How To Use The Zoom L-12 To Record Your Band

[@veloci3twenty607]

Zoom should send you a free 20 channel mixer, stage box and snake for putting this awesome video together.

[@spacep0d]

Exactly. This guy made one of the best instructional videos I've ever seen for a mixer.

[@SaintSixtus]

I agree

[@shingtonofficialchannel]

I have the 20

[@VitaoEspindola]

Absolutely agree 😅

[@RafaelUnplugged]

Aux outs can’t be used with snakes though if I’m not mistaken 😢😢

[@jazzer4]

That's one of the best tech demonstrations I've ever seen on KZbin - it's so well constructed and laid out so clearly. Thank you so much!

[@ozancansimsek3418]

indeed

[@zenwarfare70]

I am coming back to this video again and again.

[@TomWillner]

Yes! Thank you so much for making and posting this!

[@notavipjustap]

He did an excellent job! hats off to him, and his band!

[@kevinparkin3322]

100% agree

[@alexbaerg]

I just gotta say: for a "non-audio engineer", your grasp of signal flow as absolutely outstanding. I know a lot of people ,who who consider themselves engineers, that could learn something from this video and your approach to signal flow. This video is SO well done.

[@damienwoods5744]

I had no idea how much I needed this video until I watched it.

[@NoShootingFriendsJoseph]

Thanks so much. Glad it helped.

[@JasonWelchMusic]

Please consider expanding this series using it as: 1. As a daw interface. 2. For Facebook live/KZbin. 3. Overdubbing a bad take. 4. Making a music video. 5. Using mic preamps with it. 6. Podcasting Zoom SERIOUSLY owes you an L20 for doing this video.

[@marcgattuso6129]

Great, great video. Zoom needs to add this as an official video on their website. I also think Zoom ought to send you a Zoom L20 as a way to say thank you! I greatly appreciate you breaking it down the way you did. Thank you!!!!

[@plastilino777]

AGREE!

[@yehyeh3389]

Totally agreed

[@spacep0d]

Agreed!

[@mitchellcamm]

I also think they should send him one

[@luqmxaxn]

Pretty agreee

[@mikehughes8886]

I am a 63 year drumming noob. I recently mic'ed up my DW kit and bought the L-20. I am starting to have friends come over to jam and this awesome explanation is just what I needed to help me figure out how to mix the individual outputs. I have no musical background so the L-20 manual is tough for me to decipher, so your simple presentation was perfect. THANK YOU so much for taking the time to shoot, mix and upload this video. I really appreciate it. Now if we could just get someone to explain what the different effects do and when to best employ them...Feel like doing another video? :-) Much success to you and your band!

[@veloci3twenty607]

That’s some heavy duty equipment for a “noob”. I use e drums along with modeling software for the guitars and bass so the live mix in the headphones sounds like the final cut and the room is quiet enough that the neighbors can’t hear. Plus no amp cabs or large speakers. Was thinking about this mixer for the in ear mixes. Right now I have a 6 channel head amp pro for that fed from the main board out. Live it’s easier and more controllable to send the main mix to the FOH. Better room balance.

[@Rockplayer01]

EXCELLENT VIDEO! Zoom should use your video in explaining how to set up the LIvetrack mixer for live playing/recording. I have an L-20 board and couldn't find much information on using the mixer as and actual audio mixer for gigs (which is 80% of what I do), this video really explains the monitor mix setups which is what I needed most. Also, did you know you can copy individual mix from one mix (say A) to another (D)? Simply hold down the button on mix your using (A) until all the lights blink and then while still holding "A" press the "D" button, it will copy the mix in A to D.

[@rjh1469ii]

Easily the best most in depth tutorial on this unit! Excellent job snd the band sounds great!

[@maxcruz666]

Thank you , thank you, thank you! This was the best presentation /demonstration ever because we are musicians not engineers ! I am saving this video to watch it again. And i am going to also check out your music .

[@willemsmith6851]

Great video, really helpful for anyone having or considering a Zoom L-12 (or 20). Just a small remark: At around 18:40 you mention the A, B, C, D, an E outputs to be mono. They are in fact stereo and you can pan channels to the left or right which can make monitoring different instruments or voices more distinguishable. Thanks for all the work you put in.

