Zoom MRS-1266 User Manual

Operation Manual

© ZOOM Corporation

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

1

W

W

USAGE AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

USAGE AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

In this manual, symbols are used to highlight warnings and
cautions for you to read so that accidents can be prevented.
The meanings of these symbols are as follows:

This symbol indicates explanations about
extremely dangerous matters. If users

arning

ignore this symbol and handle the device
the wrong way, serious injury or death could
result.

This symbol indicates explanations about

Caution

Please observe the following safety tips and precautions to
ensure hazard-free use of the MRS-1266.

• Power requirements

arning

dangerous matters. If users ignore this
symbol and handle the device the wrong
way, bodily injury and damage to the
equipment could result.

The MRS-1266 is powered by the supplied AC
adapter. To prevent malfunction and safety hazards,
do not use any other kind of AC adapter.

• Handling

The MRS-1266 is a precision instrument. Do not
exert undue pressure on the keys and other controls.

Caution

Also take care not to drop the unit, and do not subject
it to shock or excessive pressure.

• Alterations

Never open the case of the MRS-1266 or attempt to
modify the product in any way since this can result in

Caution

damage to the unit.

• Connecting cables and input and output jacks

You should always turn off the power to the MRS­1266 and all other equipment before connecting or

Caution

disconnecting any cables. Also make sure to
disconnect all cables and the AC adapter before
moving the MRS-1266.

• Volume

Do not use the MRS-1266 at a loud volume for a long

Caution

time since this can cause hearing impairment.

• CD-R/RW Drive

Never look directly in the laser beam projected from
the optical pickup of the CD-R/RW drive since your
sight can be damaged.

Caution

When using the MRS-1266 in an area with a
different line voltage, please consult your local
ZOOM distributor about acquiring a proper AC
adapter.

• Environment

Avoid using your MRS-1266 in environments where
it will be exposed to:

Caution

• Extreme temperature

• High humidity or moisture

• Excessive dust or sand

• Excessive vibration or shock

2

ZOOM MRS-1266

Usage Precautions

• Electrical interference

For safety considerations, the MRS-1266 has been designed
to provide maximum protection against the emission of
electromagnetic radiation from inside the device, and
protection from external interference. However, equipment
that is very susceptible to interference or that emits powerful
electromagnetic waves should not be placed near the MRS­1266, as the possibility of interference cannot be ruled out
entirely.

With any type of digital control device, the MRS-1266
included, electromagnetic interference can cause
malfunctioning and can corrupt or destroy data. Care should
be taken to minimize the risk of damage.

USAGE AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

• Cleaning

Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the MRS-1266. If necessary,
slightly moisten the cloth. Do not use abrasive cleanser, wax,
or solvents (such as paint thinner or cleaning alcohol), since
these may dull the finish or damage the surface.

• Backup

The data of MRS-1266 can be lost because of malfunction
or incorrect operation. Backup your data.

• Copyrights

Except for personal use, unauthorized recording from
copyrighted sources(CDs, records, tapes, video clips,
broadcast material and so on) is prohibited.
ZOOM Corporation does not bear any liability for
injunctions regarding the copyright law infringement.

Please keep this manual in a convenient place for future
reference.

MIDI is a registered trademark of Association of Musical

Electronics Industry(AMEI).

GS is a trademark or a registered trademark of Roland

corporation.

ZOOM MRS-1266

3

Contents

Contents

USAGE AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . 2

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Usage Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Introducing the MRS-1266 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Recorder section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Rhythm section. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Mixer section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Effect section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Parts of the MRS-1266 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Top panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Rear panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Front panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Installing the CD-R/RW Drive . . . . . . . . . 17

Listening to the Demo Song . . . . . . . . . . 19

Demo song protect status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Turning on the power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Selecting the demo song . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Playing the demo song . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Turning power off (shutdown) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Quick Tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Step 1: Creating a new project . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Step 2: Creating a rhythm song . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

2-1 Building a rhythm pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

2-2 Entering chord information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Step 3: Recording the first track . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

3-1 Adjusting input sensitivity and recording level . . .28

3-2 Setting the insert effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

3.3 Selecting a track and recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Step 4: Overdubbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

4-1 Selecting an insert effect patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

4-2 Selecting a track and recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Step 5: Mixdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

5-1 Adjusting volume, panning, and EQ . . . . . . . . . . .33

5-2 Using the send/return effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

5-3 Using the mastering effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

5-4 Recording the master track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Reference [Recorder] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Using V-takes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Switching V-takes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Editing V-take names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Moving to a desired point in the song

(Locate function) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Re-recording only a specified region

(Punch-in/out function) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Using manual punch-in/out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Using auto punch-in/out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Recording several tracks on a master track

(Mixdown function) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

About the master track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Mixdown steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Playing the master track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Combining multiple tracks on another track

(Bounce function). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

How bounce works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Making bounce settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Executing bounce recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Recording on 6 tracks simultaneously

(6TR REC mode) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

How 6TR REC works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Assigning an input signal to a track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Recording the drum/bass sound

(Rhythm recording) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Assigning marks within a song

(Marker function). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Setting a mark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Locating a mark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Deleting a mark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Playing back the same passage repeatedly

(A-B Repeat function) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Finding a desired location

(Scrub/Preview function) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Using the scrub/preview functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Changing the settings of the scrub function . . . . . . . 52

Reference [Track Editing] . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Editing by rewriting data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Basic editing steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Copying a specified range of data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Moving a specified range of data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Erasing a specified range of data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Trimming a specified range of data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Fade-in/fade-out of specified data range . . . . . . . . . . 58

Reversing a specified range of audio data . . . . . . . . . 59

Changing the duration of a specified

range of data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Editing V-takes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Basic V-take editing steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Erasing a V-take . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Copying a V-take . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Moving a V-take . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Exchanging V-takes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Track capture and swap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Capturing a track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Swapping track data and captured data . . . . . . . . . . 64

ZOOM MRS-1266

4

Contents

Reference [Phrase Looping] . . . . . . . . . . 65

Which kind of phrases can be used?. . . . . . . . . 65

Loading a phrase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Basic phrase loading steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Importing a V-take from the current project . . . . . . . . 66

Importing a WAV/AIFF file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Importing a phrase from a different project . . . . . . . . 69

Adjusting phrase parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Copying a phrase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Creating a phrase loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Numeric input for phrase loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Writing a phrase loop to a track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Reference [Mixer] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

