All user reviews for the Zoom HD16

The Zoom HD-16 has tons of great features making this an extremely powerful tool for any musician looking to record. It has Drum and Bass machine built in, digital mixer, CD-R/RW drive, built in effects. You can lay down 16 audio tracks, 8 simultaneously. As per the user’s guide, you can also do stretch/compression, pitch compensation and harmonization, although I have never messed with those features. Tons of input sources can be used from guitars, bass, high impedance instruments, dynamic and condenser mics as well as synthesizers.


UTILIZATION

My brain usually shorts out learning to use something like this but I was up and running laying down tracks in about 15 minutes, which is pretty good for all the features this has. The manual lays out a nice section on how to get started and makes laying down some simple tracks quite easy. This is great because unless they make it easy, something like this would have been back to the store in about a half hour. Was not the case with this unit. Guitar and microphone plugged in and the controls were easy to understand.

SOUNDS

I was immediately impressed with the drum and bass machine and how easy it was to manipulate if for no other reason than to give me a click track to play over. You can use the tab tempo feature to get the speed easily to where you want it. Sound quality was excellent. I miked a Marshall 4X12 and it recorded perfectly capturing the raw dynamics of that set up, which is exactly what I was hoping for. I love being able to work with audio files imported from the CD player to use as back up tracks. This is perfect for my purposes and probably way more sophisticated than I will ever need.

OVERALL OPINION

I love the simplicity of getting started and the knowledge that there are way more features to learn as I go along. I did get this used so I can honestly say it was worth the trade I made giving my buddy an Ibanez guitar for it. Definitely satisfied with the quality of what I have been able to do thus far. I had been using a DP-004 pocket studio prior to this, but this opens up a whole new world of possibilities and options. I would highly recommend this unit to anyone looking to make high quality recordings for a fair price. Perfect for those on a mid-range budget that can't afford a Mac and all of the other things needed to use the PC. This does the job and then some.

35+ years playing guitar, performing and songwriting. Played in a garage band for a couple of years. Solo since then.

Purchased this from Sweetwater to upgrade from a Fostex VF80. I paid $700.00.

So far, there is nothing to like about this unit. The one shipped to me does not work.

When you plug the thing in, turn it on and nothing happens, there is nothing to like about the unit. For this POS I sold off my Fostex? I should have kept the Fostex and saved my money to buy a new guitar.

If this is typical of Zoom quality, I will never buy anything carrying the Zoom brand name, or the Hartke or Samson brands since they are all made by the same company.

I will never buy another Zoom product. As soon as Sweetwater sends me the Return Authorization--this is being sent back for a refund.

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

- What is the connection (analog, digital, MIDI)? See manufacturer website
Hard disk storage, 80Giga apparently, 40gig on the box of mine .... suspicious that!
Reading up to 12 mm track time because if it's a 16 tracks, there are 4 stereo.

10, nothing wrong with it

UTILIZATION

Using relatively simple once we have apris the manual.
** 3 pages anyway, I've read while javais not multi track, so I had trouble, but if you have before you need it to be easy.

Function easily accessible, serious pad to the drum machine (think)

Manuel clear, no dark spot ...

SOUNDS

The effects are simply niquel, notement distortions. Even more personal I use my zoom g9 2tt to record the solos, so there is good in the h16

Nothing to say the dynamics of it.

Very good sound, drum parrametrable to death, you can put on toms such as pad, with panoramic such as lvl, you do what your little battery with the list of samples, and after it started. The effects are low, the effects of micro ... I will not judge I have no experience on the microphones, but the effects that degrade the sound is super cool.

10 because really pleased with everything, and a super efficient equalization. Just one step you can feel the difference! Monstrueu!

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for Christmas 2009, but I buy ocaz.
He lair very very strong, the box is well suited.
Value for money, nothing to complain I'm satisfied.

I bought a € 450 of OCAS, it was like new, so the choice I would do without hesitation.
Zoom has a bad reputation but I do not really see why.

See the website of zoom for more info, the manual can be downloaded in French and the list goes on. So I'll just take a tour of the opportunities that I used for about a year I own this recorder.

- What is the connection (analog, digital, MIDI)?
DIGITAL OUT 1, master out, sub out, headphone jack, a midi in, midi out 1, USB port, a control in, 8 format input jack or XLR (phantom power supply on the 8 entries)

- What is the storage media (ZIP, MiniDisc, hard disk ...)?
80GB integrated hard drive and CD burner.