[@jeromeclemente3672]

You can add more monitor outputs via a headphone splitter right?

[@willemsmith6851]

@@jeromeclemente3672 Yes, but the mixes for those outputs will of course be the same. I don't know if multiple headphones on one output will load the output too much. Better use something like a Behringer MICROAMP HA400 which will give you four outputs on one output of the L-12 and individual volume controls.

[@jeromeclemente3672]

@@willemsmith6851 Yeah, Headphone amps are what I'm looking at. I'm looking buying 2 HA400s to be sure.

[@sisometalizzed6502]

But if this monitor output are stereo I can use Xvive in ear monitor? Xvive has a jack mono so I’m not sure if the output it will be strong enough

[@willemsmith6851]

@@sisometalizzed6502 You will only get the left (or right) channel of the mix. If your mix is mono then there is no problem.

[@paulorr7471]

That was awesome. Zoom needs to pay you and use this video for there support channel. I learned a lot, was not bored at all. The live show at the end really shows great results.

[@Thestudiodon]

I can't tell you how happy I am to see a real world demonstration made so crystal clear. You have a gift. Thanks!

[@drewfasa]

You just saved me a ton of boring manual reading. Best ever demo. Subbed.

[@kevinkoop3615]

I agree with so many others when I say... Wow, what a great overview/tutorial this was!!! You are a natural communicator, and teacher. If Zoom is paying attention, they should immediately hire you to make their demo/instructional content... you're that good. Thanks so much for the video. I learned a lot.

[@staginpgmusic663]

Wow - this tutorial is outstanding. One of the best demonstrations I have seen on KZbin. I saw a bunch of videos about this mixer and I always ended up with more questions than I started. A tutorial about how to use this thing with an actual band was much needed- great job.

[@brad_neal]

I've been playing music for more years than you have been alive. I just purchased the L12 to use as a sub-mix for my drums. Great job explaining how to incorporate the L12 into a live or recording session, but really awesome job just teaching folks the basics of how a mixer works. Very nice work, my friend!

[@darrenchristiephotography]

Wow! This is a really concise and comprehensive Zoom L-12 instructional video. One of the best out there. Thank you and well done.

[@hienvu1714]

Having been a teacher and a musician for all of my life, I really appreciate how you didn't skip over small details that you assumed everyone already knew.

[@PFSerafim]

I already use l-12 for the same purpose, but I didn't know half of the functions that you showed. This is definitely the best video about the L-12. Thanks a lot.

[@loveaboveall2382]

Cheese and Rice!! Not even the official zoom channel has a detailed tutorial and well thought out explanation of their own dear like this guy. Cheers Mate!

[@NoShootingFriendsJoseph]

Thanks so much! Cheers.

[@blackbugmedia]

As a videographer who occasionally shoots live bands, this has been the best lesson on recording audio of live bands. I appreciate the time and effort you put into making this video.

[@t.a.5092]

I literally want to buy this now due to how precise, organized and well thought out this instructional video is. You literally answered every single question or speculation I had about this device and it’s exactly what I’m looking for. Perfect

[@joepalooka2145]

Absolutely the best Zoom L12 video on KZbin for musicians who want to cut through all the technical BS and get down to the fundamental question: How do I use this to record live music? I looked at many KZbin videos before I found yours (including the Zoom website) and I've learned more from your video than anyone else. You are a great communicator and teacher. Zoom should hire you! Thanks a lot!!

[@BrianShaughnessy-i8f]

This was a *super* helpful video. We just bought the L-12 for our band and this video was exactly what we needed to get started.

[@darrengibson135]

"Think of the OUTPUTS and RECORDING differently." That is a great pro-tip! This was very well done, thank you.

[@davidsandford8343]

As an old roady/sound guy, I have to say that this is the best tutorial I have ever seen on this subject. Great sounding band, too!

[@Zif-the-Old-Herring]

This was excellent. There is a ton of good, basic technique here that's sometimes lacking in other tutorials. I'm 70 years old and never had a fear of putting sound to tape or any other medium. I use different digital hardware but ground level prep before hitting Record is universal.