About the mixer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

Basic operation of the input mixer . . . . . . . . . . .76

Assigning input signals to recording tracks . . . . . . . .76

Adjusting the depth of the send/return effects . . . . . .78

Adjusting the pan/balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

Basic operation of the track mixer . . . . . . . . . . .79

Adjusting the volume/pan/EQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79

Adjusting depth of send/return effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Linking odd-numbered/even-numbered channels . . .81

Using the solo function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

Saving/recalling mixer settings

(Scene function) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Saving a scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

Recalling a saved scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

Switching scenes automatically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

Deleting certain parameters from a scene . . . . . . . . .84

Reference [Rhythm] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

About the rhythm section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86

Drum kits and bass programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86

Rhythm patterns and the drum/bass tracks . . . . . . . .86

Rhythm songs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87

Rhythm pattern mode and rhythm song mode . . . . . .87

Synchronizing the recorder section and rhythm

section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Playing rhythm patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Selecting and playing a rhythm pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Changing the tempo of the rhythm pattern . . . . . . . . .88

Changing the drum kit / bass program . . . . . . . . . . . .89

Creating a rhythm song . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89

Selecting a rhythm song . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89

Inputting rhythm pattern data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89

Step input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90

FAST input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92

Inputting root/chord data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94

Inputting other data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95

Playing a rhythm song . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Editing a rhythm song . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97

Copying a specific region of measures . . . . . . . . . . . .97

Transposing the entire rhythm song . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98

Copying a rhythm song . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98

Erasing the rhythm song . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Assigning a name to a rhythm song . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Creating an original rhythm pattern . . . . . . . . .100

Preparations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Real-time input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Step input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Setting the rhythm pattern chord information . . . . . 108

Editing a rhythm pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109

Adjusting the volume balance of drum and bass . . . 109

Copying a rhythm pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

Editing the name of a rhythm pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

Erasing a rhythm pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Creating your own drum kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111

Changing the sound and settings for each pad . . . . 111

Assigning a name to a kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Copying a kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Importing rhythm patterns and rhythm songs

from another project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114

Editing various settings of the rhythm

section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114

Basic procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Changing the length of the pre-count . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Changing the metronome volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Adjusting the sensitivity of the pads . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Checking the remaining amount of memory . . . . . . 116

Adjusting the volume of each pad with the faders . . 116

Reference [Effects] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

About the effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117

Insert effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

Send/return effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

Using the insert effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118

About insert effect patches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

Changing the insert location of the insert effect . . . 119

Selecting the patch for the insert effect . . . . . . . . . . 119

Editing the insert effect patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Storing an insert effect patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

Editing the name of an insert effect patch . . . . . . . . 123

Applying the insert effect only to the monitor

signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Using the send/return effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125

About the send/return effect patches . . . . . . . . . . . 125

Selecting a send/return effect patch . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

Editing a send/return effect patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

Storing a send/return effect patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

Editing the name of a send/return

effect patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

Importing patches from another project . . . . . .128

Reference [Creating a CD] . . . . . . . . . . 129

Writing audio data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129

About CD-R/RW discs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129

Recording audio data by project . . . . . . . . . . . .130

Recording audio data by album . . . . . . . . . . . .131

Playing an audio CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133

ZOOM MRS-1266

5

Contents

Erasing a CD-RW Disc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135

Finalizing a CD-R/RW Disc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136

Loading data from an audio CD . . . . . . . . . . . .137

Reference [Projects] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

About projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138

Project operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138

Basic procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138

Loading a project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

Creating a new project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139

Checking the project size/available hard disk

capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139

Copying a project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140

Erasing a project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

Editing the project name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141

Protecting/unprotecting a project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141

Backup and restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142

Saving a single project to CD-R/RW disc . . . . . . . . .142

Saving all projects to CD-R/RW disc . . . . . . . . . . . .143

Loading a project from CD-R/RW disc . . . . . . . . . . . 144

Reference [MIDI] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146

About MIDI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146

What you can do using MIDI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146

Making MIDI-related settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

Basic procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

Setting the drum/bass MIDI channel . . . . . . . . .148

Specifying transmission of Timing Clock

messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148

Specifying transmission of Song Position

Pointer messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149

Specifying transmission of Start/Stop/

Continue messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149

Specifying transmission of Program Change

messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149

Using the SMF player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150

Reading an SMF into a project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150

Selecting the SMF output destination . . . . . . . . . . . .150

SMF playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

Formatting the hard disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

Hard disk maintenance with the

accesory CD-ROM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160

MRS-1266 specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161

Problems during playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161

Problems during recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161

Problems with effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161

Problems with the rhythm section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

Problems with MIDI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

Problems with CD-R/RW drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163

Other problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163

Effect Type/Parameter List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164

Insert effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164

Send Return effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171

Effect patch list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172

Pattern List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177

Drum Kit/Bass Program List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179

MIDI note number chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180

Instrument List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181

PHRASE LIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183

MRS-1266 hard disk contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185

Compatibility with the MRS-1044 series . . . . . . . . . 185

MIDI implementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186

MIDI implementation chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188

Reference [Other Functions] . . . . . . . . 153

Changing the function of the foot switch . . . . .153

Using the tuner function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154

Preventing digital copying of a master tape

or master disc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155

Switching the level meter display type . . . . . . .156

Assigning a signal to the SUB OUT jack . . . . . .156

Hard disk maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157

Basic maintenance procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157

Test/restore integrity of data on internal hard

disk (ScanDisk) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158

Overwriting the system file data

(Factory Initialize) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158

6

ZOOM MRS-1266

■

■

■

■

■

Introduction

Introduction

Overview

Thank you for selecting the ZOOM MRS-1266 Multitrak Recording Studio (subsequently referred to as "the MRS-1266 ").
The MRS-1266 is a digital audio workstation with the following features:

Brings together all the functionality you need for complete music production

The MRS-1266 provides all the functionality you need for professional music production: hard disk
recorder, drum/bass machine, digital mixer, effects, CD-R/RW drive and more. From creating the rhythm
tracks to multitrack recording, mixdown, and burning an audio CD, the MRS-1266 lets you do it all.

12-track x 10-take recorder

The recorder section provides eight mono tracks and a stereo track, for a total of ten tracks. In addition, a
master track (stereo) for mixdown is also provided. Because each track has ten virtual tracks (V-takes),
you can record multiple takes for important parts such as vocals or guitar solos and select the best take
later.
A full range of editing functions is also provided, allowing you to copy or move audio data. Special
functions include reversing of data and time stretch/compression. Data exchange and copy between
regular tracks and the master track is also possible.

