All user reviews of 4/5 for the Zoom MRS-4

I purchased my ZOOM MRS4 recorder in December 2002 in Germany at https://www.musik-produktiv.de for 299 Euros. I have made midi recordings on my keyboard but I missed playing with real instruments. Now I use midi recordings (piano, bass, drums, organ) together with real guitar. Sounds real good.

The unit is verry easy to use. The sound quality is a little bit under CD quality (32 kHz instead of 44 kHz) but I cannot hear the difference. The unit has some good effects on board. The reverb is excellent, there are good equalize possibilities (parametric and linear) and there are effects for mixdown to give extra dimension to the sound. It is possible to cut, copy and paste with recorded tracks from any place to any place. Also with the back up files from your recording on your computer you can copy and paste and change the filenames of the tracks to move them to other tracks.

Every track has eight virtual tracks.
If four tracks have been recorded you can make a mixdown on 2 virtual tracks. In that way you can free 2 tracks for more recording.

The files can be copied to a PC with a SmartMedia Card reader. Yoo have to but that seperately. The software con be downloaded from the zoom website. It's very easy to back-up and restore your recordings and convert the files to wav with this software.

The 32Mb Smartmedia card that is in the package is too limited in time. If you have recorded 4 tracks for a 3.5 minute song (4 x 3.5 minutes = 14 minutes) in HiFi mode you have only 3 minutes left. Not enough to make a stereo mixdown (you would need 2 x 3.5 minutes). So a 128 Mb card is the best option.

Construction is made from plastic, but if you treat the unit in a normal way there should not be any problem. Buttons work fine.

Sound quality superb! Very easy to use. In no time you can make a verry good recording that sounds professional.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I ordred it from my music teacher, in Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada, to record my songs that I write. I paid $518.85, Canadian.

I really like the ease of use. It's quick, fun, and laid out logically. The quality is fine for the most part. The two inputs are great. I just recently figured out the routing (for signal splitting and stereo sound). The effects seem fine to me. It has a nice chorus and cad simulation. the level display is great. Very easy to read and accurate. The faders are quiet, the bounce function is super quick and easy, and it retains the origional sound quite well.

The worst thing, would have to be that darn RECFULL sign! Not enough space! I record almost primarily on low quality, wich sounds fine (and for some styles, sounds even better than high quality), but I still run out on a regular basis. The good news, though, is that you can always invest in a bigger smartmedia card($120 canadian will get you 120 megs, the supplied card has 34, and does 17 min hi-fi, and I think 33 min long). I guess you need a good CD burner, or cassette recorder. I think an MD would work best. There were a couple little glitches in some parts, excess noise and what have you, but it's usually only on one track.

As with most zoom units, the construction was a bit brittle. I made a case to carry the thing in. The input level pots were noisy after a while, but the faders were fine. Just have to be a bit careful, that's all.

Overall, it is a very good machine. A great replacement for the traditional 4-track, and it's expandable. It would be good for the dudes who sit in there rooms rocking out wiht thier own tunes, looking to make a demo or somehting, just like me!
-Hobz

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I was looking for some way to note down the mass of ideas that I constantly seem to come up with and then instantly forget.
This search lead me to the range of digital mini-studios currently available.
Not being the most wealthy musician around, I opted for the cheapest digital 4 track around - the Zoom MRS-4. I paid £220 and bought it in London.

This unit is so simple to operate, my Grandad could do it. Switch it on and within minutes you can be making decent recordings.
It's small (but not so small that you need tweezers to operate the thing!) and uncluttered.
It links via midi to my drum machine, so I don't need to use up a track recording drums (and you can re-work the drums after you have recorded the other parts).
Sound quality is excellent for the price.

32MB smartmedia card supplied is not big enough to do much at all.
Display is a little limiting - they could have made this an LCD and easier to read.
The in-built effects are ok, but not great. they are enough for noting ideas though - which is what I bought the unit for. You really need a seperate guitar FX.
One small point too - Although my drum machine is a Zoom unit too (123), it doesn't sync perfectly, if you stop the track half way through and then re-start it, the drum machine starts from the beginning of the drum song. You are better off recording using the in-built metronome and then adding the drums after.

Plastic but fairly solid. Zoom units always feel a little flimsy. Don't stand on it and you'll be ok.