[@bluesbasscovers]

This is by far the best tech demo I've ever seen on KZbin - it's so well constructed and laid out so clearly. Thank you so much! Zoom definitely owes you something!!!

[@JksGuitarCave]

This was probably the best tutorial/review video I’ve ever seen… explaining, in detail, but not too detailed how the unit function and you apply it in your band… Seriously considering this one…

[@rendermanpro]

You definetelly can make tech review channel or tutorials channel with 1M subs and make living form that. Highly recommend to look into this direction. You have a talent to explain things.

[@AIM-VIDEOTIME]

EXPLANED VERY WELL, THANX

[@resfoodforlife]

This is the most comprehensive video tutorial for beginners to understand how to use mixer properly especially understand between the output sound and recorded sound! well done and thank you so much!

[@MusicToMyEar1005]

This is the best L-12 tutorial! I've been using L-12 for 4 years but not had the perfect idea. Now everything makes sense to me! Thank you!

[@Micouniverse]

Great tutorial. Thank you very much- 🙏🖖🏽🍀

[@springercreative]

This is hands down the best video about the L-12 out there, especially for bands either considering buying one or figuring out how to use it once you bought it. Like others, I have referred to this video multiple times. It is very clear, well-organized, and professionally produced. Thank you!

[@greenie21]

Came in for yet another L-12 review. Just made up my mind and ordered one in a hurry - so that I can keep listening to your band's music and other videos. Thank you!

[@groovepocket13]

Coming here at the start of 2022, and realising how good this breakdown is!!! Thanks Joseph. Take a bow!

[@shawnburgwald114]

Dude. Seriously. Great tutorial. I've been using an L-8 (I know, not exactly apples to apples but fairly close) for a year now and you've solved a few mysteries for me. Much appreciated! Zoom owes you for this!

[@isaacdust]

Great video. One correction. At around the 11:10 minute mark you say that that outputs (B, C, D, and E) are "mono outputs." In fact, outputs A, B, C, D, and E are all stereo headphone outputs (see page 96 of the manual), and as such they should only have headphone plugs or TRS plugs (the ones with two black lines) plugged into them (not mono TS cables, like those used for guitars and pedals). If you are using them for headphone monitoring with standard headphones, you will hear the mixes in stereo, so they will pick up all the panning settings you make in the blue channel strip section. (I don't have an in-ear monitor system, so I'm not sure how they plug into the L-12. But I'm sure the output signals coming out of each of the L12 lettered monitor outputs are stereo signals.) You can also use these outputs to go into the inputs of other gear, such as another mixer or a stage monitor, but you need to keep in mind that since they are stereo outputs, they should only be used with 1/4 inch TRS cables, and not regular 1/4 inch TS cables. If you connect the L12 monitor outs into a mono input source, like a single monitor wedge, the result will not be a clean, clear mono signal, unless you pan everything to the right or left on the L12. The left and right parts of the stereo signal do not sum into a clean mono signal without the use of special summing cables or interfaces. I hope this is helpful. I enjoyed your video!

[@nickbevan1799]

Isaac, is this panning problem solved if you use a TRS jack from the Zoom into the XLR input of a stage monitor (which is how I am hoping to use it - fingers crossed).

[@isaacdust]

@@nickbevan1799 I don't think this would solve the panning issue, because all of the outputs on the L12 (the L/R master outs and all of the monitor outs A-E) are sensitive to the panning settings. This is a weakness of the L12 - there are no summed mono outputs. You can pan all the tracks straight up the middle, but this isn't the same thing as a summed mono signal. What you would get if you connect a TRS plug to an L12 monitor out, and an XLR plug to a single stage monitor, is "half" the stereo signal, which if panned up the middle does work, but it sounds thin and weak compared to a true summed mono output. I discovered this when I connected a monitor out on the L12 to my Bose L1Pro8 PA system. It worked, but it sounded like crap compared to using the mono output on my old Xenyx mixer. I ended up buying a box from Radial Engineering called the Mix 2:1, which sums a L/R stereo signal into a mono signal. When I put this summing box between the L12 and the Bose, it sounded a million times better. But it can't hurt to try out your set up and see what happens. As long as it sounds good enough for your purposes, then it can't hurt anything.