- What type of sync are supported?
It can sync a MIDI device from the HD Zoom 16

- How many tracks can be recorded / played time?
You can record up to 8 tracks simultaneously (a total of 16 tracks) is what makes it difference from the HD 8 (plus the fact that it only offers 8 tracks).
It is also possible to record virtual tracks, allowing you to record several different parts such as guitar solos on one track, then keep the one you think best.

UTILIZATION

USB:
Useful for transferring files from the PC to the Zoom, or vice versa. It is possible for example to import a saved game on a PC on the slopes of the HD16 (everything is in WAV format). It is also possible to use the HD 16 to control your PC audio software (Cubase LE 4 is included in the pack). I will not dwell on it because I do not use this function (I took the HD 16 precisely to avoid the use of a PC). It can also import MIDI files, but again I have not studied that part.

Use:
Reading the manual is essential before you start, but the system is very intuitive and you get to take your bearings very quickly. The manual is very clear, and every time I needed information, I found a quick response. Do not stop at the screen that displays two lines of some characters, navigation is really simple and quick. Once you know a little stupid, you end up very easily. The knobs and the mixer are pleasant to use, level indicators are present (5 levels), and all buttons are easily accessible.

SOUNDS

Rhythm part:
The HD 16 offers an integrated drum machine (with pads to record your beats in real time or step) and a bass line. These two instruments are on a single track, with the ability to change the volume of parts. Several batteires kits are available, and you can import your own sounds (about 60 seconds of sampling) and create your own kits. The lower part is programmable, and more sounds are available. We can even make patterns and will build a rhythm, which interest primarily to guitarists who do not necessarily want to invest in various devices to make demos. The proposed drum is honest, easy to use, and it is rather a good idea to have thought.

Effects:
There are two types of effects. The effects of insertions, which will be chosen before recording, and effects loop that can be added to the mix. Effects loop includes only two types of effects, reverb, and chorus / delay.

As for the insert effect, they are categorized (guitar, bass, synth, etc.).. Models are of course available, but it's not really usable in my opinion. Better to make your own settings to get the desired sound. The preamps offered are of good quality. Although it is far from original, it allows to record his bass guitar or his direct line if you have no good quality microphone to perform a sound recording on an amp. The effects are good in general, but we must spend some time to get a proper setting.
The effects loop is also adjustable, and there are also a very good quality in reverbs and chorus propse.

Equalization:
3-band EQ on each track, no problem, it reacts very well.

Its side, it spits out what he sends is that simple. If you have a quality signal as input, we find the output. Absolutely prohibit the catch of his microphone if you have no proper equipment.

OVERALL OPINION

What I liked:
- Reasonable price for all the features and quality of all
- Pads to set the drum
- The ability to record up to 8 tracks simultaneously
- The manual clearly
- Ergonomics in relation to a PC

What I reget:
- The Master out in CAR ...
- Only one headphone Prisque
- Start-up time when you start to have a lot of songs in memory (the hard disk is scanned at each startup, and with 25 songs it takes me about 40 seconds to get to the menu).

You can really make quality demos in no time, and not necessarily invest in equipment with this recorder. In my opinion, this is a great product for a guitarist who tries to register with a background accompaniment (low line + drum), or for groups seeking to register repeat type. I leaned on multiple devices at the time, and it is the best quality / price I found.

Note that I had a trouble with my zoom at the beginning, the hard disk that was out of sync. The recorder is left from the manufacturer that returned me a new one after a fortnight. Very pleased with the SAV Zoom on this one (I really expected to wait for months for repairs).

Hello,

I bought a month ago the Zoom HD 16.
The "home studio" is very new for me. I have a micro T-Bone SC 600 through which I record my voice and intruders.

To account for the quality of HD-16, let me give you the link to one of my times. (Fleet Foxes, White Winter Hymnal) I'm amazed the record, and the ease with which one can operate the device. The piece was done in the space of an evening, say 1:30-1am.

I said that for this piece, I used the HD 16 without connecting to my pc. I have not used the built-Bass, but my personal low. The guitar is a Takamine G-series. The result has been far from successful, but the goal is to suggest the potential of the machine! And it's especially fun to do ... <a href="https://sd-1.archive-host.com/membres/playlist/192646351242236043/White_winter_hymnal_cover.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">
https://sd-1.archive-host.com/membres/playlist/192646351242236043/White_winter_hymnal_cover.mp3</a>

Good listening, see you soon

Stev