Topic: Zoom R16 8 track recorder.....

[Walstib62]

It's the R-44 not an R-4, slightly different.  But even though the price is cheap I'm not in a position to spend even the $400 that this unit cost unless I sell something to fund it.  I could sell my R-44 and buy this and a 4 channel Preamp( Niaant Big Box in particular) and not have to spend any money. 

I know you don't want to spend any money but don't forget that you can use the R-44 to power 4 condensor mics and then use the line outs to send those channels to the R16. You wouldn't have to buy the Big Box unless you just like its preamps better.

Only way to fund the R-16 would be to sell the R-44.  I already have two preamps so buying the big box would give me a total of 8 channels of preamps if I wanted it.

You'd still be using running an analog signal to the Zoom preamps, though, right? That seems like more gear/batteries to deal with.

[Walstib62]

aaah, now I follow.
I know you can link two r44s, and you can do it w/two zoom boxes..., but I've never tried, nor do I know if there is even a time code I/O on the zoom.

one could always just get a phantom power source.  I think rolls makes a cheap one that does 4 or 6 channels.

I don't quite follow you. What are you saying?

[Nick's Picks]

you're goal was phantom power on more than two channels, right ?
outboard phantom box..., provides that for the other 6 channels if you want.

[Walstib62]

Actually, that was Kirk. But now I understand what you meant.

[cybergaloot]

I was worried that it would be a worthless Tonka toy of a recorder. I'll take Nick's word that it works well. It wont replace our typical field recorders and it wont replace a real studio full of high end gear, but it looks like it can do an acceptable job of multi-track recording for those of us who don't want to sink a ton of money into that end of things. We'll see what the IRS gives me back on my taxes and I may buy one.

[Walstib62]

I want to do more multitrack stuff because I have many opportunities to do so. However, there are other units out there, that cost a little more, that  in some cases offer a lot more. I'd recommend looking around some more before committing to this one.

[kirk97132]

That is why I am so interested in this.  I have the opportunity to do multitracks with a lot of stuff I see.  And I agree that there are other units out there but they are about three times the price point.  Even with the R-44 which I have you cannot use two together since the clocks cannot be locked together.  I think for the ability to pull a live multitrack( well 8 tracks ) that it's going to be hard to beat this unit.  Of course I'd love to have something like the SD 8 track or the Tascam 8 track or hell even a stack of HD=P2's all synced, but until I hit the powerball numbers it ain't happening.  For me lugging the extra pre's and batteries is not a big deal.  I can pull off 10 tracks if I really want to now but it involves four decks and a shit load of syncing in post.  I'd like to not have to sync things and just mix it down.   I wish you lived close Nick so I could come over and play with it. 

[kirk97132]

you're goal was phantom power on more than two channels, right ?
outboard phantom box..., provides that for the other 6 channels if you want.

Well yes basically, but I'd like to use a little higher quality pre in front of it and run the R-16 at unity. 

[Nick's Picks]

T  I wish you lived close Nick so I could come over and play with it. 

...if I had a nickel for every time I heard that.....: (insert follow up slam)

[kirk97132]

Well I guess if I'm going to load the gun AND point it the least you can do is pull the trigger

I downloaded the manual.  Sorta weak looking manual.  But after reading through it I am leaning a little more towards keeping the R-44.  I still want one of the R-16's but I don't feel a confidence in it yet.

[Nick's Picks]

the R16 only provides phantom to 2 of its 8 channels....so flush that notion.

You're not following what I was saying, by using the R-44 in conjunction with the R16 you get six phantom powered channels. Feed the line outs of the R-44 into the R16.

does the H4 have 4 analog outputs ?
or just a stereo output ?   
if just stereo, then that idea of 4 extra channels doesn't work.  you end up w/4 chans that will be summed and "unmixable" as a two chan stereo signal

[cybergaloot]

the R16 only provides phantom to 2 of its 8 channels....so flush that notion.

You're not following what I was saying, by using the R-44 in conjunction with the R16 you get six phantom powered channels. Feed the line outs of the R-44 into the R16.

does the H4 have 4 analog outputs ?
or just a stereo output ?   
if just stereo, then that idea of 4 extra channels doesn't work.  you end up w/4 chans that will be summed and "unmixable" as a two chan stereo signal

H4? I was talking about an R-44 which does have four line outs which can either set to output each channel individually or be set to sum the four inputs into just two of the outputs.

That's a great feature I've used a few times. I can set the R-44 to a sum stereo output and make a quick recording into my Zoom H2 for the band or have a patch for them if they have a recorder. And I have used the two channel outputs that come from the board to give another taper board access. That worked great at bear Creek where the other taper only had cables with RCA jacks when the board needed XLR's.

[Nick's Picks]

i'm having dual conversations between you and Kirkd (with the H4N).
I khow your cool w'the R44 and its output.

[cybergaloot]

i'm having dual conversations between you and Kirkd (with the H4N).
I khow your cool w'the R44 and its output.

You had quoted me, hence the confusion.

[kirk97132]

i'm having dual conversations between you and Kirkd (with the H4N).
I khow your cool w'the R44 and its output.

Actually I own an R-44 not the H4N