Allen & Heath ZED-18 18-Channel Analog USB Mixer

ZED-18 from Allen & Heath has an incredibly advanced feature-set for a mixer at this level – it gives musicians, venues and hire companies access to 10 full mono channels and 4 stereo channels in a compact, rack mountable format. Configurable USB audio in/out makes it easy to capture stereo recordings. Designed for bands, schools, houses of worship, AV and PA hire companies looking for maximum functionality in a compact mixer.

With 10 fully featured mono inputs and 4 stereo inputs, ZED-18 packs a huge amount of functionality into a console that can be comfortably carried under one arm or mounted in a 19” rack. All mono channels feature Allen & Heath’s acclaimed DuoPre two stage preamps, 3 band MusiQ EQ with swept mid frequency, 4 auxes and smooth glide 100mm faders. A USB connection allows easy connection to a laptop for adding plug-in FX or capturing stereo recordings.

Built to last in demanding live sound environments, ZED -18’s rotary controls are secured to the front panel with steel nuts and high quality components have been used throughout, including Neutrik mic XLRs and 1/4" jack connectors. ZED-18 features a responsive 3-band, swept mid frequency EQ design which utilizes MusiQ – with optimized slope (or Q factor) for equalizing individual instruments.

Features

• 10 mono channels
• Neutrik mic XLR
• Neutrik 1/4 inch jacks
• Channel insert
• Super wide gain ‘DuoPre’ mic line input
• 3 band EQ with MusiQ
• 4 auxes
• Illuminated mute
• Sound image pan
• Illuminated PFL & peak warning indicator

Specifications

• Input
  • Mono channel (XLR) Input: +6 to –63dBu for nominal (+17dBu in max)
  • Mono channel Line Input (Jack socket): +10 to –26dBu (+30dBu maximum)
  • Insert point (TRS Jack socket): 0dBu nominal +21dBu maximum
  • Stereo Input (Jack sockets): 0dBu nominal (control = Off to +10dB)
  • Stereo input (phono sockets): 0dBu nominal (control = Off to +10dB)
• Output
  • L, R & Mono Outputs (L&R XLR, Mono Jack): 0dBu nominal. +21dBu maximum.
  • Aux Outputs (Jack sockets): 0dBu nominal. +21dBu maximum.
  • Alt Outputs (phono sockets): 0dBu nominal. +21dBu maximum.
  • Rec Outputs (phono sockets): 0dBu nominal. +21dBu maximum.
• Frequency Response
  • Mic in to Mix L/R Out, 30dB gain: +0.5/-1dB 20Hz to 20kHz.
  • Line in to Mix L/R out 0dB gain: +0.5/-1dB 10Hz to 30kHz
  • Stereo in to Mix L/R out: +0.5/-1dB 10Hz to 30kHz
• THD+n
  • Mic in to Mix L/R Out, 0dB gain: 1kHz +10dBu out 0.004%
  • Mic in to Mix L/R Out, 30dB gain: 1kHz 0.014%
  • Line in to Mix L/R out 0dB gain: 0dBu 1kHz 0.005%
  • Stereo in to Mix L/R out 0dB gain: +10dBu 1kHz 0.003%
• Headroom
  • Analogue Headroom from nominal (0Vu) 21dB
  • USB in & out headroom from nominal (0Vu) 14dB
• USB Audio CODEC (Coder/Decoder)
  • USB Audio In/Out USB 1.1 compliant 16bit.
  • Sample Rate 32, 44.1, or 48kHz
• Noise
  • Mic Pre EIN @ max gain 150R input Z 22-22kHz: -127dBu
  • Mix L/R out, L/R faders = 0, 22-22kHz ZED-18: -86dBu