I'm using zoom r8 for all my analogue recordings...like guitars, ukulele, vocals, effects and all the samples. Then I edit these tracks in cacewalk. Then I posted back into Roland verselab back and then I do rest... As all this machines are good for something you can not do all the thing in one device... Well manual will say you can.. but for example building drums will take at least have an hour while in roland 5min.. Same with samples... Chopping... Quantization... Cleaning... Etc.. Zoom machines are perfect for quick recording and laying basic tracks... You just grab the thing plug guitar or mice hit record..and off you go.. No track arming, selecting inputs, plugins, interfaces.. Just 3-4buttons and Go. It takes less than one minute to grab the thing plug something and hit record... In the same time you gonna wait for loading your Windows and DAW. Time is matter.
Hey thanks for sharing, what a cool workflow. You got that verselab on the job, must be really fun and you have minimized the computers to keep the flow going.
I've been doing a lot of research about this topic too. For me the best portable option is Tascam DP-03SD but it's only 16 bit depth so not ideal for fully mixed and mastered albums. My overall top 3 choices for home dawless recorder/mixers under $750: Tascam Model 12, Tascam DP24SD/DP32SD, or Zoom R24. I value a good number of combo jacks inputs, sound quality, ease of use and features. ✌️
Yes you got it right. Many months after making the video I still enjoy the tascam DP-008ex the most. Sketch out ideas and don’t worry too much about bit depth. Model 12 is taking me a lot of time to get used to for many reasons. I imagine the DP-24SD would be great if you have a nice sized table to house it. And yes I read a lot of people prefer zoom r-24 to r-20 after the 20 was released.
Long time DAW user, just bought a R20 and updated to 3.0. So far, so good. iPad interface just released makes it easier to use and gives Zoom a platform for upgrades not possible on the unit. Would like to see: 1. Midi sync. 2. Pinch in, punch out. You can do that on the fly but no footswitch option. 3. Channel assigns so you don’t have to keep moving the mic input around. 4. More time signature options, not just the basic three. 5. Naming tracks. 6. Editing on iPad. Can only see full track view, no track editing from iPad. 7. Midi patch uploads for more and better sounds. No onboard grand piano, only EP’s. 8. Quantization. 9. Reverb and level control for global, all tracks, on mix down. 10. Have to choose between limiter, compressor or noise gate for each track. Only one can be used. It’s a great sounding machine at 24 but but it falls short of a “complete” DAW in a box. Zoom knows how to do all of the above and needs to add these features to make it close to a complete or DAW replacement recording station.
I currently have a Boss BR-600 and BR-800. Very capable. In fact, I have been looking at older BR-series (CD and VS series) where people have replaced the hard drive with a compact flash. Like you, I am very interested in the Zoom R20. Why? The screen and being able to see and work with the WAV forms. I almost pulled the trigger but have decided to wait. I read some people having issues with the screen and build quality. And, I'd like to see next level midi device integration. So I hope the Zoom R20 sells very well and prompts Zoom to make a second generation unit or a competitor like Boss to see and come out with their own model. This is the future. Lately I have been looking at used Zoom R24 and R8s. One of the goals of my little home study is to minimize the time to record. That means having things hooked up and ready to go. I can see having the Zoom R24 on an under-desk keyboard sliding shelf with all the hook up (guitar, mic, keyboard, drum machine, etc.) ready to go. My 2 cents. Enjoyed the video.
Thanks for watching! I ended up returning the R20 rental and I echo your statement about how it should ideally sell well and encourage an improved product. Overall it will be very good as a sketchpad but it’s just too slow compared to running an iPad or iPhone with an adapter. I will post a follow up and I am trying the LiveTrak L-12 this week. The boss series had very good workflows but with older gear the likelihood that they interface with newer operating systems keeps decreasing. I imagine the 800 still connects fairly well.
@@efnbrg I attempted to buy a used R24 today. The seller said he is keeping it as the R20 he bought is missing many features for him. (The screen feature is nice he said.) Among the R20's short falls he noted are drums on the R24 can change the tempo. The drums on the 20 are fixed tempo. The 24 has eight 1/4 jacks the 20 has two. The 24 can do looping, the 20 can't. "And many more functions on the 24."
yes it does have time stretch for any loop but it looks like work, which is not what people want to do when they change the tempo of their track. and yes i was a little baffled by the 1/4" jack situation. did you look at tascam dp24sd as well?
