Zoom R24 Multi-Track Recorder Controller

zZounds' Take on Zoom R24 Multi-Track Recorder Controller

Is it an 8-input, 24-track recorder? Is it a loop sequencer, sampler, and drum machine? Is it an audio interface and DAW control surface? Yes -- the Zoom R24 is all of these things! Zoom packs functionality into an under-3-pound, 15-inch-wide package, making the R24 the perfect portable solution for multi-tracking live shows, band rehearsals, and song ideas -- even on 6 AA batteries. The R24 records up to 8 simultaneous tracks from its 8 combination 1/4-inch/XLR inputs, and with built-in stereo microphones, drum machine, and tuner, it's the perfect songwriting scratchpad. Use the R24's onboard effects to mix your masterpiece, or plug in a USB cable to transfer your WAV-format tracks to any DAW. You can even use the R24's faders and transport buttons as a DAW control surface. The Zoom R24 is one ultra-portable recorder -- and it's also right at home as the heart of your studio.

8 Versatile Mic/Line Inputs, Plus Built-in Mics

Whether you're tracking a full band, or a drum kit with multiple mics, the R24 allows 8 channels of simultaneous recording from its 8 combination 1/4-inch/XLR inputs. One input accepts Hi-Z sources like a guitar or bass, and 6 can supply phantom power to condenser microphones or active DI boxes. All 8 can accept line-level sources, such as synths or external mic preamps. And because the R24 has no hard drive or noisy fans, you can even make quick recordings with the built-in pair of microphones on the unit's left and right sides -- convenient for scratch vocals, hand percussion, or acoustic guitar.

Record 8 Tracks, Play Back 24

Record 8 tracks at a time, or lay down your performances one by one. However you like to roll, the R24's audio recorder has helpful functions like manual and auto punch-in/out, markers, A-B repeat, trim, bounce, and undo. You get unlimited "virtual tracks" -- record a part as many times as you need, then choose the best take from a menu of numbered, saved takes on the LCD screen -- without eating up track real estate. And because this is the R24, you get 24 tracks of simultaneous playback. Use the 8 faders to adjust volume, pan, EQ, and effects on each track, and apply send-return effects through the mixer's send-return bus. The R24 has hundreds of effects onboard, from guitar amp simulations to rich reverbs.

Easy File Transfer With SD Card or USB

With computers and software DAWs growing ever faster and more powerful, few musicians want to be limited to editing and mixing on a standalone hardware recorder. That's why Zoom makes it so easy to transfer your recording projects to your Mac or PC. The R24 saves individual tracks as industry-standard WAV files in 44.1 or 48 kHz, 16 or 24-bit format, on inexpensive SD card/SDHC media up to 32GB. This means no proprietary formats to deal with or hard drives to crash. The R24 comes with a 1GB SD card to get you started. Transfer files to your computer with the included USB cable, or plug in any USB thumb drive to make backups of your recordings when your computer's not handy.

Serious DAW Integration

Once you've transferred a project to your computer, keep that USB cable plugged in: the R24 now functions as a control surface for your DAW, using standard Mackie Control architecture. And if you want to track some overdubs into your DAW, go ahead and plug your mics or instruments into the R24: it's now an 8-in/2-out bus-powered USB 2.0 audio interface, with 1/4-inch outputs to feed your studio monitor speakers. Switch to a 2-in/2-out setup for higher-definition 96 kHz, 24-bit audio. The R24 ships with Cubase LE 5, so you can immediately start using its 9 faders and transport buttons as a control surface and front end for Cubase, Sonar, Logic, and more -- just add a computer.

On-Board Sequencer, Sampler, and Drum Machine

Just take a look at the row of 9 buttons across the bottom of the R24 labeled Kick, Snare, Open Hat, and so on. That's right, these are velocity-sensitive drum pads that you can use to play 10 types of drum kits. Use any of 400+ preset patterns, or edit and save your own -- then use the pads to trigger them within the R24's sequencer. It's simple to arrange songs, and even alter time signatures or delete beats from bars on the flexible grid. In the 24-voice sampler, you can import or record your own loops, trim and time-stretch the waveforms on-screen, then assign your loops to pads for real-time triggering. The sequencer and recorder work together, so you can lay down instrument or vocal performances on while playing back loops on other tracks. The R24 comes with a thumb drive and SD card pre-loaded with 1.5 GB drum loops to get you started.

A Portable Powerhouse

Say you don't have a laptop to run a DAW on -- or you just don't want to lug around your computer, interface, and all the cables to shows or rehearsals. You're in luck: the R24 is made to travel. It runs for about 4.5 hours on 6 AA batteries, or you power it from the included AC adapter. The "guard rails" on the sides of your R24 protect its knobs and buttons from damage when you slide it into your backpack or laptop bag. With the Zoom R24, you get all the portability of Zoom's famous handheld recorders, plus the flexibility of a multitrack recorder, interface, controller, and sampler.

