Allen & Heath ZED6FX

The ZED-6FX takes the compact six-input ZED-6 and adds an internal effects engine, so reverb and delay are built into a mixer small enough to sit on a desktop. It carries the GSPre boutique preamp design taken from Allen & Heath's GS-R24 recording console, giving low noise and generous headroom for condenser and dynamic mics on its two mono channels. Two of the inputs are high-impedance instrument inputs for plugging a guitar straight in, and two stereo channels handle keyboards and backing tracks.

The onboard FX engine offers 61 presets with tap tempo for setting delay times to the song, a 2-band EQ with a low-cut filter cleans up each source, and switchable 48V phantom power feeds condenser mics. Balanced XLR main outputs feed the PA or an interface, and a rugged metal chassis makes it an easy grab-and-go desk for small stages, rehearsals, and desktop recording.