ZOOM L6 Manual

Inserting microSD cards

Supported recording media:
microSDHC memory cards
microSDXC memory cards
We recommend using microSD cards that have been confirmed to operate with this recorder.
See the ZOOM website (zoomcorp.com/help/l6) for information about microSD cards that have been confirmed to work with this unit

• Always turn the power off before inserting or removing a microSD card.
• To remove a microSD card, push it further into the slot and then pull it out.
  Be careful not to let the microSD card fly out

Turning the power on

Connecting an AC adapter

The power will automatically turn off if the L6 is unused for 10 hours.
If you want to keep the power on always, use the L6 Editor app to turn off the automatic power saving (Auto Power Off) function. ( → "L6 Editor application for computers")

A portable battery or 4 AA batteries (alkaline, lithium or rechargeable NiMH) can also be used.

Starting up

Formatting the microSD card while starting up

Always format microSD cards in order to maximize their performance after purchasing them new or using them with a different device.

While pressing , press and hold .

This formats the microSD card.
All data previously saved on a microSD card will be deleted when it is formatted.

Starting up without formatting the microSD card

Press and hold .

Making connections

Connecting mics and instruments

• When connecting condenser mics, press to supply phantom power.
• Do not supply phantom power to devices that are not compatible with it. Doing so could damage the device.

Connecting powered monitors and headphones

To prevent noise and malfunction, connect powered monitors before turning the power on.

Adjusting levels/tone and panning

Adjusting level/tone and panning for each channel

Adjusting output levels

Adjust the MASTER and MONITOR (headphone) output levels.
Press to light it, increasing the sound pressure output from the MASTER L/R output jacks while preventing clipping

Using internal effects

Set the levels sent to the effect from each channel beforehand.
The tempo used for Delay Echo can be set by repeatedly pressing at a regular interval.

1. Press to select an effect.
2. Turn to adjust the level.

Using sound pads

Press SOUND PAD to play sounds assigned to the pads.
The L6 can be used to record sounds to .

Recording sounds to sound pads

1. While pressing , press .
   The button will blink rapidly and the MASTER output sound will start being recorded.
   
2. Press the blinking .
   This stops recording.
   

Playing sound pads

1. Turn to adjust the level.
2. Press to play the sound.
   The sound will begin playing and the button will blink slowly. Loop playback will be used by default.
3. Press again to stop the sound.

By connecting the L6 to a computer and using the L6 Editor app, sound files can be assigned to the sound pads and playback methods and levels can be set for each of them.

Using scenes

L6 mixer settings can be saved as scenes to SCENE for recall at any time.

Saving scenes

The button will blink if mixer settings are changed after a scene has been selected.

Recalling scenes

Briefly press a button that has settings saved (lit dimly).

Stopping and starting recording

Use the L6 Editor app to set the date and time of the L6. (→ "L6 Editor application for computers")
The date and time set this way will be added to the name of the folder where recording files are saved.

1. This starts recording.
2. This ends recording.

Starting and stopping playback

1. Press this to start playback of the most recently recorded file from its beginning.
2. This stops playback.

Functions of parts

Input section

1. Power switch
   This turns the power on/off.
2. INPUT 1 and 2 jacks
   Connect mics and instruments to these. These support XLR and 1/4-inch phone (TRS) plugs.
   
   
   1. GND
   2. HOT
   3. COLD
3. INPUT 3 and 4 jacks
   Connect synthesizers, samplers and effects, for example, here. These support 1/4-inch phone (unbalanced TS) plugs.
   
4. INPUT 5 and 6 jacks
   Connect synthesizers, samplers and effects, for example, here. These support 1/4-inch phone (unbalanced TS) plugs. When connecting mono devices, connect them to the L (MONO) jacks.
   

Channel section

1. SIGNAL indicator
   This lights green when a signal is being input and lights red when a signal clips.
2. Mute button
   Press this to light it and mute that channel.
3. Channel encoder
   Use this to adjust the level, tone and panning of the channel along with its effect and AUX send levels.
   Adjusted levels are shown by indicators around the encoder.
4. 48V switch
   Press this to light it and provide +48 V phantom power to the INPUT 1 and 2 (XLR) jacks.
5. MONO buttons
   Press these to enable input of 2 mono signals on those channels.
   Level, tone and panning settings as well as effect send levels are shared by both mono inputs.
6. USB 1/2 and 3/4 buttons
   When being used as an audio interface, press these to light them and input audio from channels 1/2 or 3/4 of the computer or smartphone.
   When lit, audio cannot be input through that input (5 or 6).
7. HIGH/MID/LOW buttons
   Press one of these to light it, enabling adjustment of the high/medium/low frequency boost/cut.
8. FREQ button
   Press this to light it, enabling adjustment of the middle frequency band that is boosted or cut (100 Hz – 8 kHz).
9. AUX1 and AUX2 buttons
   Press one of these to light it, enabling adjustment of the amount sent to the AUX SEND 1/2 jack.
10. EFX button
    Press this to light it, enabling adjustment of the amount sent to the internal effect.
11. PAN button
    Press this to light it, enabling adjustment of the left-right stereo position of the channel.
12. LEVEL button
    Press this to light it, enabling adjustment of the channel level.

