I've been reading up on the spec's of this machine.
Nice gear, has a lot of functions
For those interested, here are the full spec's :
A personal studio with power and simplicity
The Zoom HD8 gives you versatile, intuitive multi-track recording with a clear, intuitive interface. You can send your recorded WAV files to the included DAW software in your computer via its USB connection. Then, use the unit as a control surface to adjust, fade, pan and mix every aspect of your project. Recording, arranging, mixing and mastering has never been easier or more immediate.
MULTI-TRACK RECORDING
A responsive tool for professional multi-track recording With a large, 80GB hard disk, the HD8 provides about 240 hours of recording time using 16-bit/44.1 kHz sampling in WAV format. Each track has ten virtual tracks, so you can record multiple takes to get each track right. With the HD8 you can record in your home studio with confidence... you have all the tools you need.
Bounce to a dedicated mastering track Once you have captured individual tracks, push the mixdown key to bounce your tracks to a stereo track. In addition to your audio track contents, you can include the rhythm track and effects return signal. This frees up tracks so you can record additional instrumental or vocal parts. Even large ensembles that exceed the default number of tracks can be managed this way. And you don't need an external master recorder for the final mix.
Get creative with versatile editing functions The HD8 offers powerful editing capabilities. In addition to standard copy, move, and erase functions, you can trim the overall length of recorded data, adjust the tempo with time stretch, create precision fade-ins and fade-outs and even reverse the contents of a track. With tools such as pitch correction and a harmonized pitch shifter, your vocal tracks will sound like you recorded them in a full production studio.
Locate function supports pin-point editing Directly access any point on any track using up to 100 freely specified marks. A-B repeat makes repeated playback or recording of a specific sequence quick and easy. Auto punch-in/out ensures that you get the exact result you want.
Build tracks from looped material The phrase loop function lets you put build a full-fledged loop track simply by lining up audio phrases. Create the backing for an entire song with just a few keystrokes, by specifying the playing sequence and repetition count. Use parts of recorded data or WAV/AIFF files as loop material, or get sources from a computer via USB or from the CD-R/RW drive. The comes with 96 ready-to-use preset loops containing drum, bass, and guitar phrases to build your project from the ground up.
DRUM & BASS MACHINE
Real drum & bass machine with sampler function With over 500 drum sound sources, the HD8 offers versatile percussion choices from rock drums, funk drums, jazz drums to every kind of acoustic and electronic drum sound you can imagine. But that's not all. 20 pre-assembled drum kits with 27 sounds each (3 banks x 9 pads) are onboard. The HD8 includes vintage drum machine sounds with numerous auxiliary percussion and special effects sounds.
A sampler with 70 seconds of sampling capacity lets you assign any part of an audio track or an imported WAV/AIFF file to the onboard pads allowing you to build as many as 1,000 distinct drum kits. Eleven bass sound sources including electric bass, acoustic bass, and synthesizer bass are also built in.
475 preset rhythm patterns The selection of preset rhythm patterns covers a wide range of styles from rock and pop to jazz, funk, club and more. Choose from a wide variety of intros, fills, and ending patterns to quickly create a rhythm track for your project. Set your groove with the nine touch-sensitive pads for real-time rhythm programming. Up to 511 original patterns can be created and stored. Standard MIDI Files (SMF) can be imported and used to play internal rhythm sounds as well as external MIDI sources. A software plug-in for programming and editing patterns is also included.
MULTI-EFFECTS
Utilize studio-quality effects At every step of your project, you have access to 130 types and 370 patches of DSP effects. Effects are configured with seven modules featuring various settings for guitar, bass, and vocals. Two types of send/return effects are ideal for fine-tuning the overall ambience of a song. And all three effect types can be used simultaneously. Optimize the dynamic range with a compressor/limiter and minimize noise with Zoom Noise Reduction (ZNR). Choose from a wide variety of studio-quality effects including chorus, flanger, phaser, delay, and reverb. Or you can synchronize delays or modulation to the song tempo with BPM effects.
Achieve professional-level results with mastering effects Multi-band compressor, normalizer and other mastering effects assist you in the control of dynamics and listening level of your final mix. With 21 mastering presets onboard, we put the experience of seasoned recording engineers at your fingertips. Create a final mix and master that rivals the major labels. These tools are also very useful when importing audio from analog sources such as LPs or cassettes.
