I was about to pull the trigger on ordering a Zoom LiveTrak L-6 as it seemed to be the perfect multichannel recorder for my DAWless setup and then Zoom announce the new improved Zoom Livetrak L-6max! So it would seem a good time to take a look at the specs and compare it to the other options out there.
Feature Comparison L-6 vs L-6max
| Feature | Zoom LiveTrak L-6 | Zoom LiveTrak L-6max |
| Total Channels / Inputs | 10 (2 Combo XLR/TRS + 4 Stereo Line) | 12 (4 Combo XLR/TRS + 8 Line) |
| Max Recording Tracks | 12 (10 discrete + Stereo Mix) | 14 (12 discrete + Stereo Mix) |
| Combo Inputs with Hi-Z | No dedicated Hi-Z switch | 2 of the 4 combo inputs have Hi-Z |
| Line Input Pads | No | Yes (-20 dB on channels 5-8) |
| Headphone Outputs | 1 Headphone Out | 2 Headphone Outs (one with a customizable Sub-Out mix) |
| Dedicated Sub-Out | No | Yes (Customizable mix for the second headphone out or external monitor feed) |
| 32-bit Float | Yes, on all channels | Yes, with Dual A/D Converters on channels 1-4 for ultimate dynamic range |
| AI Noise Reduction | No | Yes |
| Overdubbing/Bouncing | Limited (no dedicated bounce track) | Unlimited Overdubbing (with dedicated bounce track for freeing up channels) |
| EQ per Channel | 3-band EQ with adjustable mid on all channels | 3-band EQ with sweepable mid on all channels |
| Master Compressor | No | Yes (Advanced master track compressor) |
| Display | Basic LCD | Vivid OLED Screen |
| Scene Memory | 3 scenes | 4 scenes |
| USB Audio Interface | 12-in / 4-out | 14-in / 4-out |
| App Editor | No | Yes (Free L6 Editor app for macOS and Windows) |
I think its ticking all the boxes. Love that there is an extra set of inputs, to help out with FX returns.
What’s the Alternative
Well first up there is the rest of the Zoom Livetrak series. It has some larger siblings in the more traditional mixer looking LiveTrak L-12 and L-20. Similarly in the traditional mixer format Tascam offer the Model 12, Model 16 and Model 25. Or from Mackie the Onyx series 8,12,16,24 and from Soundcraft the Signature 12 MTK and 22 MTK.
Patchbays
Maybe you already have a multiport audio interface? In which case, with a stash of cables you can connect all your synths to a patch bay, normalise the inputs to a mixer and then patch the front panel to your audio interface. I use this setup with a 12 channel mixer but only 8 channel audio interface. You can read about it in our post Multitrack your mixer with a patch bay. Would I recommend it? Well that depends. On the positive side you can use the gear you already have, but it does become complicated and devices like the Zoom Livetrak series seem to be a practical alternative and also low cost.
Product Details
Some of the products featured in this article are available on the Amazon Store
- Zoom LiveTrak L-6
- Zoom LiveTrak L-12
- Zoom LiveTrak L-20
- Mackie Onyx 12
- Behringer Ultrapatch Patchbay
- Hosa TRS Snake
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