Versatile input/output configuration allows simultaneous recording on six channels

10 different types of inputs on the rear panel and front panel feed a total of six channels. Synthesizers,
dynamic microphones, condenser microphones, guitar/bass and many other kinds of instruments are
supported, including high-impedance sources. In normal operation, two inputs are selected for recording
on the audio tracks. A special 6TR REC mode allows simultaneous recording on six channels. This is great
for drum multi-track or for band recording. The output array includes analog and digital (optical)
STEREO OUT connectors, a PHONES output, and a STEREO SUB-OUT that can carry the signal from
a specified input, track, or drum/bass channel. During mixdown, an external effect device can also be used
for any sound.

Bounce function allows ping-pong recording of ten tracks simultaneously

The bounce function makes it easy to consolidate multiple tracks into one or two tracks with just a few
keystrokes. Even when there are no vacant tracks available, you can play back ten tracks simultaneously,
add the drum and bass sound, and bounce the result onto two V-takes. If you select the master track as
bounce target, internal mixdown is possible without using up any of the regular tracks or V-takes.

Phrase loop function for pasting audio material

Using recorded audio data or audio files picked up from a CD-ROM disc, you can create "phrase loops"
for example of drum licks and guitar riffs. The playback sequence and repetition count of phrases can be
programmed freely and written to any track or V-take as audio data.

ZOOM MRS-1266

7

Introduction

Rhythm section can be used to provide guide rhythm or accompaniment

The rhythm section provides more than 400 types of accompaniment patterns from the internal drum +
bass sound generator. You can also create original patterns with real-time/step input. This can be used as
an independent guide rhythm or in synchronization with the recorder. You can also program chords or
pattern playback order to create the rhythm accompaniment for an entire song. In addition to conventional
step input, the MRS-1266 features an innovative concept called FAST developed by ZOOM which lets
you quickly build songs with various repeated patterns.

Mixer section supporting automated operation

The internal digital mixer can handle 10 tracks plus the drum and bass channels. The level, panning, and
EQ settings of each channel can be saved as separate "scenes". A saved scene can be recalled manually at
any time, or can be switched automatically at a desired point in a song.

■

Versatile effects

The MRS-1266 provides an "insert effects" that can be inserted into a specified signal route, and a "send/
return effects" that are used via the mixer send/return loop. The effects can be used in a variety of ways,
from modifying the tone while recording a track, to spatial processing or mastering during mixdown.

■

■

■

CD-R/RW drive

When you have created a mixdown on the master track, you can easily burn it onto a CD-R or CD-RW
disc using the built-in drive. This is convenient for creating audio CDs and also comes in handy when you
want to back up data that you have recorded.
The version of the MRS-1266 without internal CD-R/RW drive lets you connect the optional drive CD­01, giving you the same functionality as the integrated model.

In order to take full advantage of the MRS-1266's versatile functions and to ensure trouble-free

enjoyment, please read this manual carefully.

Keep this manual in a safe place together with the warranty card.

ZOOM MRS-1266

8

Introduction

●

Introducing the MRS-1266

The MRS-1266 is internally divided into the following five
sections.

Recorder section

Records and plays back audio.

●

Rhythm section

Uses internal drum and bass sound sources to play rhythms.

●

Mixer section

Mixes the signals from the recorder section and rhythm
section, for output via the stereo output jacks and for
mixdown on dedicated master tracks.

●

Effect section

Processes input signals or signals of the mixer section. The
MRS-1266 has two types of effects: an insert effect that is

inserted in a specific signal path, and a send/return effect that
uses the send/return loop of the mixer section.

●

CD-R/RW drive section

Lets you burn an audio CD using the contents of the master
tracks, or read audio material from CDs and CD-ROMs.

Now let's take a closer look at each section.

Recorder section

The recorder section of the MRS-1266 has ten tracks: eight
mono tracks (tracks 1 - 8) and one stereo track (tracks 9/10).
(A "track" is a separate section for recording audio data.) Up
to two tracks can be recorded simultaneously and up to ten
tracks can be played back simultaneously.

Each of the tracks has ten switchable virtual tracks (called
"V-takes"). In each track, one V-take can be selected for

INPUT

Insert
effect

CD-R/RW section

From immediately after
[MASTER] fader

To immediately before
[MASTER] fader

Recorder section

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

Tracks 9/10

Master tracks
(Tracks 11/12)

Bass sound

Drum sound

Rhythm section

REVERB

DRUM

12345678

BASS

OUTPUT

MASTER

9/10

(11/12)

To master tracks

ZOOM MRS-1266

CHORUS

DELAY

Send/return effect

Mixer section

From master tracks

9

Introduction

V

r

recording/playback. For example, you can record guitar
solos onto multiple V-takes, and then compare them later to
select the best take.

Recorder section

Track 1
Track 2
Track 3

HINT

By changing the internal settings of the MRS-1266, you can
directly record the signal from INPUT jacks 1 - 6 on tracks 1

- 6. (This is called "6TR REC mode".)

Currently selected V-takes

-takes

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

10

23456789/10 11/12

1

Tracks Master track

The recorder section also provides a set of stereo tracks
which are separate from the normal record/play tracks 1 - 10.
These are called the master tracks. The master tracks are
dedicated for mixdown and for storing the material used to
create an audio CD.

Rhythm section

The rhythm section of the MRS-1266 offers 511
accompaniment patterns (called "rhythm patterns") that use
the internal drum/bass sound generator. Over 400 patterns are
preprogrammed at the factory. Rhythm patterns can be played
independently or in synchronization with the recorder.

HINT

You can also create original patterns by using either the pads
on the top panel or through the use of MIDI.

Rhythm
pattern

Rhythm section

Rhythm
pattern

Rhythm

pattern

Bass sound

to
the mixe

Drum sound

You can arrange rhythm patterns in the desired order of
playback, and program chords and tempo to create the rhythm
accompaniment for an entire song. (This is called a "rhythm
song.") Up to 10 rhythm songs can be created, among which
one is selected for playback.

HINT

If desired, rhythm patterns and rhythm songs can be pro­cessed with the insert effect, and bounced on the audio
tracks.

Mixer section

The signals from tracks 1 - 8, 9/10, and the drum and bass
sounds are sent to separate mixer channels for individual
adjustment of volume and tone and to create a stereo mix.
For each track, the following parameters can be controlled
independently.

•Volume

• Panning

•2-band EQ

• Send level to the send/return effect

• Mute on/off

•V-take switching

HINT

If required, the STEREO SUB OUT jacks on the front panel
can be set to carry a specific track or drum/bass sound. This
is convenient for monitoring the track or drum/bass sound,
or for adjusting it with an external effect device.

