AUDIO INTERFACE MANUAL

© 20 23 ZOOM CORPORATION

Reproduction of this manual, in whole or in part, by any means, is prohibited.

1

Contents

Contents 1

Audio interface and control surface 2

About trademarks . . . . . . . . . . .

4

Connecting and disconnecting in audio interface mode 5

Connecting the R8 to a computer for the first time 5

R8 setup and connection 5

Disconnecting 6

Using control surface functions 7

About the control surface 7

Control surface setup 7

Transport section 7

Fader section operation 9

About banks 9

Operating the fader section 9

R8 level meters (Audio interface use) 10

Setting the function keys 11

Function key setup 11

Control surface functions quick reference guide 12

Mixer in audio interface mode 13

Volume, reverb send, pan 13

Stereo link 13

Balance 13

Tuner 14

Chromatic tuner 14

Effects in audio interface mode 15

INSERT effect 15

SEND return effect 15

Working with patches 16

Patch operations 16

Patch initialization (factory reset) 16

Audio interface and control surface

This section explains how to connect the unit with a computer and how to set up and use the audio interface and control surface functions of the with a DAW and other software

Functions of the audio interface and control surface

INPUT jacks

Guitars and other musical instruments, built-in stereo mic

PHONES jack

Playback device like headphones or an audio system

USB Cable

OUTPUT jacks

Stereo system, speakers with built-in amplifiers, etc.

Windows/Mac

Audio driver

DAW software

Cubase LE, etc.

Audio interface

The inputs and outputs can be used as a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 audio interface with 2 inputs and 2 outputs at quality up to 24-bit/96kHz. Effects can be used when the sampling rate is 44.1 kHz, and the unit can be powered by a computer’s

USB bus.

Control surface functions

Control surface functions can be used to control DAW software on a computer via USB. Transport operations, including playback, recording and stopping, and physical control of the DAW faders are possible. Furthermore, various other DAW software functions can be mapped to the

F1~F5 keys (assignable functions depend on the DAW used).

コンピューターから  を操作

ププププププププ

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3

Supports input from a variety of sources, including guitars, mics and line level instruments

The two onboard jacks include one highimpedance input. Both accept XLR and standard phone plugs and can provide phantom power (24 or 48V).

Many sources are supported from highimpedance guitars and basses to dynamic and condenser microphones and linelevel devices like synthesizers. In addition, the built-in high-performance condenser microphones are convenient for recording acoustic guitars and vocals.

Versatile effect functions

Built-in insert effects can be applied to specific channel paths, and two-types of send/return effects work via the mixer send/return. These effects can be applied when recording, of course, but they can also be applied to only the monitor output.

For example, when recording vocals, you can apply reverb only to the monitor signal to make singing easier.

Comprehensive built-in mixer

Using the mixer, you can make a mix for monitoring. When simultaneously recording guitar and vocals, for example, you can adjust volume balance, panning and reverb levels.

Moreover, you can also adjust the balance between the built-in mixer and the sound sent from a computer.

Multifunction tuner

In addition to standard chromatic tuning, the on-board multifunction tuner also supports 7-string guitar, 5-string bass and various drop tunings.

About trademarks

• The SD and SDHC logos are trademarks.

• Windows® and Windows 7® are registered trademarks of Microsoft® in the USA.

• Macintosh® and Mac OS® are trademarks of Apple Inc.

• Steinberg and Cubase are registered trademarks of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.

• Intel® and Pentium® are trademarks of Intel Corporation.

• Mackie Control is a registered trademark of LOUD Technologies.

• All other product names, registered trademarks, and company names mentioned in this documentation are the property of their respective owners.

In order to improve the product, specifications might be changed without advance notice.

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5

Connecting and disconnecting in audio interface mode

This is an overview of connecting and disconnecting the to a computer with a USB cable For details, see the included “Cubase LE Startup Guide”

Connecting the to a computer for the first time

1 Install the Cubase LE DAW software on the computer.

2 Install the ZOOM audio driver on the computer. (No driver is necessary for use with Macintosh computers.)

☞ Reference: "Cubase LE Startup Guide"

setup and connection

1

2

3

Connect the to the computer using a USB capable.

Press USB .

Select AUDIO I/F .