[@nickbevan1799]

@@isaacdust Many thanks for taking the trouble to reply to me. As you can probably deduce, I am not very technical & just hoping I have not made a terrible mistake when weighing up the pros & cons of the L-12 v L-20. This is the 1st place I have found any real discussion about this, but I must say that I was banking on the hope that the 2 outputs marked "Monitor OUT A jacks" which are also marked L/R as with inputs 9/10 and 11/12 will accept the same TS Jack's thus giving 2 identical outputs which can be used to drive powered monitors. If this is a wrong assumption, then thanks for the advice about the Radial MX 2:1 which I will doubtless need. Thanks again

[@isaacdust]

@@nickbevan1799 If you use the two "Monitor OUT A jacks" to go into TWO powered monitors, then you will be fine. Just keep in mind that one monitor will carry the left part of the stereo signal, and the other one will carry the right part of the stereo signal, just like if you were using studio monitors with the master XLR outputs. So however you have the tracks panned, that will all be reflected in the monitors. If every track is panned up the middle, then both monitors together will sound like a mono signal - each will carry half the stereo signal. If you hard pan any of the tracks, then that track will only come out of one of the monitors, depending on which way you panned it. I think the L-20 outputs are the same. To my knowledge there is no summed mono output on that unit either - everything is L/R stereo.

[@nickbevan1799]

@@isaacdust Many thanks for your knowledge. I am still hoping I can get away without the radial box but my optimism is fast waning.

[@capella12345]

One of the best instruction videos I ever seen. Congratulations to that!!

[@alienonvacation2110]

Yes... By FAR the best demo video I have ever seen! Awesome dude. I went to engineer school and you provided the best BEST instructional video EVER! Damn can you instruct us on the rest of the world??

[@propelakarlson7260]

Brother, this video/explanation was so good. At a time, where anyone can upload an explanatory video, it's often unuseful/bad. But I really enjoyed this one! Also gave me a bit of 80/90s educational video vibes. I really liked that. Thank you man.

[@iso_ots]

I just got done watching 3 other videos about the Zoom L-12 and you clarified everything i didn't understand in those

[@leiferickson3183]

Wow! This is uber professionally done! Very clear. You are using that L12 to the max. Thanks for posting this!

[@rdalton49]

Very nice real life demonstration. I wish the manufacturers would think to create helpful videos like this. Well done!

[@israelg.bassols6938]

Excellent video! Thank you! 👍

[@QuincyStallworth77]

Thank you. We were given this to do audio and none of our audio engineers were able to figure it out. I’m sharing this video.

[@RichardFreeman]

Great video! I've been using this mixer since it came out and love it. I also have the L20 (which has the option of running to floor monitors unlike the L20). You nailed it with this demo for bands recording. I never thought to use a DI box on the line level inputs but am going to do that beause I needed an extra mic on my L12, so thanks for pointing that out! One thing I'll mention you could try that might help to stop the drums from bleeding into the mics is to simply turn around and face the drummer (if you're not playing live) when recording so that the drum sound isn't hitting the sensitive area of the mics, instead it'll hit the dead area if you're using cardioid mics.

[@NoShootingFriendsJoseph]

Awesome! Thanks.

[@RichardFreeman]

@@electronik808 the DI box is so I don't need to use a mic input channel for the bass gtr (not a mic) - you'll see in the video why you'd want to use one.

[@panix_satx]

Thank you so much! Watched every second of this video. It was so great!

[@Zestef]

Thanks i just bought the L12 for my band and i had some problems to understand the fader mode and now thanks to you all is clear ! You band is great ! good luck on the road

[@themeta-tonicsband9054]

Best, most concise, clear, thoughtful, and well explained video I've ever seen about this mixer. Well done!

[@mcltlandgrebe]

Great video! Really appreciate you taking the time to show how your band uses this mixer. For the money, I find it to be an outstanding value.

[@NoShootingFriendsJoseph]

Glad it was helpful. Thank you.