ZOOM MRS-1266

10

Effect section

The MRS-1266 provides two types of effects: insert effect
and send/return effect. These effects can be used simul­taneously and have the characteristics described below.

■ Insert effect

This effect can be inserted at one of the following three
points in the signal path.

(1) Immediately after the input jack
(2) A desired channel of the mixer
(3) Immediately before the [MASTER] fader

In the default condition, position (1) (immediately after
input jack) is selected.
When the setting is changed to (2), only a selected track or
drum/bass sound is processed by the effect.
When the setting is changed to (3), the final stereo mix can
be processed. This setting is suitable for processing the
signal of the entire song during mixdown.

■ Send/return effect

This effect is internally connected to the send/return loop of
the mixer section. There are two types of send/return effects,
reverb and chorus/delay, which can be used simultaneously.
The send level of each mixer channel adjusts the depth of the
send/return effect. Raising the send level will produce a
deeper reverb or chorus/delay effect for that channel.

Introduction

ZOOM MRS-1266

11

Parts of the MRS-1266

Parts of the MRS-1266

Top panel

Effect

section

In this manual, the names of faders, knobs, and other
controls on the unit are enclosed in square brackets [ ].

Input section Display section TRACK PARAMETER section

Control
section

Rhythm section

Fader section Transport section

Input section Display section

[INPUT]

controls 1 - 6

[PEAK] indicators 1 - 6 [CLIP] indicator

[REC LEVEL]
control

[ON/OFF] keys [6TRACK RECORDING] key

Display

Effect section

[BYPASS] key [INPUT SOURCE] key

[PROJECT] key

[EFFECT] key

[MODULATION/DELAY] key

[ALGORITHM] keys

[GUITAR BASS] key [LINE] key

[TUNER] key

[CHORUS/DELAY] key

[REVERB] key

[MODULE] keys

[PRE AMP/DRIVE] key

[LCD CONTRAST] knob

[UTILITY/
TRACK EDIT] key

[RECORDER] key

[RHYTHM] key

12

[DUAL] key

[MIC] key

[MASTERING] key

[COMPRESSOR] key

[TOTAL] key

[EQUALIZER] key

ZOOM MRS-1266

Rhythm section

[KIT/PROG] key

[DELETE/ERASE] key

[INSERT/COPY] key

[DRUM MIXER] key

[BANK/OCTAVE] [(] key

[BASS] key

[DRUM] key

Parts of the MRS-1266

[SONG] key

[PATTERN] key

[DRUM]/[BASS] status keys

[DRUM]/[BASS] faders

Fader section

Status keys (1 - 8, 9/10, MASTER)

Faders (1 - 8, 9/10, MASTER)

Control section

[HDD] indicator

[SCENE] key

[BOUNCE] key

[CLEAR] key

[ENTER] key

[SOLO] key

Pads

[BACK UP] key
[AUDIO] key
[AUTO PUNCH IN/OUT] key

[A-B REPEAT] key
[MARK] key

MARKER [U]/[I] keys

Cursor keys

[STEP] [)] key

[TEMPO] key

ZERO [U] key

STOP [P] key

TRACK PARAMETER
section

[EQ HIGH] key
[EQ LOW] key
[CHORUS/DELAY SEND] key
[REVERB SEND] key
[PAN] key
[V-TAKE] key

Transport section

REW [T] key

FF [

Y

REC [

PLAY [

R

] key

] key

] key

O

[EXIT] key

[STORE] key

[EDIT] key

[CAPTURE/SWAP] key

ZOOM MRS-1266

Dial

13

Parts of the MRS-1266

Rear panel

[PHANTOM ON/OFF] switch

DC 12V jack

DIGITAL OUTPUT jack

INPUT 6 UNBALANCE jack

INPUT 5 UNBALANCE jack

[POWER] switch

Front panel

Input/output section CD-R/RW drive bay

MIDI IN
connector

Expansion slot

MIDI OUT connector

MASTER OUTPUT jacks

INPUT 6 BALANCE connector

INPUT 1 - 4 jacks

INPUT 5 BALANCE connector

14

Input/output section

[MASTER PHONES] level control

GUITAR/BASS INPUT 1 - 2 jacks

FOOT SW jack

[STEREO SUB OUT] level control
STEREO SUB OUT jack

MASTER PHONES jack

EXP PEDAL jack

ZOOM MRS-1266

Connections

Connect your instruments, audio devices, and MIDI devices as shown in the following diagram.

Rear panel

Connections

MIDI sequencer
(e.g., computer)

AC adaptor

MIDI interface

MIDI

IN

Digital recorder
(e.g., DAT recorder or MD recorder)

OPTICAL IN

MIDI
OUT

To supply +48V phantom power to a
condenser mic, set the [PHANTOM
ON/OFF] switch on the rear panel to
ON. (Phantom power will be supplied
to both INPUT 1/2 XLR connectors.

Dynamic microphone or
condenser microphone

RL

Loop the cable of the AC adaptor
around the hook as shown in the
diagram before connecting it to
the [DC 12V] jack. This will
prevent the plug from being
pulled out if the AC adaptor
cable is accidentally pulled.

ZOOM MRS-1266

Synthesizer or sampler, etc.

When connecting stereo output
devices such as a synthesizer or
CD player, connect the L output
of the external device to the odd
jack, and the R output to the even
jack.

Audio system (audio components or amplified speakers)

To prevent damage to the speakers of your audio system,
turn off the power of the system connected to the
[OUTPUT] (MASTER) jacks (or turn the volume all the
way down) before you make connections.

15

Connections

Front panel

Guitar

Bass

Foot switch
(ZOOM FS01)

The STEREO SUB-OUT jack normally carries the same signal
as the MASTER OUTPUT jacks. You can therefore also use it
as a second headphone jack. By changing an internal setting,

Headphones

Headphones

You can connect the separately available
ZOOM FP-01/FP-02 to this jack, for

Expression pedal
(ZOOM FP01/FP02)

You can connect the separately available
ZOOM FS01 to this jack, for playback
start/stop control or for punch-in/punch­out control.

controlling effect parameters.

the jack can be made to carry only the signal of a specified
track, input, or drum/bass channel. In any case, the output level
can be adjusted with the knob at the right of the jack.

The PHONES jack carries the same signal as the
MASTER OUTPUT jacks and is intended as a
headphone jack. The output level can be adjusted
with the knob at the right of the jack.

