I have a Zoom RT-234 (1998) and I would never let it go. Lots of fun for guitar practice. Besides, the price on it has doubled since I bought it, so, it's a keeper.
@@gearfacts Thanks! One of my best moves was a 12 string BC Rich guitar I bought for $500 and sold to a collector for $1200, but ya got to move fast to buy and have patience to sell. :)
@@dawnr8511 wow, nice. I think my best was an old Hohner portable electric piano I got at a police auction for $80 (my absolute ceiling bid!) and sold for a little over $400. It’s not often that I find unique things like that though, it’s usually “yep, that’s another Casio ctk that might bring me a 20 :/
My first drum machine (234). Bought it sold it bought it again then traded it for mc 303. Very easy to use. Sounds great. Next time l will keep it forever.
The RT series 123, 223, and 234 are all so underrated! And the sample track and street box! And nobody does a proper demo or review. I ACTUALLY own 3 RT234’s and still play them. I really should post my own video if how powerful it actually is!
I have the STREETBOXX version of this drum machine. All in all it is a great cheap little machine but yes, the same CONs apply.. Thankfully, the cons are the same but yes at the least a midi out would have been stellar since these units have roll functions that allow machine gun style drum and bass ratchet effects.
I owned a RT123 for so long that I had forgotten when did I bought it. I still use it every now and then because I like zoom's factory preset rhythms, whether they are in RT123, zoom G5, Zoom B1Four, etc
I agree 100% with you. The lack of a battery option ( would have been a great idea ) and the MIDI in only spoiled what would have been a great unit. As it is okay it's good ( I have two, one in see through blue "Ooo naughty".). Haven't tried the MIDI in, but maybe it's done to sync with a sequencer? Or ......could it allow a keyboard to input bass notes?......hmmm.
Hello, I just recently picked up the Zoom Rhythm Trak RT-223! I got it mainly cuz If i ever go perform live id have drums with me. Problem is, im not really familair when it comes to this kind of equipment. Do i need to buy myself another amplifier to connect it to? Or can i just still connect it with my guitar pedals and play throuh one amp. Tips and tricks are HIGHLY appreciated 😖
I like that you can send the audio out and convert in your DAW to MIDI. Also, you can take drum loops or compositions in your DAW, send it to the RT123 while hitting record and use that.
@@dimitrisaivaliotis5616 for practice yoh can connect to your guitar amp. I have seen ine band use a drum machine live connected to a guitar amp, but most connect to a line in mixer for a PA or house mix and magbe use eq to optimize the sound
i am trying to add bass to a song im worried its limited to pattern mode. i have scoured the manual already and pg 39 says you can TRANSPOSE the bass to a song but does that mean you can add it? the bass on this thing is nuts and super complicated my head is spinning a bit.
I got one recently to use in my next album, which will be as analog as possible, and am loving it, but when I set the bass to the same MIDI channel as my synths, it matches their octaves which is useless, meaning that I have to use my other synth as the bass instead. Do you have any advice as to how I could program it to stay only on the bass pitches via midi?
@@gearfacts Hi, thanks for the reply! I poured through the manual online and it mentioned nothing about that in particular. You can only tune the bass of presets and for manual play, otherwise it just copies the exact MIDI info through. Don't get me started on what happens when you set a specific drum kit to MIDI! 🤣🤣🤣 Other than that, as a basic but punchy and realistic sounding drum machine, I'm really pleased with it.
SO MANY PEOPLE play with the pattern mode but not the song mode i dont know why nobody wants to show how to use the song function but man i would watch the shit out of it if you did. this thing is a mess.
Never understood why people go crazy over a TR 606, 707, 808 or 909 these digital machines were far more versatile and interesting to listen to, if you have any kind of creative mind and patience to program.
I have a Zoom RT-234 (1998) and I would never let it go. Lots of fun for guitar practice. Besides, the price on it has doubled since I bought it, so, it's a keeper.
You sure are a shrewd investor with these vintage machines.
@@gearfacts Thanks! One of my best moves was a 12 string BC Rich guitar I bought for $500 and sold to a collector for $1200, but ya got to move fast to buy and have patience to sell. :)
@@dawnr8511 wow, nice. I think my best was an old Hohner portable electric piano I got at a police auction for $80 (my absolute ceiling bid!) and sold for a little over $400. It’s not often that I find unique things like that though, it’s usually “yep, that’s another Casio ctk that might bring me a 20 :/
My first drum machine (234). Bought it sold it bought it again then traded it for mc 303. Very easy to use. Sounds great. Next time l will keep it forever.
