Allen & Heath ZED Mixer News: The Allen and Heath ZED mixer range has been impressing engineers, venues, recording musicians and weekend-giggers for the past few years, so it’s good to see NAMM 2012 playing host to the launch of two new models.
The Allen and Heath ZED-16FX is a handy option for those who want to be particularly portable, with 10 mono inputs (Neutrik mic and line connectors) and three stereo channels (which in turn are edited via their own 2-band EQ. There’s also a special DuoPre mic input designed specifically for when you need particularly wide gain, as well as four auxes (stereo switching on 1 and 2), and each of the inputs are also levelled with their own separate control too, so putting together a mix you’re happy with can be as simple or intricate as you decide. It goes without saying that there’s also 48v phantom power across the board.
Thanks to some very clear layout and lit controls, you’ll have no problem finding your way around. Illuminated mute, PFL and peak warning indicators plus 12-bar metering allows you to work accurately and change your settings at a glance, helped by smooth ALPS faders for good measure. Speaking of which, separately you can manipulate your tones with a 3-band EQ (with MusiQ) and 16 onboard time-delay effects. Output wise, there’s a separate monitoring section, as well as an alt stereo out, and of course if you’re planning on recording you can take everything straight through the USB stereo audio in/out.
The Allen & Heath ZED-18 takes only a slightly different tack, with the same spec save for an extra stereo challenge, and forgoing the effects. We suspect this will be for those engineers who simply need the ins and outs in a reliable, consistent, editable and portable format, likely handling the FX side of things themselves.
Both are priced competitively, and both will be perfect for the compact studio setup, so if you’re currently in the market for a comprehensive mixer these two new models should be on your list.