Features:

- 8 tracks simultaneous recording, 24 tracks playback
- 8 line/mic inputs -- 1 with Hi-Z input, 6 with phantom power
- On-board pair of omnidirectional condenser microphones
- 9 faders with 4-segment LED level meters
- 330 effects patches, plus on-board tuner -- great for guitarists
- 24-voice sampler with trim and time-stretch editing
- 500+ built-in drum patterns -- or create your own beats with 10 kits and 8 velocity-sensitive pads
- 8-in/2-out USB audio interface, up to 96 kHz at 24-bit resolution
- Control surface for many DAW software packages
- Cubase LE 5 included
- Supports SD cards up to 32 GB
- Synchronize two R24s via USB for 16 simultaneous tracks

Manufacturer's Description for Zoom R24 Multi-Track Recorder Controller

The Zoom R series was designed to give musicians a portable recording command center that doubles as a digital audio interface for either Mac or PC. Using SDHC/SD memory cards for storage, every recorder in the R series features multiple channels of simultaneous recording, playback, and control for optimal musical blend, balance, and precision. The R24 controller is the most advanced device in the series, featuring eight more channels of playback than the R16, a sampler, a drum machine with velocity sensitive buttons, and four additional channels of phantom-power (for a total of 6).

The R24 is designed to deliver flawlessly produced recordings and a plethora of sound capture options. Eight tracks of simultaneous recording make recording groups or individually micing a drum kit fast and simple. A total of six phantom powered channels allow for multiple condenser microphones, perfect for capturing acoustic guitar or live group vocals. Twenty four channels of playback help you monitor the blend and find interesting new layers of sound. Additionally, the R24 can be daisy-chained to another R24 or R16 for up to 16 channels of simultaneous recording or 48 channels of playback.

The SDHC cards help to facilitate the recording process. Each 32GB card can hold up to 100 hours of track recording. These cards can be easily swapped out, stored, and backed-up on USB memory sticks and other memory devices for excellent memory security.

But the R24 is much more than a simple recorder; it is also an incredibly helpful audio interface. With the convenient USB plug, the R24 can be attached to most computers or laptops. Although the R24 comes standard with Cubase LE 5, any standard DAW software will work with the R24. The simultaneous 8-in/2-out capacity allows the recording of 16-bit/44.1kHz audio. This setup can be reordered to a simultaneous 2-in/2-out configuration for higher definition 24-bit/96kHz audio. If the sampling rate is 44.1kHz, the internal DSP effects of the R24 can be added to the computer tracks. Dedicated controls let the R24 precisely tune mixing levels and balance between the computer playback and the source information, eliminating the frustrating exercise of setting EQ levels with a computer mouse.

The effects function of the R24 is incredibly intuitive and features almost limitless options. The 24 voice sampler allows you to assign audio files as loops on any of the tracks. Built-in drum pads let you choose from 10 different kit sound models, or you can play the touch-sensitive pads in real time and set your own loops and rhythms, storing up to 511 at once. Included, the R24 has over 400 preprogrammed drum patterns and comes with a USB flash drive housing 500MB more of drum loops recorded by Grammy Award winning jazz/fusion drummer, Peter Erskine. The R24 also comes with 150 types of DSP effects, 390 patches, 16 guitar amp models, and 6 bass amp models for an inexhaustible assortment of sonic choices.

Features

- Over 100 studio-quality effects including guitar amp models and mastering effects
- Records on up to 32GB SDHC cards for maximum recording time
- 8 balanced XLR-1/4-inch combination inputs
- Records in WAV 48kHz/44.1kHz at 16-bit or 24-bit
- Easily viewable 4-segment LED meter bridge
- 6-channel simultaneous 48V phantom power supply capability
- Over 4 hours of operation using 6 AA alkaline batteries (AC adaptor included)
- Sync two R24s via USB for 16 tracks of simultaneous recording
- Audio InterfaceHigh-definition 24-bit/96kHz recording capability using digital audio software
- 8 in / 2 out (8 x 2) via USB
- Control Surface - Full mixing and transport controls for Cubase, Logic, Sonar and more!
- USB Control Surface uses Mackie Control emulation
- SamplerPad sampler with 24 voices (8 pads x 3 banks)
- Loop-based audio sequencer for music creation

With the R series, for convenience and expedience of use, Zoom has merged a multi-track recorder, audio interface, controller and a sampler into a single device. Loaded with more features and capabilities than the R16, but at a price that is still rather affordable, the R24 is the flagship of the R series armada. zZounds is an authorized dealer of Zoom products.

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging

Base Item

Shipping Weight: 18 lbs

Shipping Dimensions: 20 x 8 x 3 in

with Recording Pack

Shipping Weight: 62 lbs