Description
| Product Dimensions | ?44.15 x 15.88 x 14.88 cm; 2.72 Kilograms |
|---|---|
| Item model number | ?L-20R |
| Colour | ?Black |
| Hardware Interface | ?USB |
| Supported Software | ?Remote Mixer app for iPad |
| Mixer Channel Quantity | ?20 |
| Item Weight | ?2 kg 720 g |
| Manufacturer | ?Zoom |
J Barger –
This is probably the best interpretation of a hybrid digitalanalog console that perfectly fits the current times that we are in. With the ability record live, studio track, set podcasts and even allow for limited live performance mixes, this board ticks almost every box for what a personal audio console should be in 2020. First off, this console offers 6 combo TRSXLR inputs on a mono channel each, and a pair of TRS jacks that can be configured for one of three functions A stereo pair, a separate USB Return, a channel for a bank of sound FX that can be mapped right to the consoles control surface 4 per TRS channel with a total of 8 preprogrammed FX, or as a minusmix return for a mobile phone using an included TRRS cable for those phones who still rock a 3.5mm headphone jack The outputs are impressive for its size, with four 4 TRS headphone mixes One that mirrors the main mix, and three that can be set to individual mixes. The console justifies its various mixes with an LED location system. This means that, when you switch the mix view over to any one of the other inputs and outputs from where you are at, it will use a series of LEDs on the meter to show you the fader location in which to bring it up to, very much like the old presonus Mk1 SL consoles. But, this board isnt done This deck can also record to an SD card at the SAME TIME it is multiUSB tracking This means you have double redundancies. Speaking of redundant systems, this console even supports charging through an onboar USB charger, but can also run on AA batteries, and will automatically switch power supplies if one is sensed to be off. AND, you can power it off of a USB power bankd as ell. Insane, right It is of a plastic construction, and while light, never feels it is of low quality. The multiple field options for power and the versatility of the inputs make this a great livestream rig for either musicians or podcasters. It is even PadOS friendly. Just a remember that the stereo mix options are actually routed to mix 1 and 2, which means your mix is actually routed starting at track 3. Odd I know until you will get the feel, then you will feel right at home. The biggest win aside from having basic EQ in the mix line, but no compression is that this is run from USB Micro no USBC here, battery or mains power with the use of a mini USB cable plugged into a power brick. AND, if that wasnt enough, this will work in GarageBand for PadOS and can be used in Zoom on Windows, Mac and ChromeOS computers The overall flexibility is great on this console, although it would be nice to pair together stereo pairs on inputs 16. Also, it would be nice to have the option for more stereo pairs in general, But, overall these are small issues to a console that delivers a big, clean sound that is not hard at all to set up
Ghostfly99 –
Zoom quality What else can you expectI use for recording short acoustic guitar and voice video covers Sounds excellentGreat little companion for spontaneous creative moments
Bob –
Okay, so I already owned the Zoom L12 and needed a few more inputs. I was so happy with the L12 but this new L20 is so much better, by far. Are the preamps the same in the L20 as in the L12…cause the sound so much better. In addition, the two effects channels make all the difference when mixing down tracks. Still, one of my favorite features is the remote app that allows you to control the L20 remotely on your iPad. Amazing product.
Anonymous –
This product is a good product. The only issue I have with it is the mute button. For many of us that have experience using mixing boards, what we know as the traditional mute button the one on the L12 does not work the same way. For example, when you initiate the button while doing a live recording using the onboard recorder the mute button does not work the same. It does not mute, so it could be quite disappointing when you are using it for podcasting.
Carlton –
This was everything I thought it would be and then some. I especially like how you can copy files directly from your computer to the L20 via the USB connection, and assign them to individual channels, and vice versa the L20 mode switch just need to be set to Card Reader. That overrides one of the two downsides, which are in interface mode, 22 in, but only 4 out. The other being no way to group channels. Originally I thought the Monitor Out buttons, when set to Master, would rout that mix to the mains. Im not a big fan of the compressor either I have two other small mixers with single knob compressors, and they are a lot better. I am still very happy with it, and knowing what I know now, would still buy this over the other alternatives. Just know that it is not a x32 substitute.
eich –
I have been using this mixer for about a month now in my home recording studio. I have 2 keyboards and guitarbass Yamaha THR amp routed with a vocal mic. I have a several recording projects I am working on, and having multitrack recording to an SD card is a bonus to be able to record practice tracks to see what is working VS what isnt is great before recording via USB to my DAW. However, I do see that the more inputs the better, and down the road I might be kicking myself for just going with the 12which is great for me at this time.
Rob B –
I studied these items1000 price point long and hard. I continued to gravitate back to this Zoom L20. Reviews of this item were far greater than even the SC and Presonus I have used both in past setups but this Zoom is heads above. Quality component, totally pleased
IoTGardener –
A little slow on the SD reader initial startup, but then its full speed ahead. I was surprised at how well it could record my electric violin line out.Great as an additional item for creators, but not the full solution in the long run.
Spencer –
This mixer is great and versatile for anyone doing strictly live podcasts. I specifically bought this unit to be able to record phone call audio clearly while filming podcasts. The sound quality is great, but its very inconvenient how their file name system is constructed. Each take has the same file name and number so if you plan on syncing and mixing the audio in post to camera, its a hassle to find which take matches the scenes. Had Zoom done the same file name structure as the Zoom F8, F4, etc it would really rock.
Nathan –
I originally bought this to supplement my pointnshoot cameras audio while doing hiking video. However, there was no easy way to sync the audio and video in my editing software that Ive found. So, I rarely bring it on hikes. However, Ive used it a lot with the local theater group recording dialogue for use during productions where a recorded voice was needed instead of a live actor. The sound quality is great.
Ryan The Music Man –
This mixer does the job of multiple devices in one Im able to mix a live band and record it as well as use it as a audio interface to go live on social media 20 tracks comes in very handy when youre mixing a full band and you have four Mics on the drums
Anonymous –
I have moved up the line of behringer mixers. started with like a 4 channel, then the euro one with effects, then the 2222usb one. this is light years above those in terms of sound. the big difference is that it is digital and the behringer ones I owned were analog. noise was more of an issue. the sound quality is great, way less noise. and my digital toys keyboard, sdrum drum machine sound awesome. the effects sound great too. instead of trying to do too many sounds they succeed with the ones they have, reverb and delay. for us dawless jammers, this thing is a godsend. headphones in and recording you will really enjoy the sound quality.
Anonymous –
Love this product very easy to used and setup and get going on whatever you have it for. I had since September and I had no problem with it my sound quality is perfect my guests love it great for podcasts
Analise N –
I was super excited to receive the field ZoomH1N microphone. I had plans to use it for fireld recoding and sound production purposes. But …When I first turned it on, even though I had properly inserted the micro SD in the appropriate slot, it said No SD, and would not begin recording. I was very disappointed and will be returning the product.
JohnH –
As my 1st digital recorder Ive found it pretty good. The plastic case feels a little cheap but acceptable for an entry level device. The sound quality from the mic is pretty good, however, I found plugging in a lapel mic ups the voice quality to exceptional. Dont depend on the built in speaker to be a true representation of the sound youve captured. Plug in a simple pair of headphones and it sounds great like it sounds after transferring the files to my PC. All the different settings can be a little overwhelming at first but after some hands on time it gets easier. I bought it to upgrade the poor audio from my action camera, but I find new uses for it every day. Great for interviews. Some sort of wind sock is a must.
LJohnson –
This little recorder is indeed handy and has great sound. Dont underestimate it due to its value. Its amazing, no regrets. I highly recommend it
Chris –
If you are used to a normal mixer, get this as it doesnt try to do things you will not understand. the Rode is too podcaster.Actually does send all 8 channels plus to the DAW
Anais L –
I host 3 podcasts and have guests on through Zoom or Skype on the majority of my episodes, so I was looking for a mixer that would allow me to record multiple tracks, as well as great audio from Skype, Zoom or phone called. The audio from all of those sounds GREAT, as well as the audio from the Samson mics. The mics are TOO good, capturing every teeny tiny sound, so make sure you record in a really quiet room, because it will pick up the AC, refrigerator sounds, any weird noises you make with your mouth, etc. I like having fun on my podcasts, so I LOVE the effects on the Zoom mixer and the sound pad Those features were other reasons I chose to go with this mixer. I liked the convenience of not having to purchase a bunch of equipment separately, so Im glad this bundle was available so I could just get everything I need with one purchase. The fact that AMS offers payment plans also makes this accessible to people. I LOVE this bundle and highly recommend it if you need to record multiple tracks and want great audio quality
Bagavathikan –
I was comparing this with the RODECASTER PRO. In my opinion, this is more functional and price is right. Very good sound. The only one limitation I see is that there is no way of controlling the speaker output except turning off the speakers physically. If they had one more knob for the speaker output volume to control this would have become a flawless board.
RomeoV –
I own a Rodecaster so i wanted to try this one out so i purchased this Zoom, i own a 2 channel zoom recorder and love it. So about this, i will say I LOVE IT once i figured it out.CONSIt isnt as user friendly, took me a second to understand how to operate it.No BlueTooth for phone, only AUX which means i had to buy an adapter for my Samsung Note 10button bar only works with WAV files so I had to convert good thing is, WAV are better qualityheadphone playback gotta click mixer to make it workright button bar wasnt working because I plugged aux and no sound was coming out even though I took it out, I ended up plugging aux back in to test the channel and it took a second and then worked. when I switch it to button bar it worked again.ProsSo many channels for XLR and Quarter Inchbutton bar menu lets you decide how you play the button.Effects for live soundpowers on when plugged into laptop records right into Audacityrecords channels separately if you want.Many GREAT AND AMAZING FEATURESPrice is greatLightweight powerfuloverall, i love it and recommend it.
bookofwayne –
The unit cant record without an AD card , and came without one installed. I dont have any SD cards, so I couldnt try the recording. Then I tried to use with Cakewalk and cant get anything except 1 stereo input and one stereo output. Next day found out I had to use ASIO driver.Even after that I couldnt send different tracks to different outputs. Im not sure if it is going to work for backing tracks if I cant send the click to a separate output. Still seems to have more features than others.
JasonG –
Works excellent as a standalone recorder and interface. Sounds quality is similar to other Zoom recorders like the H6, which I also own and use. Compact and easy to grab and go or use a supplemental device for redundant recording. Tripod mount makes it easy to position for good quality.
rjosjoxqgkhy –
The class compliant drivers are the best part about this device. Requiring no drivers means it just works on a lot of hardware. This device turns an iPad or raspberry pi into the brain and central DAW of a project studio. Great way to get away from the keyboard, once tracks are sequenced itb on pi or iPad, record to master with full channel strips. Adc occurs after compressor and before channel strip, ideal for non destructive tracking and flexibility.
Ace –
I was looking for a board that would allow me to easily record at home as well as do live sound gigs. This mixer has went beyond what I was looking to do and its probably one of the best pieces of equipment I have ever bought The only thing that could make it better is Zoom making a 32 channel board. Its userfriendly and the ability to save scenes makes my job easier
Jax drumz –
Im just learning about recording. I use this to record band rehearsals and my drum set practice plus a loop here and there. I upgraded from the 12 channel version because I needed more channels. This one has more options which Im just exploring but you can just plus it in and itll be what youre used to.
