Zoom has unveiled the R4 MultiTrak, a new portable battery-powered audio recorder with 32-bit float recording, built-in effects, drum patterns for jams, and more.
I have been a user of the Zoom H6 for a long time. I use it at every trade fair or in the studio for capturing sound demos. One failed after 3-4 years, my current one continued to serve. Zoom has released a lot of new audio with 32-bit float in the last few months: new audio interfaces, portable recorders, and more. So, my expectations are high for a future H6 with an all-new design and 32-bit recording.
Today, I received a press release from Zoom announcing a new recorder. I was looking forward to my H6 Neo. Well, wrong hopes. It’s the R4 MultiTrak.
Zoom R4 MultiTrak
Zoom is expanding its 32-bit portfolio with another product. The R4 MultiTrak is a new portable multi-track audio recorder with 32-bit float recording. This means you can record audio with every take without the need to set gain. The shape of the R4 is somewhat reminiscent of the classic H4 recorder but without the mic-capsule system and in new clothes.
The new R4 MultiTrak features two XLR/TS combo inputs powered by “legendary” Zoom pre-amps, says the press release. It supports various signals, including microphones, instruments, keyboards, and more. There is no extra stereo line input like you have with the H1 or on the H6 microphone capsule. So you are limited to the two XLR/TS combo inputs.
Talking about microphones, the R4 MultiTrak features a high-quality built-in microphone. Zoom promises that it’s perfect for capturing acoustic guitars, vocals, and more.
Multi-Track Recording With Bounce
With the R4, you can record up to four tracks, mix them using the hardware faders, and then bounce them to a dedicated “bounce track”. This lets you free up additional tracks to keep adding layers. The new bounce feature is flexible. You can choose either “quick” bounce, or mix and bounce in real-time. Plus, you can undo your last bounce if unsatisfied with the results.
There are also effects onboard for the input and tracks. First, you can add effects to the input A, including amp simulations, delays, distortions, and more. So you can fine-tune the guitar or synth without an extra pedal. Not sure how great these effects but this is pretty sure something to check out in practice. Besides this, each track also features a 3-band EQ, pan, echo, and reverb to refine your mix.
As an extra feature, Zoom has also added a rhythm section preloaded with over 80 different drum patterns to play along. This also turns the recorder into a jam utility.
The R4 also features an individual automatic save functionality for record tracks. This also works after they have been bounced. Like the previous Zoom recorders, it also functions as a 2-in/2-out USB audio interface with 32-bit float recording. It works on both computer and mobile devices.
To make operation as easy as possible, the R4 MultiTrak offers a fader for each track and dedicated hardware buttons for the most important features. And it’s a mobile device. It runs on 4 AA batteries or through its USB-C port.
First Impression
At first glance, the R4 MultiTrak looks like a handy, feature-rich recorder for on-the-go. It’s basically a compact version of their R12 recorder without the instrument gimmicks but with 32-bit float recording. I hope a lot that the H series will be converted to 32-bit soon
Zoom R4 Multrak will be available in Q4 2023 for 260,61€
More information here: Zoom
Neat. How long does it take to boot up?
about 5 seconds max.
it DOES feel a little fragile without batteries very very light dare i say cheap for 200 bux but with batteries feels weighty
Useless without time code and the battery powered zoom products eat batteries like crazy.
you can power it with USB-C or with a power bank over USB-C
Looks nice. Any idea if the four tracks can switch between mono and stereo? I could not find the detailed manual online, maybe not uploaded yet.
nice but: no line output, no aux in…
Hello George.
The headphone jack can works as a line out jack too. I saw this is an early reviewer (Matthew Stratton) Youtube video.
A few decades maybe a century waiting for the Zoom Uac 832 to be released. I think it is unprofessional to announce things and then make people wait long periods. My point of view.
Looking at the specs the inputs are mono only, so you can only record two channels at once and the other two are just for already recorded material?
4 tracks input with Y cable would have been great.