Zoom LiveTrak L-8 Podcast Recorder, Battery Powered, Digital Mixer and Recorder, Music Mixer, Phone Input, Sound Pads, 4 Headphone Outputs, 12-In/4-Out Audio Interface, Built In EQ and Effects

Product Information

Podcast creators are a special breed. They require a unique set of audio features, along with the flexibility of a proper mixing console. The LiveTrak L-8 combines Zoom’s famous audio performance with features made for podcasters. Sound Pad Magic A USB cable and the Zoom AD-17 USB-to-AC adapter are included for powering the L-8 from an AC outlet. Zoom’s preamps are famous for a good reason: they’re transparent, powerful and ultra-reliable. The L-8 features six independent Zoom preamps, built to handle anything from a whisper to a raucous debate. Key Features Here comes the most annoying thing about this mixer (if you want to use it as a class compliant audio interface). Thanks to its six transparent, low-noise mic preamps with selectable phantom power, the LiveTrak L-8 can accommodate dynamic or condenser microphones for you and multiple guests.

Compatible iPads models include iPad Air, iPad Mini 2 and later, iPad Pro, and iPad 2017 running iOS 10.3.3 or newer. L-20 control app is available from Apple App Store. Use the L-8 as a 12-input / 4-output audio interface with your computer or iOS mobile device via USB at up to 24-bit / 48 kHz. Alkaline surely lasts longer but who doesn't get bad conscience replacing alkaline batteries every 2 hours? The LiveTrak L-8 comes with 13 preset sounds for its sound pads, making it ready for out-of-the-box production.

HEAR YOURSELF TALK

As a digital mixer, the LiveTrak L‑8 is fairly simple, in that all the input channels are permanently routed to the master stereo bus. There are no subgroup buses or, other than one that goes directly to the internal effects engine, aux sends. That effects send is available to all channels except, obviously, the effects’ stereo return channel and the stereo master mix channel. However, some behind‑the‑scenes digital sophistication means that it is still perfectly possible to create and distribute different cue mixes, or send signals to external processors/effects. Conveniently run the L-8 in remote locations via four AA batteries—up to 2 hours via alkaline batteries, up to 3.5 hours via 1900 mAh NiMH batteries, or up to 6.5 hours via lithium batteries (batteries available separately).

It works as a class compliant audio interface (Maschine+ recognizes it) (if you are interested in this please read the terrible part!) The host and each guest in your podcast should clearly hear the content of your production. The L-8 offers four 1/4″ stereo headphone outputs with independent level controls and mix selectors. Recording with overdub is definitely is not the overdub you know from DAWs, so don't expect it to work like a guitar looper. Use sound effects and music clips to add excitement to your podcast. The LiveTrak L-8 features six assignable sound pads that allow you to instantly trigger effects, music, applause, prerecorded interviews, or ads. All rest of the functionality like ABC Mixes, effects and Audio Interface mode only work in 41kHz mode.

Only USB host controllers with Intel Chipsets are supported. Operation is not guaranteed when used with USB hubs or expansion cards. The first two channels of the L-8 support 1/4″ Hi-Z inputs for direct connection of instruments such as a guitar and bass. The L-8’s USB connection is designed to eliminate accidental interruptions, giving you power on which you can rely. Overall handling of the device feels retro (but in a bad way). Some of the options like putting the unit into audio interface mode are not saved, so you have to put the unit into that mode every time you power it up. Just press a button to play intros, outros, jingles, ads and sound effects. With 6 easily-assignable Sound Pads, the right sound is at your fingertips. First-Time Caller, Long-Time Listener

Zoom LiveTrak L-8 พ็อดคาสท์แบบพกพา / สตูดิโอเพลง -XLR-1/4 “Mic / Line อินพุตพร้อม + 48V 10 iputเฟดเดอร์เพื่อควบคุมระดับเสียง บันทึกหลายแทร็คผ่านการ์ด SD และ USB -เครื่องผสมและเครื่องบันทึกดิจิทัล Zoom LiveTrak L-8 ให้ความยืดหยุ่นในช่วงของ LiveTrak L-Series ยอดนิยมในรูปแบบกะทัดรัดและพกพาได้ซึ่งเหมาะสำหรับการผลิตพอดคาสต์และการผลิตดนตรีในทุกที่ LiveTrak L-8 มีการควบคุมสัมผัสและฟังก์ชั่นการใช้งานง่ายดังนั้นคุณสามารถเริ่มการสร้างพอดแคสต์หรือการบันทึกเพลงในไม่กี่นาที

In The Box

Continuous battery operation times were determined using in-house testing methods. They will vary greatly according to use conditions. As I hinted at the outset, I love the Zoom LiveTrak L‑8. It offers so much convenience and versatility for so little money, and it sounds decent too. The mic preamps, which have a gain range of +10 to +54 dB, are never going to be world‑beaters on this sort of device, but they are competent: clean and quiet and as good as any in their class. I was happy using them for exposed sources like spoken word (eg. podcasting) and when applying plenty of gain for dynamic mics (a Shure SM57 and Heil Sound PR40) there was pleasingly little hiss. The neutral‑sounding broad‑brush EQ is exactly what’s required here, and I found a handful of the effects (mainly the reverbs) very usable, even if I always wanted to tweak the default settings to something that sounded less obvious. In 96kHz, you can only use the unit as a mixer (Recording in 96kHz might work too but I don't need it) Only USB host controllers with Intel Chipsets are supported. Operation is not guaranteed when used with USB hubs or expansioncards.