Description
Zoom R20 Multi Track Tabletop Recorder, with Touchscreen, Onboard Editing, 16 Tracks, 6 XLR Inputs, 2 Combo Inputs, Effects, Synth, Drum Loops, and USB Audio Interface.
From the manufacturer
A MULTI TRACK RECORDER THAT REDEFINES ‘EASY’
With a familiar touchscreen interface, the R20 makes it insanely simple to track, edit and mix your songs, letting you focus on the music.
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DRAG. DROP. PINCH. SWIPE. CREATE.Navigate and edit with ease, via the R20’s 4.3-inch color LCD touchscreen interface. |
COLOR-CODED FOR CLARITYImprove your workflow with color-coded faders, gain dials, and touchscreen track regions, making sure you are always adjusting the correct channel. |
PUT THE PIECES TOGETHERCut, copy, combine and loop. The R20’s interface provides intuitive editing. You’ll immediately feel at home. |
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SPICE THINGS UP!Polish your tracks and mixes with professional effects such as EQ, compression, and more. |
THE RHYTHM IS GONNA GET YA!30 genres, 150 rhythm patterns and song form variations, it’s hard to find a drummer this versatile. |
18 BUILT-IN SYNTH SOUNDSPlug in a MIDI keyboard via USB-C or use the touchscreen to add sonic textures with the R20’s internal synthesizer. |
BACKING TRACKSThe R20 can import and playback standard MIDI files allowing you to import bass lines, melodies, piano parts, and more. |
Rob Ahrr –
Basically an Updated Version of the Zoom R16I am a musician/producer who normally records at home but recently got an offer to play bass in a local punk band. We started talking about how we would record. I suggested we DIY it as opposed to going to a studio in town as it would save money and I’d do the engineering/production. While doing research on portable 8-16 track recorders I noticed Zoom had put out what looked like an updated version of their R16 unit. Because I had previously owned an R16, I decided to try this one out as $400 didn’t seem like a bad price for what it could do.The biggest update is the multi-color touch screen. The previous model had a single color screen displaying only words stating commands. I definitely appreciate they added a grid interface as it makes it far easier to cut, copy, paste and delete. Also, the multi-color gain knobs and faders coordinating with the color of the stems is aesthetic and practical.Another big change is the inputs themselves. The R20 now has only 2 1/4 jack/XLR inputs with the other 6 being strictly XLR whereas the R16 had all 8 as 1/4 jack/XLR. Also, phantom power can now be run on inputs 5-8. I would consider this a good but not necessarily great change.It should be noted that the power supply has a fastener that attaches between the plug and the power port so the power won’t be easily unplugged from the device.The software itself offers templates featuring drum loops for different genres and various sound settings for guitar, bass and vocals. This is all well and good but unneeded for me as I will end up transferring the files to my desktop and editing in FL Studio. Truth be told, there are a lot of features in the Zoom software I will likely not use for the aforementioned reason.The only real problem I have with this device is how lightweight it is. Some people might find that to be a good thing but for me, light plastic is far less durable than metal. That means you have to be EXTRA CAREFUL with it so no open drinks or placing it somewhere it can be stepped on or knocked over. Otherwise, game over.If you don’t own a laptop but still want to record your practice sessions with your band, the R20 pretty much fills that need. Just keep it away from your clumsy bandmates (unless you’re the clumsy one).EDIT: I forgot to point out that unlike the Zoom R16, the R20 has NO BATTERY OPTION so that ad they show of the bass player making the goofy face playing outside in the middle of a park where power outlets are not easily found may be misleading. Despite this, I’m still mostly good with this product.EDIT as of 12/24/21: I have run into a rather annoying issue with the multi-track interface of the Zoom R20. Previous to what I am about to describe which is happening, the R20 and FL Studio were working great with no problems. A few days ago when arming one of the channels on the virtual mixing board in FL Studio with any of the inputs for the R20, the sound automatically muted itself – when I disarm the channel, the sound comes back on. I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling the R20 drivers, shutting off all of my sound drivers except the R20 one and checking my settings on FL Studio. I am highly certain this is an issue with the R20 or it’s drivers as I plugged in my Focusrite Scarlett Solo with FL and had no problems whatsoever. I’ve sent an email to Zoom regarding this issue and hope we can figure out a solution because this will affect the rating of this review.Update as of 5/10/22: No word from Zoom, no firmware updates on the Zoom company website regarding the aforementioned issue as far as I can tell so… we go from 4 to 2 stars.Update as of 12/14/22: Lost my power adapter so I called the company and asked if I could buy one. The person I talked to said they’d send one for free which to their credit they delivered. I’m improving the rating to 4 stars because at least their customer service was accomodating.
