ZERO 8 - Advice please

Onemanband · Post by **Onemanband** » Sun May 04, 2008 9:56 am

I'm looking into the getting the zero 8. I would use it for live performances and pro studio productions.

The main concern I have is with the hiss problem that many people complain about.

I'd like to know if this is a problem with earlier models or all models. Does anyone own a zero 8 that can positively state there is not a hiss problem with their model?

Has anyone bought one recently, in 2008, what have been the issues?

Would you recommend it?

subterFUSE · Post by **subterFUSE** » Sun May 04, 2008 11:14 am

The hiss seems to be the result of poor matching between the Zero 8 Master/Booth Outputs and many common audio speakers/amps.

Supposedly the Zero 8 is to output at +4dBu. But when I use this output and match it with my Mackie SRM-450 powered monitors which also accept a +4dBu signal.... I get lots of hiss noise.

My response to this was to turn down the gains on my Mackies very low, and then turn the volume and channel gains on the Korg way up. This effectively raised the signal/noise ratio so that the hiss was no longer as noticable.

This is not how most DJ mixers work, but seems to be how the Korg was designed.

So, in my opinion, the hiss issue was due to user error.... but I do fault Korg for not providing effective documentation on the use of their product. Competitors like Allen & Heath release much longer User Manuals which not only explain the components of the mixer, but also how to use them correctly. The Korg manual is far too brief, and mentions nothing about the need to blast the gains and volumes near Max to prevent background noise.

Onemanband · Post by **Onemanband** » Sun May 04, 2008 1:28 pm

So provided that the levels are set in a specific way the hiss is not a problem?

If this is the case it seems strange that korg have supposedly said they are working on fix.

Provided the levels are set correctly -

Would you recommend this mixer for gigging and for home studio use?

Is it high audio quality or possibly a weak link in the chain?

All the reviews from magazines and sites do nothing but rave about the zero 8, but many users seem to have complaints. Are you a happy zero owner?

Should I go fo it?

zalo · Post by **zalo** » Sun May 04, 2008 1:57 pm

im happy with mine

used it with a 2500 watt pa

no hiss

the only problem i have with it is

the kp3 is pretty noisy and all the gain doesnt help but once the music is going you cant tell

and most people grindin up on each other arent tapping on the booth asking if you are using balanced cables

buy it!!!!!!

splurt · Post by **splurt** » Wed May 07, 2008 6:48 pm

zalo, when you say no "hiss" , does that mean if your monitors are maxd up, you dont hear that noise, cause from what i gathered all of the zero8 do this, its not affecting particular models, its just settings.

splurt · Post by **splurt** » Wed May 07, 2008 7:33 pm

in certain situations where you cannot control the speaker setup, some clubs, this hiss could be a disaster, and my understanding thus far, and ive done comprehensive testing on several zer08s they ALL HAVE HISS

however hisss is not audible if you use this mixer right

that being said, if you cannot control the sound system, it could be bad..

zalo · Post by **zalo** » Tue May 20, 2008 4:42 pm

well from every place that i have played out they prefer you running through their board

so i just have them flat their mixer eq and pan channels 1 and 2 left and right

then turn down the gain on those 2 channels and it is usually spot on

i havent seen a situation where they have you plug directly into the amp itself and that amp is locked in a room

ive been playing live one way or another for about 11 years so unless there is a drastic change in how they set up sound systems in other countries i dont see a problem

KlePto · Post by **KlePto** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:46 am

Well I just bought one a couple of days ago despite the fact that there were alot of complaints about the hissing. While I can't speak for everyone I can tell you that the hiss is definitely there on mine. I've messed with the gains, the master volume and the volume knobs on the amp itself and have also come to the conclusion that the best way to set things up is to adjust the knobs on the zero 8 first and the amp second. My setup is as follows [channel gain] set right before it clips, in other words turn knob until the knob light blinks red then move it back just enough so that it doesn't blink red anymore. After that I adjust the [master volume knob] the same. In other words so that the meters (left & right) on the upper right part of the mixer are set right before clipping as well. Finally I adjust the amp volume knobs which will probably have to be set some where around 15 to 30 percent before they start clipping as well. Don't forget to have the amp volume knobs all the way down while you are setting the mixer knobs. From what people tell me this is not the way the amp is supposed to run but this is the only way I will not get the infamous hissing. In spite of this issue I can tell you that I am very happy with my zero 8. I just feel like the possibilites are endless with it. Hope this helps on your decision and if you have any other questions just ask....

splurt · Post by **splurt** » Wed May 21, 2008 5:18 pm

well ive already played a few house parties where you plug directly into an am and cant mess with gain, and its nasty, but in most situations you can do a soundcheck and sort it out.. otherwise get a gate..

JayS** · Post by JayS** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:21 pm

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts for those who have already purchased a Zero4 or 8.

Your insights have given me input from a users perspective, which i would never have got from a Korg sales person, or from any review (sadly enough)

Anyway, i'm still seriously in doubt if i should buy this mixer. The idea of a decent mixer with MIDI controls sitting right next to the audio controls of every channel really appeals to me. However, i think in the end audio quality is the deciding factor; the Hiss problem i can work around (i think), but poor frequency response not. At this moment i'd rather stick to the original plan: buy an Allen & Heath Xone 464 and add a seperate MIDI control device. That mixer has been around for ages and i really like the crisp sound it produces.

If anyone wants to comment on my thoughts, it'll be greatly appreciated. Especially if you know how the Korg's audio quality compares against a A&H mixer.

subterFUSE · Post by **subterFUSE** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 2:32 pm

The Xone 464 is great, but very large. The Xone 62 or 92 are more manageable in size, and the technology in the 92 is definitely ahead of the 464.

euklid.fox · Post by **euklid.fox** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 9:18 pm

If I could go back, I would go for the EVO5, you keep the audio/midi ability with a better routing and much better signal/noise ratio and overall sound/eQ/fx quality.....

cause that' really changes life to have the booth audi and midi, all under each fingers, no need to plug several units and always search....

or maybe wait a bit til others manufacturers ie mackie goes to the same concept.

JayS** · Post by JayS** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 5:44 pm

I've been going through a lot of different thoughts about the whole new mixer idea in the past week. After two days I realized I made a major mistake, comparing a digital mixer to an 'old school' A&H mixer is not exactly fair. I don't think it really makes sense to make a comparison between the two

To me, its like having the endless Vinyl vs. CD discussion, which usually leads to the conclusion that audio is all about personal (dis-)taste

The main reason i want to replace my current mixer is to step into the modern world, where MIDI and Audio is integrated. Obviously this means going digital (or hybrid). Ofcourse this doesn't work if you want to stick to the analogue sound. I need to buy that Zero8 mixer to find out wether I LIKE the sound it produces or not, despite of its specs. and rumours surrounding it

Dj-Grobe · Post by **Dj-Grobe** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 11:15 pm

JayS** just go to some store test the unit, and test with ableton if you war ableton user.
Then you cna decide if can buy this unit.

I love zero 8 but i sugest test before buy.

subterFUSE · Post by **subterFUSE** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 2:53 pm

Finding a store with a Zero 8 in stock is not very liekly. So finding a store with a Zero8 to test is even less likely.