Mini mixer for ipad recording?

[dickiefunk]

Hi. I'm looking for a small mixer to record into my ipad and have found the Allen & Heath ZED 10 fx. According to the A&H website the ZED 10fx is compatible with iPads:-

http://allen-heath.helpserve.com/Knowledgebase/Article/View/375/16/zed-series--ipad-compatibility

I will be mainly recording a stereo pair of SDC's or recording single instruments such as acoustic guitar. I am planning to record into Cubasis.
I will be intending to use the mixer for live work a lot as well and the ZED10fx fits my requirements.

Are there any other mini mixers that are capable of this? Alternatively, are there any audio interfaces that have ipad apps for remote mixer without a laptop?

Is the newer Behringer Xenyx QX mixers compatible with iPads for recording?

[Music Wolf]

Hi

I have a ZED10FX and I'm very happy with it. I initially bought it to use in a PA for my trio (2 vocals, guitar and bass plus backing tracks). I was playing the backing tracks from an iPad or iPod via a camera kit into the USB in. Everything works straight out of the box. I didn't try recording onto the iPad but I have since started using the ZED10 in my home studio and I record into Cubase running on PC (I had to install aios4all driver on PC). I don't record the built in effects but I do use them to monitor whilst tracking.

I'd recommend this mixer but, if you can afford it, take a look at the ZED12FX which has faders. I find the rotary level controls on the 10 a little bit 'coarse' (for want of a better description), especially live since I'm mixing from the stage although I can live with it in the studio for tracking since I mix 'in the box'.

In this price range I wouldn't look at anything else.

Chris

[dickiefunk]

Thanks. I want some extremely small and am deliberately avoiding faders for this reason. I already own an Allen & Heath QU16 and Focusrote Saffire Pro 24 interface in the studio. I'm looking for something as small as possible whilst still being good quality.

[ef37a]

Thanks. I want some extremely small and am deliberately avoiding faders for this reason. I already own an Allen & Heath QU16 and Focusrote Saffire Pro 24 interface in the studio. I'm looking for something as small as possible whilst still being good quality.

I have a ZED10 and yes, excellent but you could not call it small! Not compared say to a Behringer 1202. The 10's footprint is a shade under two SoS mags side by side.

I do not own any iPad/pod gear but I would have thought Behringer/Phonic etc would have been stable mates qualitywise?

Soundcraft make some quite compact and beejew mixers?

Dave.

[ronmac]

If you are recording in to Cubasis perhaps having a look at some of the Steinberg Class Compliant interfaces makes sense?

I have a UR 824 and was very happy when they upgraded the software and firmware to make it CC.

[dickiefunk]

I've just had a look at those Steinberg interfaces. Does anyone know how well these would work for live? Would I need to bring a laptop to the gig as well or could I just use an ipad?

[ronmac]

No need for a laptop. You will need to connect the interface to the iPad via a "Camera Connector Kit", available at any store that sells iPads.

The free iPad app can be downloaded from Apple's store and works in demo mode so that you can get a feel for the features and performance.

http://www.steinberg.net/en/products/mo ... mixfx.html

[dickiefunk]

Thanks for this info. I've had a look at the Steinberg app and it looks quite good but I think I'd need the UR824 to give me enough I/O for gigs. This however cost around more than double the price of the ZED at £475 compared to £210. I'm not entirely sure how easy I'd find only having iPad control for making quick adjustments.
Also, at this price I'd be closely approaching the price of the upcoming Behringer x18 which I'd much rather have!

One thing I read in the Allen and Heath specs is the USB audio interface is 16bit. I'm not sure how this would affect the audio quality compared to 24 bit interfaces?

[ef37a]

Thanks for this info. I've had a look at the Steinberg app and it looks quite good but I think I'd need the UR824 to give me enough I/O for gigs. This however cost around more than double the price of the ZED at £475 compared to £210. I'm not entirely sure how easy I'd find only having iPad control for making quick adjustments.
Also, at this price I'd be closely approaching the price of the upcoming Behringer x18 which I'd much rather have!

One thing I read in the Allen and Heath specs is the USB audio interface is 16bit. I'm not sure how this would affect the audio quality compared to 24 bit interfaces?

The 16bit restriction will not affect the audio "quality" one jot (ever heard of CD?).The only consequence is a higher noise floor, however in a live band situation the basic room noise and kit noise will probably mean you will have an imposed noise floor not much better than -60dBFS and if you can get -70 you are beating Dolby A tape!

Certainly if you were recording a string quartet in a VERY quiet location 24 bits would be better but rock and roll? I suppose it should be said that running at 24 bits would be easier in the sense that you could probably set for -20dBFS and forget about peaks?
I am sure the Top Men will give you the full SP!

In have a ZED 10, a couple of AKG P150s and a Shure 57, if you want some numbers I can have a bit of a re jig?

Dave.

[dickiefunk]

I am intending to record acoustic music and some classical stuff. I'd also like to record some choirs with a pair of SDC's.

The only other mixer I've found within my budget is the Soon to be released SM Pro Audio UMix Mini. This has the similar amount of I/O but more comprehensive fx/channel strips. It also has wifi mixing capability and features will be added with future software updates! However, this mixer is quite a lump due to it having a dedicated computer inside!

I love the clear layout and easy hands on of the A&H Zed 10fx and think this would be great if I want to hire it out along with one of my pa's for live work.

I think the ZED 10fx is the only option for what I'd like to achieve within my budget. Just a little nervous about how noisy the USB interface will be?

[ef37a]

I am intending to record acoustic music and some classical stuff. I'd also like to record some choirs with a pair of SDC's.

The only other mixer I've found within my budget is the Soon to be released SM Pro Audio UMix Mini. This has the similar amount of I/O but more comprehensive fx/channel strips. It also has wifi mixing capability and features will be added with future software updates! However, this mixer is quite a lump due to it having a dedicated computer inside!

I love the clear layout and easy hands on of the A&H Zed 10fx and think this would be great if I want to hire it out along with one of my pa's for live work.

I think the ZED 10fx is the only option for what I'd like to achieve within my budget. Just a little nervous about how noisy the USB interface will be?

Will this help?

Just made a speech recording, SM57, CH 1 all other channels off. Average level -20dBFS (Samplitude Pro Silver, lovely meters!) peaks to around neg 10. Pulled the plug and let the recording run and noise settled down to -76dBfs. Note, I had set the level of the "USB MIC CODEC" as Win 7 calls a USB mixer, to 4% (from the default 100% FCS why!). You could probably set the level even lower and drive the USB converter a bit harder and improve on 76dB? however,once you have 2 or 3 mics set up I doubt you will get an ambient noise level low enough to worry!

Even then! If you really want the mixer but are bothered about 16 bits you could pick up a s/h Fast track pro or a US 144 for a nifty and go through that?

Just like to add. If you were contemplating a USB mixer that say rhymed with Klinger (wife's mad on MASH reruns!) I would be putting you WELL off but the A&H will be fine I am certain.

Dave.

[Goddard]

How about Alesis' iO Mix?

[G-Doubleyou]

For live performance a prime consideration is an interface that charges the iPad.

As the battery drains, the CPU is throttled down, and performance declines.

I have an Alesis iO Dock, for connectivity, protection and charging.