@@efnbrg Yes and the dp32 as well. People seem to like them. You know, I like having SPDIF too and some of the old Boss BR/Roland VS stuff has SPDIF connections. Provides additional options with some of my other studio gear. I never buy new gear. I'll go get older gear that has decent workflow and produces great home studio quality.
My Tascam DP-008EX has been my best buddy this past year but I have started to notice a level of signal degradation, especially from sound sources with low end like bass and synth. Even with conservative input levels some of the notes sound fried or raspy. I'm not sure if that's due to a cheap preamp, 16bit depth, or what but it has me looking to upgrade. Thanks for this info!
yes it's outdated compared to what you're hearing in today's audio interfaces but that's what makes it a bit of a gem for the bedroom. you might like dp-24, but this video needs an update because i went with a model 12 in the end. i enjoy the quality of it but there are some issues with gain structure that make it hard to gauge volume levels in some areas but overall it's a great centerpiece to the studio room. thanks for your comment.
I just wanted to add that I have since learned that I was not making use of the compressor settings on the inputs of the DP-008EX. Taking a moment before recording to engage some level of compression has helped with the issue I explained above. However, there's still a noticeable noise floor to all my recordings that really grates me and makes me want to look at upgrading before making recordings for mastering. That's what brought me back here. Any updates on your time with the Tascam 12?
Yes I’ve seen a lot of people pick the R8 for this reason. I had rented one a long time ago and I just didn’t like the sound of what was being recorded/played back
@@efnbrg Hi, I enjoyed the video and reading the attached comments. I've been looking at upgrading from an R8 to the L20 or H8. So far this has talked me out of it. The Tascam DP24SD although tempting could be overkill for what I do. Elliot, what are you using?
@@BrendanBoyd Hi BJ glad to hear it was useful. Yes L20 and H8 will give you barebones multitrack work with little flexibility for assigning which track your instrument will get recorded to. I am using the Model 12 lately but I honestly prefer the DP-008ex because it's more like a traditional multi-track. What I do like about the Model 12 is it becomes a soundcard and control surface for the computer (I use Ableton Live) I would like to try the DP24SD but I agree it looks overkill and takes up a lot of space. I wish Tascam would update the DP-008ex to be higher quality sound and some upgrades to how it writes files to the SD card, because it's an older unit by today's standards.
Yes it’s so true. There have been a number of times I thought the recording wasn’t that good because of extra noise and you play it on the PC and everything’s fine. Thanks for the comment.
Im trying to use the r20 as audio interface with my iphone. To record videos live with the r20 audio. I have the apple cable with usb-c one side and the other classic iphone down center input (used mainly to charge, but now been used as audio input too). I already used with my pc and and the audio was recorded but with some problems that i though was my need to learn and ajust the audio input and configuration. the cable is a apple usb c. when i record at the iphone, there is no r20 audio, only iphone audio as always. You already tried record with iphone?
hi do you have a camera connection kit or a similar dongle? I recommend using. Also what app are you using to record with? I have not done r20 with iPhone but I did try the Zoom H8 with it.
@@efnbrg hi ! im trying record just my videos, with no app, the r20 straight to my iphone. witch camera kit do you recommend? i dont knew i needed that
@@fromthestreets00 it's something like this but be warned that i had bad luck recording audio into the Video app on iOS with my focusrite soundcard as there is no control over the buffers. Lots of clicks and pops. But recording on Aum was better because it's a proper audio recording app. In this setup your R20 becomes a typical audio interface. www.amazon.ca/Lightning-Adapter-Charging-Connect-Keyboard/dp/B0BJ2D3V88
@@fromthestreets00 no unfortunately. i once did a test where it can record audio while the video app is running, but that's just insane because you'd have to sync up the audio later on
Had the Zoom R 20 a few days just returned it. Seems like it can be alot better with some updated firmware. Im just sticking with the tascam Model 12 for now.
Hey there, I'm curious why you were looking at the R20 if you already have the Model 12? Is it because you can't do much with the tracks once it's recorded on there (such as editing)?
Actually to do more editing i would have to send the wav files of the Tascam Model 12 to a daw etc... However the Zoom R 20 got my attention with the touch screen but it just wasnt my cup of tea being it had no midi sync and the looping wasnt what i expected. Maybe with some firmware updates it may get better.
