Perfect. I'm sold, especially because I like to create and play the whole song on my instruments, not in a device. Everything plays together, hit record, done. And, as you noted, if I wanted, I could move to Ableton to mix the individual tracks, or just polish up the master, or send it off for mastering. Very happy this device exists, waiting on release here in Europe now. 😊
This is perfect in terms of size and what you can do with it in a small set up. I think a lot of people need to be reminded that its a mixer and not multitrack recorder. The fact that there is a recording facility on board for snapshots of the odd idea is a huge plus in itself and even without that its the kind of mixer ive been looking for.
That's the spot-on assessment. It's definitely a mixing board first. If people want to buy it, they have to think of it that way with the recording feature as being a secondary part of it's core functionality.
@@GazRendar Nice walkthrough! And yeah, IMO the best usecase for this is a small performance mixer that can be used to capture live shows super easily and re-mix a bit too. I have a tascam model 12, which is great for the porta-studio feel, but this is so much more portable for a small show, I wish I had it for a modular open-mic I just did!
With the usb interface you could set up your jam session and record everything to the iPad and apply realtime fx to the recorded tracks as you perform. Having the interface opens a ton of possibilities! I can wait to get mine in the mail.
I agree. The problem is I can't really get the interface to work with iOS yet. I don't know what's going on, but I can only get 2in/2out and the monitor on doesn't always work. I've been testing out a variety of cords and adapters and playing with the settings, but it's not working consistently. Not sure if it needs a firmware update or not for that.
@ well that is disappointing because that is the main feature I purchased it for. Hopefully it will be sorted out soon. I perform jam sessions live and the biggest issue I have had with a standard mixer is that I don’t have enough fx sends and returns to create interesting sounds on the fly and a way to capture the performance to individual tracks live. The L6 is supposed to solve that issue for me.
You're welcome! Yeah, for me I also prefer them to be dry individual tracks. But I know for others they may have wanted wet tracks. That's why I wanted to get this video posted quickly.
@@GazRendar Yeah now that I've read the manual, the 2 aux sends allows for effects units to be connected and then each channel can be sent to them (besides the one used for the return). If it records the individual tracks dry, this will mean that only the master track will have the effects on them. Maybe there's a way to choose? I'll have to read further
Thanks for the two videos so far! My next questions.. 1.: how is the config software? Esp. how to get AUX configured. Can I send specific channels to that.. For my setup I would then get a channel our of AUX into the ext-in of a synth. 2.: How is it behaving as an audio interface when connected to a computer? 3/2b: Works smoothly with an iPad? (in and out)
I've only started to dabble with the config software. It's...ok. But I have to say, having a laptop that is 2-3 times the size of the L-6 right next to the L-6 defeats the purpose of having a super compact, capable mixing board on my cramped desk. At least for me. You don't need the software for the AUX outs. The AUX outs are only mono signals, but you can select AUX 1 in the channel strip, and then just use the encoder for a channel to dictate how much signal gets sent to AUX1. You can just send track 1 to AUX1 and nothing else, and then just send track 3 to AUX 2 if that's what you want to do. Don't need the laptop for that. I just started using it as an audio interface. Seems ok so far. Pretty much plug n play with an iPad. I had to download drivers for Windows (for 32 bit sound). I want to use it more as an interface before I make a video about that so I feel more confident about how well it works in that context.
Thanks for the answer! In the manual the Aux jacks are mentioned for TRS… so I thought it would be Stereo out. My scenario is: a piano that goes into the LiveTrak … aux is grabbing only that signal and send it to the Audio in of a Syntakt (FX and crazy stuff 😅), which of course goes into the LiveTrak as well. But this should work… Will definitely get one. But in Germany I don’t see any in stock 😢
I haven't extensively tested it, but I believe the AUX out will take an TRS cable in order to send a balanced signal out. However, the actual sound is only transmitted as a summed mono signal that goes out of the tip part of the plug. The Ring part is the simultaneous balanced signal that will cancel out any noise - like how most XLR cables are. That allows you to run a long (>15m) cable to a PA system and PA speakers without picking up line noise along the way. But you should be able to plug in your piano to a channel on the L-6 and then you can use the AUX out with a short TS cable to the Syntakt (so the Syntakt gets a mono piano signal), and then send a stereo signal from the Syntakt back into the L-6...which you can then send everything out as a stereo signal through the L-6 headphone out or Master Out.
