ALTO Professional ZMX122FX – 8 Channel Compact Audio Mixing Desk with Built-In Effects, Four XLR Microphone Inputs and Two Stereo Inputs
Professional Mixing Features with a Go-Anywhere Attitude + 256 Onboard Effects
The ZMX122FX is an eight-channel, two-bus mixer with all the inputs, outputs, routing, EQ, and effects you need for more intimate live performance reinforcement situations. It features four microphone inputs with balanced TRS jacks (two with Phantom Power), a three-band EQ and two AUX sends on each of the four mono channels and the two stereo channels, and even two-track inputs for integrating audio playback devices.
Regardless of what you’re mixing, give your mix a professional edge with 256 onboard 24-bit DSP effects designed in partnership with Alesis, a coveted creator of sound-shaping digital effects that has been setting standards for DSP technology for nearly three decades. Choose from room and space delays, small and large hall acoustics, plate and spring reverbs, flangers, chorus effects and more. The ZMX122FX offers 16 variations of 16 professional Alesis effects from which to build, tweak, and dial in your sound. There’s even a footswitch input so you can bypass all effects hands-free (footswitch not included).
ZMX122FX. Perfect, take-anywhere, professional, eight-channel, two-bus mixer
Visualize Your Mix
We designed every ZMX mixer with your performance in mind. Oftentimes venues are dark and it can be hard to see what you’re working with. Alto Professional solves this problem by not only color coding each section of the mixer, but also by using brightly colored knobs so that you can easily find what you need to adjust before you ever lay a finger on the mixer.
- Our blue, red, yellow and white pots are instantly easy to identify in dim lighting.
- LED indicators for output level, peak, and phantom power also assist in making sure that you have multiple visual cues that compliment everything you’re hearing.
Versatile Inputs and Outputs
The ZMX122FX is the swiss army knife that your creative life needs. Not only can you can plug dynamic, condenser, and wireless microphones into the first four channels, but you also get two stereo channel inputs for keyboards, drum machines, and other instruments. Plus, you can easily plug in your MP3 player, CD player, or audio from a DVD player into the CD/TAPE inputs. You also have two AUX sends that you can use to send streams of audio from your mixer to a digital effects unit, stage monitor, or any number of sources. Choose the ZMX122FX as the audio central command for your live performances, home studio, or video suite.
- The ZMX122FX packs an enormous amount of features into a very compact space, but we took a no-compromise approach where the purity of your mix is concerned. This compact mixer brings the same standard of quality to your performances as our top-of-the-line models. All Alto Professional ZMX mixers are designed with high headroom and ultra low-noise, discrete mic preamps so you always get the full dynamic range of your mix every time. Pristine sound. No compromises.
Main Features & Technical Information
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Key Features16 total inputs including XLR jacks w/ phantom power on ch. 1-4 On-board Alesis digital effects with 256 variations Expanded channel count perfect for small groups or sub-mixes 4 mic input channels with gold-plated XLR and balanced line inputs Two stereo input channels with balanced TRS jacks High headroom circuitry offering extra dynamic range Ultra-low-noise discrete mic preamps 3-band EQ on each channel Footswitch input for effects on/off (sold separately) 2 aux sends per channel for external effects and monitoring 2-bus design with Main and Control Room 1/4†stereo outputs Aux inputs/outputs for external audio source integration Switchable phantom power | SpecificationsInput Channels: Mono channels (Ch. 1 – 4) Microphone Input: Electronically balanced, discrete input configuration Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 22 kHz, +/-1 dB Distortion (THD&N): ≦0.005% At +4 dBu, 1 kHz Gain range: 0 dB to 50 dB (Mic) Maximum Voltage Gain: 70 dB Ch. Mic input → Main Mix out & Tape out, 80 dB Ch. Mic input → Control Room & Phones, 60 dB Ch. Mic input → Aux send SNR (Signal to Noise Rate ): ≧110 dBu Phantom power (Mic Pin 2 / Pin 3 and Pin 1): +48 V – with switch control
