Feature:
Built in effects, built in drum machine programmable with touch sens pads. C'mon, what's not to like? The editing interface is a bit tricky and the drum machine is far from 'easy' to step record patterns with, but does sound nice when thrown in a mix. A one gig card will give you all the room you need to work on projects. Only 2 inputs means it will not be a good tool for recording a band playing together. Everything will have to be tracked. If you want a good 2track 'room' recording I would suggest that little micro handheld thingy with the built-it condensers that they have been pimping for the last few months... either that, or you will have to get some mics that cost almost as much as this thing. The 2 inputs are (I assume) intended for if you have a stereo input source, not to get a good live mix of an entire band. This thing is meant to be tracked 1 thing at a time.

Quality:
I just rented one for a while to make a few songs on, so I don't know what its long term durability is, but it seems kind of fragile. Not something I would take on the road.

Value:
Look at what this is meant for: not the center of an extravegant recording setup, but for a lone guy in headphones in a dorm room or a bedroom, able to layer himself and back up himself with drums and multiple tracks and effects to play around with all in one unit. It's worth it for that.

Desirability:
I have a bit of a fetish for compact multi-function little toys like this. I already have a recorder though, but if I find one used I would absolutely pick it up. The more gizmos we have in our lil' home studios the better.

Sound:
Okay first off... it's not a complete mastering supercomputer, but for basic good sounding recordings it is just fine. I have always liked the Zoom drum machines they have very articulate 'realistic' sounds, and their effects are a bit brittle and digital sounding (obviously) but overall extremely good for amp modelling. I think they use a lot of the same effects algorhythms as they did on the old PS-04 that I used for years. The 'mastering' and 'send' effects presets are nice, and while some of the guitar insert effects are a bit silly, there are some gems in there. I just tweaked it out a bit to get the sound I wanted, wasn't difficult. Convincing once a final mix is laid out.

Ease of Use:
I really can't be unbiased on this, because I have used many similar zoom products over the years. Half the stuff you just instinct, and the other half is why you keep a manual around for referrance. Zoom is not always very intuitive since it's all menu driven interface, but once you get used to it it's not too difficult.

Support:
Zoom is cool. They are helpful and I have used many many of their products. Never had a problem. My Z9000 finally died about 3 years ago and I had had it since 1993

Overall:
I only rented this for a month, and had previous experience with other zoom recorders, so had no problem figuring it out. It does what it says it does... Drums, effects, mastering, mixdown. It is overall a nice little machine, and you can make a wall of crashing drums and thundering bass and gigantic guitars and concert hall vocals with just a pair of headphones and a mic. Definitely a good buy for a home recordist who doesnt want to buy all those modules separately.

• User: a customer from hotmail.com
• Submitted: 6/18/2008
• Style of Music: alternatafunkapunkafolkaxperimentia thrashslashrockhop accoustic dance trance etc
• Location: Fostoria, OH, U.S.A.

Feature:
This is a small personal studio, it is not meant for recording more than one instrument at a time. Stating this... I found the features to be great. You can do most "anything" within this recorder. If I had to say something negative... it would be that you can only record to the SD card. They are inexpensive nowadays, and a one gigabyte card will give you the abilty to record several "complete" songs, but you will have to take the files to your PC/Mac and download the software to convert to a .wav file. This is slightly inconvenient, but understandable due to the size of the unit. I tried to download the software to my Mac, but my OS (10.4.8) is higher than they recommend. It may work, but I needed to unstuff the file and my Mac, recently bought, does not have that ability I suppose. I would have to purchase something to unstuff the software apparently. Works fine with Microsoft XP. The non converted file is proprietory, so the software from ZOOM is needed. The external microphone is sensitive and works well. I have used this option and it does work fairly well for laying down inspiration quickly if need be, but it is not my preferred method of capturing something. Mastering within the machine is an excellent feature. Adding recorded songs to a sequence play is very nice too. The virtual tracks, though common in all digital machines, it a wonderfull way to get something good without having to re-do a track. I use this feature all the time. Though you have to choose the best take, with bouncing and the virtual tracks combined, this enables you to layer pretty deep. An undo button would be great on any recorded track though. It may be just me but it doesn't seem to let you use the drum machine and add personal hits with the drum pads at the same time. It is easy to multitrack though, so perhaps that is what the thinking was.

Quality:
I think it is very well made. It has hit the floor a couple of times.... sorry ZOOM, but all worked fine afterwards, thank goodness. Very reliable. I have taken it to band practice, so it is very portable. I am impressed overall.

