QSC TouchMix 8 Vs. Zoom LiveTrak L 8: Reviewed & Compared

Choosing the right mixer when there are so many on the market these days isn't easy.
Especially when many of them are built for one specific need but being marketed as an all-rounder 🙄
But not to worry, I've got ya!
I have taken a deep dive into two beasts in the audio-mixing game and gone head to head with them: QSC TouchMix 8 vs. Zoom LiveTrak L 8.

We're looking at things like:

Sound Quality: This is the heart of the matter, right? How each mixer holds up in delivering crisp, clear audio. Are we talking about a mixer that makes your tracks sound like they're live from the garage, or are we hitting studio-quality sound?
Ease of Use: Nobody wants to spend hours figuring out which button does what. I’ll break down the user interface of both QSC TouchMix 8 and Zoom LiveTrak L 8. Are they plug-and-play easy, or will you need a PhD in mixology to use them?
Features and Functions: Ie. What's under the hood? Let's find out what sets them apart.
Durability: No matter your reason for buying, you want something that's gonna last, not fall apart after a few light sessions.
Price Point: Yep, money talks. When it comes to prices, we need to see which mixer gives us more bang for our buck. Is the higher price of one justified by its features, or is the other a hidden gem at a bargain price?
Customer Reviews and Feedback: What's the word on the street? Sometimes real-world use tells a different story than what the sales page says.

QSC TouchMix-8

I Got My Hands on the QSC TouchMix-8: Still Impressed

I got my hands on the QSC TouchMix-8 when it first came out, and man, it's still a game-changer. This little beast replaces racks of EQs, compressors, and gates. The best part? Everything's super easy to access. You don't need a cheat sheet for menus because there's no annoying digging through sub-menus. Plus, the noise level? Ridiculously low, perfect for on-location gigs or filming.

Power and Portability

If you're thinking of going mobile with this mixer, keep in mind the AC adaptor is proprietary, supplying several different voltages. While you won't need a gas generator, rigging an outboard battery means getting a 12-volt, 17-amp AGM battery and a mini sine wave inverter. Trust me, this board's powerful enough to lay down all your tracks on an optional SSD drive for processing through your favorite DAW.

Touch Screen: A Mixed Bag

Now, let's talk touch screen. The sensitivity can be a bit frustrating at times, and the graphics could use a higher resolution, especially for the RTA. An LED screen update would be nice, particularly for outdoor gigs.

Reliability Issues

One thing to note – there have been a few issues with the aux sends and the board freezing up. I've also noticed some lag when moving the virtual faders on the built-in touch screen, which can be pretty annoying. But remember, no mixer is perfect.

Sound Quality and Effects

The sound quality? Spot on. The effects are top-notch, easily rivaling other portable digital consoles in this range. The mic pres are good, and the compressor lets you dial in precisely. It’s a bit bright, but the dynamics are stellar.

Overall Verdict

Despite its few quirks, the QSC TouchMix-8 is a fantastic, powerful mixer in a compact package. It's got big power and a small footprint, making it a solid choice for those needing a robust feature set in a portable design. Just be prepared to deal with that touch screen and keep an eye on those aux sends.

Zoom LiveTrak L-8

Zoom LiveTrak L-8: The Portable Powerhouse

I got my hands on the Zoom LiveTrak L-8, and let me tell you, it's like having a field recorder on steroids. This thing's versatile and solid – despite some calling it cheap, my experience says otherwise. I've got two of these, and they've held up well.

Professional Features, Battery-Powered Convenience

The L-8 packs features you'd expect from a pro-level unit – backlighted buttons, effects, presets, recording options, and even a battery backup. After 12 months of use, not a single hiccup. It's got a very robust feel to it. Beginners, intermediates, pros – this mixer's a solid buy for all. David Shanhun on YouTube showcases its capabilities well, so check him out for some real-world usage.

Mac Compatibility and Customer Service Woes

Now, it's not all perfect. I've had issues with my Mac Mini M1 – the mixer doesn't always stay connected after a power cycle. Customer service hasn't been a great help either. Bypassing my USB hub with a direct connection seemed to improve things, though.

Pre-Amps and Recording Excellence

What really stands out are the six high-performance pre-amps, each with phantom power. It's tough finding a portable recorder with this quality. The board's layered menu-driven controls can be overwhelming at first, but they open up a world of great recording possibilities. Those 6 assignable Sound Pads with 13 preset sounds are a blast, adding an extra dimension, especially for podcasters.

Great for Podcasting and Mixing

It's not just for recording; the L-8 is a fantastic tool for podcasting and mixing. The phone integration is a nice touch too. As an audio interface, it's a winner – plug it into a USB power bank, and you're set for high-quality recordings anywhere.

Live Streaming and Solo Acts

For church livestreaming or solo acts, it's a breeze to use. It's got way more features than I've tapped into yet, but it's been smooth sailing so far. The effects are usable, unlike many other mixers I've encountered, which is a major plus for live performances.

Recording and Interface Capabilities

As an audio interface, it's top-notch. You can record at 48/32, which is a step up from most interfaces offering a fixed 24-bit rate. The digital recorder is simple to use – just record your gig, pop the SD card into your computer, and drag and drop the audio files into your DAW.
Final Verdict

This mixer is a dream device for podcasters and small bands. It combines mixing and recording in a portable package that runs on batteries or power banks. The preamps sound amazing, making mics like the Shure Beta 58 sound fuller and richer. The only downside? You can use only one effect for all tracks, so no combining effects or using different ones on different tracks. But overall, highly recommended!

