ZOOM R20 multitrack recorder and BTA-1 Bluetooth adapter - does it work without a functioning app?

[@tomcaron9113]

I just bought the R20 on sale and so far, on 3.0, I’m enjoying it. Usually use Reaper DAW but wanted a simple option for song development and arraignments. It’s a real bummer that the early owners have been waiting for what appears to be available now. Hoping through the iPad we can get track editing, bouncing, punch in/out, etc. we’ll see how it goes!

[@GazRendar]

Yeah, if you can get it on sale, the R20 is a good value for a lot of users. I'm hopeful that track view and all the track view editing features eventually become available on the R20 iOS app, but I don't know when or if that will happen. Just have to hope!

[@dannym5345]

Thanks for the information I thought it was only me that couldn't connect to Bluetooth with the bta1 I don't feel so stupid now

[@GazRendar]

Nah...it's not you at all! It's all of us being bummed out with no app yet.

[@fiskenuno]

Hi. It's possible to connect the R20 through the BTA-1 with a Bluetooth MIDI app such as Korg's Bluetooth MIDI Connect (works with both phone and computer, recognizes the R20 and connects). However, can't seem to control anything with it so without the dedicated app I guess it's useless. :)

[@GazRendar]

That's interesting you can get it to pair with anything. But I didn't try bluetooth MIDI. I wonder if that means they are building more MIDI features into the R20 and are planning to put them into their own app.

[@yaelguy4264]

Hi! Do you do persolized / private tutorials? I am looking for someone to teach me more in details about this recorder.

[@ludekkolenaty2209]

This is what I sent to Zoom Support today: Dear Zoom as it is obvious from some newest user video on YT, all of us who bought R20 with BT-1 dongle are quite disappointed - maybe some response would be fine, even if it was postponing the issue date. As a matter of fact your initial add showing the app was misleading a lot, don’t you think? Ludek

[@GazRendar]

Hi Ludek. Thanks for watching the video....sorry you bought the BTA-1 dongle as well and don't have any way to use it. Let's see what Zoom says in response to your email. I received a vague response in March 2022 that suggested the bluetooth app would arrive around the same time as the v2.00 firmware update. But we are sadly still waiting...

[@ludekkolenaty2209]

Hello Gaz, I addressed ZoomEurope team several times about the BT connectivity ( promised for this Spring ). No response at all... I'm quite upset but still wait...

[@manixsage8706]

Thanks, I thought I was nuts but I’m disappointed. I have 4 zoom products and the two newest got me wondering why I bought them. The R20 is the problem now. I still need a disc stylus to even use it without extreme frustration. The Bluetooth is the main reason I bought it! Come on Zoom and deliver?

[@GazRendar]

I've gotten used to the R20's touchscreen that I can stick with just my fingers and navigate through it to record something quickly. However, yes, I do use the disc stylus when I'm attempting to perform heavier audio editing. I think it's still a solid budget multitracker, but with Zoom increasing the price from $399 to $449 recently, I'm less willing to overlook some of the shortcomings with the device - like the missing bluetooth app.

[@MartinCraneRockbeast]

There is an ipad app called R20 Control.

[@GazRendar]

Yeah, I made that original video back in the summer. But once the iOS app finally came out I made a video about my first impressions using it. You can find it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGqveoyQpbSpq6M

[@GazRendar]

I just went back and made an edit in this video's description that includes the link to my first look at the iOS app. Thanks for reminding me I needed to do that!

[@ludekkolenaty2209]

So Zoom issued the new update 2.4 and still no BTA-1 connectivity! I couldn't stand it and wrote them again ( expecting no response as usual ) that their game with us is not fair. They silently erased their former promise for Spring, replaced it for vague "2022" but still lurking BT dongle buyers with their original videos to purchase BTA-1 for no use at all... I am really upset but still keep my R20 and maybe some day the sun will shine on me...

[@GazRendar]

I know. There wasn't anything about the bluetooth app listed in the update. The update seems fairly minor - just bug fixes and no real new features. Sadly we just have to sit and wait and see if the bluetooth app happens this year or not...not fun.

[@motorcyclesandmusic8359]

Anyone lost your power supply and tried to get another one?? Another very similar move. Also after buying the bt1 so many months ago I no longer believe they intend to release it and to be honest by the time they do I’ll be upgrading to another device.

[@QR_Code]

bought an R20 for shits-giggles a few months back and even got the BTA-1 when it came back in stock....i notice when i would ask about the control app Zoom would not respond...The twitter account where normally you would get "customer service" from corporations is cricket like 👎🏾 wonder how many of the addt'l $40 they hustled from the people

[@GazRendar]

I emailed ZOOM corporate back in late Feb 2022 asking about app support. They referred me to ZOOM North America, and the short answer I got there was that they expected it to work in "spring 2022" with the firmware update. The v2.00 firmware updated arrived, but I've been baffled that the app isn't available yet. So....I just don't know what to expect anymore. The only thing on the website now is a vague "coming 2022."

