All user reviews for the Zoom R16

I wanted to buy a digital 8-track recorder, recording eight tracks simultaneous was what influenced my choice!

I play in several groups, and to make a demo we used 12 tracks: 5 drums, a rhythm guitar, a lead guitar, a bass singer two microphones (stereo), 2 microphones chorus (stereo), connected via XLR Mic, except for the lower branches with DI.
I bought it mainly as a digital recorder, the interface which is interesting to me, will be of little use.

As it is written I have used it with 8 simultaneous tracks.

I installed the drivers.
The configuration of the recorder is as easy as possible, although the manual is essential to make the necessary adjustments, you often have to press several buttons for settings, the screen is from another age, but generally it's pretty simple.
The manual, which was in English, I also found it in French, it is very complete, I also found the manual very complete when it comes to the audio interface.

I use it for one month already , but be aware that I ordered a 3 months ago, and it had some problem, it crashed and after several uses the card reader was out of order, luckily the retailer refunded me .
Before that I had a little 4-track Korg, an input ... nothing comparable.
What I like most is the ability to finally record 8 tracks live on a very compact model, the sound quality is decent, with dozens of effects, equalizer settings is also very interesting.
What I like least, that one can say is the certain fragility of it all, it's plastic, the connectors are quite delicate, we have to go slowly not to risk breaking it! And above all the settings for maximum simplicity registered, because I do not find them especially precise enough to measure the input signal coming from the instruments.
But overall, on price/quality ratio level, competitors are way out there!
I would repeat this choice without any problem!

Only 8 tracks at this price. By 8 tracks, includes recording. Reading, tables on the double. Otherwise, you can only record on the first 8, so we must move each track to the 9-16 range in order to really exploit playback 16 tracks. It is fastidious.

Writing to SD card and SDHC up to 32 GB (efficient, reliable, inexpensive, often found in cameras, SD card slot available on most new phones). Access to the SD card is on the side and is freely open (and another on TASCAM BOSS, unscrew a hatch before having access to it to me is unacceptable).

Output format. WAV directly usable on a PC (Yes, I'm not very patient and I understand why brands like TASCAM or other use proprietary formats for which it must wait 3 plombles vi export a USB cable).

2 XLR input with phantom power, a high input impedance, 2 mic, the offer is complete. Do not rely too much on the quality of the preamp for low back entrance cons, need to dream ..

Intelligent positioning of mics up and NOT on the facade, which can record on a desk or on the floor (Not the case with TASCAM or BOSS). Same with the headphone jacks or any other which is located on the bottom of the device and not on the front.

VU meter and peak meter readable from a distance and in the dark (the competition is on TV, good luck to know where you're at a distance). Real faders. Portable (fit in my house for guitar TOBAGO) and running on batteries (6 R6 for roughly 4 hours).

The transformer is very small and heats up a little, good for transport (not included in the competition!)

Packed ZOOM effects are provided and are is still mediocre (chorus reveb, ect ...). For me it is a recorder, the rest will be done on a PC. A metronome sound / video is also included as well as a tuner, AC can troubleshoot. The unit of measurement can be temporal or by measure. I do not know if it can do MIDI sync via USB cable, since I'm not interested in that.

You can use it as a SD card reader by connecting it via USB, the transfer rates as fast as a standard card reader. You can also export your decision on USB, USB port is provided (practice at the end of a rehearsal I guess, it is seen that each have the mix of rehearsals). You can also import WAV file into a project.

You can extend it by 16 tracks with a 2 ° R16 will sync via USB.

Last important point: QUIET! No fan, no mechanical movement.

Obviously do not send or insert for each track for that price, but it should be possible to fiddle with 2 output jacks to the format, I have not tried.

...

I work in Snow Leopard / imac 24 alu 1st generation. No big problem to install. Cubase 4,
I had to re- install as it would not finish (stuck at 100%). After killing the process, Cubase is there and functional, go. Activation of Cubase 4 with syncrosoft abominable (10 minutes with pross 100%) but it is, be patient and not imagine that the process is in the process of bugging.

