The MZ-223 is a rackmount mixer designed for fixed installations in shops, public facilities, restaurants, bars, theme parks or hotels. It can be used to send background music and announcements from a variety of sources to three different rooms or zones. Each of the seven input channels can be routed to any or all of the three output zones.

The mixer offers five stereo input channels for line-level signals from analogue playback sources like media players, tuners or cassette decks. Two channels can be switched to phono to connect record players (turntables). Each channel has its own gain control, peak LED and level fader. Two additional microphone input channels – with level controls, LED level meters and 3-band equalizers – are available for announcements, speech reinforcement, karaoke or other uses with dynamic microphones. When used for announcements, for example, the built-in Talkover function can automatically lower the volume of background music according to the mic volume.

Each of the three zone main outputs is equipped with level control, LED level meter and a 3-band equalizer. There is also an independent monitoring output for the control room and a headphones output with level control that can be used for pre-fader monitoring of selected input channels and any of the zone outputs.

Details

Tascam MZ-223: Line and phono inputs on rear sideThe MZ-223 allows multiple audio sources to be mixed, segregated, and routed to three independent zones or destinations using familiar volume sliders and assignment buttons. Audio signals can be input to five mixing channels, each offering two selectable sets of unbalanced RCA-type stereo input pairs summing up to a total of ten unbalanced stereo line inputs. Channels one and two can be set to accommodate phono-level signals for use with record players. Tascam MZ-223 front panel mic inputsLocated conveniently on the front panel, two XLR inputs are available driving studio-quality mic preamps and a talkover (ducking) circuit for easy voiceover and announcement work.

Tascam MZ-223 multiple zone outputs. The independent three zone outputs each feature a combination of XLR balanced and RCA unbalanced connectors for long cable runs or connection to common residential power amplifiers or powered speakers. This flexibility allows, for example, music to be routed to zone one, ambient noise or natural sounds to zone two and a separate music track or a voice announcement to zone three, while the convenient “Talkover” function will automatically lower any mixed output signal of the respective zones so the voices can be heard while using the microphones.

There is also a MONITOR output that can send audio to an external recorder to make capturing events easy or that can be used to drive additional monitoring loudspeakers.

Tascam MZ-223 front panel allows easy, immediate controlThe compact front panel with familiar volume sliders, select buttons, pre-listening buttons and peak level indicators makes the MZ-223 simple and fast to set up and operate.

Volume and EQ knobs for the zone outputs are clearly arranged and the zone output levels are perfectly visible through large 10-segment stereo LED level meters. A headphones output with level control allows pre-fader monitoring of selected input channels and the zone output signals.

Features at a glance

Rackmount mixer that enables input channels to be routed to multiple outputs as desired

Five stereo input channels for line signals (two switchable to phono) with gain controls, peak LEDs, and faders

Two additional mic input channels with level controls, LED level meters and 3-band equalizers

Mic and line inputs can be mixed for output

Talkover function automatically lowers background music volume according to mic volume

Three zone main outputs with level controls, LED level meters and 3-band equalizers

Monitoring output, independent from main outputs

Headphones output with level control can be used for pre-fader monitoring of selected input channels and the main output

2U rackmount size

Specifications

Specifications

Audio inputs

Microphone inputs 1–2

Balanced: XLR-3-31 (1: GND, 2: HOT, 3: COLD)

Unbalanced: 6.3-mm TRS jacks (Tip: HOT, Ring: COLD, Sleeve: GND)

Input impedance

33 kΩ

Nominal input level

–65 dBu (VOLUME knob at MAX)

Unbalanced: –30 dBu (VOLUME knob at MIN)

Line inputs (unbalanced)

RCA pin jacks

Nominal input level

–10 dBV

Maximum input level

10 dBV

Input impedance

22 kΩ

Audio outputs

Main outputs (unbalanced)

RCA pin jacks

Nominal output level

–10 dBV

Maximum output level

6 dBV

Output impedance

200 Ω

Main outputs (balanced)

XLR-3-32 (1: GND, 2: HOT, 3: COLD)

Nominal output level

4 dBu

Maximum output level

24 dBu

Output impedance

200 Ω

Monitor outputs

RCA pin jacks

Nominal output level

–16 dBV

Maximum output level

0 dBV

Output impedance

200 Ω

Headphones output

6.3-mm stereo jack

Maximum output power

50 mW + 50 mW (into 32 Ω load)

Audio performance

Frequency response

20 Hz – 20 kHz

Distortion

≤0.03%

Crosstalk

65 dB

Power supply and other specifications

Power supply

Dedicated AC adapter (PS-M1524)

Input voltage

AC 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz

Output voltage

DC 15 V

Output current

2.4 A

Power consumption

35 W

Overall dimensions (width × height × depth)

482 mm × 88 mm × 93 mm

Weight

2.5 kg

Permissible operating temperature

5–35 °C