Computer recording and Zoom HD16

[underdog]

Hi All,

I have been looking to purchase an HD16, but I have one question: Can you connect the machine to a computer and record STRAIGHT TO the computer kind of like an audio interface, and be actively mixing with the HD16?

If not, are there any multitrack recorders with similar specs that can do this?

Thanks a lot!

[lespauluk]

I've got one but I'm not really sure....I know it can be used to control software as a DAW, is that the same thing?

Check out the vids on the American Zoom site here:

Samson - Zoom - HD16CD

[underdog]

Hey lespauluk,

Thanks for your response. I was actually thinking more along the lines of plugging the HD16 into a computer and recording audio signals straight into Cubase in realtime, for example.

[s80bob]

Hi underdog,

I just got the HD16 last week and read over and over the features and several reviews. No where have I read that you can use the HD16 as an audio interface. I don't think it routes its inputs through the USB for recording in the computer. Again, I'm a newbie and so my answer can not be definitive, but IMHO this can not be done.


BTW there are mixers on the market that have built in audio interfaces and therefore can do what you're talking about but they don't have local hard drives so can't record locally/internally. Alesis Multimixer comes to mind and I think Mackie (ProFX12 and maybe others, Onyx has firewire. I think ProFX12 can only route the two track stereo mix to USB) and yamaha also have these type of mixers (MW series).

Best wishes. Bob <><

[underdog]

Hey Bob,

You're correct. I was eyeing the Alesis series before I discover the HD16, but I do prefer having a standalone recorder in addition to the audio interface. The next Zoom model (R16) appears to encompass these features but it lacks the phantom power for all jacks, and you must use SD cards (which may be safer than hard drive - but it's all up to preference, right?).

I'm really stuck at the moment. I was looking to start up a project in August, but now I'll have to see what the competition has in store.

[gtaus]

I just got my Zoom HD16CD last week, so I'm no expert on the unit. However, I don't see anywhere that you can record directly to your computer via the USB cable (ref. manual page 161). To me, it's not an issue. I'd rather record directly to the HD16CD and then transfer the wav files later to the computer for additional work.

I also have a PreSonus FP-10 which is just an interface and is designed to send up to 8 simultanous tracks for recording on the computer via Firewire. I can daisy chain up to 3 units and get about 24 tracks at once. However, I've had a belly full of computer problems and decided to get the Zoom HD16CD so I can get back to recording instead of programming. I really like the stand alone feature of the Zoom, so I'll be happy to transfer the files to my computer whenever I need. To me, the Zoom is the best of both worlds with the ability to record by itself and also to work with the wav files on the computer for other effects if I want.

As for recording on SD cards, the Zoom has an 80 GB harddrive (250 hours), which is much larger than any SD cards I have seen. I won't knock recording to memory cards. My GNX4 has a Compact Flash card for recording and it works flawlessly. However, the GNX4 is limited to a 2 GB CF card which is 6.5 hours total recording time on that machine. I can't see myself recording 250 hours of anything in the near future, but each gig we play will be 8 tracks X 4 hours or 32 hours of track recording. So any memory card machine I would consider would have to be able to record at least that much time for my purposes.

No matter what you buy, it seems that in a month or two something better, cheaper, is on the market. Good luck.

[adam bomb]

working wav files to to the zoom later is the bset way to work i ve found.