[@ludekkolenaty2209]

Dear Gaz, I'm really upset now and wrote to Zoom again today - I do not expect any response but I simply had to.... We are on the same boat and that's why I inform you. Greetings and thanks your your videos. Hello dear ZOOM team. I addressed the European ZOOM branch several time with the same question but no one have ever bothered to respond. When I purchased the R20, you advertised the BT connectivity to be available in Spring 202. So I bought your dongle. Then you’ve changed this term for a vague “2022” and now even the iPhone picture showing the BT connectivity silently disappeared from your web site. Please don’t let me be fooled that I believed in your promise and bought R20 only with vision to use it with my iPad! Any not avoiding response will be much much appreciated - not only by me but other R20 users. And please do not refer me to your European branch again. Thank you. Dr. Ludek Kolenaty Prague, Czechia

[@GazRendar]

I think it's perfectly fair to be upset. Unfortunately, I doubt you'll hear a response from Zoom. Any attempts I've made to the corporate office have immediately directed me to contact my regional office (North America) and I haven't received much of a response from them. At this point I've given up trying to project when the app will show up. I still think it will....but I'm just going to go ahead and assume the worst that 2022 now means November or December of 2022.

[@ludekkolenaty2209]

@@GazRendar Hello Gaz, I'm so glad you communicate with me! Just a small addendum - I even cannot find any information about the BT connectivity release term on their web site ( maybe I overlooked it but tried twice..). I completely agree they will be secretive and I do not expect any response at all and from now on I keep my frustration for myself and wait and wait and wait...😕

[@GazRendar]

I just checked and on the North America website for the R20 it still has one small panel of information that says a bluetooth app will be "available in 2022." So I'd like to think it's still coming...but I'm just sadly thinking it won't be until the end of the year.

[@JasonCrownover]

I bought my Bluetooth adapter, 3 months ago.

[@GazRendar]

Yeah, I'm with ya. Hopefully something (useful) is released soon so we all didn't waste money on the bluetooth adapter.

[@alexmurillo777]

That´s because theré´s no app for iphone (the cellphone), but there it is one for ipad

[@GazRendar]

Yeah...I made that video before the iPad app was released. I left the video up because it shows how the R20 doesn't pair with bluetooth headphones. I later made a video covering the basics of the R20 iPad app here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGqveoyQpbSpq6M

[@JasonCrownover]

They need to get off there ass's and get the app out now! I've had mine for 4 months now. This is crazy! WTF?

[@blindspell3754]

This was their response to me a few weeks ago: Hello, The R20 app is releasing soon. Please keep an eye on our website for updates. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Sincerely, CUSTOMER SUPPORT Zoom North America

[@GazRendar]

That's good to know, but I emailed them back in March and they basically said the same thing. So at this point I'll believe it when I see it. Let's hope it's more like September and not December. But...at this point, I'm almost like...just make sure it's good on Day 1. You've already taken this long to develop it, make sure it's a bug-free when you do release it, even if you take more time.

[@kellykel333]

One disappointment after another with this machine… at first glance, it looks like the ultimate arrangement tool for people that use a lot of little midi boxes, but the R20 falls short in every department. Still scratching my head over their decision to put a crappy synth in there instead of giving us midi sync.

[@GazRendar]

I still think the machine is pretty good for what it is, but there are definitely compromises. My biggest problem here is that they made the Bluetooth app a major part of their initial marketing campaign and it's still not here. For other stuff, I'm going to try to remain hopeful that Zoom will continue to support the device. Maybe they just laid the framework and they plan on improving the synth sounds (and give us some modulation controls). The lack of MIDI sync sucks, but they could totally fix it by making a click that specifically works for syncing. That should be a straightforward feature to add. I'm trying to be optimistic that more good things could be coming with this machine, but we'll see how much patience I have.

[@GazRendar]

I still think the machine is pretty good for what it is, but there are definitely compromises. My biggest problem here is that they made the Bluetooth app a major part of their initial marketing campaign and it's still not here. For other stuff, I'm going to try to remain hopeful that Zoom will continue to support the device. Maybe they just laid the framework and they plan on improving the synth sounds (and give us some modulation controls). The lack of MIDI sync sucks, but they could totally fix it by making a click that specifically works for syncing. That should be a straightforward feature to add. I'm trying to be optimistic that more good things could be coming with this machine, but we'll see how much patience I have.

[@fiskenuno]

Yeah, I agree. They actually bothered to add USB midi to this device - with a few built-in soft synths (no they don't sound very good but I still think it can be quite useful to start out by creating a guide track with simple chords or such, which you later remove). And yet, they did not add midi sync. I mean, forgive my ignorance - because maybe this is quite a challenge to implement after all - but in my world it would be pretty easy to add when you've actually put USB midi into the thing...? I don't know. It's unbelievable is what it is. Could it be that they REALLY do not see how useful it would be to sync an external drum machine or effect unit?