16

ZOOM MRS-1266

Installing the CD-R/RW Drive

Installing the CD-R/RW Drive

To install the separately available CD-R/RW drive into the MRS-1266 model without preinstalled CD-R/RW drive, use the
attachment parts packed in the carton. Keep them to use the drive with the MRS-1266.

To install the drive, proceed as follows.

1.

Using the four flathead screws
supplied with the MRS-1266, attach
the two supplied drive guides to the
left and right side of the drive.

Make sure not to attach the guide upside
down.

2.

Remove the drive mounting screws
from the bottom of the MRS-1266,
and remove the bottom plate.

Take care not to lose the screws, since they
will be required again for assembly.

3.

Remove the drive bay blank panel
from the front side of the unit.

ZOOM MRS-1266

17

Installing the CD-R/RW Drive

4.

Plug the power cable and flat cable from the
main unit into the respective connectors on
the CD-R/RW drive.

Flat cablePower cable

5.

Position the CD-R/RW drive in the bay and
carefully push it all the way in.

supplied

pan-head screw

18

supplied pan-head screw

6.

Attach the bottom plate using the two
supplied pan-head screws and those
removed in step 2.

NOTE

• Make sure to use the optional CD-R/RW drive CD-

01.

• Zoom Corporation does not accept any responsibil­ity whatsoever for any kind of damage arising from
the use of the other type of drive, whether they be di­rect or indirect from any third parties.

ZOOM MRS-1266

Listening to the Demo Song

PRJ 000
RunAway

001- 1

PRJ SEL
RunAway

0

Listening to the Demo Song

When shipped from the factory, the internal hard disk of the MRS-1266 contains a demo song. To listen to the demo, proceed as
follows.

Demo song protect status

The demo song on the hard disk is set to protected status,
which means that level mixing and other settings can be
changed while you play the song, but the changes cannot be
stored on the disk. If you wish to retain changes you have
made, disable the protect status (→ p. 141).

Tur ning on the power

1.

Make sure that the AC adapter, instrument, and
audio system (or headphones) are correctly
connected to the MRS-1266. (For information on
connections, refer to page 15.)

2.

Press the [POWER] switch on the rear panel.

Power to the MRS-1266 comes on, the unit performs a self­test, and switch settings are read. Wait until the following
indication appears on the display.
This screen is called the "main screen".

Selecting the demo song

On the MRS-1266, song data are managed in units called
"projects". A project encompasses recorded audio data,
rhythm patterns and rhythm songs of the rhythm section,
internal effect patches (effect programs), and other
information. When you load a project, the complete state in
which that song was saved will be reproduced.

To load the demo song project from the hard disk, proceed
as follows.

1.

Press the [PROJECT] key.

The indication "PROJECT SELECT" appears on the display.
This is the screen for selecting a project.

2.

Press the [ENTER] key.

Projects stored on the hard disk are shown in the lower part
of the display.

PRJ SEL
RunAway

Project name Project number

0

3.

When a synthesizer or other electronic instrument is con­nected to the MRS-1266, turn power on in the order synthe­sizer→ MRS-1266→ audio system. Turn power off in the re­verse order.

ZOOM MRS-1266

PRJ 000
RunAway

0 0 0 0

Turn on the audio system connected to the
MASTER OUTPUT jacks.

HINT

001- 1

3.

Turn the dial to select the demo song.

Project numbers 000 and 001 are the demo songs.

4.

Press the [ENTER] key.

The selected project is loaded. While the hard disk is being
accessed, the [HDD] indicator lights up and the indication
"LOADING" appears on the display. When the display
changes, the demo song has been loaded.

19

Listening to the Demo Song

Playing the demo song

After loading, play the demo song as follows.

1.

Turn down the volume of the audio system.

When headphones are connected, turn down the [MASTER
PHONES] level control.

2.

Press the PLAY [R] key in the transport section.

Playback of the demo song starts.

3.

Adjust the audio system volume setting (or the
[MASTER PHONES] level control) to a comfortable
volume.

4.

If you want to adjust the volume of the individual
tracks, use the respective faders.

The volume of the drum sound from the rhythm section can
be adjusted with the [DRUM] fader. If you want to adjust the
volume of the entire song, use the [MASTER] fader.

Tur ning power off (shutdown)

Whenever you want to turn the MRS-1266 off, be sure to
follow the procedure described below.

1.

Turn power to the audio system off.

2.

Press the [POWER] switch on the rear panel of the
MRS-1266.

If a unprotected project was being used, the state of this
project is automatically saved on the hard disk before the
unit shuts down.

Caution

•You must use this method to turn off the power of the

MRS-1266. Never turn off the power by disconnecting

the AC adaptor plug from the [DC 12V] jack or by

unplugging the AC adaptor from the AC power outlet.

•In particular, you must never turn the power off by

unplugging the AC adaptor while the [HDD] indicator

is lit. Doing so may damage the internal hard disk,

causing all data to be lost permanently.

5.

To switch individual tracks on or off, press the
respective status key.

6.

To stop the demo song, press the STOP [P] key.

20

ZOOM MRS-1266

Quick Tour

PROJECT
SELECT

PROJECT
NEW

PRJNo007
PRJ007

OK?

Quick Tour

This section explains the process of creating a project, programming a rhythm song, recording instruments and vocals, and
performing mixdown onto the master tracks.

This Quick Tour is comprised of the five steps listed below.
Carrying out these steps in sequence will help you to become
familiar with the use of the rhythm section and with the
entire process of recording tracks and completing a song.

●

Step 1: Creating a new project

Shows how to create a new project.

Step 2: Creating a rhythm song

●

Shows how to use the rhythm section to create a rhythm song
accompaniment.

Step 3: Recording the first track

●

Shows how to record the first track while listening to the
rhythm song.

●

Step 4: Overdubbing

Shows how to record (overdub) the track recorded in step 3
with a second and more tracks, while listening to the backing
of the rhythm section.

●

Step 5: Mixdown

Shows how to mix the rhythm section and recorded tracks
down to the master tracks, creating the finished song.

Step 1: Creating a new project

On the MRS-1266, song data are managed in units called
"projects". A project encompasses the following infor­mation.

•All recorder section data

•All mixer section settings

•All rhythm section settings

•All internal effect settings

•Other information (scene, mark, MIDI, etc.)

1.

Press the [PROJECT] key in the display section.

The menu for loading and copying projects appears.

PROJECT
SELECT

2.

Use the cursor left/right keys to bring up the
indication "PROJECT NEW" on the display.

This screen lets you create a new project.

