Zoom's MRS-1044

[Zawinul]

Anyone bought the new Zoom porta studio? I did. After working for about a week with a project something happened: I lost it all! Yes, lost it! All virtual tracks on all channels are gone! The display says "No Data" when i walk through all the virtual tracks. The only thing left is the bass and drums since they're a built-in feature on this model, stored on separate tracks.
The crach occured when doing the 4th or 5th virtual track on ch 1, and while I intended to do an auto punch-in. I made the punch-in mark ok, but when playing the track to my desired punch-out position, all was gone!! And as I said, not only this track, but all tracks on all channels!!
Is this a once-in-a-million accident, or has anybody else had the same disaster?

Zawinul

[mikemoritz]

that ain't no good. My brother was looking to buy one of those....if this isn't an isolated incident, then I'll definitely advise him to go elsewhere (which I'll probably do anyway).

Mike

[GT]

How do you like this machine otherwise?

[Zawinul]

GT and others: I kind of like the machine now that I have become used to it. The disaster I mentioned has never occured again (and now I back things up....). I use it for fun at home, and for that purpose it's ok. I use the built-in drums and bass, and maybe could recording of real drums be a bit of a problem since there are only two inputs. Each input has a level control, but they share the same recording level control which also can be a problem doing a stereo recording. I don't know.

The brochures say that no manual needed to get started, it is so easy to use. That's a pure lie! At least for me that never used these things before. I had to read almost all of it, and still have to consult it now and then. Luckily it is good and explanatory.

The built-in drums and basses are mostly good enough for me, could be more and better bass sounds though, and the ready-made patterns - although there are a lot of them - has not yet been of any use. I almost always have to construct new ones.
Working with the drums are somewhat tedious, you must always first build a "pattern" of the desired length, and then insert this pattern into the "song". Many times I would like to just add a fill or some smaller drum stuff on a song, but it is not possible directly in the song, I must go back to pattern mode and copy a pattern and do my fills on that.
Also quite annoying that I can not take an existing pattern and just add some bars to it! So it's not possible to combine two patterns into a new one, that you must do in "song" mode.

To summarize, I like it and it is good enough for me. Lots of good effects too, especially for guitar. You can record the guitar "dry" but with the effect on in your monitor, and then afterwords select which effects to use.

And it sounds good too.

Zawinul

[bunnygirl]

Zawinul,
What are you using to back up the info on your hard drive? I just bought a MRS1044, 'cept it's sitting in it's box still and i'm going over the manual. I know the co. says they're coming up with a USB/SCSI port but that's not out yet. I have 20 days left to evaluate the thing and i'm a bit worried about losing data and backup. Any suggestions?

[Legume]

I have had an MRS-1044 for about a month now. I like it quite a bit! My only major complaint is that the manual doesn't provide enough information about some of the built it muti-effect algorithms. For example, there are several algorithms for final mastering that include effects from four "modules" (compression, pre-amp drive, equalizer and modulation delay). Unfortunately, there is no information in the manual about precisely what the settings are for each module in the algorithm. I have found one algorithm that I like quite a bit in every regard except that it causes too much booming on the low end. So far, I have not found a satisfactory EQ setting that solves the problem. If the manual included information about the frequency at which the bass was boosted in this algorithm I would have a much easier time fixing it.

But aside from that, I've managed to produce a lot of really good sounding stuff in a short period of time. Well worth the $699 street price!

[bunnygirl]

legume- that makes me feel better to hear that you've had a good experience with the 1044 so far, but what are you using for backup? and how?

[Legume]

I have the USB card on order. It is costing me $89. The store I deal with thinks it will be in quite soon. Once it arrives, I can back up to the hard drive of my computer. In the meantime, 15 gigs is gonna last awhile...

[BuleriaChk]

I just posted on another thread, but my bottom line so far is that I'm impressed with the machine; particularly with the drum track integeration, even with its limitations. For me, the drums sound very good, as long as you're using speakers with a good bass response (for example, I use the JVC boombox, which is biamped, and sounds quite good for a highly portable, versatile amp for small venues.) I particularly like the reverb and chorus..

Bottom line - I think Zoom made some excellent engineering decisions to bring it in at this price - feature-wise I think it blows away the BR-8 and, of course, the BR-532.

Of course I'd like an eighth note beat, and to be able to change the drum kit while it is playing, and to re-arrange the drumkit voices, bu that's what Battery and Fruity loops are on my standalone (connected thru a StudioPak via the vm-3100 pro.)

But it will be interesting to see how Zoom implements the USB - I'll be getting mine in in a couple of days (www.buyzoom.com has the cards in stock)

But if you don't need multiple recording inputs, it is very convenient to have a programmable drum machine, effects, etc. in the same machine.