Can not run it on windows for a license problem. Mail sent to the support that Steinberg did not answer. You gourré not the first installation with this s. .. protection. My advice: ghost machine blank not to take the lead with just over Cubase validated. EDIT: Bootcamp is not officially supported by Cubase, if it works, fine, if it breaks- too bad for you.

Control the fader in Cubase which poses no difficulty, it's nice.

The sound card works but it does not serve me, this was not my intention. Otherwise, by not recording with it, it's disappointing, and the card is permanently lit (even with switch OFF) when the USB cable is connected. Moreover, it takes 4 clicks each time to activate the sound, god, that is tedious in the long run ...

The manual is not bad, teaching, procedure by procedure, so boring to read in the Metro without the camera in front.

3 Weeks that I have it already. Not much to recoil.

The button click sounds fake, it's unpleasant. Ergonomics is clearly not the strong point of the unit as often, but it's OK. The sound quality is fine for this price, no breath detected yet, but I did not grow. The headphone clearly lacks juice, one must turn it full on.

At times it is a clickodrôme, and it remains a negative. 2 examples: New Project = 5 clicks on the button project. If you want to move a track is Click button swap, click Enter button, click source track, click track, click enter, click exit ... Extra!

I have not regretted that it does not have a dedicated pan button. and a single button serves to designate a track as mutable, recordable or part of reading short. Having said that, and to put things in context, on the Tascam to mutate it's worse, you have to press two buttons at the same time for example ...

I guess that here, or in competition which provides a stereo card, Zoom provides here 4 times that and it is certainly not the same quality. The mics are correct for the microphone and will do for now, but if you have a Shure SM57/58 lying around in the corner, please.

I made the take with the mic, a Shure SM58, an MTA 4033 and a Rhode NT2 on a guitar and a voice to compare. You'll find them here: http://john.fender.free.fr/Export/AF/ZoomR16FirstTakes/, it will give you an idea of ​​what to expect level mics.

I also make another shout out and compared notably the preamps to those of the R16 pro preamp input range (5051 TLA tube and ONEQ of JOEMEEK), this will give you an idea of ​​the difference it can exist between this type of preamp necessarily low-end and low and it brings a good preamp, absolutely necessary to go further: http://john.fender.free.fr/Export/AF/TLA5051VSOneQ/

It served as a musical notepad to record in a studio (in particular to record the drums). Not bad, and anyway I have not found better: it's still an excellent value for money. I do not recommend this type of device to the mix unless you are a puppeteer. With a PC with Cubase or Soundforge you will go 10 times faster with a much better quality and comfort.

For those who want to go further, I recommend the RME 400 UC.

Primarily, the zoom was a big expectation on my part and that of the band for a single reason:
With 8 recordable tracks simultaneously, it is really one of - if not the - best value for money products in this range.

I use two different ways: in "stand alone" to record rehearsals, catch drums, vocals, etc.. all far from my pc (I'm in an apartment and the drum tracks are therefore taken in a place far enough away from my tower), or maybe my house to record direct guitars, basses, and even singing when the neighbors are mop: p

Connected to a PC running Vista via USB port, used as an audio interface, latency is largely correct (we do not hear it). Namely it can also serve as a controller for sequencer, but I'm using it as can, too used to tweak the mouse ...

Regarding drivers, I have a problem: I am forced to disable wireless network interface. Otherwise, it happens at the interface "curling" and completely block the sequencer.

I use Reaper, but I also tested the version that comes with CUBASE LE4 interface is quite functional (except of course the wifi network adapter).

Namely that also recently Zoom released drivers (regularly updated, on average every two months) to run the R16 with Windows Vista 64 bit (I'm 32-bit, and with 4gig of RAM, I do not need more).

Again, with this configuration, the latency is very low (I have not calculated, but it is imperceptible.)

To install, if I had clues about the wireless network card that made me doubt for a long time the state of the equipment, nothing to declare, just read the doc, and everything happens as with most hardware of this type. Nothing specific to report. Things to know also that the updates are super simple to implement.