Fatal Producer –
I have spent hours recording over and over again.I am using this as a multi track recorder and recording to the sd card.this hunk of garbage keeps erasing most of my audio sometimes it has 10 seconds of audio and the rest of the track is blank.a lot of times it just gives me a blank track.
Dusty –
This thing works great as an interface. I love the 5 seperate ear mixes. Of course at this price point it doesnt have motorized faders but it uses the led lights to show you the mix points. It works great onsite for recording which then lets you dump the files to your daw. Setup in Studio One Sonar was a breeze.
DP –
So Im a bassist that has a band that has been in bands for a long time but Ive never recorded or even ran a board other then basic vocals for practice. I bought this because I wanted to record my band and had just bought my first pair of powered speakers and figured they would be easier to control with a mixer. I saw this and figured 2 birds one stone. I ordered it and a cad kick drum mic, 2 cad small condenser mics, and 1 sm57. While I was waiting from everything to come in I watched a lot of YouTube videos on how to work it and mic your band. When it came I set 3 mics on drums kick, snare, and 1 over head. Then miced one guitar cab and used the direct out for the other guitar and bass. Next after trail and error I set the gain and levels and just hit record and stop after every song so it wasnt 1 long track. After everyone left I sat down and started mixing right on the board. Then I started everything over and hit the master recorder and made and stereo recording of everything. Next took the Sd card out, put it in my computer and converted the wav file to a MP3. It sounds freaking great, I recommend this product to anyone and the best part every time I got lost or confused I called Zooms help number and was immediately connected to a real person who was knowledgeable, friendly and willing to helping. There wasnt even a phone tree This product will take ur band to the next level and is worth every penny
Vincent –
If you want quality audio recordings for YouTube and dont want to break the budget. This one is really good. I snagged the last one at my store. Has excellent controls and is simple straight forward to use. I like this better then my buddies H4n.
Jose –
This is such a versatile and powerful tool for acquiring the best audio quality, and while also being so portable. It takes AAA batteries. Using it is a breeze. I would recommend you buy the accessories dead cat for better audio qualityThe only downside it does have a bit of a cheap plasticky feel to it.
Anonymous –
This Is a great piece of equipment. Not only do I use it for a podcast production but I also use it in the field when streaming video. I recommended it to many people as the price point on it is very well.
LARRY –
I just recorded a play session with four musicians. I placed the unit in a plastic stand that I made and placed the zoom unit in the center of the room. It picked up and automatically balanced the voices and guitars of each of the players. Very clear sound, do not have to strain to hear individuals both in conversation, noodling, instrumentals, and vocals. This unit is very versatile. I have NO regrets that I purchased this unit over less expensive choices.. I still have a lot to learn about all of its functions and how to use them effectively.just recorded a play session with four musicians. I placed the unit in a plastic stand that I made, and placed the zoom unit in the center of the room. It picked up and automatically balanced the voices and guitars of each of the players. Very clear sound, do not have to strain to hear individuals both in conversation, noodling, instrumentals, and vocals. This unit is very versatile. I have NO regrets that I purchased this unit over less expensive choices.. I still have a lot to learn about all of its functions and how to use them effectively.I think that this is a very good choice for you…………Dennstedt
Jon Steven –
Wow A full feature digital mixer at a great price With five monitoring outputs for headphones or inear monitors its perfect for quiet rehearsals or live show. All while recording all 12 tracks simultaneously. Output to your favorite DAW or mix and master right from the L12. As well as being a AD recording interface Thanks for a great price too AMS.
Michael –
This is really great and versatile. The sound quality is phenomenal when used and setup properly. Its built with plastic but its expected at its pricepoint.
Jay –
This board has been great for expanding the options when planning and recording podcasts. The ability to easily record remote guests had reduced the amount of equipment and cables I have to use on a regular basis. The inclusion of sound pads and multiple headphone mixes is also a huge benefit. All this at a great price I did have an issue with getting the driver installed, but once it was working, Ive had no problems at all.
Anonymous –
This mic is perfect for small time youtubers and budget filmakers. Id recommend investing in a dead cat for it but over this recorder is really well made. I sometimes just use this with no external mic bc its that good and it also be screwed onto a light stand which makes it really good so you dont have to be holding it.
Anonymous –
This is a bundle that allows the immediate entrance into the Podcast arena with ease of setup and use for hosting onsite guest for in person interviews with full audio enhancement in live streamed post cast as well as recording of podcast for later uploading while also streaming live on YouTube live and other podcastvideo cast platforms. Amazing quality of live musical performances streamed across multiple platforms while also recording live performances for use in longer video productions. I have become a dedicated American Musical Supply customer because of quality of products sold, fast normally 3 day delivery time from date order is placed as well as technical support and willingness to assist with questions on the proper connection and use of their products sold. While you could purchase from other distributors why would you when AMS not only sales you quality products they follow up offer advice and instruction on getting the most out of your equipment purchased. Already spent close to 30,000 with AMS and will most likely spent upwards of another 50,000 over next couple of yrs on top of what zi have already spent.
Severenmac –
This little guy has the right features and sounds great. Low noise pre, use as a standalone mixer, usb interface, not crazy about the delays but the compressors work good. Easy to use just read the manual and do a couple practice songs to get the hang of it. Glad I bought it and would recommend if you need good sound and flexibility on a budget. It even includes a long usb cable in the box to get you going. Thanks for reading and happy recording
Dvaught –
What a tool for performance and or everyday practice or recording. Easy to use, and tons of features at a great price point as well. Im definitely glad I ran across this. It fits my home studio perfectly and was a great deal.
Patrick –
Wow, I just cant quit saying it I ordered this Oct. 1 when it was back ordered but Id been watching it since I saw it announced at NAMM by Zoom. I was blown away by its feature set and ordered it to replace my PreSonus StudioLIve 16.0.2, which is aging, heavy, cumbersome to use and doesnt record.Well, I can honestly say that the StudioLive is now for sale and the Zoom LiveTrak L12 easily replaced it.For the best parts couldnt be simpler to use or set up. I was recording my set up within minutes of connecting everything. I have owned Zoom R24 and R8s in the past, so I am familiar with their menu system, this one is very similar. The audio quality is top notch, the effects are super simple and easy to use, transparent and sound wonderfuldeep. The build quality is a perfect combination of metal and heavy plastics. But its super lightweight, and ergonomically set up correctly for real human hands unlike the aforementioned R24 and R8, which seemed like toys in comparison. I can now see why this was backordered, its going to be selling like hotcakes I havent noticed any latency issues and since you can monitor tracks recording with the send effects, it keeps things from bogging down.The bad is very minimal No internal power supply but this isnt necessarily bad, it helps with the weight no sendreturn bus or AUX OUT, although you can use one of the headphone mixes to do this, its a workaround the LCD could have been a nice crisp OLED with color so easily Some functions will not work on the fly while using recording or playback when in USB Host mode or Interface mode i.e. recplay buttons and onboard track playback while recording or monitoring from your DAW there may be a workaround for this that I havent learned yet.But thats really it. Its 95 all good for my needs. I plan to use it mainly in my home studio as monitoring, sketchpadidea recorder and audio interface. But I also intend to use for our karaoke parties
Joey –
This portable microphone works very well for video production. Sync the audio files with the video recording in your video editing software with ease. Sound quality is very good.
Peter H. –
Put it straight to work as an LR sound for an interview, using the tripod mount on a boom. Find the sweet spot and you will get excellent results. Locked in 1648 for video synch. Seamless transfer as well as 2496 bounce down to 1648. Stuck a lap mic in it, run the lead under the shirt trick, for the announcer.. easy done. Works fine with RF as well.However, being a Field recorder, the first instant sound problem, is Wind Noise. Kinda disappointed it didnt come with a Windsock as standard. I think it should be mandatory with any field mic sale its that import. Should be a spare part, not an optional extra. You simply cant get quality sound in the field, without one. There is always the wind problem. I guess this old boof head will have to pay closer attention to whats in the box.. So if you are hot to buy one of these, pay a few extra bucks for a windsock.. either that, or you can cobble one together out of foam rubber in a couple of hours, like I did..he he. Great little very versatile unit that lived up to expectations. All up … Good value for money.
itsonlyrick –
This is a nobrainer The Zoom L12 has no equal at any price with one possible exception from Presonus. The Zoom L12 covers so much ground that it is an absolute must have for those of us who need a mixer, recorder, effects module and headphone amp for on location audio projects. There are enough things to carry and set up such as mics, cables, snakes, monitors, effects pedals and direct boxes. Even recording and sound reinforcement for a small group can get frustrating with short available time to setup and teardown. Enter the Zoom L12 which combines full mixing capability, 5 headphone jacks which can be used as monitor sends and has full multi track recording capability. Adding to all that, it has a pretty good effects section. Everything is packaged in a single light weight unit. The build quality is substantial. My only criticism is the lack of some kind of handles for picking it up without putting pressure on the controls or jacks. The sound quality seems quite good. Ease of use is very intuitive. As a digital mixer, Im delighted you dont control everything from menus. It has a very analog feel. If there is only one omission, it would be the lack of ability to play mp3s during breaks. For that, you need to connect a player to one of the linein jacks. That bringsme to the Presonus I alluded to earlier. The Presonus AR series of mixers do record but only as 2 track stereo and they have one single headphone jack. The Presonus does however have bluetooth and mp3 capability via the USB port. That may be an option if you dont need all the other great features of the Zoom. The zoom isnt cheap but it is very reasonable. Its affordable in snob terms. For the rest of us, we need to stay away from Starbucks for a few weeks to saveup the 6 hundred cash bucks. For all that the Zoom does, its a real bargain. Zoom always seems to hit one out of the park for us real world audio people. I love it.
Dave –
Compact, light weight, and width audio quality that exceeds any of my current DSLR inputs. I use this with my Panasonic G7 and my Nikon D7200 by plugging an external mic into the input or by using the built in mic on the H1n. Syncing in post is straight forward. Also great for recording ambient sounds.In my mind this is a must have for any videographer.
warthog1956 –
Very sensitive little recorder, the two mics are arranged for a good field and as small as it is, the interface and display is quite easy to get along with. The instructions are somewhat deficient such has how to delete a recorded file…you have to sort of extrapolate that. The biggest improvement they could make is to design it with a better way to mount it on something. You want the thing directionally pointed AT you, and your instrument, but it is very hard to get that by laying it on a table, etc….it wont stand on its end much. I ended up tying it to a table mic stand with a couple rubber bands. Enabling mounting to a little stand of some sort would help a LOT. Other than that, I very much recommend it.
Iannvee –
This is a great handheld recorder. The controls and learning to work it are very easy to learn. The cubase software is a nice touch as well. And above all else, the quality of recordings are awesome. Hard to believe this recorder can capture the quality it does.
Brian –
Using this to record drums at home. Its perfect. Its my first mixer and so while I am a novice and learning, this is absolutely perfect for my needs. Very easy to use, compact, and the recording function is everything. I really have no complaints whatsoever. I can see this board staying in my music world for a long time. Its a steal at the price. Very very happy.
