Item Reviews for:
Subject
If you record, GET THIS!!
Toekneesee from Auburn, ME, USA
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
VERY well constructed. The only exception being the SD card situation mentioned above.
Features
What do you consider to be the best features of this product? What features would you add to this product if you could?
I love all of the features - from the way there is no shutdown sequence that you have to remember before shutting down the unit to the effects, to the meter bridge to the drum machine to the sampling capability to the adaptability/versatility of it being a stand alone unit or DAW control surface.
Ease of Use
How easy is this product to use? How easy is the product to use with other products? Did it take long for you to learn to use this product? Was the manual helpful? How playable do you consider this product to be?
Within 15-20 mins, I was recording using the on-board drum machine, the effects on guitar that made it sound like a wall of Marshall stacks, and a bass sound that was full and rich ... all with just plugging in direct!! It doesn't get much easier than that, folks.
Sound
How is its Tone?
I think the sound is exceptional considering its tiny size and price point. I've had friends who attend university for recording ask me how I master my recordings ... a lot of times, I don't! One of my more hyper-analytical audiophile friends was blown away at the radio quality recording I was getting ... PRE MASTERING!!
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
I've had this for about 6-8 months and with only one glitch that was corrected by switching out to a new SD card, this unit is super reliable.
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
My ONLY complaint is that the memory is SD oriented. The least little quirk seems to corrupt the SD card. However, I'd rather whatever quirks only corrupt an SD card than to have the entire unit crash, like what happened repeatedly on other units I've owned. I'm VERY, VERY, VERY satisfied with this unit. Its portable; has 8 XLR inputs that also accept 1/4"; built in meter bridge; on-board effects; on-board mastering; DAW control capability; ... LOTS of bang for very little buck, comparatively. Like I said in my subject line ... GET THIS!!
Subject
Zoom R24 Controller and Interface
ndanyi kayugira from Roseville, CA
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
Looks good and sturdy
Features
What do you consider to be the best features of this product? What features would you add to this product if you could?
Computer interface is great
Ease of Use
How easy is this product to use? How easy is the product to use with other products? Did it take long for you to learn to use this product? Was the manual helpful? How playable do you consider this product to be?
Real easy/intuitive
Sound
How is its Tone?
Sound is good but could do with a little more brilliance
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
Had it only for a short time
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
Does exactly what it says it should do
Subject
WOW
Demetrius (MAVEN) from Asheville NC
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
The faders could have been a litle better but look at the price. You will NEVER find all of the features and ease of recording anywhere else. I hated ALL zoom products and they have redeemed themselves.
Features
What do you consider to be the best features of this product? What features would you add to this product if you could?
If you are a guitar player you will ove the design capabilities for sound. No more amps to lug around, no more pedals. You can do virtually anything you want for sound with this box. the tuner options are awesome and maybe will finally teach some of the "guitar gods" about tuning and alternate tunings...they are spot on. The mix section is incredible...no more guess work and running back and forth between stereos to see if sound is right. I do wish they would have included a cd burner. It is the biggest draw back to the whole system.
Ease of Use
How easy is this product to use? How easy is the product to use with other products? Did it take long for you to learn to use this product? Was the manual helpful? How playable do you consider this product to be?
The manual is little vague at times. The one feature i do not like is the selection from the d pad, It gets tiring at times. I am a degreed sound engineer with 30 years of playing and recording under my belt and own a studio so trust me if you want to do some serious recording on a budget this is the deal.
Sound
How is its Tone?
incredible
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
Get a padded bag to protect it. I do not think it would stand up to a drop over a foot.
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
It is really an amazing recorder although I wish the mics that are built in were protected better than the plastic they are housed in. Looks great and sounds great.
Subject
For the price, DO NOT pass this up
dlcoggins from Auburn, CA, USA
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
Dont worry about the comments about "it is made out of plastic". It is very durable. Those people that are concerned about it being made out of plastic should learn to take care of their equipment and not just toss it into the car when they are done.
Features
What do you consider to be the best features of this product? What features would you add to this product if you could?
for my recording needs, this thing does it all. Not sure what else I would need to add as it seems to have way more settings, adjustments, FX, than I'll ever be able to figure out how to use properly.
Ease of Use
How easy is this product to use? How easy is the product to use with other products? Did it take long for you to learn to use this product? Was the manual helpful? How playable do you consider this product to be?
The Zoom R24 Recorder was all plug n play. hooked it up, turned it on, plugged in mikes, pa, etc into the inputs and recorded my first studio gig with no difficulty at all. Installed the Cubase LE 5 software on my laptop, used the supplied configuration template for 8 channel simultaneous recording to my laptop and it all worked without having to fight anything. Worked first time right out of the box.
Sound
How is its Tone?
It sounds great when playing thru my PA from the output lines, it sounds great as a USB audio device for my laptop.
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
I know how I treat my stuff so I'm figuring the unit will last me for as long as I want to use it. I've only had it for a few weeks. I figure if the electronics last longer then the warranty, then it will last me for as long as I need it.