MIDI/USB section

1. MIDI IN/OUT connection jacks
   Use 3.5mm TRS cables to connect MIDI devices.
   The L6 can be used as a USB MIDI interface for a computer, smartphone or tablet, enabling control of a MIDI device. Moreover, a MIDI device can be used to control the L6.
2. USB port (Type-C)
   Connected to a computer, smartphone or tablet, the following uses are possible.
   • The L6 Editor computer application can be used to make detailed L6 settings and transfer files.
   • The L6 can be used as an audio interface.
   • The L6 can be used as a USB MIDI interface.
   • MIDI functions can be used to control the L6.

This supports operation with USB bus power.

SOUND PAD section

1. SOUND PAD 1 – 4 buttons
   Audio files can be assigned to the pads and played back by pressing them.
2. SOUND PAD knob
   Use this to adjust the volume of SOUND PAD 1 – 4.

EFX section

1. TAP button
   When the "Delay" or "Echo" internal effect is selected, tapping this sets the delay time to the tapped tempo.
   blinks at the set delay time tempo.
2. Internal effect indicators
   The indicator lights for the selected internal effect.
3. SEL button
   Use this to select the internal effect. Pressing this cycles through the internal effects.
4. EFX RTN knob
   This adjusts the internal effect volume.

Output section

1. AUX SEND 1/2 jacks
   External effects, for example, can be connected here. This supports TRS plugs.
   
2. MASTER L/R output jacks
   Connect these to a PA system or powered monitors, for example, to output the stereo sound mixed on the L6. This supports TRS plugs.
   
3. MONITOR output jack
   Connect headphones here to monitor the stereo sound mixed on the L6.

Master section

1. Master level meters
   These show the levels output from the MASTER L/R output jacks in a range from −48 dB to 0 dB.
2. COMP button
   Press this to light it, increasing the sound pressure output from the MASTER L/R output jacks while preventing clipping.
3. MASTER knob
   This adjusts the audio levels output from the MASTER L/R output jacks in a range from −∞ to +20 dB.
4. Power indicator
   This lights when the power is on. If using batteries, this shows the remaining battery charge.
5. Scene selection buttons
   Use these to save and recall L6 mixer settings.
6. REC button
   This starts and stops recording.
7. PLAY/STOP button
   This starts/stops playback of the most recently recorded file.
8. MONITOR knob
   Use this to adjust the volume of the audio output from the MONITOR output jack.

Right side

1. microSD card slot
   Insert a microSD card here.
2. USB power port (Type-C)
   An AC adapter (AD-17) or portable battery can be connected to this USB power port.

Bottom

1. Openings for connecting a Eurorack adapter (ERL-6)
2. Battery cover
   Open this when installing or removing AA batteries.

Other functions

L6 Editor application for computers

This app can be used to make various L6 settings, including for the sound pads, date and time, and Auto Power Off function. It can also be used to transfer files to the computer. See the Operation Manual for details.

Some settings can only be made on the L6 itself. See the Operation Manual for details.

Controlling the unit with MIDI

MIDI control numbers can be assigned to the L6 parameters.
The L6 can be controlled with operations using the corresponding MIDI control numbers on MIDI devices, including MIDI controllers and keyboards, and in DAWs and other software. See the Operation Manual for details.

Precautions when using batteries

Take the following precautions to prevent leakage when using batteries.

Do not use batteries if their covers are coming off or their exteriors are damaged.

Do not mix batteries of different types or made by different manufacturers.

Do not use new and old batteries together.

Remove dead batteries as soon as possible.
Remove batteries when not using them for a long time.

Troubleshooting

Sound is not output or the volume is very low

• Check the headphone and speaker connections.
• Confirm that the output levels are not too low for MONITOR, MASTER and each of the tracks.
• Check the orientation of the mic or the volume settings of the connected equipment.
• Confirm that buttons are not lit.
• If using a condenser mic, confirm that is on.

Monitored sound is distorted

• Use to adjust the volume.

Recorded audio is too loud/too quiet or silent

• The input audio might be too loud. Increase the distance between mics and sound sources.
• If using a condenser mic, confirm that is on.

Recording is not possible

• Confirm that the microSD card has open space.
• Confirm that a microSD card is loaded properly in the card slot.

The recorded sound breaks up

• Use the L6 to format the microSD card.
• We recommend using microSD cards that have been confirmed to operate with this recorder. See the ZOOM website (zoomcorp.com/help/l6) for information about microSD cards that have been confirmed to work with this unit.

Not recognized by computer when connected

• Use a USB cable that supports data transfer.

Date and time reset frequently

• If power is not supplied by an AC adapter or batteries for a long time, date and time settings will be reset.
  Connect the L6 with a computer again using a USB cable (Type-C), and launch ZOOM L6 Editor to allow the date and time to be acquired.

The send effect is not working

• Use to adjust the volume of the internal effect.

SOUND PAD functions cannot be used

• Confirm that audio files have been assigned to the sound pads.

ZOOM CORPORATION
4-4-3 Kanda-surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0062 Japan
zoomcorp.com

Documents / Resources

References

• | ZOOM
• | ZOOM

Download manual

Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.

Download ZOOM L6 Manual