Insanely Cool Value - 3 Tools for the Price of 1.

You wanna talk value? The R16 is it. This thing does it all — it's a 100% computer-free recorder (built-in mics!), an all-out USB audio interface (with enough preamps to record a drummer, by the way), and then it works as a hands-on control surface for getting tweaky with your tracks after the fact. Whatever you feel like doing — tracking in your home studio, recording ideas at the practice space, holing away in your bedroom to mix/master/produce/perfect all your recordings... you can do it with the R16. It's made by the guys at Zoom who came out with the H2 handheld recorder which practically blew people away with its sound quality for such a sweet price. So, anyway, if you want to be ready for all sorts of recording needs & projects, the R16 is definitely the way to go.

Let's break this one down into its three functions. First up, it's a very slick standalone recorder. Just pop in an SD card (comes with a 1GB card, works with up to massive 32GB cards), then push "record" — that simple. Of course, you can plug your own mics and gear into the eight mic inputs, so you can get a more defined sound of everybody/everything you're tracking. At that point, you can either... 1. connect it to your computer via USB to transfer the tracks, 2. use the 100 awesome built-in effects to get a good mix right then and there, or 3. record more tracks... (you can record 8 at once and play back 16).

Decided to connect the R16 to your computer? You've got two options. As mentioned above, you can do that to transfer the stuff you recorded on SD. The R16 comes with Cubase LE4 recording software, so you can just use that to clean up, edit, or whatever. Plus, if you have gear connected to the R16, you can use it just like a regular USB interface. That way you can overdub on the stuff you already recorded, or build up your songs 100% in the studio. Can't beat that, really. The R16 works with Macs and PCs, by the way, so if you've got to work at a buddy's house from time to time, you're covered.

Finally, this powerful sucker works as a control surface for your DAW. You can use the faders on there to work on a real-deal mix in your software — definitely beats trying to grab tiny little faders with your mouse. You'll have a good sound in no time.

So yeah, that's it. Really great price for everything the R16 has going for it... regular SD recorder (like your old, easy-to-use 4-track or 8-track, you know), then it's a USB interface, then it's a control surface.... you get where we're going. Just get it.

Zoom R16 SD Recorder, USB Interface, Control Surface Features at a Glance:

• Gives you everything you need for on-the-go 16-track SD recording (8 tracks simultaneously)
  
• Built-in stereo condenser microphones for a one-button recording solution
  
• USB connectivity for file transfer or for straight-to-computer recording
  
• Eight XLR microphone inputs, so you can record an entire band
  
• Tons of built-in effects and guitar amp/effects models for polishing tracks
  
• Doubles as a hands-on control surface, so you can mix down tracks
  
• Comes with Steinberg Cubase LE 4 software so you can start right away
  
• Includes an AC adapter... can also be powered via batteries or via USB

Zoom R16 Specs: Simultaneous Rec Tracks 8 Simultaneous Play Tracks 16 Sample Rate 44.1kHz Bit Rate 24-bit Effects Yes EQ Yes (as effect) Compression Yes (as effect) Phantom Power Yes (2 channels) Number of Mic Preamps 8 Audio Interface Yes (+ control surface) Computer Connectivity USB Built-in Mics Yes, 2 Analog Inputs 8 x XLR/Combo Analog Outputs 2 x 1/4" Digital Inputs No digital I/O Digital Outputs No digital I/O Other I/O No additional I/O Storage Up to 32GB SDHC (1GB SD card included) +USB Flash Faders 8 + 1 master (fader/encoder) Fader Throw Short-throw Power 6 x AA, USB bus, AD-14 AC adapter Height 2.05" Depth 9.33" Width 14.8" Weight 2.87 lbs.