Zoom L-12 Review & Setup - Audio Interface and Recorder!

The number one feature of the L-12 that impresses me most is its ability to both record to the SD card (multi-channel) while also being an audio interface, sending multi-channel audio to your computer at the very same time. Most mixers with built in recorders or even recorders that are also interfaces, make you choose which function you want to use, not allowing you to do both at the same time.

You get eight combo (XLR/Line In) inputs which provide you with the ability to connect up to eight microphones, each with its own preamp with 60db of gain. Channels one and two have Hi-Z power while three through eight provide a pad (-20db) for line in inputs. All channels provide 48 volts of phantom power for condenser microphones. And the preamps themselves are nice. I can easily power a dynamic mic like the Sennhieser e835 (as heard in the video), using ~75% of the gain. After this point, it sounds like the preamps might introduce a little bit of noise but overall they are clean.

Below the gain/trim knob, each microphone channel includes one-knob compression. This does a really nice job of preventing clipping while also helping to maintain a consistent audio level. Important to note that as you raise the compression you’ll also raise the gain because the compressor includes make-up gain. So as you increase the amount of compression, I found that about more than half way was a nice balance for preventing peaking, you’ll want to decrease your gain in order to maintain the same level and gain staging as when you are not using any compression.

With this digital mixer, your channel stops actually represent six different custom setups. In addition to the master mix, you get five custom setups which allow you to create five different “scenes” that can all be routed to their own output. For podcasters this means that you can create up to five different mix-minus setups! The setup is a little different than using aux-sends on an analog mixer but the result is the same. See the video for how to achieve a mix-minus setup. Each of these channels also includes the ability to setup a custom EQ.

The five separate headphone outputs also replace another piece of gear that podcasters with multiple people in studio often use, a headphone amplifier. Each of the five headphone outputs on the L-12 has it’s own gain knob so each person connected to one of the five outputs can control the level of audio going to their own headphones. The headphone preamps are also clean (without added noise) unlike the Zoom F8 that I have which has one headphone output and creates noise when turned up higher than 75%. I was happy to hear that the L-12 headphone preamps were clean and allowed me hear exactly the audio that was going into the mixer.

Each channel also includes a mute button. However, this does not work the way I’d want it to. The mute only follows through to the master mix. So when you press mute on any channel, the individual tracks being recorded to the SD card as well as the audio going out of the USB is not affected by the mute. Because of this the mute has little value, at least to me.

If you’re looking for a multichannel audio interface, the Zoom L-12 is a device I would seriously consider. The addition of a recorder built-in really makes this device worth the price. The recorder provides you with the ability to record a backup which for me is critical in any recording setup. Other mixers that provide you with this many aux sends (most only go up to 4) cost just as much as the L-12 and don’t provide as much functionality.

*Gear used to make this video:

PICTURE PROFILE: PP7: S-Log2

EDITED AND GRADED: Adobe Premiere Pro CC using Lumetri Color Presets (tweaked to my liking).

[TerenceKearns]

Excellent overview. It's 2023 and I just ordered the L20. It's genius. You did a great job showing how to separately mix aux outs. Well done. Nobody else shows this.

[fjammusic]

hey, I appreciate your video. It helped me tremendously. I just got this unit today which is March 8 and I am loving it however it took me a minute to get my bearings. I’m going to figure this out maybe a challenge but I’ll make sure I contact you quickly, thanks again

[jonnietherotten]

I have been looking at the L20 for awhile as I use two Zoom R24’s linked as an interfaced. This is the best tutorial I have ever seen on any product on YouTube. Great Job and extremely informative. I’m buy it this weekend. Cheers 👍🏻🍻

[frankverderosa]

I am shocked by how much this does for the price! Thanks for that in-depth review! This is a no brainer for podcasting. MUST GET!

[hakonsoreide]

I was leaning a bit towards the L8 since I think it would have enough channels for me, and it is so much smaller, but I do like the additional features of the L12. Very nice overview, also pointing out some of the key differences between your typical analogue mixer and this digital one, making the transition easier after watching this. Also, the mute behaviour would have got confusing quickly, so it's nice to have the cleared up even before I knew it was a thing.

[SmoothbassmanStudios]

This is a great podcast mixer.

You actually have 4 stereo AUX busses with those headphone mixes A-D. I like how they put headphone amps on each one to drive them direct from the board. No extra hardware. You don't just have to run headphones there. With a couple of stereo splitter cables you can run a couple of set of monitors or run an in ear set-up right off of this thing. This would be a great small band mixer.