That's in the plans. So far I was focused on the standard mixer performance and the SD card recording. I'll be moving to other features like MIDI and USB connectivity next.
I appreciate these videos, the L6 seems damn near perfect for me! One question, if you hook up a MIDI controller with faders to control the track levels, will the LED encoder ring reflect the accurate fader/track level?
I don't know yet. I have mostly been using it as a stand-alone mixer, and once I discovered that the individual tracks were dry, I wanted to make this video first, because I thought it would be the most important. I just started using it as an interface and have only scratched the surface of MIDI control so far. I'll be using the L6 more and will continue to post videos as I figure out all the features and feel like I can accurately and correctly describe them.
Thanks for the video. Can the USB-C be used as an audio input, for example music playing from my phone? Also, what type of AC adaptor does it plug to, if I want to use it as a permanent audio interface on my desk?
Yes. You can use that USB-C port on the front of the L-6 and then hit the buttons for either Track 5 or Track 6 to route the sound there. There is an AC adapter in the box, but it just needs a simple 5V / 1A power supply. So any phone charger should work. You can see me answer those questions in my unboxing and first impressions video here: ruclips.net/video/RPwnk-2y8vw/видео.html
Thanks for this!! I was just about to buy one because of the multi-stereo inputs. But if I can't create a track and then jam over it, that really creates a serious limitation since you wouldn't have the change to fix a mistake on one track while replaying what you have already done.
Correct. You're probably going to prefer a multitrack recorder like the R12 or R20 for that. Or possibly consider the L-8, which will allow you to do some overdubbing with limited punch I/O fixes for parts of tracks.
@@garyking4032 True. You can load a WAV file into one of the sound pads. That goes to the Master Volume and you'll hear it while still being able to play through the 6 channels. I just started testing the sound pads and I'll try out your idea and perhaps post something when I know more. I don't know if there is a max size/length for the WAV file that you load into the pad yet.
I run VGuitarforums, we are pursuing using Livetrak L6 as a modern Guitar FX Board mixer for running advanced Guitar processors in parallel- thank you for these detailed videos
Happy to help! If you get the L6 for guitars, just make sure you have some kind of preamp or effect pedal(s) between the guitar and the mixing board since it doesn't have a Hi-Z input for any of the channels.
Very interesting review opening the drawback with impossibility to listen and overdub mixer signals while playing records. It looks like a huge limitation for such device. Hope Zoom will correct this via firmware to grab buyers.
It would be nice, but I'm not sure if the internal signal busses were designed to be able to overdub. I could be wrong, but I suspect that cannot be fixed with a firmware update. Considering there is no screen on the device to create and name projects, whenever you hit REC on the L-6 is creates a whole new folder on the SD card and all the track files are saved as brand new files. There would have to be some serious reprogramming to somehow allow the user to hit the REC and not create a new folder, but instead overwrite one of the WAV file tracks with an overdub. There is no way to selectively arm tracks on the L-6 either, so I'm not seeing how you can set up certain tracks for Playback and other tracks for REC writing. My guess is that overdubbing isn't going to happen on the L-6. It's not designed for that. You'll have to step up to at least an L-8 if you want that, or move to a multitracker like the R12 or R20.
Hi, great video, thanks! Do you know if it is class compliant? I would like to use it as an audio interface with my mpc one+ the same way I use the Tascam model 12, cheers!
It seems like it, but I've only scratched the surface of it's use as an interface so far. I wanted to fully test out the SD card recording capabilities first so I could make this video. Using it as an interface is one of the things that's up next for me. But when I plug it into an iPad as an interface, it seems like it "just works," which makes me believe it's class compliant. Windows was janky if you just plug it in. I had to download the drivers from the Zoom website to get it to work. So I think if you plug it into an MPC it'll work, but I don't know if you'll get a full 10-in 4-out, or if it'll go down to a 2-in 2-out type of interface. I sadly don't have an MPC to try it out with, but I'll be testing it as an interface in a variety of settings soon.
Oh, do MPCs only work with 44.1kHz sample signals? I don't have an MPC, so I wasn't aware of that. I just kinda assumed you could pick 44.1, 48, or 96 with them. Guess I was wrong.
