Zoom L20 Multitrack Recorder Advanced Review and Guide

[@jremi]

Great, great review! The best and most efficient I’ve seen. Packed with very useful information and to the point (no babbling). Excellent job!

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

Thanks. Much appreciated. Happy to help.

[@vincentw4881]

This was really helpful. Thank you. I love my L-12.

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

You're welcome

[@jameslanclos568]

@@PetesGuitarUniverse No simple, quick start tutorial recommendation?

[@designwithdaniel]

Great vid! I was going to get the L8 but decided upon the L12. It opened up so many creative doors. I Riddled of it and got the L20 months later. Brilliant gear.

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

Nice upgrade

[@1000GRAUZ]

❤ correct, I have one L8 and are limited, i will update with L20.

[@designwithdaniel]

@1000GRAUZ Good choice. A word of note. If you're putting guitars into it (even in the two Hi-Z channels), if you're using either P90 pickups or Humbuckers (either passive pickups or active), it definitely needs to be run through a PASSIVE Di Box. This doesn't make sense on paper, but the mixer simply doesn't like mid range heavy pickups - even on the Hi-Z channels as mentioned. The DI Box helps attenuate & sorts the frequencies naturally as it passes out a balanced signal. Equally, the mixer doesn't like certain mid range frequencies from certain mics - the SM7B being one. This however can be remedied by the onboard EQ, rolling off the mids slightly. If that's unnecessary detail for you and doesn't apply, it might serve the next person!

[@martirdombaxi8115]

Thanks

[@thepartyagain]

Thank you for video great work we need more l20 content from you 🎉….just bought mine

[@thepartyagain]

How do you connect compressor to l20? Would you recommend adding a rack compressor with l20? Ive got rack space in studio space but not sure whats best for making commercial dance music

[@TerenceKearns]

This is great content. Excellent exploration of the built in compressor.

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

Thanks. It works well, for subtle compression when tracking.

[@VitorMachadoProf]

I subscribed your channel. because you do a good job. Congratulations. Cheers!

[@MatthewLT420]

This mixer looked like the best thing since sliced bread but when I found it there was no motorised faders I'm sad

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

Yeah, bit too expensive for such a budget recorder. It remembers all settings digitally for recall called scenes.

[@MatthewLT420]

@@PetesGuitarUniverse I'm either analouge where there is not a single layer or fully digital. I have been so lucky as to use meany analouge desks and occasionally use the x32 and soundcraft si impact.

[@jackiedixon5076]

I am a bit old but I remember the early days working in Music Mill Recording Studio in Nashville. We had and old 16 channel MCI analog mixer. Very big. We did eventually get a 16 track Studer real to reel. Today, been retired a long time now. To record a band in those days an engineer had to have some real skills to do a good job. Keeping the tape machines timed correctly, cutting and splicing tape to take out bad parts that recorded by accident. Then mixing down to a Studer 2 track machine sometimes more tape and razor slices. Down to a master cassette. For the recording engineer was it was a long day. Compared to working with Zoom L-20 is like the difference in day and night. Now as just a hobbyist remembering the good ol' days. The Zoom is a miracle.

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

@@jackiedixon5076 love this. I've worked with lots of tape too. Fond memories

[@MarkSSS555]

Can this be used as a 16 channel DAW controller?

[@berkanakazanoff5065]

Hello...can you tell me how to switch between scenes or monitor mixes if the faders are not motorized? Do you have to manually set them all every time?

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

@@berkanakazanoff5065 watch my L20 videos. Shows you how. Easy, and each scene is stored stored recall

[@thepartyagain]

Really am a big fan of your work. Thank you for all your detailed videos. How would you go abouts The Music Producer's Creative Guide to Ableton Live 11 adding a patch bay setup with zoom l20?

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

The L20 is pretty easy to set up via usb. Pretty standard setup. Shouldn't have any issues. But I preferred to record direct to the L20 then transfer to PC to mix. You could record all channels at once via usb but it's just easier to be stand alone for tracking. YMMV.

[@googull271]

Excellent presentation. Thank you.

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

Most welcome. Enjoy.

[@DannyCoady]

Thanks for this Pete. One question, how can I send some reverb and or delay to a vocal strip on a monitor or headphone mix. When I try the fx goes to all the inputs.

