Allen & Heath Zed12FX USB Mixer

ALLEN Zed12FX Details

Complementing the existing ZED series, the ZED FX has been developed around an FX chipset purely for the new model. Our DSP engineers have been working hard, crafting and refining beautiful reverb algorithms. The effects are available nowhere else - this quality and integration is only available from the ZED FX.

16 essential time-delay effects add to the already bulging feature set. The mixer is ideal for small groups who don’t want to carry around an effects unit with their gear but who still want great quality FX at their gigs and on their recordings.

In addition to the DuoPreTM 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 our DSP team, here in Cornwall.

ZED FX

ZED FX are easily controlled using 3 buttons and 9 LEDs. Quickly tap the ideal delay time or ‘dial-in’ the per fect 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 fulfil all the functions a small band would need
without their own sound engineer. The layout and features have been arranged to be logical and instantly recognisable at a dark gig- a mixer you can trust to per form.

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.

Features

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

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.

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).

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.

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.

SONAR LE

SONAR LE is the most complete OEM production software solution available today. Unlike other OEM applications, SONAR LE has been designed to provide a simple yet complete solution for creating music. Your customers won’t feel they need to upgrade just to get started.

With support for up to 64 tracks and 24 track effects, 8 physical in/outs at 24bit/192kHz, SONAR LE will be able to take advantage of your latest product offering. The package also includes 2 instruments,
6 MIDI effects, and 14 audio effects.

SONAR LE has been updated with new features from its critically acclaimed SONAR 6, making SONAR LE the first native Windows DAW for Windows XP, Windows x64, and Windows Vista.

Today’s Cakewalk SONAR LE is the definitive choice for creating the most complete hardware and software solution.

Other features:
Insert points
High pass filter
Stereo imaging control on every channel
3-band EQ with swept mid
4 auxiliary sends (2 pre, 2 post)
Global 48V phantom power
3 dual stereo inputs with 2-band EQ
Peak and signal indication on every channel
Configurable USB stereo audio in/out
Master level controls on all outputs
Easy to use layout – all connections and controls on top surface
Cakewalk SONAR LE bundled with mixer
channel mute switches
stereo return
2-track return
Advanced monitoring facilities
¼" and 3.5mm headphones outputs
stereo record out
alternative stereo out
mono sum of LR output
main LR
12-bar LR meters
master controls for aux1&2

ALLEN Zed12FX Video

ALLEN Zed12FX Manuals

Zed12FX User Guide (pdf)

Other views of ALLEN Zed12FX (Click to enlarge):

Allen & Heath Zed12FX USB Mixer w/EFX