Zoom R24 Multi-Track Recorder, Interface, Controller, and Sampler

Comments about Zoom R24 Multi-Track Recorder, Interface, Controller, and Sampler:

this is average rating.

tascam and others make Multi Track Recorders,but
they seem to have even MORE problems on basic recording...

use this as a recorder, it is ok,,,IF YOU NEED
all 8 tracks inputting at once, and if u need 6 of these as
condenser mics, yes...this is good for that,,,but
but
but
the Biggest prob for me is CONTINUOUS electronic noise
from the mic preamps.

if you use mics, ,,,ribbons, dynamics, or condensers,
u will have a good amount of noise...

IF you are recording LOUD music, not a huge prob...
but
if you are recording quieter stuff...ya.. u will hear the constant
hissssss in background, at about the same level of a good
cassette machine...using good tape.
mmm
i would call this a S/N ratio of roughly 65- 70 db...or so

it would have been better for zoom to INCREASE price by
50 bucks, or so...by using improved OP AMPS from their current
30 cents amps to those costing perhaps 2 bucks or so...
and
getting better resistors and other passive components...

if they had brought the S/N to even around 85 db or so...
omigod. woweeee.

i know in practice, manufacturing is not easy even for the japs...
but for them, it is Possible...albeit with increase of price.

so
if you dont mind the cassette type hissssss in back ground
at all times, this machine is still a good thing.

if you want to xfer files, for godsakes,take the freaking SD card out
and transfer to your laptop the normal way...with a card reader.

its possible to use with Reaper software and other DAW...
but that is not why you buy this recorder.
u can get cheaper boards for only DAW purposes..

the noise kicks in at all levels, even at 9 am...gets steadily more
and more...12 noon...for me, is already too much noise, and
around 3 pm position , is almost unusable...

compared with cheapie and mid price and a few high price mics,
ranging from 20 to 150 to 900 bucks...
all the same noise probs...

changing cables to higher grade helps a tiny bit only
waiting 10 mins before recording helps a tiny bit only

still, a useful experimental toy
that has come 10 yrs too late , in a half assed fashion
is yet better than nothing. eh

thanks

Comments about Zoom R24 Multi-Track Recorder, Interface, Controller, and Sampler:

That bad clock review was written days after I bought my R24 and I'm just discovering what they're talking about. I've now spent 4 months trying to figure out why when I'm at home just playing loops and recording nothing fits in my DAW. I loved this product at first, but now after trying to get it to just function properly I'm at an end. I replaced my Presonus Firestudio with this b/c it has more features and WOULD have been way better for what I do. Unfortunately, I traded a great piece of equipment for a [$] mistake. Zoom knows about this issue. Basically their response is "yeah, we're selling a piece of equipment that doesn't work. Good luck!"Additionally, 1 audio channel has already gone bad. I opened the box, set it on my desk and haven't moved it since and an audio channel failed on me. Really? What happens if I move it?The promises are great...but the product doesn't fulfill. DO NOT BUY!

Comments about Zoom R24 Multi-Track Recorder, Interface, Controller, and Sampler:

I found that the R24 is very easy to use as a stand alone recorder and to integrate with my computer. It would have been nicer to have a faster SD card. I did notice a difference once I purchased one. As for the price, I can't argue about the R24. I'm very happy with what it does for the price. I would recommend it to anyone on a budget.

Comments about Zoom R24 Multi-Track Recorder, Interface, Controller, and Sampler:

I bought this unit based on many great reviews and because of personal recommendation. Actually the recommendation was for the Zoom R16, but the R24 had so many features I wanted that I opted for the R24. It all looked great!
Then I started testing it and first thing I found was that the Gain knobs produced a lot of noise when adjusting gain. No biggy - for that kind of money I can live with noisy gain knobs.
The dealbraker for me came when I turned on the phantom power and plugged in a condenser mic. I discovered that there is a constant high pitch noise. I went to check out another R24 unit and discovered the same problem. The high pitch noise was not present on the R16 though.

All in all - I decided to return the Zoom R24. R24 is a feature packed unit - but id dissapoints on sound quality.

Comments about Zoom R24 Multi-Track Recorder, Interface, Controller, and Sampler:

There's so much potential in this product--it can do so much more than any other portable recorder at this price point--but it has a critical flaw that makes it absolutely useless to anyone recording audio for video (or anyone wanting to record accurate audio).

By way of explanation, here's an email I wrote to Zoom's support department:

"Hello,
I have a problem with my Zoom R24, and I'm hoping you can help me out. I bought the R24 to record audio during video location shoots (recording at 48khz on all devices, of course). But when I import the audio tracks to the video after the recording, I the audio and video go "out of synch" very quickly--after only a few minutes.