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

The FX are global, but you can choose not to send any signal from the unwanted tracks to the FX. It's in the venue, how much you send or don't send.

[@intiraymimusic]

Thank you very much for the review, very complete. Please help me with a question, I have this sound mixer but I have not been able to make an external metronome, for example, connected to lines 19/20 (stereo) only listen to it through the headphones or monitors (A-F) and that it does not come out along the amplification lines (L-R). Only for musicians to listen to. I do not want to use the mixer's internal metronome. I would appreciate if you could help me clarify this concern.

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

You need to make a submix, with the metronome fed to the channels you want to hear it on, then save that as a mix on A to F. The master stereo channels won't send the metronome to your main outputs that way.

[@Moreno280161]

Hi, my zoom livetrak l-20, when I solo a track the volume increases why?

[@ericsvilpis1635]

Without looking, my guess is that the solo is set to PFL which means “Pre-Fader Level”, so when you solo it you’re just hearing the preamp level at unity, with no reduction by the fader.

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

Good call. I agree. Otherwise there should be no increase in solo's tracks. You could check what buttons are pressed in and mirror that throughout the board and re-test

[@TheFlutecart]

I want to hear a mixture of the dry direct vocal and the external compressor. Would the lag in time for conversion create a double track effect?

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

No, there is very little lag for the round trip. I calculated it at a few ms for my system. Hardly perceivable, if at all. Your setup may differ. Dry vocal is the same just very dynamic. You wouldn't mix the two without lining up perfectly to the exact sample rate point. And no need.

[@clavilla6387]

I just bought it, could you tell me by recording all the tracks how long a 128 GB SD card lasts by recording at 44,100. Thank you

[@BillSterrett]

I saw another video where the guy was saying that the Zoom compressor was Fixed Compression at -18dbFs, and that the knob was basically just makeup gain. After watching your video, it seems to me like maybe the compressor knob works more like a wet/dry, and you’re simply adding the amount of the fixed compression effect desired. Thoughts?

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

@@BillSterrett yes, a wet dry knob seems most likely. It was a fast attack and medium release, as far as I can tell. So it's fairly transparent when use sparingly

[@BillSterrett]

@@PetesGuitarUniverse A guy named Sugarcane Rush kzbin.info/www/bejne/fny6q2aFZ9V9rKM has a series of YT videos and he was the one that mentioned that it was a fixed compressor set as follows: Threshold -18dBFS Ratio 3.0:1 Attack 0.1 ms Release 50 ms Knee - soft 0 = no compression, 10 = max compression And that the knob was adding Makeup Gain. If that was the case, you would think that the knob would be labeled with db levels to add vs an arbitrary 0-10 setting. The graphic on the knob shows and exponential increase as you turn it clockwise. I couldn't find any references as to the specs for the Comp anywhere. I'm not sure where he got his info. I'll test it on my DAW with these setting and see how it compares. Thanks for the excellent video

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

@@BillSterrett cool. Feed back what you find

[@incaroads001]

Can you apply an internal compressor to the mix bus?

[@eyisijoseph]

Hi Pete, you are great tutor. Even the way you answers all the questions is really amazing. Please i want to have home studio. I don't know anything and I want to use this zoom l20. I don't even know how to use DAW. Please what is the best option for me

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

@@eyisijoseph the L20 would be a great option. It's really simple, yet has lots of features that will allow you to record and make great mixes eventually bounced down to a stereo file. A good computer for music will cost a lot more money for a complete setup. But an L20 and some hifi speakers or headphones would be a good start that will last forever

[@eyisijoseph]

Great . Please can it be used without a computer? Much appreciated ​@@PetesGuitarUniverse

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

@@eyisijoseph yes. Use with or without a pc

[@Moreno280161]

Hi, I recently got the zoom livetrak l-20, I'm still studying it but it's complicated for me as I've never had to deal with these machines. I have a problem with the send efx 1/2 effects, I can't understand how to send the effect to a single track, when the active goes to all the tracks at the same time, where am I wrong? Thank you

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

The FX are global. You just dial in how much you like on each track. The master mix will capture all FX. The individual stems are unaffected.

[@Moreno280161]

@@PetesGuitarUniverse Thank you

[@R32Rocco]

Hey, nice video, thanks for the clear information. One thing- you engaged Phantom Power across 13-16- do you need to worry about sending 48V to the Compressor output? I was under the impression that doing that would be a bad thing for the device that isn't expecting the 48V.

