Allen & Heath ZED60-14FX

Allen & Heath ZED60-14FX

The ZED60-14FX Live and Studio Mixer from Allen & Heath is a 10-channel mixer with 16 built-in effects that is designed for an array of live and studio applications. Channels 1 through 6 have Neutrik XLR connectors for mic level signals, and 1/4" TRS inputs for balanced or unbalanced line level signals. Channels 7 and 8 also have Neutrik XLRs, but feature Class A FET Hi-Z instrument-level inputs for direct connection of electric guitars and basses. Additionally, channels 1 through 8 are all equipped with 3-band EQ and 48V phantom power.

The mixer also features two stereo inputs (ST1 & ST2) that have 1/4" TS and RCA jacks (ST1 only) for connecting line level outputs from devices such as keyboards, samplers or iPods. Each of the stereo channels feature a 2-band EQ. All 10 channels can be routed to a "record" buss that can be output to a computer running DAW software via the USB port, or routed into a hardware recording device via the RCA record out jacks. Each channel also features a "listen" button, that when engaged takes the corresponding signal off the master and recording busses and sends it to the headphone buss. This can be useful in a live recording scenario for making discrete EQ adjustments to a channel before adding it to the master or record busses.

Designed with versatility in mind, the ZED60-14FX's master section is equipped with balanced XLR left and right main outputs with 1/4" inserts on each channel. These inserts can be useful for inserting outboard gear such as EQs or limiters at the end of your signal chain before the master mix is output to your speakers. Also, there is a balanced 1/4" aux output for connecting additional sound reinforcement components such as a sub-woofer, and an FX bus out that can be used to send the FX mix to additional gear such as an external effects unit.

While you can connect an external effects unit via the FX bus out jack, the mixer also features sixteen built-in digital effects that include multiple delays, reverbs, a doubler, flanger, and chorus. The DSP engine, which uses the same effects algorithms as Allen & Heath's flagship digital consoles, is designed for low-noise and low-distortion signal processing.