Anyone use the Zed R16 to record live?

funkymunk · 7th November 2009

I'm getting an A + H Zed R16 in a few weeks time and I'm thinking of using it not just in the studio but for live work as well. I'd basically like to connect the Zed R16 to a laptop running Logic and record the show onto that. What I was wondering was whether it would allow me to record the signal pre EQ, so I can later mix the show at home, or will it record straight to the DAW using the EQ I've set for the show. Thanks.

getreel · 7th November 2009

It will allow you to record pre-EQ or post. There was a big thread not long ago about the R16 and has lots of details.

hbphotoav · 7th November 2009

Don't know about the ZED 16, but my 3-year-old Mackie Onyx 1640 is running flawlessly. Paired with a DAV Broadhurst Gardens BG8 micamp, it's a nice, compact live tracking solution, with a MacBook Pro (1st gen) running Logic and a OWC 7200rpm SATA FW400 drive. I'm tracking a band tonight, and Monday as well. Tonight's gig is PA as well; Monday is a FOH split. I do mix weekly on a GL3800, and it's a nice sounding console. I can't imagine the ZED would be a step down.

Here's a rough mix sample from a 3-guitar jam at Grimey's Basement last month. Lee Roy Parnell and Friends, straight into the Mackie. Sennheiser E-series clip on the snare; D6 on the kick; NT4 overhead; 57s on the amps; bass and keys direct. Vocals (not in this clip) were Beta 57, at the artist's request.

funkymunk · 8th November 2009

Thanks guys for the replies. Really looking forward to getting the ZedR16.

Jungle Jazz · 20th February 2010

I'm gong to give this thread a little bump. I'm curious if anyone is using the Allen & Heath Zed R16 for location recording work, and if so, what you are tracking to and how it is working for you.

daveg62 · 21st February 2010

I've been using the Zed R16 in my home studio for a couple months now. It's really a nice interface. Great preamps, converters, eq, and monitoring all in one. I haven't used it remotely but I just bought an Alesis HD24 to use with it and it works very nicely using adat connections I must say. So I've been reading a lot on this forum, looking to buy some snakes, splitters and other equipment and should be doing some remote work when the weather gets a bit nicer thumbsup
My plan was to use a laptop and I bought an older Powerbook G4. I actually had it working ok but just didn't feel comfortable with it tracking for an extended period of time so now with the HD24 I think it will be more stable, so now I'm thinkin of what to use for a backup? So that's on the list also.
BTW this is a great forum, I'm learning a lot!

Jungle Jazz · 22nd February 2010

Thanks for that info. I was considering using one with an HD24 as well, so it's good to hear that the combination works well. How heavy/bulky is the board? Would it be a hassle for a single person to transport in a case?

daveg62 · 23rd February 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jungle Jazz

Thanks for that info. I was considering using one with an HD24 as well, so it's good to hear that the combination works well. How heavy/bulky is the board? Would it be a hassle for a single person to transport in a case?

Ahhh, great question. It seems the only case I can find in the states that looks like it might fit is a gator 20x30. There are some nice cases for this mixer but mostly in Europe, so I'm still hunting. No I don't think it would be a problem for one person, it's a nice size, solid but not too heavy.

Jungle Jazz · 27th February 2010

I've seen a custom case advertised on ebay, but I don't know how good it is. Yeah, that 20x30 rolling rack from Gator looks like it might fit the bill.
Gator Cases is the manufacturer of musical instrument and audio visual cases - 20" x 30" ATA Mixer Case (G-MIX 20X30)

pschneider · 3rd March 2010

I've now been using the ZED R16 for almost a year to record classical orchestra and choir concerts on location. After an initial repair of the firewire board, it has been stable throughout all recording sessions. It is hooked up to a MacBook running BoomRecorder.

I had a case custom made in Germany which protects the mixer pretty well when transported. My stage hand had a back operation, so I now have to carry it by myself

however it is not really a problem for a couple of yards even up a flight of stairs.

I bought the R16 for the preamps and the converters, but I don't mind having an analog mixer - I found out that I prefer to use real faders and buttons rather than having to mess with software imitations for checking and testing. But I do like the on-screen meters which Boom Recorder displays; it makes up for the lack of a meter bridge.

The only wish I have would be balanced direct outs to hook up the backup recorder - I had to resort to special short cables to connect the channel inserts unbalanced which leaves me a bit worried. (There were no problems so far, probably due to the fact that the recorder is battery-powered.)

Jungle Jazz · 3rd March 2010

Thanks for posting that sample. It sounds great. That's exactly the kind of thing I've been looking for.

7th November 2009	#1
funkymunk Gear Head Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 74 Thread Starter	Anyone use the Zed R16 to record live? I'm getting an A + H Zed R16 in a few weeks time and I'm thinking of using it not just in the studio but for live work as well. I'd basically like to connect the Zed R16 to a laptop running Logic and record the show onto that. What I was wondering was whether it would allow me to record the signal pre EQ, so I can later mix the show at home, or will it record straight to the DAW using the EQ I've set for the show. Thanks.

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7th November 2009	#2
getreel Gear maniac Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 187	It will allow you to record pre-EQ or post. There was a big thread not long ago about the R16 and has lots of details.

8th November 2009	#4
funkymunk Gear Head Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 74 Thread Starter	Thanks guys for the replies. Really looking forward to getting the ZedR16.

20th February 2010	#5
Jungle Jazz Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. area Posts: 802	I'm gong to give this thread a little bump. I'm curious if anyone is using the Allen & Heath Zed R16 for location recording work, and if so, what you are tracking to and how it is working for you.

21st February 2010	#6
daveg62 Gear maniac Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 184	I've been using the Zed R16 in my home studio for a couple months now. It's really a nice interface. Great preamps, converters, eq, and monitoring all in one. I haven't used it remotely but I just bought an Alesis HD24 to use with it and it works very nicely using adat connections I must say. So I've been reading a lot on this forum, looking to buy some snakes, splitters and other equipment and should be doing some remote work when the weather gets a bit nicer thumbsup My plan was to use a laptop and I bought an older Powerbook G4. I actually had it working ok but just didn't feel comfortable with it tracking for an extended period of time so now with the HD24 I think it will be more stable, so now I'm thinkin of what to use for a backup? So that's on the list also. BTW this is a great forum, I'm learning a lot!

22nd February 2010	#7
Jungle Jazz Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. area Posts: 802	Thanks for that info. I was considering using one with an HD24 as well, so it's good to hear that the combination works well. How heavy/bulky is the board? Would it be a hassle for a single person to transport in a case?

27th February 2010	#9
Jungle Jazz Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. area Posts: 802	I've seen a custom case advertised on ebay, but I don't know how good it is. Yeah, that 20x30 rolling rack from Gator looks like it might fit the bill. Gator Cases is the manufacturer of musical instrument and audio visual cases - 20" x 30" ATA Mixer Case (G-MIX 20X30)

3rd March 2010	#11
Jungle Jazz Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. area Posts: 802	Thanks for posting that sample. It sounds great. That's exactly the kind of thing I've been looking for.