These two units are intended for entirely different uses. Ultimately, no user who performs music would attempt to use the P-8, since it’s entirely designed for podcasting. The Livetrak L-8 is basically a standard, small format live audio console with a discrete multi-track recorder and a few “podcast-friendly“ bonus features. Those podcast features on the L-8 (Replay Pads, Phone Mix-Minus, USB Stream) make this unit, imo, far more versatile. You can use it live with a small musical ensemble, with simultaneous multitrack capture of your performance (and another Stereo Master capture to quickly distribute immediately to band at end of gig for a rough mix reference). The L-8 also has functionality the Zoom R-16/24, which gives you a stand-alone studio mixer/recorder. While the R-16/24 does offer better EQ and effects, the record functions are basically the same on the L-8. The L-8 works well as a “remote recording session,” allowing you to meet with other musicians (even separately during a day at different locations) to cut basic tracks, which could be easily imported to a DAW later for a fully realized production. The L-8’s discrete separate monitor mixes are particularly brilliant, giving you an effective 3-4 person headphone mix anywhere. Tell your music collaboration buddies to “bring your instruments and headphones and I’ll bring the recording rig!” It’s today’s equivalent of having the RCA Remote Truck in a backpack! I’m old so this technology really blows my mind (and spoils young people today who don’t know the struggle of trying to cut demos on your rich bandmate’s Fostex Cassette 4 Track) As a kid in the 70’s I dreamed and pretended to be a broadcaster on the air. Now millions of kids basically do that every day, never knowing how advanced the technology has become and can be purchased for next to nothing. Enjoy!
thanks for the very insightful comment, may i know is the L8 a all in one for podcast, phone call in, ambience sound, voice over, on the field recording? if so, which mic would you recommend? and other gear i need to know, like a cloudlifter? and is there any other alternative to L8 or is L8 the thing for all in one? any limitations to it from your experience?
Yeah, I'm old and had the Fostex too. I have kids and they have no idea how easy it is. When they scream "Dad how do I add effects" I yell back "Figure it out, man". Hahaha
Great review ! Thorough and clear. But I'm still in a pickle as to which one to choose as some useful features on one isn't on the other. So, the ideal solution for me would be to buy both or wait for Zoom to make a combinaison of both.
Can you send the audio to your DAW, mess with the sound via VST plugins, send that newly modified sound back to the mixer to listen to it, and mute the original, plain audio?
pregunta, grabar por pistas separadas, grabar pista master y por cable usb grabar en computador (OBS)? gracias por su respuesta // Question, record on separate tracks, record master track and record on computer (OBS) via USB cable? thanks for your response
Thanks for the comparison. I'm looking for a mixer I can use as an external mixer with my Tricaster mini 4k and someone suggested these or the rodecaster. Any thoughts?
Hello iam very new into these type of stuffs im planning to start a podcast soon .. What would be better for me the p8 or l8 as a begginer in this field ?
Quick question. I’ve got a 32gb SD which gives me 90hours of recording. When I add in an extra track it’s cuts the time by half. Is this normal or do I need to play with the settings? If someone could help that would be great.
Exactly the two units I was wanting to compare! I'm fanatical about sound quality. Would you say the mic pre's and recoding functions of both units are top notch, at least in the sub $1000 price range? Does either unit sound better?
These two units are intended for entirely different uses. Ultimately, no user who performs music would attempt to use the P-8, since it’s entirely designed for podcasting. The Livetrak L-8 is basically a standard, small format live audio console with a discrete multi-track recorder and a few “podcast-friendly“ bonus features. Those podcast features on the L-8 (Replay Pads, Phone Mix-Minus, USB Stream) make this unit, imo, far more versatile. You can use it live with a small musical ensemble, with simultaneous multitrack capture of your performance (and another Stereo Master capture to quickly distribute immediately to band at end of gig for a rough mix reference). The L-8 also has functionality the Zoom R-16/24, which gives you a stand-alone studio mixer/recorder. While the R-16/24 does offer better EQ and effects, the record functions are basically the same on the L-8.
The L-8 works well as a “remote recording session,” allowing you to meet with other musicians (even separately during a day at different locations) to cut basic tracks, which could be easily imported to a DAW later for a fully realized production. The L-8’s discrete separate monitor mixes are particularly brilliant, giving you an effective 3-4 person headphone mix anywhere. Tell your music collaboration buddies to “bring your instruments and headphones and I’ll bring the recording rig!” It’s today’s equivalent of having the RCA Remote Truck in a backpack!
