Zoom Multitrack R8

[Kegeratorz]

Anyone have any experience with the zoom R8 or there multitrack recorders in general? Wanna add vocals and what not with the 404 but hate the PC.

[Sharris]

I bought a used Zoom R16 about 2 years ago.......I thought it was amazing at first......but 1 by 1 all inputs went out......... I got it really cheap tho & took a risk.

In working order I liked it a lot. I'll admit I wasn't that impressed with the effects....BUT I didn't really get a chance to learn what effects go best with what sounds. If I remember correctly they were all mastering type effects.

I'm hoping I can get mine fixed & once fixed I'll keep it, I really miss it actually. If I can't get it fixed or it's too expensive I might go for the R8. I think multi track recorders are super handy. I have a Zoom G3 guitar pedal that hasn't let me down, it's really solid & I haven't heard anything bad about Zoom in general.

[Kegeratorz]

@Sharris: Thanks for that, reviews are overwhelming good. As I stated before in another thread I don’t like owning things but can’t do it all in the 404. I could get going with guitar, 404 and multitrack.

[ellaguru]

i have a zoom mrs4, a mini 4 track recorder, with faders and such. It's ok for the price and for what it got . Only 1 stero in.
I had a good tascam dp01fx, very nice siund, but just 1 stero in too...cool things: you can had external fx on it (aux send); have phisical eq (mid range is missing....)

[Sharris]

I don't know if you have ever owned a multi track recorder before, but if not I think you would really like having one. I won't go off on the features, I'm sure you've looked into that I recorded 100's of jams on mine before it broke down completely.

1 thing tho, have you looked into handheld recorders? I just ordered a Tascam DR-40 brand new for $180 (from Sweetwater, but I saw some good deals on ebay too). It's small as fuck, 4 tracks, you can overdub, it has 2 inputs (just like the R8), it has 2 built in mics, phantom power as well.........built in adjustable limiter, reverb.......you record onto a memory card......... I'm going to use it to record sounds out in the field & just found sounds in general, as well as use it to record my live sp jams & stuff. Worth checking out if you don't want a lot of equipment...... it's cheaper & smaller........

[Crane]

I was seriously considering the R8 to use as a simple way to lay down tracks and ended up getting a Tascam DP008 for about a fourth of what the R8 is selling for used and am more than happy with it's proformance. I think a lot of people here will recommend the Tascam DP series, they are basic, easy to use, and sound good.

I wanted the R8 as it worked as an audio interface, DAW control, battery operated, small, and a few other things. The thing that put me off is that it has no midi (nor does my DP008, but again 1/4 of the price), I read using it as an audio interface came with its own set of problems, and pretty much anything can be used to control a DAW so I passed.

I think the hard part on picking a unit is figuring out specifically what you want it to do. I quickly learned none of these have great editing (like my old Akai DPS12 or roland VS2480). The smaller portable units forgo midi, which is nice to put the machine on bar beat clock, hit play and record and have your 404 or whatever in perfect sync, and the large units that do it all are so big you might as well use a laptop.

I personally think the Tascam DP02 is just about right if you don't mind being plugged in.

Another alternative is to pick up an old roland VS880 - VS1880. They can be had for pennies on the dollar, are time tested and reliable, work great, midi, effects can be added, record more than a stereo pair simultaneously. They offer quite a bit.

Daw Multitrack (link below) is great for iphones, ipads etc. and only about ten bucks, but you do need either one of those phone audi interfaces (line6) or a compatible audio interface.

http://www.harmonicdog.com/

With all that being said, besides for my phone multitrack and, tascam DP008, I will go back to using a DAW for the convenience of recording and editing (I need to swoop up a proper working computer again, this one has been tainted with porn). For everything else I enjoy the hardware.

[Kegeratorz]

I don't know if you have ever owned a multi track recorder before, but if not I think you would really like having one. I won't go off on the features, I'm sure you've looked into that I recorded 100's of jams on mine before it broke down completely.

1 thing tho, have you looked into handheld recorders? I just ordered a Tascam DR-40 brand new for $180 (from Sweetwater, but I saw some good deals on ebay too). It's small as fuck, 4 tracks, you can overdub, it has 2 inputs (just like the R8), it has 2 built in mics, phantom power as well.........built in adjustable limiter, reverb.......you record onto a memory card......... I'm going to use it to record sounds out in the field & just found sounds in general, as well as use it to record my live sp jams & stuff. Worth checking out if you don't want a lot of equipment...... it's cheaper & smaller........

I’ve used a few real to real, cassette, digital and DAW. I learned enough to record, bounce and play back, other then that I was out of my league. I did have the original zoom h1 but since sold it. It was awful navigating and thus I just used it as an expensive way to record song ideas and such. Would definitely be interested in a small field recorder with multitracking though, I look forward to your review!!

[Kegeratorz]

@Crane: Thanks for the detailed post, was also looking at the Tascam DP-006. Infact I just lost a bid on eBay for one. DP-02 looks promising, gonna do some reading on that as well. I’m doing everything I can to not do the DAW thing. I’m a computer guy, all I do is work on PC’s all day everyday. I’ve tried to suck it up but just crushes my creativity.

[THEGREAT]

not sure how much youll get 1 for .. but Boss BR80 . has no faders as such but virtual faders . has a scroll down interface which is pretty simple to use . also has many guitar fx for 1/4 jack input . plus masterring bounce .. with some very useful settings to polish a final mix . usb . to export .. or take the sd card out n transport to pc that way

i haven't seen the multitrack mode covered in detail or i would have posted a vid .

panning . eq . reverb . volume

[Sharris]

I work in an office in front of a computer as well, which is why I also stay away from DAW's. I tried using them, but agree, it didn't feel creative. I see computers as work tools & I like to make beats going by feel (playing live). I couldn't get creative arranging beats in a DAW & using a mouse.

It sounds like you're looking for something that can do a little more than a field recorder, I think you're moving in the right direction looking at the Zoom R8.

I've never owned a field recorder, I'm pretty excited to use it. I love recording found sounds & using them in my beats, so I know I'll get a lot of use out of it (plus recording my live sp jams). I'll let you know what I think Good luck with your search, it would be interesting to hear what you decide on!

[THEGREAT]

DP08 is a definate worth while option . always look on youtube to see if the interface / mode of operation suites you

[Kegeratorz]

not sure how much youll get 1 for .. but Boss BR80 . has no faders as such but virtual faders . has a scroll down interface which is pretty simple to use . also has many guitar fx for 1/4 jack input . plus masterring bounce .. with some very useful settings to polish a final mix . usb . to export .. or take the sd card out n transport to pc that way

i haven't seen the multitrack mode covered in detail or i would have posted a vid .

panning . eq . reverb . volume

They sell for under $50 mostly, looks promising. Great reviews too.

[THEGREAT]

damn $50 .. thats an absolute steal . over here they sell brand new for almost £200

[Kegeratorz]

damn $50 .. thats an absolute steal . over here they sell brand new for almost £200

My mistake, the Micro BR, older model sells for $50ish. And yeah the new one is still up there.

[Ill Green]

I always wanted the R8 but every time I had the money to buy, some shit goes wrong like a car crash, forgotten debts, or sick dog. I actually made a thread here about it. The sampler section seems nice but no pitch, just timestretch and timestretching is by the bars, not by BPM. Could be dope but I never got one...yet.

I have the DP008 and the DP03CD both still kicking for the last 7 years. In fact, I still got the DP01 and that has a freak gain control, and that is still kicking since I bought it in 2002.