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Zoom RhythmTrak RT-323 |
Zoom RhythmTrak RT-323 SPECIFICATIONS:
Sampling Frequency: 48 kHz
D/A Conversion: 24-bit 8-times oversampling
Maximum Polyphony: 30 voices
Resolution: 96 PPQN
Tempo: 40.0– 250 BPM
Maximum notes: 40,000
Drum sounds: 377
Bass programs: 55
Drum kits: 128 (presets 64, user 64)
Rhythm patterns: 500 (preset 400 user 100)
Songs: 100
Pads: 13 pad (with velocity sensor)
Display: 640-segment custom LCD
Inputs/Outputs: Line in – mono phone jack, line out – standard phone jack
Sub output X 2 – standard phone jacks
Output impedance: 1 kilohm max.
Rated input level: -10dBm
Phones: mini jack 50mW (32ohm load)
Data Card: Smart Media 4MB – 128MB, 3.3V
Power requirements: 9 V DC, 300mA adapter (supplied), 6XAAA batteries
Connectors for external equipment: MIDI in/out, control – FP –01, FP – 02/FS – 01 input X 2
Australian Musician has featured many Zoom products recently and if you happened to read the edition featuring the Palmtop PS-02 you might also be interested in this month’s review. Zoom are starting to utilize smart media technology in their products for data storage and transfer. This technology has found its way into the new RT-323 drum machine, which is the latest offering from Zoom and on first appearance seems to be the most advanced in the RT series.
With a new look and plenty of functions and features, the Zoom RT-323 is a machine that is suited for the home/recordist musician looking for a complete drum/bass backing. Basically the unit allows 4-track configuration: Drum A + Drum B + Bass + Song track. You can combine two drum tracks with a bass line and a song track, put together a balanced set of drums, percussion and bass, or fuse dual drums kits with a bass program.
Pattern programming on three tracks is easy. Whether you want to combine different sounding drum kits or try out various bass pattern variations, the RT- 323 will excel in this department. A separate song track is great for recording fill-ins, single sound events, or sound effects making it useful when working up a song. The unit also features a large LCD panel showing all your information including pads and switches that light up internally, making the unit simple to operate even in low light conditions.
The rounded layout of the unit places the pads with built-in velocity sensors right at your fingertips. Large data wheel knobs and a large LCD panel are highly useful for editing data. The user interface has been designed with careful attention to detail and is very intuitive.
The onboard 24-bit D/A converter provides 377 source samples from the traditional rhythm track sound, dynamic live sound, powerful compression sound, dry sound for post-production sessions, to Lo-Fi sound for hip-hop grooves, the RT-323 has a lot to offer. The 24-bit D/A converter reproduces the full envelope with superior clarity, crucial for today’s standard in recording.
Like all the Zoom products we’ve checked out in the past, there’s a certain value for money feeling when you purchase something from the company, and this unit is certainly their best to date.
Other features of the unit include 500 patterns: 400 preset + 100 user. The 400 preset patterns cover various music styles. In addition, you can create 100 user patterns for your complete original rhythm track. There are 64 preset drum kits and 64 user programmable kits. Drum kits include live Rock, Hip-Hop, Analog, Techno and many other music categories. Within each kit, there are 13 pads x 3 banks, resulting in 39 sounds that can be played in any combination. By freely mixing and matching sound sources, you can create up to 64 user kits as well as assign patterns to pads.
The editing functions you’ll find are very versatile and are designed for the needs of musicians. Other worthy features to mention include a Groove Play function for DJ use. You can assign patterns to the pads and play them in real time. There is also a Sound Jammer Slider for real-time adjustment, which is a handy JAM slider that lets you adjust the sound on the fly, for quick adjustment of volume or pitch. You can even tailor the hi-hat-opening slope.
The unit has full MIDI support with MIDI recorder function that allows the operation of a sequencer or other MIDI component in sync with the RT-323 acting as a dedicated drum machine. The bulk dump feature of MIDI is also supported, letting you save all internal data of the RT-323 on another device. You can also assign any sound source to the control in lines, and make optimum use of foot switch and expression pedal simultaneously. The unit is very lightweight, compact and has an ergonomic layout making it very user friendly. Having the option of AC or DC power is handy and the optimized circuitry makes efficient use of battery power, over 7 hours.
The Smart Media card gives you virtually unlimited capacity for storing data. The Smart Media compatibility with the PS-02 lets you import drum and bass patterns, edit them on the RT-323, and export them to the PS-02, further enhancing the flexibility of both units. If you’re in a situation where you’ve just bought some recording gear and need a Drum machine capable of providing a bit more than some cheesy sounds, then the RT-323 could be the next purchase for you.
Like all the Zoom products we’ve checked out in the past, there’s a certain value for money feeling when you purchase something from the company, and this unit is certainly their best to date. Like all things you need to spend a bit of time to get the best out of it but a task definitely worth doing. The RT-323 is available at all leading dealers, otherwise, give Dynamic Music a call and they’ll be happy to let you know where one can be located. If you’re in the hunt for a good quality unit that is not going to cost the world, and will give you many hours of enjoyment, them the Zoom RT-323 is definitely worth looking at. The sounds are many and varied, but importantly, they sound great.
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