Nice review.

[BorsellinoHomeServices]

THANK YOU! I'm considering purchasing this mixer and the main reason is for having 4 headphones with separate mixes and you explained this perfectly!!! I'm pumped that it can record on board and send through the audio interface at the same time. Only problem is we have been using garageband for 10 years with 2 room mics and I think it only takes 2 input channels so we will need a different DAW. Thanks again!

[LifeinDigitalFilms]

This 7 year old tutorial taught me what I needed to know! Thank you!!!! Pertaining to the fader mode, having to reset the level on the mics for the monitor output I am using was the fucking thing I could not figure out! I thought I had a bad console or my headphones were no bueno since I'm using a quarter inch jack adaptor (they're the Sony MDR 7506 headphones) - literally thinking of everything I could be doing wrong. Long story short, my novice ass learned a bunch from this video, thank you.

[ernieflanaganstingraybassm]

Your reviews really help us out here, cause we learn new things right

[spartan]

This is excellent! I used to have the Zoom 802b cd years ago but sold it a couple of years back. Since, I’ve tried the Tascam DP32SD (hated it and sold it), currently trying out Cubase 9.5.30 via NI Komplete Audio 6 with an Akai MPK Mini (Cubase is slightly over complicated to just record and the Akai is a nightmare that may soon be returned), but I miss my old Zoom. Now that I see this, I may order one ASAP. Zoom is a virtual “press record and play” then pull the card, upload to your computer in a music file, repeat. Too easy, that’s why I love this company. I need room to think about music, not 39 buttons and drop down windows that need to be selected to just record. I figured out my first Zoom with ZERO experience, no YouTube, and didn’t need the manual. That says a lot for their products.

[timdunne]

I just got one of these and plan to use it as a JamHub alternative for silent practice/recording with my band. The great part about the Jamhub was that each of the headphone mixes had their own knobs which was completely intuitive. Selecting a mix at the console and then having each member tweak it is something I will have to see in practice before making a judgement, but I have high hopes. The benefit of the L12 is that I can simultaneously record to individual tracks right into the DAW via usb -- something the Jamhub could not do. Although I am guessing this is not the way this unit will be primarily used out in the wild, and is probably not the primary intention, it is the only reason I have one. Thank you for a great review!

[Cwhite.tx]

Best overview I've seen for this device. Thanks!

[JimHarold]

Great review. I have had this since it first came out and love it. I do wish it showed levels on the recording as you stated. Once, for an important interview, I armed the wrong track and recorded silence! Luckily, my guest was kind and re-recorded...oops! I have recorded 50-60 shows on this already (I do 16-20 shows a month) and I highly recommend it. Since it is an interface, I don't have to do a traditional mix minus with a sea of cables....I can go right into skype and bring in guest sound in tracks 9/10 via the USB Audio Return.

[ProjectOverseer]

Great review. Probably the best I've watched.
I love all the features too, and it's an easy portable setup for high quality acoustic recording (which is how I use it)
You can only record 48kHz in DAW/SD combo mode, though I've never used it as an interface since I use a non portable desk that's permanently linked (instruments/mic's/DAW)
If I'm doing field recording i.e. looking for FX or background sounds for films and sometimes live vocals into camera, I'll use the Zoom F8 with its outboard controller ... Sound on this device is "audiophile" level quality, and it's built extremely well.

[MusicToMyEar]

I love L-12, too. This is very very high cost-performance, and is a good starter to learn how Mixer works. Doesn't look cheap at all!

[CaidicusProductions]

Great review for a very cool device. The L-12 looks very versatile, and you've presented the device in a very straight forward and easy to understand fashion.

Thanks for the review!

[wwbelcher]

Great video, stoked to use this interface for the first time tonight for a live jam party!

[Bunyi_Logam]

Really amazing how Zoom became better with innovative on their products. I used zoom r24 for 6 years. 👍👍👍

[curtisjudd]

Thanks Ray, fantastic overview! I'm surprised at how well the compressor seems to work. Interesting implementation for setting up headphone mixes. Motorized faders would be a really cool addition, though I'm sure it would inflate the price significantly. Looks like a useful digital mixer for new media creators. Funky implementation to start recording. Perhaps they can improve that in a firmware update.

[bbossin]

Wow, your review of this product is awesome. So clear and concise.