@@PPM820 yes exactly, using an ipad with a $20 adapter to your interface you can get a very robust multitrack editor situation going on (just a lot of extra cables unfortunately)
Hey dude I have an H4n zoom pro and I have a hydra synth I want record. I wanrt make sure about connecting the 4 track with the synth. I have not recorded in 2 months and I'm freaking out
Hey there what is the issue? You are looking to use 1/4” cables and you set the input on h4n to be like level as opposed to the mics. Should work great!
@@efnbrg Thanks Elliot, I'm a 4 track guy from 30 years ago. and the gap from tascam to several daws that are not stable to a digital 4 track. is quite overwhelming. there great when they work. but if your not a tech guy it is a night mare. my last daw was FL studuio. that update and the tech are not very helpful.
@@craigcaudill3999 yes each system has pros and cons. On the tascam DP-008ex I can record quickly but I just have a quiet metronome as a backing track. On GarageBand there is a simulated drummer plugin but I have to load up my distracting computer to get there. Might be helpful to watch a video on H4N multitrack mode and line ins.
the zoom R-20 is useless to me as a home dawless machine---- It doesn't even have 'punch in/punch out'.....it also doesn't let you listen back to your mixes that you produce. Absolute waste of time... I took mine back after one day..... never expecting these major flaws------ Keep or get an R-16 or R24 ---- much better units
yeah i know the lack of punch in is a mystery to me since it could be arranged ahead of time using the screen interface so people would have to hope that they add it later in firmware which is always a gamble.
"There are latency issues on every device... it's the science of sending signals, there's always latency." No. Analog devices have no latency. Zilch. None. Mic -> Analog mixer -> Analog Tape -> Back to mixer - > headphones = 0 latency. No latency. None.
Yes this is correct I should have mentioned that but I was only thinking about the signal flow on digital recording devices. Thanks for highlighting this point 👍
are yuou saying ...... that it wasnt just my imagination that my old Tascam w/cassette was actually a better sounding recording than my tascam dp08 ....it does seem the old cassette model got a bigger roomier sound.
I'm using zoom r8 for all my analogue recordings...like guitars, ukulele, vocals, effects and all the samples. Then I edit these tracks in cacewalk. Then I posted back into Roland verselab back and then I do rest... As all this machines are good for something you can not do all the thing in one device... Well manual will say you can.. but for example building drums will take at least have an hour while in roland 5min.. Same with samples... Chopping... Quantization... Cleaning... Etc.. Zoom machines are perfect for quick recording and laying basic tracks... You just grab the thing plug guitar or mice hit record..and off you go.. No track arming, selecting inputs, plugins, interfaces.. Just 3-4buttons and Go. It takes less than one minute to grab the thing plug something and hit record... In the same time you gonna wait for loading your Windows and DAW. Time is matter.
Hey thanks for sharing, what a cool workflow. You got that verselab on the job, must be really fun and you have minimized the computers to keep the flow going.
I've been doing a lot of research about this topic too. For me the best portable option is Tascam DP-03SD but it's only 16 bit depth so not ideal for fully mixed and mastered albums. My overall top 3 choices for home dawless recorder/mixers under $750: Tascam Model 12, Tascam DP24SD/DP32SD, or Zoom R24. I value a good number of combo jacks inputs, sound quality, ease of use and features. ✌️
Yes you got it right. Many months after making the video I still enjoy the tascam DP-008ex the most. Sketch out ideas and don’t worry too much about bit depth. Model 12 is taking me a lot of time to get used to for many reasons. I imagine the DP-24SD would be great if you have a nice sized table to house it. And yes I read a lot of people prefer zoom r-24 to r-20 after the 20 was released.
Long time DAW user, just bought a R20 and updated to 3.0. So far, so good. iPad interface just released makes it easier to use and gives Zoom a platform for upgrades not possible on the unit.
Would like to see:
1. Midi sync.
2. Pinch in, punch out. You can do that on the fly but no footswitch option.
3. Channel assigns so you don’t have to keep moving the mic input around.
4. More time signature options, not just the basic three.
5. Naming tracks.
6. Editing on iPad. Can only see full track view, no track editing from iPad.
7. Midi patch uploads for more and better sounds. No onboard grand piano, only EP’s.
8. Quantization.
9. Reverb and level control for global, all tracks, on mix down.
10. Have to choose between limiter, compressor or noise gate for each track. Only one can be used.
It’s a great sounding machine at 24 but but it falls short of a “complete” DAW in a box. Zoom knows how to do all of the above and needs to add these features to make it close to a complete or DAW replacement recording station.
