The R12 MultiTrak from Zoom captures the power and immediacy of classic 8-track recorders with the welcome addition of modern updates like touchscreen track editing! The R12 MultiTrak is great for capturing ideas, scraps, and even full songs without the complicated setup of DAWs, computers, and other equipment. It easily connects to microphones, instruments, or line level devices like keyboards and mixers via two TRS/XLR combo jacks, and it can record up to eight tracks per project. Fleshing out song ideas is easy — just use your own instruments or try out the R12's powerful pre-loaded drum machine, onboard effects, and patch options. The R12 even features a built-in synth that can be controlled via touchscreen or an external keyboard! If you love the feel of hardware recording but yearn for optimized workflow and touchscreen control, the Zoom R12 MultiTrak is the clear solution to add to your cart!
Touchscreen track editing and effects
Hardware recorders in the past often relied on clunky editing systems that bogged artists down with time stamp entry and complex button sequences. The R12 does away with all that by incorporating useful DAW-like drag-and-drop editing features that streamline the experience. A full-color LCD touchscreen interface lets you cut, copy, loop, and edit your tracks with speed and precision like never before! The R12's editing flow works much like a typical DAW, but the R12 has the clear advantage of straightforward, reliable performance with fewer distractions and potential failure points than your average computer rig. Beyond recording and editing, the R12 also lets you fine-tune tracks with classic studio tools. Options include stereo panning, 3-band EQ, and effects like reverb, delay, and chorus are available, plus the option to compress incoming signal on Inputs 1 and 2. Of course, you can store, create, and apply patches of multiple effects. There are also 40 preset patches included, plus the ability to create new patches using Zooms’ Guitar Lab on an external device.
Onboard drum machine and synthesizer
More than just a recorder, the R12 enables you to flesh out and enhance tracks with a built-in drum machine and synthesizer. The drum machine offers 150 different drum loops across 30 different genres, conveniently broken into song-structure units that make applying them a breeze. The built-in synthesizer is ideal for adding melody, ambience, and depth to full songs and demos alike. Control it using the R12’s touchscreen or plug in an external keyboard via USB for an authentic feel and even more control!
Three ways to power
With a trio of power options, the R12 is extremely portable. Four AA batteries will power the unit for roughly five hours, which makes it perfect for field use. An extra set of batteries or a USB battery pack is enough to ensure long-lasting performance fit for marathon creativity and mobile use. For homebodies, an R12 wall power adapter is available separately.
Robust I/O
There’s a nearly endless list of ways to plug in your Zoom R12 MultiTrak and put it to use. Onboard you’ll find two TRS/XLR combo jacks with high-quality preamps and optional compression — each jack also offers 48V phantom power for condenser microphones! The rear panel also features a 3.5mm out for headphones and stereo 1/4-inch outputs for connecting with studio monitors. The R12’s USB-C jack serves many uses: it can be used to charge the recorder for importing or exporting audio files, and even for charging the device via USB battery packs. To top things off, it also lets you connect the R12 to computers and DAWs. Once connected, the R12 may be used work as an audio interface or a DAW controller.
Features:
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Easily capture ideas and record full songs with one compact device (up to 8 tracks per project)
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Full-color LCD touchscreen interface lets you cut, copy, loop, and edit your tracks far faster than past hardware recorders
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2 XLR/TRS combo inputs with quality, clean preamps and 48V phantom power for condenser microphones
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Quickly store songs and load audio using a MicroSD card (up to 512GB)
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Portable design runs on 4 AA batteries or external USB batteries (wall adapter available separately)
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Stereo panning, 3-band EQ, and effects (reverb, delay, and chorus) for each track with dedicated effects return fader
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Patch memory effects (includes 40 preset patches plus the ability to create your own)
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Drum machine: enhance your tracks with 150 different drum loops across 30 genres, broken into song structure loops
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Synthesizer: internal synth playable via touchscreen or external USB controllers
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Easily import external audio via USB or MicroSD
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Also works as an audio interface or DAW controller
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3.5mm stereo headphone jack and dedicated 1/4-inch monitor outputs
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Optional R12 Control App available for iOS devices