I've had it crash once (I lost a couple of patterns), but it may have been my error - it is easy to use, but you do have to read the manual - for me, there were unexpected limitations compared to my experience with drum machines and the Studio Pak.

But my feeling is that it is a very good value for an all-in-one convenient solution as long as the limitations are not showstoppers.

I'm sure Roland will come up with an equivalent next year, or better yet the UA-3 with GOOD WDM drivers at 24bit so I can use SONAR on my laptop. (Latency is to great for monitoring it live, and I'm not impressed with the dxi effects yet, but this revolution is just beginning). In any case, I missed my Tascam Portastudio, and this seems to be an excellent alternative for my particular situation (Solo acoustic guitarist, needing drum/bass, and maybe mic)......

[MISTERQCUE]

Originally posted by Zawinul
Anyone bought the new Zoom porta studio? I did. After working for about a week with a project something happened: I lost it all! Yes, lost it! All virtual tracks on all channels are gone! The display says "No Data" when i walk through all the virtual tracks. The only thing left is the bass and drums since they're a built-in feature on this model, stored on separate tracks.
The crach occured when doing the 4th or 5th virtual track on ch 1, and while I intended to do an auto punch-in. I made the punch-in mark ok, but when playing the track to my desired punch-out position, all was gone!! And as I said, not only this track, but all tracks on all channels!!
Is this a once-in-a-million accident, or has anybody else had the same disaster?

Zawinul

Don't know, but that is 1 of the few reason's why I record to ADAT's ! May not be the greatest medium to record to,but 1 would never have to deal with lost data or tracks.

BTW, you wouldn't happen to be famed jazz keyboardist,
THE Joe ZAWINUL !!?? If so, I'm not worthy!!!

[JWDubois]

I have been reading the MRS-1044 online manual, trying to decide whether to buy one or not. I have a question regarding the drum program selection. In the "Changing the drum kit/ bass program" section, the manual states: "The drum kit/ bass program you select here will apply to all rhythm paterns and rhythm songs."

Does this mean that only one drum kit can be assigned to an entire song? Or is a drum kit stored as part of the pattern, so that the drum kit can change as patterns change within a rhythm song, like tempo and time signature? (I hope).

Also, how are the guitar-to-bass simulator patches?

Thanx for any info .....

JWW

[chronicinsomnia]

I just got the mrs-1044 for Christmas my wife is so good to me. Anyway, the drum sounds are very real sounding as far as the bass patterns they sound good but, are quite tedious to program. I am a guitar player / singer and it trully kicks booty for my original compisitions. I have had it four days and have had a total of maybe 15 hours sleep.

The guitar sounds are awesome. I have a Line 6 Pod that I have been using in my live set-up as well as for recording purposes. The Pod will probably never be recorded again and I have loved the pod's recorded sound. If you don't own a bass their is a bass simulation that is fairly close to the real deal and it comes in three flavors 1) pick attack 2) slap and 3) funky pick attack sounds good to my ears. (the bass sim makes a electric guitar sound like a bass basically a harmonizer dropped an octave but a real good one)

I am trully loving this peice of equipment. It was a surprise gift from my wife. I have searched high and low and this for the money with these features is a good buy. I only hinted to my wife for this about ten thousand times so I didn't blindly get this particular unit.

[tonegod]

anyone know if you can swap out the internal 15 gig hard drive for a larger capacity model (similar to the infamous Boss br-8 zip 100/zip 250 swap)? Hard drives are so cheap now, that I know a nice 60- 80 gig drive would be awesome...The reason I think it might be possible is because i was surfing at the zoom japanese site and they mentioned 2 new 1044's!!!...the 1044 CD (you guessed it: built in cd/rw and 40 gig HD and the 1044 version 2: 1044 with a 20 gig HD)....thanks in advance

http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/mrs1044frmst.html

[bunnygirl]

just a comment for those thinking about buying the ZOOM MRS. the play, stop and record buttons are VERY LOUD! *CLICK* I think Zoom is trying to force me to buy the footpedal... otherwise, I'm still playing with it... it has so many features.....

[Legume]

bunnygirl:

Bet your're glad you bought it! I still love mine. You asked me earlier about backup. I got my USB card and put it in. It works great! I back projects up to my computer, then burn them to CD.

I don't have a problem with loud buttons? Mine are very quiet. Also, you can use any on/off pedal with it that accepts a 1/4" plug. I'm using a Boss FS-5U. You can configure the MRS to either use the footswitch as "on/off" or "punch in/punch out".

[BuleriaChk]

I would sure like to know this also. Anyone with enough nerve to open theirs up and try it? I am delighted with the mrs-1044, BTW.

