Zoom MRS 1608 help needed

[Gabriel_0]

Well sorta a noob question here, haven't done any recording in 18 years so I picked up a Zoom MRS 1608CD. Problem is when I record DI my guitar sounds all distorted. I'm not using any effects either on board or other. I'm using a set of AGK K66 headphones as a monitor. When I play any other CD music the sound is fine, I only experience this in record mode. Any ideas on getting a clean sound out of this thing?

TIA

 

[manning1]

try micing a guitar amp rather than plugging your guitar in direct.

 

[Gabriel_0]

Well I tried going through my GT6 and that seemed to make a WORLD of difference! Any other suggestions greatly appreciated

Gabriel

 

[manning1]

yes - the gt6 would be appropriate.
if your doing vocals as well...consider a yamaha mg mixer for the mics.

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

Hi Gabriel_O

I used to have an MRS 1266 (predecessor to the 1608).

I recall DI inputs for guitar were on the front of the unit. Are you using these as opposed to the inputs on the rear?

The only other thing that springs to mind is that maybe a patch for distorted guitar is already in place when you switch the machine on. Have you tried pressing the effects bypass button? that would rule this out. Or is it really nasty digital distortion? I imagine you would've played around with the input and master gain knobs?

Probably not very helpful but it's good to rule the simple stuff out first.

Manning1 the 1608 is an all in one recorder with built in mic pres, mixer etc. so I don't see that an external mixer would provide any additional benefit.

 

[Gabriel_0]

Hi Gabriel_O

I used to have an MRS 1266 (predecessor to the 1608).

I recall DI inputs for guitar were on the front of the unit. Are you using these as opposed to the inputs on the rear?

The only other thing that springs to mind is that maybe a patch for distorted guitar is already in place when you switch the machine on. Have you tried pressing the effects bypass button? that would rule this out. Or is it really nasty digital distortion? I imagine you would've played around with the input and master gain knobs?

Probably not very helpful but it's good to rule the simple stuff out first.

Manning1 the 1608 is an all in one recorder with built in mic pres, mixer etc. so I don't see that an external mixer would provide any additional benefit.

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for the input. To follow your questions in order

"I recall DI inputs for guitar were on the front of the unit. Are you using these as opposed to the inputs on the rear?"
I'm plugged into the front input jacks

"Have you tried pressing the effects bypass button?"
Of course

"Or is it really nasty digital distortion?"
Bingo

"I imagine you would've played around with the input and master gain knobs?
Yes and everything else I can think of ..hehe

So far the only solution to the Digital Distortion is when using my GT6 but the zoom has some real nice effects also I would like to be able to use!

I also picked up a pair of Wharfedale Active Diamond Pro 8.2 Monitors. Read nothing but good stuff about them here so I REALLY hope they live up to the hype

Best
Gabriel

 

[newengineer13]

new zoomer

i have a zoom 1608 and have noticed that when you first turn it on it has an effect programmed into it that should be a clean effect. for a visual of what i am talking about it would be on the left hand side right underneath the top row of input selection knobs. They say clean, distortion, acoustic/bass sim, and bass.
I doubt it wil help as you most likely tried it but you can select empty on that as well as the different types of distortion. Personally i haven't had any problems with clean tone and or distortion mine have been with all the mixing features that it offers and ways to use them that is why i am here on the board hoping to learn something. Also if you have the input record level too high (on the front panel directly to the top right of the di 1) it will buzz and grind and everything else but you may have all ready thought of that as well.