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
This device has it all. I'm so glad I purchased it.
Subject
ZOOM!
DPJR from Kissimmee, Florida
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
Eh, its plastic, but pretty well built. I'm sure it will hold up for years.
Features
What do you consider to be the best features of this product? What features would you add to this product if you could?
I love that it can be used as an interface. Would not add anything just take away the pads. To me useless.
Ease of Use
How easy is this product to use? How easy is the product to use with other products? Did it take long for you to learn to use this product? Was the manual helpful? How playable do you consider this product to be?
Zoom is great and not to compilicated to use. Just got to take the time to figure it out. The manuel is like a book but it gives you some good walk throughs. For my first multi-track recorder I'm pleased.
Sound
How is its Tone?
Pretty good sound, better than what i was used to hearing.
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
Months in and its only obtained a few light scratches from multiple moves.
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
Great product.
Subject
Ok for the price you pay.
Brandon D - Pro Live Engineer from Orlando, FL. USA
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
Seems well made so far, I like that its metal for sure.
Features
What do you consider to be the best features of this product? What features would you add to this product if you could?
I use this as an interface, working good so far. Mic Pre are nice and queit. A feature I wouldn't mind having is a LINE PAD on the channels would be helpful for drum recording.
Ease of Use
How easy is this product to use? How easy is the product to use with other products? Did it take long for you to learn to use this product? Was the manual helpful? How playable do you consider this product to be?
Seems to be pretty easy to use so far. Download the updated drivers and Firmware, because ZOOM does try to get it up to date and good.
Sound
How is its Tone?
Sounds pretty clear
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
n/a
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
Definitly a good buy so far, I bought mainly for a Interface for my recording software but now I have bands asking for live recording so maybe I'll plug that in to the direct outs of my A&H GL2400 live console to see what it can really do. Its NICE to have that option
Subject
24 track recorder for $499, what more can you say.
David McKay from Mesa, Az
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
As I said, I handle my equipment like I'm handling a sheet of dried sand that's ready to crumble at any moment so I don't know how it handles under normal stress. If taken care of it should last many many years; definately until something else takes its place.
Features
What do you consider to be the best features of this product? What features would you add to this product if you could?
Obviously having 24 tracks makes life easy, no having to bounce tracks to add more instruments/vocals. From prereading the manual I thought that tracks would be limited since, when using the drums, each stereo drum phrase is assigned to 2 tracks. If you have 6 or 7 differnt drum phrases there goes 12 to 14 tracks. However once those phrases are assigned to tracks and the sequence is set up those can then be easily bounced down to a pair of tracks leaving 22 tracks for vocals/instruments. The auto punch in/punch out was a breeze to use and sounds seemless. If your looking to do any track editing the Zoom is very limited. However if you're just laying down tracks with auto/manual punch in/punch out fixes then your in business.
Ease of Use
How easy is this product to use? How easy is the product to use with other products? Did it take long for you to learn to use this product? Was the manual helpful? How playable do you consider this product to be?
I read the manual online before I received the product so when it came it was very easy to use. Some menus are less intuitive to find but after a couple of uses there's no problem. Overall, ecording tracks and coming up with a finished product is quick and easy.
Sound
How is its Tone?
Great. However I did have a problem with 60hz hum when I hooked up any of my accoustic/electric or electric guitars. I had the same problem when I tried a Zoom recorder 15 years ago. It is solvable by hooking up a house ground to the unit. The manual says to secure it to a screw in the back. I didn't have much luck with that so I ended up using the outer ground of a phone plug plugged into one of the unused channels and tied that to earth ground. (Make sure you know what your doing if you try that). The hum was completely gone; quiet as a mouse.
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
SD cards are a nice touch over hard drives for reliability (although I haven't had a problem with my Boss 10 track hard drive). I've owned the Zoom for about 6 months. I bought a soft case for it and I treat it very carefully so I'm probably not the one to comment on how durable it is under normal circustances. Though the sliders and buttons seem like they will last.
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
I would recomend this to any wanting 24 tracks, drum track backing and effects for an unbelievable price.
Subject
Good but lacks some features
rob from mass
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
had it for a montha nd hasn't stopped yet
Features
What do you consider to be the best features of this product? What features would you add to this product if you could?
I like teh 8 track recording it makes it easy to record a band and have every instrument recorded in rteal time
Ease of Use
How easy is this product to use? How easy is the product to use with other products? Did it take long for you to learn to use this product? Was the manual helpful? How playable do you consider this product to be?
It was easy to hook up to my laptop and after about oan hour of tinkering i got it to work. but thins is my first DAW product so it will probebly take you less time to hook up.
Sound
How is its Tone?
Decent, i would recomend using a n outside effects processor
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
hasn't stopped wiorking yet
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
Goiod but it lacks a food switch.
Subject
Great bang for the Buck
Tim S. from Lansing, MI
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
great quality, it was recommended to me (I was skeptical) and it has not let me down, will look at other zoom products when buying again.