Line Input: Electronically Balanced Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 22 kHz, +/-1 dB Distortion (THD&N): ≦0.005% at + 4 dBu, 1 kHz Gain Range: 15 dBu to 35 dBu
Stereo Channels: (Ch. 5 – 8) Line Input: Electronically Balanced SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio): ≧110 dBu Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 22 kHz, +/-1 dB Distortion (THD&N): ≦0.005% at +4 dBu, 1 kHz Gain range: -20 dBu to +20 dBu, 60 dB Ch. Line → Main Mix out Maximum Voltage Gain: 20 dB FX Return → Main Mix out, 20 dB RCA Tape input → Main Mix out | SpecificationsImpedance Microphone Input: 3.9 kOhms All Other Inputs: 10 kOhms or greater Tape Out: 1 kOhms All Other Outputs: 120 Ohms
Equalization Mono Channels: High ±15 dB @ 12 kHz, Mid ±15 dB @ 2.5 kHz, Low ±15 dB @ 80 Hz Stereo Channels: High ±15 dB @ 12 kHz, Mid ±15 dB @ 2.5 kHz, Low ±15 dB @ 80 Hz
Alesis DSP Section A/D And D/A Converters: 24-bit DSP Resolution: 24-bit Type of effects: Hall, Room, Vocal & Plate Reverbs Mono & Stereo Delay (max delay time 650 ms) Chorus, Flanger & Reverb modulations, Reverb+Delay, Reverb+Chorus, Reverb+Flanger combinations Presets: 256 Controls: 16 x 16-position preset selector Crosstalk: Adjacent Input ≦-80 dB @ 1 KHz (Ch. 1-6) , Input to Output ≦-75 dB @ 1 KHz (Stereo L/R, Ch. 1-4, Pan: panned hard left or right)
Main Mix Section Tape, Aux, Phones Output Output level: 0 dBu Unbalanced, 1/4″ Jacks, Max out +22 dBu Unbalanced, 1/4″ jacks Noise (Bus noise): ≦-90 dB @ 20 Hz ~ 22 KHz (channel & Main level at 0 dB, other at minimum, DSP mute)
Power supply: 18 V, 1500 mA Rated power consumption: 27 W |
| Weight: | 2.2 kg |
| Dimensions: | 32.4 x 15.1 x 39.4 cm; 2.2 Kilograms |
| Model: | ZMX122FX |
| Origin: | China |
The knobs look and feel a little cheap but I’ve been using this with my Bose pro 32 pa and it does the job the effects are not the best but adequate but for a real professional singer who wants the absolute best then spend more money
Fab kit. Gave my first one to my daughter. Regrettably. Bought myself another.
Using with Alto speakers
Easy to set up and easy to use really makes a difference to the quality or the sound coming out the speakers as well as making me sound better for singing
Perfect for my needs (running my own IEM mix onstage), allows me to easily mix an overall FOH mix with my own dedicated bass and vocal mixes, in a small and easily transported package – definitely worth the 37 I paid and highly recommended
Excellent value for money. I’m a singer guitarist & use it with powered FBT speakers.
I’ve bought it to replace a Studiomaster mixer which I’ve been using for the past 20 years!!
I tried a behringer and sent it back to buy this and I have no disappointment with this.
The on board effects are surprisingly useful, low noise and well appointed for sends, returns and auxiliary inputs. Love it.
The only mixer I could find at this price that did 2 main and 2 Aux channels. I bought this mixer so that I could mix guitar, microphone, drum machine and keyboard down to 2 channels to feed into the Behringer UMC202HD USB interface – so I wasn’t worried that it doesn’t have a USB interface. I also wanted something I could take on stage and give me a local monitor channel; this gives me two Aux outputs that I can use for monitoring. It doesn’t have on-board effects and it doesn’t have faders. It also doesn’t have channel mute buttons, which would sometimes be helpful (e.g. when setting the drum machine up) but at just about half the price and size of the Behringer 1204 I’m not complaining.
