Allen & Heath ZED-10

The Allen & Heath ZED 10 is an affordable smaller mixer that is very portable. It cannot be racked and it has 10 channels with 4 mic inputs. There are 3 stereo channels and t connects to a computer via USB connection for Mac or PC computers. Setting it up with a DAW and a computer through USB connection is very easy no matter what software you want to use with it. There are no faders on this mixer, only knobs all of the knobs are smooth moving knobs. There are no effects and no bells and whistles with this mixer. Most mixers that cost as much as this one does will not offer a bunch of effects and other higher end features. But the EQ on this mixer is very good for the price, there are 3 band sweep able EQ’s on channels 1 thru 4 and 2 band EQ’s on the stereo channels (channel 5 to channel 7).

UTILIZATION

The preamps are warm and have a very low noise, they are not anywhere near the best that I have heard but they are good for what you will pay for this mixer. I have used this mixer with Sonar many times and it has never cause me any problems and worked fine right out of the box. \

SOUNDS

Recording with this mixer has not been a bad experience but I would rather use a mixer that has better preamps. If you have never used a more expensive mixer than this one might not sound so bad but once you have used some of Allen & Heaths higher end mixers you will not be able to use mixers like this one.

OVERALL OPINION

This is a good mixer for someone who is just looking for their first mixer though. It is made well and has all of the basic features one could need.

-> Console fairly compact, non-rack mountable without faders.

-> The four slices have a single 3-band EQ, with a frequency setting for the middle

-> 2 buses: one FX and one AUX (which has a level control)

-> No effect embedded

-> Mono with 4 slices: 2 with XLR Mic, line, HP filter
2 Mic with XLR, high input impedance, HP filter, 26 dB pad.

-2 Stereo channels, one in Jack and RCA, the other by Jack.

-A stereo backing track in Jack

An output of Rec-bus (RCA)

-One monitor output (RCA)

A hand-out with two XLR and insert each provided with a pad-30dBu

An FX-out and an AUX out, both in Jack, mono.

-A headphone output with source selector.

-I / O port corresponding to the digital interface.

UTILIZATION

Configuration is very simple, but better be familiar with it before using it.
Indeed, the routing capabilities are limited, as many know it thoroughly to get maximum.
A reading of the manual should be sufficient, and the ZED series is popular enough, you will find solutions to your problems by looking in the forums.

The REC OUT (stereo RCA) can be powered by the REC bus (without level control), but also by the Aux and FX (each on a channel).

MONITOR OUT is very convenient (I use it to power my HP assets): it is powered either by hand mix, either by the headphone output, and has a level control.

The small output level meter (12-segment LED) is convenient.

Each slice can be heard in PFL.

Which is inconvenient for cons, it is the absence of switches mute or solo.

The USB interface board is not valid in my opinion, very stable, converters and a terrible blow not annoying. But it can perhaps help.

SOUNDS

The EQ is effective, preamps and very pleasant to use. I use the output REC out and Aux FX and 4 channels to enter into a Fast Track Ultra, the console preamps are indeed much better than those of the interface. (The software returns sent by the interface end up in the entrance playback ..)

This is a low budget solution, of course, but it sounds.

I like the high impedance inputs and boost, two small DI which are very useful.

My HP blow much less since they are connected to the ZED 10
(And more directly to the Fast Track).

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for almost a year, mostly to rehearse with a small quintet, from time to time to catch votes, and occasionally for sound to small concerts. It is very compact and fit satisfactorily in a box wine (or even a backpack). It is really solid.

I used some consoles, but that behringer have owned before this one. Compared to Behringer, it is a treat level reliability.

This small table is (without faders, mute or solo without switches and decked out with an interface almost unusable), an effective way to improve its sound conditions for 200 € if you have little hardware.

I would do this choice without hesitation.

-2 Entries in Class A discrete FET allows direct connection of instruments
Switch-26 dB for low-level instruments
-4 Microphone inputs with phantom power
-2 Stereo inputs including one in the CAR and the other used to process the signal IN USB
Stereo-XLR with inserts
-3-band EQ for mono inputs and 2 stereo tape for
-1 Send pre-fader and one post-fader send
Bus-independent stereo effects and monitoring
Section-monitoring with headphones
-USB port for send and return to a computer running Windows or Mac OS X

UTILIZATION

Very simple configuration, all the usual functions are accessible on the front except the ON / OFF switch and a few dB for input.

SOUNDS

Equilaseur three bands very handy.
This console is a goddess after use Bheringer but it bent a little more you can hear a slight (very slight) breath.

OVERALL OPINION

SONOMAG said: "The range Zed is now richer than ten models to meet most applications for small and medium models without sound analogique.Seuls fader, the Zed Zed 10FX and 10 (with digital multi-effects) appear to have been designed to become the 'universal tool that musicians and technicians will walk according to their artistic adventures. "
Indeed, this console is very easy to use, while incorporating some very good features. All effects and assignable option thomann are accessible directly on the console (except the mono input attenuation).
All sections are correct, including sections PHONES TO MONITOR and who have a MASTER. If not using the USB connection, the output RECORD thomann is used in auxiliary output.
The stereo is a very convenient because of its RCA connectors, so no need for an adapter. The USB input is assigned to the 2 stereo input, allowing signal processing (EQ + AUX).
The only fault I can find thomann this console is the failure to record in multitrack.
However, for the price charged by THOMANN, this console is a very good business opportunity, both for the live studio.