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

It's totally fine, the phantom is a relationship between the mic and the individual channel. The output is set at balanced signal level, so the compressor only sees the balanced signal it's expecting to see, so works perfectly.

[@carlos_a.f.]

@@PetesGuitarUniverse This surprised me too. To clarify, you would not want to plug in a 1/4" line level plug from a preamp or keyboard for example into that XLR input in L20 with Phantom turned on, right?

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

@@carlos_a.f. it doesn't effect it. The XLR will accept any level input, just turn the gain knob up or down to suit. 48v phantom simply provides power to mics that need it. And it doesn't send phantom out via the monitor out section.

[@mathewworkman1625]

Excellent video.

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

You're welcome

[@EDDYMAT]

Wow, what a different review. Graet Job. Can You use Monitor Outs (A>E) for active Stage monitor / Aux way ore headphones only on the Zoom L-12 as well? The L-20 therfore has a switch button, the L12 not !

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

@@EDDYMAT yep, the outputs are trs or headphones compatible so you can send to whatever you like.

[@EDDYMAT]

@@PetesGuitarUniverse Wow, thanks.

[@nauseouswoozer9723]

How do i get the mixer to send post fader when its on audio interface mode? I'm getting signal to my daw from each individual track, but they are coming in crazy loud because i cant change the fader or gain on the mixer end

[@gracesampaga5163]

Can you send a link where did you bought out your usb Also sd card youve used in your recording if available. Ty

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

Usb flash drive and SD card both from Amazon. Was best deal at the time.

[@nouveaurichetheunderground6806]

But what sd card? Brand speed etc. Im using a lexar platinum 64 gig 300x 45 mb/s sdxc. I want a bigger one. ​@PetesGuitarUniverse

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

@@nouveaurichetheunderground6806 SanDisk Extreme are the best I find to use. Hope that helps.

[@ericolsen67vw]

While working on a song I want to use each track for diffrent stuff, and keep my mix together while writing a song. Can each track be assigned to each input on the mixer in my daw? That way I could switch from guitar to bass ti drums recording it its assigned track? Is this interface?

[@boie2262]

Do you know how to get L20 to work with computer and keyboard controller both connected via usb ? An M-Audio Oxygen Pro 49 in my case. I've failed so far.

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

Everyone's setup if different, so hard to advise. But generally speaking, you need to connect via USB to your computer. Then set your DAW to input / output through the L20. Your midi keyboard will just be the trigger for your DAW's midi synths. Midi control is also set within the DAW. The L20 is just a direct audio in / out interface between your PC and your speakers in USB mode.

[@SBT93215]

Show how to edit and spit tracks on laptop. And what programs u use please

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

It's straight forward. A working knowledge of DAW's is required, but they all operate in slightly different ways. I have used all the big name DAWs and personally prefer Samplitude. It's just the most intuitive

[@SBT93215]

@@PetesGuitarUniverse thank you. Im going to look in to it cause i have the same mixer with a lot of music recorded in it but dont know how to extra it so i can make a cd or put it on KZbin

[@Mikepo587]

If you’re not using the computer the settings are very good with computers as mixing it right then in there recording it with the computer if you want to clean it up with a dollar fine but I’m not somebody who is used to it so I don’t use it and I’ve been doing music my whole life so pretty much the stuff sounds pretty good few singer playing instrument I don’t know what you do but if you’re good enough you’ll hear it it’s pretty easy you could delete attractable track said it’s just I have time if you do three vocals different takes multiplying delete it and then you hit the red button for the final mix down at the endAnd you could have a few different mix down

[@gennadiusrus1245]

Спасибо за обзор. Действительно, встроенный в zoom компрессор хорошо справляется, не загрязняет звучание.

[@DrDAAD]

Hi, great video! I own the rack version. Controlled via iPad. I couldn't find the "link" future, meaning I can link a stereo L, R channel so I doesn't need to move more than one slider to control both / the stereo track. This was possible in Zoom R16. Any ideas? Thank you :)

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

Yes, it's totally possible on both the L20 and R16. You have to designate 2 channels to use as stereo. Very handy feature to link for stereo sources

[@DrDAAD]

@@PetesGuitarUniverse Thank you for quick answer! However, I tried all kind of ways to fix this on my L20-R but couldn't find any solution. Not on the unit itself nor on iPad editor. Maybe it's only possible on the L20 (not R)? I found nothing in the manual neither. Do you have some more concrete explanation? Thank you!

