ANALOG MIXING ON THE ALLEN & HEATH ZED 428??? TOBI TWEAKS EP. 4

Had the chance to test this lovely big board for studio applications. Does the quality stand up to today's overengineered analog summing devices? Could this be my ticket into the world of large format desk mixers???
Watch and listen as I try my best pretending to know what every knob does!
0:00 Intro
0:18 Introduction
1:19 Featre Overview
4:53 Summing Test
5:36 VS SSL SiX
6:17 Mix A Song!
9:36 w/ Bus Processing
10:51 Summary
11:25 END
Music By:
Linus Cuno
/ linus-cuno
open.spotify.com/artist/2OXgL...
Tim Hoffmann
/ @timhoffmann8262
My Music Profile:
/ tobias-bergmann
open.spotify.com/artist/0bw0e...

[@sunyeshua3971]

can you please do a video explaining the routing of your setup? I'm starting to include more hardware in my setup (rack synths, bus comp, drum machines) and I'm not very familiar with patch bays or routing out for summing.

[@tobitweaks]

Hi! Great Idea, I get asked about that a lot! All the best, Tobi

[@Ilikethatmusic_typebeats]

Yes Please lol because I have a nice selection of Eq's and Compressors but would like to Use the Eq and summing from the board, soI would love the know how to route this stuff.. Right now my interface is Clarett +8pre, light pipe to Pro 40 connected to a single patchbay..And this video will determine if I'm going with the Allen or Soundcraft for hybrid mixing Hiphop..

[@h4m3r3d]

dude your videos are dope!

[@tobitweaks]

Thank you so much for watching! All the best, Tobi

[@project-95]

Fantastic! Can you help me answer this noob question? I'm planning to buy a ZED420 for the option to track out through the mono direct outs but there are no direct outputs of the *stereo* channels. What would be the proper way to send the blue stereo channels out to an interface? Can I send L/R out to a pair of groups or Matrix channels? Or via the main LR outputs?

[@tobitweaks]

Thank you! You could get creative with Matrix out or Aux Sends or Group Outs with these. Hope that helps. All the best, Tobi

[@skybourneproductions]

I used one of these for years in a live theater venue - I think the theater still has it in a box somewhere. Honestly, the work-flow advantages of a modern digital mixer make the live sound job so much easier! But I can see the appeal of having a lot of inputs all set up and ready to go in a big studio.

[@tobitweaks]

Yes for live sound you just need waaay more functions in a mixer as it can be quite complex! In the studio where you don‘t have that a „one knob per function“ mixer can be great! All the best, Tobi

[@Espresso101]

Sounded good, would love to see that mix compared to a in-the-box version for perspective.

[@tobitweaks]

Well I get the idea but then again I think the Idea of a console this format has to be the amount of control, right? If you want to, the song is called „where do we go from here“ from Linus Cuno and I mixed this in the Box! With more processing tho ofc. All the best, Tobi

[@woderden2216]

kann keinen unterschied hören, nur mit gewissheit sagen, dass du der geilste bist!

[@tobitweaks]

🥺🥰

[@teashea1]

very well done

[@tobitweaks]

Thank you!

[@oliking981]

I use this board on a regular basis it is a very nice board to use and I think it's nicer than digital ones.

[@johnvcougar]

Me, too. Analogue sound is superior, imho. But digital desks give you so much in convenience, it’s hard to go past for live work. I really like the direct outs on this board, so useful.

[@stevenb9209]

Can you confirm how loud the fan is? Would it be acceptable if in same room as tracking vocals and other mic'd instruments. Thanks for video.

[@tobitweaks]

Hi! I would not record right next to it…however if you have it facing a wall and even put a shelf over it or something it should be fine idk

[@deaddoomed2380]

dude thanks for always make summing tests

[@tobitweaks]

Welcome! Oh I love the vintage soundcrafts they will habe a feature sometimes for shure as they are cheap and well built. I was close to having a gb series desk is that similar to the signature? All the best, Tobi

[@user-ei2lg8xh1j]

Hi Tobi, I recently bought the A&H ZED 16 fix and I am trying to find a way to use it in Ableton Live. Could you advise me on your setup, since yours worked really good? Thank you for your help in advance. Best regards Daniel

[@tobitweaks]

Hi! Generally speaking I route single or group channels out of Ableton to individual outputs of my interface. I will then record that into another channel but listen to everything with an „external audio effect“ on the master as a return - so the solo logic stays intact. Will do a video on that very soon! All the best, Tobi

[@nickmitchellmaiato6717]

Tobias, have you used it to record? Sending mics/lines to the inputs, routing the direct outs to your interface and then routing the interface outs back into the console so you can both align each physical fader with corresponding daw faders and monitor the mix through speakers? Trying to work out of and how this woule be possible with this console.