PROJECT
NEW

ZOOM MRS-1266

HINT

For information on other items that can be selected from the
project menu, refer to page 138.

3.

Press the [ENTER] key.

The number and name for the project to be created appear on
the display.

Project number

PRJNo007
PRJ007

Project name

OK?

21

Quick Tour

HINT

• When creating a new project, the lowest free project
number is automatically selected.

• If desired, you can change the project name at this stage.
Use the cursor left/right keys to move the flashing position,
and turn the dial to select a letter.

4.

Press the [ENTER] key once more.

A new project is created.

HINT

• When selecting a different project or creating a new
project, the project you were working on up to that point is
automatically saved.

• When performing the shutdown (
MRS-1266, the last project is automatically saved.

→ p.20) procedure for the

Step 2: Creating a rhythm song

2-1 Building a rhythm pattern

The rhythm section of the MRS-1266 serves as a built-in
accompaniment sound source, providing drum and bass
sounds. Using these sounds, you can repeatedly play
accompaniment patterns of several measures in length (these
are called "rhythm patterns"). For each project, you can use
up to 511 rhythm patterns. (More than 400 rhythm patterns
are preprogrammed in the unit.) The rhythm patterns can
run in synchronization with the recorder, to use as guide
rhythm.
By arranging rhythm patterns in the desired order and
programming chord and tempo information, you can create
the accompaniment for an entire song. (This is called a
"rhythm song".) Two methods are available to achieve this:
step input where rhythm patterns are lined up one by one,
and FAST (Formula Assisted Song Translator), a method
which specifies an entire pattern using formulas.

In this section, we will use step input to create the rhythm
pattern shown below.

Chord

Dm

Chord

Chord

Chord

HINT

PATTERN 046

1

Em

PATTERN 046

5

A#

PATTERN000

9

D

PATTERN 396

13

Measure

number

Measure

number

Measure

number

Measure

number

Up to 10 rhythm songs can be created per project.

G7

PATTERN 046

2

A7

PATTERN 046

6

A

PATTERN 000

10

Dm

PATTERN 046

3

Em

PATTERN 046

7

Dm

PATTERN 046

11

G7

PATTERN 046

4

A7

PATTERN 046

8

G7

PATTERN 046

12

22

ZOOM MRS-1266

1.

SongNo0E
EMPTY

EOS

001- 1

0

PTN
EOS

Verify that the [DRUM]/[BASS] status keys are lit.
Then set the [DRUM], [BASS], and [MASTER]
faders to the 0 (dB) position.

If the [DRUM]/[BASS] status keys are out, press them to
turn them on.

Lit

0dB0dB

The drum sound and bass sound of the rhythm section are
sent to the respective faders which function as an internal
mixer. Use the [DRUM]/[BASS] status keys to turn the
respective sound on or off, and use the [DRUM]/[BASS]
faders to adjust the level.

2.

Press the [SONG] key in the rhythm section.

The indication "SongNo0E EMPTY" appears on the display.

Quick Tour

The [RHYTHM] key stops flashing and stays constantly lit.
The rhythm section is no longer linked to the recorder
section and can be operated independently (referred to as
“rhythm machine mode”).
When the rhythm section is in this condition, rhythm
patterns and rhythm songs can be programmed and edited.

4.

Press the REC [O] key.

The REC [O] key lights up and rhythm patterns, chords, and
other information can be input into the rhythm song. The
counter in the bottom right corner of the display shows the
current position (measure/beat).

Tick

EVEVå
EOS

0

001- 1

Current position

SongNo0E
EMPTY

The rhythm section can operate in "pattern mode" or "song
mode". Use the [SONG] key and [PATTERN] key in the
rhythm section to switch between the two modes.
When the indication "SongNox" (where x is the song
number) is shown on the display, the rhythm section operates
in song mode.

HINT

Immediately after pressing the [SONG] key or [PATTERN]
key, the [RHYTHM] key in the display section flashes.

3.

Press the [RHYTHM] key in the display section.

5.

Use the cursor up/down keys to bring up the
indication " PTN" on the display.

PTN

å

EOS

Normally, the second line of the display in this mode shows
the number of the pattern entered at the current position.
However, for an empty rhythm song there will be no rhythm
pattern information. Therefore the indication "EOS" (End of
Song) is shown instead of the pattern number.

6.

Press the [INSERT/COPY] key in the rhythm section.

The indication "INSERT?" appears on the first line of the
display, and the rhythm pattern number and the number of
measures are shown on the second line.

ZOOM MRS-1266

23

Quick Tour

INSERT?
P000x 4

INSERT?
P046x 2

INSERT?
P046x 8

PTN:046
ROCK17

001- 1

0

PTN
EOS

009- 1

0

INSERT?
P000x 2

009- 1

0

INSERT?
P000x 4

Rhythm pattern

number

7.

Turn the dial to select the number of the rhythm
pattern to insert.

In this example, we will choose rhythm pattern number 046
(ROCK 17).

Number of measures in

rhythm pattern

INSERT?
P046x 2

8.

Use the cursor up/down keys to adjust the rhythm
pattern length.

When the duration is longer than the original rhythm pattern,
the same pattern is repeated for the number of measures.
When the duration is shorter, the unit switches to the next
rhythm pattern while the current pattern is playing.
In the diagram on page 22, the rhythm pattern 046 is
repeated for 8 measures. Therefore "8" is to be input here.

be played repeatedly from the start of the rhythm song to
measure 8.

1234

PATTERN 046

5678

10.

Press the cursor right key repeatedly until the
counter shows "009-1".

By pressing the cursor left or right key, you can move the
current position in the rhythm song in steps of one measure.
When you reach the end of the rhythm song (in this case "9­1"), the indication "EOS" appears on the display.

PTN

å

EOS

0

009- 1

HINT

• For measures where no rhythm pattern information is
input, the display shows " " to the left of "PTN". This
means that the immediately preceding rhythm pattern will
continue to be played.

INSERT?
P046x 8

HINT

You can also switch to another rhythm pattern midway
through a playing pattern. For example, if you specify a
length of 7 measures for a pattern that is normally 2 mea­sures, the pattern will play 3 times and a half, and then the
unit switches to the next rhythm pattern.

9.

To insert the rhythm pattern, press the [ENTER]
key.

The rhythm pattern number is entered at the beginning of the
song.

PTN:046
ROCK17

In this condition, the rhythm pattern selected in step 6 will

0

001- 1

• If you press the PLAY [
the rhythm pattern set for the current position will play
repeatedly.

11.

Press the [INSERT/COPY] key to display the
rhythm pattern insert screen.

12.

