All user reviews for the Zoom R16

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!