Zoom LiveTrak L-12 Service manual

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2
Thank you very much for purchasing a ZOOM LiveTrak L-12 ( ).The has the
following features.
12-channel digital mixer & multitrack recorder
The combines a digital mixer with 12 total input channels (8 mono and 2 stereo),
a multitrack recorder that can simultaneously record up to 14 tracks, and a 14-in/4-out
USB audio interface. Compact and lightweight, this digital mixer is easy to transport and
can even be used with PA systems for live performances in rehearsal studios, cafés and
other small venues.
High-quality mic preamps
The has high-quality mic preamps built-in for 8 channels. The high-quality ana-
log inputs, which can provide +48V phantom power, have a −128dBu or better EIN rating
and +60dB maximum input gain. In addition, channels 1 and 2 also support Hi-Z input,
while channels 3 to 8 have PAD functions (26dB attenuation), enabling them to accept
high levels of input.
5 MONITOR OUT channels
In addition to the MASTER OUT, the also has 5 MONITOR OUT channels. The
MONITOR OUT mixes can be set separately for each output. Since these support head-
phone output, headphones are all that are needed to send different mixes to each per-
former.
Digital mixer that can be operated intuitively
Opening menus is not necessary with the . Every mixer parameter can be con-
trolled with knobs and keys just like an analog mixer. Each channel has a 3-band EQ,
and the mono channels have compressor functions.The mixer also includes high-quality
send effects. In addition, up to 9 mixer status scenes can be saved in the unit.
Recorder can simultaneously record 14 tracks and play 12 tracks
The can simultaneously record every channel and the master fader stereo signal
output for a total of 14 tracks. Since the recorded data is saved in 16/24-bit, 44.1/48/96kHz
WAV format, the les can easily be copied to a computer and used in a DAW. In addition,
overdubbing and punching in/out can be done as expected with a multitrack recorder.
14-in/4-out USB audio interface
The can be used as a 14-in/4-out USB audio interface. The signals from each in-
put and the master fader output can be recorded in a DAW. In addition, signals output
from a computer can also be assigned to a stereo channel.
Class compliant mode, which enables connection with iOS devices, is also supported.
Introduction

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Contents
Introduction ………………………… 2
Contents …………………………… 3
Names and functions of parts … 5
Top ………………………………… 5
Rear panel ……………………… 14
Equipment connection example 15
Live PA system ………………… 15
Display overview ……………… 17
Home Screen ………………… 17
Turning the unit on/off ………… 18
Turning the unit on …………… 18
Turning the power off ………… 20
Using the MENU screen ……… 21
Mixer ……………………………… 22
Outputting input sounds from
output devices ………………… 22
Adjusting the tone and
panning ………………………… 24
Using the built-in effects ……… 25
Using scene functions ………… 27
Setting signals output from
MONITOR OUT A–E…………… 30
Recording and playback ……… 32
Preparing to record …………… 32
Recording and playing tracks … 34
Adding marks ………………… 37
Redoing parts of recordings
(punching in/out) ……………… 38
Mixing down tracks …………… 40
Recording automatically ……… 42
Capturing audio before recording
starts …………………………… 44
Selecting the folder where projects
are saved ……………………… 45
Selecting projects for playback 46
Using the metronome ………… 47
Enabling the metronome……… 47
Changing metronome
settings ………………………… 48
Using the slate mic …………… 52
Recording with the slate mic … 52
Changing slate mic settings … 53
Projects …………………………… 55
Changing project names ……… 55
Deleting projects ……………… 57
Protecting projects …………… 58
Checking project information … 59
Saving projects to USB ash
drives …………………………… 60
Importing projects from USB ash
drives …………………………… 63
Managing marks ……………… 65
Audio les………………………… 66
Deleting audio les …………… 66
Exporting audio les to USB ash
drives …………………………… 68
Importing audio les from USB ash
drives …………………………… 70
Using audio interface functions 72
Installing the driver …………… 72
Connecting to a computer …… 73
Inputting return signals from the
computer to a stereo channel……74
Using card reader functions … 75
Recording and playback
settings …………………………… 76
Changing the recording format 76
Changing automatic recording
settings ………………………… 77

