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

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

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

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

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.

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!!!!

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!

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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!

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!

Wow - this tutorial is outstanding. One of the best demonstrations I have seen on RU-vid. 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.

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.

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 .

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

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

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.

Absolutely the best Zoom L12 video on RU-vid 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 RU-vid 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!!

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

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??

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…

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.

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!

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.

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 🇨🇭🇨🇭🇨🇭

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

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

I'm looking to by a mixer/audio interface and have watched dozens of videos to understand what they are and how they work. This is by far the clearest, easy to understand video of any type I have seen on RU-vid. Production value is amazing, feels like this is your calling.

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

Please consider expanding this series using it as: 1. As a daw interface. 2. For Facebook live/RU-vid. 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.

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!

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

You made the 100 page Manual, easier to comprehend. Your drum girl is great.

This is the nuts and bolts video I've been looking for. Thank you so much.

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!

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

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.

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.

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

thanks. Great instructional video.

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

Excellently clear tech demonstration,

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.

EXPLANED VERY WELL, THANX

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

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

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!!

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!

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 ?

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

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!

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!

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

That is definitely thee best demonstration ever to be on you tube of a mixer, thank you so much, right now I'm going out of my mind with fear on which desk to buy, in all honesty I do have one waiting at my studio yet to be opened or send back 🤔 because I have read nothing but bad reviews, the mixer is the presonus Ar16c live studio desk, I even visited a major music store today to find out more on this mixer, told me sold a lot 1 came back, due to drink spillage, other than that live bands are happy with it, 🤔 yes it's a minefield out there, this brings me to the Zoom Live track L20, Zoom do for sure make excellent hand held recorders I have the 4HN, use this quite a lot, watching your video tutorial here, this L20 looks impressive with all it can do and the help of leds and seperate mixes to each member is an absolute plus, with regards to its effects and overall sound what's your view on this, do this desk give a warm pleasing sound overall live use, with effects I myself like a nice vocal reverb with a touch of delay, and the place I'm getting that decent effect and sound is from my Dynacord CMS 1000 desk of over 15 years of more, I keep reverting back to this old desk and I'm now looking for something to come pretty close or much better, the Zoom L20 right now is ticking a lot of boxes for me especially after your brilliant demo and yes hearing those recordings you have gained a new fan, excellent band, yes I would be anxious to read your views to my query of confusion, thanks in advance for you time and advice 👍

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

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

Everything was so well explained at the perfect speed. I wish you made tutorials on everything i want to use. Maybe because you are not a tech person you didnt fly through everything or make simple things seem over technical. Good luck with the band.

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

unbelievably helpful and so well put together thanks guys!

Amazing tutorial. Brands should learn from you. Complete, simple to understand, and following the musicians way of thinking. Most brands build their storytelling from the tech guy’s point of view. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Appreciate people like you mate. Very detailed video. Well done. Thank you 🤝

Extremely well made, clear, precise video. I am considering buying the L12 for sometime but was unsure whether to buy the L12 or the L20. Was also considering the Tascam model 12/ model 16. This video has made it clear that the L12 will do just fine. I have gone through most of the videos available on RU-vid regarding these mixer/ recorders. Your video is just the one I was looking for.... thanks a ton for making my life a wee bit easier 😊

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.

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

Good B roll. Well scripted. Well edited. Excellent grammar. Good clear diction. Well recorded. I have a Gun Channel - I will copy your presentation style. Well done.

That was an excellent, easy to understand, detailed explanation!

Thankful for your straight talking 🙏🏻

Excellent introduction to the board. Good luck with your band!

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!

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.

This is the best tutorial I've come across. THANK YOU. The manual that came with my L-12 is not helpful at all. I wondered if you have any insight about the 'scenes' portion of the L-12. Again, thank you so much for breaking this all down in such simple terms and using great examples.

Excellent Tutorial. I have had this machine for over a year. Spent hours and hours studding the official Zoom 100 page guide. Could not follow the zoom guide and was not able to use the machine until I accidently ran into your video. Thank you very much for doing this.

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

dude......job well done on this video, demonstration, everything about it.

We use an L-8 for a trio, and my gosh, i wish i'd found this video earlier. Zoom just needs to link to this.

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

What a great video. Very thorough. Thanks!

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

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.

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.

The best video I have seen on this subject, excellent job

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!

Thanks for the info indeed this is for the band set up point of view.. This year we will buy ZoomL-20 😇😇😇🙏🙏🙏 thanks for the input

Thanks so much.!!! It’s very easy to understand. I wish you would make more videos for other digital mixer like RCF m20x. It was very difficult to understand. You nailed this video very well. Thanks again

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

Very helpful video! Thank you very much for putting it together! I was looking for an affordable solution, where me and my band could use for rehearsing and have everything in each individual outputs. Looks like this thing could do.

this is one of the most useful and clear explanations I have ever heard. Soooo well done... I would enjoy something similar on recording to daw or importing a recording from SD card!

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!

Excellent video! Thank you! 👍

Fantastic video! My band is doing the exact same thing you guys are, but we are using the tascam model24.. these units are so fun! Left handed drummer is killer!

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

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!

thanks, for far the best explanation of the possibilitis of this machine