I think it's still a really good device for a specific group of users. I just wanted to make sure people have all the info about the L-6's recording capabilities before they buy it.
How does it work when you use it as an audio interface? Do you get individual tracks that are dry plus a master track that has all of the effects? Also, how is the headroom? I only ask because my Roland MX-1 has this annoying feature where everything comes into the DAW at very low levels which then doesn't mix well with everything else that has been normalized. And since the L6 is touting its high headroom, I am curious how that translates to the levels that are output (both as a DAW interface and in the WAV files recorded to the SD card). Also, do the two aux sends support stereo signals?
I only started using it as an interface, so I don't know enough to confidently comment on the levels just yet. I wanted to focus on testing things out with the SD card recording first and make a video about it, since I think that's a top priority for people considering purchase. The AUX outputs are actually both mono outs. The 32-bit recording can mean more normalization work in post processing. So far when recording signals originating from an amplified headphone out (like the J-6 in this video and Pocket Operators), the signal recorded to the SD card has typical levels of gain applied to the final WAV files. The levels of those those files are similar to the WAV files I get when I use a 24-bit recorder and I set my gains to result in -12 to -8dB levels. However, when I use a mic for inputs 1 and 2, or if I use line level signals from equipment that is notoriously a little quieter in inputs 3-6, that's where I can get a wider range of amplitudes on my signal in the WAV files. The signal has usually been good still, but I have to adjust the gain/normalization in post processing more than I would if I was using a 24-bit recorder with manual gain settings for the inputs. So for the headroom question....I guess the answer greatly depends on what equipment you are using and how you are using it. But yes, you can end up in scenarios were you really need to boost up the levels of the 32-bit recordings. With the compact synths I've primarily been using, though, it hasn't been much of a problem.
How about with a drum machine? Will it drop into a DAW session with the same BPM and line up with no issues? I suspect it will, but wanted to see if you have tried that.
Well, you can drop it into a DAW and use it, but it depends on how you record. If you are working on a song at 110bpm and you set your drum machine to 110bpm and record something to the SD card on the L-6, you can take the SD card out and load that WAV file into your song on in the DAW and it will be in time. Now, the challenge might be to get it to line up at the start. Because when you hit REC on the L-6, it just starts recording. It will record silence. So in the time it takes to hit REC on the L-6 and then hit PLAY on your drum machine, you will create some empty recorded time in that WAV file. You'll have to trim out that silence in the DAW to get it to initially line up to beat 1 of your drum machine pattern. But once you get that first beat to perfectly line up, the rest of the recorded drum track should be perfectly in time.
@@GazRendar Perfect, thank you. So no clock drift then, which is nice. To solve that issue you mentioned I plan on making a 4 bar pattern with a 4x4 kick to start the track, so then I can just line it up to the DAW grid. Very cool littler box for submixing a drum kit and actually having al the stems.
That's is absolutely a great way to get things to line up later in a DAW. I do the same for most of my work on the Zoom R20. I recommend a kick or a woodblock hit that has a sharp attack and quick decay to make it easier to line it up perfectly.
@@GazRendar Thank you very much. This is very good news for live broadcast implementers. The lack of audio interface recording capability is a fundamental drawback of the Zoom H8, for example. Redundancy is the basis of professional work during broadcasting. I own a Zooma H8 and a Behringer Flow 8 and it looks like the Zoom L-6 will be able to replace both. One more question. Is the audio interface mode also sending a mix?
I tested it. When you are recording and you hit MUTE on a track, that track is indeed muted in the Master WAV file, however, the mute never happens in the dry individual track that is recorded to the SD card. I should definitely include that in a future video to let people know about that.
@@GazRendar That's perfect for live DAWless recording. One more question that's not addressed in any documentation I've seen. Is there a size/length restriction for the sound pad audio files? I'm assuming if it can fit on the SD card, you can use any length audio. Thanks for your input!
It is also a 6-input audio interface, once connected to a computer, this is also what makes it powerful, having access to its 6-track exploded DAW. maybe you aren't aware of it because you don't talk about it at any time, by the way it's a test video on this subject which would be great and which I can't find anywhere, just to see if the latency time is usable. THANKS.