Excellent value for money and if you already own Guitar FX and a drum machine, there is no point buying the Boss BR-532 as the inclusion of these is the only thing the Boss unit has over the Zoom MRS-4. Save yourself the money.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

- 2 mic / line asymtriques jack, 2 inputs auxiliaures jack, 1 headphone, stereo master output RCA, 1 MIDI OUT.
- Sampling at 32 kHz compressed hifi, lofi is also an option (not tested, must be at 11kHz).
- Smart storage media (32MB included as standard)
- Master in sync only
- 2-track recording, 4 in reading, 8 virtual tracks per track.
- Possibility to connect an external box type auxiliary inputs on rhythm, in sync noon, which quickly from having recourse to a table mix.
- Tuner, built-in metronome
- Backup utility for pc and mac + convert tracks to wav.
- Power supply not included

UTILIZATION

Device very simple and intuitive, the doc is correct but is not ...

SOUNDS

Sound correct trs despite a slight breath, especially with a live microphone jack. advice pramplifier source and connect online to minimize background noise.
The dynamics is correct for this level. To quibble, we say that the extreme frquences are not highlighted, I found the decision-aliasing on low, for example ... but hey this is not done to DEFINITIONS of, let's be clear ...
The effects are correct without more, is used to color a little taken (an insert type limiter / compressor, an effect send, two semi paramtriques track, a master of dynamic effect).

OVERALL OPINION

I use this 4-track two weeks ago, it took me 2 hours, while working without me to the head, the bte to master and use all the options: play / record and go , bouncing, mixing summary, edit, markers, punch in / out ... The goal was for me to have something to work during the holidays, or when I dplace: lightweight and compact device is simple, its ok for a trs trs low price (cheaper than its competitors boss / korg), possibility to connect and synchronize a Pocket squenceur without having recourse to a table mix. For the use I make of the sudden, I think acqurir a small preamp to optimize quality of the catch.
on the other hand let's be clear, it is not with this type of device that you leave a cd (although, lofi ...).
Another point, the smart media supplied as standard is quickly full, it is more than one board of acqurir card 128MB or more for comfort (for IDE, 32MB can store 16 minutes of recording in short, a title on four tracks ... 4 minutes)

See data sheet of the manufacturer or other notices

T have an XLR input more ... but the price can not just ask!

>>>> Bring a SmartMedia 128 MB seems to me indispensable <<<<

I use the BAR mrt-3 Zoom in MIDI sync, all works well trs

UTILIZATION

Too bad the display is made by LCD display segments, I prfr a notch with a matrix so as not to have what is described dchiffrer on the screen .. . still a matter of qualitprix report!

Reading the manual is really helpful to understand all the tricks of the beast

Simple functions, such as making a clear IMMEDIATE rate (which is often!), Is a bit tedious but ultimately navigate: this is still the fact that the small screen is not the place to display two things at the same time

SOUNDS

Of the 32 Khz Sampling, it is not 44 kHz, but even when one is above the quality mp3 for example (and then we have to make everything fit in the memory card !)

Pleasantly surprised at the outcome level: quality broadly acceptable to the range and numerous enough to find his foot shoe (compressors, echos, mastering ...)

OVERALL OPINION

I use the bte for 5 months and I put about 10 all will integrate without too take my head.

The pros:

1. compactness of the machine without being either a big gadget weak

2. software for tlchargeable grate tracks in the memory card trs trs practice (soon to have 10,000 buy cards if you want to keep a lot of things)

3. the ease of implementation

4. the great price which I bought 180 of OCCAZ on this site
The -:

1. A 32MB card = 4 (or 6 with AUX) mono tracks of 3'30''= no possibility to make the bouncing (fusion of tracks) ... => NCESS to buy a card capacity suprieure (fortunately, it's not cheap trs)

2. Orders can be a bit difficult to ACCS (I tickle)

3. The habit that the machine crash when recording so that there is not too much space (memory error): it is necessary to have room enough memory card so

Important note: I am a total novice in the field of recording and I make music as an amateur

Record 1 or 2 digital inputs.
Track editing functions (copy full or partial merger of N tracks on a single, etc ...)
Up to 4 tracks in pieces and mix down with adjustable volume, panning, etc ... track by track.
A SmartMedia storage (32 MB supplied, it quickly limit)
Some built-in effects (chorus, compressor, etc. ...)
Metronome and tuner

UTILIZATION

For a novice like me, the basic use is simple with buttons like "Magneto". The doc is clear enough for people to understand quickly how to make things more complicated (punch in / out, etc ...).
The manipulations are fast databases in the blink of an eye, and the screen backlight is very convenient.

SOUNDS

In "stereo", I find the sound quality very correct. This is not a professional 48-track studio, but it's not what you asked! To scrape the place, you can register as "long" and there is frankly not as good ... but it may suffice to capture an idea when the place is fair.

OVERALL OPINION

I Zoom for almost 2 years and I admit at first I did not really use it for two reasons:
- I had an acoustic guitar so the slightest noise and bam, had to start!
- I was a bad guitarist, so the result was frankly not audible
In recent months, I use the zoom much more regularly, to work / record my own compositions. I went on a 128MB SmartMedia and I just bought a SmartMedia reader to transfer the catch on my iMac (so I can make MP3s and listen to my friends, it's great).