The material, a bit rough (but not in the explanations in the logical order of chapters) is more than enough to get their hands on all the possibilities of the machine.

One inconsistency, does this damn wireless card. But obviously I am an exception: '(

I use it for 8 months already, and I had no hardware equivalent before. There are two reasons:
1. I had no time to make computer music
2. I did not find such material before. Suffice to say that the thing fits my needs exactly (neither too much nor too little)

What I like most:
Well the whole beast, the ability to record 8 tracks simultaneously, it is versatile (stand alone, audio interface)

What I like least:
At the same time I knew about I purchased it, and for the price you have to be happy with that, but it is true that LCD is still rikiki hack and requires to press 15 times the same button to get to that menu you want. But hey, it's still manageable.

I would repeat this choice because obviously this is the tool I needed. More than 8 entries, I would never use it, and under that it was not possible. 

So obviously my grades are very high, but we must place them in relation with my needs. We can of course find tougher integrated preamp, cards with more inputs / opportunities, etc.. But I have found the rare gem.

What characteristics have motivated your choice?
The appearance of a 3 in 1 product. I, who wanted a midi controller, audio interface and a MIDI recorder, I'm quite pleased.

With which instruments or systems (console, preamp, DTD ...) do you use it and in what connection? ...
I use it to record a piano, guitar, keyboards, vocals ... Note that the mics are very good.

What is your config (Motherboard / CPU / Ram / Disk ,...)?
Notebook Core 2 Duo 2.4 Ghz, 4GB ram.

The drivers are stable, but I had a cracking problem. By disabling a Windows process called ACPI, I don't have this problem anymore

I use with Cubase, Guitar Rig and Amplitube and Kontakt

In audio interface, I've never recorded more than 2 tracks at once.

In latency, I get about 15ms

The installation is done it without problems?
Yes, no fuss

The general configuration is easy?
In recorder mode, menus are not very intuitive, but we made it

The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
Yes

For how long have you been using it?
For 2 months

Have you tried many other models before purchasing
I had the alesis IO2, but not enough for my needs.

What thing do you like most/least about it?
Pros: the 3 in 1, the ability to record without a plug (batteries), the export of key or SD card, the size, recording quality
The least: risky menus, the knobs could be MIDI controllers, the lack of MIDI

What is your opinion about the value for the price?
More than good

Motivation: price for 16 tracks (8 concurrent)
I never use it as sound card
purchased to make a demo for a group (keyboard, 3 vocals, bass, guitar, violin, percussions, drums)
otherwise I used the pre-amp for a Yamaha MG16 / 4 through the inserts to ensure maximum use of pre-amp R16

stable drivers with my imac
but I do not use it as a sound card
I did a test with the supplied Cubase I have not had any problems


manual clear to me

I like the price
but still very basic editing on this machine
for me it's just like a VCR
after it must pass under a DAW to clean everything

I think it's clear to everyone: a 8 / 16 tracks this award, calls. I am a keyboard player in a band and we had the idea to remake a demo (vocals, guitar, bass, drums, keyboard). So, 8-track simultaneous recording is perfect. Outside this, I make music alone DAW (audio & MIDI) and has been a while since I was looking for a surface to the controls. And finally, have an independent digital recorder (with integrated microphones) Is good practice for the dcortiquer cold rehearsals. So that's what I use the R16, and it is great, it's really does it all!
Incidentally, the internal effects also interest me but nothing more.
The pramps are respectable and did everything possible to catch very clean tracks. Well, let's be clear, it does not have the sharpness of a studio pro but frankly it's good.
Standalone mode is really a plus: we put the beast in the middle of the studio and presto, the microphones are integrated in their office. Be careful not to even put it too close to the drums because it is very fond of the detrimental to other instrumentals. Latest test date: making room in the studio with microphones integrated (near Drums) + bass by DI auxiliary + guitar microphone in front of the amp + with keyboard in direct+ live + vocal microphone, the whole mix and returned by the R16's sound system. It allowed me (under DAW after) to complete the ambiance with the tracks captured. Purists will find this very DIY, and they are right. But the result is not bad. 

