A&H Zed R16 Firewire Mixer

[tubeydude]

I believe Texas Instruments FW chipsets are the preferred MFG...not VIA.

Enjoy your ZED. I love mine.

[djmukilteo]

Originally Posted by ocdstudios

So, I got a ZED on the way, finally! Thanks to Low.End.Theory - a member here.

I need a FW card, etc - so the questions are...
- 400 or 800??
- VIA chipset for the Zed right? Any specific card please?
- No other audio card? I have a server w/ no onboard audio. The pci slots are on 2 different busses if that matters. I would like to be able to run computer speakers for checking mixes, etc. Would a usb audio setup be better?
- no other video card right? I'd like a dual monitor setup but if a video card causes problems I can do w/o...

Thanks for the answers I will be headed to the comp. store tomorrow

Matt

As far as the FW card get one that uses the TI chips for sure as that definitely is the preferred MFG. If you want to spend the money for 800 for future upgrades fine but you only need 400.
As far as your computer speakers, what type/brand are they?
Self powered? or just speakers?
You can use any of the many monitor output feeds off the ZED directly.
Are these like two speakers with subwoof that are self powered? (plug into the wall)....If so just get an adapter to go out of the ZED either RCA or the TRS/TS output jacks to the audio input of the speakers.
The ZED is your computer soundcard now!
I have one video card with dual DVI outputs to two monitors and it works just fine....shouldn't be an issue.

[ocdstudios]

Thanks for the replies.

I must ahve misuderstood pervious posts. I swear that others in this thread had said that A&H tested the board with VIA chipsets?? I know TI is preferred for all other FW devices. I just really want to be sure. I bought the VIA according to other posts but it was only like 9.99 so i can go get a TI I guess too.

Never though about using a second out on the board for the comp. speakers. They are powered. 2 w/ a sub.

matt

[ocdstudios]

Originally Posted by Kvesper

Merry X-mas to you as well.

Yes just get a firewire PCI or PCIe card for the zed and keep the FF plugged into your motherboard. I can't remember which card I went with I'll have to check once back at the studio. I believe it was a VIA chipset card. I went with Via cause mike told me they've tested reliable by A&H.

this is the one I was referring to. If this is not correct I need to go get a TI card.

[djmukilteo]

Ya, VIA not so good...I think many people's problems with their ZED is the FW chipset and they don't know what they have...
A&H has a compatibility tool for checking the FW chipset posted somewhere on here...TI works perfect....just get that and don't even have the VIA in your computer!
Ya....comp speakers w/sub...I have a pair of Klipsch THX w/sub connected to one of the Stereo or Studio outs!....lots of options for monitoring outputs...works great...sounds awesome...I have three sets of speakers and multiple headphone sends...it's so nice to have everything I want connected...makes it easy and simple to tweak away at will...all right there at your fingertips!
I'm thinking of moving the board up to a standing height now so I can just stand and mix which seems much more comfortable to me than sitting staring at a screen....

[Jorn Lavoll]

Link to the tool? Been searching but unable to find.

[1008]

Hey everyone. Great thread and very good information! I have made a decision to try one of these out but finding one looks like it could be a problem.

Does anyone know where you can buy one of these? It looks like everyone is out of stock and some are saying July before they will be in stock again. Any help is appreciated!

[Briggity]

After several emails to the dealer and to A&H, I have not been able to get any help for some problems I've been having with my ZED. The ZED occasionally and randomly disconnects from my computer and I have to power the zed off an on for it to reconnect. I get occasional clicks and pops during recording and playback. When recording in Cubase, I get audio dropouts on about 75% of my takes (i.e., Cubase will keep recording, but I don't get any audio). Sometimes it will only record 10 seconds of audio. Sometimes it will record a few minutes.

I already took the ZED in to repair the grounding issue with the firewire interface.

