Allen & Heath ZEDi-8 Technical Datasheet
Allen & Heath Limited
Kernick Industrial Estate
Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9LU, UK
www.allen-heath.com
Overview
- 2 x Mic/Line Inputs with GS Preamps.
- Global 48V Phantom power, switchable with a red LED indicator.
- Switchable Hi-Z Input for instruments like guitars.
- 2 x Stereo Line Inputs.
- 2-in, 2-out, 24-bit/96kHz USB Audio Interface.
- Headphone Output with rotary level control.
- Hi-Pass filter on microphone inputs.
- HF & LF EQ adjustable pots on all channels.
- PFL (Pre-Fader Listen) select to headphone output.
A&E Specifications
The Allen & Heath ZEDi-8 is a compact and portable analog mixer designed for mixing two mono and two stereo input channels into a stereo Main Mix output. It weighs no more than 1.36kg (3lbs).
Each mono input channel features an XLR Microphone connector and a Line level quarter-inch jack connector, equipped with a High Pass Filter and a 2-band equalizer circuit. Stereo input channels utilize quarter-inch jack connectors and have a fixed 2-band EQ.
All XLR Microphone inputs support 48 Volt Phantom Power for condenser microphones, which is switchable and indicated by a red LED. The mixer includes two high-impedance jack inputs on mono channels, suitable for direct connection of instruments like guitars, eliminating the need for a DI box.
XLR Mic input characteristics offer a Gain range from 6dB to 60dB with a maximum Input Level of 13dBu. Quarter-inch jack Line input characteristics provide a Gain range from -14dB to 40dB with a maximum Input Level of 18dBu.
The mixer integrates a 2-in/2-out USB Audio Interface, supporting a total channel count of eight. This interface operates at 24-bit/96kHz as standard, is class-compliant for Mac and iOS devices, and compatible with Windows.
The mixer surface features independent rotary controls for each input channel's gain, level, and mix. Each channel also includes an individual Pan control and a PFL switch to route the channel to the headphone output, with an LED indicating PFL activity.
The Headphone output uses a quarter-inch jack connector with a rotary control for output level. The L&R outputs are XLR connectors, controlled by a mix output fader, with level indication provided by a stereo eight-segment LED display.
The unit has a built-in power supply accepting AC mains voltages from 100-240V, 50/60 Hz, with a maximum consumption of 12W, via an earthed 3-pin IEC C6 male connector on the rear chassis. A switch is located near the mains inlet to isolate the mixer from the power supply.
The recommended operating temperature for the mixer is between 0 to 35 degrees Celsius.
Safety Notice: CAUTION: RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK. AVIS: RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE. This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. CAN ICES-3 (BNMB-3(8). Ensure the unit is connected to a socket outlet with protective earthing.
Technical Specifications
| Input | Operating Levels |
|---|---|
| Mono channel (XLR) Input (For Nominal 0dBu) | -5dBu to -60dBu (+13dBu maximum) |
| Mono channel Instrument/Line Input (Jack socket) | +14dBu to -40dBu (+17dBu maximum) |
| Stereo Input (Jack sockets) | 0dBu nominal (control = Off to +15dB Gain) |
| Output | |
| L/R Outputs (XLR) | 0dBu (+18dBu maximum) |
| FX Output (Jack socket) | 0dBu (+18dBu maximum) |
| Frequency Response | |
|---|---|
| Mic in to Mix L/R Out, 30dB gain | 10Hz to 20kHz +0.5/-1dB |
| Instrument/Line in to Mix L/R out 0dB gain | 10Hz to 20kHz +0.5/-1dB |
| Stereo in to Mix L/R out | 10Hz to 20kHz +0.5/-1dB |
| THD+n | |
|---|---|
| Mic in to Mix L/R Out, 10dB gain 1kHz +10dBu out (22Hz-22kHz Filter) | 0.0025% |
| Mic in to Mix L/R Out, 30dB gain 1kHz (22Hz-22kHz Filter) | 0.006% |
| Instrument in to Mix L/R out 0dB gain 0dBu 1kHz (22Hz-22kHz Filter) | 0.03% 2nd Harmonic |
| Stereo in to Mix L/R out 0dB gain +10dBu 1kHz (22Hz-22kHz Filter) | 0.0025% |
| Headroom | |
|---|---|
| Analogue Headroom from nominal (0Vu) | 18dB |
| USB converter in & out headroom from nominal (0Vu) | 18dB |
| Noise | |
|---|---|
| Mic Pre EIN @ max gain 150R input Z (22Hz-22kHz Filter) | -127dBu |
| Mix L/R out, L/R fader = 0, Channel Levels min (22Hz-22kHz Filter) | -94dBu |
| Mix L/R out, L/R faders = 0, Channel Levels 0dB (22Hz-22kHz Filter) | -91dBu |
USB Audio
| USB Audio | |
|---|---|
| USB Audio In/Out | USB 2.0 compliant |
| Bit Depth | 24bit |
| Sample Rate | 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96kHz |
Block Diagram Description
The ZEDi-8 block diagram illustrates the signal flow. It shows:
- Mono Channels (M1, M2): Each features a Mic In (XLR) with 48V Phantom Power, Gain control, Line Level & Instrument In (Jack socket) with Hi-Z option, HPF (High-Pass Filter) at 100Hz, a 2-Band Equaliser (LO 80Hz, HI 12kHz), a Pan control, and a Level control. A PFL (Pre-Fader Listen) button is also present. The signal path is Mic/Line/Instrument -> Gain -> HPF -> EQ -> Pan -> Level -> Mix Bus.