Change menu

3 Connect the to the computer.

setup and connection

4

Setup the DAW software.

Device setup

☞ Reference: "Cubase LE Startup Guide"

Control surface setup

Mackie Control

P.7

4

Press ENTER .

Select EXECUTE .

Change menu

Press ENTER .

NOTE

• The ZOOM using the

audio driver is essential for

as an audio interface with DAW software such as Cubase LE. (No driver is necessary for use with Macintosh computers.)

• Download the latest

Zoom Corporation website.

audio driver from the

http://www.zoom.co.jp/

Disconnecting

1

Press the or press

2

Select YES .

.

below

Change menu

Press ENTER .

NOTE

Select CONTINUE to use the same settings as last time.

• INSERT EFFECT settings

• SEND RETURN EFFECT settings

• Mixer settings

• TUNER settings

Select RESET to restore default settings for each item.

• The audio interface and control surface functions of the

• We recommend always using the latest system software.

can be used by drawing power through a USB cable from the USB bus.

6

Using control surface functions

When using the connected by USB as an audio interface, the can be used to control Cubase LE’s transport and mixer

keys and faders

About the control surface

In control surface mode, the keys and knobs on the can be assigned to particular

Cubase LE functions.

Control surface setup

See setup and connection on P.5

Transport section

About banks

Fader section

P.8

P.9

P.9

5

Then, launch Cubase LE.

6 From the Cubase LE “Devices” menu, select “Device setup…”

7 At the top left of the Device setup window [+], [−] and [|<] buttons appear. Click the [+] and select

“Mackie Control”

8

Set the MIDI input and output

MIDI input:

MIDI output:

ZOOM R8

ZOOM R8

7

HINT

Assigning keys

For a list of functions that can be assigned to the knobs and keys of the , as well as other transport/function keys that are supported by Cubase

LE, please consult the “Control surface functions quick reference guide” in this manual

☞ Reference: Control surface functions quick reference guide

P.12

HINT

The display of MENU etc. may be different depending on the version of Cubase LE.

Please refer to your Cubase LE manual.

Transport section

By setting up the control surface, the transport section keys can be assigned to individual functions in Cubase LE.

F1 key F2 key F3 key F4 key F5 key

REW key

Rewind

FF key

Fast forward

STOP key PLAY key REC key

Stop Playback Record

HINT

You can connect a footswitch to the CONTROL IN jack to start and stop playback, and change effect patches, for example, with your foot when using the

as an audio interface

☞ Reference: Operation Manual

Using a footswitch

P.113

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9

Fader section operation

Using the faders and status keys of the fader section, you can adjust the volume of corresponding Cubase LE tracks, mute and solo them, and arm them for recording

About banks

After setting up control surface operation, the main parameters of Cubase LE can be operated using the fader and status keys.

A group of tracks operated by the faders and status keys is called a “bank.” With the

, one bank of 8 adjacent tracks can be controlled.

For example, if fader 1 is assigned to Cubase

LE track 1, tracks 1-8 can be controlled as shown in the following diagram.

Status keys &

Faders

Track

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Tr 1 Tr 2 Tr 3 Tr 4 Tr 5 Tr 6 Tr 7 Tr 8

As the diagram shows, when tracks 1~8 are selected, pressing beneath once switches the assignments as shown below.

Status keys &

Faders

Track

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Tr 9 Tr 10 Tr 11 Tr 12 Tr 13 Tr 14 Tr 15 Tr 16

Operating the fader section

1 Assign the Cubase LE tracks

(channels) that you want to control to the fader section.

2

Use the faders to control the volumes of the corresponding tracks.

3

The faders control the volumes of their respective tracks. Change the master volume by moving the Master Fader.

To change the function of the status keys for all the tracks, press the soft key for the desired function.

Push beneath

The next lower bank of eight tracks (channels) is assigned to the fader section

Push beneath

The next higher bank of eight tracks (channels) is assigned to the fader section

Use these keys to set the functions of the status keys

level meters

(Audio interface use)

Signal just before being sent to computer shown

Signal returning from the computer shown

Checking DAW recording levels

Set “ REC SIGNAL ” (in the INSERT

EFFECT menu) to set whether signals are sent to the computer “ WET ” (with effect) or “ DRY ” (without effect).