I’m old so this technology really blows my mind (and spoils young people today who don’t know the struggle of trying to cut demos on your rich bandmate’s Fostex Cassette 4 Track)
As a kid in the 70’s I dreamed and pretended to be a broadcaster on the air. Now millions of kids basically do that every day, never knowing how advanced the technology has become and can be purchased for next to nothing. Enjoy!
That was more helpful than every review I saw online... Thanks
thanks for the very insightful comment, may i know is the L8 a
all in one for podcast, phone call in, ambience sound, voice over, on the field recording? if so, which mic would you recommend? and other gear i need to know, like a cloudlifter? and is there any other alternative to L8 or is L8 the thing for all in one? any limitations to it from your experience?
Yeah, I'm old and had the Fostex too. I have kids and they have no idea how easy it is. When they scream "Dad how do I add effects" I yell back "Figure it out, man". Hahaha
❤
Great review! Thanks. As a relatively uninformed podcaster this helps me understand how these technologies are designed to serve different needs.
Glad it was helpful!
Great video I thought the p8 would be the better because it’s more expensive but I think I will go the l8 it’s just a better unit imho
Feature wise, I prefer the L8, although I wish it had the 70db gain on mic channels that the P8 has!
That's true! I also would love some sort of noise assist but I haven't seen it on small mixers like these yet.
I ended up buying the PodTrak P8 but have been very disappointed with the customer service from Zoom in the UK.
Great review ! Thorough and clear. But I'm still in a pickle as to which one to choose as some useful features on one isn't on the other. So, the ideal solution for me would be to buy both or wait for Zoom to make a combinaison of both.
It all depends on what you plan to use it for. You want to get the right tool to match the right need.
Nice comparison. Thanks for taking the time to record it.
Can you send the audio to your DAW, mess with the sound via VST plugins, send that newly modified sound back to the mixer to listen to it, and mute the original, plain audio?
Than you for the comparison. Which one do you think is the best for a school radio?
Probably the Podtrak P8 because the controls are simpler.
pregunta, grabar por pistas separadas, grabar pista master y por cable usb grabar en computador (OBS)? gracias por su respuesta // Question, record on separate tracks, record master track and record on computer (OBS) via USB cable? thanks for your response
You can record multitrack on the SD card but I don’t think you can multitrack record on the computer from my understanding.
Thanks for the comparison. I'm looking for a mixer I can use as an external mixer with my Tricaster mini 4k and someone suggested these or the rodecaster. Any thoughts?
That could work. I would highly encourage using whatever mixer you have as a USB interface since the 1/4 inch ins on the tricaster mini aren’t great.
Hello iam very new into these type of stuffs im planning to start a podcast soon ..
What would be better for me the p8 or l8 as a begginer in this field ?
P8!
We live stream our podcast to TH-cam every week what would be best for that application?
The Podtrak is best for that!
Question....you have or can you do a video on how to record multi tracks to your computer using the USB Cable?
Hey Greg! I'll add it to my list!
@@HackingHollywood Thank you.
Great video, thanks man!
Quick question. I’ve got a 32gb SD which gives me 90hours of recording. When I add in an extra track it’s cuts the time by half. Is this normal or do I need to play with the settings? If someone could help that would be great.
Exactly the two units I was wanting to compare! I'm fanatical about sound quality. Would you say the mic pre's and recoding functions of both units are top notch, at least in the sub $1000 price range? Does either unit sound better?
If you’re going for the best pre amps go with a mix pre 6 or mix pre 3. The preamps are fine on both the L8 and P8.
I had both… they both terrible for MUSIC AUDIO… and I do mean terrible. Unless you like sound like MP3 (or less)
If Zoom preamps are good enough for Mike DelGaudio, they are good enough for me!
Thank you
How else an we power the L8?? In India we still don't hhave p8 & f3.etc
Usb or battery
They could've really saved space using rotary pots instead of sliding faders.
Everybody loves faders. They’re already small
great job👌👌
Thank you! Cheers!
Can you use the r20 as a sub?
I'm not sure what you mean. Can you explain more?
Great video! Thank you!
Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it. What videos would you like to see me do more of in the future?
Live trak more for music than podcasting
For sure
It was painful to listen to this nervous, non-stop babbling, and eventually I gave up.
Thanks for the feedback