Head 2 Head: QSC TouchMix 8 or Zoom LiveTrak L 8

Let's Rock with the QSC TouchMix-8

When I first got my mitts on the QSC TouchMix-8, I felt like a kid in a candy store. This compact mixer is like having an army of audio engineers in a box, and it's still rocking my socks off. It's like it swallowed racks of EQs, compressors, and gates and spat them out as a convenient digital mixer. It's all there, without having to dig through confusing sub-menus – a godsend for those of us who misplace cheat sheets. The noise level? Like a whisper in a library – perfect for gigs on-the-go or spontaneous recording sessions.

Fancy a Power-Packed Journey?

Thinking about taking this portable mixer on an adventure? Keep in mind that its AC adaptor speaks its own language, supplying several unique voltages. But don't fret; you won't need to lug around a gas generator. A 12-volt, 17-amp AGM battery coupled with a mini sine wave inverter will do. This live sound mixer is potent enough to record all your tracks on an optional SSD drive for some DAW magic later.

Touching Base with the Touch Screen

The touch screen on the QSC touchmix 8 is kind of like dating – exciting but can be frustrating at times. The sensitivity can be finicky and the graphics could do with some sprucing up – especially for the RTA. If they ever decide to release an LED screen update, I'll be first in line – particularly handy for those sunny outdoor gigs.

A Few Hiccups Along the Way

Nothing’s perfect – not even gelato or Nutella (don’t @ me). There have been reports of some issues with the aux sends and the board freezing up like a deer in headlights. Plus, there’s a noticeable lag when moving the virtual faders which could give you a mild case of road rage. But hey, every piece of equipment has its quirks.

Sound Quality that Hits the Spot

The sound quality on this multi-track recorder is like listening to Morgan Freeman narrate your life – spot on. The effects are top-tier, giving other portable digital consoles in this range a run for their money. The mic pres are reliable, and the compressor allows you to dial in with surgeon-like precision. Yes, it's slightly bright but the dynamics will make your heart skip a beat.

Final Verdict: QSC TouchMix-8

Despite its few quirks, I'm still head over heels for the QSC TouchMix-8. It's like a pocket-sized powerhouse that offers big power in small package – ideal for those needing an arsenal of features in a compact design. Just be prepared to tango with that touch screen and keep an eye on those aux sends.

Zoom LiveTrak L-8: A Pocket-Sized Prodigy

When I first got my paws on the Zoom LiveTrak L-8, it was like meeting my spirit animal – versatile and reliable. Despite some folks calling it cheap, my experience says otherwise – it's held up better than my New Year’s resolutions.

Battery-Powered Bonanza

This audio interface is loaded with features that would even make pro-level units blush – backlit buttons (ooh shiny), effects (so many options), recording options (because variety is the spice of life), and even a battery backup (power outages, who?). It’s like a Swiss army knife for audio enthusiasts.

Mac Compatibility and Customer Service Blunders

No piece of tech is flawless. I've had a few connectivity issues with my Mac Mini M1 – it seems to have commitment issues after a power cycle. Unfortunately, customer service was as helpful as a chocolate teapot. Bypassing my USB hub with a direct connection seemed to improve things though (take that, commitment issues).

Pre-Amps and Recording Prowess

The Zoom LiveTrak L-8 boasts six high-performance pre-amps, each with phantom power. Yup, this portable recorder packs some serious punch. The board's layered menu-driven controls might have you scratching your head at first but trust me, they open up a universe of recording possibilities.

Podcasting and Mixing Paradise

Not just for recording; the L-8 is your best friend for podcasting and mixing too. Phone integration? Check! As an audio interface, it’s like having your own mobile recording studio – just plug it into a USB power bank and you’re set for on-the-go high-quality recordings.

Live Streaming and Solo Acts Sorted

For church livestreaming or solo acts, this compact mixer is as easy to use as pouring cereal in the morning. The effects are genuinely usable (no joke), which is a major plus for live performances.

Stepping Up the Recording Game

This multi-track recorder doesn’t mess around – you can record at 48/32, which puts most interfaces offering a fixed 24-bit rate to shame. The digital recorder is straightforward to use – kind of like using an ATM machine but without the annoying fees.

Final Verdict: Zoom LiveTrak L-8

The Zoom LiveTrak L-8 is like a dream come true for podcasters and small bands. It marries mixing and recording in a portable package that can run on both batteries and power banks. The preamps sound amazing, making mics like the Shure Beta 58 shine brighter than the North Star. The only downside? You can only use one effect per track – so no mixing cocktails of effects on different tracks.

And the Winner is…
*Drumroll, please*… It's the Zoom LiveTrak L-8! What sets it apart from the QSC TouchMix-8? Its sheer versatility, durability, and superior preamp quality make it the clear winner here. Whether you're a podcaster, a solo act, or part of a small band – this mixing console is your ticket to audio heaven. It's not just an audio interface; it's an all-in-one portable mixer that has raised the bar for multi-track recorders everywhere. Sure, it has its quirks but let’s be honest – we all do! So why not embrace them and make some beautiful music together?