[@BrightBehindMe]

Echoing many others to say thank you for making this. I'm in the market for a mixer like this, and have similar needs. Your video is the most clear, concise, and educational I've found.

[@scottlayne3840]

EXCELLENT, Thank you, I manage our church audio with the L12 and have been searching for a proper tutorial for an embarrassingly long time 😂. Thank you for your pace and clarity. Good bless.

[@Lukedrummer]

What a great video, THANK YOU!! I just got my L-12 and was browsing for some introductory videos, this was exactly what I needed!

[@thesecretofbellisland4989]

Great video with no loud bs intro. Straight forward and to the point. I have an L12 and this was very helpful.

[@CADEVA1]

Dude, you are AWESOME! This is by far the best video on how to use this device that I have seen! Thank You!!

[@brianramirez9499]

I appreciate how well you explained everything. Most videos talk about the features of gear without explaining the how and why.. Thank you

[@forbiddendonut]

thanks. Great instructional video.

[@JohnMatthewsGuitar]

I love this thanks and also I love that the shadow of your dog shows up here and there around 10:30. Most comprehensive video out there for my needs, have Zoom pay you! Thanks looking to buy one of these.

[@MichaelGlazener]

I was already leaning toward this mixer because I'm used to working in ProTools and DAW interfaces but couldn't find anyone using it to its full LIVE capacity. This video is exactly what/ how my band Radio Silent would be using it. Thanks for the awesome demo, real-world usage, and recording example.

[@plastilino777]

Just wanna be honest and say, this video was super helpful for me...I kept looking for an easy/quick rundown of this mixer, and didn't find anything! This was what I needed...Thank you!! And keep rocking out!!

[@mchaelfoley]

This is an amazing overview. So thoughtful. You are a gem, Sir. I salute you!!

[@erusmil]

Wow, as good an instructional video as I have seen on anything. Fighting with myself over getting the L8 or L12. Again, killer video

[@afriberg5]

Great walkthrough of this mixer. We are thinking to purchase this for our band, mainly to record rehearsals and create our own recordings. This video helped me understand what we get and how it works. You demonstrated all the things we want to get from a mixer, in a reasonable price range. Excellent!

[@scottwormann]

This was amazing. I have had this thing for a couple years and haven't used it for recording yet. Just what I needed. Thank you so much!

[@tomaskey6844]

This video is the Gold Standard for how to use a ‘nice bit of kit’(sorry, I’ve been try to cram that line in somewhere). I’m excited about this. Almost made a mistake and bought the excellent Yamaha MG12 but while trying to figure out how to record separate tracks live into DAW, I realized it would not work. Took some searching but I think this is the solution, even if I only need 4 channels for now. Excellent video!

[@luislanda-schreitt2631]

Thank you! This video should be used as an example on how to do a demonstration the right way. This is the best video of it's kind i've ever seen on YoyTube.

[@DavidSpencerShares]

Greetings from Canada. You have provided excellent usuals and finger pointing during your explanation. Very helpful. Thank you.

[@waltzb7548]

Thank you for this awesome video, and so true most of the others don't really talk much about instruments and micing your amps and vocals. I've been using the l12 for maybe 5 years but haven't recorded in a couple of years and yesterday was at a loss for how I had done multiple track recording a couple of years ago. Back to up and running and how I used head phones. So glad I found your channel and especially this video really appreciate it! Cheers!

[@stuartreutter3207]

Perfect Demonstration and the reason why I bought mine this week.

[@darrenparker4312]

Superb run through - thank you so much for taking the time to share

[@J4ckstr4w]

What a great video! The best demo I think I've ever seen. Clear, concise, and complete. (Well, almost complete; you didn't mention the scene settings.) Fantastic job. You should get an award.

[@darylSKYTZOwillis]

Nice calm clear voice, as well as great clear instructions. Overall great job 👏

[@janiktunes3721]

A most thorough explanation of both the Live and Recording applications and how they are interrelated. Far better than most store salespeople. One question ... What function does the MASTER button on the 6 monitor mixes serve ?

