Allen & Heath ZEDi-10FX – Compact Hybrid Mixer and USB Audio Interface with Effects

Product Overview

The Allen & Heath ZEDi-10FX is a 10-channel hybrid mixer and USB audio interface combining four mic/line inputs, two Hi-Z guitar instrument inputs, two pairs of stereo line inputs, a 24-bit digital effects engine with reverb, delay, chorus, and TAP tempo, and a 4-in/4-out USB interface operating at up to 24-bit/96 kHz. It is designed for musicians, producers, and AV professionals who need a single device for live mixing, direct-to-DAW recording, and studio tracking. Preamps are modeled on the Allen & Heath GS2-R24 console, delivering the low-noise, high-headroom characteristics associated with Allen & Heath's analog console heritage. Cubase LE and Cubasis LE are included for immediate DAW recording on Mac, Windows, and iPad.

Product Description

The ZEDi-10FX is positioned as the ZED series model with the most sophisticated USB interface capability — 4-in/4-out at 24-bit/96 kHz — making it the preferred choice when more than a stereo recording feed from the mixer is required. This expanded USB channel count allows separate routing of channels for independent tracking in a DAW, a feature particularly valued in home studio and live recording scenarios.

The four mono channel strips carry XLR mic inputs with up to 60 dB of gain and individual phantom power. Channels 1 and 2 include both XLR and TRS line inputs with high-pass filters on all four channels for removing low-frequency contamination. Channels 3 and 4 include Hi-Z instrument inputs that convert the TRS jack to high-impedance mode at the press of a switch, eliminating the need for a DI box when recording electric guitar or bass directly.

The 3-band EQ on mono channels provides effective tonal shaping for microphone and instrument sources. Two stereo input pairs accept keyboards, drum machines, media players, and other stereo line sources. The 7-channel fader layout — four mono and three stereo (two stereo pairs and the master) — provides a familiar mixing surface feel in a chassis measuring only 3.8 x 13.1 x 10.8 inches.

The digital effects engine provides reverbs, delays, chorus, and TAP tempo, adding depth and space to live mixes without requiring an external effects unit. The FX and aux send structure is identical to other ZED series mixers, allowing independent monitor and effects routing per channel.

The USB switch on the rear panel controls how analog signals are routed to the DAW — allowing the four USB input channels to carry different signal combinations depending on the recording scenario. This flexibility supports both simple stereo mixdown recording and more complex multi-channel tracking configurations within the same unit, without requiring external routing hardware.

An internal power supply means no wall wart adapter is required — a single IEC power cable is all that is needed. This is a practical advantage in live and studio environments where power outlet availability is limited.

Key Features

• 4-In/4-Out USB Interface at 24-Bit/96 kHz — High-resolution multi-channel recording to Mac or Windows DAW, superior to 2-in/2-out budget alternatives
• GS2-R24-Derived Preamps — Allen & Heath console preamp heritage delivering low noise and high headroom
• Hi-Z Guitar Inputs on Ch. 3/4 — Direct instrument input without DI box; switchable from TRS line to Hi-Z instrument mode
• 4x High-Pass Filters — Available on all four mono channels for eliminating low-frequency noise and rumble
• 3-Band EQ on Mono Channels — Per-channel tone shaping for microphone and instrument sources
• Digital Effects with TAP Tempo — Reverb, delay, chorus, and more with real-time tempo synchronization
• USB Routing Switch — Flexible USB output routing for different recording configurations
• Internal Power Supply — No external adapter required; single IEC power cable operation
• Cubase LE and Cubasis LE Included — Full-featured DAW software for immediate recording on Mac, Windows, and iPad
• 48V Phantom Power — Condenser microphone support across all XLR inputs
• 8x LED Signal Metering — Visual output level monitoring

Typical Applications

• Home recording studio tracking with multiple microphone and instrument inputs simultaneously
• Live sound mixing in small venues with simultaneous DAW recording for live archive
• House of worship mixing requiring compact footprint and USB recording capability
• Training room and classroom audio with USB playback and multi-source mixing
• Podcast and content creation requiring multiple mic inputs with professional preamp quality
• AV production setups combining analog mixing with digital recording in a single unit

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the key difference between the ZEDi-10FX and the ZED-10FX?

The ZEDi-10FX includes a 4-in/4-out USB interface at up to 24-bit/96 kHz, compared to the ZED-10FX's 2-in/2-out at 16-bit/48 kHz. The ZEDi-10FX also has an internal power supply (no wall adapter) and includes Cubase LE software. The ZED-10FX is a slightly larger chassis with a different channel layout.

Can I record multiple channels simultaneously using the ZEDi-10FX?

Yes. The ZEDi-10FX supports 4-in/4-out USB at 24-bit/96 kHz, allowing up to four audio channels to be recorded simultaneously in a compatible DAW such as the included Cubase LE.

Does the ZEDi-10FX work with iPad?

Yes. Cubasis LE for iPad is included, and the unit is compatible with iOS via a USB camera adapter (Apple Camera Connection Kit). Check Apple's compatibility requirements for your specific iPad model.

Are the main outputs on the ZEDi-10FX balanced?

Yes. The main L/R outputs are balanced XLR, suitable for driving professional PA amplifiers and studio monitors.

Does the ZEDi-10FX have an internal power supply or does it require an external adapter?

The ZEDi-10FX has an internal power supply. It connects via a standard IEC power cable with no external adapter required.

Can the Hi-Z inputs be used with a passive guitar without a buffer pedal?

Yes. The Class-A FET Hi-Z inputs on channels 3 and 4 are designed to accept passive guitar pickups directly. The 26 dB boost switch accommodates instruments with very low output levels.

Is Cubase LE a full version of Cubase or a limited license?

Cubase LE is a full-featured entry-level DAW with a limited track count and feature set compared to full Cubase versions. It supports audio recording, MIDI, and basic mixing, which is sufficient for most tracking and recording scenarios for which the ZEDi-10FX is intended.