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Zoom MRS4 4-Track Digital Recorder with 32MB SmartMedia Card
2 tracks simultaneous recording. 4 tracks simultaneous playback.
"There is so much value for the money here!"
I didn't expect this 4 track recorder to sound as good as it does. It doesn't take long to get it up and running. The interface is easy to understand with basic recording functions perfoming in a similar manner to its analog counterparts. Not only was I able to record clean tracks in a short amount of time, but the effects sound good, too.
This unit doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles like some other multritrackers, but you don't spend a lot of time doing virtual patching either. The instruction manual is easy enough to follow.
Of course, there is always a down side. While the MRS-4 comes with a 32mb SmartMedia card, you'll want to get a 64mb or 128mb card which will allows more recording time. Unfortunately, these cards are quite pricey. The good news is that with a card reader you can store your track files on your computer hard drive once you've downloaded the free card manager software from the Zoom website. That way you can use the SmartMedia card for tracking instead of storage. While there aren't an over abundance of features, you do have more than enough to make a good sounding recording. In fact, I like not having so many choices. Now I can concentrate on making music.
This unit doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles like some other multritrackers, but you don't spend a lot of time doing virtual patching either. The instruction manual is easy enough to follow.
Of course, there is always a down side. While the MRS-4 comes with a 32mb SmartMedia card, you'll want to get a 64mb or 128mb card which will allows more recording time. Unfortunately, these cards are quite pricey. The good news is that with a card reader you can store your track files on your computer hard drive once you've downloaded the free card manager software from the Zoom website. That way you can use the SmartMedia card for tracking instead of storage. While there aren't an over abundance of features, you do have more than enough to make a good sounding recording. In fact, I like not having so many choices. Now I can concentrate on making music.
"Good product for the price"
Feature:
the effects are kinda pointless but its easy enough to use, i like double tracking rythm guitar tracks and panning them left and right, same w/ harmonized leads...that's probably the best feature
Quality:
Very reliable however, it gets sorty fussy when you try to bounce w/o a lot of card space.
Value:
Good product for cheap price.
Desirability:
its a cheap digital four track, thats the 'i want' part of it.
Sound:
No complaints
Overall:
My only complaints: Smart Media is kinda on the way out as it were,and only comes in 128 size cards. Also, dont expect to do anything in odd time meters, like 12/8 3/8 or anything like that, cause the onboard metronome only goes in variations of 4/4 time (3/4, 4/4, 5/4, etc)
the effects are kinda pointless but its easy enough to use, i like double tracking rythm guitar tracks and panning them left and right, same w/ harmonized leads...that's probably the best feature
Quality:
Very reliable however, it gets sorty fussy when you try to bounce w/o a lot of card space.
Value:
Good product for cheap price.
Desirability:
its a cheap digital four track, thats the 'i want' part of it.
Sound:
No complaints
Overall:
My only complaints: Smart Media is kinda on the way out as it were,and only comes in 128 size cards. Also, dont expect to do anything in odd time meters, like 12/8 3/8 or anything like that, cause the onboard metronome only goes in variations of 4/4 time (3/4, 4/4, 5/4, etc)
"Wonderful product at a reasonable price."
This is a portable digital wonder. For a reasonable price you get a relatively easy to operate four track digital recorder complete with effects and mixer. It sounds very good for this price point and with its user-friendly interface the MRS-4 allows you to work quickly. You don't have to spend a lot of time setting it up.If you're already familiar with the way four track cassette recorders work, then you're already more than half way there. This is an ideal notepad when you're on the road or at home. The MRS-4 is not as small as a couple of its competitors, and it doesn't have any drum/percussion sounds. It is still handy enough and you can get a work out from your drum machine, if you're so inclined. It has a built-in metronome and tuner. This is a well thought out product.
"entry to digital recording.../ made in japan."
Feature:
nothing special... does the job.. the 16kHz max freq. is not a bad deal.. how many instruments, and ears can hear beyond that anyway ? NOT eas y to go via computer, NOT easy to go onto CDR.... takes some work. but for those that want digital workpad, and go onto just simple recorder, or cassette tape, etc,etc..it does the work efficiently.
Quality:
quality is OK... says it is made in japan .. Really ????
Value:
very good value, can be even better next year, if they reduce price by 25 % and give you 256 MB by then ! a better version perhaps ? mrs5 ?
Desirability:
pretty good, sellable to many.. Enmasse.
Sound:
it is a fairly priced item for those that want to try digital recorder.. do NOT expect perfect recording..but, on other hand, it is NOT bad at all.. the menu/submenu structure is a bit wierd, but ok..one can get used to it.. there may be many functions on this, that many wont bother to use... but even as a basic recorder, it does its job. batteries last only 1-2 hrs at max. get a dc/adapter. , or opt for rechargeable batteries, keep at least 2-3 spare sets handy. will Re review as i find more interesting tricks on it.. PLS PUT THIS REVIEW IN A PLACE MANY CAN READ !!!! easy to FIND !
Support:
no idea of Zoom co.