I am using a fresh install (only a few weeks old) of Windows 7 64 on a brand new machine (core i7 860, 8 GB RAM, 1TB 7200 RMP Western Digital Hard Drive--so my machine shouldn't be the problem). I have reinstalled Cubase 5 (full version) using both 32 and 64 bit versions and still have problems with audio dropout and crackling. I updated the Zed to the latest version of firmware and I have the latest ASIO driver installed. I have tried to run in Safe mode but still get the same problem. I have increased the buffer size to 3072, but still get the same problem. I installed a new firewire adapter on my PC, but that didn't fix the problem.

The audio dropouts don't appear to be caused by anything on my computer. I've had only Cubase running, and watched the resource usage when the dropouts happen, and I don't get any spikes in resource usage or see any other events that would trigger the dropouts.

Just in case my new computer was the problem, I tried an older computer (a laptop) running Windows Vista, core 2 duo at 2.2 GHZ, and 4 meg of RAM. I get the exact same problems on this other machine. So two completely different machines, three different firewire interfaces, two different operating systems, all having the same problem trying to record with the Zed. So it seems my ZED has a malfunctioning firewire interface.

Anyone else experiencing similar problems? Anyone from A&H still monitoring this thread? Help!

[RonT]

Seems like this would have been an excellent email to A&H.........

Originally Posted by Briggity

After several emails to the dealer and to A&H, I have not been able to get any help for some problems I've been having with my ZED. The ZED occasionally and randomly disconnects from my computer and I have to power the zed off an on for it to reconnect. I get occasional clicks and pops during recording and playback. When recording in Cubase, I get audio dropouts on about 75% of my takes (i.e., Cubase will keep recording, but I don't get any audio). Sometimes it will only record 10 seconds of audio. Sometimes it will record a few minutes.

I already took the ZED in to repair the grounding issue with the firewire interface.

I am using a fresh install (only a few weeks old) of Windows 7 64 on a brand new machine (core i7 860, 8 GB RAM, 1TB 7200 RMP Western Digital Hard Drive--so my machine shouldn't be the problem). I have reinstalled Cubase 5 (full version) using both 32 and 64 bit versions and still have problems with audio dropout and crackling. I updated the Zed to the latest version of firmware and I have the latest ASIO driver installed. I have tried to run in Safe mode but still get the same problem. I have increased the buffer size to 3072, but still get the same problem. I installed a new firewire adapter on my PC, but that didn't fix the problem.

The audio dropouts don't appear to be caused by anything on my computer. I've had only Cubase running, and watched the resource usage when the dropouts happen, and I don't get any spikes in resource usage or see any other events that would trigger the dropouts.

Just in case my new computer was the problem, I tried an older computer (a laptop) running Windows Vista, core 2 duo at 2.2 GHZ, and 4 meg of RAM. I get the exact same problems on this other machine. So two completely different machines, three different firewire interfaces, two different operating systems, all having the same problem trying to record with the Zed. So it seems my ZED has a malfunctioning firewire interface.

Anyone else experiencing similar problems? Anyone from A&H still monitoring this thread? Help!

[sirthought]

Originally Posted by 1008

Hey everyone. Great thread and very good information! I have made a decision to try one of these out but finding one looks like it could be a problem.

Does anyone know where you can buy one of these? It looks like everyone is out of stock and some are saying July before they will be in stock again. Any help is appreciated!

Sweetwater says on their website they have a limited quantity in stock. I google shopped it.

[malfunction]

would be great if Allen & Heath did something like this for their Zed R16 and soon to be R24 mixers:

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/new-p...-i-mixers.html

[1008]

Originally Posted by sirthought

Sweetwater says on their website they have a limited quantity in stock. I google shopped it.

I saw that and called them yesterday. They said it would be July as does MF. Perhaps AH is currently focused on production of the R24?

[SUCHOJ]

Hi all ZEDers!
this is maybe little bit generall question about latency issues.
I use ZEDR16. Its great!!!!
But have quite big probelm with latency correction - when I send signal to the ZEDR16 (do EQ, sending to outbard FX) and then send it back to DAW (Live or Cubase) the returned signal is ofcourse delayed.
I´ve checked the in-out latency ( in my case, 14,35ms - buffer256).
I ve exactly compensate this time in track delay, but still doesnot exactly fit to the original signal!
I ve make a test with the drum pattern from Live just send through the mix (no EQ,no FX) directly back to DAW and recored there. So I have the original drum pattern and the same drum pattern recorded through the ZEDR16 path - and I am not able to sync it exactly with the original drum pattern played in Live. I ve tested all values around 14,35ms and there is still phasing problem - its never correct like it should be.

