When R20 was released, some folks thought it would spell the demise of R24. That’s not necessarily the case. R24 is still a very good unit with a lot to offer folks who have a home studio recording workflow that requires a more “hands on” device. I wanted to share the similarities, but focus primarily on the differences between these sibling units to better understand why one might choose one as opposed to the other. I hope this information serves useful.
1 last comment - I bought a Tascam DP24SD & ART Studio V3 voiced preamp because of this channel & I’m very appreciative for the reviews he’s made of these products as they’re both AWESOME 👍🎵👍🎵👍🎵 - Thank you
The one thing that turned me off right away with the R20 is the XLR inputs......Like, what is the deal there? The first 2 channels are the multi-input versions, then the rest is XLR...... I swear there is some engineering Troll that prohibits any one product to have what we actually need all in one package.
I have the R8 and the R20. I still take the R8 with me when I travel because of it being battery powered. Just makes it easier not to have to worry with a power adapter. That said, I do enjoy working on the R20 a lot better. The touchscreen is a true game changer and the DAW-like flow is intuitive.
What we need is a Zoom R20/24 that can be used as a continuous play looper so it can be used in live looping with the ability to desktop select start and stop and alter the volume and live record in loop mode.
If the R20 had all combo jack inputs instead of just 2 it would be much better. I also wish Zoom would take a hint from Tascam DP24/32 and include some kind of automated mastering/EQing. The R20 could be so much better with just a few changes. For now I'd pick R24 over R20. Tascam DP24SD/DP32SD, Tascam Model 12, and maybe Zoom L12 seem to be better options but it depends on your needs.
Very nice video! I have a question: R24 has the genius feature that you can use the metronome track only on phones output, and it can be any audio track you have on SDcard (metronome with your voice or any other sound for example); does the R20 have the same function? On R20, can I play a backing track wav on main out L+R and simultaneously other audio track as a metronome on the separated phones output? Thanks so much
If the unit has drivers for and is compatible with that application, then it may be possible. Hopefully someone else will chime in who may have tried or done it. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿
I just wonder why the R20 doesn't have all combo inputs like the R8, R16, and the R24 do. That's a serious design flaw, IMHO; I can see the people stepping up from the R8 going for one of these because of the extra XLR jacks, but anyone that already has one of the others will not be looking at this. Maybe you could get around the limited combo inputs with a DI box or a phone jack-to-XLR cable?
I was just about to pull the trigger on the R24 but got the R20 instead, big relief, glad I did. The limitation I thought would be the 44.1Khz sampling rate, but honestly the difference is not that great. I can record at up to 192khz/48 bit with my other interfaces and mix the recorded WAV files on my R20 with different sample rates in my DAW recording software. Great compact little unit, only complaint is no battery power or built in mikes but easy workaround in the field.
Great video! I will hold on to both my zoom r24 and zoom r8 for now. Let's see if zoom releases a 24 track version in the future.32gb cards are good enough to record a full album.
Thanks for the review! Do they sync with each other? R24 can be synchronized with another R24 (or R16). Is it possible to connect R24 to R20 in this way (via usb)?
That's a great question. With USB MIDI one should be able to control the other, so it should be possible. I would refer you to ZOOM customer service for final confirmation. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿
Hi What's on board the R20 for the Guitarist I got a R24 so wondering if it's good for guitar. I know there is Guitar lab but that's not on board. Any help thanks
The Guitar Lab software application is one of the main selling points to guitarist with the R20. It's compatible with it but not part of the R20 firmware. I believe you can download the GL software app for your PC from the ZOOM website. Using that app, you can also add new effects to the R20 as well. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿
Great video subbed. I'm sure u probably answered this but the R20 DOESN'T have a sequencer like the R24. I've used an R8 for years and love it but it took a 💩 on me so in the market but I def need the sequencer. All the best to you and yours my friend.