Advanced amp modeling with Zoom G Series onboard With 18 different guitar amp models such as Fender, Marshall, Vox and Mesa Boogie, and 6 bass amp models such as Ampeg, Bassman and Hartke you can connect your guitar or bass to get a distinct power amp and speaker cabinet character. And a built-in tuner keeps your instrument ready for your recording session.
DIGITAL MIXER
Professional control layout and panel design The HD8's faders, control knobs, and level meters are arranged in a clean, professional layout modeled after expensive mixing consoles found in the best studios. Each track has a rotary encoder that quickly adjusts parameters such as 3-band LOW/MID/HIGH EQ, two effect send actions, panning and more. A solo function lets you specify each track for individual monitoring. Its controls, with a unique, studio console design make recording your project immediate and intuitive. We include scene memory to store up to 100 settings for quick recall.
Combination XLR-1/4" line inputs Onboard combination XLR-1/4" line inputs connect to an internal preamp with phantom power to provide unsurpassed flexibility for your recording set-up. Because the HD8 features individual phantom power on/off switches, you can configure a multi-mic environment to use both a dynamic and a condenser mic. A high-impedance switch allows direct connection of sources such as guitar, bass and keyboards. Master outputs are also available as analog RCA jacks or an S/PDIF optical output. Two headphones jacks are also provided, so a performer and an engineer can separately monitor the recording and playback. Like professional consoles, the HD8 even lets you create a monitor mix that is separate from the master output.
EXPANDABILITY
Quick connection to a computer via USB cable A 2.0 USB port supports high-speed data transfer at rates of up to 480 Mbps. Simply drag and drop audio files in WAV format recorded on the HD8 to the computer. Fine-tune song arrangements with DAW software, or convert files to MP3 for uploading to your web site or sending by email. The possibilities for personal recording projects are endless. Data backup, restore and importing of WAV files are also quick and easy.
DAW software control surface capability You'll find the studio recording console features so convenient and intuitive, that you'll want to keep using them when the HD8 is connected to a computer. Using either USB or MIDI, the HD8 can act as control surface for a DAW application. The faders, keys, and rotary encoders can be assigned to control the mixing functions of the software, which makes transport control and mixing operations like fade, pan, and EQ adjustments much more "physical". Adjustments that are difficult with a computer mouse, such as using multiple faders simultaneously are a breeze with its control surface. The HD8 also comes with Steinberg's Cubase LE, so you can use your computer for sophisticated graphics-based mixing and arranging right away.
Support for synchronized playback using MIDI time code or MIDI clock MIDI time code and MIDI clock output capability lets you synchronize playback operation with an external sequencer or recorder. Or set up a larger system to coordinate the HD8 with other computer DAW software or additional multi-track recorders.
Write an audio CD right away The HD8 comes with an onboard CD-R/RW drive to let you burn audio CDs or backup data CDs quickly. Disc-at-once writing is supported, which is great for producing live albums or mixes without gaps between tracks. Capturing the audio data of a CD for use as V-takes is also possible.
8-track playback, 2-track simultaneous recording with 80 V-takes
2 balanced XLR - 1/4" phone combo inputs with phantom power 16 bit / 44.1 kHz linear PCM recording in WAV format
Over 100 effects for guitar / bass / vocal recording, mixing, and mastering
Drum / Bass machine with touch-sensitive pads and over 500 drum sounds
Built-in CD-R/RW drive and 80 GB HD
Control surface function for DAW software
Bundled with Steinberg Cubase LE
Sampler function lets you add original drum sounds to Drum Kit
Expanded sampling memory to 60 seconds
Built-in USB 2.0 port
Easily viewable 5-segment LED level meters
Speaking of boys with toys,my Zoom HD8CD arrived a few days ago.
Still have yet to get a microphone,xlr cable & boom stand though.
I did lay down some music on it though,& will get the rest of the gear early next month.
I finally have a full blown studio to work with now & the sky's the limit.
I also decided I cannot live without the Nord Lead 2X and I expect to have one in late February.
Very pretty bass you have there Kara!
