Zähl AM1 Console

ZÄHL AM1 The best of both worlds. Consistently analog approach using state-of-the-art technology designed for hands-on, real-time mixing. Modular Concept: Mono-, Stereo- and CV-Channels, Link Modules

ZÄHL AM1 The best of both worlds. Consistently analog approach using state-of-the-art technology designed for hands-on, real-time mixing. Modular Concept: Mono-, Stereo- and CV-Channels, Link Modules

AM1 DETAILS & FEATURES
- Highly musical circuitry, legendary EQ design
- Fully featured stereo channels (no stripped down EQ!) with MID/SIDE STEREO conversion at INSERT SEND/RETURN, continuously variable STEREO BASE and dual PANORAMA stage
- Smart functions like INSERT RETURN with continuously variable DRY/WET mixing for parallel compression, parallel EQing etc. and DIRECT AUX for channel-exclusive effect insertion
- Numerous unique circuit details in order to preserve signal integrity and minimize noise and crosstalk (e.g. solid state audio switching at potentiometer minimum or zero position)

FORMAT
- Available in a wide range of formats for musicians studio, PostPro, Mastering or large recording/mixing studio. 8/12/16/24/32/40 mono or stereo channels, CV-Channel occupies 2 slots

DESIGN FEATURES
- Optimized for hands-on live mixing/ real-time mixing
- Intuitive, user-friendly, mostly self-explaining layout
- Super clean, lowest noise and distortion signal paths, no VCAs in mono- and stereo-channels
- Click-free audio switching using zero cross detection on parameters relevant when mixing live
- Unique CV-Channel - CV-controllable
- Built with highest quality electronic and mechanical components
- No microprocessors, no clock pulses, no switched power circuitry

CV CHANNEL
The unique CV-Channel is both, stereo channel and musical instrument. It links professional audio with the modular analogue synth world. It is a stereo channel with VCA technology which allows controlling parameters by hand and by control-voltage (CV) at the same time. CV can be sourced from external equipment or from integrated CV-stages. Composing, sound designing and mixing are brought together by this thoroughly musical approach.

DETAILS CV CHANNEL
- Stereo channel with full feature set as conventional stereo channel except for different EQ/FILTER section, but based entirely on VCA technology
- 21 parameters (every parameter except INPUT GAIN and switches) voltage controllable via a combination of a poti for postive/negative MODULATION AMOUNT and a 12-position rotary switch for selecting a MODULATION SOURCE
- 5 external CV INPUTS for outboard sources available on back panel (1/4” jacks)
- 7 internal CV sources – designed in cooperation with VERBOS ELECTRONICS
--- FLUCTUATION (randomized LFO)
---  ENVELOPE FOLLOWER with selectable input SOURCE, SENSITIVITY and DECAY time and curve
---  GATE with HOLD time control (sharing input SOURCE and SENSITIVITY with ENVELOPE FOLLOWER)
---  AR ENVELOPE generator with ATTACK and RELEASE control, selectable trigger
---  CV SUM for mixing any two of the other 11 CV sources or filtered noise
---  FIXED VOLTAGE adjustable between -5V and +5V
---  FIXED VOLTAGE SWITCHED - the same voltage, but switchable manually or by external CV INPUT 2
- All internal CV sources available as CV outputs on back panel (1/4” jacks)
- 4 CV busses for sharing selected external CV INPUTS 1-4 between CV-A modules

VCA-based EQ/FILTER section
-  1 fully parametric EQ band with GAIN range from -18 dB to +12 dB, extended FREQUENCY range from 200 Hz to 10 kHz and Q control
-  HIGH PASS Filter with cutoff FREQUENCY and DRY/WET RATIO control
-  LOW PASS Filter with cutoff FREQUENCY and DRY/WET RATIO control

- Consistently analog approach, designed for hands-on, real-time mixing
- Legendary EQ design – highly musical without coloring, highly effective yet sensitive
- Intuitive, self-explanatory layout
- Super clean signal paths meeting highest mastering demands – no VCAs except CV channel, no clock pulses (sequential logic only), no switched power converters
- Quiet, vent-free linear external power supply
- Zero-cross sensing on all switches relevant in live operation (minimization of clicks)
- Freely configurable with mono, stereo or stereo CV channels
- Minimum width 437 mm (optionally for 19” rack installation) with up to 8 stereo channels and master section
- Maximum width 1981 mm with up to 46 stereo channels and master section, expandable by external units
- Overall depth 885 mm, overall height 318 mm, module depth 673.5 mm, front panel angle 15.5°
- Conveniently accessible back panel with XLR audio connectors

MASTER SECTION (module MM-A)
• 4 STEREO GROUP outputs
• 4 stereo and 2 mono AUX MASTER controls (→additional AUX functions available on channels)
• 6 STEREO RETURNS, each with 2 band semi-parametric EQ
• comprehensive monitoring section with high quality headphones amp
• smart functions for preparing mute scenes in real-time mixing
• PFL (non-destructive) switchable to SOLO (destructive) logic
MONO CHANNEL (module MC-A)
• extensive EQ section – 4-band plus low cut, each band electronically bypassed when gain is set to zero
• DIRECT AUX control (channel-exclusive aux send)
• INSERT with DRY/WET return ratio control – for parallel compression, EQing, etc., or for use as channel-exclusive aux
return in combination with DIRECT AUX (freeing up aux busses when using an effect on one channel only)

STEREO CHANNEL (module SC-A)
with full feature set as mono channel (no stripped down EQ as in many other consoles), and additionally including: • BALANCE control plus PAN controls for left and right channels independently
• STEREO BASE control – from mono to stereo to phase-reversed
• INSERT with M/S (mid/side) option

LINK OUTPUT (module LO-A)
”blind master”– alternatively to module MM-A – for connecting Zähl AM1 expander with Zähl AM1 or other main console

LINK INPUT (module LI-A)
for merging busses from Zähl AM1 expander or other external console/expander with busses of main AM1 console

CV CHANNEL (module CV-A)
• stereo channel with full feature set as conventional stereo channel (module SC-A) except for different EQ/FILTER section, but based entirely on VCA technology
• 21 parameters (every parameter except INPUT GAIN and switches) voltage controllable via a combination of a
poti for postive/negative MODULATION AMOUNT and a 12-position rotary switch for selecting a MODULATION SOURCE
• 5 external CV INPUTS for outboard sources available on back panel (1/4” jacks) • 7 internal CV sources – designed in cooperation with VERBOS ELECTRONICS
- FLUCTUATION (randomized LFO)
- ENVELOPE FOLLOWER with selectable input SOURCE, SENSITIVITY and DECAY time and curve
- GATE with HOLD time control (sharing input SOURCE and SENSITIVITY with ENVELOPE FOLLOWER)
- AR ENVELOPE generator with ATTACK and RELEASE control, selectable trigger SOURCE and MANUAL trigger button. - CV SUM for mixing any two of the other 11 CV sources or filtered noise
- FIXED VOLTAGE adjustable between -5V and +5V
- FIXED VOLTAGE SWITCHED - the same voltage, but switchable manually or by external CV INPUT 2
• all internal CV sources available as CV outputs on back panel (1/4” jacks)
• 4 CV busses for sharing selected external CV INPUTS 1-4 between CV-A modules • VCA-based EQ/FILTER section
- 1 fully parametric EQ band with GAIN range from -18 dB to +12 dB, extended FREQUENCY range from 200 Hz to 10 kHz and Q control
- HIGH PASS Filter with cutoff FREQUENCY and DRY/WET RATIO control - LOW PASS Filter with cutoff FREQUENCY and DRY/WET RATIO control