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

@@DrDAAD the L20 it is it possible. The R rack version, no idea. It would be weird if they didn't allow that functionality in the R though.

[@DrDAAD]

@@PetesGuitarUniverse Thank you. I guess you are doing this directly on the L20's hardware? No need to use the iPad "editor". But 20-R doesn't have the same "architecture". I still have an R16 and there I use it and it's very easy to do. Doesn't help me to find it on L20-R though. I recall I even send e-mail to Zoom without any answer... I will try to find the manual of L20 (not R) and maybe I can solve the problem on my L20-R. It's important because I use the mixer 90% for synths and it's no fun to need to move 2 sliders especially when they are on a iPad app... 🙏

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

@@DrDAAD yes seems weird on the 20R. I suspect there will be an easy solution. Please let us know when / if you find one

[@redcomn]

Halfway thru i felled asleep 😂 The ambience background were really powerful 😂

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

I made that music, so I'll take that as a backhanded compliment

[@hellofx]

In daw mode you can't return audio into those non USB return channels . . . which is kinda bollocks to me.

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

@@hellofx can you explain in more detail?

[@stephenedwardleemusic8997]

thank you Pete! do you like this rig more than the tascam equavilant?

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

Yes. I love Tascam. My first portastudio was a 244, but this Zoom is unbeatable at what it does IMHO.

[@stephenedwardleemusic8997]

@@PetesGuitarUniverse I’ve been really challenged and disappointed with the DP 24. And thinking about moving on to another rig. This seems like a step up in the right direction. Thank you for your time.

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

@@stephenedwardleemusic8997 the Zoom is miles better than the DP24. You'll never look back

[@stephenedwardleemusic8997]

Grateful 👍

[@VitorMachadoProf]

Well Done! Cheers.

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

You're welcome

[@mikesparks3398]

Can you mix a band with this and record at the same time?

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

Yes, each individual track is recorded dry, plus the stereo mix with FX

[@Mikepo587]

Yes you can I’m sorry that was already answered yes that’s multi track recorder does it’s a standalone and it’s pretty cool

[@mikesparks3398]

@@Mikepo587 thank you!

[@slapfast55]

Hi, I got a few questions about the L-12, may I get in touch with you?

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

Post them up!

[@slapfast55]

@ what email address?

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

@@slapfast55 easier to share with the group in this comments section. That way more can learn

[@slapfast55]

My needs: In order to get away from using a laptop on stage , I wanted to get an analog system. My thoughts: buy an L-12, insert the stems from each Songs into the L-12 and playback the stems / backing tracks live and at the same time share the stems through the monitor patches to the other musicians. I tried it out, I can't get it. I don't know how to save and choose different songs. I need help.

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

@@slapfast55 you need to set each headphone mix up. Choose what you want to send to each headphone output, save that as a mix, and do that for however many headphone mixes you want per song. Each mix can be independent, as well as your own mix. Watch my video to understand how to set those separate mixes up. Instead of feeding that signal back onto the recorder (as I do in the video), just send it to any speakers / headphones / monitors you like. You will obviously need to do this per song, or put all songs (and stems) into one continuous (gig length) set of stems, with maybe queue points inserted to jump quickly between one song and the next. Pretty easy really.

[@1000GRAUZ]

love the guittar sound

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

Thanks. Happy to help.

[@markreyes1866]

is it true that you can record multi track with no effects even though u used it on live? tia

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

Yes, the effects apply only to the stereo mix. The individual channels are recorded dry.

[@markreyes1866]

@@PetesGuitarUniverse wow thats awesome thank u

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

@@markreyes1866 very welcome. Best multitrack on the market

[@mathewworkman1625]

Is Overdub staying on a new feature? I don't remember it doing that... I remember it being very annoying when multitracking.

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

No, as per the video at 12:30, the Overdub button must be pressed every time you power the unit on, but it does stay on throughout the whole session, until powered down again.

[@mathewworkman1625]

@@PetesGuitarUniverse Ah I see. It's not as bad as I remembered then. Owned this machine twice and returned it twice... ended up with a Tascam Model 24, but I often look back and wonder if the L-20 might have been a better, lighter, cheaper machine for me. But I did find it odd that Overdubs needed a button... I get why/what... but I would have instead designed it the other way so that 'NEW recording on record' was an option you could turn on/off.

