Zoom R4 MultiTrak

I've bought this to record output from HX Stomp when I'm practicing, with backing tracks, getting lessons so I have everything recorded or just saving some ideas right there..

For backing tracks, I play from iPad (connected to HX) to two tracks (stereo linking them), then bouncing, and then playing just the guitar. This way I have two separate tracks. I know I can use HX Stomp and iPad with Garage Band or equivalent, but since I'm using Quantiloop, I can't record like I want to on iPad, so it's easier with this device.

It's also cool that it can serve as a practice headphone amp. The headphones output is really clean, really sounds good. It has enough effects for practice, plus metronome/drums.

I like that it's got a screw for putting it on a stand, so it's always in the same place.

I've tested the microphone shortly against t.bone MB85 Beta, and can say that both sound good (to my ears, I'm not a singer btw). The built in one picks up much more from the room.

Next things I have in mind is to put MB85 in HX return (but I need an adapter for that) so I can loop vocals (like beatbox) and send looped signal in zoom.

Cons:
- Built in microphone doesn't play well with buttons because they're clicky, so you might get that recorded as well.
- It doesn't come with any protective bag for transport, which would be helpful. I know it's not on the product description, just what would be nice to have.
- For some reason, outputting TS cable (like a patch cable for pedals) from HX to output B on Zoom produces some kind of weird electronics sound. Good thing I have TRS->XLR so I run it like that from HX to Zoom without any problems.

Overall I didn't give negative points, all 5 stars for what you get. For anything bigger I already have a computer and 4 input Focusrite, if I need more I'll just get bigger sound card. But for simple plug and play recordings, this is awesome.

Edit:
I have one more thing to add, which is a tip, since I'm no audio engineer. Since this is using 32bit float, you might see that it's clipping. Now you might also see what's that about on pages 8 and 9 of the full manual (the one with 103 pages). Since it's clipping digitally, you need to lower volume and it won't clip. But then I contacted support and they told me to use Normalize feature, and it works better than lowering volume because, while you get the same "effect", you can see the waveform much better and not still peaked.

Got this recorder for one particular reason - I wanted to spend less time with my laptop every time I want to play/record some music, and this definitely worked! R4 may not have everything you need for full-scale professional production but it does have enough for jamming, recording sketches and demos.

There are numerous amps and effects, most of them sound fine. I really like reverb, tape echo, reverse delay and pitch shifter. Such effects can't be applied AFTER you record though (except for reverb and delay which are send effects), so you should choose the effects carefully before recording a track. Also amps/effects can only be applied to Input A (again, except for send FX) - that's why I took one star from features. And no looping functionality, unfortunately :(

Interface is pretty intuitive, especially if you used Zoom products before. However, with the small size comes some inconveniences. Buttons are small, and it's clearly not enough of them. I would really like a parameter wheel/knob instead of holding "+" and "-" buttons. But this is the price to pay for a small footprint. Sliders are fine.

32 bit float is a nice addition, and you can use this recorder as your audio interface (I even sold my old Scarlett 2i2). Built-in mic is surprisingly good, but it's omni (which isn't always handy) and I mostly use Sontronics Solo and Oktava MK-012.

Forgot to mention: this thing never glitched or anything like that.

Overall I'm happy with the purchase and would recommend it to anyone who is fond of music making.

Bought this to get rid of the PC for my songwriting. I am thoroughly impressed by it. The sound quality is very good.

The internal mic is omnidirectional and sounds really great. You can't really use it to record music in a production level capacity because it picks up noise from everywhere but for songwriting it is great you can place it anywhere an it will record well. The size is also just right. The preamps clean no noise. A little weak to power a shure sm57 properly without a fet preamp/cloudlifter but I can live with that. With condensers it should be fine.

The guitar amps are a little too bright and gainy but they are usable and you can adjust them to a degree. The Jcm 800 is particularly accurate. The bass amps and the effects i thought were nice.

The faders small with small travel so a little fiddly to micro adjust. But for songwriting and getting down ideas this is not a problem. I wouldn't use it as a production tool as the mixer is very rudimentary and difficult to get levels accurately, lacks a proper db meter etc.. But you can use it as an audio interface (in 32 or 24 bit mode) to write down stuff and mix properly on more advanced software. The only thing I find would be useful to have is an onboard speaker but hey at this price and size this is a non issue. Really great, powerful thingy, portable, lightweight and great value for money. I think they got this product just right.

Vorab: Mobile Rekorder sind etwas wunderbares. Mein Roland R-07 begleitet mich überall hin für spontanes Field Recording oder hochaufgelöste Aufnahmen von Proben. Der alternative und deutlich populärere Zoom H4n Pro ist klobiger, bringt aber mehr Features für Musiker und zwei XLR Kombibuchsen mit. Zoom dachte sich wohl, dass es für Hobbymusiker keine zwei Mikrofone benötigt, dafür eine deutlich einfachere Steuerung und massgeschneiderte Features für die primäre Klientel. Doch eins nach dem anderen:

Verbautes Mikrofon
Der R4 hat nur ein einzelnes Mikrofon an Bord, praktisch am unteren statt oberen Ende des Rekorders verbaut: so kann man beim Gitarrespielen den Rekorder vor sich legen und kann richtig herum auf das Display schauen. Die Qualität der Aufnahme ist nicht so gut wie mit den hochwertigeren H4n Pro oder R-07, insbesondere in den Höhen ist die Auflösung nicht so fein. Für einfache Aufnahmen reicht das aber aus, Eigenrauschen fiel mir bei bisherigen Aufnahmen nicht negativ auf.

Features
2 XLR Kombibuchsen, vier über physische Gainregler steuerbare Kanäle und eine für mobile Rekorder fast schon moderne Bedienung sind für den Preis schon gut, klasse ist aber ausserdem die Bounce-Funktion, die bisher im Overdub aufgenommene Spuren mit einem expliziten Button in eine einzelne zusammenfasst und die ersten drei damit wieder frei räumt, so dass man eine Spur nach der anderen aufnehmen kann (wohlgemerkt nicht parallel die externen und das interne Mikrofon). Die einzelnen Spuren finden sich im Anschluss trotz bounce einzeln auf der Micro SD Karte.
Der Rekorder bringt eine große Anzahl an Filtern, Effekten und Verstärker mit, ich selbst schließe nicht selten meine E-Gitarre an eine der Kombibuchsen an, Kopfhörer eingestöpselt und schon kann der Jam beginnen. Selbst der Klicktrack lässt sich mit unterschiedlichen Rythmen einstellen.

Verarbeitung
Der R4 ist recht leicht und fühlt sich nicht so wertig an wie der H4n Pro, die einzelnen Schalter und Regler machen aber einen guten Eindruck, alles in allem macht der R4 einen robusten Eindruck.

Fazit
Der Zoom R4 ist mit der Bounce-Funktionalität und den vielen Musik-Features ein toller Rekorder für Hobbymusiker, der für den Preis einiges mitbringt. Wer etwas für Sprachaufnahmen und Field Recording sucht, wird sicher woanders glücklicher.