[@tobitweaks]

Should be possible! Either you mute your recorded inputs in the DAW and monitor directly with the recording fader or you mute the recording fader and have your inputs come back on another channel from the Interface for monitoring. Hope this helps! All the best, Tobi

[@nickmitchellmaiato6717]

@@tobitweaks Thanks!! I'll give it a shot. ✌🏽🤞🏼

[@NoremakSeggob]

Is it just me or does this sound pretty great? I've been considering the SSL Big Six, but would love to have more eq possibilities. To me, this actually sounds fairly close to the SSL, albiet the Six sounds more focused and sharp in the high-end. The A&H is so wide and open, slightly soft, but it feels like I'm flying through space. What are your thoughts on this vs the Six? I'd be making heavily layered metal music, so need something that has the edge but also the spacey soundstage. I'd probably get the Mixwizard 4, in hopes that it sounds as good or maybe better in a smaller package. Also: do you have any other recording examples with it on Bandcamp, etc?

[@tobitweaks]

Hey :) I thought the same - with the right gain staging this mixer sounds fantastic! I do not have more examples as this was just in for a fix and quick test. The Mixwizard should sound fantastic too! I know it from a few live sound gigs that all went good :) All the best, Tobi

[@devildawg4730]

I new to sound. Our church has this very sound board. We have 4 people that sing live every Sunday, and every Sunday it's a different group of 4. I am finding it very different to EQ the live vocals every Sunday. Do you have any tips or trips? Do you use a laptop and any software with this board? Thank you so much for your video..

[@tobitweaks]

Hi! Thanks for the comment. What Mics do you use? Generally speaking for Live Vocals I‘d go for a high frequency boost, High Mid dip somewhere around 3-5k to tame harshness if nescessary, Low Mid control around 500hz probably attenuate and a low cut filter. The Low frequency could then be used to attenuate or focus chest resonance. Hope that helps! All the best, Tobi

[@daddydanny5588]

Great vid, uve got a new sub here .. from where did you send your main mix to DAW ... you still need the main outs for the studio monitor (like yamaha hs5) .... ive got this mixer but couldn't figure out from where to send the final mix back to DAW . i have to use the mains left and right outs for my studio monitor (yamaha hs5)...

[@tobitweaks]

Thank u :) Right this Desk has no Control Room Out…You could either use the 2 Track out (cinch) or like I did - have the monitors connected to your recording interface. Hope that helps! All the best, Tobi

[@daddydanny5588]

@@tobitweaks thank u ..but wat do u mean by 2 tracks out.. can i use the matrix out the st rca out

[@tobitweaks]

richt it‘s called rca in english…yes look for these you have a 2trck otherwise you‘re right the Matrix could also be your friend :)

[@daddydanny5588]

@@tobitweaks thanx again .. i use the rca outs .. but i dont know if it will effect the sound quality or not ... but anyways i can use it ...

[@tobitweaks]

It should not affect the sound quality but you could a/b before going for it :)

[@chilliakocicka8846]

Hi, what do you use to send individual buses from DAW so you can mix it in analogue? Thanks

[@tobitweaks]

Hi! I use Ableton as my DAW with track and group outs and Universal Audio Apollo as my audio Interface. Hope that helps! All the best, Tobi

[@boa_music]

How would you say the resistance on the faders are? Sadly some mixers have faders that have very little to no resistance as you may have experienced.

[@tobitweaks]

Yes! The SSL SiX‘s faders are like that. And rewatching now: The ZEDs faders are the same! Very „light“

[@nagchumpalot]

Great video! But man hard to beat the SSL SIX was a pretty big difference listening on good headphones.. Still you got a decent mix out of it.