Select the next rhythm pattern number and the
number of measures to be repeated, and press the
[ENTER] key.

In the diagram on page 22, the pattern 000 is repeated for 2
measures from measure 9. Therefore "P000x2" is entered
here.

R] key while the REC [O] key is lit,

INSERT?
P000x 2

When you press the [ENTER] key, the new rhythm pattern is
inserted at the start of measure 9, and the "EOS" indication
moves to the start of measure 11.

0

009- 1

24

ZOOM MRS-1266

Quick Tour

13.

Enter all other rhythm patterns in the same way.

14.

When rhythm pattern input is completed, press the

P

STOP [

] key.

The REC [O] key goes out and the rhythm song display
appears again.

By pressing the ZERO [
the rhythm song and then pressing the PLAY [

U] key to return to the beginning of

R] key, you

can play the created rhythm song.

To edit a rhythm pattern after input, perform the following
steps when the REC [

O] key is lit.

Changing an entered rhythm pattern

■

Use the cursor left/right keys to display the name of the
rhythm pattern you want to edit, and then turn the dial to
select the new rhythm pattern.

Change

123

PATTERN A

will be no sound until the point where the next rhythm
pattern information is input.

• If you delete a rhythm pattern in the middle of a song, the
preceding pattern will be repeated until the point where the
next rhythm pattern information is input.

Deleting a specific measure

■

Use the cursor left/right keys to call up the measure to delete.
Then press the cursor up key repeatedly to bring up the
indication "EV→" and press the [DELETE/ERASE] key.
The indication "DELETE?" appears. Press the [ENTER] key
to carry out the deletion. Subsequent measures are moved up
by one count.

Delete

123

PATTERN A

12

PATTERN A

HINT

Another way to build a song is to first enter dummy rhythm
patterns for the required number of measures, and then add
rhythm pattern information only at the measures where the
pattern should change. This quickly gives you a series of
rhythm patterns.

123

PATTERN A

PATTERN B

■

Deleting an entered rhythm pattern

Use the cursor left/right keys to display the name of the
rhythm pattern you want to delete, and then press the
[DELETE/ERASE] key in the rhythm section. The currently
entered pattern is deleted, and the display indication changes
to " PTN".

Delete

123

PATTERN A

123

PATTERN A

NOTE

• If you delete the rhythm pattern at the start of a song, there

PATTERN B

2-2 Entering chord information

When you have finished entering rhythm pattern information,
you can specify chord information (root and chord type). The
bass sound phrase will change according to this information.
For example, you may have a rhythm pattern with a phrase
that normally plays in E minor. By specifying G major as a
chord for that rhythm pattern, the bass line changes to major
scale and is transposed from E to G.
Chord information can be entered by measure, quarter note
or sixteenth note. You can also change the chord/root during
a rhythm pattern.

1.

Press the REC [O] key at the start of the rhythm
song.

ZOOM MRS-1266

25

Quick Tour

ROOT
E --

ROOT
D --

CHORD
D --

CHORD
D m

001- 1

24

CHORD
G 7

002-

0

To return to the start position, you can use the cursor left/
right keys.

2.

Press the cursor down key repeatedly to bring up
the indication "ROOT" on the first line of the
display.

In this condition, specify the root of the chord. For example,
when you specify E, the display becomes as follows.

ROOT
E --

Chord root

3.

Turn the dial to select the chord's root.

The phrase is transposed according to the root.

ROOT
D --

4.

Press the cursor down key again to bring up the
indication "CHORD" on the first line of the display.

CHORD
D --

HINT

When "--" is selected as chord type, only transpose accord­ing to the root is carried out, but the phrase is not converted.
Use this when wishing to play the original phrase as is.

6.

Move to the position where you want to enter the
next chord and enter chord information as
described in steps 2 - 5.

It is not mandatory to enter chord information at the same
point as rhythm pattern information. You can change the
chord also midway in a rhythm pattern or midway in a
measure.

While specifying chord information, you can move the
current position in one of the following ways.

●

Moving in steps of one measure

Pressing the cursor left/right keys moves back and forth to
the start point of measures.

●

Moving in steps of 1 beat (quarter note)

Pressing the REW [T]/FF [Y] keys moves back and forth
to the start point of quarter notes.

●

Moving in steps of 1 sixteenth note

Press the cursor up key to bring up the indication "EV→" on
the display, and turn the dial to move in sixteenth note steps
(12 ticks).

5.

Turn the dial to select chord type.

The available chord types are shown in the table below.

Display Meaning Display Meaning

No change

-- 7sus4
Maj
m
7
m7
M7
aug
dim

In this example, select minor (m).

sus4
m7b5
m6
6
m9
M9
mM7

CHORD
D m

Ticks

EVEVå

24
001- 1

In this example, use the cursor left/right keys to move to the
start of the second measure (2-1) and enter the chord G7.

CHORD
G 7

7.

Specify root and chords for other measures in the
same way.

0
002-

1

26

ZOOM MRS-1266

8.

When input is complete, press the STOP [P] key.

The REC [O] key goes out, and the display returns to the
rhythm song screen.

9.

Return to the beginning of the rhythm song and

R

press the PLAY [

] key.

The rhythm song you have created is played back. To stop
playback, press the STOP [

P] key.

When the rhythm song is as you like it, press the [EXIT] key
to return to the main screen.
To change a chord setting, perform the following steps when
the REC [

O] key is lit.

Changing the entered root or chord type

●

Use the cursor left/right keys to call up the measure you want
to edit, and use the cursor up/down keys to bring up the
indication "ROOT" (for editing root information) or
"CHORD" (for editing chord information) on the display.
Then change the setting with the dial.

Quick Tour

information you want to delete, and press the [DELETE/
ERASE] key in the rhythm section. The entered root/chord
information is deleted, and the display indication changes to
"ROOT" or " CHORD".

Delete

123

C

123

C

NOTE

When you delete the root/chord information, the previous
information will apply up to the next point where root/chord
information is input. Take care not to delete the wrong
information.

FG7

G7

Change

123

C

123

C

NOTE

When you change the root/chord information, the new
information will apply up to the next point where root/chord
information is input. Take care not to enter wrong
information.

FG7

D

G7

Deleting the entered root or chord type

●

Use the cursor left/right keys to call up the root/chord

ZOOM MRS-1266

27

Quick Tour

Step 3: Recording the first track

In this step, you record the first track while listening to the
rhythm song you have created.

3-1 Adjusting input sensitivity and
recording level

Adjust input sensitivity to match the instrument connected to
the INPUT jack, and adjust the signal level to be recorded on
the track.