Its very important for correct using ZED EQs on DAW tracks, becasue all sending there and back must be correctly time compensated.
Maybe I am amateour in this level but I am really dont know how to sync it precisly. Sorry for this stupid question
But every ZEDer must solve this issue....

Please do you have any idea how to do it?
Thanks a lot!

[SUCHOJ]

so my research about this:
in Cubase its possible to sync
I ve recorded track through mix and recorded back. Try to use latency time to sync, but doesnot work. So I´ve visualy checked the exact delay time of the first drum hit and measure it. It was 50 samples. Than put this to pre-record time and than everything work OK. GREAT!!!

IMPORTANAT: I ve found, that MAIN OUTS (17-18) have turned phase, so it must be fliped to work correctly. Yes there are different converters and they do this strange thing.

In Ableton LIVE: I didnot found the way how to sync.
Does anyone solve this in Live?

Thanks!

[AlienHealth]

Originally Posted by Briggity

After several emails to the dealer and to A&H, I have not been able to get any help for some problems I've been having with my ZED. The ZED occasionally and randomly disconnects from my computer and I have to power the zed off an on for it to reconnect. I get occasional clicks and pops during recording and playback. When recording in Cubase, I get audio dropouts on about 75% of my takes (i.e., Cubase will keep recording, but I don't get any audio). Sometimes it will only record 10 seconds of audio. Sometimes it will record a few minutes.

I already took the ZED in to repair the grounding issue with the firewire interface.

I am using a fresh install (only a few weeks old) of Windows 7 64 on a brand new machine (core i7 860, 8 GB RAM, 1TB 7200 RMP Western Digital Hard Drive--so my machine shouldn't be the problem). I have reinstalled Cubase 5 (full version) using both 32 and 64 bit versions and still have problems with audio dropout and crackling. I updated the Zed to the latest version of firmware and I have the latest ASIO driver installed. I have tried to run in Safe mode but still get the same problem. I have increased the buffer size to 3072, but still get the same problem. I installed a new firewire adapter on my PC, but that didn't fix the problem.

The audio dropouts don't appear to be caused by anything on my computer. I've had only Cubase running, and watched the resource usage when the dropouts happen, and I don't get any spikes in resource usage or see any other events that would trigger the dropouts.

Just in case my new computer was the problem, I tried an older computer (a laptop) running Windows Vista, core 2 duo at 2.2 GHZ, and 4 meg of RAM. I get the exact same problems on this other machine. So two completely different machines, three different firewire interfaces, two different operating systems, all having the same problem trying to record with the Zed. So it seems my ZED has a malfunctioning firewire interface.

Anyone else experiencing similar problems? Anyone from A&H still monitoring this thread? Help!

Hi Briggity,

Have you contacted support@allen-heath.com (in the UK) yet? They will be able to help you get the problem fixed.

Kind regards,
Mike.

[lovekrafty]

Originally Posted by SUCHOJ

so my research about this:
in Cubase its possible to sync
I ve recorded track through mix and recorded back. Try to use latency time to sync, but doesnot work. So I´ve visualy checked the exact delay time of the first drum hit and measure it. It was 50 samples. Than put this to pre-record time and than everything work OK. GREAT!!!

IMPORTANAT: I ve found, that MAIN OUTS (17-18) have turned phase, so it must be fliped to work correctly. Yes there are different converters and they do this strange thing.

In Ableton LIVE: I didnot found the way how to sync.
Does anyone solve this in Live?

Thanks!

I'm confused, are you saying the Mains are phase reversed ( out of phase ) to the channels ? please explain.

LK

[eltervaag]

Hi
My Zed R-16´s been running perfectly since I got it and still is.