Semaj –
I have been looking for a decent compact mixer for some recording and voiceover applications. This product fits my needs and goes much further. The 5 monitor outputs for headphones reduce clutter in the studio and simplify connections. The built in compression works amazing. The EFX block sounds great The overall simplicity of the design and use of this mixer is a huge bonus. Powerful features for recording and mixing. Ive used this in live applications and in the studio I love it You will not go wrong with the Zoom L12
Jedd –
I love this board. Its very versatile and I love how I can mix the recorded tracks to a stereo track right on the machine. I use this mainly for rehearsals and have used it to produce the audio tracks for multicamera videos see attached. The sound is awesome, controls are intuitive, and it can also be used as a DAW console to interface with your computer while utilizing all 12 channels simultaneously. The only thing that would make this better is if there were motorized faders but it does remember your presets and does indicate their saved position via LED indicators on the faders so its not a big deal that theyre not motorized. If you need to record your live sound, get this
Deon St. Jules –
This product is more than I can ask for. I normally looked at bigger and better Digital mixers but this product replaces it by 10 fold. Its more compacted and is indeed more useful than I thought when I first bought it. It also gives me moral hope to actually continue music and helps me feel better of my recording environment. The details that are displayed on product description is very true. The effects and clarity of this mixer is better than most. I mostly use the audio interface mode and it helps a lot with my music recording. Not to mention it is portable. This may have been the best choice I have made in any of my music purchases.
joh.pnohb –
Ive used it for a month, and found it quite helpful in working out things on the guitar. Fits in the compartment of all my hardshell guitar cases, so its there when I want it no fuss with set up, and its available wherever I want to play. It has been completely reliable to date, and the battery life is excellent. Not surprisingly earphones are necessary it has a tiny builtin speaker but one cant hear much with it, but inexpensive inear earphones work well, and let me hear everything I want. Obviously it doesnt have the fidelity or flexibility of larger and much more expensive professional recorders, but thats not what its for. Good show, Zoom
Dennis Bam Bam Miller –
Slight learning curve for a drummer but after reading the manual and going step by step I ended up with a killer sound system. It is extremely powerful and surprisingly clear. Paired with a set of Peavey Dark Matter 15 powered speakers, I cant see ever having a problem getting the sound I want from my drums. I highly recommend this product.
batteryeliminatorstore –
Amazingly intuitive layout. Sounds quality is excellent. Mic preamps quiet and clean. Highly recommended by a seasoned audio guy. Compact and lightweight too. Essentially a 12 Track, 6BusStereo mixer for sending 5 independent stereo mixes to bandmates monitors in addition to Stereo Mains. Love it
Koolaidjamma –
I needed this Audio Recorder for my job as a Court Recorder. It works just as described. Very easy to use. Picks up audio just as its supposed to. Rly great for recording zoom meetings. I just invite my phone number and connect the male to male aux cord to the phone and to the red line in port. Click 1 to join meeting and Im able to record meetings from my phone and using the handy recorder.
LaPrepper –
After using less expensive Sony and Olympus audio recorders with frustrating results, I spent the extra 70 on the ZOOM H1n. The results were so good that I purchased a second recorder. When imported to spectrogram, the Sony and Olympus models looked like Swiss cheese so they did not record all the sounds I was looking for. The H1n records all sounds of nature.
Jeffery –
when used with a Rode SmartLav to get really decent audio. I record a podcast while riding a bicycle and the Zoom H1n fits easily into my backpack and I turn on the Hold function so if it gets jostled and buttons get pushed it keeps recording. I like that I can record at 96khz. I also use this as primary audio for talking head videos and again with the Rode SmartLav mic. Great little recorder for a lot of circumstances.
Luke D. –
Internal mics sound excellent and its a very handy little device. The only thing that lets it down is theres no gain control for external mics.If internal mics all all you need, I very much recommend the H1n
Anonymous –
Very divirsified in this biard for recording or small venues plenty of efx and also makes good recording. I gave it 4 stars because of the power input for USB. Difficult to connect and it broke 3rd time connecting ut..
Adrian G. –
Good price for a 12 track plus mix recorder. It is made of plastic however. Excellent output options with the ability to output five seperate headphone monitoring mixes plus main plus each channel as USB audio interface at the same time. Great for small studio recording or small gig recording where each channel can be edited and remixed in post DAW workflow.
M.M. –
Were using it for our 3 man podcast and it does everything we need, with additional hookups for phone interviews and guests. Sound is clear and recording is seamless. I highly recommend if youre starting a podcast.
Jitter –
Good price for the equipment you get. Records well, though you really want something to cut the noise like a Deadcat. Fairly easy to use. Requires a 32gb OR LESS microSD which is a little frustrating as I wont ever be able to use that for any of my other equipment. Still, good for what you are paying.
Jono –
I was waiting for the P4 but after a informative conversation with the sales rep I decided on the L8. So far it works like a dream and I know Ive only touched the surface of what it can do. Would certainly refer this unit to anyone interested.
Dj SOULO –
I needed a reliable mobile tracking setup and with the zoom l12 I got that and more. Once I got it out the box, I was dialed in and up and running in no time. Going to the website and updating the drivers made integration of my DAW seamless with no latency issues recording multiple tracks. I highly recommend the zoom l12 for the musican or engineer on the go.
Wilkinson –
I purchased the Zoom H1n as a higher quality recorder for videos. Havent begun to test the recorders possibilities yet but its fairly intuitive to use. I did cheat and watch a couple of youtube videos to speed up the learning curve. Steinberg software comes with the purchase but its a laborious process. First you download the installer, using the two key codes that come with the Zoom recorder. Once the Steinberg downloader is installed, you download the actual software. Youll see about 20 icons for software…Zoom users only get Wavelab LE and Cubase LE. Youll be emailed a 2nd set of key codes for installation for those 2 programs. Before I downloaded the programs, I used audacity which worked great for my needs. Even though I have the other programs on there now, Ill probably still stick with Audacity.
Rpla –
I just bought this, and I suppose maybe its made for more creative endeavors like folks who record music and then use fancyschmancy stuff to clean the recordings up. Meanwhile, I ordered it as an alternative to using the recorder on my cell to do a bunch of focus groups. So far, based on the first two recordings, the recorder picks up more background noise than anything which Im hoping can be muffled with the wind reduction item I just bought but picking up background noise over voices indoors is not quite the same. Im a bit surprised this is happening and havent yet found a solution online, such as perhaps altering the sensitivity Or, a dumbpersons guide to editing without hundreds of dollars of software We shall see. For now, lets say its average, when it may be anywhere from a lemon to something amazing IF you have the right supplementary software and skills.
Anonymous –
Ive used this mixer in the studio and at shows. In both settings, setup is quick and easy. In the studio its great for preproduction or making a smaller scale music production. Everything is laid out for logical and easy navigation. Mic pres sound pretty good too. Live, the iPad feature is great. Access to all eq and effects functions. Where it shines live is the aux outs. Everyone in the band can have a separate monitor mix
James –
After a year into podcasting from my pc with a Focusrite Scarlett, I researched the Zoom l8 and the Rodecaster pro, and for the money and portability, Im so happy I chose this. Versatile, portable, feature rich and the perfect mixerpodcaster board, DJ mixer, and small band mixer for the right price. Interfaces perfectly with your DAW.
Eeklair –
Im sorry about the Dude that left the 1 star rating and trash comments, Did you check the quality of yoour SD card or try another one SDHD cards come in different speeds, try to get at least a 10 or 12 card and not like a 2 or 4 those are slower and can probably bottleneck. ive had zero problems with this deck and love everything about it
phease –
A little steeper learning curve from my analog board than I anticipated, but love the sound I am getting and the flexibility of outputs. Since it doesnt have motorized faders one reason I bought it, LEDs beside each fader show the last position, or stored position in the individual Scene. To adjust the sound of that channel, you have to raise the fader past the LEDS and then take it all the way to 0, and then can adjust the sound. Very unanaloglike, but once you get use to it, no worries. Easy to setup customized outputs for monitors of headphones. The Pres sound very open and are noticeably brighter than those on my Mackie board. For the record, I read the manual online several times before the board arrived, but still have had to dive in multiple times for system settings and other desired adjustments. I recorded 8 live tracks from my band at 16 bit44.1kHz for 1.5 hours and each .wav files was around 400K, so the 128G card has plenty of capacity for extended live recording. I transferred the files to Cubase and developed greatsounding MP4s. The quality of the records matched or exceed those from my Focusrite USB interface. Highly pleased and for the money, I feel the L20 is an excellent choice.
Anonymous –
excellent. Right out of the box mixed 2 vocals and guitar for small venue worshipbible study Setting up the booms for 2 person podcast with vid streaming and callin guests. Booms are sturdy. Mic versatility live, podcast, plug in headphone monitoring make them an excellent standLone buy and quality addition to the bundle.
James –
I purchased the Livetrak L8 for playback purposes at live venues and the occasional live recording session. In many ways the L8 is similar to the Zoom L12 but with the ability to run and record Podcast sessions. Anyone who owns another Zoom Livetrak product will feel right at home. There a less input channels to be sure, but the L8 has excellent faders, multiple monitorheadphone outs, EQ and simple effects. Another plus is that unlike the L12, the transport keys are backlit. The L8 is also very light and runs on batteries which makes it easy to transport in a backpack.There are some features or lack of that I was not particularly impressed with. For one, the L8 has a small screen and themain outs are XLR only. A pair of TRS balanced outs would have been nice but given the price point, form factor and podcast focus it kind of makes sense for Zoom to omit these. The Zoom L8 also had problems importing .wav files produced by Zooms Audio File Manager software. While this will not be an issue for mostpeople, it will be for those of us that own, or have owned, previous generation Zoom multitrack recorders and needwant to move legacy mono and stereo .wav tracks into the Zoom L8. Hopefully Zoom can address this issue with a future firmware update.For the price this is a great entry level recordermixer. It appears to be a perfect unit to run and record Podcasts or to control and mix live performances with a limited number of players.
Joe –
I bought this bundle specifically for recording podcasts, but I have found that I can use this entire set up a number of different ways Recording drums, doing Facebookinsta live events, demoing song ideas. Ive even ran my EAD10 drum modular through the board to record with Super cool bundle for a great price.
Doug v. –
THe interface is much improved. Much more intuitive.A dial for volume control, easy to see and easy to use transport controls on the face.More info on the screen.More choices for bitratequality.Uses AAA instead of AA, which isnt important to me though now i have to carry two different sizes.Recording quality I havent done any kind of critical test yet. The old version was surprisingly good.Using the builtin stereo mic, I put it in the middle of a string quartet, or on a podium, or with a lapel mic, in the speakers pocket.from what I know so far, Id recommend it for the quality, useability and price.
