Zoom HD16CD Multitracker

[Munsterduane]

This Recorder is a very well laid out recorder with easy to follow instructions. Getting started was a breeze for even a newbie such as myself. With 16 tracks and the ability to record with up to 8 tracks at once,its sure to satisfy lots of peoples needs to record bands live. For myself I sing in a southern gospel quartet using sound tracks. To record I just simply rip the soundtrack with the easy to follow procedure and then laid down the vocals. I put my lead vocals on then had the guys come over and i put theirs on.The Zoom has lots and lots of options some of which I probably wont use, amp modeling, mixing and mastering capabilities, lots of effects for vocals and guitar, drum samples to no end, the ability to import files, the ability to import other samples that you like. Phantom power on two inputs, Hi Z on two inputs. I did a lot of searching and digging and for the money I wanted to spend it was by far the best option for me. Im not saying there arent other good trackers out there but with the deal I got it was an easy buy. For a complete list of the capabilities and options on this machine just go to Zoom and check them out and go to the reviews found elsewhere and you'll find they are a great deal. It also came with Cubase LE4 which Im just beginning to learn and seems like a good option if you dont want to do your mastering and mixing on the Zoom. Which I understand might be good for those who have the Computer recording background. I would love to hear from those who have the machine and what their experience has been.

[Louanton]

The Zoom HD16CD is a pretty capable machine considering the price. I have yet to master all its advanced features, but recording is relatively straight forward. Basically,I have trouble with the post recording process: adding effects to a particular track that's already recorded is not that clear. Any suggestions?

[Bass88]

*****Pasted from another thread****************************** Hi I am new here, I tried recording with my PC and Cakewalk for a while but found that I could not get past the glitches, constant upgrading, competition with the wife and kids for computer time etc. I just wanted to come home from work and press the red button!

Because of the daily, multiple computer challenges to overcome before I could record I decided to buy a Zoom hd16 and this is my first day actually recording and testing the thing out.

so far I love it (still lots of learning to do)

Maybe I'm giving up versatility but now at least the playing (recording?) field is consistent!

So if anyone has any advice (other than return the unit)......let er rip!

[Bass88]

I Agree Louanton, I cant seem to apply the effects to the tracks properly, when I select an effect the Zoom applies to the track (lets just say guitar track) inquestion as it should, but if I try to apply the effect to the bass track the machine removes the effect from the guitar and applies it to the bass.

This way I can only get one effect on one track at a time except for the reverb and delay which the Zoom processes separatly.

The manual does not seem to adress this issue in particular nor does it say you can have more the one effect on multiple tracks simultaniously????!!

Other than that I am thankful to be off of the computer based recording nightmare.

Bass88

[Louanton]

Bass88:
I think that I've got basic recording down using the Zoom HD16CD. By this I mean that when you start a new recording, you can use the 8 track recording button and record multiple tracks simultaneously say: the drum, guitar and vocal. Then you shut off the 8 track recording button and record new individual tracks one by one. When you've completed most of the recording, sometimes you want to add an effect to the bass to make it raunchier or make your vocal deeper. I can't find how to add an effect at this point.

I totally agree that the Zoom is much easier to record on than through a computer program. However, I did upload the songs from the zoom to my computer as wav files to edit using Cubase....that didn't work right. I downloaded other programs such as Reason and a few others and finally got a beta copy of Audacity. The editing of a song using Audacity was very simple especially automating volume levels during parts of tracks. Muting or erasing parts is also a breeze.

Lou

[Bass88]

Thanks lou! I have been able to apply an insert effect on an individual track after it has been recorded using "shift" & "insert effect" but only one per song.

I think bouncing with the new effect may be one "work around" for this.

I blew several K on computer based recording until I got tired of the treadmill. I realize that the zoom hd16 will be surpassed in a year or two but who cares it works!! With the computer I woke up to a new problem every session.
The issues we face with this unit are minor when compared to audio latency, cpu overload, drop-outs, driver conflicts, inexplicable sound card failures,

So far I really like the Zoom HD16 freckles and all! I was recording within 1 hour of turning on the power!

Bass88

[route66]

Well you are all doing better than me. I can't figure out from the manual how to multi track recording; still don't have the punches working right. I sure wich there was a better manual or video so I can see if I am really going to use it or move on.

I tried to use the recorder as a monitor system for 3 of us to use headphones and rehearse; couldn't figure that out. I know I did this on my old 80-8 years ago.

Anyway keep the comments coming as I sure need the help.

[johnxxx]

Yo, I joined this forum so I could decide between computer recording or multi-track standalones. Hmm.. the Zoom hd16 sounds pretty good .. for the price, and the learning curve. I have a BOSS BR8, old and t-rusty..but it can only record 2 tracks at a time. My question! How does the HD16 deal with 8 simultaneous tracks?? The band wants to know! Thanks, J

[Munsterduane]

well John xxx ive never used 8 simultaneous but i have used 3 and had no probs at all and as far as the computer recording programs of which i have several inever had the time to frig and frig and frig to get them to work or keep them working. The Zoom you power it up set it to record and go to work. The manual is a bit of a struggle at times but with a lil experimenting it all comes together.The only thing i do on the comp is to run it thru a program I have there to help out the level. I use the maximizer mastering program on the zoom and it gives me what i need. Editing is a lil tedious without a big screen to look at the file but you get used to it and its ease of recording makes up for the tediousness of the editing. but I enjoy it and learn something new everytime i use it