[@tobitweaks]

Thank u! Yes the SiX is sounding really good. All the best, Tobi

[@PedalsFriends]

Which one would you prefer. The mackie vlz pro oder den here? 😄👍

[@tobitweaks]

Hmm tough question but we sold den here and kept the Mackie because of form factor - the A&H is huge! ;) All the best, Tobi

[@zvotaisvfi8678]

Its kindof crazy how good cheap boards like this can sound right out the box. We're all familiar with 20+ year old boards that are the built identically : but it can be rare to experience a brand new transformerless board like this. when every single component in the unit is new it gives a good result that would literally cost $1250+ in restorations to make, say, an old soundcraft or something like that worth the trouble. Not that I think even old transformerless boards should be abandoned or thrown away, but new-out-the-box analog boards really provide impressive results in their first 2-3 years of service. The one, major, unforgivable aspect of transformerless boards is the mic pres: Once your first connection off the mic is a transfomer, you can mix much easier and get more conventional results. So I would think a rack of transformer preamps into a brand new board like this would be a respectable, crazy economical setup.

[@zvotaisvfi8678]

gimmie 8 warm audio API clones, one of these ZEDs, and an EBtech Hum Eliminator on the main LR outputs and I would be good to go !

[@zvotaisvfi8678]

new out the box mixers for $500 can provide great results even.

[@tobitweaks]

Totally agree with you here! When used purely „line in“ these things can do a very respectable job! Happy to see my content inspires you, great ideas for a setup here. Also I think Transformers, while ofc heavy and expensive, would totally make the difference in sound here. Thanks and all the best, Tobi

[@vinlilgraphics1192]

Hi, which interface have you used in this case

[@tobitweaks]

Hi! I am using an Universal Audio Apollo mk2 but because this desk has 24 channels conversion is also done by an SSL Madi AX converter :) Hope that helps. All the best, Tobi

[@steffimick2005]

Hallo...ist es richtig, dass wenn ich eine Band aufnehmen würde-alles Spuren EINZELN( jeder Kanal) an die DAW gehen und nicht die nur die Stereo Summe? Danke Micha

[@tobitweaks]

Das ist leider falsch! Das Interface in dem Pult ist leider nur Stereo rein Stereo raus. Die Funktion die du suchst hätte ein Midas F24 (FireWire - die Treiber sind leider outdated) Hoffe das hilft LG

[@steffimick2005]

Vielen Dank...@@tobitweaks

[@stefanoguzzettiofficial]

Amazing. I am planning to buy this desk for my analog mixing process, and after watching your video I am convinced that, for its price, it’s really a nice one. Seems like you have 24 audio tracks going directly from your DAW into the desk’s channel. May I ask you which sound card / system do you use to have all those output tracks?

[@tobitweaks]

Thank you! I am using an extensive Universal Audio system with 3 Apollos and an SSL Madi AX Converter that extends another 24 via Adat. If you just need lots of IO I can recommend looking into Adat Converters (Older SSL Madi AX or Apogee AD/DA16x are quite competitively priced) and an RME Digiface (32 Adat I/O) for best bang of the buck. But then again theres a hundred ways to rome ;) All the best, Tobi

[@stefanoguzzettiofficial]

@@tobitweaks wow amazing! Thanks a lot for your precious reply. 🙏🏻

[@tobitweaks]

@@stefanoguzzettiofficial Very welcome! All the best, Tobi

[@jfn467]

I would recommend you to have a look at Audient EVO 16 and SP-8, there's a lot of bang per channel for the buck!

[@jfn467]

Did you keep the console? ( just bought one from a pawn shop for only 300 euro, with free shipping and 2 years warranty.... will arrive next week )...

[@tobitweaks]

Congrats! No I sold it. Yes used prices on these are insane as I think you can still buy them new for 2200€???????

[@jfn467]

Any specific reason you sold it?

[@jfn467]

I am getting a bit annoyed by the fan, though have sourced another one, 2800 rpm instead of 4800 rpm, and 9 dB instead of the original 20 dB.

[@tobitweaks]

nice mod! I bought mine just for testing to be fair. Not sophisticated enough for my productions space but I was quite surprised how good this sounded. All the best, Tobi

[@theredbeats01]

hey wie ist das mit dem usb kann ich jeden chennel benutzen

[@tobitweaks]

Leider nur 2 Track also stereo rein raus :///

[@vigilantestylez]

Sounds good! I wonder if you can sum the mix into the SSL SiX and use both? Use the SSL SiX for the bus compressor before going back into the computer to print the mix. I bet that would sound pretty cool. The channels on this console sound really warm and that's a good thing! 😊😊

[@tobitweaks]

I think I did that in the end ;) Yes you could even use Group outs in the first mixer to have 3 Stereo (or up to 6 Mono) outs from the A&H be summed in the SiX for maximum headroom! All the best, Tobi

[@vigilantestylez]

@@tobitweaks oh nice! Yeah, that's a beast setup on a budget! Would be cool to watch you mix some more songs. I get tracks from cambridge and remixpacks. Love the video!