I mostly haven't discussed the interface capabilities because I just started testing that out. And I think a bunch of people are looking to use this in a DAWless setup, so I thought I would focus on that first. Once I fully test it out the interface capabilities I'll definitely report on it. It's on the to-do list!
isnt is possible to just plug your synth into the combo jack/xlr? it seems a little annoying that the 2 first wav files will be empty (not that it actually matters, but my wannabe ocd tells me othervise) (im guessing alot of the small synths are mono anyways, so it shouldnt be a problem?)
Sure, you can totally plug your synth into the combo jacks. I just hate those combo jacks for 1/4" inputs, so I don't use them unless I have to. But you will always get empty WAV files unless you are using all the channels. In my example I only used Track 3. But when I hit record, the L-6 still created WAV files for Tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6. Those were all empty WAV files. I describe that a little more in my First Impressions video, along with the tight combo jacks: ruclips.net/video/RPwnk-2y8vw/видео.html
I'll have to go back and double check, but I'm almost positive the sound from a sound pad shows up in the Master WAV file. It definitely does not show up in any of the original Track WAV files.
You can use the app to load the sounds into the sound pads. Or you can drop WAV files into the Sound Pad folder on the SD card. When you hit the REC button on the L-6, the sound pads are only being routed to the master out. They have their own separate bus from the pad button to the master out. They do not route through any of the individual channels.
Seems like it still doesn’t beat out the R8, other than additional inputs and possibly more tracks being recorded simultaneously other than the maximum of two on the R8
It's a very different product compared to the R8. The R8 you can build songs on, one track and one instrument at a time. The L-6 truly is a mixing board (with many more inputs than the R8) more than anything else. It just also offers a quick and easy way to hit the REC button and capture whatever you're playing at the time. But it's not a song-building multitracker device like the R8 is.
Bluebox is $250 more and pretty much never goes on sale. Bluebox is all 3.5mm inputs. If that's all you need, then the Bluebox is nice. Bluebox is also even smaller than this. For better and worse, Bluebox has a touchscreen. But you're not plugging a mic into a Bluebox without needing some kind of preamp and adapter cables first. If you need to plug in a mic or two, the L-6 has those two XLR inputs which make it more versatile. If you only have compact synths, and you have the extra $250, and you don't mind not having a power button, the Bluebox is likely the better choice. But if you have a range of gear and you need the occasional mic, the L-6 probably wins at the cheaper price point.
Did you really say "No overdubbing"?? There's no internal USB rechargeable battery? Sadness overcomes me. Is there USB audio and system control? Or do you have to pull the SD card and put it into the computer? My first impression is my last impression.
It feels more solid than you would expect. The top panel is a little heavier than the bottom, but if you put 4 AA batteries in the bottom, then the whole thing feels solidly heavy. I do really like the consistent, sliding feel of the channel encoders for each track. Turning those encoders takes a tiny bit of force, in a good way. You can be precise when dialing in mixes you like. Those mushy buttons feel exactly how they look, but they are fine. I mostly just don't like using 1/4" plugs in the combo inputs because it's a stupid tight fit. That's my biggest hardware-feel complaint with the unit.
Yeah, if you need overdubbing, this is definite not it. That's why I wanted to warn potential shoppers. If you want overdubbing, the L-8 does offer some limited overdubbing options. Otherwise you may want to instead move to more of a step-by-step song building machine, like the R12 or R20.
Perfect. I'm sold, especially because I like to create and play the whole song on my instruments, not in a device. Everything plays together, hit record, done. And, as you noted, if I wanted, I could move to Ableton to mix the individual tracks, or just polish up the master, or send it off for mastering. Very happy this device exists, waiting on release here in Europe now. 😊
Yep, sounds like the L6 should be a good solution for you. Hope you're able to get one soon!
This is perfect in terms of size and what you can do with it in a small set up. I think a lot of people need to be reminded that its a mixer and not multitrack recorder. The fact that there is a recording facility on board for snapshots of the odd idea is a huge plus in itself and even without that its the kind of mixer ive been looking for.
That's the spot-on assessment. It's definitely a mixing board first. If people want to buy it, they have to think of it that way with the recording feature as being a secondary part of it's core functionality.
@@GazRendar Nice walkthrough! And yeah, IMO the best usecase for this is a small performance mixer that can be used to capture live shows super easily and re-mix a bit too. I have a tascam model 12, which is great for the porta-studio feel, but this is so much more portable for a small show, I wish I had it for a modular open-mic I just did!
