Operation Manual

Allen & Heath 31 ZED Sixty 10FX & 14FX User Guide
SOUND MIXING TIPS FOR FIRST TIME USERS
Step 1: Connect your Sources
Plug in your microphones, instruments, audio players using the connection drawings
on p27 & 28 as a rough guide.
If condenser microphones are being used: Keep the faders down and channel mutes
activated, switch on 48V to Mics.
Step 2: Check the levels
For each channel, individually in turn check the signal level by speaking or getting
someone to speak into the microphone or play the instrument. Press the Listen but-
ton on the channel and adjust the channel Gain control so that the level on the me-
ters illuminates up to the 0dB mark when audio is present. It is ok for the meters to
show higher levels on loud peaks, but if the red LEDs illuminate, reduce the Gain
slightly.
De-select Listen when you are happy with the level and check the next channel in
turn, repeating the procedure.
Now is a good time to correct or enhance the tonal balance of the audio signal using
the EQ. Ideally use it to reduce problem resonant frequencies to try to listen out for
harsh sounds that may be resonating in the speakers or environment. It is sometimes
useful to use the EQ with frequency sweep with boost first to hone in and highlight a
possible problem frequency, then use the EQ to reduce or cut that frequency.
Step 3: Create your stereo mix
Set the Main Mix (red) fader to the 0dB position and check that none of the Phones
Select switches are pressed.
You will now need to listen to the audio by either headphones connected to the
Phones output or through amplified speakers connected as shown in the drawings on
p27 & 28.
With audio active from the microphones and/or instruments, un-mute the channels
and raise the channel faders to a position where the required volume is heard. If the
volume is too loud when the fader is above the –10dB position on the scale, reduce
the Phones level, or speaker amplifier volume controls.
Raise all the channel faders required for the mix. The optimum position for the input
channel fader is between 0 and –10 on the scale. When the input Gain is set correct-
ly, this maintains good signal to noise ratio whilst allowing the operator to balance
the channels to create the ideal mix.
Use the Pan control on the mono channels and the Balance control on the stereo
channels to set the left-right balance position of the audio signal in the stereo left-
right mix.
Adjust the position of the channel faders relative to each other to create the blend
or mix that sounds best.