As said my comrades in other reviews, it's a little "click-land." But hey, I got it. And the menus and submenus that worried me a little in the beginning but finally they are damn good. I got on very quickly.
Otherwise, no worries: The 8-track simultaneous recording (standalone or with a DAW), the control surface ... No worries. I pass in firmware 1.2 Without problem and 64bit drivers are impeccable on Seven (6 / 7 ms latency ad in the DAW). The chorus that appears when we superimpose the direct monitoring and return DAW and it is very light, it is a sign!

For installation, no problem.
Configuration: after a few hours to familiarize yourselves with the menus, no worries.
The manual is not bad. It is better to have the equipment on hand for testing. It's just a little light to function as a control surface. It helps to get the manual from the official site.
Incompatibility: I do not know if it did it in R16 but stuck with MIDI M-Audio UNO. One or the other alone, was fine, but both ... So when I record MIDI, I passed from the surface to the controls. That was to this day my only problem.
EDIT: everything works now. That was not the R16: it just needed to install the UNO manufacturer driver and do not use the generic driver in windows. 

I have the R16 since June 2010. This is my first portable recording digital technology and I'm so happy (to be seen above right?).
It answered all my needs in one machine.
One could blame the lack of outputs, faders not motorized, low output level of the headphone jack (that said is true that it's just a little) or the Preamps. Either. That's true. But at this price, I find this audio Swiss Army knife exceptional.

Hello,

The connection is exactly what is needed to record.
Mixed among eight XLR / 6.35 two with phantom power and one with a Switch for High and Low Bass guitar for example.
An entry for USB key or other USB output for PC changes with a DAW like Cubase LE supplied with 5, see the tips as to how to activate it, only on the sides, all others are on the back.
A stereo headphone output with volume (the latter preferred in the front ..), two outputs L and R Master 6.35 for direct to PA or table with volume.
Between a 5V power supply provided. An always convenient on/off interrupter switch.
Recording 16 and 24 bit 44.1 Khz. This digital recorder is equipped with a visual precompte, a metronome (screen a bit small in relation to other Zoom recorders, overdub for inclusion (overlay) to the other tracks .. a video sync, it is like OCD, not tested.
The number of tracks recorded simultaneously is 8 (not bad this price), Tested 7 tracks that day, I re-edited io, read 16.
We can double the number of simultaneous recording tracks if we get a has a second R16 or R24.

The general configuration is simple, we find everything of a Hardware recorder, everything is there physically and easy to access, much better than a Soft PC .
The manual is extraorinarily comprehensive, clear and specific, and even more. PDF files on a DVD provided should you lose the manual.
There are the usual functions which you can use without a manual if you are accustomed to them, for the  COMPLEMENTARY, easy, the guitar effects and others, number  effects more than 135 for voice, mastering, everything is clear in the manuals, twice that of just one..

The sonority is clear, the sounds found on the tracks are clear, moreover it is magic for this range of product it is an excellent multi-track recorder.
The effects are those of Zoom Multi pedals series G.U. and B (low) and are often a good temporary solution, in addition to Reverbs, Delay, vocal equalizer, etc..
1G SD card can be replaced by one of 32G and is more reliable and lighter than a hard drive, sound format. Wav files coming from it, is surprising.
The dynamics are well respected of course, for this product.
If you are picky, between the microphones and the R16, the addition of a preamp increases the quality when we only have one recording.
On the other hand, if we use for post production, the USB connection or directly pluging in SD card in Post directly into a software, everything is modified and
refines itself, a choice to make or choose the two ..

