ZOOM HD16 Question

[cams0820]

Hey folks,

I bought a ZOOM HD16 a couple of months ago and so far it's been great. I have a question for the experts out there. I haven't had any problems laying down single tracks on tracks 1-8 and mixing down to the master tracks but how do you use tracks 9/10, 11/12, 13/14, and 15/16. Are they for bounce recording only? I've scoured the instruction manual but no luck. Apparently it either so simple they assume you know it or I'm just dumb. Thanks in advance for the help...

[uab9253]

You might try to post your question in one of the other forums. Many times they don't get seen here.

[cams0820]

Ok...thanks.

[Ruzz]

Originally Posted by cams0820

Hey folks,

I bought a ZOOM HD16 a couple of months ago and so far it's been great. I have a question for the experts out there. I haven't had any problems laying down single tracks on tracks 1-8 and mixing down to the master tracks but how do you use tracks 9/10, 11/12, 13/14, and 15/16. Are they for bounce recording only? I've scoured the instruction manual but no luck. Apparently it either so simple they assume you know it or I'm just dumb. Thanks in advance for the help...

I know nothing about the HD 16 - but I own both the 802 and the 1602... so this answer assumes the HD 16 has not changed anything in this regard.

On the 1602, there is a button marked 8TRACK RECORDING -

1 - when 8TRACK RECORDING is armed (lit up) the recorder has its 8 inputs (and it's 8 input selector switches) mapped directly to the first 8 mono tracks/faders. So input 1 goes to Track 1, input 2, goes to track 2... etc.

2 - when 8TRACK RECORDING is disarmed (not lit up) ...

a - any single input can be sent to any single track
b - any pair of inputs can be sent to any stereo track.

Example, arm inputs 3 and 4 and set track 9/10 to record.

That's it.

Hope this helped.

Ruzz

[cams0820]

Ruzz,

Thanks for the info but on the HD16 on tracks 9/10, 11/12, 13/14, and 15/16 there are no controls to regulate the recording like there are on tracks 1-8...how do you set the record level for those trakcs?

Thanks again,

Steve

[Ruzz]

In this example, your instrument is connected to inputs 1 and 2 and you wish to record onto tracks 9/10.

1 - Arm Input 1 and 2.
2 - Adjust Input gain control for inputs 1 and 2.
3 - Check [REC LEVEL]
4 - Set Track 9/10 to record. Adjust 9/10 fader for monitor level.
5 - Light fuse, stand well back

I just went to the Zoom site and read the manual online... and it works just like I described (in this regard, it's not very different to the 1608 - some stuff has moved around but it's essentially the same).

Read page 78 in the manual and you'll be fine.

Ruzz

[cams0820]

Great! I'll try that tonight and thanks very much for the help.

[scottmckone]

Its seems Im not the only one with "the bouncing issue". Here's a creative solution though - maybe with an advantage.

Record your 8 most important tracks - example, bass, drums (2 tracks) , 3 vocals and a couple of rhythm instruments. Take these 8 tracks and mix them as if your life depended on it. Burn this off on a CD (within the Zoom) and listen to it over a few days to come to a final decision on the mix. Remix and reburn as needed (if needed).

Once you have the perfect mix of the 8 tracks, start a new session
"TITLE phase2"

Load your stereo mix onto tracks 1 and 2 (should be no loss of quality as its digital info) and use the spare 6 tracks for your other / less crutial parts. Then mix this down onto a stereo master on the Zoom. I think this would eliminate a lot of mixing stress too.

I dont feel the mastering features on the zoom are too good. Invest in an economical (or expensive) mastering software for your PC. I use Magix Audio Cleaning, ($30) which has a pretty good EQ feature and if you use the compression tools tastefully, they will help. They also have all the fade features etc.

Load the CD digitally into your computer and tweak and polish to perfection.

I think the zoom unit is great but not perfect. Between its mixing board setup and computer polishing you should have great results. And up to 14 tracks to use.

Its an unconventional approach but maybe a wiser one. Hope this helps.