Features
What do you consider to be the best features of this product? What features would you add to this product if you could?
ease of use, and amount of features
Ease of Use
How easy is this product to use? How easy is the product to use with other products? Did it take long for you to learn to use this product? Was the manual helpful? How playable do you consider this product to be?
once we got past registration, it was quite user friendly
Sound
How is its Tone?
the sound is great, fantastic playback, (you'll need powered speakers or mixer)
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
so far so good
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
we haven't used all features yet, and the only issue we had was having wav and midi files differ from the laptop and the unit. It took some time to get them to understand each other even once we updated the software after initial installation
Subject
Awesome Control Surface
Robert W Ehman from Charleston WV USA
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
Well madde has metal casing.
Features
What do you consider to be the best features of this product? What features would you add to this product if you could?
You do not have to plug in the power if you use the USB to computer!!!
Ease of Use
How easy is this product to use? How easy is the product to use with other products? Did it take long for you to learn to use this product? Was the manual helpful? How playable do you consider this product to be?
Easy to use. Install Cubase LE5(included) to computer.Just plug the vocal and guitar mics in. I connect it to my computer with the USB cable. Hit record!!!
Sound
How is its Tone?
Clear as a bell!!!
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
Had it a short while now.
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
Awesome and durable!!
Subject
Songwriters DREAM!
Kenneth Lasseter, kennethlasseter@yahoo.com from Boston GA
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
Very well! I expected a lot less for this price! Glad I was surprised!
Features
What do you consider to be the best features of this product? What features would you add to this product if you could?
It is so portable and easy to work with! It sounds so natural and clean! I love the built-in mics! They sound as good as my Zoom H2, and it is perfect! So easy to get ideas down fast and clean. Ease of monitoring wet, while recording dry. Simple.
Ease of Use
How easy is this product to use? How easy is the product to use with other products? Did it take long for you to learn to use this product? Was the manual helpful? How playable do you consider this product to be?
I gave it four stars on the ease of use only because the drum looping takes some figuring out. The recording side of this is TOO EASY!
Sound
How is its Tone?
It is natural and clean! Mic simulators are great to my ears! Stereo mics on acoustic guitars... heaven...
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
Only had it a month, but the knobs, switches, and faders feel solid. No hard drives to break!
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
Where has this been all my life!? I love it! It is a "10" in my book!
Subject
I'm in love.....
Dennis Anderson from Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
I think this unit will satnd the test of time. It is incredibly small and thin for how much power it packs. Made of a hard plastic coating, but it feels very strong. Buttons and Faders and strong and smooth.
Features
What do you consider to be the best features of this product? What features would you add to this product if you could?
THE BEST: 24 tracks, looping capabilities, ease of use, quick navigation, oh did i say 24 tracks?
Ease of Use
How easy is this product to use? How easy is the product to use with other products? Did it take long for you to learn to use this product? Was the manual helpful? How playable do you consider this product to be?
Very easy to operate, functions are logical and within an hour i had recorded 12 tracks, EQ'd effected, mixed and mastered.
Sound
How is its Tone?
Great sound, crystal clear, plus the effects package has Zoom Noise Reduction which I have always liked.
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
Not sure yet, only had it 2 weeks.
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
The R24 is ALMOST perfect, but as for a bang-for-buck rating, this recorder stands alone.
CAVEATS: The R24 does not have MIDI capabilities. The R24 does not have digital inputs or outputs, only 1/4" TRS outputs. Other than those two things, this unit is perfect for a home musician studio.
Subject
No MIDI?!?!
Mikey from Chicago
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
Plastic stuff, so be careful. Zoom gear has been hit/miss with me. You decide.
Features
What do you consider to be the best features of this product? What features would you add to this product if you could?
One serious flaw is the lack of MIDI jacks. What were you thinking, Zoom??
Ease of Use
How easy is this product to use? How easy is the product to use with other products? Did it take long for you to learn to use this product? Was the manual helpful? How playable do you consider this product to be?
Easy to use, with or without the manual.
Sound
How is its Tone?
Sounds great.
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
N/A
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
It's just an average piece of gear. I feel it's not quite finished yet due to the lack of MIDI.
Subject
No competition at this price...
Mac from New Hampshire
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
I believe the design is near to flawless. Construction is all plastic, so if I buy a travel case for it, it will be one with lots of padding. Zoom products seem to hold up well. I've owned a number of them.
Features
What do you consider to be the best features of this product? What features would you add to this product if you could?
24-bit recording, 24 track, w/onboard drum sampler, USB 2.0, very small foot print (extremely portable), nice drum samples, and no hard drive to fail? All for $500??? Hard to choose among a bunch of great features!
Ease of Use
How easy is this product to use? How easy is the product to use with other products? Did it take long for you to learn to use this product? Was the manual helpful? How playable do you consider this product to be?
The manual is adequate. Luckily, the interface and controls are pretty intuitive. Within an hour I was recording my first tracks.
Sound
How is its Tone?
Fidelity is very good (24-bit at 48.1 kHz)
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
Too new to tell.
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
Zoom hits one out of the park again