Ernie Leblanc –
No ”Bad Command or File Name” bull-sheet stopping me from layin’ down MUSIC TRACKS Now!!!!!I Love It! – No more ”Bad Command or File Name” bull-sheet stopping me from layin’ down MUSIC TRACKS Now!!!!! ***** My Review has been edited to meet the AMAZON’S Communist, Fascist, Lennonist, Marxist, Socialist Politically Correct Bull Sheet!!!!!
Mark Chen –
Use it as if you are walking on thin iceI’m keeping this because I have a rather sizable confidence in being careful. It has the functions I required, but it’s also traps after traps. The limit of recording length at 1350 bars is incomprehensible, and tricked me on the very first recording. It stopped the recording unceremoniously. The touch screen requires 1 in a million dexterity to operate. All in all, don’t rely on it to be foulproof, rely on yourself.
Victor Lima –
Perfect for home recordingI use it for home recording. Works well, and its easy to use. The screen could be bigger, but most of the time, i use as a usb interface.
Steplander –
Missing logically necessary features and advertised iOS app.Having owned the R8, I purchased this as an “upgrade” and because it is advertised to have an iOS integrated app.It is not an upgrade nor did they release the iOS app. I purchased it bundled with the BTA-1 only to find it’s a useless accessory. No app to connect it to!More disappointments; metronome only has 4/4, 3/4 and 6/8. (Really?)No punch in/punch out pedal or punch in/punch out settings. (Sorry… wish I could say I could do it all in one take, but I do need the ability to punch in and out.)Also missing that is included on the R8;Battery powerDrum machineWav file format importOnboard mics.Jog wheelSo… sadly; Not an upgrade.If you’re looking to record your band on separate tracks LIVE or record something like a podcast, maybe this is a good solution? But, as a typical home studio songwriting production DAW?; IMHO; not at all.
Soulfuljim –
Great for keeping things simpleI had to update my review below. The firmware updates have caused major problems. Tracks are dissappearing! Don’t buy at this point.This works very well for me. Mostly because it doesn’t require me to use a laptop for recording. It allows you to record multiple tracks and do most editing right on the unit. It seems a bit cheap unfortunately, but it does work fairly well.
Glen Ervin –
Not there yet (not even close)I don’t typically buy the first generation of any new product but made an exception as the new R20 seemed exceptional. It’s not.Bugs include…1) All Faders (Channel and Master) allow sound to bleed through even when fully off.2) Touchscreen does not respond smoothly; I have to struggle to repeat commands even after cleaning screen, washing hands, etc. Other command (pinching to shorten or lengthen the display and sliding to move up, down, left and right) are ignored or cause problem #33) Repeated struggling with the touchscreen has caused me to delete tracks on multiple occasions — tracks that CAN’T BE RECOVERED4) System locks up (crashes) when using the Recording/Playback Header to return to 0001.15) Track buttons are VERY difficult to engage. I find myself repeatedly pressing them to get them to work6) Will NOT import WAV files, even after speaking with Zoom support, meaning I can’t import drum loops or reference tracksNote: Zoom Customer Support, while not all that (they make a lot of excuses rather than offer real solutions) did send me a new unit; other than more agreeable track buttons, the new unit did NOT correct the problems.I’m told a new update is coming, but NO ONE is saying when, so…
Lee Blanton –
Touch screen/SD cardI was looking for a multi-track recorder to get back into recording. The Zoom R20 has checked all the boxes I was hoping for! Easy to start a project, easy to add tracks and easy to take the SD card and load tracks on my laptop and from there easy to get the sound and mix.The touch screen functions are great and color coded inputs and track display are more reasons to love it.
Preemo –
a great addition to my workflowI love it!
Marcio –
Amazing recording toolVery good recording tool! Easy to use with the touch screen! It is very simple to import/export wave files into the device or into a PC. Really made me want to record more. Little bit smaller than the zoom r16. Very portable.