WZ3Monitor Compact Monitor Mixer

Following the success of the new GL2800M, Allen & Heath has launched the WZ3Monitor, a rackmount/desktop console which combines the design principles of the industry-standard MixWizard Series with many modern monitor facilities.

Furnished with 16 mono mic/line inputs, the desk boasts 12 mix outputs, which can be assigned as either mono or stereo pairs to take advantage of the recent trend towards personal monitoring.

Mechanically identical to other MixWizards - with individual card, nutted pot construction, and Quick Change Connector pod - the WZ3Monitor presents the monitor engineer with a compact, easy to use desk capable of mixing a large number of wedge and in-ear sources.

Input channels feature the WZ3 preamplifier and include a passive microphone splitter and individual phantom power. In common with the entire Wizard range, WZ3Monitor has 4 extended range overlapping bands of EQ - 2 with frequency sweeps - and a rotary channel fader, mute switch, PFL, signal & peak meters complete the strip.

The auxiliaries are arranged so that sends 1-4 may be switched pre or post fader, whilst sends 5-12 are set to postfade, although these may be set using internal jumpers to prefade. The mix send controls are configured as level controls in mono mode but are level and pan in stereo mode. All mix controls are on 60mm faders, colour-coded in pairs, plus each stereo mix is provided with stereo AFL signal checking.

The engineer is provided with a monitor output for wedge speaker, as well as a stereo headphone output with level control. The mixer can be set up as required in either desktop or rackmount configuration, and the mixer has an internal power supply as well as a back-up power supply input socket.

Mike Griffin, the WZ3Monitor designer, comments: "After we launched the GL2800M, we realised that there was a large untapped demand for small monitor desks, which can handle lots of outputs for performers. This desk has loads of inputs and outputs and everything's arranged neatly to provide clear and precise control of mixes. It's really straightforward with the rugged build and reliability of the MixWizards."

The WZ3Monitor mixer will be shipping in February 2007, SRP £1395 (ex VAT).