Zoom LiveTrak L-12

What I like about the Zoom LiveTrak L12 is how simple the user interface is. This is due to the fact that it’s a digital mixer, fewer knobs and slades but without cutting off features, each channel shares one panning knob and one EQ section.. saving a lot of space. So, its relatively small size make it the perfect choice for small studio spaces. The sound: I’m totally fine with what I’ve tested out. I have 2x KRK studio monitors connected to the mixer, no problem there, there is plenty of juice coming out. Again, because it’s digital, all changes you make for each channel are saved instantly, thus every single time you turn it on, everything is exactly same as when you used it at last session. Brilliant!
This mixer has an effects section with 16 types of effects. There are mixers out there that have double or triple more to choose from but what matters here is quality not quantity. Actually I was surprised how good the reverbs are, yes really good! Connectivity. There are two USB ports and a slot for SDXC cards, I tested this with a new 128 GB card and it worked easily, after formatting. That leads to the recording function. As everything about this mixer, recording is fairly easy. Actually, the recording function was one of my preferred features when it came to mixers.

So, all in all, it’s a fair deal, especially for a digital mixer. Think this one will be a keeper!

The mixer is light and almost easy to take around. The rack system fits well to the mixer but very tight to a standard rack; I had difficulty fitting it in.
It is very easy to use. I had watched a video tutorial before having the mixer. I remembered everything easily and could do it. I have not used the recording modules yet it looks a bit hard to use and end up using a DAW instead. But with DAW you need to output DAW metronome to USB channels. I am not sure about the compressor it is not editable it has one setting and not solving a lot of issues. But for direct multichannel rum recording into DAW, or computerless multi-track recording, or rehearsing at home with the band with earphones quietly I still like this unit. On top of that you can use for live small gigs and record it live. Great.

I purchased my first Zoom product back in 2006 and if I recall it was an 8 track recorder. Now in 2023 I’ve bought this beauty and I am delighted to report that Zoom’s quality has gotten better with age.

This is a very straight forward product to use right out of the box. The desk itself is for its price very nicely presented and even does a lovely little lights sweep when powered on just for dramatic effect which the nerd in me adores.

Can be a bit finickity to get exactly right at times but when I’ve been able to lay down a number of recordings of reasonable quality and that was before I spent any considerable time researching proper usage.

Can also be hooked up to a PC/laptop and works as an interface too which is a nice little touch given it can operate and record nicely independently. Get a good set of monitors and or head phones and this is a beauty for its price.