Adjust so that the level meters do not clip (reach 0 dB)

0 dB

(clipping)

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Setting the function keys

The five keys above the transport keys can be used as function keys (F1~F5) and assigned as desired

Function key setup

1 Open the “Device setup…” dialog in Cubase LE.

5 Choose the type of Cubase LE function from the Category pop-up menu.

2 Select “Mackie Control”.

Commands can be assigned using the three columns displayed on the right side of the window.

6 Click on the “Command” column and select the desired Cubase LE function from the pop-up menu.

The items in this pop-up menu will differ depending on the category chosen.

3 From the “Button” column choose the function key (F1~F5) to be assigned a Cubase LE function.

7 Press the “Apply” button.

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4 Click on the “Category” column for that control.

HINT

The display of MENU etc. may be different depending on the version of Cubase LE.

Please refer to your Cubase LE manual.

Control surface functions quick reference guide

Fader section

Display section

Transport section

Control

Status keys

1–8 faders

MASTER fader

Soft keys

Cursor keys

DIAL

REW key

FF key

STOP key

PLAY key

REC key

AUTO PUNCH I/O key

A-B REPEAT key

(marker) key

(marker) key

MARK/CLEAR key

Explanation

Turns mute, solo or record arming on/off for tracks

Controls the volume of the corresponding tracks

Master volume operation

Change functions of status keys, change banks and end connection ( EXIT )

Performs the same functions as the computer arrow keys

Moves the project cursor position

Rewind

Fast forward

Stop

Play

Record

Depends on the F1 key setting

Depends on the F2 key setting

Depends on the F3 key setting

Depends on the F4 key setting

Depends on the F5 key setting

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Mixer in audio interface mode

In audio interface mode you can make a mix for monitoring using the internal mixer In addition, you can adjust the balance of the sound from the internal mixer and from the computer

Volume, reverb send, pan Stereo link

Link INPUT 1 and 2 to handle them as stereo pairs.

You can be adjust the reverb send, pan, volume and stereo link settings in the same way as in recorder mode.

Operation is the same as in recorder mode.

(Reference: Operation Manual P.42)

PAN/EQ menu

VOLUME

Adjust the volumes of INPUTS 1–2 .

0–127 (increments of 1)

Default value: 100

On/Off

Default setting: Off

By setting up a stereo link, volume, reverb send and pan track parameters can be shared by

(Reference: Operation Manual P.29)

INPUT 1 and 2 .

13

REV SEND

Adjust the reverb send levels of INPUTS 1–2 .

0~100 (increments of 1)

Default value: 0

Reverb only affects the monitored signal (as in recording mode).

PAN (BALANCE)

Adjust the pan for INPUTS 1–2 .

Balance

In audio interface mode, the balance of the input monitoring signal and the signal from

DAW software (the computer) can be adjusted with the BALANCE knob.

Left

Only the INPUT

1–2 signals

Right

Only the DAW stereo signal

L100~R100

(increments of 2)

Default value: Center

(as in recording mode)

NOTE

The reverb send, pan, volume and stereo link settings are all saved when you end ( EXIT ) audio interface mode and can be used again the next time

Tuner

The tuner can be used as when in audio interface mode For details, see the

Operation Manual (P.108).

Chromatic tuner

TOOL > TUNER

1

Press TOOL .

2

Select

TUNER

.

Change menu

HINT

• The default value of the standard pitch is 440 Hz.

• Tuners other than the chromatic tuner can also be used.

☞ Reference: Operation Manual

Tuner P.108

3

Tune the instrument.

Press

ENTER .

NOTE

Tuner settings are saved when you end ( EXIT ) audio interface mode and can be used again the next time

☞ Reference: Operation Manual

Tuner P.108

4 To change the standard pitch, press the beneath .

4 To change the tuner type, press the beneath .

5

Select the standard pitch.

Change the standard pitch

5

Change the tuner type.

Change the tuner type

Press ENTER .

Press ENTER .

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Effects in audio interface mode

The insert and send-return effects can both be used when the sampling frequency is set to 44.1 kHz. Basic operation is the same but there are a few differences in the menus

Insert effect Send return effect

As in recording mode, you can select the insert location and the insert effect algorithm, as well as the effect patches to be applied to the signal being recorded.

