Zoom LiveTrak series digital mixing consoles are intended for live, studio, or podcasting use. They have features including multiple headphone level outputs for monitoring, and multi-track recording directly to an inserted SD card. The mixing consoles also have USB connectivity for use with Windows or iOS operating DAWs, utilising the consoles ability to work as an interface.
LiveTrak L-8 – 8-channel
As the smallest digital mixer in the series, LiveTrak L-8 has been designed with podcasting and small music performances in mind. L-8 has the ability to mix, multi-track record, and monitor audio from eight channels, all whilst being powered via 4x AA alkaline, lithium or rechargeable NiMH battery cells; USB bus power, or included AD-17 AC power adapter.
Input channels 1-6 are by way of XLR/TRS combination jack for mic or line level input, with channels 1 and 2 also supporting Hi-Z input via switch. Channels 3-6 had 26dB attenuation PAD switches for hotter input levels. +48V phantom power can be applied globally to channels 1 through 6, and each channel offers a rotary input gain control. Channels 7 and 8 are single line level inputs and are switchable between line level, USB 1-2/3-4, or smartphone jack input. Six sound pads can be used via these channels for WAV format jingles when podcasting. Thirteen sounds are included and ready for use out of the box. All channels have a channel select button, record/play button, and channel mute, along with a channel fader with 9-segment LED level indicator. When a channel is selected, EQ (3-band), pan, and internal effects including reverb can be applied. The record/play button enables the user to either set the channel to record to SD card, or playback from SD card.
Master left and right outputs are by way of balanced 3-pin XLR. A 6.35mm jack headphone output also gives duplicate master left and right output. A further three headphone outputs can be set to have a duplicate of the master mix, or a unique mix – determined by the fader position on the associated output channel. To the right of the L-8 is a transport section along with 96x64 resolution LCD screen. The multitask buttons, aid navigation through the menus, along with enabling recording and playback settings.
Included accessories: TRRS cable, USB cable, AD-17 AC power adapter, quick start guide.
Optional accessories: CBL-8 carry bag.
Recording format: 44.1/48/96kHz, 16/24-bit, WAV mono/stereo. Recording media: 4-32GB, SDHC; 64-512GB SDXC. Headphone output level: 10mW + 10mW, 60ohm load. Headphone output impedance: 10ohm. Dimensions (WxDxH): 268 x 282 x 74mm. Weight: 1.56kg, without batteries.
Zoom LiveTrak L-12 has many of the features of the L-8, however it only operates with the included AD-19 AC power adaptor and not batteries, nor bus power. The main benefits of the L-12 over the L-8 are channel count, which totals twelve – of which eight are XLR/TRS combination jacks; compression controllers on channels 1-8, phantom power in groups of 1-4 and 5-8, and 4-band EQ. L-12 also has five headphone outputs, four of which can be a main mix duplicate or unique mixes. As the L-12 is aimed at live or studio performance there is no smartphone input and no sound pads. L-12 has a larger 128x64 resolution backlit screen along with larger 12-segment LED meters on individual input and output channels.
Included accessories: AD-19 AC power adapter, USB 2.0 cable, quick start guide.
Optional accessories: RKL-12 rackmount kit, CBL-20 carry bag.
Recording format: 44.1/48/96kHz, 16/24-bit, WAV mono/stereo. Recording media: 16Mb-2GB SD; 4-32GB, SDHC; 64-512GB SDXC. Headphone output level: 42mW + 42mW, 60ohm load. Headphone output impedance: 100ohm. Dimensions (WxDxH): 445 x 282 x 70.5mm. Weight: 2.53kg.
LiveTrak L-20 has the same features as the L-12 however it has 16x XLR/TRS combination jack inputs along with the 2x stereo channel inputs. L-12 has 6x headphone outputs, each capable of duplicating the main mix or having their own mix. This console also has two internal effects processors along with a 40-600Hz, 12dB/octave low-cut added to the 4-band EQ.
Included accessories: AD-19 AC power adapter, USB 2.0 cable, quick start guide.
Optional accessories: RKL-12 rackmount kit, CBL-20 carry bag, BTA-1 Bluetooth adapter
Recording format: 44.1/48/96kHz, 16/24-bit, WAV mono/stereo. Recording media: 4-32GB, SDHC; 64-512GB SDXC. Headphone output level: 42mW + 42mW, 60ohm load. Headphone output impedance: 100ohm. Dimensions (WxDxH): 445 x 388.4 x 82.6mm. Weight: 3.71kg.
LiveTrak L-20R – 20-channel, Bluetooth remote enabled
Zoom LiveTrak L-20R is a rackmountable (using included rack ears) mixing console designed to be operated remotely over Bluetooth via iPad. It has the same I/O and recording capacity of the L-20 however as it is designed for remote use, L-20R does not have channel or master faders.
All input gain, compression and headphone control is accessed via rotary controllers on the front facing panel, and along with the LCD screen and cut down transport section, it is where an SD card can be inserted for 22-channel multi-track recording. The rear facing panel houses all I/O with configuration the same as the L-20. Power is via connection on rear panel using the included AD-19 AC power adapter.
Compatible iPads models include iPad Air, iPad Mini 2 and later, iPad Pro, and iPad 2017 running iOS 10.3.3 or newer. L-20 control app is available from Apple App Store.
Included accessories: AD-19 AC power adapter, BTA-1 Bluetooth adapter, rack ears, quick start guide.
Recording format: 44.1/48/96kHz, 16/24-bit, WAV mono/stereo. Recording media: 4-32GB, SDHC; 64-512GB SDXC. Headphone output level: 42mW + 42mW, 60ohm load. Headphone output impedance: 100ohm. Dimensions (WxDxH): 438 x 158.2 x 151.7mm. Weight: 2.49kg.