Overall:
bettert o supplement if one is seriouos.. to better stuff..but can cost you ...if you get Really serious.
nothing special... does the job.. the 16kHz max freq. is not a bad deal.. how many instruments, and ears can hear beyond that anyway ? NOT eas y to go via computer, NOT easy to go onto CDR.... takes some work. but for those that want digital workpad, and go onto just simple recorder, or cassette tape, etc,etc..it does the work efficiently.
Quality:
quality is OK... says it is made in japan .. Really ????
Value:
very good value, can be even better next year, if they reduce price by 25 % and give you 256 MB by then ! a better version perhaps ? mrs5 ?
Desirability:
pretty good, sellable to many.. Enmasse.
Sound:
it is a fairly priced item for those that want to try digital recorder.. do NOT expect perfect recording..but, on other hand, it is NOT bad at all.. the menu/submenu structure is a bit wierd, but ok..one can get used to it.. there may be many functions on this, that many wont bother to use... but even as a basic recorder, it does its job. batteries last only 1-2 hrs at max. get a dc/adapter. , or opt for rechargeable batteries, keep at least 2-3 spare sets handy. will Re review as i find more interesting tricks on it.. PLS PUT THIS REVIEW IN A PLACE MANY CAN READ !!!! easy to FIND !
Support:
no idea of Zoom co.
Overall:
bettert o supplement if one is seriouos.. to better stuff..but can cost you ...if you get Really serious.
"One word WOW!!"
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
This thing is so awesome and fit into such a small box. I just received it today along with the mrt-3 and i have already completed five songs and burned them to cd. Very easy to use and a great sound!!...Thanks guys!!!!
"simple and great"
Feature:
It would be nice to have a direct USB out port but with the current smart card reader in my PC it isn't such a big deal to upload songs.
Quality:
The great thing about the Zoom is that it is small and does not have that many things that can break.
Value:
It is cheap in comparison with other items and it's worth every penny.
Desirability:
The zoom mrs4 isn't what you call a 'sexy' thing but you are better off with quality than 'sexiness'. It looks and does what it is made for. That's the main thing.
Sound:
I use it to record classical guitar pieces and in combination with a Shure condensor microphone the quality is very good.
Support:
-no experience-
Overall:
In the segment I would probably buy a MRS4 again. The great thing about it is that it offers basic functionality without annoying and unnecessary features.
It would be nice to have a direct USB out port but with the current smart card reader in my PC it isn't such a big deal to upload songs.
Quality:
The great thing about the Zoom is that it is small and does not have that many things that can break.
Value:
It is cheap in comparison with other items and it's worth every penny.
Desirability:
The zoom mrs4 isn't what you call a 'sexy' thing but you are better off with quality than 'sexiness'. It looks and does what it is made for. That's the main thing.
Sound:
I use it to record classical guitar pieces and in combination with a Shure condensor microphone the quality is very good.
Support:
-no experience-
Overall:
In the segment I would probably buy a MRS4 again. The great thing about it is that it offers basic functionality without annoying and unnecessary features.
"Easy To Use & Very Nearly A1 Quality !"
Sound:
I've owned More 4 Track Cassette machines than I care to mention... as well as Digital & Analogue 8 track machines... the last one being a Fostex FD8.... I decided i wanted a Multi-track recorder that was nice and easy to use... and The Zoom MRS4 deffinately fits the 'bill'.. The only gripe i have with the machine is the 32K sample frequency... on very high frequency sounds (Hi-Hats / Tambs) I'm getting a slight clipping sound, all in all a very nice machine... I hope the guys at ZOOM revamp the unit and give the newer version a 44.1K sampling Freq. - Highly recommended. - www.kv5.co.uk
I've owned More 4 Track Cassette machines than I care to mention... as well as Digital & Analogue 8 track machines... the last one being a Fostex FD8.... I decided i wanted a Multi-track recorder that was nice and easy to use... and The Zoom MRS4 deffinately fits the 'bill'.. The only gripe i have with the machine is the 32K sample frequency... on very high frequency sounds (Hi-Hats / Tambs) I'm getting a slight clipping sound, all in all a very nice machine... I hope the guys at ZOOM revamp the unit and give the newer version a 44.1K sampling Freq. - Highly recommended. - www.kv5.co.uk
"Very nice"
The downside is the total available recording time on one smartcard..about 4 minutes on 4 tracks with the 32MB card that comes with it. The upside is the sound..a straight connect from my Trinity to the MRS-4 is so very close to the sound of the Trinity that its barely worth mentioning.
"Hard to go wrong!!"
Great machine for the price.
Bare bones features, so it will help if you allready have a mixer, and guitar effects.
Very easy to use, and I have never used a multitrack before.
Bare bones features, so it will help if you allready have a mixer, and guitar effects.
Very easy to use, and I have never used a multitrack before.
"MRS4 Recorder"
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
I've had this machine since July. It's a great little, inexpensive recorder. I'd like more tone control, and some of the special effects are hard to get to, but the basic functions are easy to use. I suggest buyers pick up a couple of 128 meg cards. 32 is frustrating. I have easily recorded a number of multi-track songs, transferred them to wav (using the free downloaded software) and mp3 format and put them on CD. This is a nifty little machine in spite of its limitations.
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