Zoom L-20 first time recording

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1tune

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I recently purchased a Zoom Live Trak L-20, and trying to record for the first time. I just have a dynamic mic connected to CH 3 to test it out. I have read the “Quick Guide” and the operating manual. The instructions seem straight forward, but something isn’t right.

I have an SD card that has been formatted and tested “ok”. One thing the directions don’t specify is where the “Mode Switch” should be. It was in “Audio Interface” on my first test that didn’t work, so I moved it to “Card Reader”, which is not the correct position as the screen tells you right away. So I moved the switch back to AI.

Anyway, I proceed and create a new project, as this is my first one. It says the Over Dub light should be off for a new project, but I can’t make the light turn on by pressing the OD button. Then it says press “Rec/Play” for the channels you want to record. I press CH 3 Rec/Play (where my mic is), but it does not light. I continue through the process anyway, but no recording takes place.

Does a computer need to be connected to record? The directions don’t say that, as far as I have seen.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.
 
Audio Interface mode means that you would be recording from the preamps out the USB to a computer, (like a regular interface).

Card Reader mode is for when you a connected to a computer and want to read the SD card from your computer.

You don't need to be connected to record anything on the L20. It's a self contained recording device. Unplug it from the computer, go through the menu to create a project. Plug in your mic, and you should be able to arm your track for recording, (press the REC/Play button for your track), press REC to get in standby mode, then press the PLAY button and you should start recording, just like an old tape deck would do.
 
Thanks for the reply, TR.
I was not connected to a computer, but since I could not record, I thought maybe I needed to be. What position should the mode switch be in? The only position I did not try was "USB Host", and that didn't sound right, but it has to be in one of the three positions.
 
USB Host is the proper setting apparently ( I don't have an L-20 ). I don't know if it effects things when not connected to a computer, but the other two definitely are for computer use.

When you press the REC/PLAY button, red should indicate record armed, green means play.
Everything appears to be spelled out on page 39-40 of the manual ( https://zoomcorp.com/media/documents/E_L-20_OperationManual.pdf )
 
OMG – I tried the “USB Host” setting of the mode switch, and same results: I went through the “new project” steps, and the Over Dub button does not light/unlight when pressed (stays unlit only), and the Rec/Play does not light and, of course, nothing records. I was following those pages you indicated in the manual.

BUT – I noticed that when I first turn on the mixer power, I can make both Over Dub and Rec/Play lights turn on or off without starting “new project”. So, I tried to record without doing the “new project” steps and it worked. It seems like the mixer was ready for me to record to the SD card without those steps, but not sure why. I will just have to keep experimenting to see what’s going on.

Also, this makes me question if the mode switch really needs to be in USB Host. I will experiment with that, also. Manual instructions are not difficult to follow, but they apparently leave some things out.

I really appreciate your help and time TR!
 
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