Zoom R8 8 Track SD Card Recorder Interface and Controller

Product Information

Sequencing is done either by creating drum hits in the on-screen timing grid using the control wheel, arrow keys and Enter button, or by playing the touch-sensitive pads situated below the faders, letting 'quantisation' move errant beats into place. Of course, simply selecting preset patterns and arranging them is another option. It comes with editing software that you can use with the device connected via USB and this machine also works as a USB audio interface.To power it, you’ll need either 4 AA batteries or to use the included DC adapter. USB: Mini-B type (USB2.0 High-Speed compatible)] Audio Interface / Control Surface or Mass Storage Class operation

Of course, most potential customers will already have other gear, whether it's a MIDI controller, sequencer, effects processor, audio interface or microphone, and therefore won't use the R8 so 'completely', but being able to carry one thing around, rather than lots of separate bits of kit, is an attractive prospect. Get RhythmOther Functions: Punch-In / Out (Manual, Automatic), Bounce, Marker, A-B Repeat, Undo / Redo, Metronome

Set up to 100 markers and directly move to them whenever you want. Also, use the A-B repeat function to play or re-record a designated interval and use auto punch-in and punch-out for efficient editing. The sequencer is very usable given the small screen size ! Very practical if you only want to record your bass line for the chorus once for example. I wouldn't use it for anything finer grained than that, though you can sequence down to bar level if you really want too. Once hooked up to a PC or Mac via USB, the R8 functions as a computer peripheral, and in such a state its data can be ported into a DAW to await further work. (A 'lite' version of Cubase is included for anyone not already in possession of suitable software.) Certainly useful as a musical sketchpad, the R8 is also capable of producing polished demos and can double up as a guitar practice tool by using the amp sims and playing along to the onboard rhythms.Alternatively, you can program automatic punch-in and out points. If you want to record a gig on location, or perhaps an acoustic guitar, the onboard mics do a pretty good job. The R8's Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port allows WAV-format audio files recorded on the R8 to be sent to a computer smoothly and rapidly. Use the R8 with a computer for additional music production, including editing with DAW software, creating original CDs and importing WAV files. If you want to create a solid foundation for your song you can use the onboard rhythm machine or sampler, or a combination of both. For the purposes of testing the R8's own recording abilities, I worked up a demo song I'd been meaning to for some time, and was really pleased with my results. Zoom must surely have cut costs somewhere in the design, but no matter what they have done in this respect, it is still possible to get great-sounding recordings from this little device. Not quite studio quality, perhaps, but not a million miles away from it. When recording vocals, I was able to find a suitable limiter from the range of options, and for my guitar and bass there were plenty of good-quality effects to choose from. Even the standard rhythm sounds are pretty usable, although this is understandable, given that Zoom have long history in manufacturing stand-alone rhythm machines and effects processors. The R8 can also control transport functions for your recording software as well as mixing functions via its faders. In use

The drum machine part is easy to use with intuitive, light-up buttons and the knobs on this device are easier to navigate through than on some other devices. It does cost a little more, though. It also functions as an audio interface and can be connected to software via a USB. The USB also provides bus power, saving you from using the six AA batteries required to power it on the go.The R8 can be used as a control surface for DAW transport functions (play, record, stop) and mixing operations. Through a USB connection, you can control the transport and mixing functions of major DAWs such as Cubase, Logic, and Sonar from the R8. In addition, you can easily move multiple faders at the same time. No more mixing with a mouse! The R8 makes mixing a pleasure. SAMPLER Built-in microphones: Omnidirectional condenser microphones / Gain: -50dBm to +4dBm continuously variable Many also include drum machines, samplers, and simple mastering effects. Buyer’s Guide – Key Considerations Complexity