With the usb interface you could set up your jam session and record everything to the iPad and apply realtime fx to the recorded tracks as you perform. Having the interface opens a ton of possibilities! I can wait to get mine in the mail.
I agree. The problem is I can't really get the interface to work with iOS yet. I don't know what's going on, but I can only get 2in/2out and the monitor on doesn't always work. I've been testing out a variety of cords and adapters and playing with the settings, but it's not working consistently. Not sure if it needs a firmware update or not for that.
@ well that is disappointing because that is the main feature I purchased it for. Hopefully it will be sorted out soon. I perform jam sessions live and the biggest issue I have had with a standard mixer is that I don’t have enough fx sends and returns to create interesting sounds on the fly and a way to capture the performance to individual tracks live. The L6 is supposed to solve that issue for me.
The dry recording. Yes ! That would have been a deal breaker if it didn’t. Thnx again for the run through.
You're welcome! Yeah, for me I also prefer them to be dry individual tracks. But I know for others they may have wanted wet tracks. That's why I wanted to get this video posted quickly.
I would rather wet because if i didn't want the eq changes, panning etc i would not do them.
I hear ya. That's why I wanted to get that video posted. Just to let people know so they can decide if it's the right type of device for them.
@@GazRendar Yeah now that I've read the manual, the 2 aux sends allows for effects units to be connected and then each channel can be sent to them (besides the one used for the return). If it records the individual tracks dry, this will mean that only the master track will have the effects on them. Maybe there's a way to choose? I'll have to read further
Thanks for this deeper dive! It answered my questions.
Happy to help!
Thank you for putting this video together and describing everything!
Thanks! Hope it helps new users or people trying to decide if they want to buy one or not.
Thanks for the two videos so far!
My next questions..
1.: how is the config software? Esp. how to get AUX configured. Can I send specific channels to that.. For my setup I would then get a channel our of AUX into the ext-in of a synth.
2.: How is it behaving as an audio interface when connected to a computer?
3/2b: Works smoothly with an iPad? (in and out)
I've only started to dabble with the config software. It's...ok. But I have to say, having a laptop that is 2-3 times the size of the L-6 right next to the L-6 defeats the purpose of having a super compact, capable mixing board on my cramped desk. At least for me.
You don't need the software for the AUX outs. The AUX outs are only mono signals, but you can select AUX 1 in the channel strip, and then just use the encoder for a channel to dictate how much signal gets sent to AUX1. You can just send track 1 to AUX1 and nothing else, and then just send track 3 to AUX 2 if that's what you want to do. Don't need the laptop for that.
I just started using it as an audio interface. Seems ok so far. Pretty much plug n play with an iPad. I had to download drivers for Windows (for 32 bit sound). I want to use it more as an interface before I make a video about that so I feel more confident about how well it works in that context.
Thanks for the answer! In the manual the Aux jacks are mentioned for TRS… so I thought it would be Stereo out. My scenario is: a piano that goes into the LiveTrak … aux is grabbing only that signal and send it to the Audio in of a Syntakt (FX and crazy stuff 😅), which of course goes into the LiveTrak as well. But this should work…
Will definitely get one. But in Germany I don’t see any in stock 😢
I haven't extensively tested it, but I believe the AUX out will take an TRS cable in order to send a balanced signal out. However, the actual sound is only transmitted as a summed mono signal that goes out of the tip part of the plug. The Ring part is the simultaneous balanced signal that will cancel out any noise - like how most XLR cables are. That allows you to run a long (>15m) cable to a PA system and PA speakers without picking up line noise along the way.
But you should be able to plug in your piano to a channel on the L-6 and then you can use the AUX out with a short TS cable to the Syntakt (so the Syntakt gets a mono piano signal), and then send a stereo signal from the Syntakt back into the L-6...which you can then send everything out as a stereo signal through the L-6 headphone out or Master Out.
Would appreciate a video going over what is possible, and any problems using midi or a look at the deeper settings over usb
That's in the plans. So far I was focused on the standard mixer performance and the SD card recording. I'll be moving to other features like MIDI and USB connectivity next.
I appreciate these videos, the L6 seems damn near perfect for me! One question, if you hook up a MIDI controller with faders to control the track levels, will the LED encoder ring reflect the accurate fader/track level?
