Allen & Heath ZED-22FX USB Mixer with Effects

16-mono, 3-stereo channel mixer for live sound, recording, and production.

From the Allen & Heath's ZED series, the ZED-22 FX has been developed around a new FX chipset. Allen & Heath's DSP engineers crafted and refined beautiful reverb algorithms and the 16 effects they created are unique to the ZED FX mixing consoles. 16 essential time-delay effects add to the already bulging feature set. The mixer is ideal for small groups who don't want to carry around an effects unit with their gear but who still want great quality FX at their gigs and on their recordings. In addition, you get smooth-sounding DuoPre mic preamps, 100mm faders, and the MusiQ EQ section which are shared with the whole ZED range.

Allen & Heath GLD-80

The GLD80, GLD has been developed to offer the benefits of digital mixing to those prospective users who don't require the full-blown feature set of a high-end system.

best way to regard the GLD80 is as the heart and control surface of a complete digital mixing system, rather than a mixer on its own. Unless you want to hook it up to an existing iLive console (using the GLD80 as a monitor mixer, for example), you're almost certainly going to be buying this mixer complete with one or more of Allen & Heath's digital stage boxes, the AudioRack GLD AR2412 and GLD AR84.

Having said that, the GLD80 will function as a stand-alone piece of hardware, with eight physical inputs and 10 outputs on the rear panel, plus a networking card slot. But the AudioRack units are really an important and integral part of the package if you need higher channel counts, so for the purposes of this hands-on account, I will consider them part of the deal.

Main Features

In terms of basic functionality, the GLD80 can control up to 56 inputs to the mix, including the internal effects returns. There are no fewer than 30 buses and 20 possible mix outputs, and of course all the usual DSP is built in, rendering the use of external processor racks largely unnecessary in many live applications. The 'digital snake' part of the system (which is, by itself, a huge reason to consider going digital, especially for portable live sound rigs — more in a moment on this) is achieved with either of the two AudioRack stage boxes, which handle the conversion from analogue stage sources to digital mix inputs and digital returns to analogue line outputs, and provide all the necessary connectivity in a single

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MIDAS The PRO1

The PRO1 breaks new ground for MIDAS digital consoles, featuring an all-new, lightweight aluminium frame and field-replaceable power supply. PRO1 is the first stand-alone MIDAS digital console and sets new standards of portability and performance for a compact digital console.
PRO1 is easy to configure and operate. Engineers who are new to MIDAS digital can relax, enjoy the PRO1’s sample-synchronous audio quality, and mix from well within their comfort zone. Engineers already familiar with MIDAS can just load their existing show file straight into the PRO1, regardless of which MIDAS digital console it was created on, and carry on working.
PRO1 is a standalone mixing system, having 24 MIDAS mic inputs on the rear of the frame. The 3 AES50 ports can be used to increase the mic input count up to 96 by connecting additional hardware.
In addition to the PRO1’s 40 primary input channels, PRO1 also features 8 aux returns, all of which feature 4-band MIDAS parametric EQ and insert points. These 8 aux returns can be used as returns for the PRO1’s internal FX processors, or as additional mic channels, if sufficient mic inputs are available on the I/O hardware.


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MIDAS VeniceF

VeniceF is much more than a compact live audio console. VeniceF is the platform for a completely integrated audio mixing, recording and processing package - thanks to its FireWire* digital audio interface which is capable of supporting up to 32 x 32 channels of high-quality, 24-bit audio.

 

Here at MIDAS, we know what it takes to design and build live sound consoles for the world’s most demanding tours and installations. One look at the VeniceF confirms that this console continues the legacy established by the groundbreaking XL3 and XL4 consoles, and consolidated in the industry-leading Heritage series.

 

The hybrid VeniceF bridges the gap between analogue and digital audio consoles, and offers the user the ease-of-use, warmth, feel and zero-latency of analogue, combined with the power, choice and flexibility of outboard digital processing. Specifically designed for live sound, the superb audio performance, and the addition of

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MIDAS PRO9

PRO9 comprises a control surface (console), a DL371 modular, upgradeable, remote processing engine, and a networked system of I/O devices (up to 11 discrete devices) all connected by inexpensive CAT 5e cabling. Each PRO9 Touring Package ships complete with both MIDAS DL351 and DL451 modular stage boxes, featuring 56 and 24 MIDAS mic inputs respectively, plus 8 analogue XLR outputs in each stage box's default configuration. PRO9 is also compatible with any of the MIDAS DL series digital I/O units. In addition to this, the PRO9 console has 3 card slots on its rear panel which can house any combination of MIDAS DL series I/O cards. The default configuration is 8 line inputs and 8 analogue outputs with TRS connectors, 8 XLR analogue outputs, 8 digital inputs and 8 digital outputs on 4 AES3 input/output pairs. These card slots can be quickly reconfigured with whatever I/O is required. Redundant power supplies are included with every system as part of the PRO9’s failure-tolerant architecture.

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Mackie 3204-VLZ3 32-channel

The 32-channel Mackie 3204-VLZ3 combines VLZ3 low-noise, high-headroom technology with increased channel count and superior processing that’s perfect for real-world live gigs. 28 XDR2™ mic channels, each with 3-band, sweepable mid EQ, offer more clean and useable gain than the competition. Create great-sounding, professional mixes using dedicated channel and subgroup compression, dual RMFX+™ effects processors and true 4-bus architecture. You can even connect to your laptop to record the show, stream house music or use your favorite plug-in live using the built-in 4x2 USB interface. Define your sound, create your mix and record the whole show with the 3204-VLZ3.