Allen & Heath ZED-24 24-channel Mixer with USB Audio Interface

The Allen & Heath ZED-24 Mixer gives you the quality you’ve come to expect from Allen & Heath in a compact 24-channel configuration. DuoPre preamps represent A & H’s latest technology, while flexible 3-band EQs on each mono channel feature tailored frequency and response. The ZED-24 gives you a variety of great input options, as well as easy USB connectivity for computer integration. Allen & Heath have made a live mixer that lives up to their stellar reputation with the versatile ZED-24, at a great price.

Allen & Heath ZED-24 at a Glance:

• Inputs
• DuoPre
• EQ section
• Auxiliary sends
• USB
• Build

Inputs

In addition to the sixteen mono channels there are four stereo channels, each with a main stereo input on jack sockets, and with the ability to take additional stereo inputs from phono sockets or from the USB audio input, flexibility gives you control. In all, ZED-24 boasts 129 different controls on its front panel. Sixteen mic/line channels are provided on ZED-24 – plenty for mics or DI boxes for larger bands or demanding applications requiring more inputs than the ZED-14. 4 stereo line inputs, 3 with dual inputs. All inputs have independent gain control.

DuoPre

Based on the proven preamps from the hugely successful PA series, the ZED series has new DuoPre pre-amps, which use a two stage design, with carefully controlled amounts of gain in each stage. When amplifying the signal from the XLR input, the gain range is huge – 69dB of range to be exact – and is very evenly distributed around the gain control, meaning better control of signal level. Most of the gain comes from the first stage, so unwanted noise is kept to a minimum. Line level signals are simply plugged into the second stage of the pre-amp by using the line input jack socket, which has the great advantage of less noise when using the line input.

EQ section

ZED-24 features a responsive 3-band, swept mid frequency design with MusiQ – optimized slope (or Q factor) for equalizing individual instruments. HF and LF also boast Xtra Boost giving you extra control.

Auxiliary sends

4 aux sends are provided, of which 1&2 are prefade for foldback monitoring, and 3 & 4 post-fade for effects sends. A stereo signal can be sent from auxes via USB to computer to create 2 separate record feeds independent of the main LR mix (1&2) and or used as FX sends (3&4).

USB

Getting audio to and from a computer easily is now a common requirement for live sound and music production. The way we have implemented this on ZED is super-flexible and super-easy! No longer do you need to fiddle around the back of your PC to get to the soundcard inputs, only to find that the levels are all wrong and noisy. Just plug in a USB lead to your ZED, select the USB routing on the mixer and the device on your computer and that’s it! Quality audio to and from your PC or Mac. Three switches provide different send/return configurations for recording, playback and utilizing external FX.

Build

At this level, most mixers are built using a single, flat PCB with all the pots and switches attached at right angles. ZED-24 utilizes individual vertically mounted channel 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 also has professional 100mm faders for ultimate control over your levels.

Allen & Heath ZED-24 Mixer Features:

• 16 mic preamps
• 4 stereo channels
• 3-band EQ
• Insert points
• High pass filter
• Stereo imaging control on every channel
• Channel mute switches
• Stereo return
• 2-track return
• Advanced monitoring facilities
• 1/4″ and 3.5mm headphones outputs
• Stereo record out
• Alternative stereo out
• Mono sum of LR output
• Main LR
• 12-bar LR meters
• Master controls for aux 1&2
• USB