Agreed; it’s a fantastic deal from my perspective! The main reason is the 10-channel audio interface – there really isn’t anything at all under $500 with 10 analog inputs (actually built into the device and not requiring an ADAT expander), and very little under $1000. The closest thing would be the TASCAM Model 12 at $600.
At half the price and a quarter the size of the TASCAM, the Zoom is pretty much in a category all its own. 1010Music and TE pioneered a sort of niche category here, but the “synth-focused, portable mixer with built-in multitrack recording and audio interface” concept was crying out for something in between that niche and a regular mixer, and now it exists.
They probably looked at it straight from a multitrack recorder in the sense of a tascam, where people usually record 1-2 ins at a time and have playback of the recorded lines, bounce them, mix them.
From that perspective this is weak. But they also ignored all the features that this does have.
Would I love more of those r12 features here, like a hybrid? For sure. Would I pay 500 for it? Probably not.
Checked Thomann:
Recorder that can do more on the arrangement side but are severely limited on inputs:
Tascam dp-006 (6 channels, 2 in, no phantom power, no midi) , no EQ, has microphones (stereo), 170€
Boss 8 channels 2 ins , some effects and stuff, has rythms, 200€
And obviously the r12.
And all of them are Menü Diving galore on bad tiny screens. Does help in a pinch, but feels more like an in between step while finishing in a draw.
This does bring me to one point I’ve seen on Reddit:
No punch in.
If I recorded a party and want to lay over a synth tweaking performance, I can’t do that, Nd can’t play the other performance back to be in sync.
This thing definitely needs just a couple tweaks in the software. Heck, use the usb outs for that if needed but let us at least listen to the master recording of an older take while we’re recording a new one.
L6 wins during the performance if you just need to mix and record other sources.
Blue box Winn’s if you wanna add already recorded stuff or do anything after the session with it.
LZ utility tool to enable you to perform with multiple devices and then finish the session later in a draw.
Blue box a faux daw that you have during performing your session.
Midi sync is definitely a win for the Blue Box! I wonder which feels nicer to use and performance friendly. I’m assuming the Blue Box is built just as solidly as the Black Box, felt really nice to use, built like a tank. I hope the L6 doesn’t feel horrible and plasticky.
Blue box costs a lot more (almost double)
Needs a lot of adaptors/snake (3.5mm sockets)
Not battery powered (without an external battery) so less portable (see also adaptors)
More physical controls Vs touch screen
Is the Bluebox 32 bit?
Mostly, but the adapter could just as well be true if you use iPads, volcas, op-1s, pocket operators, aira compacts… If it’s a mixer for mobile use, a lot of portable gear (with battery power) has mini jacks.
Mix 12 mono/6 stereo tracks of live or prerecorded sound.
Independently route each track to any combination of three stereo outputs:
Stereo Output 1 – Main mix
Stereo Output 2 – Assignable, with dedicated sub-mixer (pre or post fader)
Stereo Output 3 – Headphone output, with dedicated sub-mixer (pre or post fader)
Control one parameter for multiple tracks at once in Mixer mode.
Focus on one track at a time in Track mode.
Adjust the level or mute state of each output independently.
Use touch gestures or knobs to tweak your sound with four band EQ per track with support for Low Cut/Low Shelf, Parametric, and High Shelf/High Cut settings for each band.
Apply high-quality Reverb and Delay effects with independent effects sends for each track.
Override the headphone output with the Main mix on demand.
Maximize the loudness and unify your mix with the built-in global compressor
Sync to external clocks through the MIDI Input and Output.
Record hours of music as 48k, 24 bit WAVs directly to the microSD card as multi-track or as the main stereo mix.
Playback previously recorded tracks while recording new ones.
Load firmware updates through the microSD card.
Mix electronic music gear such as the 1010music blackbox, eurorack modules, drum machines, samplers and synthesizers.
Save and recall Project settings including all parameters for tracks, outputs, EQ and effects.
Plug into a power outlet, or use with your USB Power Bank for hours of use on the go.
Fit it into a small spot on your desk and then tuck it in your pack for the next gig.
That’s a fair point, but I prefer full size sockets in my mixer even if I then step down (use a 1/4 jack to 3.5mm lead…for example I just use these to go from my Euro to Sub mixer, no cable dongle/snake!
I thought so…the fact that its is a small format battery powered ‘32 bit’ mixer (lots of headroom) is what makes it special, just had a look at the BB features and it seems to do the vast majority of that stuff as well as it records multitrack to DS and is a multitrack 32buit audio IO and it has 2 combo powered XLR mike sockets so for me its the clear winner (and costs half as much)
Oh sure. Those do need to be bought and then they also bulk up everything (say the mixer could have been smaller with smaller connectors)
But I to prefer that direction, more durable, less strain on the connector.
It’s just that I would not count it as a universal good in it’s usecase (portability)
And for the comment above… Yeah, imho those 2 devices are different usecase.
Would it be great if this ALSO could do some of the blue boxes things? Sure.
But imho as they stand they have different use.
I’m just slightly confused, what are you recording that 32bit is relevant?
I am looking at this primely as a Eurorack Mixer but also mixing in my PRO3 which lives by my rack. I am thinking that the 32 bit inputs will allow recording of ‘hot’ Eurorack levels with attenuation.
For ultra-high-dynamic-range recording, 32-bit float is an ideal recording format . The primary benefit of these files is their ability to record signals exceeding 0 dBFS. There is in fact so much headroom that from a fidelity standpoint, it doesn’t matter where gains are set while recording
I would check. That’s a theoretical digital range, the converters still have their limit.
They essentially have 2, one with low gain, one with high, and depending on signal strength switch between the 2.
Since they are promoting it for eurorack I hope they accounted for that. Then again, 32 but is only on the first 2. Just to keep it in mind.
Since it came up… I want an option for 24bit.
I know the benefits of 32 bit float …
But in 90% of the cases, with sequencers and synths that barely have velocity, the range just isn’t there, meaning 32 is overkill and I could not copy the files onto other devices except my pc.
I will be waiting for the reviews (especially on Mod Wiggler) as I am in no hurry, but the fact that its half the cost of BlueBox (which I was considering) and stand alone battery powered is probably enough for me. The 2 XLR/Phantom powered dual AD converters are also a real bonus, makes it an excellent field recorder…probably be able to sell my Zoom R4!
For many it can replace a field recorder for sure.
2 things where it won’t replace my H1: size , and the ability to listen back to recordings, not just the last one. That aspect really stings.
They don’t explicitly call it a hi-z input, but an instrument in.
I would expect it, but would wait for clarification.
Most audio interfaces and mixers do allow it though.
But a clean guitar signal sound rather boring, doesn’t it? Do you mean as an audio interface in a DAW?
If no multitracking is needed, I would suggest an older focusrite scarlet or any other 2 channel interface from the last couple of years for <<100$.
I got mine (komplete audio 2) for ~75€
(I’m mostly stock with the thought that if you use studio monitors you’re at home and don’t need the portability of this thing)