Help with the R16!

[mariannet]

Hello,
First of all I need to say that I know very little about recording in general. I hope someone here can help me! I am a mom of 3 girls who are all in an vocal program at their high school. We decided to buy the Zoom R16 at the recommendation of the teacher to help the girls with some recording projects that they need to do. I am having so much trouble figuring this thing out. After reading tons, it seemed easy enough but I guess I need help in laymans terms. The first thing we want to do is record the girls singing to a simple instrumental/karaoke track. I know that there is two phantom inputs in the unit, but can I there is only one input for headphones. How do I get more than one person listening and singing at the same time? And also how do I get the instrumental track playing at the same time as recording the singing? I am so lost, I think I need basic instructions on how to do this simple task. Help Please someone!
Marianne

 

[DM60]

OK, let's take this slow. First on the headphones, you might want to get a splitter (single connection to double) or you can get something like this Presonus HP4 (not recommending, just for reference).

Please read the instruction from the R16 on getting the drivers and selecting it as you input/output and it should show as a drive.

If you have a digital version of the backing vocals, you can move the file your R16 (once again, you need to read how to do this) or if required, you can record to the R16 using the USB as the input. (The instructions should show both options.

Then in the another (empty) track/input, record your vocals while monitoring the backing vocals. The R16 is a good device, so you have what you need and is a great starting point. You have lots of options, just need to find the easiest one for you. Once recorded, play back everything and adjust the volume (faders to get it to sound good together.

We just need to figure out how to get you to a point that you can use it. Hopefully it is a starting point for you.