How To Use The Zoom L-12 To Record Your Band

This is how we use the Zoom L-12 to practice and record ourselves for live stream content.

0:00 Introduction
0:45 How We Use The Mixer
1:57 The Inputs
3:53 Outputs vs. Recordings
4:12 How The Mixer Works
10:09 Adjusting the Outputs
15:00 Troubleshooting Stereo Inputs
17:23 Conclusion

Check out our full album release show we recorded using the Zoom L-12:

Our latest album, Flicker is streaming on Apple Music and Spotify.

View our merch store here:

More information on the Zoom L-12:

[velocitwenty]

Zoom should send you a free 20 channel mixer, stage box and snake for putting this awesome video together.

[jazzer]

That's one of the best tech demonstrations I've ever seen on Youtube - it's so well constructed and laid out so clearly. Thank you so much!

[damienwoods]

I had no idea how much I needed this video until I watched it.

[marcgattuso]

Great, great video. Zoom needs to add this as an official video on their website. I also think Zoom ought to send you a Zoom L20 as a way to say thank you! I greatly appreciate you breaking it down the way you did. Thank you!!!!

[alexbaerg]

I just gotta say: for a "non-audio engineer", your grasp of signal flow as absolutely outstanding. I know a lot of people, who who consider themselves engineers, that could learn something from this video and your approach to signal flow. This video is SO well done.

[JasonWelchMusic]

Please consider expanding this series using it as:
1. As a daw interface.
2. For Facebook live/YouTube.
3. Overdubbing a bad take.
4. Making a music video.
5. Using mic preamps with it.
6. Podcasting

Zoom SERIOUSLY owes you an L20 for doing this video.

[maxcruz]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! This was the best presentation /demonstration ever because we are musicians not engineers ! I am saving this video to watch it again. And i am going to also check out your music .

[Rockplayer]

EXCELLENT VIDEO! Zoom should use your video in explaining how to set up the LIvetrack mixer for live playing/recording. I have an L-20 board and couldn't find much information on using the mixer as and actual audio mixer for gigs (which is 80% of what I do), this video really explains the monitor mix setups which is what I needed most. Also, did you know you can copy individual mix from one mix (say A) to another (D)? Simply hold down the button on mix your using (A) until all the lights blink and then while still holding "A" press the "D" button, it will copy the mix in A to D.

[loveaboveall]

Cheese and Rice!! Not even the official zoom channel has a detailed tutorial and well thought out explanation of their own dear like this guy. Cheers Mate!

[willemsmith]

Great video, really helpful for anyone having or considering a Zoom L-12 (or 20).
Just a small remark: At around 18:40 you mention the A, B, C, D, an E outputs to be mono. They are in fact stereo and you can pan channels to the left or right which can make monitoring different instruments or voices more distinguishable.
Thanks for all the work you put in.

[mikehughes]

I am a 63 year drumming noob. I recently mic'ed up my DW kit and bought the L-20. I am starting to have friends come over to jam and this awesome explanation is just what I needed to help me figure out how to mix the individual outputs. I have no musical background so the L-20 manual is tough for me to decipher, so your simple presentation was perfect. THANK YOU so much for taking the time to shoot, mix and upload this video. I really appreciate it. Now if we could just get someone to explain what the different effects do and when to best employ them...Feel like doing another video? :-) Much success to you and your band!

[Zif-the-Old-Herring]

This was excellent. There is a ton of good, basic technique here that's sometimes lacking in other tutorials. I'm 70 years old and never had a fear of
putting sound to tape or any other medium. I use different digital hardware but ground level prep before hitting Record is universal.

[paulorr]

That was awesome. Zoom needs to pay you and use this video for there support channel. I learned a lot, was not bored at all. The live show at the end really shows great results.

[t.a.]

I literally want to buy this now due to how precise, organized and well thought out this instructional video is. You literally answered every single question or speculation I had about this device and it’s exactly what I’m looking for. Perfect

[Thestudiodon]

I can't tell you how happy I am to see a real world demonstration made so crystal clear. You have a gift. Thanks!

[hienvu]

Having been a teacher and a musician for all of my life, I really appreciate how you didn't skip over small details that you assumed everyone already knew.

[drewfasa]

You just saved me a ton of boring manual reading. Best ever demo. Subbed.

[brad_neal]

I've been playing music for more years than you have been alive. I just purchased the L12 to use as a sub-mix for my drums. Great job explaining how to incorporate the L12 into a live or recording session, but really awesome job just teaching folks the basics of how a mixer works. Very nice work, my friend!

[scottlayne]

EXCELLENT, Thank you, I manage our church audio with the L12 and have been searching for a proper tutorial for an embarrassingly long time 😂. Thank you for your pace and clarity. Good bless.

[staginpgmusic]

Wow - this tutorial is outstanding. One of the best demonstrations I have seen on YouTube. I saw a bunch of videos about this mixer and I always ended up with more questions than I started. A tutorial about how to use this thing with an actual band was much needed- great job.