The Allen and Heath ZED-12FX Mixing Console is a flexible, compact mixing desk for today's home studio, project recording and small live sound reinforcement applications.
In addition to the DuoPre mic pre-amps, 100mm faders and MusiQ EQ section
which are shared with the whole ZED range, the ZED FX has 16 unique effects,
designed by Allen & Heath's DSP team.
ZED 12FX ZED FX are easily controlled using 3 buttons and 9
LEDs. Quickly tap the ideal delay time or 'dial-in' the perfect amount of reverb
on the lead vocal. One-stop navigation and editing...in fact, just as easy as
your effects pedals. Hold down the TAP button and press the up or down button to
alter the effects parameter, for example on patch (9) Plate, this would adjust
the decay length. The ZED FX is designed to fulfill all the functions a small
band would need without their own sound engineer. The layout features have been
arranged to be logical and instantly recognizable at a dark gig - a mixer you
can trust to perform.
The USB audio interface, with its uniquely flexible capability, allows
different signals to be sent to USB, from LR or from selected aux buses. The USB
return signal can be routed straight to the LR mix or to a stereo channel. The
connectors are placed on the top surface for easy plugging & patching, and
the construction, with individual circuit boards firmly nutted to the top panel,
is as rock solid as Allen & Heath's top of the range ML Series mixers.
The ZED FX range currently comprises of the ZED-12FX and the 22FX. Between
them they offer a solution for any small group or singer songwriter needing up
to 16 mono inputs and 3 stereo inputs. Keyboards, microphones, samplers, the sky
is the limit. Each mono channel has an insert point, allowing in-line effects
such as compressors to be added to the signal chain, just like our large format
mixers.
Internal FX 16 separate effects have been crafted into
the ZED-FX range. These include Delay and Reverb, Ping-Pong delay, a selection
of reverbs with different room/hall/arena properties, a flanger and a chorus.
All have been designed to complement the material the engineer is working with.
Each of the effects has a parameter which can be altered: pre-delay can be
adjusted, room sizes tweaked, and flanger speed dialled-in. Five of the effects
can have their tempo tapped in, and the output auditioned by the FX PFL.
Inputs One of the great things about the ZED series is
the number and variety of things you can plug in. In addition to the six mono
channels there are three dual stereo channels, each with a main stereo input on
jack sockets, and with the ability to take additional stereo inputs from phono
sockets or from the USB audio input, flexibility gives you control. 6 mic/line
channels are provided on ZED-12FX - plenty for mics or DI boxes for a small
band, duo or solo performer 4 stereo line inputs - dual inputs, both with gain
and 2-band EQ.
DuoPre Based on the proven pre-amps from the hugely
successful PA series, the ZED series has new DuoPreTM pre-amps, which use a two
stage design, with carefully controlled amounts of gain in each stage. When
amplifying the signal from the XLR input, the gain range is huge - 69dB of range
to be exact - and is very evenly distributed around the gain control, meaning
better control of signal level. Most of the gain comes from the first stage, so
unwanted noise is kept to a minimum. Line level signals are simply plugged into
the second stage of the pre-amp by using the line input jack socket, which has
the great advantage of less noise when using the line input.
EQ section ZED-FX features a musical 3-band EQ derived
from the acclaimed GL2400 mixer. The design utilises MusiQ - optimised slope
(or Q factor) for equalising individual instruments.
Auxiliary sends 4 aux sends are provided, of which
1&2 are prefade for foldback monitoring, and 3 & 4 post-fade for effects
sends. A stereo signal can be sent from auxes via USB to computer to create 2
separate record feeds independent of the main LR mix (1&2) and or used as FX
sends (3&4).
USB audio flexibility Getting audio to and from a
computer easily is now a common requirement for live sound and music production.
The way we have implemented this on ZED is super-flexible and super-easy! No
longer do you need to fiddle around the back of your PC to get to the soundcard
inputs, only to find that the levels are all wrong and noisy. Just plug in a USB
lead to your ZED, select the USB routing on the mixer and the device on your
computer and that's it! Quality audio to and from your PC or Mac. Three switches
provide different send/return configurations for recording, playback and
utilising external FX.
Build The ZED-12FX has been designed using individual
vertically mounted circuit boards with each rotary control fixed with a metal
nut to the front panel - making a much more robust product that will resist
damage and give years of reliable use. ZED also has professional 100mm faders
for ultimate control over your levels.
SONAR LE - provided Free! We have teamed up with Cakewalk
to bundle SONAR LE with this ZED mixer. The two team up together in many ways -
for example straightforward recording of a stereo mix, recording tracks
individually to build up a song, or for inserting a SONAR LE effects plug-in. |