200 minutes 16 bit mono 44.1 KHz at 1 GB is 110 hours of recording time at 32GB. If all your tracks are stereo (left and right channels) then you'd still have 55 hours of recording time at 32 GB. All you have to do then is add another 32 GB and you have another 55 hours of stereo track recording time. The cards are extremely cheaper than the other "higher capacity" cards. These machines are a backing track gig musician's dream come true because you can create play lists (Set Lists) and only have the instruments play that you want saved in the project file to play through the Front of House (Main Outs). This is where the R24 really shines because at the gig, you can have batteries plugged in and charging up to max while using the batteries in the R24 for the first 2 sets. After the first 2 sets, swap the batteries and you'll easily have enough power using batteries to play 4 full hours. Or you can use the power supply and drop cord. The R20 has no battery power and also has no condenser mics. You could go full non electric with battery powered speakers and the R24 and literally set up anywhere regardless of an electrical outlet. As we say here in the Southern United States, "Welcome to the Tail Gate Lounge".
I bought the R20. I sent it back defective. The touchscreen is small making the workflow tedious. The drum patterns are few. The touchscreen is the only way to make the R20 operate. If it doesn’t work, you are SOL. Buy a Tascam D24 recorder & an Akai MPC ONE or a simpler drum machine - You’ll be much happier. The R20 is made in China who’s electronics are junk & I say this from experience. Taiwan and Japan products are much better.
Yah, there is no punch-in punch-out function on the R-20 ....... this unit is useless for recording sessions, ie... fixing mistakes or adjusting what is played..... this is a basic function of a recorder... so disappointing...I can't produce my songs with this unit.... I play live keys, guitars all the time in my mixes.
When R20 was released, some folks thought it would spell the demise of R24. That’s not necessarily the case. R24 is still a very good unit with a lot to offer folks who have a home studio recording workflow that requires a more “hands on” device. I wanted to share the similarities, but focus primarily on the differences between these sibling units to better understand why one might choose one as opposed to the other. I hope this information serves useful.
such a criminally underrated channel, well written and calm explanations, detailed feature lists and close ups. i hope your yt-numbers blow up soon.
1 last comment - I bought a Tascam DP24SD & ART Studio V3 voiced preamp because of this channel & I’m very appreciative for the reviews he’s made of these products as they’re both AWESOME 👍🎵👍🎵👍🎵 - Thank you
Tascam DP24SD Recorder
Thanks for watching and for your insights and experience. It's appreciated. 👍🏿
The one thing that turned me off right away with the R20 is the XLR inputs......Like, what is the deal there? The first 2 channels are the multi-input versions, then the rest is XLR...... I swear there is some engineering Troll that prohibits any one product to have what we actually need all in one package.
Great explanation. Kudos for highlighting the differences in such clear way. I really enjoy this channel
Thanks for watching. 👍🏿
Thanx Powercoat
You're most welcome. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿
I love this guy
im still on the fence, but also am still watching your videos, thank you so much for all your work on this
I have the R8 and the R20. I still take the R8 with me when I travel because of it being battery powered. Just makes it easier not to have to worry with a power adapter. That said, I do enjoy working on the R20 a lot better. The touchscreen is a true game changer and the DAW-like flow is intuitive.
Thanks for watching and sharing. 👍🏿
hi.. very nice channel. I have this question, The ZOOM R20 have the option to add compressor for live voice etc. or have any compressor includes ?
Yes it does. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿
What we need is a Zoom R20/24 that can be used as a continuous play looper so it can be used in live looping with the ability to desktop select start and stop and alter the volume and live record in loop mode.
If the R20 had all combo jack inputs instead of just 2 it would be much better. I also wish Zoom would take a hint from Tascam DP24/32 and include some kind of automated mastering/EQing. The R20 could be so much better with just a few changes. For now I'd pick R24 over R20.
Tascam DP24SD/DP32SD, Tascam Model 12, and maybe Zoom L12 seem to be better options but it depends on your needs.
Very nice video!
I have a question: R24 has the genius feature that you can use the metronome track only on phones output, and it can be any audio track you have on SDcard (metronome with your voice or any other sound for example); does the R20 have the same function?
On R20, can I play a backing track wav on main out L+R and simultaneously other audio track as a metronome on the separated phones output?
