Models covered
- LiveTrak L-8: 12 channels to the computer, with the master on channels 1 and 2, then the inputs
- LiveTrak L-12: 14 channels, inputs 1 to 12, then the master on 13 and 14
- LiveTrak L-20 and L-20R: 22 channels, inputs 1 to 20, then the master on 21 and 22
These are the normal settings. A driver option on the L-12, L-20 and L-20R can change them, as described below.
Where the master mix lands
The master on USB is the signal after the master fader.
L-8
The master is already on channels 1 and 2. There is nothing to change.
L-12, L-20 and L-20R
On macOS, or on Windows with Zoom's ASIO driver, simply select the master pair: 13 and 14 on an L-12, 21 and 22 on an L-20 or L-20R.
On Windows without ASIO, DMXDesktop captures only the first two channels, which are normally inputs 1 and 2. For that case, LiveTrak driver version 2 or newer can put the post-master-fader signal on channels 1 and 2 instead:
- Windows: Control Panel, then the ZOOM L-12/L-20 Control Panel, then its Channel tab.
- macOS: System Preferences, then the ZOOM L-12 or L-20 driver panel.
The setting is saved on the computer, not on the mixer.
Setup
- Install Zoom's driver for your model and operating system. For the L-12, L-20 and L-20R, use version 2 or newer.
- Connect the LiveTrak's USB port. On an L-12, L-20 or L-20R, set the MODE switch to AUDIO INTERFACE. On an L-8, press AUDIO I/F and choose PC/Mac.
- Set the mixer's sample rate to 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz. The audio interface does not work at 96 kHz.
- Start DMXDesktop, open Settings → Audio, and select the Zoom device.
- Select the master pair for your model, or channels 1 and 2 on an L-8 or with the driver option enabled.
Start the mixer before DMXDesktop. If DMXDesktop is already running when you connect it, reopen the audio settings so the device list refreshes.
Getting a music-only feed
LiveTrak routing is less flexible than the assignable output matrices on the larger consoles in this guide, and there is no way to put an arbitrary music-only mix on the USB feed. Two options:
If the music is on one stereo input pair
Select the USB channels carrying that input pair in DMXDesktop. On an L-12, L-20 or L-20R with the driver option off, input 5 is USB channel 5. On an L-8 the inputs come after the master, so input 1 is USB channel 3. Those channels carry only the music. Channels above 2 need ASIO on Windows.
Otherwise, use a monitor mix
- Build one of the mixer's monitor mixes with only the music channels in it, and turn that mix's master level up.
- Take that monitor output into a separate two-input USB interface. If it is a stereo headphone socket, use a stereo breakout cable so left and right go to separate inputs.
- Select that interface in DMXDesktop rather than the LiveTrak.
See the analogue method for cabling and levels.
Troubleshooting
Channels 1 and 2 are input 1 and input 2, not the mix
On an L-12, L-20 or L-20R this is the normal layout. Select the master pair instead, or enable the driver option, which needs version 2 or newer.
The device will not open
The mixer is not in audio interface mode, or its sample rate is set to 96 kHz.
The lights react to speech between songs
You are on the master mix, which contains everything, including any speech microphones. Use one of the two options above.
Still not working
Work through the shared checks in Connecting a Sound Mixer to DMXDesktop, which covers the faults that are not specific to one console. If you need to contact support, have these five things ready, because they resolve most cases immediately:
- The exact mixer model.
- Your Windows or macOS version.
- How the mixer is connected, and which USB port you used.
- Which device you picked in Settings → Audio.
- Which left and right channel numbers you selected.
For a console with a multichannel USB interface, a screenshot of the mixer's USB output patch is worth more than any log file.