This was helpful
I currently have a Boss BR-600 and BR-800. Very capable. In fact, I have been looking at older BR-series (CD and VS series) where people have replaced the hard drive with a compact flash. Like you, I am very interested in the Zoom R20. Why? The screen and being able to see and work with the WAV forms. I almost pulled the trigger but have decided to wait. I read some people having issues with the screen and build quality. And, I'd like to see next level midi device integration. So I hope the Zoom R20 sells very well and prompts Zoom to make a second generation unit or a competitor like Boss to see and come out with their own model. This is the future. Lately I have been looking at used Zoom R24 and R8s. One of the goals of my little home study is to minimize the time to record. That means having things hooked up and ready to go. I can see having the Zoom R24 on an under-desk keyboard sliding shelf with all the hook up (guitar, mic, keyboard, drum machine, etc.) ready to go. My 2 cents. Enjoyed the video.
Thanks for watching! I ended up returning the R20 rental and I echo your statement about how it should ideally sell well and encourage an improved product. Overall it will be very good as a sketchpad but it’s just too slow compared to running an iPad or iPhone with an adapter. I will post a follow up and I am trying the LiveTrak L-12 this week. The boss series had very good workflows but with older gear the likelihood that they interface with newer operating systems keeps decreasing. I imagine the 800 still connects fairly well.
@@efnbrg I attempted to buy a used R24 today. The seller said he is keeping it as the R20 he bought is missing many features for him. (The screen feature is nice he said.) Among the R20's short falls he noted are drums on the R24 can change the tempo. The drums on the 20 are fixed tempo. The 24 has eight 1/4 jacks the 20 has two. The 24 can do looping, the 20 can't. "And many more functions on the 24."
yes it does have time stretch for any loop but it looks like work, which is not what people want to do when they change the tempo of their track. and yes i was a little baffled by the 1/4" jack situation. did you look at tascam dp24sd as well?
@@efnbrg Yes and the dp32 as well. People seem to like them. You know, I like having SPDIF too and some of the old Boss BR/Roland VS stuff has SPDIF connections. Provides additional options with some of my other studio gear. I never buy new gear. I'll go get older gear that has decent workflow and produces great home studio quality.
@@Fezzler61 Yes I'm looking to do some videos looking at features found on older portastudios. More specifically they almost always had midi sync
My Tascam DP-008EX has been my best buddy this past year but I have started to notice a level of signal degradation, especially from sound sources with low end like bass and synth. Even with conservative input levels some of the notes sound fried or raspy. I'm not sure if that's due to a cheap preamp, 16bit depth, or what but it has me looking to upgrade. Thanks for this info!
yes it's outdated compared to what you're hearing in today's audio interfaces but that's what makes it a bit of a gem for the bedroom. you might like dp-24, but this video needs an update because i went with a model 12 in the end. i enjoy the quality of it but there are some issues with gain structure that make it hard to gauge volume levels in some areas but overall it's a great centerpiece to the studio room. thanks for your comment.
I just wanted to add that I have since learned that I was not making use of the compressor settings on the inputs of the DP-008EX. Taking a moment before recording to engage some level of compression has helped with the issue I explained above. However, there's still a noticeable noise floor to all my recordings that really grates me and makes me want to look at upgrading before making recordings for mastering. That's what brought me back here. Any updates on your time with the Tascam 12?
Why nobody is considering ZOOM R8 ???? Has 24 bit recording vs 16 bit on the DP-008EX !
Yes I’ve seen a lot of people pick the R8 for this reason. I had rented one a long time ago and I just didn’t like the sound of what was being recorded/played back
@@efnbrg Hi, I enjoyed the video and reading the attached comments. I've been looking at upgrading from an R8 to the L20 or H8. So far this has talked me out of it. The Tascam DP24SD although tempting could be overkill for what I do.
Elliot, what are you using?
@@efnbrg sorry, sir, but that sounds like complete and utter bullshit
@@BrendanBoyd Hi BJ glad to hear it was useful. Yes L20 and H8 will give you barebones multitrack work with little flexibility for assigning which track your instrument will get recorded to. I am using the Model 12 lately but I honestly prefer the DP-008ex because it's more like a traditional multi-track. What I do like about the Model 12 is it becomes a soundcard and control surface for the computer (I use Ableton Live) I would like to try the DP24SD but I agree it looks overkill and takes up a lot of space.