But, there is one thing I havn´t been able to do yet and that is to get the loops, in the loopbrowser, to play back thru output 17-18. This probably an easy thing to do.
So, I want to listen thru the different loops without drag´n drop to a track.

Anyone?

[cavern]

Originally Posted by eltervaag

Hi
My Zed R-16´s been running perfectly since I got it and still is.

But, there is one thing I havn´t been able to do yet and that is to get the loops, in the loopbrowser, to play back thru output 17-18. This probably an easy thing to do.
So, I want to listen thru the different loops without drag´n drop to a track.

Anyone?

the way to have anything play back tru output 17/18 is to select zed main L/R outputs in the app. and push dig master to L/R button on the board.
if there's a way to assign the loopbrowser to it's own outputs, then you can do it.

[SUCHOJ]

Originally Posted by lovekrafty

I'm confused, are you saying the Mains are phase reversed ( out of phase ) to the channels ? please explain.

LK

In R16 there are two types of converter - one type on all 16 channels and other type on MAIN out (17-18).
The first type works correct, but the second flip the phase:
I ve checked it in this way: send the track to from cubase to R16 and record it back to Cubase from R16 main outs (17-18).
Now when I have dealed with recording latency compensation the track is synced with the original one. BUT when played together the signal is almost phase deleted.When I flip the phase on the recorded track the signal is OK like it should be.
I ve watched the waveforms and really the recorded one goes always on oposite direction than the original.

I can live with this, its just one click more, but I really dont understand why there are different (and worse) converters on main outs....its silly

[cavern]

Originally Posted by SUCHOJ

In R16 there are two types of converter - one type on all 16 channels and other type on MAIN out (17-18).
The first type works correct, but the second flip the phase:
I ve checked it in this way: send the track to from cubase to R16 and record it back to Cubase from R16 main outs (17-18).
Now when I have dealed with recording latency compensation the track is synced with the original one. BUT when played together the signal is almost phase deleted.When I flip the phase on the recorded track the signal is OK like it should be.
I ve watched the waveforms and really the recorded one goes always on oposite direction than the original.

I can live with this, its just one click more, but I really dont understand why there are different (and worse) converters on main outs....its silly

Mike from A/H wrote this:

It is true that the stereo CODEC used for the master L-R has a slightly lower dynamic range compared to the channel ADC & DACs. The CODEC ADC is 108dB and the DAC is 114db (A wtd) compared to the channel ADC (114dB) and the DAC (118dB).
I used these parts to match the analogue performance so there is no degradation of either domain and my reason for using the CODEC was that one of the limiting factors in noise performance was the multiple inputs to the stereo bus compared to the individual channel circuitry.
I'd be interested if anyone can detect a difference between monitoring 2 track through the L-R CODEC and then through a pair of channel DACs.

as for Mike's comments on the two playback methods, i tried it and i can't hear a difference between the L/R codec and the DACS. maybe someone else can.

also,i just tried what your reffering to with a mix track re-recorded from 17/18.
i just had to nudge it a bit and it lined up perfectly with the mix and no phase.
maybe your problem lies elsewhere.

[SUCHOJ]

so I will search, but not sure what this could be... there is nothing betwen ZED and DAW - just converters, so...
As I said I know about it and I can alaways set it correctly.

I have another big issue - metering/clipping

The tracks HI led illuminates "when the signal is within 5db of clipping" (taken from manual).
So it means in DAW words, that when the signal is -5dB in Cubase meter, the HI led starts shining?
Its is quite normal, that in Cubase nothing clips, but on ZED the HI led is shining. I understand it as smoething like alert...



Its OK, but I ve noticed some peaking problems with limited signals close to 0db sending through the ZED...
this is my test:
I am sending strong signal from DAW ( but on Cubase meter is nothing clipping, signal is -0,14dB at max peaks) to ZED to track 1-2 (DIG RET Pre INS) - there I do nothing with this signal (EQ bypassed)
Than this signal goes back to Cubase using DIG SND Post EQ.
What happens? I would expect that the gain might be the same as on Cubase output (peaks 0,-14db), but the signal is already clipping
I ve measuere it and its like the ZED ads aprox 0.83dB... But where???
The gain knobs doesn work in this connection, and the signal goes just through the FW and the voluem that can be adjusted is just only in Cubase... (There everything - output and input is on 0db).

