Allen & Heath ZED-R16

Presenting Allen & Heath's first true recording mixer for over 10 years. The ZED-R16 is an exceptional recording mixer with 18 FireWire I/O which can also be used as a versatile live front of house mixer.

The best performing preamp in Allen & Heath's entire range is packaged with a high quality analogue to FireWire interface and the most extensive EQ on any mixer at this price point (or even twice the price!). An analogue channel strip so well featured, which sounds this good, is a real find at this level.

The Allen & Heath ZED-R16 combines an analogue recording mixer with FireWire soundcard, MIDI controls and ingenious 'home-studio' routing so you can build tracks in the studio, record live gigs, mix-down, remix...all through warm analogue circuitry, 4 band fully parametric classic British EQ and out to crisp, precise digital format.

In the studio
ZED-R16 combines an imaginative feature set with professional build quality to create the ideal centerpiece for any project studio with big ideas, or larger studios with dedicated live rooms. Control room speaker and alternate speaker outputs, plus two separate artist monitor feeds are provided. In addition to the digital interface, two analogue recording outputs are also available. The ZED-R16 even has a dedicated internal condenser talkback mic. Features such as the dual function audio/MIDI faders and built-in sequencer transport were dreamed up by engineers at A&H who have home studios themselves, so they've made sure they've built in features they really need.

Soundcard
The internal soundcard features 18 FireWire inputs and 18 outputs plus 16 ADAT I/O. Each channel on the mixer has its own independent soundcard channel so instruments can be recorded simultaneously (pre or post EQ) and into the sequencer separately. To minimize clock jitter and provide synchronicity between the ZED-R16 and other devices, the mixer is equipped with the professional JetPLL digital audio chipset.

Mix-down and live
In addition to multi-track recording, the ZED-R16 allows mixing down in analogue, then recording back into the computer in digital. The bundled SONAR LE software makes this a breeze. The story doesn't stop here however - ZED-R16 can be a versatile live FOH mixer too. In this mode, its 4 aux buses become foldback feeds and FX sends, and the main XLR outputs feed the PA system. Recording the live gig is straightforward; the record feed signal can be easily assigned using the four buttons next to the faders.

Features

• Preamp
  The ZED-R16's pre-amp, which has been specifically designed for this application, has a symmetrical ultra linear circuit. The best epitaxial low noise transistors are used in the front end, and active feedback is employed in both phases before the differential amplifier. This results in super-low distortion, while maintaining low noise (-128.5dBu EIN), high CMRR, and a transparent and beautiful sounding pre-amp.
• EQ Section
  Complete with two swept, fully parametric mids, and high and low shelving EQ, the ZED-R16 has a sophisticated equalization section without rival in this section of the market. It has much in common with A&H's class-leading pro touring mixers. Forty years of analogue mixer design has given A&H an unparalleled knowledge of filtering.
• Auxiliary sends
  Two pre and two post aux buses can be used as feeds for headphone amplifiers in the studio, FX sends anywhere, or wedge foldback live. The talkback function is either routed to the aux or studio outputs, so is ideal for any environment.
• FireWire flexibility
  The digital audio connections are all present on the rear of the desk. Two FireWire connectors allow the ZED-R16 to be connected to a personal computer whilst the second socket daisy chains devices. Two switches change the sample rate and routing selection, while 4 connectors allow input and output to ADAT equipment.
• ADAT
  In addition to the FireWire input and output, the ZED-R16 has 4 ADAT optical sockets. The I/O routing on the ZED-R16 is identical for the FireWire channels and the ADAT optical connection. With a combination of panel switches, the mixer is capable of an incredible 26 simultaneous inputs and outputs. Feed the ZED-R16 from ADAT lightpipe equipment, or record directly from 16 channels to 2 ADAT machines, or to another soundcard.
• MIDI software control
  The MIDI section on the ZED-R16 has been designed to control software transport, with extra mappable controllers redy to be user-assigned. With recording now truly in the digital age, ZED-R16 brings the home studio bang up to date.
• Monitor section
  The ZED-R16 has two signal paths for monitoring: an output for main control room monitors and outputs for an alternative set of monitors for checking mixes. The control room mix can follow either of the two main analogue outputs or the digital main mix. allowing access to all main audio outputs.
• Build
  The ZED-R16 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-R16 also has professional 60mm faders for ultimate control over your levels.
• SONAR-LE - provided Free!
  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.
• Studio Feeds
  Similar to the matrix function on A&HML, GL and Wizard mixers, two separate live room mix feeds can be individuallyfed from aux buses or the LR main mix. Foldback to the musicians can betailored to give the bassist a drum heavy mix and the vocalist (in a separatebooth) more keys...

Specifications

• Inputs
  Mono channel (XLR) Input: -6 to –60dBu fornominal (+14dBu in max)
  Mono channel Line Input (Jack socket): +14 to–40dBu (+34dBu maximum)
  Insert point (TRS Jack socket): 0dBu nominal +21dBumaximum
  Stereo Input (Jack sockets): 0dBu nominal (control = Off to+10dB)
  Stereo input (phono sockets): 0dBu nominal (control = Off to+10dB)
  2 Track Input (phono sockets): 0dBu nominal +21dBu maximum
• Outputs
  Min (2 Track 1) L-R (XLR): +4dBu nominal.+27dBu maximum.
  L-R Insert (TRS Jack socket): 0dBu nominal +21dBumaximum
  2 Track 2 Outputs (Jack sockets): 0dBu nominal. +21dBumaximum.
  All other analogue outputs: 0 nominal +21dBu maximum
• Frequency Response
  Mic in to Mix L/R Out, 30dB gain:+/-0.5dB 20Hz to 140kHz
  Line in to Mix L/R out 0dB gain: +/-0.5dB 20Hz to20kHz
  Stereo in to Mix L/R out: +/-0.5dB 20Hz to 40kHz
• THD+N
  Mic in to Mix L/R Out, 6dB gain 1kHz +10dBu out0.0025%
  Mic in to Mix L/R Out, 30dB gain 1kHz 0.0045%
  Line in to Mix L/Rout 0dB gain +10dBu 1kHz 0.003%
  Stereo in to Mix L/R out 0dB gain +10dBu 1kHz 0.004%
• Headroom
  Analogue Headroom from nominal (0Vu)21dB
  Digital converter headroom from nominal analogue (0Vu) 16dB
• Digital Performance
  Analogue to Digital conversion24bit 114dB dynamic range (A wtd)
  Digital to Analogue conversion 24bit118dB dynamic range (A wtd)
  Sample Rate 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96kHz
• Noise
  Mix Noise, LR out, 16 channels routed, Ref+4dBu, 22-22kHz -88dB (-84dBu)
  Mix Noise, Aux 1-4 out, sends minimum,masters at unity 22-22kHz -86dBu
  Mic Pre EIN @ 60dB gain 150R input Z 22-22kHz -128.5dBu
• MIDI
  Fader and Rotary values 0-127
  MIDI switchesNote on/note off
  Transport control MIDI machine control
  MIDI channel Default 16. User settable
• Power Consumption: 48W
• Dimensions (H x D x W): 4" x 27.7" x 18.5"
• Weight: 13 lbs unpacked; 15 lbs packed