

* Headphone amp and practice. Play along to your own tracks. I use this often as late night headphone amp. During the day, if I don't feel like firing up my tube amp, I run this through a bookshelf stereo and it's fine for practice.

Since I do not use DAW software much, this did me little good as an interface or a controller. I did hook it up to a laptop to try those features and they... well... work.

The biggest surprise was the usability of the built in guitar effects. It's not great, but for messing around, it's very usable.

Overall, a great device for messing around and practice, it can even be used for mid-range recordings. I use it often, and even take it places.

6/8/2010

(1 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

Difficult to understand for newbies

By pianopiano

from Clarksville, TN

About Me Novice

Pros

Compact

Cons

Difficult To Use

Best Uses

Comments about Zoom R16 Recorder Interface Control Surface:

Doesn't work out of the box with Windows 7. I will admit that this is my first recorder so I am not an advanced user of this type of technology, however, with the [$] price tag this unit is certainly aimed at someone like me which means that you would think the unit would be easy to operate even by a novice. All my problems may be related to the fact that it doesn't work well with Windows 7 [...] I figured I just paid [$] for the unit alone not to count all the needed accessories to get up and running and they are wanting to charge me for something that ought to be included....it's called customer service! Anyways, this may be a great unit with unbelievable effects and hidden gems of auditory euphoria but for a beginner like me it is an utter waste of money.

1/19/2010

5.0

GREAT STUFF

By jerry the kick

from pawtucket, ri

About Me Professional Musician

Pros

Compact

Cons

Best Uses

Music Videos
Professional Recording

Comments about Zoom R16 Recorder Interface Control Surface:

great stuff guy

9/1/2009

(10 of 11 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Lots of features

By non-engineer

from clearwater, florida

Pros

16 tracks
8 XLR inputs
Decent effects
Lots of features

Cons

2 phantom power only
Flutteringpumping sound
Noisy gain knobs
Small menu means layers

Best Uses

Demo recording
Small home studio

Comments about Zoom R16 Recorder Interface Control Surface:

I picked this up to record our band. We want to try the project studio thing this time around. It has everything we need, i think. I am very pleased with the amount of features. Sound quality sounds just a bit stuffy compared to a good computer interface. The gain knobs are noisy, and there appears to be a flutter/pumping sound when the room is quiet and the mic is turned up. It doesn't come across in the recordings, but i will ask Samson tech support about it. The onboard effects for dual mic guitar, and vocals are actually not horrible. For a non-engineer it was easy to setup after a couple days of playing around. I cannot compare this unit to anything else but direct computer recording, which has its own advantages.

Displaying reviews 1-5

Zoom R16 Recorder : Interface : Controller
The manufacturer's warranty covers parts for one year and labor for one year from date of purchase. The warranty excludes damage from misuse, abuse, and contains other exclusions.

Zoom R16 Recorder : Interface : Controller

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