Anonymous –
The new Zoom L12 its a mixer, interfase and IEM monitor system all in one. Im in love with this Zoom L12 because its extremely useful for band practice, mixer and running back tracks as well using it as a monitor mixer. This is truly a unique product. The L12 feels sturdy, well built and High quality right out of the box. My only suggestion for Zoom will be if they can make this product able to control it as well with an iPad Phone this mixer will wipeout any other products out there Even if you ad 100 to the ticket will a huge hit and also if they can replace the sliders that are plastic with aluminum will be huge. Highly recommended this product
JessB –
Great audio quality on the highest WAV setting however, its not very intuitive to operate. Battery life is not the greatest either. I replaced a Sony recorder with this one, and the sound quality is much better, but I go through batteries like crazy now
Funkdaddy Ken –
After owning the Zoom L12 for over a year, I couldnt wait to have the additional channelstracks and capabilities of the L20. Zoom preamps are pristine, while the mixer doesnt color the sound of your recordings and live mixes. Its portability makes this a goto mixer for live performances, as well as more involved recording sessions where quick setup and space is a concern. On top of the L20s excellent sound and features, it now offers wireless control with the bluetooth adapter. I highly recommend the LiveTrak L20
Richard –
The good It did something very few other devices offer right now, at this price level.The bad its driver crashed my machine, badly. Its audio port mapping to the computer was confusing, and I ultimately had to use another piece of software to make sense of it.
Sparky340 –
I bought this to record my upstairs neighbor stomping above my head. Unfortunately, it wasnt sensitive enough to pick it up the noise. Ended up returning it.
Anonymous –
This compact mixerrecorder works well for live sound and home studios. Its light weight, small in size, and easy to operate. If your looking for an affordable mixer recorder I recommend this produce. It records to a SD card that can be easily removed and inserted in you computer for editing. Very handy tool to have for the pro or the beginner.
Berg –
Ive been using Zoom products for a long time and I had no doubt this would be another quality winner It actually exceeded my expectations in so many ways the recording quality is superb, the easy of use and final audio product is exactly what I was looking for, without having to break the bank I highly recommend it
sandylynne –
Love this recorder It is so easy to use, and the audio quality is fantastic. I have used this for several events now, and love it.
abelloz –
Its tiny and will fit in your pocket. I bought a 9 SD card and it will record for 270 hours in stereo. The user interface is very well designed, so it was effortless to get going. The sound is fine I havent challenged it with anything difficult, but it recorded a live band very well. Its all plastic, so not very robust. I will need to handle it carefully.
Anonymous –
Im blown away by the quality of this mixer for the amount it cant be beat More than enough inputs to mic an entire band them some. Live recording is a breeze Sound quality and flexibility is top notch. With blue tooth to my IPad, I can control the entire mix from my mic stand or across the room I use it at home to record my original ideas and can transfer to my Mac DAW for further mixing and editing. A must have for live bands , record your own demo either live or in your home studio AMS has the easy no interest payment plan that put this in my hands in just a couple days
Matthew –
Is it perfect Probably not to everyone, but it is perfect for me. I am a drummer and I do a lot of multitrack recording. This product feels like the people at Zoom have been doing their research into how humans interact with their products. It is very easy to use, very easy to learn, everything makes sense, and with only a little bit of reading you can get up to speed very quickly. The quality of the board is great, especially for the cost. And the sound is incredible. Using the USB connection to a notebook running Logic Pro was completely uneventful… It just works after uploading the driver and it works exceptionally well. I havent run into a single area where this board comes up short. Would buy again and again.
Don –
Easy to use the control interface is fairly self explanatory. The sound is pretty darn good, bass sounds are a little thin, but what do you want from such a tiny speaker I use it to test drive songs, and its great for that. Thanks to Covid I havent had a chance to record a band, but I feel confident it would shine…
Anonymous –
Zoom does it again squashing the competition with a VERY SUPERIOR LiveTrak 8. Everything you need for podcasting, live recording and live sound all in one compact user friendly unit.
deltaman –
I bought this so I could record voice tracks to narrate over videos. I didnt like having to do all the work actually seated in front of my computer using a plug in microphone. The quality of the recordings is shocking for the size of this recorder, and it works very well for my needs.Some things I would note for anyone considering this recorderIt is extremely directional. It records what it is pointed at exceptionally well, and does not pick up very much of what it is not pointed at.It is very sensitive to rubbing sounds if you are holding it and it moves in your hand while recording. It has a standard 14 thread for mounting it on a tripodetc, and it also has a 3.5mm input to use with a lapel microphone or other external microphone if needed.All in all I am satisfied and impressed with this recorder.
Blaine –
This is a perfect device when recording audio in tight places. Especially when compared to its big brothers H4, H6I was also very surprised by the high quality of audio that this little guy can capture. Highly recommend having one or two of these in your kit.
Dream Static –
Dont get me wrong. This thing is a beast for live recording and a very versatile machine for recording given it can record to SD card without a computer or be used as an audio interface. But when I saw there were no midi dins I was disappointed but thought surely itll have midi over USB, right Wrong. Reader, it does not So, I went the SMPTE stripe route and eventually got it syncing that way but theres a reason thats an outdated technology. Its just not very stable. As mentioned in my headline, the digital faders are slow to respond. So much so that I often had to turn them up and down several times before they would catch up. This can be really problematic if you have headphones on and accidentally blast the damn thing trying to get it to make sound. And finally… It has one of the weirdest features Ive ever encountered that could be helpful if it didnt often cause a major problem. If youre multitrack recording with it and do not push the overdub button when you go to hit record after the first track or set of tracks have been recorded it will automatically create a new project and start recording to it. Again, probably a great live set recording feature but a complete disaster for mustitrack recording and if theres a way to turn it off, I couldnt find it. But all in all I cant give this machine a fully negative review because for the price and the main marketing focus, its probably a great product.
jdeitch11 –
Better than the H1 in several respects. Much, much, much faster start up, and just as faster when saving a file after you hit stop to end a recording more convenient buttons and nice to have a mic sensitivity knob on the front rather than a rocker pot. Jurys out on selfnoise. Ive recorded a few cuts with it that sounded a hissy, but others sounded fine. More experimentation is in order on that score. If I get that ironed out, Ill be completely happy with it. Im going to assume I will, so Ive given it five stars. The one real drawback on the H1 is that it takes a good while to be ready to record after you turn it on. This is ready within a very few seconds, and that can be the difference between capturing important sound and missing it.
moe14 –
The Zoom H1N is a versatile yet cost effective high quality audio recorder. You can use the built in stereo microphones or use an external microphone of your choice. I found it very easy to use.I purchased it to use in conjunction with Sony a6500 Sony Mirrorless camera. The preamp section of the camera and its built in microphone are not the greatest for audo I wanted to provide very good audio to compliment 4K video recordings. The audio from the H1N will be synchronized with the 4K video from the Sony a6500 camera using via Apples iMovie.
Rena L. –
Very pleased with the recorder. Very lightweight and easy to carry. The accessories pack is good value. These will be field recorders so will know more when they are tested in the field.
Pleased –
As the name says, it is a little recorder. It is easy to use and does the job. The body of the recorder is made of flimsy plastic and it looks to be cheaply made. I dont expect it to last very long. The recorder has a built in speaker, but it doesnt project much sound. It does play through my headphones without problems.
ogsimmons –
Wanted the H1n for a while now and this supplier did not disappoint. Great price however the sealed batteries supplied were dead. Being it was a used unit just removing them before shipment would have been acceptable. Using the sealed batteries supplied and turning on the H1n getting nothing gave me the thought of a non operational unit. However, fresh batteries powered on the unit.
Your Godfatheroflove Benny Arce –
This Mixer is perfect for my live online radio station, I been a terrestrial radio Dj since 1983, mixing consoles for doing radio are very expensive. Ive checked many mixing boards over the years to add the right one to my station and the Zoom livetrakL8 has the features I was looking for at a great price. The Zoom Livetrak L8 lets me have 4 people on 4 mics with headphones all on with their own mics and headphone jack with individual volume controls plus I can add a Dj mixing live with an added line and the Best thing I love about the Zoom Livetrak L8 is…I can take live call ins or out from my cell phone which gives me my very own live request line. Radio mixing board start out at about 1200 and over The Zoom packs everything I wanted and needed for my Online Radio Station at a great price that fit perfectly in my wallets budget. I recommend this product highly
JAY –
I have used the Peavey Unity Series mixers for the last 20 years for video production primarily because they produce very little line noise. So I was a little apprehensive switching brands when it was time for an upgrade. WOW… not only does the L8 LiveTrak produce almost no line noise whatsoever, but the sound quality is rich and full. These guys really did their homework when they designed this one. The SD recording feature decreased my workflow and increased my productivity.
J. Davis –
Have several shows on this board now. Easy to setup and get a good sound. Direct recordings to USB drive sound good. Plenty of monitor sends. Nothing negative to say about this board. Very happy so far.
Joy –
Im very happy with this product. It has so many features and one of the main ones I like I wanted to run smoothly is having someone call in feature. Its clear and you can adjust the volume clearly. Love it.
Steve F –
This thing works great so far. I have only used it playing out once so far, and the recording we made captured everything beautifully, in a threehour gig. I play in a couple of ensemble configurations, most often in a duo format two vocals, acoustic guitars and a guitar synthesizer. This first live recording used five tracks, the four main ones mentioned above and a separate feed from a vocal harmonizer pedal. Simple operation makes recording no more complicated than a live show mix, and recalling scenes will allow me to use this with other groups with no hassle. Effects sound really nice, especially the vocal presets.I was relieved at how quickly you get used to using the channel strip select configuration for channel settings. It sounds like it might be clunky but so far its pretty easy. I really like having a dedicated compressor for the first eight channels. Mic preamps are clean, and very quiet. They sound better to me than my home rig, a Digi 003, which I guess should be no surprise given the 003 is a pretty old piece of gear.I read a lot of commentary when this item was announced, mostly from people complaining that it lacked midi, aux loops, and other features of interest to home recordists. With all due respect, thats not really what its for. It is a truly unique product aimed at making live rehearsal recordings as seamlessly as possible at that task it excels. You can do a basic mix of recorded tracks in the box, but what I anticipate most people will do is to dump tracks to a DAW for more refined, multiple effects and automation. The raw tracks sound great, and are recorded prefx and eq, making this approach very attractive.I dont anticipate using the interface mode of operation much, if ever, because Im using an old version of ProTools LE that supports only Digi Avid hardware. So I cant speak to how well that works.Overall, this is a winner and a heck of a value at the price.
Dmlr –
Purchased this to add as a mic for my video camera. My camera offered great video but the built in mic could not handle rock music levels without distortion. This works amazing. Many adjustments to get the sound just right, but clear and no distortion. Batteries last a long time in this product.
Miguel –
Firstly, let start saying that Im not a pro audio technician or anything similar. As the sound guy of the small church I attend, the pandemia made us record the service and transmit it online, so I was looking a console with the ability to record audio. The Livetrak L8 have proved super useful. As with many products that have lot of features, it might be confusing to work with, but after reading a little and playing around it is not that hard.While the feature of interest was recording which it did nicely, we returned to the temple a few weeks ago and started doing live transmissions instead of recordings. Since the console has 4 output combinations mixes, it allowed us to set the volume levels for the local speakers and for the transmissions independently. What a bonus It might seem a simple detail, but it proved to be a very convenient feature.Again, I am not a professional or have experience with many other consoles, so dont know if there are better products than this one but this console have proved super useful for our needs at church.
pefarrell –
This is a stereo mic that requires a micro SD card to save the recordings. I was able to plug my guitar into the line in jack and make some simple recordings. It can also record voice through the stereo mics.