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Introduction
Showing recording levels on level
meters ………………………… 79
Enabling latency adjustment … 79
Changing the playback mode … 80
SD card settings ………………… 81
Checking the open space on SD
cards …………………………… 81
Formatting SD cards ………… 81
Testing SD card performance … 82
Various settings ………………… 84
Setting the date and time …… 84
Setting the footswitch ………… 85
Changing the sampling rate … 86
Disabling the automatic power
saving function ………………… 87
Adjusting the display
contrast ………………………… 88
Restoring settings to factory
defaults ……………………… 88
Checking the rmware
versions.………………………… 89
Updating the rmware ……… 90
Troubleshooting ………………… 91
Specications …………………… 93
Send effects specications …… 94
Mixer block diagram …………… 95

5
Names and functions of parts
To p
Input channel section
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1MIC/LINE input jack
These input jacks have built-in mic preamps. Connect mics, keyboards and guitars to them.
These can be used with both XLR and 1/4-inch (balanced or unbalanced) phone plugs.
248V switch/indicator
This turns 48V phantom power on or off. Turn this on ( ) to supply
phantom power to MIC/LINE input jacks 1–4 (or 5–8).
The indicator lights when the switch is on.
3Hi-Z switch
Use to switch the input impedance of MIC/LINE input jack 1 (or 2).
Turn it on ( ) when connecting a guitar or bass guitar.
4PAD switch
This attenuates (reduces) the input signal of the equipment connected
to the MIC/LINE input jack by 26 dB.
Turn this on ( ) when connecting line level equipment.
5SIG indicator
This indicator shows the signal level after adjustment by the GAIN knob.
The indicator color changes according to the signal level.
Lit red: −3 dB
Lit green: −48 to −3 dB
Blinking green: −55 to −48 dB
6GAIN knob
Use to adjust the input gain of the mic preamp.
The range of adjustment depends on the on/off status of the MIC/LINE
input jack switch (Hi-Z on channels 1–2 or PAD on channels 3–8).
Jack Adjustment range
MIC/LINE input jack 1–2 (XLR) +16 – +60 dB
MIC/LINE input jack 1–2 (TRS) Hi-Z off +16 – +60 dB
Hi-Z on (TS) +6 – +50 dB
MIC/LINE input jack 3–8 PAD off +16 – +60 dB
PAD on -10 – +34 dB
7COMP knob
Use to adjust the amount of compression.
8SEL button
Use to select a channel for parameter adjustment in the channel strip section.
Channels with lit SEL buttons are affected by channel strip section adjustments.
9REC/PLAY button
Use this button to switch between recording input signals to the SD
card and playing back an already recorded le from the SD card.
Status Explanation
Lit red Input signals will be recorded to the SD card after passing
through the compressor.
Lit green
An already recorded le will be played back. Playback signals are input
before the equalizer. In this state, signals from input jacks are disabled.
Unlit Files will neither be recorded nor played back.

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Names and functions of parts
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!LINE input jacks (TS)
Use these input jacks to connect line level equipment. For example,
connect keyboards or audio devices.
These can be used with 1/4-inch (unbalanced) phone plugs.
NOTE
If only the left LINE input jack (TS) channel is connected, it will be handled as
a mono channel.
"LINE input jacks (RCA)
Use these input jacks to connect line level equipment. For example,
connect audio devices.
These can be used with RCA pin connectors.
NOTE
If both the RCA and TS LINE input jacks are connected, the TS input jacks
will be used.
#USB button
This switches the signals input to channels 9/10 (or 11/12).
Lit: audio return signal output from the computer
Unlit: LINE input jacks
NOTE
Connect the to a computer as an audio interface. (→P.73)
$MUTE button
This mutes or unmutes signals sent to the master fader.
To mute the channel, press this button to light it.
This has no effect on recording to the SD card.
HINT
%Level meter
This shows the signal level after adjustment by the channel fader.
Ranges shown: -48 dB – 0 dB
NOTE
If the actual channel fader position differs from the channel fader position
recalled using the scene function, for example, the level meter will show the
recalled fader position.
&Channel fader
This adjusts the channel signal level in a range from −∞ to +10 dB.

