Best Zoom Multitrack Recorders, Reviews

Best Zoom Multitrack Recorders: Instantly transform any environment into a recording studio, create tracks without looking at your computer screen. Zoom makes a wide range of Multi-track recorders, including very compact models.

Introduction

Zoom portable recorders are compact and powerful recorders that easily records shows, interviews and more. These are commonly used by songwriters, singers, music bands and producers, and even journalists and lecturers.

You get flexible input and output options for any situation, lots of controls, have built-in audio interface & controllers, and many more features. Zoom’s innovative recorders now bring professional-quality audio to a consumer market.

Zoom’s multi-track recorders are portable (run on batteries) and are great for capturing live performances or a band rehearsal. Use them to record Scratch tracks or to overdub voice-overs in post-production.

Best Zoom Multi-track Recorders

Here are some of their best multitrack recorders.

Zoom H4N PRO Digital Multitrack Recorder

The new and improved ZOOM H4N PRO (update to Zoom H4n Handy Recorder) now records cleaner and is much clearer than before. Its packed with features that make it perfect for capturing audio for film, music, podcasting, and more. Its currently one of the best audio recorders used in field recording. [easyazon_link identifier=”B01DPOXS8I” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″]Check Zoom H4N Pro on Amazon[/easyazon_link].

• Pros: It has 1/4″ and XLR inputs with phantom power, 4 track recorder, acts as USB audio interface, several built in effects, tuners and metronome, playback speed control.
• Cons: The interface is a little clumsy and un-intuitive.

Features/Tech Specs:

• Four-track simultaneous recording. High-fidelity mic preamps, Built-in X/Y stereo microphones (adjustable between 90 and 120 degrees)
• Record up to 140 dB SPL with X/Y microphones
• Two mic/line level inputs with XLR/TRS combo connectors (use your favorite microphones)
• Stereo 1/8″ Mic In mini phone jack
• +24 or +48V phantom power for main inputs and Plug-in power (2.5V) via Mic/Line In mini phone jack
• Output/headphone jack with dedicated volume control
• New rubberized and ergonomic body, improved 1.9 inch backlit LCD display for easy operation
• Built-in reference speaker for fast playback
• Can record directly to SDHC and SD cards upto 32GB. Supports up to 24-bit/96 kHz audio in BWF-compliant WAV or a variety of MP3 formats
  WATCH: Video review of the Zoom H4N Pro Digital Multitrack Recorder.
  
  
• Internal mixdown: four-track to stereo and stereo to dual mono
• Built-in effects, including compression/limiting, low-cut filtering, modulation, reverb/delay and amp models
• Chromatic tuner and metronome
• Loop playback with user-defined start and stop points. Variable playback speed, Variable pitch
• USB port for file transfer to and from computer
• 2-in/2-out USB audio interface for PC/Mac computers
• Mounts to mic stand or tripod, or directly to DSLR with optional Hot Shoe adapter
• Runs on 2 standard AA alkaline or NiMH rechargeable batteries with up to 6 hours of operation (up to 10 hours in Stamina mode)
• Dimensions: 6.2 x 1.5 x 2.8 inches. Weight: 10.6 ounces.

There are many who consider this as a Mic in its own right. Although it has two condenser microphones towards the top, to record in stereo, many feel that the H4N pro recorder is better suited for field use or for recording basic musical ideas (rough ideas) than for serious music recording purposes in the studio (if its your home studio and you do not have anything else, by all means use the H4n). This unit is built for users who want to record in the field using a handheld device.

Overall, the Zoom H4n Pro is a great hand-held recorder with features more than anyone will ever use actually. Most importantly, it is portable and versatile. In short, it’s a great product in a small package.

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Zoom R16 Multitrack SD Recorder Controller and Interface

The Zoom R16 Multitrack is basically a portable, battery-powered studio-in-a-box. It easily and instantly transforms any place into a 16-track recording studio. You get 8 inputs for connecting mics, instruments, and line-level devices, with built-in high-sensitive stereo microphones. You may also use the R16 as a DAW control surface (with physical faders) or as an 8-input audio interface.

16-channel playback, 8-channel simultaneous recording. USB interface and control surface. 48V phantom power available on 2 tracks 135 types of digital effects available for recording, mixing, and mastering. Eight balanced XLR-1/4-Inch combination inputs.

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Zoom R8 Multitrack SD Recorder Controller and Interface

The Zoom R8 Multitrack recorder’s portability, design, and affordability makes it a popular product. Offers 16-track playback and 8-track simultaneous recording.It also has a a 2×2 USB audio interface and DAW control surface. Built-in stereo condenser microphones, Includes 1GB SD card and supports cards up to 32GB SDHC

Zoom R24 Digital Multitrack Recorder

The Zoom R24 is an excellent portable, battery-powered digital Multitrack recorder, that also includes a 8-in/2-out audio interface, DAW controller, and sampler/sequencer/drum machine. Has built-in high-sensitivity stereo condenser mic, Onboard phantom power with high-quality Mic preamps and vocal effects.

Zoom F8 MultiTrack Field Recorder

Great compact and lightweight multitrack recorder for filmmakers, sound designers, and production sound recordists. Its among the smallest eight-input field recorder you could lay your hands on. Time code with pinpoint accuracy. Dual SD card recording. Dual-channel recording.

• Essential Connections: 8-channel/10-track field audio recorder/mixer. less than -127 dB EIN, and +4 dB line inputs. Main inputs via 8 locking Neutrik Combo jacks. 8 high-quality, super low-noise mic pres with phantom power and 75dB of gain. Powerful headphone amp for monitoring in the field
• Professional Multitrack Recording: Record 8 inputs plus a stereo mix.
  Built-in processing for optimal audio. Redundancy = reliability. Zoom mic capsule input
• Essential Time Code Compatibility: Full time code support. Highly accurate sync. Rock-solid Time Code with 0.2ppm accuracy – I/O on standard BNC connectors; drop frame/non-drop formats with Jam Sync.
  Metering at a Glance: Full-color display. LED channel meters. Remote metering via iOS (Free Zoom F8 Control App for iOS allows wireless remote control)
• Flexible Power Options: Ready for DC battery packs, efficiently uses AA batteries . AC adapter included

Buying Options

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Zoom F6 multitrack field recorder

Zoom F6 multitrack field recorder records six tracks of audio at up to 32-bit float / 96 kHz or 24-bit / 192 kHz.
Six XLR microphone inputs with preamps, and can also serve as a 6-in, 4-out audio interface.
Camera tripod mounting, iOS wireless control, and flexible monitoring options (for filmmaking and all field recording applications).
Buy on zZounds

Zoom Recorders: Buying Guide

Zoom is a popular brand that makes a wide array of recording devices, including some excellent portable multi-track recorders.

A Zoom Digital Multitrack Recorder is a favorite tool among musicians and videographers (and anybody who wants a robust, portable yet pro recorder) because of its reliability and ruggedness. You can capture performances, song ideas, lectures, interviews and more, using this handheld recorder.

The top models serve as a great tool to use for live concert recording or for music production (mostly for scratch recording). If you are looking for a great audio for your video you should definitely consider this digital multitrack recorder. It is ideal for music making too and converts any environment into a home studio.

Improve your music creations/recordings by using built-in effects, including compression/limiting, low-cut filtering, modulation, reverb/delay and amp models.

These are better suited for field use or for recording basic musical ideas (rough ideas) than for serious music recording purposes in the studio (if its your home studio and you do not have anything else, by all means use one of these).

KeytarHQ Editorial Team

KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.