Chuck

Originally posted by tonegod
anyone know if you can swap out the internal 15 gig hard drive for a larger capacity model (similar to the infamous Boss br-8 zip 100/zip 250 swap)? Hard drives are so cheap now, that I know a nice 60- 80 gig drive would be awesome...The reason I think it might be possible is because i was surfing at the zoom japanese site and they mentioned 2 new 1044's!!!...the 1044 CD (you guessed it: built in cd/rw and 40 gig HD and the 1044 version 2: 1044 with a 20 gig HD)....thanks in advance

http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/mrs1044frmst.html

[bunnygirl]

well i'm very encouraged that everyone is having a shared overall good experience with the mrs1044. i am too. it's just some slow going- so many features! with the loud buttons, i hear them off of my condenser which picks up everything so I guess they're no louder than normal, but they do click and are different buttons than the insert/line in on/off buttons for example... legume-good to hear that the USB is working smoothly, I"ll have to get one eventually. What kind of format can you save the files in? Do you use a wav recorder on you computer to capture the tracks off the mrs? I'm not too experienced with DAW or computers with sound. And i think i'll try a footswitch too.. thx

[BuleriaChk]

USB works just fine; especially valuable to install v. 2.0 of the operating system for master track capability, if you don't have it already.

There is a utility available on the Japanese Web site for converting v-tracks to .wav files and back again (including the master tracks). With the USB runnning, your computer just sees the MRS-1044 as a removable hard drive, so you can back up all the folders, etc. The drive itself is formatted in fat-32, so the widows operating system will see it as a normal drive.

Once the files are converted to wav, they can be edited and re-imported back into the MRS-1044, burned to a CD, etc.


Hope this helps,

Chuck.

Originally posted by bunnygirl
well i'm very encouraged that everyone is having a shared overall good experience with the mrs1044. i am too. it's just some slow going- so many features! with the loud buttons, i hear them off of my condenser which picks up everything so I guess they're no louder than normal, but they do click and are different buttons than the insert/line in on/off buttons for example... legume-good to hear that the USB is working smoothly, I"ll have to get one eventually. What kind of format can you save the files in? Do you use a wav recorder on you computer to capture the tracks off the mrs? I'm not too experienced with DAW or computers with sound. And i think i'll try a footswitch too.. thx

[bunnygirl]

Chuck- this is EXACTLY the specific info I was looking for. Thanks! I've gotta run and get that usb interface card!

Originally posted by BuleriaChk
USB works just fine; especially valuable to install v. 2.0 of the operating system for master track capability, if you don't have it already.

There is a utility available on the Japanese Web site for converting v-tracks to .wav files and back again (including the master tracks). With the USB runnning, your computer just sees the MRS-1044 as a removable hard drive, so you can back up all the folders, etc. The drive itself is formatted in fat-32, so the widows operating system will see it as a normal drive.

Once the files are converted to wav, they can be edited and re-imported back into the MRS-1044, burned to a CD, etc.


Hope this helps,

Chuck.

[GT]

Hey Zoomers,

Someone record something, on this bad boy, and post a mp3, for us to hear. Make sure you use the built in drums.

Do it now!!!!

[clansfolk]

Just bought a 1044 - delivered yesterday just before I found info on the mark II ! - doh - had a play and quite impressed for the price £499.99 UK pounds, not done much with the bass/drum patterns as yet but laid a few test tracks and the overall sound is good must buy the USB interface next!

Only problem I've had so far is a terrible mains hum - when feeding instruments in via the unbalanced jacks.... used several instruments and leads - has anyone else had this problem - I tried switching everything else off incase they're inducing it but no joy - any ideas? not had chance to try a DI Box as yet....

[Legume]

Well, to respond to the last few posts:

I use a .wav recorder that came with my Soundblaster Live! card to master MRS recordings to my hard drive in .wav format. This works quite well and doesn't add any noise that I can detect.

The USB backup for MRS tracks saves them in what I guess is a proprietary format, but they can be reloaded into the MRS and worked on.

For some reason, my browser crashes when I try to access the Japaneese Zoom site. The American site, www.samsontech.com/zoom does not have any operating system upgrade info.

I would be happy to post a sample mp3 track, but the file size limit for this site prohibits it, and I don't have anywhere else to upload one.

[GT]

Legume,

Try www.nowhereradio.com it's a real favorite around here, and for good reason.

GT

[Legume]

Thanks, GT, but I don't know whether I am really suited for that site.

I am not a composer, just a hobbyist who loves playing other people's songs. Since I often can't find people to play with, I just play with myself and make multitrack recordings of songs I like.

I'm a one man cover band. Most sites where people upload (mp3.com, etc.) are for original songs.

I recently recorded a cover of Bowie's Space Oddity on my MRS that I think shows off the MRS's capability fairly well, but where would I upload such a thing?

[GT]

Legume,

It don't matter knowhow, everybody's cool here. You do whatever you want to. That's what music is all about.

Sign up at nowhere, people will listen, doesn't have to be original.

GT