Operation Manual

Allen & Heath 32 ZED Sixty 10FX & 14FX User Guide
SOUND MIXING TIPS FOR FIRST TIME USERS
Step 4: Add Effects
Reverb or echo effects can be used to add ambience and character to certain types
of audio sources, particularly singers.
Select the type of effect required using the FX section SEL buttons.
Send some audio signal to the FX bus by turning the FX control clockwise on your
preferred channel - try a vocal channel first.
Gently raise the FX master fader (yellow) to add the effect to the main stereo mix.
Be subtle when it comes to adding effects - too much will smother the original sound
and keep the FX send controls turned down on other channels so they don’t add to
the mix.
If you are using the AUX bus on your ZED to feed signal to a stage monitor (often
called foldback) then it is possible to add some effects signal to this mix by using the
FX to AUX control in the FX section.
It is usual to mute effects used for singers when they stop singing and talk instead.
The FX send control on the channel sends audio from after the fader so the amount
will stay in relative proportion to the fader level. In other words, you don’t need to
turn the FX send control down when you reduce the fader, it follows automatically.
Step 5: Using the AUX bus for feeding a stage monitor
The Auxiliary bus can be used to create an independent mono mix of audio signals.
There are many uses for Aux buses, but a common one is for artists monitors.
Connect the AUX Out to an amplified monitor speaker which can be positioned
close to the performers.
Increase the AUX Mix level (master) control by turning it clockwise.
Create your monitor mix by turning up the AUX send level controls on the channels
that you require in the monitor speaker. The AUX send level controls are sourced
from before the channel fader so they will not be affected by it, therefore remaining
independent of any movements made on the faders to balance the main stereo mix.
Step 6: Control feedback
Be aware that amplified signals from microphones are usually able to feed back to the
microphone and will, if loud enough, cause a feedback loop with howls or whistles.
Feedback loops can be controlled by careful placement and use of uni-directional
microphones, placement of speakers and correct microphone technique which will
reduce the need for increased gain or level in the system.
Step 7: Interval music
If your application is a performance where background music is required, you can
connect an MP3 or CD player to the Playback input.
Mute all channels (leaving the faders set) and then the background music can be sent
to the main left-right mix by raising the Playback fader.