Currently using 1 Microphone to output my voice to my PS5 and PC at the same time (Main Mix Out & AUX Out)
Only ever used this brand as I’m a streamer and require more than 1 Mic sometimes plus wireless mics and sound import and this is amazing and easy to use
Very pleased with this little mixing desk, It has no frills is basic but plenty of inputs for my Guitar and Microphone for Live broadcasting online during these weird times.
There’s THREE main differences I notice about the mixer I bought in Oct 2020 compared to the one I bought in about 2012.
2012 I paid 34. 2020 was 40.
The PSU’s are different (see picture) the older one is HEAVY and the new one is light and has the little power thingy in the cable. Both same 18v, 500ma.
The main volume rotary on the 2012 model has a centre lock function so it clicks at the halfway point and the newer one does not.
If you know what you’re buying and how to use it this mixer will last years! I used it as a main output control with my music production set up for YEARS (I even have pictures) and only the main volume rotary gets a little crackly because of dust and moving it a few more times cleans it. I’ve also recorded my voice through IT into a Nikon D5300 camera and it doesn’t have noise that will affect it in any negative way because the noise floor is -110DB! It’s now controlling my laptop output so I can have a speaker AND headphone connection for easy use for both.
This mixer has been in use for at least 8 years and still works and I may have bought it even earlier than that and that’s why I’m happy to spend 6 more on another one today.
Most of the bad reviews are because of USER error and NOT a poor product. Do your research before buying things you can’t operate properly before you blame the product. My brother has one and has reported no problems.
Used between microphones and a PA amplifier set-up it gives good control, with no noticeable noise added. Performs as expected from experience with its big brother, the ZMX122FX.
There’s a lot you can do with this for the price, you could use it for many different music purposes, very versatile indeed, currently being used to mix various music playing inputs, with a bit of mic enhancement, but could be used for so much more
for the price and ease of set up, it should really get 5 stars, overall 4.5/5, a good bit of kit whether you want to make your own or listen to music, nice ki
Pretty good sturdy mini mixing desk. woukd have liked more as options but cannot complain really. Good value.
I’ve given this 5 star’s because I know you don’t have long too write a review . so Purley on look I write this as I haven’t had time to use it yet . It does look the biz though . If I am wrong I’ll update my review accordingly
My situation was that I have my PS4 and PC set up at the same desk, I have my audio for my PS4 through my monitor speakers which aren’t very good, so I use the AUX output to my headset.
However I also use my pc for music/videos/discord at the same time.
This works perfectly for my specific use case, getting both sound sources through my headset simultaneously with the ability to control them individually.
Not noticed any irregularities in the playback or any feedback or anything like that so far.
I would recommend.
This is my 2nd mixer and very happy with the quality of it & its smart sleek look
I’m pretty new to using audio and mixing as I’m now taking my exercise classes online. There are several You Tube videos that show you how to set this up so Google those for some more information. It’s made mostly of metal and so I think this is very durable, and easy to use – just plug stuff in and off you go!! My advice is to allow time to play with the various settings (probably an hour) before doing your first actual session so as you get the sound right for you.
I can immediately hear the difference in sound quality from my speakers. Also both my speakers are working with this mixer.
I just received mine today. Looks bigger than I thought i will update when I’ve used it .
Haven’t actually used it yet. Bought it as a spare as I am using the exact same just now.
Easy to use and set up.
Works perfectly does what i wanted it to do good quality good produc
Very easy to set up. Vocal 1 effect very smooth. No eq at all needed, all at 12 o’clock.
(sennheiser 845 mic)
Plugging a pair of mono jacks into Channels 2 and 3 (one pair for iMac and one pair for piano), it worked a charm. The audio was as crisp as listening direct through headphones at each source. There was no interference or latency.
