Portable recording options? Upgrading from Zoom H4n

[Clark W]

And if anyone has experience with the Zoom Livetrack, have you used the footswitch option? Does it work like I want it to, to set record start/stop?

Note: This may or may not apply to the L-12. Since I own the L-20 I can only speak for it as I don't have a manual for the L-12.

On the L-20, you can set it to automatically start/stop recording based on a decibel level that you set through it's menu system on the LCD screen. Or it can be set to start recording 2 secs before "recording" starts but I don't know how it determines that. I use the record/play buttons when I want to start recording.

There is also a 1/4" "Control In" jack on the back of the unit for use with the Zoom FS01 Footswitch.

The footswitch can be assigned to one function through the L-20s menu system
Starting/stopping recorder playback
Manually punching in/out
Muting/unmuting the built in effect section
(I don't own the footswitch so all I can tell you is what it says in the manual)

And of course there's also bluetooth capabilities with the bluetooth adapter add on that allows you to control things from an iPad.

The L-20 manual is online here:
https://zoomcorp.com/media/documents/E_L-20_OperationManual.pdf

The L-12 manual is online here:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[nogbert]

im currently torn between the zoom l-8 and the h8. both can do basically the same stuff..

to the OP, have you looked into the L-8? seems like that fits your needs excellently, and its considerably smaller than the L-12

 

[DirkP]

CHeers.
The dedicated Headphone outputs is a great feature of the Zoom - not sure how useful it might be given we may not be standing close to each other - but for headphone/recording or silent/quiet jams it could be cool.

RE: Model 12 - Have you used the DAW control mode? What are your thoughts here?

One feature I've rarely seen in recorders, is a footswitch input to control the RECORD start/stop. Can the Model12 do this?

And if anyone has experience with the Zoom Livetrack, have you used the footswitch option? Does it work like I want it to, to set record start/stop?

I've only tested the Daw control with Auria Pro on my iPad and it works great.
The Model 12 can control record start/stop and other things with a footswitch.
In the newest firmware, there is a new feature for looping parts of tracks - it doesn't become a looper, but it is a great feature for learning songs etc.

 

[smo]

im currently torn between the zoom l-8 and the h8. both can do basically the same stuff..

to the OP, have you looked into the L-8? seems like that fits your needs excellently, and its considerably smaller than the L-12

I've been reconsidering the what/how etc. I think now;
I'm looking for at least 8 Mic inputs, preferably more like 16. I want to record a whole live performance, and have the ability to mix & tweak it.
In the past, I've used a small Behringer mixer with multiple mics, stereo out into my Zoom H4ns' inputs. It get the job done but you lack any ability to change the mix/levels.

 

[Frank Tuesday]

I’m not sure what price range you’re looking at with the other gear you’re considering, but I’ve been using a Behringer X-Air XR18 and it is ridiculously cool. It serves primarily as a mixer but it is also a very capable capture card, with the ability to record 18 channels simultaneously into your DAW of choice. It’s amazingly powerful, portable, and relatively affordable.

I have one of these. With it, I can supply 6 monitor mixes for IEMs, a Mains mix for FOH, and record multitracks to an attached laptop. Cheap and super versatile.

 

[DirkP]

I've been reconsidering the what/how etc. I think now;
I'm looking for at least 8 Mic inputs, preferably more like 16. I want to record a whole live performance, and have the ability to mix & tweak it.
In the past, I've used a small Behringer mixer with multiple mics, stereo out into my Zoom H4ns' inputs. It get the job done but you lack any ability to change the mix/levels.

I would be cautious with the L8, it has some additional features for podcasting but it is different from the other livetraks, for example it has lesser quality mic-preamps! Thought about it for a while, before buying the Model 12 and decided against it because of the mic-preamps.

 

[J Posega]

I've been reconsidering the what/how etc. I think now;
I'm looking for at least 8 Mic inputs, preferably more like 16. I want to record a whole live performance, and have the ability to mix & tweak it.
In the past, I've used a small Behringer mixer with multiple mics, stereo out into my Zoom H4ns' inputs. It get the job done but you lack any ability to change the mix/levels.

At that point, you're better off sticking an 8 channel USB interface linked with an 8 channel preamp in a little rackcase and running a DAW on a laptop. It may be more cumbersome than an all-in-one desk, but if you're going to be dumping files to a DAW anyway, why not cut out the middle step?