MusicRadar

The ZED16 will do a job for you on stage and in the studio.

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• Review

Performance

Physically, the ZED R16 is about as solidly built as these things can be, with great attention to the small details and a work surface that is laid out with everything just where you'd expect.

Allen & Heath says that the ZED R16 is equipped with the best performing preamps in its entire range and, it has to be said that the sound quality is quite superb with plenty of clarity.

If you wish to keep the sound 'as is', the EQ section is switchable but there is plenty of scope for both broad and intricate tweaking with the very comprehensive EQ – two swept, fully-parametric mids, plus high and low-shelving EQ on each channel.

Four aux sends on each channel offer plenty of possibilities for various ways of working. The default setting of two pre-fade and two post-fade auxes allows for two foldback sends plus a couple of effects sends – a configuration that many users will be very comfortable with.

However, there is the possibility of changing the pre and post configuration of the auxes by putting link wires on the circuit boards – not as straightforward as having the switches on the panel but do-able if you need to.

Besides the 16 mono channels you also get four stereo channels. These offer no digital input or output but can be put to use as effects returns or perhaps to connect hardware synths.

A centre section offers a fairly comprehensive set of facilities for the small studio. There's a headphone socket plus its controls, provision for connecting and switching between two sets of monitors plus two sends for studio foldback with routing options for all four auxes and the L/R mix.

A built-in condenser mic provides talkback and there are two separate two-track connections.

The drivers for the ZED R16 are downloadable from the A&H website and are easily installed. Connecting the mixer to computer via FireWire makes all the digital ins and outs instantly available to your recording software, enabling ultra-smooth transfer of audio back-and-forth and opening up a real flexibility in working methods that is likely to endear the ZED R16 to many different users.

Summary

Versatility is the name of the game here – Allen & Heath has done its utmost to create a product that will have across-the-board appeal.

Great sounding channels, digital audio I/O, DAW transport control plus monitoring and talkback facilities have all been combined in a compact piece of gear that could be the essential central hub in your studio.