It wasn’t until I analysed my setup after a long day building my ‘studio’ that I was missing a trick. I switched over to using my high-end headphones (Sennheiser HD650’s) and they are a little heavy in the low end when playing piano. It was my intention however to use these, so I moved the piano (with a mono cable) onto channel 1. Channel 1 is the only channel which offers equalizer options to adjust mid range and low (bass).
Having done this, I thought I was onto a winner….and I could use my decent headphones after turning down the low end. However, I was greeted with a hissy, hollow sound which was by far inferior to that which I witnessed on channel 2 and 3 (the ones without EQ options).
After experimenting with different cables, I came up fruitless. No matter what I tried, this bad sound remained.
As such, despite the great sound on channel 2 and 3, I’ve found the need to return this unit in favour of the Behringer Xenyx Q802USB for 14 more which features EQ on 4 channels (2 mono channels and two stereo), with the bonus of compression on the mono channels. Hopefully, with this Behringer mixer, I’ll be able to witness clear sound and be able to bring down the low end so that I can use my premium headphones. Despite the EQ being present on the stereo (which I’ll use), I’ll also be testing the mono channels to see if my results differ.
Overall, this is a great little unit. I didn’t have an opportunity to test the Aux out / in, but from what I witnessed of channel 2 and 3, it does a damn good job, but sadly the experience of channel 1 lets it down.
Light weight and compact. Easily transportable. Plenty powerful for my needs. Still familiarising myself with it but it has phantom power and everything you’d expect.
I am no expert so a better manual would have come in handy, something to explain what the different dials do and what to expect, but after a bit of playing, i seem to have the hang of it.
Would definitely recommend.
Excellent as a mixer into a power PA system for a solo music act. The effects provision is very good and easy to use especially for voice. The instruction manual is refreshingly basic and easy to follow.
The push button switching to either main output or studio is a nuisance at times- can easily be accidentally pressed. A flick up protective cover would correct this.
Another potential improvement would be to incorporate the transformer into the unit rather than have it on the end of the mains lead.
Great for connecting iphone output to speakers at conferences. You will need a mini jack to guitar jack cable for this purpose.
I bought this mixer for my daughter and she was so pleased with how simple it was to set up and use,
the clarity with the mic is very good, the price is very reasonable too, in fact we were so impressed with it that I bought another for myself.
I would definitely recommend this mixe
I just love this mixer, have not use it fully yet but it ticks all the boxes, small, slick, fit the desk nicely, can see and read everything on it, we will get a bigger one pretty soon.
well built, very sturdy and feels like it will last longer than any allen and heath mixer i have used, this mixer is very versatile , don’t be fooled by the amount of direct channel inputs or outs, very very clever little interface – Alto think about their gear and their big mixers are the same – low cost but not low on functionality
i have had one for 3 years now, all mic preamps still sound new, no crackly potS, no failures, it is used as a submixer in my studio AND I DRIVE IT VERY HARD and it just keeps going, the channels offer plenty good analogue distortion (i abuse this on my 303) when maxxed out, the fx are more than useable for their purpose.
for a small band or even a small studio/home style affair this is very good for its cost
don’t come in expecting the world for 100quid and you will be over the moon with your purchase
Ideal for solo, duo and even a small band. I’m using it for solo work. Handy having extra inputs for other musicians
Great little mixer – wish it had XLR outputs but apart from that everything works grea
This is my third purchase ideal for karaoke and disco
Would purchase again. Found easy to set up FX worked fine. One problem be careful with the mains connection on set up. Damage to the connection will cost you dear.
I’m not all that knowledgeable when it comes to sound gear. I just needed something that could take multiple inputs and give me one output so that I could run a Google Home Mini, TV, and karaoke microphone into my speaker system. This works a treat. Does what it says on the tin, I have zero complaints. Great build quality. Will last for years I’d say.