So the result is: mastering is hardly possible, because the signal is clipping (in the mixer in analog domain) already below the 0dB...

Please do you have the same experience?

Thanks a lot

[arvproductions]

Originally Posted by SUCHOJ

so I will search, but not sure what this could be... there is nothing betwen ZED and DAW - just converters, so...
As I said I know about it and I can alaways set it correctly.

I have another big issue - metering/clipping

[...]

Please do you have the same experience?

Thanks a lot

Hi. I do notice that the signals on the ZED are higher that the VU meter in Logic (in my case) shows. I never tried to see why that is, so i am also interested in some professional's comments.....

R

[nigelallistair]

Hey Folks...

I apologize for getting frustrated wading through loads of pages looking for an answer and trying out this shortcut.

I am on the verge of going with a ZedR16 / iMac / Logic 9 combination. My question is about any known or worrisome conflicts with the Zed and the iMac. I have read alot of accounts of Firewire compatibility issues and some resultant cutting-out or ceasing to recognize each other and I wonder if there are any troubles that I should be concerned about.

The iMac would be the 27" 2.66 GHz Intel Core i5 Quad Core. I know little about its Firewire other than it's 800, of course.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[twentyhertz]

Hey R16 owners, I'm ready to buy one. If you are feeling the upgrade bug or whatever drop me a PM, I'd love to help fund your next purchase thumbsup

[cavern]

Originally Posted by twentyhertz

Hey R16 owners, I'm ready to buy one. If you are feeling the upgrade bug or whatever drop me a PM, I'd love to help fund your next purchase thumbsup

im selling mine as soon as the R24 comes out. you might not want to wait that long though.august?
i don't need the R24, i just want it.

[pianomog]

I have digi 002 and zed r-16. it has been great! i love mixing like this. has anybody found a way to use all 16 adat using PT? I recently have been doing some bigger sessions and love would love to use all 16. thanks in advance!

[rrraaalllfff]

Originally Posted by pianomog

I have digi 002 and zed r-16. it has been great! i love mixing like this. has anybody found a way to use all 16 adat using PT? I recently have been doing some bigger sessions and love would love to use all 16. thanks in advance!

I think you could do that with protools MP, but only with the profire 2626 or the profire lightbridge. You wouldn't be using the zed as audio interface, just as a converter for the ADAT I/O on aforementioned interfaces.

[pianomog]

Thanks for the info rrraaalllfff. does any one have any experience with the profire 2626 and the zed? would love to hear how thats working for you. i am just wondering if its worth it to switch out the 002 rack for the 2626. are there any pros or cons? thanksthumbsup

[malfunction]

I've got the lightbridge locked to an API A2D via coaxial and the Zed R16 is recieving adat from the lightbridge, 18 ins and 16 outs and when mixing the Zed 2 bus going back into A2D's convertors to mixdown in PTLE M Powered.
Although i do have to reset the Zed's clock to recieving adat every now and then this system works great and the sound is amazing compared to using the digi 002r with only 8 digital in/outs and those crappy analog ins/outs.

[djmukilteo]

No Protools here, but I do have my ZED R16 16 in/out ADAT into my RME FF800 to Cubase 4.5.2 with the stereo bus of ZED back into the FF800 and I really like the sound I'm getting with this setup and being able to track into Cubase and bring anything I like back out of Cubase through the ZED and then back again into Cubase...there's so much flexibility...plus you have the transport control on the board, output monitoring flexibility....I really envy the folks out there that will be getting the R24 when it comes out in Sept because I think with the concept of the R16 and all the added features being included in the R24 it will be a nice setup for a lot of people....I'm more than happy with the R16 so now I think I just need to figure out a nice OTB 2 buss compressor to go on that output...any outboard gear suggestions to go with the ZED would be very welcome!

Cheers and enjoy!
Make some neat sounding mixes!