Value:
I think it is worth more than the going price. It is an excellent value. Works very well. For a single musician, you can record complete songs that sound very good.

Desirability:
How it looks is secondary to me.

Sound:
My experience is that the recorded track sounds exactly like how it went in. Clear definition between the tracks. The internal effects are not too bad, especially if you tweak them some. I am very happy with the sound quality.

Ease of Use:
It was tough to do anything deeper than just laying down tracks from the get go. The manual was difficult to understand. But... since owning this machine for a year, I do not know what my problem was and it didn't take a year to figure it out. There is still options I haven't used. I now find it relatively easy to record the tracks and add effects and do a master track. The bounch function works well. Track 7 and 8 are stereo tracks so there is only really 4 "single" tracks. For most of my needs, I just bounch the recorded tracks to a stereo track and instead of wiping out trackes 1-4 to gain more space for recording, I use the vitual tracks to add to the mix. Seems obvious I know, but it opens up the machine for lots of layering.

Support:
I emailed Samson about my the stuffed file and OS system I have, and never got a reply. Samson was the only contact I could find. The ZOOM website sent me there. Perhaps my email didn't go through. Perhaps the answer was so self evident (too high an Mac OS and I need stuffit delux/expander or something..duh!...so they didn't reply. Regardless, a response is always appreciated no matter how weak the question.

Overall:
I have had it for a year and was planning on using it as long as it worked. I now have the funds to upgrade, which I will do, but it isn't because there is something wrong with this machine. Funds were limited first time around and this was a great deal. Given the same initial circumstances, I would buy it again. My uprade will be another ZOOM machine and basically I want to upgrade because a internal CD burner and the abilty to record more than one instrument at the same time would be very nice. Never having used a competitors digital recordert, I can't offer comparisons. Since I "know" ZOOM's logic, so to speak, I am sticking with ZOOM with my next purchase.

• User: a customer from yahoo.com
• Submitted: 3/14/2007
• Style of Music: Alternative Rock. Accoustic with electric guitar mix and keyboards.
• Location: Lancaster Pa, USA

Feature:
Wish it came with those bigger headphone jacks

Quality:
Plastic Plastic Plastic....not attractive

Ease of Use:
Kinda hard to master at first but as you gradually get into it, you start enjoying the functions. Have had it for 2 weeks now and I'm recording like crazy.

• User: a customer from yahoo.com
• Submitted: 8/25/2006
• Style of Music: Hip-Hop
• Location: Durham, NC, USA

Feature:
Internal mic is very good. Sub-par guitar FX. Good vocal and mastering effects. Drum machine is good and not too hard to program, just be patient with the manual. Up to 1GB SD cards can be used. This is pretty adequate for me. Card manager software (from Zoom site) is pretty simple and functional.

Quality:
Seems very solid so far for something this small. Dunno about the drum-pad, although it seems pretty solid.

Value:
Great bang for the buck if you're starting out. I suspect it's pretty damn good even if you're an experienced at recording---as long as you know the limitations.

Sound:
Sound capture is good. Use good outboard gear (guitar, mic, cables etc.). Don't blame the Zoom if the gear is crap. Drum machine is great for what I'm doing, FAST programming method is excellent. The built-in reverb, chorus, vocal and mastering fx are pretty good for what I'm doing (I'm a novice). But the guitar FX, are well...kinda sucky. I was hoping they'd be at least as good as my old 606 pedal, but they're not. I'm sure some good tones can be obtained via tweaking, but it's easier for me to record from my amp (VOX AD30VT) or external Zoom G2.1u pedal. Use the Zoom like a recorder/mixer and you'll be happy, don't buy it for the guitar FX. Vocal and mastering fx are good though.

Ease of Use:
Takes a while to get used to, just be patient. Use track sheets (always wise) and note down the settings. At this price point, a lot of the functions are going to option menu-driven (plastic knobs and buttons cost $$$). As you move up to the MRS-802, MRS-1608, more of the features get dedicated controls. I just started recording and my current plan of attack is to use the MRS-8 as a recorder and then if I run out of tracks, export to PC to mix/master. The bounce function works well and is easy to use...sorta (read the manual).

Support:
Haven't had to call Zoom/Samson yet. But the high rating is because there's an EXCELLENT user forum online! Lots of helpful gurus out there.

Overall:
Great starter recorder that you will NOT outgrow.