I do not regret my purchase, and the zoom is exactly what I need: given my ambitions (amateur), we obtain a result quite stunning for the average listener, and this without taking the lead.

The features have already been seen below, not much to add.

Lack midi in a recess, it 'would have been nice to combine two sets to one MRS4 false 8 tracks.

I couple my MRS4 also has a box has rytme (RT323) and the sync is transparent.

Also, when merging the tracks for the "final" stereo, both inputs are used (to adjust input levels via knobs), useful for example, include the part bass / drums after the final mix at BAR . Then, there's more than recover the two tracks on his computer (via a small dedicated software findable on the net) and burn.

Small precision if you plan to burn a CD model, the sampling of MRS4 being a 32kHz, remember to convert to 44.1khz audio via a soft, because if you burn directly, writing software that will convert and it's usually very poorly ca (ca leads to the ear by a crackling sound, like a distortion especially noticeable in the treble).

UTILIZATION

Machine friendly and pleasant to use.
Some functions will grow at first to plunge into the manual, because they require to navigate further into the menus (they are all small), but quickly becomes logical.

The manual is well done, all the possibilities of the device are detailed.

The difficilte at the beginning, when we do not know much about a chain of recording, personal deficiencies is rather on the basis of the effects. For example, insert effects, send-return, mixdown ... I was a little confused, but I survived and is it going much better now.

SOUNDS

The effects I pleasantly surprised, I did not expect this quality for the entry-level stuff, there are not tons, but they are effective! (Multiple reverbs, chorus, ...).

Also, I discovered the "covers" of sounds, effects of dynamics that will boost a song, or you make it more pure. I had already found that out in studios a few years, and even if it does not compete on my guitars sound clear and sometimes rather nicely saturated, ca does!

There's also an EQ for each track. This is the 2-band semi-parametric (choice of frequencies among a dozen 250Hz, 500Hz, 800Hz, ...).

OVERALL OPINION

It's been over a year I use this Ministudio digital, and it's good to listen to one song 20 times a day without degrading the sound.

Seriously, when I went to buy this multitrack has the time, I hesitated between the Boss, the Korg and Zoom. I took the photo for his first score pleasant to use, faders good size and pleasant look. The Korg is tiny by side, and gives the impression of having to manipulate the faders a magnifying glass.

I use it first as a memo composed for my ideas, then I used to develop some of these ideas, as far as defining the complete structure of the piece, melodic lines, ... up a sound quality quite acceptable (possibility to make a good model, by managing the tracks).

- 2 line spacing for recording.
- 2 Input-to to connect a CD player for example.
- 2 output data lines.
- An evening out.
- 1 x headset.
- 1 multi-effects Intgr.
In short, at least for beginners or use quickly.

UTILIZATION

Operation is simple and intuitive but ncessaire to read the manual to understand all the little tricks of the craft.

SOUNDS

I find her okay. That said, given the price of the machine, do not ask him too. The multi-effect is used if there is no other place themselves under the hand. I regret that there is no distortion, which I think would be advantageously replaced limiters. In fact, I think it's a tool plutt fate or bassists, guitarists nomads.

OVERALL OPINION

I used this device as notepad to record my ides of t during the holidays and I find it fulfills what rle trs. A beginners there's something to learn about the recording. However, as I said above, I regret the absence of distortion that would have made MRS4 a real Swiss Army knife for the trip.
Everything must be of the same report that reconnatre quality-price trs good because it allows all of the same make DMOS honntes. I would do gladly that choice if I went on vacation more often because, since last August, he stayed in his box .....

see above
in any case quite a possibility level connectivity, input and output
eg: ability to record two tracks simultaneously use

UTILIZATION

still quite grown, it must spend a minimum of time on manual but the basic functions are quickly assimilated and are somehow more interesting: recording tracks / trails and zor

SOUNDS

I said, registration and shoo! that's all, the dynamics are good, sound is good but not with such a machine that will work the sound effects are useless ...

OVERALL OPINION

Almost 10 years waaooo ca dates me!, Bought new for almost 300euros today, I would do this choice because I largely pays for itself
AC at the time was intended as a concentrate of technology (to paraphrase the pub) but did not count as it evolves extremely quickly and that the needs of consumers who understand that sometimes nothing is better than most
say that to make a demo even base it will be a feat to make something sound with any computer and log base ..
cons by the machine can be very interesting trip recorder as not to lose his teeming musical ideas!
thin I just realized that I said almost the same thing qu'éric65, j'post okay anyway!