SirTavirus Martin –
Upon taking my new mixing board out the box and seeing it. I was in love. I quickly ran up the church, hooked it up and started playing my keyboard and it sounded alive. I also have an Yamaha 10MXGU and it doesnt even compare. The fact that I record on an SD, use it as an Audio Interface through my daw. Im more than happy about my purchase. Its real easy to use once you learn the board. The ZoomL20 is beyond the best board out right now. Not only that. I have other people wanting to get one now after I explained and showed them how the board works. Oh, once you have your settings set. Once you turn it off, it will save your settings before it completely shuts down. So even your sliders is set to 0. Your last setting is going to be set and you dont have to touch anything. Not even the master volume. I have no reason to purchase another board now.
My favorite light –
Because there are no ASSIGN buttons to route the inputs, you have to physically move your cable to another track to do another take of, say, a guitar part. Thats it. That is my only con on this unit. Everything else is simple and straight forward. READ THE MANUAL as it relates to how to arm for recording and overdubbing.
motocrossdrum23 –
Easy,easy,easy. Do not be afraid that you cant work this unit. I never opened the manual because it is so simple to operate. If you can read the display and push buttons you can use this.
Dennis57 –
I bought this recorder to record my DJ mixes rather than use the internal mix recorder function of my DJing software. It has an 18 inch earbudstyle stereo input that I use to get sound from my DJ controller to the Zoom H1n recorder. It works great. It will take a minute to get the input levels set right.It does a fine job of recording mixes. The bonus is that it also has some nice mics on board you can use to grab samples to use in your production work.
David –
Easy to use, record, mix, light weight, portable, tool that can capture the entire band, vocals, instruments and now a full set of drums on individual tracks, for live enesemble sound capture and post manipulation as desired. Finally, decent live band performance sound capture for videos and other needs. Allows for moving a step beyond limits of just recording PA speakers by allowing individual sound source channel capture blended to taste, and all at a great price.
Anonymous –
I use this to record bands for video and it performs flawlessly. Simply fire it up, set input levels and hit record and you get all 20 input tracks recording plus a stereo mix if you like. The individual VU meters on every channel are a real improvement over the single blinking LED found on other mixers. Mixing down after the event is a joy with the ability to sweeten any section of the recording using the punch in. Light weight and well made this is perfect for onsite use.
Anonymous –
All inputs have phantom power. Very easy to use, I am totally satisfied with this The down fall is making a hard copy of the user manual as it is like a 114 pages. Ive only had it for 2 months but it has everything you need to record except monitors. I would reccomend this for home recordings
Anonymous –
I own a working studio, and one of my clients has an 8 piece band. I have always recorded their rhythm section remotely, in the band owners garages. Before I bought this L12 I used the older Zoom 12×2 to do my remote tracking. It recorded 8 tracks simultaneously, but had no built in usb interface. When recording in my studio I used a bulky Mackie 224 and inserted specific channels from it to a Focusrite 4 input interface. Then we moved, and with a smaller studio space, the Mackie had to go. This Zoom L12 does it all. When in the studio, using Cakewalk Sonar, the interface works flawlessly, giving me pristine sound with many extra features I did not have before. When recording remotely I am able to record the band directly into Sonar, thus eliminating a couple of hours flying tracks into Sonar later. The only downside to the L12 is that it is not a hard disk recorder with editing capabilities. No copy and paste, etc. You can punch in and out using a foot switch, though. For me this was not a problem, as I never liked editing using a little LCD window anyway. All my editing has always been in the DAW. The L12 is intuitive, if you have experience with other recorders, you will know 90 of how to use this machine in a day or two.
Warren –
This is a mix that always goes in my bag whether Im on a shoot or not. This version is clearly better than the previous model which I used and destroyed for years. The sound quality is noticeably better. The design is better too, I had to put gaff tape all over the precious version to keep buttons from moving around during recording but this is much more solid while still being light and cheap enough. Put a dead cat on it and its useful for all sorts of back up sound recordings. Also good for quick Audio Interface recording work.
Ranjith –
The Zoom LiveTrak L12 is a cost effective solution for installation in small venues or houses of worship. It offers enough channels for small groups and quartets, choir, podcasting, and the audio interface capability is a real bonus. To top it off there are numerous FX to sculpt the sound for live performance or recording. Lightweight, small and medium plastic build. I plan to take it on my international trips and work with local musicians as my entre into other cultures.
kamikaze of the Blynders. –
So far it has worked well for me as I use it to record up close vocals when making demos of new songs and video tape the session and mix the audio. Now I know how I played and sung. As one user has demod try to keep the input level above 6 at least for it can get noisy at low input levels.
Videoguy –
We use this for weddings and is the perfect device to use a portable miclav. You need to find one this does not come with one. And if you need to record great audio from a musician you can use the stereo built in mics which sound great. The only thing is that the line in is really a mic input meaning connecting to DJ even though you can still do so will be a bit distorted. We use the Zoom 4n Pro for that application. Buy it.
Danny –
Opinion is subjective to the experience of the user so here it is. Im 57 and have owned a recording studio since I was 23. My work is on the radio, in commercials, tv, and motion pictures.This unit is amazingly good for the price. No it is not as good as my 2000 converters and the preamps are not as good as my mega stupid expensive preamps. Still, there should be nothing stopping a fairly well studied musician from cutting record after record with this mixer. The cons are better looked at than the pros, which are obvious.So here they are.There are no inserts for outboard gear so you are stuck with the internal effects. Luckily they are quite good internal effects but I would have rather been able to used my gear with this should I need to.It is a plastic shell and though it feels like it would survive sitting in a studio, live use might take a toll on it. I much prefer Allen Heath mixers over all others but this should do fine with a little care.There is a very nice shared set of eq knobs that makes this desk small and less price but I prefer to have individual knobs per track. This works fine and for some best, but if you are like me and like a direct approach this is not the board. Personally, it is not a big deal. This board live in my bedroom for those moments I need it. Give the single set of knobs and controls a long thought before buying this. It isnt a big deal for most but keep it in mind.The good stuff on this board is that is sounds great, does a ton of good stuff and all for a tiny price tag.
claypondduckfarm –
My wife and I use our H1N during out paranormal investigations. It is extremely sensitive. Easy to use in the dark which is obviously a plus. One of the downfalls is that it is extremely directional. So laying it down is not say great. All in all we love this device.
The Untouchable DJ BEAVE owner and operator of Selective Spin Radio –
The Board comes with very simple instructions, it should come with a full manual. There are a many of Youtube videos to help you along your path of recording, broadcasting, or live streaming. It continues to exceed my expectations with its capabilities.
dyjital –
This mixer is extremely user friendly and having the ability to multitrack record directly to SD card is so useful. Transferring files to ableton for mixdown is a breeze. The only set back it has is the lack of EQ but that can be easily dealt with in post and mastering in your DAW. Well worth the price and an essential tool for anyone looking to minimize DAW and maximize hardware jamming. I am able to record 20 minutes jams with all of my synths and drum machines and then import to ableton to splice it all up and turn it into a five minute finished product.
JBMOCKUS –
Im new to mixing, sound boards. I instantly was looking at the L8 and had two experienced associates give positive recommendations… am amazed all this unit can do and loving learning to do more with my L8 I must say, Im so glad to know AMS Fair pymnts, free timely shipping usually and busy but great customer support and reps. I will be purchasing more…
Eitan M. –
Love this thing. Very intuitive to use basically like an analogue desk with crazy bonus features onboard preamps sound great and clean, amazing range of mix routing options.Me composer, guitarist and recent music graduate in my early 20s. I started with the L12, loved it and decided to upgrade to the L20 after about a week. Bought to DIY record acoustic music projects without the fuss of laptops, as well to livestream and multitrackrecord local bands during the pandemic. The L20 works very nicely with OBS Studio just make sure you install the OBS ASIO pluginFavourite features distinct from the L12 Mix selection dial for the engineers headphone output. Super useful Switchable stereobalanced mono monitor outputs.Cons The RKL12 dedicated rack shelf for this thing is extortionately expensive. Plastic housing. Its strong and sturdy and light but still…
Scott –
I upgraded from a 2nd generation Scarlett 2i2. I needed something portable, multi functional yet with multiple inputs. I debated long and hard between the Zoom L8 and the Rode Podcaster Pro. After a lot of research reviews…talking to others I settled on the Zoom and could not be happier. I liked some of the features of the Rode heftier construction, larger sound pad, touch screen but those were just bells and whistles…I feel the L8 is far more functional and gives me more connection, functionality and portability options than the Rode….not to mention a much lower price point.One thing to note, and this probably applies to more than the L8…but if you are connecting an iPad Pro I use one connected to 2 line in channels for additional sounds and background music it is best to use a USB C hub with a 3.5mm stereo jack rather than the Apple USB C to 3.5mm converter. I tried that at first and noticed a distinct electrical feedback pop a few seconds after audio ceased being sent from the iPad. Once I added the hub though and provided continuous power, this pop ceased. I suspect it is from the iPad engaging and disengaging sending the audio out via the USB C. Investing in a hub makes for a very versatile and functional production system.
nighthawkra –
Works really well, very compact and easily fits in my pockets when pairing it with a lav mic. Awesome for video production on the go.
Anonymous –
Im able to do more with this mixers builtin features then Ive been doing with my Yamaha 02r. Being able to record live and go back into the SD Card and remix my recording. I also used the Zoom LiveTrak L12 with a video podcast setup. This is a very versatile piece of equipment I look forward the trying new ways of product projects with the Zoom LiveTrak L12. Great mixer for beginners and professionals, Zoom is listening to their customers. Great Job Zoom.
Sammy –
The Zoom L8 is an amazing mixer. I have used it not only as a podcast mixer but also to help with online mixing for our church. I cant imagine there is a better mixer out there for this price. So happy with this purchase.
Lou P. –
Far back, like 1015 years ago, I bought my first Zoom recorder when these handheld products seemed only to fill a niche for the ultimate in portability. This 90 dollar unit has the sound and functionality that made the first Zoom 269 so great, at a fraction of the cost. The more things change, they stay the same. I record my guitar and it sounds better than it should. I was recording within a half hour. It does not come with an micro SD card. That peeved me, but I had one in my other recorder. This is a VERY small, boutiquestyle looking unit. Initially, my 54 year old eyes could not read a single thing on the unit. Build it Tiny must have Zooms original design goal. Once you know what it is you desire to do, everything comes easy. Alls good. I like this, and easily recommend it for quick, no fuss recording anywhere.