1.

Connect an instrument or microphone to an input
jack.

Connecting a high-impedance instrument such as

●

guitar or bass

Use the GUITAR/BASS 1 or GUITAR/BASS 2 jack on the
front panel.

NOTE

For instruments with built-in preamplifier and for high-output
instruments, better results may be obtained with the INPUT
1 - 6 jacks on the rear panel.

Connecting a microphone

●

Use one of the INPUT 1 - 6 jacks on the rear panel
(UNBALANCE or BALANCE).

●

Connecting a synthesizer or other component with
line-level stereo output

Use two of the INPUT 1 - 6 jacks on the rear panel
(UNBALANCE or BALANCE).

NOTE

• When something is connected to both the GUITAR/BASS 1
jack on the front panel and INPUT 1 jack on the rear panel,
or the GUITAR/BASS 2 jack on the front panel and INPUT 2
jack on the rear panel, the front panel jack has priority.

• Among balanced and unbalanced connectors on the rear
panel, the unbalanced jack (phone jack marked UNBAL­ANCE) has priority.

2.

Press the [ON/OFF] key of the input to which the
instrument or microphone is connected, so that
the key lights up.

The [ON/OFF] key serves to activate and deactivate an

input. While the key is lit, the input is active.

When a stereo source is connected, press both [ON/OFF]
keys together so that both keys are lit. (Normally, up to two
keys can be activated simultaneously. When a third key is
pressed, the first key goes out.)

HINT

When you set the [6TRACK RECORDING] key to ON, all sig­nals connected to the INPUT 1 - 6 jacks are recorded simul­taneously. For details, refer to page 47.

3.

While playing the instrument, use the [INPUT]
control to adjust sensitivity.

Adjust the control so that the [PEAK] indicator lights up
occasionally when you play the instrument at the loudest
level.

4.

While playing the instrument, use the [REC LEVEL]
control to adjust the recording level.

Set the recording level as high as possible, but avoid settings
that cause the [CLIP] indicator to light. The current signal
level can be checked by the INPUT column in the lower part
of the display.

28

ZOOM MRS-1266

3-2 Setting the insert effect

IN SRC
IN

0

INSERT
Standard

0

INSERT
Standard

1

INSERT
MRS-Drv

The MRS-1266 contains two types of effects: an "insert
effect" that can be inserted into a specific signal route, and a
"send/return effect" that can be applied to the entire song by
using the send/return of the mixer.
In this example, we will apply the insert effect to the
instrument connected to the INPUT jack.

1.

Press the [INPUT SOURCE] key in the effect
section.

The indication "IN SRC IN" appears on the display. This
screen serves for selecting the insert position of the effect.
If something else is shown, turn the dial to bring up the
indication "IN SRC IN".

IN SRC
IN

2.

Press the [EFFECT] key in the display section.

The key lights up, and you can select a patch for the internal
effect. A "patch" is a set of previously saved settings for an
internal effect. A newly created project contains 190 patches
for the insert effect, and you can instantly change effect
settings simply by selecting one of these patches.

INSERT
Standard

3.

Use the [ALGORITHM] keys in the effect section to
select an algorithm for the insert effect.

0

Quick Tour

There are five algorithms, as follows.

●

DUAL

An algorithm suitable for simultaneous recording of vocals
and guitar, or for two guitars or bass guitars.

●

GUITAR/BASS

An algorithm suitable for recording guitar or bass.

●

MIC

An algorithm suitable for vocals or mic recording.

LINE

●

An algorithm suitable mainly for recording stereo-output
instruments such as synthesizer or electric piano.

●

MASTERING

An algorithm suitable for processing a stereo mix signal,
such as during mixdown.

For this example, press the [GUITAR/BASS] key to select
the GUITAR/BASS algorithm. The [GUITAR/BASS] key
will light, and you can now select patches that use the
GUITAR/BASS algorithm.

INSERT
Standard

Patch name Patch number

HINT

For details on algorithms, refer to page 118.

3.

Turn the dial to select the patch.

0

An "algorithm" is a combination of effect modules (individual
effects) that the insert effect lets you use simultaneously.
Insert effect patches are organized according to their
algorithm. First select an algorithm, and then select an effect.

ZOOM MRS-1266

INSERT
MRS-Drv

4.

Press the [EXIT] key.

The unit returns to the main screen.

1

29

Quick Tour

HINT

If you want to record without sending the sound through the
insert effect, press the [BYPASS] key from the main screen.
This will bypass the insert effect. When you press the [BY­PASS] key once again it will go out, and bypass will be dis­abled.

3.3 Selecting a track and recording

Now we will record the sound (with the insert effect applied)
on a track.

1.

If necessary, readjust the recording level with the
[REC LEVEL] control while playing your
instrument.

By default, the insert effect is inserted before the [REC
LEVEL] control. For this reason, the recording level may
change if you change the insert effect patch.

2.

With the recorder stopped, repeatedly press the
status key for the chosen track (1 - 8, 9/10) so that
the key lights up in red.

Status keys 1 - 8 and 9/10 are used to switch channel-muting
on/off and to select the recording track. Each time you press
a status key, the key will cycle through the following states:

●

Lit green (mute off)

●

Out (mute on)

●

Lit red (selected as the recording track)

When the status key is red, the input signal routing will
change as follows.

When a recording track has not been selected

MASTER

Track 1
Track 2
Track 3

When a recording track (track 1) has been selected

Track 1
Track 2
Track 3

1

MASTER

Monitor

Monitor

If you want to record a stereo source, select the recording
tracks by one of the following methods.

●

Recording on stereo tracks (tracks 9/10)

Press the status key for tracks 9/10) until the key is lit in red.
The signal from the jack with the lower number is recorded
on track 9, and the other signal on track 10.

●

Stereo recording on tracks 1 - 8

Press the status keys for tracks 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, or 7/8
simultaneously until the keys are lit in red. The signal from
the jack with the lower number is recorded on the odd­numbered track and the other signal on the even-numbered
track.

●

Mono recording on tracks 1 - 8

Press the status key for one of tracks 1 - 8 until the key is lit
in red. The stereo channels are mixed and recorded on this
single track.

30

HINT

Normally, only two mono tracks or one stereo track can be
recorded simultaneously. By activating the 6TR REC mode,
the signal from INPUTS 1 - 6 can be recorded on six tracks
simultaneously. For details, see page 47.

3.

Press the PLAY [R] key, and while listening to the
rhythm song, operate the fader of the selected
track to adjust the monitor level of the input signal.

ZOOM MRS-1266