Allen & Heath mixer for multitracking via USB?

[deepestend]

Does anyone have any experience using an Allen & Heath mixer for multitracking? I was thinking of going the route of a new mixer for my home studio/practice area. I know that there are better interfaces for your computer, but in the spirit of killing two birds with one stone, I was thinking of getting the Zed 10 that has 4 in/ 4 out USB capabilities.

Does anyone have real experience with using a Zed with garageband? I have read a few positive threads on other forums, but wanted to see if anyone here has had experiences.

 

[DirkP]

Have a look at the offerings from Zoom (Livetrak and the newR20) and Tascam (Model series), too. Esp. the Zooms are not much more expensive, but offer a lot more (like sd-card recording) etc.

 

[deepestend]

I’ve been talking about it with people in another thread. I’m feeling like i use the mixer everyday in my home studio and I can use my PowerBook for serious multitracking.

the zoom stuff looks cool, though.

 

[DirtDog]

Does anyone have any experience using an Allen & Heath mixer for multitracking? I was thinking of going the route of a new mixer for my home studio/practice area. I know that there are better interfaces for your computer, but in the spirit of killing two birds with one stone, I was thinking of getting the Zed 10 that has 4 in/ 4 out USB capabilities.

Does anyone have real experience with using a Zed with garageband? I have read a few positive threads on other forums, but wanted to see if anyone here has had experiences.

How many tracks do you want to record simultaneously?

The Zed series has some limitations there - e.g., the ZED10-FX can only do two tracks out at a time. The ZEDi series can do either two or four out depending on the model.

 

[deepestend]

I was thinking of the 10i. I only need 2-4 at home so this would work. Also, if it’s all set up all the time I’m just more likely to use it.

 

[deepestend]

Have you used these mixers?

 

[Aloe]

I have a ZEDi10FX and used it for several records. albeit it's better than the Yamaha mixer I had before it, it's not really great for recording, cheapest Scarlett or Audiobox will be much better.

please also note that the inputs are pre-EQ to DAW (but you also can have main mix and/or aux).

 

[DirkP]

I’ve been talking about it with people in another thread. I’m feeling like i use the mixer everyday in my home studio and I can use my PowerBook for serious multitracking.

the zoom stuff looks cool, though.

I switched from different audio-interfaces and handy-recorders (MixPre and Zoom H6) to a solution with the Tascam Model 12 and since more than a year ago, I am satisfied. No more GAS.

For me(!) it is a huge advantage to not have to decide, when I want to record. If I come up with an idea or just want to control my playing, I just press record. No computer to start, no DAW to start, no mouse needed. Just press record.
Before, if I decided to record stuff, I often forgot what I wanted to record and why, after I started the computer, started the DAW etc. ppp.

If I later want to use the Model12 recordings in a DAW with all the possibilities. No problem.
Even if I make recording sessions at my home-studio, I just use the Model 12 and we/I can focus on playing and music. No hassle, no diversion using computers and software.

I have an iPad connected to my Model 12 on a mic stand directly in front of me, when playing or recording. Playing along with Spotify tracks, recording to Auria (my fav ios DAW), using a metronom or slowing down tracks with Amazing Slow Downer, transfering mixes from the Model 12 to other musicians and sharing them, no problem, no mouse, no keyboard.

For me - but maybe not for you in your setting! - this separation between just everyday playing and recording is too big. I need a flow and I got it.

 

[deepestend]

I switched from different audio-interfaces and handy-recorders (MixPre and Zoom H6) to a solution with the Tascam Model 12 and since more than a year ago, I am satisfied. No more GAS.

For me(!) it is a huge advantage to not have to decide, when I want to record. If I come up with an idea or just want to control my playing, I just press record. No computer to start, no DAW to start, no mouse needed. Just press record.
Before, if I decided to record stuff, I often forgot what I wanted to record and why, after I started the computer, started the DAW etc. ppp.

If I later want to use the Model12 recordings in a DAW with all the possibilities. No problem.
Even if I make recording sessions at my home-studio, I just use the Model 12 and we/I can focus on playing and music. No hassle, no diversion using computers and software.

I have an iPad connected to my Model 12 on a mic stand directly in front of me, when playing or recording. Playing along with Spotify tracks, recording to Auria (my fav ios DAW), using a metronom or slowing down tracks with Amazing Slow Downer, transfering mixes from the Model 12 to other musicians and sharing them, no problem, no mouse, no keyboard.

For me - but maybe not for you in your setting! - this separation between just everyday playing and recording is too big. I need a flow and I got it.

Dirk,
You’ve verbalized what I was thinking: a way to maintain flow without a ton of setup so that you can just record with it a mouse or screen.

The 12 looks amazing but slightly out of my $300 budget. I wish they had a cheaper, more pared down version.

 

[peterpalmieri]

I am getting rid of my Zed10, was able to do a lot of simple stuff with it. Both recording and rehearsal. Went into logic and it sounded really good.

I’ve recently upgraded to a UA Apollo, if you’d like to chat further send me a msg.

 

[DirkP]

Dirk,
You’ve verbalized what I was thinking: a way to maintain flow without a ton of setup so that you can just record with it a mouse or screen.

The 12 looks amazing but slightly out of my $300 budget. I wish they had a cheaper, more pared down version.

Maybe have a look at the new Zoom R20? It is about 395,-.

 

[deepestend]

I did end up getting the zed10 and I’m very happy with it so far.

 

[Aloe]

I did end up getting the zed10

it's not a zed-10, it's a zedi-10. =) zed-10 looks Invalid Link Removed.