Zoom R12 MultiTrak Digital Recorder

More than a standalone 8-track recorder with a touchscreen, the R12 has a drum machine and synth built in, and works as an audio interface or DAW controller.

Overview

The Zoom R12 is made for musicians who live to make music, and want the freedom to make music wherever they go. Compact and mobile, you can record, edit, and mix songs without a computer. Use the R12's full-color LCD touchscreen to easily cut, copy, loop, and edit your tracks.

Latin jazz artist Luisito Quintero (and a few friends) demo the R12 in this video from Zoom:

The R12 has super-clean preamps, and you'll love the way they sound. With two XLR/TRS inputs, and 8 tracks of audio, the R12 is perfect for recording everything from demos to release-ready songs.

The R12 includes a send effects channel offering reverb, chorus and delay with a dedicated effects return fader. For advanced tones, you can use presets and effects from Zooms' Guitar Lab. The R12 also has pan and a 3-channel EQ for each track and a compressor on inputs 1 and 2.

Use Sequence Play to create a playlist of your projects. Then use them as backing tracks, whether you're playing live or rehearsing a set.

With 150 preloaded drum loops in a variety of patterns and genres, the R12 provides a versatile rhythm section for any project.

Add additional audio samples by importing files into your R12 via Micro SD card or USB thumb drive.

The R12 provides up to 5 hours on four AA batteries allowing you to bring your production anywhere. Additionally, you can power the R12 with the optional AD-17 adapter, or a USB battery.

The R12 includes a stereo headphone jack as well as dedicated monitor outputs. Musicians… read more can also plug in their iOS devices to use the optional R12 Control App.

Use the R12 as a stereo audio interface with your favorite DAW or streaming platform, via USB-C. As a control surface, the transport controls and faders make it easy to adjust and control your software during production.

Connect microphones, instruments or line level devices like keyboards, mixing boards and more. HI-Z Input 1 on the R12 has a Hi-Z switch, allowing you to plug your guitar directly into the recorder. Both inputs on the R12 offer 48V Phantom Power for condenser microphones.

Activate the fully customizable click track with the press of a button. Use the click balance section to blend the metronome with your playback audio and route to your headphones and/or the main outputs.

The R12 also has 18 FM synth instruments built in that can be played by plugging in a MIDI keyboard via USB-C or programmed using the touchscreen.

