Allen & Heath Adds FX To ZED Mixers

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Allen & Heath has selected the forthcoming Pro Light & Sound show in Frankfurt to unveil two new additions to the ZED range of small-format USB mixers for live performance, recording and production. The ZED-12FX (6 mono + 3 dual stereo channels) and ZED-22FX (16 mono + 3 dual stereo channels) retain the same professional feature set as other models in the range with the addition of a comprehensive section of in-house designed effects.

ZED's effects are divided into 4 types: tap tempo delays, short reverbs, long reverbs and modulation. They are controlled by three buttons for easy navigation and editing, allowing the parameters of each effect to be quickly 'dialled-in' to, for instance, pinpoint the ideal delay time or amount of reverb.

"Much like the ZED range's build and construction, Allen & Heath's approach to the effects was with professional standards and quality in mind. ZED effects are designed by the same R&D team that writes algorithms for our large digital pro-touring mixers. They are the only mixers on the market to have integrated custom effects of this quality," explains R&D manager, Mike Griffin. "We've designed them with the amateur or semi-pro artist, who wants great quality effects for their live performance or recording without the need for yet another piece of equipment in their set up."

The new ZED FX mixers have a responsive 3-band swept-mid EQ on the mono channels, with a 2-band EQ on the stereo channels, 100mm long throw faders, 4 aux sends (2 pre, 2 post fade), a USB send and return (for PC or Mac recording or playback), a unique dual stereo input capability, and advanced monitoring facilities.



The connectors are placed on the top surface for easy plug-in and patching, and the construction, with individual circuit boards nutted to the top panel, is identical to Allen & Heath's professional touring mixers.

The ZED FX also feature the new high performance DuoPre™ padless pre-amps, which use a two stage design with carefully controlled amounts of gain in each stage, offering high headroom and a low noise, clean signal path.

ZED's USB output can be configured to allow different signals to be sent to USB, from the LR master or the aux busses, with the USB return signal available as a stereo return. Cakewalk's SONAR LE music production software is bundled with the mixers, to enable the user to perform many different tasks, for live performance, live recording, studio recording, or studio mixing.

ZED FX models will be shipping in March at the SRP of ZED-12FX £369+VAT and ZED-22FX £535+VAT.

For more information, visit their web site at www.allen-heath.com.