I wish Tascam would update the DP-008ex to be higher quality sound and some upgrades to how it writes files to the SD card, because it's an older unit by today's standards.
Mic preamp for the hiss,or send the wav file to DAW to eliminate back round noise
Yes it’s so true. There have been a number of times I thought the recording wasn’t that good because of extra noise and you play it on the PC and everything’s fine. Thanks for the comment.
Im trying to use the r20 as audio interface
with my iphone. To record videos live with the
r20 audio. I have the apple cable with usb-c
one side and the other classic iphone down
center input (used mainly to charge, but now
been used as audio input too). I already used
with my pc and and the audio was recorded
but with some problems that i though was my
need to learn and ajust the audio input and
configuration. the cable is a apple usb c.
when i record at the iphone, there is no r20
audio, only iphone audio as always. You
already tried record with iphone?
hi do you have a camera connection kit or a similar dongle? I recommend using. Also what app are you using to record with? I have not done r20 with iPhone but I did try the Zoom H8 with it.
@@efnbrg hi ! im trying record just my videos, with no app, the r20 straight to my iphone. witch camera kit do you recommend? i dont knew i needed that
@@fromthestreets00 it's something like this but be warned that i had bad luck recording audio into the Video app on iOS with my focusrite soundcard as there is no control over the buffers. Lots of clicks and pops. But recording on Aum was better because it's a proper audio recording app. In this setup your R20 becomes a typical audio interface. www.amazon.ca/Lightning-Adapter-Charging-Connect-Keyboard/dp/B0BJ2D3V88
@@efnbrg can i record vídeos with aum app?
@@fromthestreets00 no unfortunately. i once did a test where it can record audio while the video app is running, but that's just insane because you'd have to sync up the audio later on
Had the Zoom R 20 a few days just returned it. Seems like it can be alot better with some updated firmware. Im just sticking with the tascam Model 12 for now.
Hey there, I'm curious why you were looking at the R20 if you already have the Model 12? Is it because you can't do much with the tracks once it's recorded on there (such as editing)?
Actually to do more editing i would have to send the wav files of the Tascam Model 12 to a daw etc... However the Zoom R 20 got my attention with the touch screen but it just wasnt my cup of tea being it had no midi sync and the looping wasnt what i expected. Maybe with some firmware updates it may get better.
@@PPM820 yes exactly, using an ipad with a $20 adapter to your interface you can get a very robust multitrack editor situation going on (just a lot of extra cables unfortunately)
Ok nice thats an other option thanks man!
Is there a video, that enybody doing a multitrack record with instruments on zoom 20??? All the videos are talking about it
Hey dude I have an H4n zoom pro and I have a hydra synth I want record. I wanrt make sure about connecting the 4 track with the synth. I have not recorded in 2 months and I'm freaking out
Hey there what is the issue? You are looking to use 1/4” cables and you set the input on h4n to be like level as opposed to the mics. Should work great!
@@efnbrg Thanks Elliot, I'm a 4 track guy from 30 years ago. and the gap from tascam to several daws that are not stable to a digital 4 track. is quite overwhelming. there great when they work. but if your not a tech guy it is a night mare. my last daw was FL studuio. that update and the tech are not very helpful.
@@craigcaudill3999 yes each system has pros and cons. On the tascam DP-008ex I can record quickly but I just have a quiet metronome as a backing track. On GarageBand there is a simulated drummer plugin but I have to load up my distracting computer to get there. Might be helpful to watch a video on H4N multitrack mode and line ins.
the zoom R-20 is useless to me as a home dawless machine---- It doesn't even have 'punch in/punch out'.....it also doesn't let you listen back to your mixes that you produce. Absolute waste of time... I took mine back after one day..... never expecting these major flaws------ Keep or get an R-16 or R24 ---- much better units
yeah i know the lack of punch in is a mystery to me since it could be arranged ahead of time using the screen interface so people would have to hope that they add it later in firmware which is always a gamble.
"There are latency issues on every device... it's the science of sending signals, there's always latency."
No. Analog devices have no latency. Zilch. None. Mic -> Analog mixer -> Analog Tape -> Back to mixer - > headphones = 0 latency. No latency. None.
Yes this is correct I should have mentioned that but I was only thinking about the signal flow on digital recording devices. Thanks for highlighting this point 👍
are yuou saying ...... that it wasnt just my imagination that my old Tascam w/cassette was actually a better sounding recording than my tascam dp08 ....it does seem the old cassette model got a bigger roomier sound.