Allen & Heath’s ZED-18 Multipurpose USB Mixer is a compact, versatile mixer that’s easy to rack-mount into any audio setup, while its portability makes it the ideal choice for small bands taking their music mobile. With 10 mono channels, 3 stereo channels, swept semi-parametric EQ, Duopre amps, and more, the ZED-18 delivers the tools musicians, venues, and hire companies need to ensure professional sound quality.

Built into the ZED-18 is a responsive 3-band, swept mid-frequency EQ design at uses MusiQ. Its optimized slope (Q factor) allows you to precision-equalize individual instruments in your band.

The ZED-18 comes with DuoPre pre-amplifiers that use a 2-stage design and carefully controlled gain in each stage. These preamps boast a gain range of 69dB and reliably-even gain control when amplifying a signal from the mixer’s XLR input. Most of the gain comes from the first stage, which keeps unwanted noise to a minimum. Plug line level signals into the preamp’s second stage using the line input jack socket, which results in less noise when using line input or when matching a higher input impedance.

The ZED-18 comes with configurable USB audio inputs and outputs. No need to install external soundcards—just plug in a USB lead and select USB routing on the mixer to get started right away at your recording. This feature gives you CD-quality audio to and from your Mac or PC, while switches and connections via the mixer’s jack socket terminals offer a variety of send/return options. Rounding out the ZED-18’s connectivity options are 2 stereo inputs for MP3/CD players or keyboards, as well as professional XLR stereo outputs and a versatile monitoring section that lets you plug in headphones and/or speakers.