Thanks so much
Another Fantastic & Super Professional presentation 🙏⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
can you use the R20 to stream drums in OBS? Thanks
If the unit has drivers for and is compatible with that application, then it may be possible. Hopefully someone else will chime in who may have tried or done it. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿
I just wonder why the R20 doesn't have all combo inputs like the R8, R16, and the R24 do. That's a serious design flaw, IMHO; I can see the people stepping up from the R8 going for one of these because of the extra XLR jacks, but anyone that already has one of the others will not be looking at this.
Maybe you could get around the limited combo inputs with a DI box or a phone jack-to-XLR cable?
Sub mixing appears to be the way to go with R20 in that regard. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿
I was just about to pull the trigger on the R24 but got the R20 instead, big relief, glad I did.
The limitation I thought would be the 44.1Khz sampling rate, but honestly the difference is not that great.
I can record at up to 192khz/48 bit with my other interfaces and mix the recorded WAV files on my R20 with different sample rates in my DAW recording software.
Great compact little unit, only complaint is no battery power or built in mikes but easy workaround in the field.
Great video! I will hold on to both my zoom r24 and zoom r8 for now. Let's see if zoom releases a 24 track version in the future.32gb cards are good enough to record a full album.
Thanks for the review! Do they sync with each other? R24 can be synchronized with another R24 (or R16). Is it possible to connect R24 to R20 in this way (via usb)?
That's a great question. With USB MIDI one should be able to control the other, so it should be possible. I would refer you to ZOOM customer service for final confirmation. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿
Hi
What's on board the R20 for the Guitarist
I got a R24 so wondering if it's good for guitar. I know there is Guitar lab but that's not on board. Any help thanks
The Guitar Lab software application is one of the main selling points to guitarist with the R20. It's compatible with it but not part of the R20 firmware. I believe you can download the GL software app for your PC from the ZOOM website. Using that app, you can also add new effects to the R20 as well. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿
Great video subbed. I'm sure u probably answered this but the R20 DOESN'T have a sequencer like the R24. I've used an R8 for years and love it but it took a 💩 on me so in the market but I def need the sequencer. All the best to you and yours my friend.
Thanks so much for watching. 👍🏿
200 minutes 16 bit mono 44.1 KHz at 1 GB is 110 hours of recording time at 32GB. If all your tracks are stereo (left and right channels) then you'd still have 55 hours of recording time at 32 GB. All you have to do then is add another 32 GB and you have another 55 hours of stereo track recording time. The cards are extremely cheaper than the other "higher capacity" cards. These machines are a backing track gig musician's dream come true because you can create play lists (Set Lists) and only have the instruments play that you want saved in the project file to play through the Front of House (Main Outs). This is where the R24 really shines because at the gig, you can have batteries plugged in and charging up to max while using the batteries in the R24 for the first 2 sets. After the first 2 sets, swap the batteries and you'll easily have enough power using batteries to play 4 full hours. Or you can use the power supply and drop cord. The R20 has no battery power and also has no condenser mics. You could go full non electric with battery powered speakers and the R24 and literally set up anywhere regardless of an electrical outlet. As we say here in the Southern United States, "Welcome to the Tail Gate Lounge".
I bought the R20. I sent it back defective. The touchscreen is small making the workflow tedious. The drum patterns are few. The touchscreen is the only way to make the R20 operate. If it doesn’t work, you are SOL. Buy a Tascam D24 recorder & an Akai MPC ONE or a simpler drum machine - You’ll be much happier. The R20 is made in China who’s electronics are junk & I say this from experience. Taiwan and Japan products are much better.
Yah, there is no punch-in punch-out function on the R-20 ....... this unit is useless for recording sessions, ie... fixing mistakes or adjusting what is played..... this is a basic function of a recorder... so disappointing...I can't produce my songs with this unit.... I play live keys, guitars all the time in my mixes.
🔴🔴🔴BEWARE🔴🔴🔴 YOU CAN RECORD & EDITING ONLY 50 REGIONS by project for R20 😢😢😢
Seriously both only have one headphone output!.
As does the Tascam DP series. Massive limiting oversight on all these machines if you’re recording more than just yourself solo.