I don't know yet. I have mostly been using it as a stand-alone mixer, and once I discovered that the individual tracks were dry, I wanted to make this video first, because I thought it would be the most important. I just started using it as an interface and have only scratched the surface of MIDI control so far. I'll be using the L6 more and will continue to post videos as I figure out all the features and feel like I can accurately and correctly describe them.
Thanks for the video.
Can the USB-C be used as an audio input, for example music playing from my phone?
Also, what type of AC adaptor does it plug to, if I want to use it as a permanent audio interface on my desk?
Yes. You can use that USB-C port on the front of the L-6 and then hit the buttons for either Track 5 or Track 6 to route the sound there. There is an AC adapter in the box, but it just needs a simple 5V / 1A power supply. So any phone charger should work.
You can see me answer those questions in my unboxing and first impressions video here:
ruclips.net/video/RPwnk-2y8vw/видео.html
Thanks for this!! I was just about to buy one because of the multi-stereo inputs. But if I can't create a track and then jam over it, that really creates a serious limitation since you wouldn't have the change to fix a mistake on one track while replaying what you have already done.
Correct. You're probably going to prefer a multitrack recorder like the R12 or R20 for that. Or possibly consider the L-8, which will allow you to do some overdubbing with limited punch I/O fixes for parts of tracks.
@@GazRendarworld an option be to record to one of those playback pads, and then jam over the top of that? Not ideal, but worth a try?
@@garyking4032 True. You can load a WAV file into one of the sound pads. That goes to the Master Volume and you'll hear it while still being able to play through the 6 channels. I just started testing the sound pads and I'll try out your idea and perhaps post something when I know more. I don't know if there is a max size/length for the WAV file that you load into the pad yet.
I run VGuitarforums, we are pursuing using Livetrak L6 as a modern Guitar FX Board mixer for running advanced Guitar processors in parallel- thank you for these detailed videos
Happy to help! If you get the L6 for guitars, just make sure you have some kind of preamp or effect pedal(s) between the guitar and the mixing board since it doesn't have a Hi-Z input for any of the channels.
Very interesting review opening the drawback with impossibility to listen and overdub mixer signals while playing records. It looks like a huge limitation for such device. Hope Zoom will correct this via firmware to grab buyers.
It would be nice, but I'm not sure if the internal signal busses were designed to be able to overdub. I could be wrong, but I suspect that cannot be fixed with a firmware update. Considering there is no screen on the device to create and name projects, whenever you hit REC on the L-6 is creates a whole new folder on the SD card and all the track files are saved as brand new files. There would have to be some serious reprogramming to somehow allow the user to hit the REC and not create a new folder, but instead overwrite one of the WAV file tracks with an overdub. There is no way to selectively arm tracks on the L-6 either, so I'm not seeing how you can set up certain tracks for Playback and other tracks for REC writing. My guess is that overdubbing isn't going to happen on the L-6. It's not designed for that. You'll have to step up to at least an L-8 if you want that, or move to a multitracker like the R12 or R20.
Comp really kicks and boosts ch data. I love this mixer.
The compressor does give it a significant boost at the end of the signal chain
Hi, great video, thanks! Do you know if it is class compliant? I would like to use it as an audio interface with my mpc one+ the same way I use the Tascam model 12, cheers!
It seems like it, but I've only scratched the surface of it's use as an interface so far. I wanted to fully test out the SD card recording capabilities first so I could make this video. Using it as an interface is one of the things that's up next for me.
But when I plug it into an iPad as an interface, it seems like it "just works," which makes me believe it's class compliant. Windows was janky if you just plug it in. I had to download the drivers from the Zoom website to get it to work. So I think if you plug it into an MPC it'll work, but I don't know if you'll get a full 10-in 4-out, or if it'll go down to a 2-in 2-out type of interface. I sadly don't have an MPC to try it out with, but I'll be testing it as an interface in a variety of settings soon.
@@GazRendar Thank you!!!
Apparently you cant use this with the mpc 44.1 vs 48khz
Oh, do MPCs only work with 44.1kHz sample signals? I don't have an MPC, so I wasn't aware of that. I just kinda assumed you could pick 44.1, 48, or 96 with them. Guess I was wrong.
Great video, thanks.