[@tobitweaks]

@@vigilantestylez thank you :) Happy you liked my video. All the best, Tobi

[@johnisrael5183]

its sounds thick...but the Mackie...still sound richer....you can use Slate Digital Rivival with Mackie...and get the same thickness but richer sound...or at least thats my opinion

[@jaydee3514]

So…, this or the Soundcraft studio? Cool channel, enjoy your content. Hello from Australia

[@tobitweaks]

Thank you so much! Well depends on what you like…I‘d go with the ZED for a more open sound or with the Soundcraft for more crunch :) Hope that helps. All the best, Tobi

[@audiolego]

Subbed❤

[@tobitweaks]

Thanks!

[@sclinnyjohnson-nm8hk]

Nice Beat

[@tobitweaks]

Thank u!

[@dannydaniel8975]

Do you still have the ssl 6?

[@tobitweaks]

Hi! Yes I mix with it all the time! All the best, Tobi

[@dannydaniel8975]

@@tobitweaks Thanx. I'm thinking of getting one because of your video...

[@tobitweaks]

@@dannydaniel8975 I was almost selling mine as I did not use much of the EQ or compression anymore when mixing but then I started to use it more for recording like the Listen Mic Compressor aswell as the bus compressor and it is just such a fun and versatile piece! I think they appear for quite cheap on the used market too. All the best, Tobi

[@dannydaniel8975]

@@tobitweaks thanx

[@ViolenceTheatre]

Dope. Blow my ears away with a Midas Venice 240 plz.

[@tobitweaks]

Ohhh yes Midas!!! On my list 4 sure :)

[@johnisrael5183]

wow...that sounds more open and and punchier than the six.....

[@gracelosianiga9808]

would love to see ITB comparision

[@tobitweaks]

It‘s in the Video :) Check the comparison with Ableton called „Summing Test“ in the chapters! Hope that helps. All the best, Tobi

[@gracelosianiga9808]

@@tobitweaks thank u .. btw from where did u send back the stereo mix to daw ..from the group outs or wat?

[@gracelosianiga9808]

@@tobitweaks ok ..thanx again

[@johnisrael5183]

See this is my point, My Mackie FX 12 Sounds as Good......and the SiX...Sounds Different but in a Muffled way....LOL.....the small SSL Boards are rips offs...if you already have some analog rack gear...SiX Shines when its all your using....thats how you see a real improvement compared to other mixers...if you already have analog Rack...and Bus Comp....SiX is a waste of money....ESPECIALLY if your using Pipeline with Sudio one because all your need is 2 Mono In and Stereo out....LOL...Id rather Upgrade my Rack...LOL

[@tobitweaks]

Hey glad to hear you still like my summing tests :) Don‘t worry the SSL will face a lot more opponents in future videos, hope to see you there! All the best, Tobi

[@AlistairMaxwell77]

i had a 428 for a while . not really a big improvement in sound or character over ITB to justify itself . i have a had few others in similar league and they were the same . really you need to spend a bit of money and get a decent large console to get enough sound and workflow improvements . all the mixers under are too compromised

[@tobitweaks]

Yes! Would say this desk is mostly nice for the large number of channels and possibilities…I have some more „Hi-End“ desks comin up so stay tuned :)

[@daddydanny5588]

go hybrid :)

[@dannydaniel8975]

The public is not gonna hear a difference one way or the other

[@kenntakac5034]

Nice vid, but to me AandH sounds choked...

[@tobitweaks]

Interesting very inspiring comment! This would be Headroom right? Like a „bottleneck“ problem? Should start to measure these things would love to have data about this

[@fuuyaone1645]

this console is a toy )))

[@tobitweaks]

Big toys for the kids :)

[@Exaltation-heliacal]

I think zed is dead

[@tobitweaks]

Kinda weird how they are selling these units without any upgrades for years now…