Gloria –
I replaced a similar Sony recorder with this one and I am very happy with the sound quality and ease of use. I can set it to record automatically, or can set the recording levels manually. Both work very well. Ive been using it on a daily basis capturing hour long voice recordings in a living room, with alternating video sound. Both are very clear. I switched from WAV to MP3 192 kps to save on space on the mircro SD card, and the recording fidelity is very, very good.Download the manual to check out all the features availablehttpswww.zoom.co.jpsitesdefaultfilesproductsdownloadspdfsEH1n0.pdfI highly recommend this unit, and the price is right.I tried downloading the free steinberg software that comes with the unit, but could never get it to work. They did not even reply to my request for assistance.
Michael –
I got this mixer for podcasting, Ive used a few Mackie and Yamaha mixer and though they were great mixers this one is far better for this application. Having separate tracks for each i puts allows me to edit and apply post processing with ease. The TRRS connection allows me to pipe in a Skype call with no troubles or feedback. The sound pad is fun and using the presents have created a few laughs, I look forward to creating my own. Multiple power options is great for recording in any location. A con would be only 4 headphone outputs, which forced me to purchase a splitter and eventually will pick up a headphone amp with enough outputs the accommodate all the guests. The powercord could be long though I can purchase something longer. Other all would buy again and would recommend. Thank you BH for recommending this mixer.
209reviews –
Awesome multi use audio recorder. I mainly set up as an external mic for my a6600 or as a sound card when livestreaming dj sets on IG or Twitch. Would recommend for the price. Has the ability to be USB or battery powered for extended use.
Andrea P. –
Impressive for the base model. Easy to use, compact. I would recommend getting a windscreen, the mikes are very sensitive. Very happy with this unit.
Woods, M –
I use my Zoom Livetrak L8 for livestreams and podcasts. Its a solid piece of kit. Everything just works. I guess one minor con to it would be the plastic build but its still a solid feeling constructed device. It has some weight to it.
Bassman –
I Love this product It is great for practicing, live recording, track recording, and just a solid mixer. I owned the zoom L12 and was so happy with it i upgraded to the 20 My bands practice with it using the line outs as wired in ears and plan to use it live with wireless ones sometime. I had friends tell me to upgrade to a behringer but this is the product for me. DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS PRODUCT.
Huba a. –
I ordered this product because I needed an easy way to record at a conference. This recorder is compact enough that it will fit inside a jacket, and it can be hooked up with a lavalier. But the product does much more than that, I am planning to use it as the main audio recorder when shooting video with my Micro 43 setup. The service from DVE Store was fenomenal. I asked them to ship to the location and when I arrived, the recorder was there waiting for me
DarianB –
This recorder is amazing. Ive used 2 different RDE shotgun mics and I had the previous version of this, the Zoom H1. This H1n tops all 3. The amount of features packed in this recorder is insane. Definitely a must have for anyone into any type of video recording.
Alan –
This is a great product for beginners to video audio. The recording sounds great much better the the camera audio. It is relatively easy to operate and includes sound editing software. I am totally satisfied with the product it is a great value for the money.
Hayesdd –
Very easy to figure out and use. Use it for YouTube videos, and comes in very handy. Great audio and simple to sync up with video. Excellent price for the quality.
greenerk720 –
I use this to rip songs directly from the internet for my amateur cybernet photodirector family slideshows. Its so simple to use yielding satisfying results. Highly recommend
Chris –
I usually use my microphone with an external lavalier mic during interview sessions. Ive done this all time with no problems at all until I recently discovered a hidden problem. The hold switch on the side of the recorder doesnt affect the operation of the levels dial at the top. I never knew this until it recently messed up my audio file. What I mean is, even after you push the button to hold, the levels dial still functions as should. I dont think this was the case on the earlier generation zoom H1. Zoom makes great products and I strongly suggest they review this in their upcoming designs.
Nick –
Bought this one yesterday and tried. Audio recording was ok but felt a lot of problems with this purchase 1 it does not come with SD card, so you need spend money to buy one SD card 2 it does not come with data cable, so you need buy another data cable 3 the instruction and manual is not clear and a lot of errors or misrepresentation, for example, the driver does not work the bundled free software does not work 6.2gb space. Called Zoom people, and they told me that the device does not need driver in order to transfer the files…but what I followed on the manual did not work…I do not know why they did not provide SD card and cable, without those, basically you cant use it. They designed have SD port, cable port and earphone port, but none of those come with the device…the point is, when you open it, then you found you cant use it until you drive to store to buy other parts…it is a defect product.
PurplePeopleeater –
Light weight to carry around. Dont think it could take a pounding due to all plastic. But recording with built in mic or attached mic works good. Menu is hard to workwith but gets the job done. The xy microphone works well for getting two people recorded. Did well in inrerview that took place in crowded space. Although loud back ground noise it picked up our voices clearly.
Chrispy –
If youre reading this, then just buy it It is what you need in a podcast mixer that is portable and can do more than just record your podcast. Power it with a plug, batteries or a battery pack and take it wherever you need to record using only an SD card. If you made it this far, buy it.
Robert –
I bought a Zoom H4N before the H1N. In fact, I wrote a review of the H4N that concluded that I probably should have tried the H1N because the capabilities of the H4N are sort of buried and in the age of DAWs that can run on a tablet there isnt a good reason for the full capability of the device. That got me thinking, so I went ahead and purchased an H1N just to compare the two. Im writing this review now having returned the H4N. This is why.The H4N is a great device, but the downsides are that it is heavy recording can take several steps, depending on the type of recording youd like to make and getting to settings that pertain to recording is clunky and unsuitable for serious recording. To my mind, the H1N solves these issues and makes it the right recording device for my purposes.First off, the H1N weighs about a quarter what the H4N weighs. It is very light and can be carried around pretty easily in a musical instrument bag. A tradeoff to that is that the H1N is sometimes too light. Ive almost dropped it a couple of times because of how light it is. It also doesnt have rubber feet on the back side like the H4N, which means it could slide around a bit where you put it. I wanted to be able to carry the device anywhere, so being light is a great advantage. The build quality of the H1N isnt so high that I dont care about dropping it, but for some reason, it feels slightly more robust than the H4N. Something about the H4N made me feel that it is fragile.Setup for recording on the H1N is remarkably easy. Hit one button. Now youre recording. Thats pretty easy To be clear, there are far fewer capabilities in recording on the H1N compared to the H4N. Gone is dedicated multitrack recording even multiple microphones that the H4N supports. That said, the H1N allows you to layer recordings. So you record a guitar, then vocals. Each time you layer, a new file is made with all of the content. Thats actually pretty cool you never lose any work. It is clear that the builtin microphones on the H1N are of lesser quality than the H4N. The recordings are good, but youre not going to produce an album on the H1N. I sort of doubt youd do that on the H4N, either, but the sound quality is higher on the latter device. It is possible to plug a passive 18 jack microphone into the H1N. I havent used this feature yet, because if I really wanted quality, I am going to use a good microphone into a dedicated audio interface with a DAW, not a Zoom device, so this point is almost negligible. I mostly appreciate just hitting one button and moving forward.The H1N has far less capability than the H4N, but that means that the interface can be extremely straightforward. The H4N suffers from trying to stuff a bunch of features into a tiny screen, and it does not work well to the point where I simply would not bother trying to use it instead of a DAW. The H1N can do less, but you can usually find what you want to do quickly. There are still some oddities to the interface such as getting to and using the Play menu, but overall, what you need to do to accomplish your task is typically obvious. The layered recordings you made above are a notable exception. It is difficult to find files, but if you want to do anything other than listen on the device which I highly discourage, as the builtin speaker is pretty poor, you will need to plug the device into a computer, so this is more of an inconvenience than anything else.I said above that the H1N is the right recording device for my purposes. My purpose is to carry a device anywhere I want, set up and record with no work, and do basic recording setup tasks quickly. The H4N sort of suits my purpose, but the H1N suits it better. Frankly, if the H1N were more expensive and I hadnt had a little time on my hands to do a comparison, I probably wouldnt have bothered trying the H1N out. The H4N is a good device, and it has capabilities that are remarkable. That said, it does not feel worth using that capability to its fullest because the experience is poor. That H1N is good enough, and thats why I am sticking with it.
Jim –
I write music and this is so handy. I havent used the sound on sound function yet, but I have used it for a vocal mic to record voice into my DAW, and it sounds great. No need to bring a mic to record vocals when I go on vacation. I also like all of the different recording formats, you choose the quality you need and it has tons of storage with the optional memory card.
Anonymous –
This is a great little mixer and recorder. I also own the L12 and L20r. As with all zoom products the quality and functionality is unparalleled. I highly recommend Zoom products and purchase all of my gear from American Musical Supply. Great customer service and technical support, product availability, and quick delivery.
jimmyjam –
I really havent done that much with this recorder because just like all digital recorders there is a Learning curve that sucks. It appears to be easier to use than the Tascam that I have. When are the Geeks going to realize that Less is More Why cant they make a recorder that just simply records and plays back Phones do that. Maybe I should have just gotten a nice smart phone to record with.
Mike –
Needed an easy to use recorder for nites, thoughts and the occasional EVP Works great, great sound, easy to learn and use. Thanks AMS You always come through
Anonymous –
Omg… this thing is my favorite piece of equipment It can record a 7 piece band WITH vocals and NOT skip a beat I mostly use it to record drums and keys for our productions every week and, my musician friends have already asked me if I could put it in my will for them to get it Gotta keep eyes in the back of my head now
Marc –
First the good stuff about the H1n 1. Its lightweight and compact. some people have said flimsy but not me. I already carry too much equipment the lighter the better. 2. Basic record and playback fuctions are straightforward and easy to use. 3. Sound quality is good. 4. Inexpensive mine was actually discounted because its redNow for the the not so good 1 Theres no universal menu screen. Many basic adjustments require a few unintuitive key strokes like a preWindows PC. If you need to set recording quality WAV, Mp3,etc or battery type, youll need to download the manual and constantly refer to it.Finally the really bad The rewind, fast forward setup is atrocious Press rewind for one second, itll put you 10 seconds back. So far, so good. Press it for two seconds itll put you about 15 MINUTES back. Want to hear what you recorded 3 minutes ago Ha, ha, good luck. Want to fast forward 90 seconds Youll probably end up 20 minutes ahead. When you try to get back to where were, youll find yourself at the very start etcAlsoI know from previous Zoom cuebase software experiences, its unnecessary, and imposible to download anyway. I use Audacity for basic editing its free, easy to.learn and use..
James –
I am very satisfied with my purchase. I am usually mounting this recorder on a monopod stick, and the lightweight body of Zoom H1 is very handy
fatba95 –
Great sound with a quiet board. Would have liked to see some compression or at least insert points for vocals. But gain staging will have to do.
Makenzee R. –
Overall, this product is amazing. It arrived so fast, which is always a bonus. Im really happy with this product.
chro4648 –
As a recorder, the system is very cumbersome, I find it very difficult to use. The transport is hard to figure out, Ive had it for a year now and have been unable to make a multitrack recording. It works ok as a front end for Logic, would have liked to see some Chanel inserts and compression.
dirtiest –
Great, handy portable recorder. Very small, easy to operate. A little too much high end for recording music, but this can be corrected easily in post. Best deal for the money.