[@GedLambe]

Brilliant, clear video that has helped me a lot before our gig tomorrow! Thank you so much for taking the time to put it together so well

[@sapsfm]

Great video, probably the best demonstration and explanation of the Livetrak I’ve seen. Great sound at the end too! Well done.

[@stphnalln]

Agree 100 percent with all the comments below -- This is by far the best tutorial on the L-12 I've ever seen. If you get the chance, would love to see a tutorial on how to mix and/or adjust the channels after the initial recording in order to create a decent final product.

[@tweener9779]

Great video, made so many things clear in understandable language without using fancy words

[@porterfieldgchord]

Best tutorial that I have ever seen. Really well thought out. Thank you!!!

[@HarryAdee]

Posted 2 years ago and I find that this video is awesome. Thanks

[@kaishobbies9825]

A perfect video. Exactly what I needed and nothing else. No fluff. To the point. Useful tips at the end. Thank you!

[@felixweber6593]

Every point explained very well, the signal chain is also explained point by point. Great video, thanks a lot for sharing your experience on this gear. It's very helpful. Cheers from Switzerland 🇨🇭🇨🇭🇨🇭

[@daveoffroad7396]

Excellent explanation on how to use the L-12..! I am also considering the L-20...Thanks for the information ..!

[@technosapien]

Excellent video, great explanation of the main functions & features, thank you! We are using the L-12 to record our band and need to use an additional mixer (Mackie P1608) for 4 vocal mics and 3 drum mics. We send those to separate monitor outputs on the P1608 so that we can bring vox into channel 9-10 and drums into channel 11-12 on the L-12 mixer. That seems to work as we get plenty of gain on those mics coming into the L-12. One other point for you viewers that want to use this to do multi-track recording (and who wouldn't...duh!)- we use Garageband and you can simply copy all of the tracks off the SD card onto your Mac or MacBook and then drag them into G-band and...voila! I'm actually glad that the effects from the L-12 don't come up in the recorded tracks as I get a way better effects sound/quality from using Garageband to add them afterwards in post. Thanks again!

[@NoShootingFriendsJoseph]

Agreed, there are far better effects available in post. That's a cool workaround. Good thinking!

[@tomhoskisson9741]

unbelievably helpful and so well put together thanks guys!

[@MrXcalibur21]

Great vid!! best explanation I have seen. I am 100 percent sold on the L-12.. I play guitar and starting to put together a band using 2 guitars, bass, e drums, and keys. I really learned so much in so little time. I will definitely be watching more of your outstanding videos. cheers Mike

[@DrummClem]

I'm about to use this device with my band for managing our own in ear monitoring system and, I have to thank you for all your detailed explanantions. Everything is clear and well thought out. You did a very good job !

[@scottwhitlow8468]

What a great video. Very thorough. Thanks!

[@NoShootingFriendsJoseph]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@vnunez71]

Very clear, slow pace, very detailed, simple and great sound. This is what I was looking for. Thanks and I have subscribed. Keep doing more videos. In 18 minutes you saved me time to read the whole manual.

[@krishnankp219]

Awesome video Bud. You are a great teacher as much as a guitarist ! Zoom should make this as their explainer video on their channel

[@jtm_h]

This is the best rundown of this mixer. Thank you! Love your simple explanations that makes me really understand it. Now im ready to buy the thing.

[@echinophile]

Awesome, very helpful. Just got one of these for my band, and this video answered most of the questions I had. Thanks!

[@LeoOReggio]

Excellently clear tech demonstration,

[@johnwilson9261]

Excellent video! I love your logical, systematic approach. Fantastic! Thinking about picking up the L12 for my band and I watched a lot of videos on it - this one is the first one I have come across that truly explains how to use it from a practical standpoint, in a logical sequence of input vs output. Thanks! Zoom should hire you folks!

[@sousayes]

SO good your demo! I'll buy one because of this demo! Thank you to be so clear explaining how it work. Best!

[@realmchat6665]

Wow, what a well organized and presented walk through. I learned a lot, I am getting a Zoom mixer for my dawless synth rig, but a lot of the info you presented is still relevant, thanks for this!

[@AndrewLeSynt]

0:02 there are very videos online in general ....... youtube is a mess

[@beatbill]

What a great video. Incredible useful!