Will Allen Heath Zed R16 give that big analog console sound to a mix?

cormacokane · 13th October 2009

Hi I'm currently using a fireface 800 but would love to move OTB.

Does anybody thing the Allen Heath Zed R16 would give a mix something a lot different than ITB or should I look for more of a traditional console like a Toft ATB?
How does the eq on a toft ATB compare with the ZedR16.Is the toft in a different league?
Is the Zed R16 compromised because it's a hybrid?
Sorry if these sound like stupid questions.

hydrogen · 4th November 2009

bump. I have same question.

getreel · 5th November 2009

I wonder the same. I am torn between the R16 and the Mackie 1640i. There are many trade offs on these two when you look closely. My main concern is the mixbuss for summing. Reviews say good things about both.

TurboJets · 5th November 2009

To my ears the ZED series does approach the sound of pro consoles, even that of Otari & Daking but falls just a wee bit short on the girth of a pro console. It's really close though IMO.

Having said that I'll add that I don't feel the same about the mixes you get using the ZED's onboard converters and the digital connectivity (FW or USB). My opinion is based on the sound achieved using the boards analog in's and out's.

cormacokane · 19th March 2011

Hi sounds interesting! is there any reseller in the uk or ireland?

limey222 · 20th March 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by cormacokane

Hi I'm currently using a fireface 800 but would love to move OTB.

Does anybody thing the Allen Heath Zed R16 would give a mix something a lot different than ITB or should I look for more of a traditional console like a Toft ATB?
How does the eq on a toft ATB compare with the ZedR16.Is the toft in a different league?
Is the Zed R16 compromised because it's a hybrid?
Sorry if these sound like stupid questions.

OK, go to myspace.com/ginanoell and play "years of you", but please play it on a decent monitor system, not a pair of computer speakers. The song may not be your cup of tea but it was recorded and mixed totally on a ZED-R16 so it might give you an idea at least.

Ponyboy · 20th April 2011

I've had the r16 since they came out, generally very musical and transparent....definitely not a signature sound piece...

I've had a lot of luck using waves plugs on the channel, and using the A&H as a summing box...will get you close to that sound.

As for Toft I don;t have an atb, but I do have two EC-1 channels from the trident 980 range (the desk radiohead tracked every album since ok computer on), generally the eq is brilliant, does some interesting phase things, particularly on bass.

You could buy a r16, and buy a few afc, ec's and stem mix through that

13th October 2009	#1
cormacokane Gear interested Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 12 Thread Starter	Will Allen Heath Zed R16 give that big analog console sound to a mix? Hi I'm currently using a fireface 800 but would love to move OTB. Does anybody thing the Allen Heath Zed R16 would give a mix something a lot different than ITB or should I look for more of a traditional console like a Toft ATB? How does the eq on a toft ATB compare with the ZedR16.Is the toft in a different league? Is the Zed R16 compromised because it's a hybrid? Sorry if these sound like stupid questions.

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4th November 2009	#2
hydrogen Gear Head Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 52	bump. I have same question.

5th November 2009	#3
getreel Gear maniac Joined: Jun 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 188	I wonder the same. I am torn between the R16 and the Mackie 1640i. There are many trade offs on these two when you look closely. My main concern is the mixbuss for summing. Reviews say good things about both.

5th November 2009	#4
TurboJets Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2006 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,870	To my ears the ZED series does approach the sound of pro consoles, even that of Otari & Daking but falls just a wee bit short on the girth of a pro console. It's really close though IMO. Having said that I'll add that I don't feel the same about the mixes you get using the ZED's onboard converters and the digital connectivity (FW or USB). My opinion is based on the sound achieved using the boards analog in's and out's.

19th March 2011	#5
cormacokane Gear interested Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 12 Thread Starter	Hi sounds interesting! is there any reseller in the uk or ireland?

20th April 2011	#7
Ponyboy Gear interested Joined: Nov 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 12	I've had the r16 since they came out, generally very musical and transparent....definitely not a signature sound piece... I've had a lot of luck using waves plugs on the channel, and using the A&H as a summing box...will get you close to that sound. As for Toft I don;t have an atb, but I do have two EC-1 channels from the trident 980 range (the desk radiohead tracked every album since ok computer on), generally the eq is brilliant, does some interesting phase things, particularly on bass. You could buy a r16, and buy a few afc, ec's and stem mix through that