Scriv –
Great product for anyone wanting to add just that little bit extra control over what youre recording. Love that it will operate on battery power as well as using a wall outlet. Ideal for someone recording a podcast who needs to be in an area not close to mains power etc.I looked at other options including comparison videos on YouTube and found that this would fit the bill for me without breaking the bank. I would encourage you to do the same because they give pros and cons depending on how you want to use a mixer. Some may prefer a bespoke podcast only usage but I wanted flexibility.Easy to set up but will take a bit of experimenting to know what you can do and how you do it unless youre beyond beginner status.
Pete –
I purchased this recorder for my daughter to get quick interviews at a conference last month. I went over the functions and everything with her. She understood and was able to get good audio because of the simple approach of this recorder. The audio was good enough for the video that will be produced from the conference. Doesnt seem like much but shes 10 and had to go to breakout sessions for me in the conference. BTW it was a kids 4 kids conference.
savemyphone –
Purchased for my musician daughter who teaches cello. Device works well for recording her students recitals. Easy to use and stores music on microSD so no limit on how much you can record, catalog and save.
a.ghost.buster –
I have used the Zoom H1 to attach to the grooms lapel for years, and felt I needed a backup. I have used the ZH1N for a couple weddings placed on the grooms lapel, and it has worked perfectly. It uses 2 AAA batteries instead of 1 AA that the Zoom H1 uses. I believe it runs longer, and I am very happy about that.
Michael –
I use this to podcast on The AM STL Show. Love the built in sounds like applause and into music I can take calls with the included TRRS cable, and they come through very clear. I was pleased to see that it has built in reverb, delay and hall effects Plenty of headroom for even the most stubborn mics. I love that I can battery power this board and take it on the go Just buy it, you wont be disappointed
M. Munson –
Overall I like the unit. It is made of plastic, and although that doesnt necessarily mean it is fragile, I dont know if this would really be the right unit for using heavily as a road mixer. For instance, its billed as being useful as a stand alone mixer, without the recording capability, but I think if you were going to take it to a lot of clubs youd want to be pretty careful with it. However, I bought it for mainly home use and knew that I wouldnt take it out all that much.That being said, I find it pretty useful with the following caveats. For initial recording your channel must go straight to the track you are recording. So for instance if you wanted to mic a drum kit with 4 mics and routethat all to two tracks you couldnt do it initially. There is a work around though of once you have those 4 drum tracks, you can do a mix to the master fader which has its own track, you can export that to a USB stick and then drop it back on the stereo channels, freeing up your initial 4 drum tracks. For my workflow this sort of replaces ping ponging on other units. IAnother thing is that it doesnt have phantom power for each individual mic input, it has two groups of 4 channels that can have phantom power on or off. This means that if you want to use all 8 mic inputs at once, and you have 5 condenser mics and 3 dynamic mics you have an issue, because you have phantom power going to all of them. I dont usually plan on using all of them at once though.Pros I like the compatibility of using it to record, dropping tracks on a USB stick and then plugging into my computer and dropping them in my DAW. Also, I think you can record simultaneously to the unit while using it as an audio interface, so youd have a backup recording. I havent used the audio interface, but it seems to work. When recording in 96K it disables effects and EQ on playbackBottom line Id say its good for small home studios that want to use it in conjunction with a compute
Keepitcity –
Doing fulltime video and photography there are a lot of items you should have with you to make sure youre able to catch every moment, and some people tend to forget how important audio is This has been a perfect sidekick for my Foley and other audio capturing needs. Its amazing, the quality you get from this tiny mic is insane for the price Definitely a 10 out of 10 recommend
Theodore –
A workhorse. Excellent range of capabilities. Great audio quality. Excellent phone support. Unbeatable price. You can record high quality audio and do it remotely via internet or phone. We use it professionally in a rented studio by plugging the studio mics into the L8 and recording onto the SD chip. We put it back into the briefcase and take it home. Highly recommended.
Henry –
I got this to replace my H4N. The weight difference is astounding. Its lighter than my iPhone and not much bigger. The simplicity comes at the cost of being able to really adjust various settings but for my purposes, its fine. My only issue with it is that its pretty easy to accidentally mash the stoppause or other buttons. Great solution for the price and I would highly recommend this for basic field recording with a windshield and shock mount.
Michael –
Ordered the New L8 for my podcast and the mixing board works really well. Little bit of a learning curve to make sure everything is recording correctly and I really like the phone feature. Just make sure that the audio level us up enough to hear in post production. Lots of nice features and easy to work with the separate files in post.
Anonymous –
The Zoom L8 is a great board for podcasting and also doing live shows. What I like about the L8 is that it is easy to use and you can record your shows. Ive only have had this board for two weeks, it has made my shows sound better and also has allowed me to add live callers. The L8 meets all my expectations and then some.
Pete –
I bought one to use as a professional journalist, to cover meetings and record interviews. A colleague had one and recommended it. I liked the portability and the ability to set it up in a tight working space. But the negatives added up the controls were very clunky, especially for listening back to transcribe the material the unit ate up batteries I was lucky to get one to last two meetings and it finally quit working. I ended up replacing it with a competing brand.
Bill –
Bought this for our media students, and used it for some video VO recording. Very pleased with quality of sound, easy to use set it on a mini tripod on table. Like it enough to order another and will pair with wireless lav for secondary audio recording. Only caveat it is better in a small shopsingle user environment. Too many folks taking it out, and the little plastic unit will get trashed.
KB –
This mixer has continued to impress me, more quality stuff from the Zoom company. Some random notes about it that Ive found top notch When using it attached to a computer via USB, youre able to get 2 distinct channels of returnoutput Ch.7 and Ch. 8. Specifically, with Ableton, youre able to set up Outputs sending to USB 12 Ch. 7 AND USB 34 Ch. 8. I used this with great success as a DJ mixer, with USB 12 as my main output and 34 as my cue mix. Awesome flexibility. The pads on Ch. 16 are awesome for managing hot levels I exclusively use this mixer for Zoom different company video meetings. Its amazing. Its plugged in via USB and is my audio interface oddly enough, there is actually an option in Mixer mode called Audio IF Interface but you dont need to actually select this to make it function like this. The L8 mixer appears as my Microphone and Speaker option in the Zoom meeting. Any audio from Ch. 16 is sent to the meeting and heard by participants think of these are your send or Mic audio. The meeting audio from your end is heard through Ch. 7 as the USB 12 audio your return channel. Using different mix channels, I have it set up so that my mic can feed into the meeting and I can monitor the meeting through speakers, but I have no feedback whatsoever because the mic audio isnt in the monitor mix. Its amazing. Also, you can still use the onboard audio recording function in the L8, which I use as a backup audio record. I also use this for music multitracking and its great. You may have to get a little creative with your inputs, but you can do really excellent recordings on this unit.One minor critique the old Zoom H4n recorder could record WAV or .mp3 files of varying bitrates, the L8 only records WAV which is fine but sometimes you just dont need the highest quality audio revolution so fingers crossed this some kind of firmware update that can make this happen, otherwise its just a simple file
John –
Excellent product that is easy to use. Foregoing the hassle of recording using a Scarlett 18i20, Mac and LogicPro, I purchased this to record my acoustic drums using Audix mic set.After getting all the mics and and L12 mixer setting good, I now can easily record my drums. I do a mixdown of the music with clicktrack from Logic, export 2 channel stereo 1 channel click, save as wav files and put on SD card. Then I put in the card, set up the song, and record. Once recorded, I download the drum wav files 6 tracksbass drum, snare, rack tom, floor tom, and 2 overheads and dragdrop them into my LogicPro song template I created and mix with music.This is way more fun than using my edrum kit and triggering VSTs and sounds much better.If youre an acoustic drummer looking to easily record your drums, look no further. Also great for recording rehersals and jam sessions so you can listen back to and assess your playing.
PV –
I needed a new mixer and a new audio interface. I also do podcasts in addition to recoding my music and have long used Zooms H4N which mine is now going on 9 years and still works perfectly. So when I saw that Zoom got into the market of studio mixers and audio interfaces…I was already sold. It has been excellent. Easy to use and beautiful clean pres. Highly recommend
holtcomm –
Really like the recording capability of the Zoom L12. Live mixing is pretty good but takes some getting used to because of selecting individual channels for EFX and response curves. I especially like the 5 headphone output that can be set to individual preferences per channel. Overdub works great and easy to adjust individual channel outputs to get a good mix. Not crazy about the computeripad USB interface yet but havent worked with it enough yet to know its capabilities. Very happy so far.
Ingstar –
Im often recording tracks for voiceovers and my podcastYouTubewebinars. Its also great when doing livestreaming events. Simple and packs a punch in sound quality. Its my goto when I dont have time to use my traditional Yeti mics LOVE IT
Travis –
I was a little uncertain about this box at first because I know how hard it is to pack many different features into one device. I cant emphasize how pleasantly surprised Ive been. This mixer has allowed me to seamlessly shift between a weekly streaming engagement that uses lots of mics at the same time, multitrack recording via a MacOS based DAW, and daily sketching as I develop new material. Feature highlights 1 four totally configurable mixes, each routable via TRS stereo cables. I can use these for custom streaming output or treat them as AUX sends. 2 super easy scene saving which is handy when switching between tasks 3 good sounding preamps and reverb 4 no noticeable latency for monitoring when using the device as a standalone not monitoring through the DAW.I wish it had onboard compression, and it is a little strange that you cant plug it into power AND connect via USB at the same time since the same micro USB port provides both IO and power, but those are minor compared to how much functionality this box packs into a footprint that is smaller than the old Mackie 1202.I can see already that the Mackie L8 is going to be my goto USB audio interface, which is funny since I spent more than 2x on the one Ive been using up to this point. Well worth the price.
Anonymous –
This does what is needed without the hasstle of complication.Simple and clean layout without the fuss of apps and menu diving. Simplicity is eligance. And the sound qualty is very good to excellent. If you want to recording engineer then this probably isnt going to do everything you want. But of you just want clean clear recordings that tell it like it is then you wont be disappointed.
UltraCurt –
Zoom H1 for picking up sound and helps as a usb interface. Didnt need the h6 because Im a solo producer. If you are trying to start a podcast. Get h4 zoom or h6
James –
The LiveTrak L12 weighs in at 5.6 lbs. and is rack mountable big pluses for those of us that want to take something to gigs for playback and recording. The channel faders are a big improvement over previous Zoom products that I have used and the effects implementation is easy and straight forward to use. I also like that there are Five 5 output buses with independent level controls that can be used for headphones or other mixes. I tested the Audio Interface feature with Sonar X1 and it worked as advertised and that should make live performances easy to record or playback from a DAW. One of my first questions out of the box was would I be able to import projects from my MRS 1608 to the LiveTrak The short answer to that question was no. However I was able to use the Zoom Audio File Utility software to export individual .Wav tracks from my MRS 1608 projects. I then created a new project on the L12 and imported my 1608 .Wav tracks to the LiveTrak project via a USB drive. Simple enough and problem solved. After several weeks of use I did find several problems and omissions. The manual needs to be revised as it does not document several key steps covering recording e.g. Overdub and you have to learn by trial and error. The recordplayback transport keys are small and not backlit, so in a dark venue one would need external lighting to prevent embarrassing miscues. There is also no Jog Wheel for data entry. This is understandable given the smaller form factor but the user is forced to use a small, plastic rotary knob which feels tedious in use, and ahem, cheap. The firmware for this unit appears to be immature as I lost a project when I renamed it and the project creation logic is full of surprises. These issues can probably be fixed with a firmware update but this is disappointing even for a new product release. Also there is no external effects loop, which probably wont be a showstopper for many folks but will be for anyone wanting to move beyond the build in effects which are OK, but not all that great. Ultimately I believe the Pros outweigh the Cons, and for those looking for a lightweight, quality mixerrecorder to take to the gigshow, your ship may have just sailed in.
