The ZED-R16 is a superbly equipped console with all the crucial parts of the recording process in one box. 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.
ZED-R16 combines an analogue recording mixer with a 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.
Related Products
ZED-R16 FEATURES
IN THE STUDIO
ZED-R16 combines an imaginative feature set with professional build quality to create the ideal centrepiece 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 inter face, 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 here 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 minimise 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.
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.
EQ SECTION
Complete with two swept, fully parametric mids, and high and low shelving EQ, the ZED-R16 has a sophisticated equalisation section without rival in this section of the market. It has much in common with our class-leading pro touring mixers. Forty years of analogue mixer design has given us an unparalleled knowledge of filtering.
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 out 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 ready to be user-assigned. With recording now truly in the digital age, ZED-R16 brings the home studio bang up to date. In addition to the ZED-R16’s dedicated MIDI controls, all of the channel faders can be switched to become MIDI controllers.
MONITOR SECTION
The ZED-R 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!
We’ve included Cakewalk SONAR LE with ZED-R16 so you can start recording your own music today with the most complete introductory music production software for Windows PC. Based on Cakewalk’s award-winning SONAR X3 digital audio workstation, SONAR LE has been enhanced with cutting-edge instruments, effects, and creative tools to make creating your own music as simple and intuitive as possible, no matter what your experience level.
Key Features
• 32 audio tracks
• 64 MIDI tracks
• Seamlessly record, edit and mix using award-winning Skylight Interface
• Edit audio and MIDI intelligently with Smart Tool
• Premium Cakewalk instruments including full Studio Instruments suite and Square I
• Mix using a professional Console view and 10 studio-quality effects
• 1 GB of content including loops, MIDI Groove Clips and templates
• Save and share music using Gobbler,YouTube Export and SoundCloud
We’ve included Cakewalk SONAR X1 LE with ZED-R16 so you can immediately start to use it to create your own music.
Key Features
• Powered by SONAR X1
• 32 audio tracks
• 64 MIDI tracks
• 8 simultaneous inputs and outputs
• 24-bit/96 kHz audio quality
• 24 simultaneous effects
• 8 simultaneous virtual instruments