No deal breakers for me. Mine should arrive later today, it seams like the right choice for me. 😊
I think it's still a really good device for a specific group of users. I just wanted to make sure people have all the info about the L-6's recording capabilities before they buy it.
@@GazRendar I appreciate you brother!
How does it work when you use it as an audio interface? Do you get individual tracks that are dry plus a master track that has all of the effects? Also, how is the headroom? I only ask because my Roland MX-1 has this annoying feature where everything comes into the DAW at very low levels which then doesn't mix well with everything else that has been normalized. And since the L6 is touting its high headroom, I am curious how that translates to the levels that are output (both as a DAW interface and in the WAV files recorded to the SD card). Also, do the two aux sends support stereo signals?
I only started using it as an interface, so I don't know enough to confidently comment on the levels just yet. I wanted to focus on testing things out with the SD card recording first and make a video about it, since I think that's a top priority for people considering purchase.
The AUX outputs are actually both mono outs.
The 32-bit recording can mean more normalization work in post processing. So far when recording signals originating from an amplified headphone out (like the J-6 in this video and Pocket Operators), the signal recorded to the SD card has typical levels of gain applied to the final WAV files. The levels of those those files are similar to the WAV files I get when I use a 24-bit recorder and I set my gains to result in -12 to -8dB levels. However, when I use a mic for inputs 1 and 2, or if I use line level signals from equipment that is notoriously a little quieter in inputs 3-6, that's where I can get a wider range of amplitudes on my signal in the WAV files. The signal has usually been good still, but I have to adjust the gain/normalization in post processing more than I would if I was using a 24-bit recorder with manual gain settings for the inputs. So for the headroom question....I guess the answer greatly depends on what equipment you are using and how you are using it. But yes, you can end up in scenarios were you really need to boost up the levels of the 32-bit recordings. With the compact synths I've primarily been using, though, it hasn't been much of a problem.
How about with a drum machine? Will it drop into a DAW session with the same BPM and line up with no issues? I suspect it will, but wanted to see if you have tried that.
Well, you can drop it into a DAW and use it, but it depends on how you record. If you are working on a song at 110bpm and you set your drum machine to 110bpm and record something to the SD card on the L-6, you can take the SD card out and load that WAV file into your song on in the DAW and it will be in time. Now, the challenge might be to get it to line up at the start. Because when you hit REC on the L-6, it just starts recording. It will record silence. So in the time it takes to hit REC on the L-6 and then hit PLAY on your drum machine, you will create some empty recorded time in that WAV file. You'll have to trim out that silence in the DAW to get it to initially line up to beat 1 of your drum machine pattern. But once you get that first beat to perfectly line up, the rest of the recorded drum track should be perfectly in time.
@@GazRendar Perfect, thank you. So no clock drift then, which is nice. To solve that issue you mentioned I plan on making a 4 bar pattern with a 4x4 kick to start the track, so then I can just line it up to the DAW grid. Very cool littler box for submixing a drum kit and actually having al the stems.
That's is absolutely a great way to get things to line up later in a DAW. I do the same for most of my work on the Zoom R20. I recommend a kick or a woodblock hit that has a sharp attack and quick decay to make it easier to line it up perfectly.
We want this in the R6. Fingers crossed they’ll release one and upvote this comment so Zoom can see! 10:25
Is it possible to record on the ZOOM L6 in audio interface mode?
Yeah, you can record onto the SD card at the same time the audio passes out of the USB cable in interface mode.
@@GazRendar Thank you very much. This is very good news for live broadcast implementers. The lack of audio interface recording capability is a fundamental drawback of the Zoom H8, for example. Redundancy is the basis of professional work during broadcasting. I own a Zooma H8 and a Behringer Flow 8 and it looks like the Zoom L-6 will be able to replace both.
One more question. Is the audio interface mode also sending a mix?
Does the mute only record on master stereo mix? (No mute on individual dry tracks)
Good question. I'll test it out and maybe put that in my next video about it.
I tested it. When you are recording and you hit MUTE on a track, that track is indeed muted in the Master WAV file, however, the mute never happens in the dry individual track that is recorded to the SD card.
I should definitely include that in a future video to let people know about that.
@@GazRendar That's perfect for live DAWless recording. One more question that's not addressed in any documentation I've seen. Is there a size/length restriction for the sound pad audio files? I'm assuming if it can fit on the SD card, you can use any length audio. Thanks for your input!