• User: a customer from yahoo.com
• Submitted: 7/13/2006
• Style of Music: Progressive metal, some blues, acoustic rock
• Location: Raleigh NC

Feature:
All of the features are great, you can create drums, bass and mix into a rythm to lay down to back a blazing guitar or line in a CD or transfer in a WAV. Get the power chord because when you use all day (you will) you'll go through a lot of batteries.

Quality:
Great, had 1 week and beating on the drums and using the sliders with no issue.

Value:
This is a whole studio on your lap, plug in (if you want) anything, or just Fast or Step program a drum or bass lines.

Desirability:
Techi and hot. Good look.

Sound:
Sound is great, effects and all pre-set rythms.

Ease of Use:
Easy with learning , read the manual a few times with experimentation and you'll realize all of the capabilities of this.

Support:
N/A no need yet.

Overall:
Overall great. I looked for 2 months on how/what to start a mini studio/recording/learning, with as much versatility and low $$, this gives all basic sounds needed-drum/bass , with plugs for anything else. The power adapter should come with it.

• User: a customer from yahoo.com
• Submitted: 4/29/2006
• Style of Music: All
• Location: Fl

Feature:
Quite many functions and effects in this unit.

Quality:
I guess this thing is good in quality. But a little plastic material sinks the score.

Value:
If you figure out this thing, it's very good for the price.

Desirability:
I was crazy about this thing til I got it, after that I just wanted to sell it.

Sound:
The sound of this thing is a little to crispy. It isnt really top-notch quality like they said it would have.

Ease of Use:
This is where this thing really lacks big time. Even when you check your proplems out in the manual, this thing is really hard to understand.

Support:
Havent used this.

Overall:
Good price for a good machine, but only if you figure out what is can do. Very cheap.

• User: a customer from gmail.com
• Submitted: 3/12/2006
• Style of Music: Hip Hop, Rn'b, Retro
• Location: Stockholm, Sweden

Feature:
Incredible features. Wide assortment of amp models and effects. Lots of effects with adjustable parameters. Tinkering with insert effects, and send return effects you can get chained effect processing but it would have been better if Zoom gave you the ability to chain your effects in series. Midi in capability would have been nice too.

Quality:
I've been using the product constantly for about 5 months. It has held up well but I'm not rough on my gear. I find the fader controls and the dial selector to be somewhat delicate. I worry about these a bit but so far so good. Its a bit too plastic like.

Value:
Research that I've done says for the money this is the unit to get.

Desirability:
Looks cool, kinda has a "wow" factor. The ergonomics are pretty good but it would have been better if the line inputs were placed at the front of the unit.

Sound:
The sound is very clear and can be quite impressive providing you manually tweak the built in EQ and compression settings.

Ease of Use:
The manual is very poorly written and is especially poor in terms of a logically written sequence. The unit interface is not very intuitive, using lots of abreviations. Multiple readings of the manual and within a couple of weeks you will be on track. The Zoom guys should rewrite the manual because its one of the biggest complaints on user groups.

Support:
Support is good. An updates to the operating system is available aswell as a card manager program.

Overall:
The portability factor makes this unit a keeper. Currently doing alot of computer recording now but I'm still using this recorder as an effects processor. Compared to other very expensive software and hardware based effects processors this unit can hold it's own.

• User: a customer from northwestel.net
• Submitted: 2/28/2006
• Style of Music: Rock, Alternative

Feature:
includes 128MB card is not big enough. theres no hard drive. so the card you have is all the space you get (SD card). i only wish i had more tracks, looks like im gonna have to get a mixer bus for $250.

Quality:
nothing came or is loose, so its great. i dont worry that the sliders will break, its very sturdy for its size, also a bit hefty for its size. great for on the road...i bought a carrying case for it.

Value:
it could be cheaper but it only costs more because of the 128MB card. definitly NOT worth selling price. i can probably find the same thing new condition on eBay for $180-250.

Desirability:
i really wanted it, i can make great do with it but id probably like something better. not sexy, but still looks great.

Sound:
sounds great, quality is great, sounds just like when i was playing it regularly. compatible with any music style (rock, metal, jazz, etc.) sounds great with a decent live sound mic, any guitar bass or elecrtric, even acoustic throught a mic sounds awesome. you can make the recording sound live if you wanted to using the effects, which reminds me i cant figure out how to use the send/return effects loop. IMPORTANT: this item has no return policy due to the built-in mic. the mic picks up everything great, but to eliminate plosions, you must get a pop filter. i made a ghetto pop filter with tissues and stuff, but im looking to buy a pro filter. the effects sound awesome, theres like 42 of them i think, and you can set the any way you want (add more/less delay, etc.) i do rock in my band and its sounds incredible. this console sounds better with headphones than plugging it to an amp, but my amp is crappy so it might just be that.