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

@@mathewworkman1625 yes, I agree. It can catch you out if you forget to press the Overdub button. I've been caught a few times, but you do get use to it over time

[@mathewworkman1625]

@@PetesGuitarUniverse Maybe I am OCD - but you want to know what I like the most about the L-20? 16 inputs lead down to 16 faders. Tascam starts splitting them at 13/14, 15/16 etc.

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

@@mathewworkman1625 I switched from the Tascam Model 16. Never regretted it. The straightforward layout and high quality recordings are perfect. There were a number of negatives with the Tascam.

[@JamrakStudio2020]

L20 or Behringer X Air 18?

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

@@JamrakStudio2020 for my money, the L20. But YMMV

[@AlyanaVasco]

L20

[@anthonyterrezza]

Thanks!!!

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

Welcome

[@Learnduino]

Rode Broadcaster mic?

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

Rode NT1A my friend

[@jameslanclos568]

I have the Zoom Livetrak L-20 and I'm embarrassed to say how long ago it was when I bought it. It's way over my head. Is there a simple quick start tutorial with just enough info to get started? HELP📢...I'm drowning!!!🏊‍♀

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

@@jameslanclos568 have you watched this video? Covers a lot of basic stuff and some useful tips

[@barryjefferies3201]

I feel your pain Brother...😮....🎉❤🎉😊 I just bought the L-20 ...Exactly two ✌ weeks ago aswell 😅... I've only just figured out how to get sound 🔊 out as I was having all sorts of problems with the SD CARD 😮😮... I've actually owned the L8 and l12 but sold them both as I couldn't get them to sound 🔊 even half way decent,, hopefully 3rd time lucky 🍀.... I've a Dawless synth setup so I Really need this type of mixer as I hate Software 😮🎉🎉❤😊

[@jameslanclos568]

@@barryjefferies3201 I was going to get the Tascam Model 24 but an acquaintance talked me into getting the Zoom Livetrak L20 because the little local studio he worked in used one and he was very familiar with it. I'm kinda sorry I listened to him. i decided to try using it as just a mixer first and then delve into the recording aspect.

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

@@barryjefferies3201 sounds like a fun setup. Hopefully you've got it all figured out now

[@barryjefferies3201]

@@PetesGuitarUniverse cheers 🥂 Dude,,Actually did get some good results last night after a couple of hours and have finally got it to sound 🔊 pretty good, cheers again,,jaffa Jenkins Dawless 🦈 jams

[@dizzyboxnine2656]

cool song

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

Thanks v much

[@dodiangel88]

This Is a controller daw ?

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

No, it doesn't control a DAW, only the input signal at the gain pot can be adjusted to set how hot the signal is being recorded

[@kaybhee6]

no pc,,, no effects,,, show how to mixdown

[@drejtheking]

up for this

[@TylerHNothing]

Record to SD card, insert SD to computer and mix

[@VSIIIHoldenUte]

This is a really good example of doing multitrack overdubs, punch in/out, and stereo mixdown on an L8. Should be the same workflow for the whole Livetrack series: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4mten6ilsiDptk

[@slapfast55]

I understand this, what I'm missing is how to create and later on, how i can load like 10 songs on stage and play one after the other. Maybe I'm not explaining myself good enough. I want to have loaded 12 songs in the L-12 and to be able to playback them on stage as backing tracks ​@PetesGuitarUniverse

[@Soff2u]

Didn't the tascam model 16 workout for you

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

The Tascam didn't suit my needs as much. There were a number of drawbacks I found with it. The Zoom L20 is a better fit for me.

[@Soff2u]

Im on this KZbin and i don't trust these people that are reviewing them because there all getting them for free i find KZbin abit fake i have to come off it and go on forums

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

@@Soff2u I agree. I have only ever reviewed things that I have bought with my own money, and use regularly to make music.

[@Soff2u]

@@PetesGuitarUniverse ok thanks for the replys it's just im in the market for a tescam 16 overall was it a good mixer

[@PetesGuitarUniverse]

@@Soff2u the mixer is great. But as a multitracker, the workflow wasn't too great. Recording a live mix would be ok. But as a studio based recorder, not as good as the L20. But both excel at different things.