Daniel –
This all in one box is nothing short of amazing Im blown away by all that it can do. Ive been recording for over 20 years, done it all, tascam cassette 4 track, 248 channel interfaces, laptops, home studios, pro studios. Now this thing comes along and sheesh, it can do it allThe preamps are nice and clean with plenty of gain, I set the record IN meters in the menu, the 5 mix outs are a god send. I recorded 8 channels at band practice for an hour and a half, got home and transferred to the computer, it was just 3gb.Immediate playback and ability to mix right away is great, sound quality is crystal clear from highs to lows, the reverb is nice for a adding a bit of depth to vocalsguitarkeys. I love that when you stop and hit record it creates a new folder and song automatically, no fumbling through menus. The fader adjustments are a bit tricky at first when switching mixes as the faders dont work until you set them back to the light markers but next time Ill know.I was choosing between the L12, the soundcraft 24 and the new Tascam mixerrecorder thats coming out, this is perfect in size for portability, I dont need the pad or phone connectivity.My only complaint is the power adapter wire is thin and flimsy, would have preferred the heftier 3 prong plugs, also the metal piece is a little hard to unplug from the machine, it takes a bit of force, I hope that connector doesnt fall apart one day.All in all this all in one unit is mind blowing in everything that it can do, I feel its a laptop, multiheadphone amp, effect unit, mixer all in one small footprint, Zoom came through big on this product
Carl –
Ive been very impressed with the quality of Zooms products, and this is no different. This will be a workhorse for my setup for many years to come.The only shortcoming Ive found is that the usability is great, up until you have to interact with the tiny screen and its selection knob. I expected this kind of tradeoff with my Zoom H2, but this would have been SO much easier to use with a larger screen and a few function keys. For instance, its unbelievable how much work you have to go through to simply rename a project.As an audio device, though, this is simply amazing value for the money.
Luke –
When I first purchased this I thought I had a defective item, because I could not hear out of the head phones.When you first turn this on you have to reset the master slide, or what ever feeder channel you are using.I cannot explain the technical behind this, but when I call the company they explain so if you cant hear out of your head phones right away it is not broken. You just have to move the slider
Andrew G. –
This recorder would be perfect except for one major flaw. It is made out of thin brittle plastic that resonates with touch. This is becomes a big problem when holding it by hand as you can hear any friction between your hand and the device very loudly in the recording.
Zach S. –
I purchased this mainly for one reason an that is to record others playing music to build my sample kits. Im not only taken aback by how simple this is to use but at how well and functional it is. At first I thought that the quality being plastic might be flimsy and cheap but when I listened to some of the sounds I had recorded I was more than impressed with the quality.The audio in allows to record out of an audio interface which is handy. Cant wait to get more use out of this and record more samples while im travelling.. Nice work Zoom and thanks DJ City.
Dan –
will not accept any macro card..i have many. tried every solution online to cure the problem. nothing worked . .will not format. returning. I know the product is a good product but this unitsimple will not work. there is no zoom technical support …blaming the virus….the support problem is why i am giving this a one review
Silver1792 –
The pickup and playback with this recorder are great, especially with a lavalier mic. The only complaint about this recorder is the small slide switch and buttons that take a while to learn and are not very durable.
technoligest –
The zoom worked well for general recording. You need some cover if you want to use it outside or anywhere where there is wind.My biggest concern was that the device feels very cheap and I felt like I was going to break it every time I used it because of the complete plastic construction of the body. I wish it was build better in which case I would probably give it a 4 or 5 star.
BPS –
I originally bought the Zoom H1n to record samples for my new MPC One and for that it is perfect. The sound is seriously, very, very good. In fact, I used it to sing a few vocals and to my surprise, it sounded better than a few other condenser mics I have. The interface is easy to navigate, and the buttons are laid out in a sensible way. However, this unit also sports a feature I did not expect the ability to use it as a USB microphone with my iPad. And oh man, is that a game changer for me. I have a 2nd gen iPad Pro and plug it into the camera connection. It sets up in a few seconds, and youre off to the races. For 119.00, you be hard pressed to find a better deal, imho. The use of Micro SDHC only is easily overlooked when weighed against all the amazing features. Also, thanks American Musical for getting shipped to me in 2 days Your no credit easy payment plans rock.
Justin –
Makes recording so much easier since it can record internally without a computer. The audio interface also works great, you will need to find the drivers and install them though. At least I had to for my Mac.
T –
Great sound fx. Using with my M1 Mac mini has an issue with the L12 driver hangs, clipped sound, currently no integration with Ableton StartStop, but does work for as a mixer. Love the on board recorder. Massive sound.
Edgar –
really good console, the portability is greatthe only downfall of this is that you either have the phantom power on or off, you cant have that functionality on a per channel base.other than that is really good, the menu is easy to follow and the set up with a computer to use with audition is really simple.
G Force Geral –
Zoom L 12 is a Dream come True. Any previous knowledge if Zoom mixers will put you ahead of the curve. Clear sound and simplicity dule the day. Well worth the money Just make sure you use the proper SD cards for backup. L12 is a Monster.
Chicho –
I bought it for my son to use in the dorm room. I tested it at home for 3 days. This is exactly what the doctor prescribed Yes, its plastic, but not flimsy. Yes, its small, but not miniscule, like Roland Botique or Korg Volca stuff. As a mixer it sounds pristine, even when you add some EQ and crank up the gain a bit, still pristine. Add some reverb only one sendreturn type effect processor, still excellent. Add some one knob Compression on some or up to 8 inputs, still pretty darn good. Now you can add up to 5 FIVE fully customizable headphonemonitor mixes with 5 separated outputs and 5 volume knobs How about that Ive paid 500 for a 6 channel headphone distribution rack unit in my studio alone, right So this makes my son and his friends able to plug in a couple guitars, a bass, a couple of keys, plus whatever, and jamming until the whee hour without disturbing the neighbors. The Audio Interface At 24 bit and 48 kHz it is also pristine. Its class compliant, plugged it into my iPad pro, opened Auria, and there they were, all 8 mono and 2 stereo inputs, and 4 USB return. Again, the latency was absolutely minimal, mixing the USB return stuff with the live instruments was a breeze push of one button and again, no audible latency. How about that The only reason Im not getting the larger version 20, I guess right now, is the lack of MIDI, and no control protocoll implementation of any kind, in other words, you cant use it as a control surface for your DAW. Overall, worth every penny, in good hands it is absolutely capable if producing pro results.
Syrah –
So like most my regret purchases I beat myself up for not reading everything thoroughly to realize the computer integration has pretty unimpressive uses and resolution and its just really out of date and theres so many other things to consider before purchasing this. I can see how this would be perfect for a few people but I think most are gonna wanna look elsewhere. AMS handled the return swiftly.
Zero –
If you cant work this thing within minutes, then the problem is YOU. Dont need to be a Geek to use it. So inexpensive that theres no good reason to moan about anything. Great sound. If you need XLR for external micsrather than the mini jack, then get an H4. Otherwise, you cant beat this for the cost.
Angie –
If you are a SongwriterPerformer this is the perfect mixer The versatility is next level, the overall ease of use and features make this the best buy on the market in this range. The ability to live multitrack and have DAW control from the same mixer is invaluable.
Barn –
Much needed upgrade to the H1 model. A better build quality makes this feel more sturdy in your hand. The handling noise while recording is way reduced. I have the H1 also and this was always a problem when using it as a handheld mic. It is slightly bigger the the H1 but still able to fit in a pocket. Ive used the H1N and the H1 with a Rode smartlav lavalier mic and a handheld condenser microphone both work using the correct adapter. trrs to trs this eliminates the handling noise.
USCManOTroy –
The quality of this recorder is decent. The mics can be adjusted and the levels for sensitivity are good. However, they are dials and not electronically displayed levels so it can be a bit difficult to adjust without constant playback and adjustment.It is pretty pricey for what it is though.
Devin –
This machine has quite a bit packed into it for the price, so if you do multitrack recording or live event stuff with complicated audio setups, I think youd be hard pressed to find a better bang for the buck. There is one annoying thing that WAS NOT mentioned in any of the manuals and that is that a lot of the individual control you have with things like EQ, effects, etc, are DISABLED if you put the sample rate into 96Khz instead of 48Khz. I spent an hour trying to figure that out since it wasnt mentioned anywhere in the official documentation.I would also like to note that it would good for any user to distinguish controls for recording versus live output as the two are not necessarily one in the same.
Brian –
This is one handy mixing and recording device Ive only had one opportunity to use it since I purchased it. I recorded a drum kit with 10 channels of the 20 available channels and the device didnt miss a beat all puns intended. I am very pleased to own it and will highly recommend it to anyone who needs up to 20 channels of signal inputs.
Tony –
Great piece of equipment. Love how you can route in many different directions. Wonderful for our Podcast. Thinking about buying the smaller version for outdoor video shooting. Likewise the customer service was good. Have So far bought a few items through American music and it has been a Pleasurable experience. It has become our new way of shopping for Musical gear.
WhoButMeD –
Didnt know I had to have Lav Mics to make it Official. Havent ordered them yet or had a need to use it yet. Glad I ordered before I actually needed to use them so I can find out I need more accessories.
rddm808 –
this thing has already destroyed 2 sd cards. sd card is extremely hard to remove without fingernails.It wont connect to my brand new Mac book pro through usb. sound quality is not that good. bundled software is a joke. should retail closer to 20 or 30 bucks.
Roger –
If you can find a handy recorder that out performs this puppy for the money, Id be surprised. I use this weekly for intros and outros for video productions and although I have the H6n this is just so much easier to just grab, slide the side switch, and just focus on the interview or what I want to say. Two Cautions The body picks up almost anything you do in handling. Its best to mount it on a small handheld type tripod with fold out legs and sit on a desk or nearby and do the interview. Also, if you plan to have the mics up close, beyond the shadow of a doubt you have to have the Auray WRFH1 Foam Windscreen for Zoom H1H1n to keep out the mouth hisses, light wind puffs, and breath puffs. I use this every week sometimes multiple times. A great buy and great service with lots of settings to tweak, cut off, and control and roll off various audio frequencies that are hassles to deal with in post. Youll love the thing.
tabart music –
I use it primarily for recording audio in video collaboration and love its straightforward approach and featurepacked design. Great sound quality with a limited but useful palette of effects. Wish there was a way to reassign inputs to different tracks and could use a couple more inputs. But its such a versatile mixerdaw interfacemobile studio and recorder that its hard to beat for the price.