Support:
i actually bought this item from www.SamAsh.com but i buy accessories from Zzounds. its too bad i cant return it.

Overall:
overall im gonna have to say a 9 because there is no return policy because there's a mic built in which is no good unless you buy accessories for it, and 128MB card is too small and there's no hard drive. and its also a bit misleading because even though it says there are 8 physical tracks, you only get 6 mono tracks because there's a 5/6 stereo track and a 7/8 stereo track. i dont really understand why its like that because you can do that with the other tracks anyway. i would recommend this recorder for beginners, like me, because its almost not good enough for me and im really new to music and recording and stuff.

• User: a customer from cox.net
• Submitted: 2/3/2006
• Style of Music: alternative
• Location: papillion nebraska usa

Feature:
The 128 MB SD card that came with the MRS-8 only allows for one complete song. I have to transfer the project to my laptop to free up space. Also, be warned that only certain SD cards (and NOT the new 2 GB cards) are compatible with the MRS-8. The Zoom website (http://www.zoom.co.jp) has all the information on this irritating feature.

Quality:
The product is compact and had no blemishes. I find the buttons a little cheaply designed but the function well. I do worry about the dial breaking and I wouldn't want to take it on the road.

Value:
I got this on sale; it was well worth the money.

Desirability:
If the MRS-8 had laptop control software, it would be 10 times better.

Sound:
The sound of the MRS-8 is quite good. I've recorded analog and digital and this unit produces a clean sound that you can manipulate to make it big like a major slick studio production. The sampling rate is industry-standard and the electronics do not add any line noise or other interference.

Overall:
This product should serve me well for a while. All I need to do is upgrade the memory. That is not a big deal. I will probably wear this out for making demos, but I envision getting some higher end recording software and a different interface. Having a software control would make menu navigation a lot easier. Also, I have to take copious notes on all my settings so this is generating a paper trail. That wouldn't happen with software.

• Submitted: 12/19/2005
• Style of Music: Punk/Power Pop
• Location: Alexandria, VA

Feature:
The built in condenser mic.

Quality:
Strong, I dropped it three days after I got it and it still works great.

Value:
Great

Desirability:
Its compact

Sound:
Its great how small and versitile it is, it can go and record anywhere.

Support:
Cant find to many things for ZOOM

Overall:
It will be in the studic for a long time.

• User: a customer from hotmail.com
• Submitted: 10/9/2005
• Style of Music: Hard rock
• Location: La Grande, OR

Feature:
The SD card is great, you pop in a 1 gig card which is very cheap, and you can record forever. Plug that card into the PC and use the freeware download off the Zoom website to convert the file into Wav, and off into editing mode you go.

Quality:
Very reliable

Value:
The retail is very high, even for as good of a product as it is. If you look around at all, the prices a good.

Desirability:
People come up to me all the time and ask me what it is that I have when recording at concerts. When I tell them, they all say how they love it.

Sound:
The condensor mike is alright, nothing to write home about. But, when you hook up a quality mic to it, the sound is great. I use it for live recordings, and the ease is fantastic.

Overall:
Quite satisfied. If lost or stolen, I would replace it.

• User: a customer from hotmail.com
• Submitted: 10/8/2005
• Style of Music: Classical, Wind Band, Jazz, Early music
• Location: WI, USA

Feature:
The effects are great,the guitar sounds professional. I hope to build an album soon.Im investing an audio cd writer to permanently store all my music in a disc.

Quality:
The product look sleek, i hope it will last a decade .

Sound:
Finally, i am able to compile rythm guitars,drums,bass and leads at home with less than $500 spending.I was looking for other recorders but they don't have built in drums set.Having built in drums simplifies the work of connecting an external drum machine or midi to the unit. My only gripe with the unit is the memory capacity.128 M sd card is limited to 3 songs with 4 tracks each,looks like i have to invest more on 512M SD cards, if the unit had a CR writer, that will be a bonus but i know im asking for too much:)

• User: a customer from juno.com
• Submitted: 7/29/2005
• Style of Music: Blues
• Location: Singapore