Taking some cues from RØDE’s RØDECaster Pro podcasting powerhouse, Zoom has announced the L8 LiveTrak, a portable podcasting studio that can also be utilized for music recording. Of course, the LiveTrak series is not new, but Zoom has zeroed in on the podcasting market with the L8, the latest release in this series, and added a couple of tricks that the RØDECaster Pro doesn’t contain. With six mic preamps, battery power, mix-minus functionality for VoIP, and the ability to record to both SD cards and computers at the same time, the L8 is positioned more for location recording, as opposed to studio use.
The mixer portion of the Zoom L8 is pretty straight forwarded, with eight faders (each with its own digital three-band EQ), an effects return, and a master fader. Each participant of your podcast can be assigned to their own individual fader, and you can provide up to three guests with their own headphone feed over three dedicated 1/4″ outputs. You can monitor over speakers or headphones and you can make the choice to send your guests your mix or a cue mix better suited to them. Whether you record to SD cards or your computer, you can capture every guest on their own track, great for editing in post.
If your podcast features a call-in guest, you can employ your cell phone and the mix-minus input with the included TRRS cable. Mix-minus means your call-in guest won’t endure ear-piercing feedback or annoying echo on their line. If you’re recording from your computer, using Skype or whatnot, you can loop that audio into a USB channel, where it will be recorded with your podcast. The Zoom L8 also allows you to assign sound effects, commercials or into/outro music.
Zoom L8 Features:
» 8-channel mixer (6 combo, plus 2 TS)
» 12-track simultaneous recording, 10-track playback
» Mix-Minus function preventing audio feedback from dial-in guests
» TRRS connection and included TRRS cable for phone connectivity
» 6 assignable Sound Pads, with 13 preset sounds
» 4 headphone outputs, consisting of 3 custom monitor mixes, plus one main mix
» 3-band EQ and a low-cut function
» 7 scene memories for storing mixes
» 12-in / 4-out USB audio interface
» Class-compliant mode (for iOS compatibility)
» Battery operated with four AA batteries or a USB power supply
Record up to 24-bit/96kHz to computer
» Record up to 48kHz to computer and SD card simultaneously
If you want to use the L8 for music, the unit features 1/4″ line or Hi-Z inputs allow for recording keyboards, basses, and electric guitars directly to SD cards or your computer. For real portability, the L8 is battery powered via four AA batteries with a claimed 2.5 hours of run-time. An AC adapter is included, plus you can run the L8 on a USB power.
Zoom’s L8 costs $400 and will be available shortly.