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Names and functions of parts
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1EQ OFF button
When this button is lit, HIGH, MID, LOW and
LOW CUT are bypassed.
2HIGH knob
This adjusts the boost/cut of high-frequency
equalization.
Type: shelving
Gain range: −15 db – +15 dB
Frequency: 10 kHz
3MID FREQ knob
This adjusts the central frequency of the mid
frequency equalization.
Frequency (in Hz): 100, 140, 200, 250, 315, 500,
800, 1k, 1.3k, 2k, 3k, 5k or 8k
4MID knob
This adjusts the boost/cut of mid-frequency
equalization.
Type: peaking
Gain range: −15 db – +15 dB
Frequency: set by MID FREQ knob
5LOW knob
This adjusts the boost/cut of low-frequency
equalization.
Type: shelving
Gain range: −15 db – +15 dB
Frequency: 100Hz
6LOW CUT button
This turns on/off the high-pass lter, which cuts
low frequencies.
When ON, signals below 75 Hz are attenuated
12 dB/octave.
7SEND EFX knob
The amount that can be sent to the SEND EFX
bus can be set from −∞ to +10 dB.
8PAN knob
Use to adjust the channel volume balance and
stereo position sent to the master bus.
On a stereo input channel, this adjusts the
volume balance between the left and right chan-
nels.
CHANNEL STRIP section

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Names and functions of parts
1MASTER and A–E buttons
These switch between the mixes output from
the MASTER OUT and MONITOR OUT A–E
jacks.
MASTER button: Use to show and adjust the
mix output from the MASTER OUT jacks.
A–E buttons: Use to show and adjust the mixes
output from the MONITOR OUT A–E jacks.
NOTE
• The parameters that can have separate settings
for the MASTER and A–E mixes are as follows.
- Fader positions (each channel)
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FADER MODE section

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Names and functions of parts
SCENE section
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1ON button
Press this button, lighting it, to use the scene
function
2RESET button
Press this button to reset the current mixer set-
tings to the factory defaults.
31–9 buttons
Use these buttons to select the scene to use to
save the current mixer state and to load saved
scenes.
If the current mixer settings match the settings
of a scene, the corresponding number button
will light.
This unit can save up to 9 scenes.
4RECALL button
Use this button when loading scenes saved to
buttons 1–9.
When this button is pressed, buttons 1–9 will
blink if they have saved scenes and be unlit if
they do not. To recall a saved scene, press a
blinking button between 1 and 9. To cancel recall-
ing a scene, press the RECALL button again.
5SAVE button
Use this button when saving the current mixer
settings to a scene.
When this button is pressed, buttons 1–9 will
blink if they have saved scenes and be unlit if
they do not. To save a scene, press a button be-
tween 1 and 9 to save it to that number. To can-
cel saving a scene, press the SAVE button again.

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Names and functions of parts
Send effect (SEND EFX) section
1Effect type list
This is the list of the built-in effects.
The name of the currently selected effect lights.
It blinks when being selected.
If some time passes without a different effect
being selected, the previously selected effect
will remain selected.
2TYPE knob
Use to select the built-in effect.
Turn this knob to select the effect type, and
press it to conrm.
3Parameters 1 and 2
Use these to adjust the parameters for the se-
lected effect.
See P. 95 for the parameters of each effect.
4EFX RETURN MUTE button
This mutes or unmutes the signal sent from the
built-in effect.
To mute the signal, press this button to light it.
5EFX RETURN level meters
These show the levels of the signals sent from
the built-in effect to the master bus after adjust-
ment by the EFX RETURN fader. Their range is
from −48 dB to 0 dB.
6EFX RETURN fader
This adjusts the levels of the signals sent from
the built-in effect to the master bus in a range
from −∞ dB to +10 dB.
NOTE
If the actual channel fader position differs from the
channel fader position recalled using the scene
function, for example, the level meters will show
the recalled fader position.
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