I admit I only used it for about a month, but I re-edit to because I do not use that recorder, I did not test the interface function since I didn't really need it or really the controller function. In my personal opinion, is already an all in one, convenient, aesthetic, and light.
with batteries, and / or USB with a laptop, two stereo microphones built to catch the sounds of flies.
It is a studio from A to Z for rehearsals, live, afterward one can refine and then free you finalize on a PC with an SD card reader or USB.
Before, the old Revox tape through a Tascam K7, a Zoom Mrs8 is good enough, and need more simultaneous tracks of recording and making less head, I found a reasonable price for this model which suits me perfectly.

In particular, the pluses:
Light, Design, simplicity, the effects, excellent Manual, 8 simultaneous tracks a this price, sound quality and the small bonus of Cubase LE 5.

Minues: not yet tested (Controller), use can seem fragile, only time will tell.

Edit: Tested the interface sounds, RAS, USB drivers well recognized, but attention must then go through at least one classic squenceur because the recorder mode is cut, it is impossible to have both modes simultaneously.

I will look but I am missing, for those who want, an interface and a Controller one or two MIDI tracks, there is its predecessor MRS8.

Requiring only an 8-track recorder I am delighted with the quality and moreover I amuse myself well with its effects and there are still lots more to discover. what APRS is a me said that was not updated on the manual that say?
Of course and without hesitation at this price, there is nothing better and if really, and this is not my case, you need some drum patterns and bass, I recommend the R24 is the same as the 16 with these two advantages and extras and 24 playback tracks. A very good recorder

I needed a multi-track recorder to make some demos.

I use it only to record / bass/ guitar / vocals / drums while the mono jack. I get the sound tracks on the SD card to mix them with Audacity. I have also recovered sources via the USB port via my USB. 

The test in version to group 4 simultaneous instruments is well passed. It is super simple and intuitive. It offers all possibilities of any digital recorder. I do not use the built-in effects. They come from pedals of brands and I find them terrible .. Too bad also that there is no editing of the tracks.

Installation is easy too. Unpacking / track section / time setting and date / cover of a track in the REC mode and go!
Caution: get the updated firmware. It's simple. file download and transfer onto the SD card. At the start, the ZOOM asked to do the Update.
One small problem though! If you retrieved a source wav file and want to do another take his place, it bugs. Indeed! After registration, the Zoom will not go out and plant. Forced to cut food sector. To remedy the problem simply do not assign to that track when the new intake sound.

The manual (in English) is relatively clear. But it is complete.

I've had a few hours and I got a mockup piece comprising: drums (two tracks) / bass / guitar (two channels) / vocals and choruses.

I have tried other similar products of the famous brand that starts with a B. A nice machine too, but at double the price! Issue and value for money for a multi-track recorder x 16 ... no comment!

I am happy to have chosen this! This product is really amazing! Try it! Hurry!
It's really good stuff!

I was looking for a good multichannel super reliable for continuous recording 8 channels over an hour (recording musical theater shows).
I did not want to invest in something too expensive, because for my use is not very frequent.
I use conventional microphones for recording in rooms and I get the data stored on the SD card to move music files to my sequencer, process and mix.

In the context of my employment, there is no need for drivers. You just need a USB communication for retrieving data. No problem on that side.
Is recorded without problems on 8 tracks in parallel and continuously. I just regret that we can not cut a track from time to time. Once started recording, you can not change (it is also a safety).
I insist on the fact that every time my recording went through without flinching! (More than one hour continuously). Sounds basic but it is not so common! And to have had records cut during the show, I can say here that that really irritates!

I did not manage to install the R16 sound card on my PC with Win 7 64 bit. Given my use and the fact that I have another sound card, so I do not care so much to be honest, but I must say it did not work. The manual is well done, but the the Web site support, is very average.

I've done four shows with it. No problem to store and retrieve the sounds. So, for this purpose, it is perfect (for the price!). For cons, I think if we start to want to put effects, panning ... the ergonomics of a tiny display, it is impossible to do or a very risky operation. Then I would not recommend this one. So if you just want a reliable multitrack recorder, light, cheap and easy to use: it is the best!

Note: I see that all those who have given advise used as a stand-alone recorder and I'm not exception. As a sound card or even effects processor ... bof!