The RT series 123, 223, and 234 are all so underrated! And the sample track and street box! And nobody does a proper demo or review. I ACTUALLY own 3 RT234’s and still play them. I really should post my own video if how powerful it actually is!
I have the STREETBOXX version of this drum machine. All in all it is a great cheap little machine but yes, the same CONs apply.. Thankfully, the cons are the same but yes at the least a midi out would have been stellar since these units have roll functions that allow machine gun style drum and bass ratchet effects.
Ahhh the Streetboxx, I think that was one of my first Gearfact videos. Don't look it up, it'd be terrible for sure :/
I owned a RT123 for so long that I had forgotten when did I bought it.
I still use it every now and then because I like zoom's factory preset rhythms, whether they are in RT123, zoom G5, Zoom B1Four, etc
I dig anything drum machine related.
haha true, there's no denying the fun factor!
I agree 100% with you. The lack of a battery option ( would have been a great idea ) and the MIDI in only spoiled what would have been a great unit. As it is okay it's good ( I have two, one in see through blue "Ooo naughty".). Haven't tried the MIDI in, but maybe it's done to sync with a sequencer? Or ......could it allow a keyboard to input bass notes?......hmmm.
Two glaring omissions, imho!
What a fun little unit :)
Hello, I just recently picked up the Zoom Rhythm Trak RT-223! I got it mainly cuz If i ever go perform live id have drums with me. Problem is, im not really familair when it comes to this kind of equipment. Do i need to buy myself another amplifier to connect it to? Or can i just still connect it with my guitar pedals and play throuh one amp. Tips and tricks are HIGHLY appreciated 😖
Yeah. You have to connect it to a set of speakers or an amp with speakers
I like that you can send the audio out and convert in your DAW to MIDI. Also, you can take drum loops or compositions in your DAW, send it to the RT123 while hitting record and use that.
Sorry i don't know anything about drummachines
The zoom is connecting with a guitar amplifier?
What is the line?
@@dimitrisaivaliotis5616 for practice yoh can connect to your guitar amp. I have seen ine band use a drum machine live connected to a guitar amp, but most connect to a line in mixer for a PA or house mix and magbe use eq to optimize the sound
@@harveyandruss8748 thank you
Looks fun.
@6:05 It's like playing whack-a-mole to clear those individual notes!
i am trying to add bass to a song im worried its limited to pattern mode. i have scoured the manual already and pg 39 says you can TRANSPOSE the bass to a song but does that mean you can add it? the bass on this thing is nuts and super complicated my head is spinning a bit.
I got one recently to use in my next album, which will be as analog as possible, and am loving it, but when I set the bass to the same MIDI channel as my synths, it matches their octaves which is useless, meaning that I have to use my other synth as the bass instead. Do you have any advice as to how I could program it to stay only on the bass pitches via midi?
I'm afraid I have no advice on that at all. All I can suggest is googling up the manual :)
@@gearfacts Hi, thanks for the reply! I poured through the manual online and it mentioned nothing about that in particular. You can only tune the bass of presets and for manual play, otherwise it just copies the exact MIDI info through. Don't get me started on what happens when you set a specific drum kit to MIDI! 🤣🤣🤣
Other than that, as a basic but punchy and realistic sounding drum machine, I'm really pleased with it.
@@connorm.anderton363change the midi channel
The RT-123 is juz to old for usb socket and i think even for Memory Card Slot as Standard.
Yup
No idea hold it down till you're gone through the loop
So, how can you hook it up to a laptop?
Can you use a 1/4 inch to usb cord?
A Midi to USB adapter is the only way. You can get them very cheap online.
audio interface
SO MANY PEOPLE play with the pattern mode but not the song mode i dont know why nobody wants to show how to use the song function but man i would watch the shit out of it if you did. this thing is a mess.
I use Groove play,that’s FUN!!
Never understood why people go crazy over a TR 606, 707, 808 or 909 these digital machines were far more versatile and interesting to listen to, if you have any kind of creative mind and patience to program.
Agreed. I can see the vintage charm of those old units, but as far as making music goes, there's no contest.
the rt 234 has the best sounds but the worst preset patterns always too complex
13th Like again!
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