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Specs

-Inputs / Outputs:
-Inputs: MIC/LINE (mono) 2
-Outputs:
- Master OUT 1
- Phones 1
-Inputs:
-MIC/LINE (MONO):
-Connectors: 2 XLR/TRS combo jacks (Balanced, XLR: 2 HOT / TRS: TIP HOT
-Input Gain: +6 ~ +50 dB
-Input Impedance: XLR: 3.9 k TRS: 3.9 k/1 M (when Hi-Z ON, INPUT 1 only)
-Phantom Power: +48 V (switchable separately for INPUTS 1 and 2)
-Equivalent Input Noise: 121 dBu or less (IHF-A) at +50 dB/150 input
-Frequency Response: 1.0/+0.5 dB: 20 Hz 20 kHz
-Outputs:
-Master OUT:
-Connectors: 2 TRS phone jacks (balanced)
-Maximum Output Level: +14 dBu
-Output Impedance: 200
-Phones:
-Connectors: 1 stereo 3.5mm mini jack
-Maximum Output Level: 45 mW + 45 mW (into 32 load)
-Output Impedance: 10
-Recorder:
-Maximum simultaneous recording tracks: 2
-Maximum simultaneous playback tracks: 8
-Recording Format: 44.1kHz, 16/24-bit, mono/stereo WAV
-Recording Media:
432GB cards compatible with the SDHC specification
641TB cards compatible with the SDXC specification
-Track Settings:
-EQ:
-High: 10 kHz, 12 dB, shelving
-Middle: 2.5 kHz, 12 dB, peaking
-Low: 100 Hz, 12 dB, shelving
-Pan: L100 R100
-Effects:
-Input Dynamics: Comp/Limiter/Gate
-Patch memory effects:
3 types can be used simultaneously
50 patch memories
Guitar Lab supported
Can be assigned and used as an insert (input) or send effect
-Dedicated Send Effects: 10 types of spatial effects
-Tuner: Chromatic/Guitar/Bass/Open A/Open D/Open E/Open G/DADGAD
-Click (Metronome):
-Time signatures: 3/4, 4/4, 6/8
-Tempo range: 40.0 250.0 BPM
-Time signatures: 3/4, 4/4, 6/8
-Rhythm Loops:
-Sound source format: PCM
-Number of Loops: 150
-Synth:
-Sound source format: FM
-Polyphony: 8
-Number of sound types: 18 (and a PCM drum kit)
-Display: 2.4" (320240) full-color touchscreen LCD
-USB:
-Connector: USB Type-C
(Note: Use a USB cable that supports data transfer. USB bus power is supported. )
-Audio Interface Function:
2-in/2-out or 2-in/2-out (iPad)
USB 2.0 Full Speed
44.1 kHz, 16/24-bit
2-in/4-out
USB 2.0 High Speed
44.1 kHz, 16/24-bit
-Mass Storage Function:
-Device: USB 2.0 High Speed (5 V/200 mA power supplied when host)
-Guitar Lab Connection: USB 1.1 Full Speed
-DAW Connection (Control Surface): USB 1.1 Full Speed
-Mass Storage Function:
-Host: USB 2.0 High Speed (5V/200 mA power supplied)
-USB MIDI Keyboard Connection: USB 1.1 Full Speed (5 V/200 mA power supplied)
-Power:
-Batteries: 4 AA (alkaline, lithium, or rechargeable NiMH)
-AC adapter: ZOOM AD-17 (5V/1.0A)
-Estimated Continuous Operation Time Using Batteries:
During playback with +48V off and 32 headphone load
-Alkaline batteries: about 5 hours
-NiMH batteries (1900 mAh): about 5 hours
-Lithium batteries: about 11 hours
( The above values are approximate. Continuous battery operation times were determined using in-house testing methods. They will vary greatly according to use conditions.)
-Power Consumption: 5 W maximum
-Dimensions: 256 mm (W) 158 mm (D) 61 mm (H)
-Weight (including batteries): 827 g

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging
Base Item: Shipping Weight: 2.4 lbs; Shipping Dimensions: 13 x 7 x 3 in; Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): ZR12

Documents and Manuals

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 631-542-5270
Email: info@zoom-na.com
Web: https://zoomcorp.com/en/us/contact/

Reviews

(2 ratings)

Submitted November 2, 2022 by a customer from yahoo.com

"Great sounding recorder, but…"

Overall:

(see rating details)

Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.

I have previously owned the following zoom products: MRS 12cd, PS 04, R16, H2, H2n, H6Zoom has made some real strides in sound quality, preamps and conversion, while hamstringing themselves by losing features. The R 12 is a great example. Recording mandolin, banjo, guitar and vocals, I’m pleased with the sound of my tracks using an EV RE 20 and a Triton Audio Fethead. However, this R12 will never take the Place of a DAW. There is no auto punch feature. The way effects are applied to individual tracks is limited. Drum beat selection and BPMs area even more limited. I like the touchscreen, but if you are older than 3yrs, it’s hard to be precise enough with your fingertips to maneuver through the menu without occasionally making the wrong selection. I may buy a touch screen stylus to see if that helps. If Zoom had simply taken a clue from the R 24 feature set and updated the preamps, AD/DA conversion, and headphone amp, you could make very good recordings ITB. My advice is to buy this recorder if you are looking for a portable way to get some tracks down outside your studio and then bring them into your DAW for mixing. The battery life and USB power options make the R12 very useful in that way. If you want to replace your DAW, better luck next time.

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