I love this mixer! The build and knobs are of good quality and the sound processing is extremely low noise and low distortion. Nothing to fault and lots to like!
Good product and essential reading for those at University reading theatre studies.This is a very good product. It’s robust easy to understand and connect to any existing PA equipment.
Great product, small, light and compact. I run 4 mics and a radio head mic. Great performe
Being a drummer practising can be loud on an accoustic kit which normally results in angry neibourghs when resorting to the electric kit this little mixer is the perfect tool for mixing in the kit and any backing for practise. (Obviously applied to most electrical instruments)
My only dig is I could do with an extra XLR input and for some reason my jack converter lacks a stereo input when fully inserted, I have to pull it out by about a millimetre for it to work, but that could be down to my converters. It’s also very handy taking to gigs and acting as a control for my in ear monitors.
Overall this product is great for small band rehearsal or gigging and with the main LR output plugged into an interface you can get a decent recording, providing you have mixed it correctly
Really good bit of kit. Some reviews complain about power supply, but like most musical equipment: if you are careful it will last!
From experience, the weakest point is the output cable of the power supply. It will eventually break from fatigue at its exit point from the cable guard at the ‘plug top’. All the user can do is wrap the flex as lose as possible when packing the kit away. Note, this is a world wide issue with power supplies, in my view, and is certainly not specific to Alto.
I initially bought this to use with my microphone for gigging, but I now use it with my turntable using the phono inputs and outputs and it works a treat.
It is a teensy bit hard to work out what to do as a beginner, but it certainly rocks the cheap electro acoustic guitar and aukey mic that we got at the same time.
MY HOME SOUND SYSTEM IS NOW COMPLETE PERFECTION; MIXER IS SOLID IN CONSTRUCTION; CONTROLS ARE SMOOTH IN USE; WOW JUST WOW;
BUT THERE IS A DOWNSIDE!!!!!!
Be very careful with the plug/adapter if you are using this desk to gig regularly. It is very very weak and needs absolute kid glove treatment.
Right at the head of the adapter where the wire protrudes from the plug – is the weak spot. I have now been through three of these plugs – and believe me…. i take great care with my cables and adapters as all musicians will know – they are costly.
Break this plug and you’ll find spares very hard to find. I tried one adapter bought from Maplins – and it actually caused the desk to burn itself out – mid gig. If the plug breaks, you’ve effectively just cost yourself between 80 – 100. I have reported this fault to Alto – but they were un-sympathetic and actually accused me in an email of not looking after the plug properly. ABSOLUTE RUBBISH!!
The desk is great and I wouldn’t want to change it, but in my estimation – Alto need to review the power supply to the desk for a more robust alternative like a kettle lead or figure 8.
You’ll be pleased with this product – as long as it doesn’t have to gig with you 6 nights a week. Home use with no movement – and you’ll be delighted.!!
Nice compact mixer that does the job, very smooth sound and the f/x are really good (I was particularly worried about the reverbs, but its got some really nice f/x.
If I was being picky, a compressor would have been nice, and XLR outputs instead of the standard jacks, however its a great little mixer.
I’m in a band too where we have a large Allen and Heath, but seeing we only use a couple of inputs most the time, I will probably be using this for band gigs too.
All in all very pleased…dont be put off by price etc, it works very well and f/x are good (a lot better than some of the Behringer/Mackie stuff I’ve had in the past, and, in a pub environment, well up there with dearer units. If you dont need loads of inputs, its ideal!
The downside is that the manual is pretty brutal but the labeling on the unit is clear so you can figure it out on your own at home when there is no pressure. My one gripe is that there is no coherent information anywhere on the variations for the fx settings … and I can’t find anything on the web for this fx unit by alexis. In addition I was hoping to find a mixer initially which had one knob compressors … but in practice I don’t need this … the fx and good control of the preamps for the mics allow us to keep everything nice and smooth.