12-15-2024
I have been using a Zoom RT-223 for close to 15 years.
I use it with a Tascam 788.
I program patterns and string them into a song, then record the drums to a demo drum arrangement.
I develop and record the other instruments from there.
Then, usually at the very end, I go back and revisit all of the drum patterns.
I add/modify rolls, fills, cymbals, hi hats, etc etc etc to make things sound more realistic.
Then I record the final drum arrangement to two tracks, with the other instruments already done.
ONE BIG QUESTION: Are you going to sync it up to your recorder with the MIDI sync?
If so, there is IMO ONE HUGE PROBLEM to be aware of. (However, there is a work around.)
The problem: When your recorder is the Master and is driving the RT-223 with the MIDI sync clock, at some point it's almost a given that the RT-223 will "miss" a clock and delay maybe a couple to a few milliseconds.
This happens only when playing a SONG, and not a single repetitive pattern.
There is no guarantee when it will happen, but IME you can rest assured that it WILL happen.
I have had it happen 2-3 or more times in a single song, depending upon the length of the song.
If you have other instruments already recorded to other tracks, it will at some point sound like the "band" is out of sync with each other.
About 10 years ago I had a lengthy and detailed series of e-mails back and forth with Zoom about this.
They even sent me another RT-223 to try out.
Same problem.
My conclusion: It was a design/engineering problem with the machine.
For the record: I have two even earlier design RT-123 machines.
Neither one of them have this problem.
I also tried "buffering" the MIDI line and a couple of other things.
No dice.
IT'S THE RT-223!!!!!!!
Not long after that Zoom discontinued their drum machine line.
The work around?
The first thing that I record is a dirt simple click track the length of the song.
Note: Since this is a single pattern, used to construct a song by simply repeating the same pattern over and over, it's almost guaranteed that the problem will happen.
When recording the click track I also activate the click track output in the788.
You then hear the 788 click along with your RT-223 click song.
When you're done, if the problem happens, you can use the digital editing and waveform scroll functions and etc etc etc to zero in on the point where the RT-223 messed up.
Then you cut a segment out of the recorded click track so that the recorded clicks match up to the 788 clicks.
When your click track is Ok, then you can make it a virtual track.
If you need it later on as a reference. it's there.
Also, if you ever want to take your other tracks, and have a drummer do real drums, now you have a click track.
Maybe the main thing that I LOVE about the RT-223: You can erase and copy over the factory preset patterns.
That gives you up to 511 pattern slots, which is WAY more than any other drum machine that I've seen.
The MIDI song position pointer is also handy.
That's all.
