Zoom R16 Review
Zoom R16 – Multitrack SD Recorder, Controller, and audio Interface
Zoom R16 is pretty new on the scene, well, it was introduced at the 2009 winter NAMM conference so it's not that new. As big of a fan that I am of the Tascam products, it's hard not to love this thing! Very different from the other multitrack machines we've seen over the years.
So How Is It Different You Ask?
Records direct to an SD card, 8 tracks simultaneously and 16 tracks total. When you're done recording, take the R16 and hook it up to your computer to simply drag and drop your recorded tracks. It gets better because now you can use it as a real time USB audio interface with 8 in and 2 out of your computer.
The R16 can also act as a control surface to record any function from any DAW software program you use… by the way, It comes loaded with Cubase software. Logic and Sonar are also supported.
The Zoom R16 is small enough to take to any gig or band practice then can sit on your desk and run your home studio when you get back. Record the band beds simultaneously on 8 tracks then you've still got 8 more you can add on later for overdubs… this can be pretty handy. You don't even need to take any mics if you just want to record the band stereo off the floor it has 2 mics built in.
Everything is connected in the rear including 8 separate XLR mic lines except for the USB ports and SD card slot which are on the right hand side.
Quick Glance at the key features:
- CD quality recording – 16/24-bit/44.1kHz linear PCM in WAV
- 16 recordable tracks and 8 simultaneous
- Built-in stereo condenser microphones
- 8 in, 2 out as an audio interface
- USB connection
- Buit-in tuner and metronome
Quick Zoom R16 Review on video:
Get it on sale today at Amazon.com
User Complaints:
"…limited continuous recording time to 6 hours"
"… My largest complaint is that the manual is not that obvious in directions"
"… The preamp quality is not that great"
"… Phantom power on only two channels"
User Comments:
"… I was skeptical, because it seemed weird that there would be one device that could record with external mics AND internal mics, and allow you to mix, edit, and master the audio, AND even include built-in effects. I didn't believe that anything would be that layman-friendly. But the R16 really is"
"… I understand the flexibility offered by using a PC/DAW but it's just so much easier to use this thing
"
"… the biggest value in the R16 is in it's integration with the DAW and the ability to easily sketch song ideas on the R16 and the move them to the DAW for the heavy lifting. It makes song writing and pre production amazingly convenient and easy"
"… effects sends of the R16 make it easy to get basic reverbs and delays on tracks like vocals, guitars etc, without having to commit them to the recording"
"… The built-in mics are an outstanding feature"
"… wow. i am amazed. sounds good, easy to use, and for this price?"
The Bad?
There weren't many legitimate complaintsabout this thing. Someone will always complain that the mics aren't the greatest or they've used better preamps than the ones on the R16… ya, no kidding! People want a $300 condenser mic built into a machine that sells for under $400.
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Comes with:
- 1GB SD Memory Card
- AC Power Adapter
- USB Cable
- Carrying Case
Computer Compatibility:
Windows – Windows® XP SP2 or later / Windows® Vista SP1 or later / Windows® 7
Intel® Pentium® 4 1.8GHz or better and 1GB RAM or more
Mac (Intel Only) – OS X 10.4.11 or later / 10.5 / 10.6
Intel® Core Duo processor 1.83GHz or better
1GB RAM or more
Please leave a comment if you enjoyed my Zoom R16 Review