So I ran a test:
I recorded a digital metronome from my computer's DAW for about 20 minutes and sent the signal to the R24, and also to my new Zoom H2N, an M-audio Microtrack II, and to an external audio interface (a Pro Tools M-box) recording straight to my computer. Then I imported each recording and compared the waveforms in my DAW (Logic). I've attached some screenshots to demonstrate this. As you can see in the pictures, the R24 goes out of synch in just a few minutes. (You also can HEAR it going out of phase as clearly as you can SEE it.) Based on my measurements, it drifts at about 4.16 ms per minute. (The Zoom H2N also drifts a little, but NOT nearly as bad--after 20 minutes it was still in synch with my audio interface.) So in other words, the synch/timing drift problem on the R24 is very bad--much worse than any other device I tested.

However, when I use the R24 in audio interface mode (orange track in my pictures), I DO get accurate recordings.

I called Samson, and they told me to try a different SD card. I tried a Transcend 16GB card (TS16G-SDHC6), which is approved for use on the R24 and had the same problem. I also had this problem with the 1GB card included with the R24. Samson said my R24 might just be defective, so I returned it to the store and exchanged it for a new one. The new R24 has the exact same problem, so I think this might be an issue with all of them...

I bought the R24 to record audio for video shoots (as advertized uses on Zoom's website), but with this problem I can't rely on the R24. The most important thing is that I get accurate recordings--at least as good as the Zoom H2N can do. Does the R16 have this problem? If not, I might exchange it for an R16.

How can I we fix this problem? Could you fix this with a firmware update? (I'm currently running version 1.10.)

Thank you for your help and looking forward to your advice."

Here's Zoom's response:

"Thank you for your inquiry.
I'm sorry for the delay. We consulted to our engineer, and received reply from them. As a conclusion, it is a spec for the R24. It is concern with accuracy of crystal oscillator. Usually, acceptable range of the crystal oscillator is +/- 50ppm. Maybe we think that it is acceptable range, but we think that it is bad result. As the reason, the R24 is using chip of clock generator. And, the accuracy of the clock generator has brought this result. We adopted it for supporting standalone recorder and USB audio interface. In short, it is concern with hardware. Therefore, it can't fix with firmware updates. Then, the R16 is using same chip.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation."

I realize, of course, that I might be loosing something in translation, but it certainly sounds like there's a known hardware problem with the accuracy of clock generator on both the R24 and the R16. It's not clear what, if anything, they can or will do to fix it...

Comments about Zoom R24 Multi-Track Recorder, Interface, Controller, and Sampler:

I've been recording and playing music for years, but this is my first stand alone multi track recorder. Within 2 days, I have recorded 3 new songs. This little box is great. EXCELLENT sound quality at 24 bit.

As others have mentioned, it is not built like a tank, so I'd hesitate to treat it as truly portable, but the sound is excellent.

A couple of factors that may be important to others...

1. effects only work in 44.1 khz, not 48 khz
2. all effects other than chorus and reverb only work on one channel at a time

No more computers for me!

Comments about Zoom R24 Multi-Track Recorder, Interface, Controller, and Sampler:

Seems to work real well, the secret is to get good condensor mics to feed into it.

Comments about Zoom R24 Multi-Track Recorder, Interface, Controller, and Sampler:

This is a fantastic deal for anyone who is setting up a home studio. It takes care of a whole bunch of stuff all at once. As an audio interface alone, with eight pre-amped inputs, is worth the [$] it costs (I paid $400 on sale!). It's an easy to use multi-track recorder, the effects are OK, the pre-amps are OK, and as a control surface for the included Cubase,(an added bonus) it worked without a hitch. I dont care for drum-pads and such, but that's another story. All you need is a PC/Mac, a pair of monitors, and "Voila" there is your studio, without leaving you with a second mortgage! Ten years ago, this level of capabilities set you back several thousands.

Comments about Zoom R24 Multi-Track Recorder, Interface, Controller, and Sampler:

So far, I have used the R24 as a standalone recorder. The basic functions are easy to use, and the recording quality is quite good. I found the sampler a bit confusing. All in all, great unit, esp. given 24 channels, and would not hesitate to recommend it to a friend. The beauty of this unit is you can start standalone - take it anywhere - then interface to a DAW later. If you are coming from "old school" like a portastudio, this is a great transition product.

Comments about Zoom R24 Multi-Track Recorder, Interface, Controller, and Sampler:

Having gone from the simple 4 track portastudio to a Yamaha AW16 (a fine sounding machine with an interface that drove me nuts) to the hassles of multitrack computer recording, this is a refreshingly easy to use device to get your ideas or backing tracks done fast. Similar products limit you to 2 tracks or a more expensive & complicated recorder. It is light & portable enough to use on its own or in the studio with several inputs connected. It sounds very clean and the flash drive enables you to switch it off and not lose any data. Menus are kept a minimum. Have not yet tried the computer interface but without motorized faders, I see limited usefulness.
Wish list: no more short, skinny power cords, a bigger screen for us old guys, ability to play the drum pads live while listening to your tracks-seems you have to load them first, needs a "solo" function--firmware upgrade??