Zoom L-8 Livetrak B-Ware

Zoom LiveTrak L-8: Record podcasts and music on the move

Podcast recordings get complicated when guests, remote callers and separate audio tracks all need to be managed at once. The Zoom LiveTrak L-8 combines a digital mixer and recorder, with six microphone preamps for a round-table show or a small music session. It records to an SD card while also sending audio over USB to a computer or iOS device, so a podcast can be recorded locally and streamed to a connected device at the same time. For interviews, connect a phone through the 3.5mm TRRS input: the mix-minus function keeps the caller from hearing their own voice returned as an echo. Six programmable sound pads put jingles, music or recorded clips under your fingers during a show. Musicians can record vocals and instruments together, with Hi-Z connections for guitar or bass and separate line inputs for sources such as a keyboard or drum machine. Four headphone outputs with individual controls give guests or players a way to monitor the session. The L-8 is also compact enough to take out of the studio, and runs from USB power or AA batteries. It’s a focused setup for recording and monitoring, rather than a large studio console.

Highlights

• Separate multitrack recording: Record up to 10 individual tracks plus a stereo mix to an SD card. This keeps voices and instruments available as separate tracks for editing, rather than locking the whole session into one stereo file.
• USB audio interface: Use the mixer as a 12-input, 4-output audio interface with a computer or iOS device. That gives you a direct route into a software-based recording or streaming setup, alongside recording to the SD card.
• Six programmable sound pads: Assign the pads to sound effects, music or other recorded clips. Thirteen preset sounds are included, so there are ready-to-use options as well as room for your own show cues.
• Channel shaping and effects: Each channel includes a three-band EQ and low-cut filter, and the mixer has 16 effects. These controls let you shape voices and instruments at the mixer; at 96kHz, the effects, EQ and overdubbing aren’t available.
• Instrument and line connections: Channels 1 and 2 offer Hi-Z inputs for direct guitar or bass connection. Channels 7 and 8 have 6.35mm line inputs for equipment such as a stereo keyboard or drum machine.
• Phantom power and balanced outputs: The six XLR/6.35mm mic/line inputs support +48V phantom power for compatible microphones. Balanced XLR stereo master outputs connect to active speakers for monitoring.

Good to know

The L-8 runs on AA batteries, USB power or a power bank. Approximate runtime is two hours with standard AA batteries, around three and a half hours with 1900mAh NiMH batteries, and up to six hours with lithium batteries. A USB cable and Zoom AD-17 adapter are included for mains power. Some iOS devices need a Lightning-to-3.5mm TRRS adapter for a phone connection; that adapter is not among the listed box contents.

What's Included

• Zoom LiveTrak L-8
• TRRS cable
• USB cable
• AD-17 AC adapter
• Quick start guide

Technical Specifications

• Brand: Zoom
• Model: LiveTrak L-8
• Type: Digital mixer and multitrack recorder
• Microphone inputs: 6 XLR/6.35mm mic/line inputs with +48V phantom power
• Additional inputs: 2 TRS line inputs; Hi-Z on channels 1 and 2
• Recording media: SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, up to 512GB
• Recording format: WAV, 16- or 24-bit, at 44.1, 48 or 96kHz
• Headphone outputs: 4 stereo outputs with independent level controls
• Dimensions: 26.8 × 28.2 × 7.4cm
• Weight: 1.56kg