- Stereo Channels (ST1, ST2): Each has Line Inputs (L/R Jack sockets), a 2-Band Equaliser (LO 80Hz, HI 12kHz), a Balance control, and a Level control. A PFL button is also present. The signal path is Line In -> EQ -> Balance -> Level -> Mix Bus.
- Main LR: Receives signals from the Mix Bus. It includes a Fader for overall output level control and Main Outputs (XLR) with nominal 0dBu.
- USB Audio: A USB 2.0 I/O interface supporting 24-bit/96kHz sample rates. It can receive playback from a computer (USB Input 1-2) and send the main mix or individual channels to the computer (USB Output L-R Postfade, default).
- Headphones: Connected to the Mix Bus, with a Level control and PFL Active indicator.
- Priority Switching Output: Allows for PFL signals to be routed to the headphone output.
- System Mix Bus: Aggregates signals from all channels before routing to Main LR and USB Output.
- 48V To Mics: Indicates the phantom power distribution to microphone inputs.
Mixer Specification Comparison
A comparison table outlines the specifications for various Allen & Heath ZED mixers:
| Model | ZED-6 | ZED-6FX | ZEDi-8 | ZEDi-10 | ZEDi-10FX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Analog | Analog | Analog | Analog | Analog |
| Channels | 6 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 10 |
| Inputs - Mic Preamps | 2 x XLR | 2 x XLR | 2 x XLR | 4 x XLR | 4 x XLR |
| Inputs - Line | 2 x TRS (CH 1-2) 4 x TRS (CH 3-4 ST) | 2 x TRS (CH 1-2) 4 x TRS (CH 3-4 ST) | 2 x TRS (CH 1-2) 4 x TRS (CH 3-4 ST) | 4 x TRS (CH 1-4) 4 x TRS (CH 5-6 ST) | 4 x TRS (CH 1-4) 4 x TRS (CH 5-6 ST) |
| Outputs - Main | 2 x XLR (Main) | 2 x XLR (Main) | 2 x XLR (Main) | 2 x XLR (Main) | 2 x XLR (Main) |
| Outputs - Other | - | - | - | 2 x RCA (Monitor) | 2 x RCA (Monitor) |
| Headphones | 1 x 1/4" | 1 x 1/4" | 1 x 1/4" | 1 x 1/4" | 1 x 1/4" |
| Send/Return I/O | - | 1 x 1/4" (FX) | USB | 2 x 1/4" (1x AUX, 1x FX) | 2 x 1/4" (1x AUX, 1x FX) |
| Phantom Power | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| EQ Bands | 2-band, (CH 1-2) 2-band (CH 3-4 ST) | 2-band, (CH 1-2) 2-band (CH 3-4 ST) | 2-band, (CH 1-2) 2-band (CH 3-4 ST) | 3-band (CH 1-4) 2-band (CH 5 ST) | 3-band (CH 1-4) 2-band (CH 5 ST) |
| Aux / FX Sends | - | 1 x Post (Per Channel) | - | 1 x Pre, 1 x Post (Per Channel) | 1 x Pre, 1 x Post (Per Channel) |
| Busses/Groups | Stereo Bus | Stereo Bus | Stereo Bus | Stereo Bus | Stereo Bus |
| Channel Inserts | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Effects | - | Yes | - | - | Yes |
| Computer Connectivity | No | No | 1 x USB | 1 x USB | 1 x USB |
| Rack-mountable | No | No | No | No | No |
| Height | 3.5" | 3.5" | 3.5" | 3.8" | 3.8" |
| Width | 9.8" | 9.8" | 9.8" | 13.1" | 13.1" |
| Depth | 9.3" | 9.3" | 9.3" | 10.8" | 10.8" |
| Weight | 2.8 lbs. | 3 lbs. | 3 lbs. | 4.85 lbs. | 5.1 lbs. |
Dimensions
Physical dimensions for the ZEDi-8:
- Height: 88.9mm (3.5 inches)
- Width: 249mm (9.8 inches)
- Depth: 236.4mm (9.3 inches)
