A&H product launches at NAMM 2012

[The Press Desk at Gearslutz.com]

ALLEN & HEATH UNVEILS THE NEW GLD LIVE DIGITAL MIXING SYSTEM

Allen & Heath has unveiled GLD, a user-friendly, cost effective and scalable live digital mixing system, conceptually based on the hugely successful digital iLive series. A standard GLD 32 input system offers 28 XLR mic inputs with plug n’ play I/O expanders allowing easy expansion up to 48 inputs (44 XLR mic inputs).
At the heart of the system is the GLD-80 mixer, providing 48 input processing channels, 8 stereo FX returns fed by iLive’s acclaimed FX emulations, 30 configurable buses, 20 mix processing channels, and DSP power to provide full processing without compromise.
GLD-80 has an analogue-style channel processing control section complemented by a graphical 8.4 inch touch screen. A fully-customisable drag ‘n drop layout allows quick and easy assignment of inputs and mixes to fader strips. There are 20 fader strips in 4 layers, each with motorised fader, a channel LCD display which can be named and colour-coded, plus a rotary control for direct access to gain, pan and aux/FX sends. The mixer‘s local I/O comprises 4 XLR mic/line inputs, 4 XLR line outs, 4 RCA inputs, 2 RCA outputs, and digital outputs in SPDIF and AES3 formats.

The GLD-80 connects to a range of plug ‘n play I/O racks to ‘build’ 28, 36 or 44 mic input systems. A primary AR2412 rack (24 XLR inputs, 12 XLR outs) and up to two AR84 expander racks (8 XLR inputs, 4 XLR outs each) can be connected over 120m CAT5 runs using A&H’s dSNAKE protocol. dSNAKE provides control to the remote preamp, and all mic preamps are scene recallable. AR2412 also includes a connection for personal monitoring systems.

GLD has the ability to record and playback a stereo signal on a USB memory stick. Standard iLive audio I/O option cards for Dante, MADI, EtherSound and Allen & Heath's ACE protocols can be fitted, allowing multi-channel record/playback, FOH/monitor splits, and connection to A&H iLive systems, which can easily be configured using GLD's extensive soft-patching.

“Designing a system which is suitable for both the professional engineer and occasional user has been a priority. With GLD, our aim was to take much of the complexity out of digital mixing, opening up the tremendous benefits of digital technology to a wider group of customers, such as the rental companies, houses of worship and live venues where our GL series analogue mixers have been working so successfully for years,” comments A&H MD, Glenn Rogers. “GLD offers high quality processing and stunning sonic performance. Key to the system is GLD’s remote plug ’n play I/O audio racks for flexible, easy set-up system building.”

GLD will be launching at NAMM 2012.

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ALLEN & HEATH LAUNCHES TWO NEW ZED MODELS

Allen & Heath has added two new models to its ZED range of multi-purpose live sound and recording mixers. The new ZED-16FX and ZED-18 each have 10 fully-featured mono channels and 3 or 4 dual stereo channels, respectively, fulfilling the demand for increased channel counts in a compact format.

In keeping with the rest of the range, both mixers have a connection for USB send and return for recording, playback and effects. The 10 mono Mic/Line inputs feature Allen & Heath’s acclaimed DuoPre two stage preamp, 3-band MusiQ EQ with swept mid frequency, and 100mm faders, all in a compact, rack mountable format. The stereo inputs have 2-band EQ and inputs for extra sources, and there are 4 auxes accessible from each mono and stereo channel.

Additionally, the ZED-16FX has a built-in FX processor with TAP tempo delay settings and a 24 bit/48kHz conversion rate, with access to a comprehensive set of 16 in-house designed effects derived from Allen & Heath’s iLive pro touring digital mixing system.

“The ZED-18 and 16FX are the perfect size and format for so many applications. In a rack-sized chassis we’ve packed in 10 mono channels while retaining all the stereo inputs (on ZED-18 there are 7 stereo inputs including the USB). The monitoring and output configuration is the same as the ZED-14 and 12FX, which is really useful in both live sound mixing and studio situations, and they are designed and built to last for ages. Having just used one for a fantastic gig with The Deadly Gentlemen (perk of the job!), I can say that they are an absolute joy to mix on!” comments Allen & Heath R&D designer, Mike Griffin.

Cakewalk’s SONAR X1 LE music production software is bundled with the ZED-18 and 16FX mixers, enabling the user to perform many different tasks, for live performance, live recording, studio recording, or studio mixing. The combination of ZED and SONAR allows the user to capture a straightforward recording of a stereo mix, record tracks individually to build up a song, or insert an FX plug-in from SONAR.

ZED mixers are built to a professional standard, with rotary controls secured to the front panel with steel nuts and high quality components have been used throughout, including Neutrik mic XLR and 1/4" jack connectors.

The new ZED models will be launched at NAMM 2012.

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