New with a Zoom MRS1608

[patrowles]

Ruzz and oldercodger,

Sincere thanks for the hugely helpful replies, guys. (btw, Ruzz, the backup.ini file issue was the thing wirld needed to sort out; he was posting in this thread about a year ago, so I'm not surprised it's not fresh in your mind! Oh, and AFM is what Zoom call it, too!)

We had a go last night, but my buddy apparently takes the term "project" too literally, and has defined the album as a single project rather than allowing one project per song! As a result, we didn't have enough CD-RWs to complete the backup (>2700 MB!), and those we did have gave write errors on the 802.

Still, I've installed the AFM software and have faith that the method is sound, so I can end my search for the USB interface on his behalf.

Thanks again!

[jstax75]

Hey all,
New to the forum and have found it very interesting and informative. Beginner's question for ya.
Soon I will be getting an MRS1608 without the cd drive or the USB card. I am looking for an inexpensive way to connect it to my laptop and/or an external hard drive. Is it possible for me to use this Iconnex portable sound card, [URL="http://www.ikey-audio.com/iconnex.htm"], or something similar. My ulimate goal is to be able to convert the wav files to mp3s and archive them on an external hard drive.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers!

[JIME]

Hi Guys,

New to this website - From Australia.

Just wondering if anyone can help me.

I am using effects while recording my vocals and what i am finding is when i am singing through the mic prepairing the track - my voice sounds great but as i press the record button the quality and and effect seems to not be as good.

The echo seems to disappear and voice sounds average.

Hope this makes sense.

Can anybody help?

[Can of worms]

1)Select effect.
2)Press input source button.
3)Scroll til it reads simply "IN" .
4)press exit and begin recording as normal.

This way you are placing the effect BEFORE the channel slider output and the effect will be recorded.

Hope that's clear.

[Ruzz]

Originally Posted by JIME

Hi Guys,
I am using effects while recording my vocals and what i am finding is when i am singing through the mic prepairing the track - my voice sounds great but as i press the record button the quality and and effect seems to not be as good.

The zoom can record wet or dry - you clearly have it set to record dry, where the effects are applied "after"... to what you hear, not what you record. This is usually what you want to do, but you can record wet if you want to...

It's in the manual some place - try WET in the index (or DRY). It's most likely in the UTILITY menu - but as always, RTFM

The echo seems to disappear and voice sounds average.

I'm afraid there's nothing anyone can do about sounding "average"

Rz

[JIME]

Thanks guys,

But...I have figured something else out which you might be able to comment on.

When i record my vocals on tracks 1 to 8 it seems like its very average, but when i record on tracks 9/10 11/12 ect it comes out fantastic! Is this bc its stereo?

I am happy with recording voice on 9/10 11/12 13/14 - is this recommended in the manual? It might solve all my problems if i read the manual but i really have no time.

I will also try as stated above - and see what happens.

Cheers, and thanks for your comments.

[Can of worms]

Yes,If the effect is a stereo one,it'll sound better on stereo tracks ie:9/10 than on a single mono track.

Regarding the manual.I'd definately set a bit of time aside to read it,don't try and absorb it all at once,just let it sink in for a while and as you assimilate the basic info,the rest should just drop into place as you form an overview of the machine.Try setting up a project that's purely for experimentation....Bouncing,copying,applying effects,moving and importing V takes,time stretching,reversing data etc...That way if you cock up,you don't ruin a proper song.

The 1608 has many drawbacks but it can be really enjoyable to use when you find out a bit about how to navigate it.

[JIME]

Thanks for your comments...I will set aside some time for the manual in the near future.

Ok now...Why is it, when i record my voice on the stereo tracks such as 9/10 11/12 ect...it sounds great via the ear phones but when i record it onto a CD and play it through a stereo it sounds average again?

And...when i record a specific lyric peice and then re-sing over it on a different track (to make that part more powerful) the quiality does not sound as good?

I might be asking for two much but just trying to work it out.

Apart from the MRS 1608 - what would you recommend in its price range which is a better multi-track recorder - with CD option? - Say $900 - under

Cheers,

[Paper Tiger]

Am I the only person that has serious issues with this machine?

Things were going fine for a month, until now. This machine has truly pissed me off.

I recorded 2 separate V - takes, one on drums, one on the piano - and things were going fine. However, while after working on the 3rd V - take, the machine decided to delete the first 3 seconds of the V take. ( this was after i spent a week perfecting it )

After it deleted the first 3 seconds, i was shocked, but tried to record over those missing 3 seconds, and did an auto punch in and out during those 3 seconds.

Afterwards, ALL the material was gone. I can still hear some feedback during the recording, but the violin part is ALL GONE.

Sometimes the machine says "Full" during a recording, even though there are plently of V-takes left. What does this mean?

I dont get this machine. Can someone help?

[guitarplayer2571]

Originally Posted by Ruzz

Yeah, cool huh?

You need the Zoom-USB interface installed in the Zoom - it's an "extra" but you may already have one, you may not.

Also, you can use the Zoom as a master controller (press play on the zoom and everything else "listening" will start playing) via midi/MTC etc.



Follow the manual - take it slow. Ensure you aren't seeing any Peak lights lighting up red.



Don't give up.



Yeah there's plenty to play with - in fact, I still use the 802 as a "pricey effects pedal"



Sure - but if the Q is likely to help others, perhaps you should double up with a post here too? After all... that's what the forum is for...

But yeah - PM me if you like and swap emails.

Ruzz

yeah i have the 1608 too and although i love it for recording guitar and bass and mixing the so called programmable drum and bass machine is about worthless unless you happen to be one of the guys that designed the thing! majorly complicated and the manual is very vague about how to program it. i wish they would write a book on just how to program the drum machine and make your own rhythm songs. lol