Zoom L-12 One Year Review: Still worth it?

A brief update on the Zoom Livetrak L - 12 after using it as my dawless mixer, recorder and audio interface.

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Zoom L-12:

@Polyend Tracker:

OP - 1:

Octratrack MKII:

Digitakt:

@Arturia Polybrute:

@Moog Music Inc Matriarch:

Moog Subsequent 37:

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[RockHardRiffs]

I’ve been using the L12 for over a year now and couldn’t be happier with it 🎸🎸🎸

[ata]

As a Zoom L-20 owner one thing that is missing from it is a MIDI interface. I had (still have it in my home studio) a Zoom UAC-8 before and that one has also a built-in MIDI interface, what I'm missing from the L-20... (I also have a Zoom H-6, so you can call me a Zoom user...). Pretty much agree with the other points, even I do use my L-20 about as much as an audio interface directly to the DAW and as a stand alone recorder to the SD card.

For live use the L-20 has the optional bluetooth connection to an iPad for a complete remote operation, that has been super great when mixing bands live in bars or clubs. Just having the iPad with me in the middle of the audience and the mixer at the stage with all the instruments and mics connected and the soundchecks for different acts saved as scenes... that is great.

I've had the L-20 now for couple of years and was originally planning to get the L-12, but when the L-20 was introduced, I decided to get that one instead immediately, and the extra channels have not been a bad idea... :)

[Nottsoaverage_]

Iv had this mixer since 2020 and I’m still happy with it best purchase I’ve made so far

[spiderfingers]

I was torn between this and the Tascam Model 12... I went with the Tascam in the end.. But to be honest i could have gone with the Zoom L-12 too.... the set up i was after was the one that you spoke about here.. just having a recorder that i could very quickly put ideas down on, but also use as a DAW if i needed or wanted to.. Those of us who grew up with 4-track cassette recorders are win-win here, just being able to drag fleshed out ideas in to a DAW as an option and work on them from there?? Whats not to like?? Great content...

[symbiat]

I asked around and discussed the L12 with some mixer experts and have decided to go for the Tascam Model 12 instead — it has all the features of the L12 but better input-output routing and better EQ, etc.

[ckjjclan]

Come on Tascam….. send this dude the 16 channel board to review! ;-)

[patrickhowes]

I bought this mixer specifically after watching your first video on it, and I've been very happy with it so far even though I don't use all the features either. Thanks for the recommendation!

[InnerPeaceSounds]

Thank you for the great review! Likely they've copied the record engage workflow from Zoom H4n. That's exactly how you do it - first press "REC" to arm and start monitoring through headphones and then press "PLAY" to start recording. I am surprised that Zoom H6 uses a different approach.

[soundsfortoday]

Have had the L12 since May 2020. It is my mainstay. One of the features I absolutely love is capability of using flash drive to export to. Have used multiple synths and DN on it. On occasion the record button goes wacky and you have to baby it to make it work. Other than that I have been gertting my money out of it. Was definitely a good purchase!

[Simonchez]

Wow, the perfect video to help me make this decision today! Thanks so much!

[kirikira]

For me I use my L20 as “Portable” recorder, live mixer and audio interface. I’m a college student studying music and music technology and part of the things I do even if not required is help music students with recordings (who don’t know proper audio tech), be an audio technician during club events (I’ve been paid for it once and been getting paid multiple times now) and/or create a Jamspace for the students in more Jazz situation and work on my own music projects too. Honestly it’s been a god send cause they’ll be so many times with my old mixer Mackie FX12:
“I wish I had more inputs”
“I wish I could send different mixes”
“I wish I don’t need to record with my laptop”
“I wish I had a better eq” (specially bass roll off)
So many more quotes. It fixed all those issues for me and gave more flexibility and at $1000 it’s not bad for the all purpose use I have for it.

[FrankyGun]

Nice one and spot on in all points! Always nice to watch your premieres, brother! Rock on 🤘 Love and light from Khao Lak 🇹🇭❤️☀️🏖🌴🥥🐘🌈

[Synth-PatchesCom]

Interesting that no one mentions the Allen & Heath QU-SB mixer, which is for me the ultimate dawless record unit. It's small, compact, has great graphic EQ, sidechain, many AUX outputs and can multitrack record up to 18 channels. Moreover it has ability to mix the hardware and USB inputs together so I can use my hardware and software (Kontakt Player!) synths in one dawless session. Great feature when you have a good hardware sequencer (like Deluge). Great video, thank you!

[ArtDrumsSchool]

I've been using this device for over 3 years now.
more than satisfied)
My band is especially pleased) says that this is my best purchase of musical equipment)

home studio
online lessons
mixer for band rehearsal
porta studio for recording demos with a band
when I write music myself and do channel recording without a DAW

perfect!

[jimvance]

Would have loved to see you actually walk thru the complete recording process.

[hovermotion]

Even the L8 is a great mixer..I went for the L12 about 2 years ago on your recommendation and its been a superb mixer for the money (£270 second hand as new condition)..It's down side for me is its size a bit too wide for my desk top setup.👍🏻

[JP-rfpx]

If you get low output, you may have the plugs wired wrong. The outputs are set up for phones, with tip and ring both separate hot signals, not balanced out. So to get a line level signal use a stereo plug but hook hot to tip and ground to sleeve and leave ring unconnected.
I am using the unit as a 4 channel recorder to archive my collection of quad SQ, QS, and CD-4 lps. Each input and monitor channel is used for one of the 4 channels from my quad decoder. The mixer monitor outs drive the "discreet analog surround inputs on my Marantz receiver with plenty of volume. My only beef is the inability to label tracks with names more easily.

[waltersmetak]

Anxiously awaiting for this final review. Thanks for posting it!

[Theonlymoog]

So, about the headache with pressing "Rec" and then "Play", to record, yeah, I can see that being a thing, BUT, think about it this way, and it becomes intuitive: in 1985, when I wanted to record a song off the radio, I pressed 3 buttons on my ghetto blaster - first I pressed Pause to hold my cassette at the correct place, then Record AND Play, which were always 2 separate buttons, controlling 2 separate functions. When the song started, I unpaused it. This recorder behaves in exactly the same way. Not a solution, I know, but an understanding of how it works, that hopefully makes it a bit more intuitive.

Also, just wanted to say - fantastic video, thanks for the info!

[wireheadinstruments]

I also bought the L12 after your first vid and am very happy with it (with minor caveats) so thanks! re your comment re monitor outputs->sampler - I find that does work well for me to feed channels to my Digitakt for sampling, routing through the digitakt FX / overbridge interface, without having to rewire. anyway, another great video. HULK SMASH! 😂