It is also a 6-input audio interface, once connected to a computer, this is also what makes it powerful, having access to its 6-track exploded DAW. maybe you aren't aware of it because you don't talk about it at any time, by the way it's a test video on this subject which would be great and which I can't find anywhere, just to see if the latency time is usable. THANKS.
I mostly haven't discussed the interface capabilities because I just started testing that out. And I think a bunch of people are looking to use this in a DAWless setup, so I thought I would focus on that first. Once I fully test it out the interface capabilities I'll definitely report on it. It's on the to-do list!
@@GazRendar That would be perfect, thank you.
isnt is possible to just plug your synth into the combo jack/xlr? it seems a little annoying that the 2 first wav files will be empty (not that it actually matters, but my wannabe ocd tells me othervise) (im guessing alot of the small synths are mono anyways, so it shouldnt be a problem?)
Sure, you can totally plug your synth into the combo jacks. I just hate those combo jacks for 1/4" inputs, so I don't use them unless I have to. But you will always get empty WAV files unless you are using all the channels. In my example I only used Track 3. But when I hit record, the L-6 still created WAV files for Tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6. Those were all empty WAV files.
I describe that a little more in my First Impressions video, along with the tight combo jacks:
ruclips.net/video/RPwnk-2y8vw/видео.html
I think you can record to the sound pad, but I'm not sure if the sound pad is recorded in the main recording.
I'll have to go back and double check, but I'm almost positive the sound from a sound pad shows up in the Master WAV file. It definitely does not show up in any of the original Track WAV files.
@@GazRendar I wonder where they are recorded?
You can use the app to load the sounds into the sound pads. Or you can drop WAV files into the Sound Pad folder on the SD card. When you hit the REC button on the L-6, the sound pads are only being routed to the master out. They have their own separate bus from the pad button to the master out. They do not route through any of the individual channels.
Has anyone used this as usb audio interface? How well does it work? How many ins and outs does it show on a daw? Thanks
Seems like it still doesn’t beat out the R8, other than additional inputs and possibly more tracks being recorded simultaneously other than the maximum of two on the R8
It's a very different product compared to the R8. The R8 you can build songs on, one track and one instrument at a time. The L-6 truly is a mixing board (with many more inputs than the R8) more than anything else. It just also offers a quick and easy way to hit the REC button and capture whatever you're playing at the time. But it's not a song-building multitracker device like the R8 is.
this vs 1010 bluebox?
Bluebox is $250 more and pretty much never goes on sale.
Bluebox is all 3.5mm inputs. If that's all you need, then the Bluebox is nice. Bluebox is also even smaller than this. For better and worse, Bluebox has a touchscreen. But you're not plugging a mic into a Bluebox without needing some kind of preamp and adapter cables first. If you need to plug in a mic or two, the L-6 has those two XLR inputs which make it more versatile.
If you only have compact synths, and you have the extra $250, and you don't mind not having a power button, the Bluebox is likely the better choice. But if you have a range of gear and you need the occasional mic, the L-6 probably wins at the cheaper price point.
@@GazRendar appreciate the reply
Did you really say "No overdubbing"?? There's no internal USB rechargeable battery? Sadness overcomes me. Is there USB audio and system control? Or do you have to pull the SD card and put it into the computer? My first impression is my last impression.
How does it feel? Looks cheap made
It feels more solid than you would expect. The top panel is a little heavier than the bottom, but if you put 4 AA batteries in the bottom, then the whole thing feels solidly heavy. I do really like the consistent, sliding feel of the channel encoders for each track. Turning those encoders takes a tiny bit of force, in a good way. You can be precise when dialing in mixes you like. Those mushy buttons feel exactly how they look, but they are fine. I mostly just don't like using 1/4" plugs in the combo inputs because it's a stupid tight fit. That's my biggest hardware-feel complaint with the unit.
It's Solid , Knobs have no wobble and a nice feel. Has a bit of weight to it.
I'm looking for something to overdub outside a DAW. Thanks for warning me this is not it. I guess the clue is in the name LiveTrak.
Yeah, if you need overdubbing, this is definite not it. That's why I wanted to warn potential shoppers.
If you want overdubbing, the L-8 does offer some limited overdubbing options. Otherwise you may want to instead move to more of a step-by-step song building machine, like the R12 or R20.