Allen & Heath ZED-18 USB Mixing Desk

Sleek and versatile. The Allen and Heath ZED-18 Analog Mixer With USB is the ideal choice for musicians, self-recording artists and venues. Whether you're tracking demos at home, performing live or contributing to commercial releases. The ZED-18 is the ultimate companion for every step of your creative journey.

Even with its compact size, the ZED-18 includes four auxiliary channels and a sweepable, three-band EQ, ideal for manipulating the tone of your recordings for instant, professional results. You'll be able to capture performances and record them directly to your Mac or PC without the need for additional equipment. Make your performances resonate with the listener through the inclusion of premium DuoPre preamps. These will provide you with exceptionally low noise and expansive headroom, thanks to distributed gain control. The Zed-18 is a workhorse, designed to streamline your workflow and drastically improve the sonic quality of your recordings.

Features

• 10 mono channels
• Neutrik mic XLR
• Neutrik 1/4 inch jacks
• Channel insert
• Super wide gain 'DuoPre' mic line input
• 3 band EQ with MusiQ
• 4 Aux inputs
• Illuminated mute
• Sound image pan
• Illuminated PFL & peak warning indicator
• ALPS 100mm faders
• 4 stereo channels with 2-band EQ
• Stereo returns & playback
• All inputs with level control
• 12 bar meters
• Mono/stereo function on Aux 1 & 2 inputs
• Monitor output section
• Alt stereo output source
• Configurable USB stereo audio in/out
• Global +48V phantom power
• Cakewalk SONAR LE bundled with mixer
• Rackmountable

USB audio flexibility

The ZED-18 is versatile and easy to use, thanks to the USB integration. This makes it ideal for transferring audio to and from your computer. Simply plug in the ZED mixer to your PC through USB and select the USB routing on the mixer and the device on your computer, and you're ready to go. The ZED mixer retains the quality of audio through to your PC or Mac.

High-quality Inputs

The ZED-18 features 10 full mono channels, 4 stereo channels and 4 auxiliary channels with an EQ on each channel making the ZED-18 incredibly versatile and practical. Whether you are recording in the studio or controlling sound at a live show, the ZED mixer has got your covered with the inputs you need.

DuoPre

The Allen & Heath ZED-18 comes with 18 renowned, premium DuoPre preamps. The DuoPre's have a 69dB gain range that gives superb control over the signal level thanks to its even distribution around the gain control. Most of the gain comes from the first stage so that any unwanted noise is kept at a minimum level. The line-level signals are plugged into the second stage of the preamp by using the line input jack. The advantage of this is that there is less noise when using the line input and also matching to a higher input impedance.

Premium MusiQ Equalisation

ZED-18 features a 3-band swept mid frequency EQ that utilises MusiQ, with an optimised slope for individual EQ of instruments.

Free Sonar X1 LE software
The ZED-18 includes Cakewalks' SONAR X1 LE to enable you to create your own music instantly. You will be able to create tracks, arrange songs and record straight from your ZED mixer, then you are able to playback to the ZED-18 via the USB port. The ZED and SONAR can be used together in different ways, for example, you can use them for recording tracks individually to build up a song, simple recording or by using the USB port and software as an effects loop.

SONAR X1 LE 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

Specifications

• Type: Analog Mixer with USB
• Channels: 18-channel (10 x mono, 4 x stereo)
• Computer Connectivity: USB (2 x 2)
• A/D Resolution: 16-bit/48kHz
• Faders: 16 x ALPS 100mm
• Inputs - Mic Preamps: 10 x XLR
• Phantom Power: Global
• Inputs - Line: 10 x 1/4" TRS, 8 x 1/4" (4 x stereo channels)
• Inputs - Other: 2 x Dual RCA Stereo (stereo, 2 track)
• Outputs - Main: 2 x XLR (main), 1 x 1/4" (mono)
• Outputs - Other: 2 x Dual RCA Stereo (rec out, alt out)
• Aux Sends: 2 x Pre, 2 x Post
• Send/Return I/O: 4 x 1/4" (aux send)
• Channel Inserts: 10 x 1/4"
• Inserts: 2 x 1/4" (stereo main)
• Headphones: 1 x 1/4", 1 x 1/8"
• USB: 1 x Type B
• EQ Bands: 3-band EQ with MusiQ
• Software: Cakewalk Sonar LE
• Power Source: Standard IEC AC cable
• Height: 3.85"
• Width: 18.3"
• Depth: 18.3"
• Weight: 11kg