Cons of a Zoom livetrak L-8?

[Paul Seager]

I am considering, at the moment just considering, buying a Zoom Livetrak L-8.
Now this has come about partially due to frustration over latency issues with my ageing PC setup, that despite much research, I cannot seem to resolve. But also due to nostalgia; I loved my old Tascam Portastudio and curse the day I got rid of it because, it was just so simple to use and one could focus entirely on the music.

The pro's of the L-8 are well documented and I'm thinking about what I may miss from a DAW.

Goal: I would like to become a solo performer, playing along to my own self-made, backing tracks. I may occasionally add another musician and would mute that instrument from the backing track.

I've read the user-manual and the Zoom supports this goal perfectly.

Cons of a "portastudio" against a DAW-based solution:

• No MIDI;
  one can neither import MIDI data nor play a MIDI device without an interface;

• No "copy n' paste", " dice n' slice", generally edit the audio data without exporting to a DAW.

• No plug-in concept.

Everything listed above is part of a DAW and I guess if I need these, I can move the data to a DAW and hopefully import back for live playback. I am generally a keep-it-simple guy and dislike overly feature-rich solutions.

Anything else that occurs to you?

[Jim Fogle]

Paul, You've did a pretty good job in your initial post of listing the pros and cons.

My thought is I'd rather have a hardware device that is designed for one person home recording building a song one track at a time versus a mixer that supports multiple musicians and can also record.

If you are recording a group the Zoom L-8 is a good choice. The L-8 has enough inputs, outputs and headphone connections to replace a small mixer that a small group might use.

If you are recording yourself then a hardware device that supports editing, mixing and effects will prove more useful. Unfortunately, manufacturers are moving away from the porta-studio / home studio model. Zoom, TASCAM and Roland use to make hardware DAWs but, for the most part have quit.

Guitar Center still has the TASCAM DP-008EX in stock for $299.00. https://www.guitarcenter.com/TASCAM/DP- ... 7290000.gc I would get this before I'd get the Zoom L-8 at $499.99. Here is more information on the TSCAM DP-008EX https://tascam.com/us/product/dp-008ex/

As a home musician you are a band of one so you are creating a song project track by track. The Zoom is designed to capture multiple musicians playing together. The TASCAM DP-008EX has the features you need to vuild your song project one track at a time.

I hope you will update this thread as you make your decision.

[Paul Seager]

Jim, you are right on all counts, can't argue with your logic at all. I also have the dilemma of already owning a good quality live mixer and do not need another!

The Tascam you mention fits the need although I haven't found a similar deal on my side of the ocean. Zoom has a smaller model, the L6, similar to the Tascam but the price vs. features makes the L-8 a better deal.

As I wrote, I am getting frustrated with my "studio's" inconsitency but I'm going to try a few tips found on Reddit - basically turn off WiFi, Bluetooth - anything that can "distract" the CPU and cause intermittent latency issues.
Looking at your footer, we have a similar PC/DAW set-up and I recall taking your advice with Cakewalk which has so far met my needs.

I'm not going to rush into this and will persevere with my elderly Laptop a while to further develop my musical goal.

But the age is, I think, the core of the problem. The laptop works fine for "mastering" but inconsistent for recording. Replacing a laptop is more expensive than the L-8 - but at some point I'll have to do it!

[Fred Treece]

The Zoom L8 is an interface.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tIYAmY4bc ... wAo7VqN5tD
If you have latency issues with your computer, I don’t see this as a fix.

This shows transferring files from the Zoom to the computer via USB.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=F-SXVCEi0M4
I have a 2012 version Zoom HD16 that has this capability, so they have had it down for a long time. I think mine splits the data into separate tracks. Your computer has to be able to read SD card data.

R12 looks like a better option for what you have in mind, and it’s a bit cheaper. It’s probably overkill for number of tracks, but the built-in drum machine is a bonus - maybe not for a finished drum track, but for establishing an appropriate groove.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5-QAc80cv2Q

[Paul Seager]

The Zoom L8 is an interface.

It can be an interface but it is also a stand-alone recorder (using SDHC cards for storage) and live-mixer, where one can use the recorded tracks and live vocals and instruments for performance. The combination of these features, plus overall ease-of-use, makes the L-8 an attractive package given my stated goal.

However, I agree with you on the R12. In reading parallel posts on the Recording sub-forum, I've added both the R12 and R20 to my "items of interest" list. I don't currently have a need for drum loops (or the built-in synth) although I do find these impressive features!

In my concept, I visualize the L-8 as the place to do recording and end performance but still use a computer for editing and finishing tracks as necessary.

But I'm still thinking this through and haven't entirely given up on the PC-only solution. I'm at that stage in life where I really don't want another piece of gear unless it can deliver a real use-case for me!

[Paul Seager]

As I began this discussion, I thought I'd inform of my decision. I bought a used Zoom R8!

I noted advice in this and parallel threads. Jim's comments convinced me to drop the Livetrak and I made a short list of the two portable Tascam models, the Zoom R12 and R20. All retail below 450€ which was my budget.

I then read manuals, reviews, user comments and watched many YT demos, how-to's and comparisons between models.

The R20 wins hands down on features per dollar but unexpectedly, the idea of portability appealled to me; the R20 is definitely a HOME studio device.

I loved the portability of the Tascams, the built-in mics but was strangely put off that, although they can use AA type batteries, they can't run from a USB Powerbank. I use one for other music gear and consider this a better solution than constantly replacing AA's.

So that left the R12. No built-in mics but flexible on power sources. It's on-board synth was not appealing but overall it met my needs.

As I dug deeper into content on the R12, constant comparisons to It's predecessor, the R8 came up and piqued my interest. The R8 has built-in mics, battery operation - I couldn't find out if it would run on a powerbank, (it's original design pre-dated powerbanks) but the specs suggested that it might work! The reviews mentioned that the R12 has slightly better preamps but I was sure I could live with this!

I monitored the used market, asking prices are 90 € to 150€. I got one in superb condition, with original packaging, for 115 €. The previous owner included a 32GB card as well. Within an hour of it's arrival, I recorded a simple blues, utilising its drum-machine and effects processor and the built-in mics (for handclaps ). I also confirmed the powerbank compatibility!

I now have a very easy-to-use, ultimately portable, 8 track with everything I need built-in. I think we're going to be very happy together!

Recommended resources:
YouTube: check out the @GazRendar channel. Many helpful videos!

Also on YT: R8 vs R12 - https://youtu.be/x-_ItUjfHOs?si=cz4REh4joI65DkeY

Helpful written reviews: https://www.soundonsound.com

User comments: mostly on Reddit.

[Jim Fogle]

Paul,
The Zoom R-8 is the successor of the Zoom MRS-8 I use. I seriously considered obtaining a R-8 but couldn't convince myself the R-8 was that much better than my MRS-8.
It is really astounding how feature packed the R-8 is considering it's footprint is smaller than many hard cover books.
The R-8 uses drum audio loops so one suggestion is to back up the drum loops folder either to the internet, memory stick or your computer hard drive.
I'm glad you found a recorder that meets your need.

Here is a link to a pattern generation program you may find useful: https://www.soundside.de/shop/R24patterneditor.htm

Here is a link to the Zoom recorder Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/zoomforum/ The group is a continuation of two previous Zoom forums. There is a lot of information available.