Based in the United Kingdom, Z&H handbuilds premium pro audio gear in their dedicated Shanghai facility and recording studio. By building parts and manufacturing in-house, Z&H delivers professional-grade equipment at accessible pricing without sacrificing quality or craftsmanship.
Each design stays for a minimum of one year in Z&H’s LARGO Studio, undergoing rigorous testing on high-budget projects. By the time each model is launched, it has been by a million ears to ensure it meets both pro audio standards and audience approval.
Z&H Designs is rooted in a global community of audio engineers. Over 30 engineers from the UK, EU, and US participated in the development and testing of Z&H’s models, providing feedback on aesthetic presentation and hardware performance.
V250: A compact version of the legendary Sontec MEP-250, with 1 channel & 4 bands, plus shelving option on air and sub bands.
V12: Inspired by the classic American style mic preamp in the 70s. Built with Z&H’s handmade DOA and transformers.
V560: A recreation of the famous American graphic EQ with a discrete analog circuit.
HVC250: The revival of the legendary Sontec MEP-250 equalizer. All-discrete analog circuitry offers a great deal of sonic control while delivering clean and natural-sounding results.
Hopto Stereo Optical Compressor: Inspired by the classic LA-2A/3A, Hopto inherits transparent and subtle optical compression. Unlike most optical compressors, Hopto offers a fast attack mode that can handle sharp transients without losing sound quality, as well as a sidechain HPF for even greater versatility.
VCA Compressor: A flagship design which unites the iconic “glue” characteristic of British-style bus compressors with the forward, transient-focused response of classic American VCA designs.
1178 Stereo Peak Limiter: Designed using new old stock components used in the original UREI 1178, resulting in a perfect replication of the signal processing chain. Modern enhancements include an onboard M/S-L/R switch, which is paired with separate attack & release controls. It also has a mix knob and a sidechain HPF.
H02 & H08 Mic Preamps: Versatile and powerful, delivering clean and lifelike sound. Add color and harmonics with controls such as an additional permalloy output transformer.
The enhanced versions of the ME-250DX Stereo Mastering EQ and 1178 Mastering Stereo Peak Limiter boast additional features for precise adjustments and accurate recall in mastering workflows.
ME-250DX Stereo Mastering EQ: The mastering version of Z&H’s tribute to the legendary Sontec MEP-250 equalizer. The ME-250DX offers stepped knobs and accurate recallability, with over 100 frequency points and a boost/cut increment of 0.5dB.
1178 Mastering Stereo Peak Limiter: The Mastering 1178 comes loaded with the same circuitry and features found in the standard 1178. Catering to a mastering workflow, it offers 21 steps on all 8 knobs of Input, Output, Attack, and Release.