When used as an audio interface, the send reverb can only be used for monitoring.

As in recorder mode, use the SEND REVERB

EFFECT menu to change the patch and use the PAN/EQ menu to set the REV SEND level that adjusts the reverb depth.

INSERT EFFECT menu options

Select the insert location

Insert on any INPUT 1–2 .

Setting the reverb send level

REVERB SEND

Adjust the amount of reverb using the REV

SEND level of the PAN/EQ menu.

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(Reference: Operation Manual P 45)

Apply the effect only to monitoring

The effect can be set to only be applied to the monitoring signal and to not affect signals recorded in DAW software.

(Reference: Operation Manual P.44)

(Reference: Audio interface manual – Mixer P.26)

(Reference: Operation Manual P.89)

NOTE

• Effects can only be used when the sampling rate is 44.1 kHz. At all other times they are turned

OFF.

• Insert and send return effect settings are saved when you end ( EXIT ) audio interface mode and can be used again the next time.

Working with patches

After making many changes, you can restore a patch to its pre-edited settings by initializing it This will return it to its factory preset condition

Patch operations

For both insert and send return effects

Menus used for patch operations

Selecting patches

INSERT EFFECT / SEND REVERB

Select a patch from an algorithm to use an insert or send reverb effect.

(Reference: Operation Manual P.83

)

Editing patches (EDIT)

By adjusting effect module parameters and levels, you can create the desired result.

(Reference: Operation Manual P.84

)

Importing patches (IMPORT)

All effect algorithms (and reverb patches) or a single one can be imported from a selected project on the .

(Reference: Operation Manual P.87)

In audio interface mode, one complete set of effect data is saved for the mode. There are no project based settings.

Saving patches (SAVE)

Edited patches can be saved.

(Reference: Operation Manual P.86)

Initializing patches (INITIAL)

Patches can be restored to their original factory settings. (This option is only available in audio interface mode.)

Changing patch names (RENAME)

The name of the currently selected patch can be changed.

(Reference: Operation Manual P.88)

Patch initialization (factory reset)

EFFECT > INITIAL

1

Press EFFECT .

Selecting effect type

Insert effect

Press the beneath

Send return effect

Press the beneath

The following example is of an insert effect.

2

Turn the effect

On

.

.

.

3

Select

INITIAL

.

Press ENTER .

4

Select

YES

.

Change

Change menu

Change menu

Press ENTER .

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R8-Audio Interface Manual-E4

4-4-3 Kandasurugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0062 Japan

Web Site: http://www.zoom.co.jp

Cubase LE Startup Guide

a Install Cubase LE referring to the bundled 

'Download access code sheet'.

b Download the latest driver from ZOOM website

(www.zoom.co.jp) and install it.  f Select "New Project" from the "File" menu.

"Project  Assistant"  window  opens  in  order  to  select  a  project  template.  Click  "More",  select "Empty", and then click the "Create" button to display the project window.  c Connect the ZOOM unit to the computer.

Please refer to Operation Manual how to connect.

Download access code sheet d

Startup Cubase LE, select "Device Setup..." from the "Devices" menu, and click "VST audio  system" in the Devices Column.

Select the downloaded driver or the devices including the ZOOM model names here.

e.g. H Series Multi Track is shown as following.

g Select "Add Track">"Audio" from "Project" menu and add new audio track.

New audio track h Click "Record" button on the Transport panel and start recording.

e

Select  "VST  Connections"  from  "Devices"  menu  and  set  the  input  and  output  device  ports to the downloaded driver or the devices including the ZOOM model names.

For multi-track supported models, click "Add Bus" and add the input bus.

e.g. H Series Multi Track is shown as following.

Stop button Play button Record button

Recording starts. Click "Stop" button to stop recording.

i Click "Play" button to check the recording.

This is all for the basic setting.

For more information, please  refer to the Documentation from "Help" in Cubase LE   or   visit Steinberg website （www.steinberg.net/en/home）.

The Menu items are subject to change. Please refer to the Cubase LE Operation Manual in such cases.

©2014 ZOOM CORPORATION Z2I-2186-02