DJing Allen&Heath Xone:42

[Jenks]

NICE.




Allen & Heath has announced the Xone:42 USB 4-channel DJ mixer that is designed to interface with current leading edge DJ technology. The Xone:42 features an ergonomic, intuitive layout built around 4 dual-input stereo channels; channels 1 and 4 are phono/line, while channels 2 and 3 are line/line. All four channels have a powerful +6dB to total kill 3-band EQ, a 9-segment 3-colour bar meter, gain control, and 60mm VCA faders with illuminated X/Y crossfader selection. Xone’s killer Voltage Control Filter is included on each channel via illuminated assignment switches, with selectable filter type, resonance, and frequency controls.

The mixer sports a new feature: the X-FX system, which enables an external effects processor to be easily interfaced. A single knob controls the proportion of the channel signal sent to the effects unit, from 0 to 100%, and the affected signal is returned to the main mix, or can be routed through the filter. Nice!

The Xone:42 incorporates a USB audio interface for easy connection to a computer and integration of digital media. It can be used to play back music files from a laptop and to record mixes from the Xone:42, or, when used with appropriate software, as a digital DJ effects unit that can be patched into the X-FX system. The USB input combines with an XLR microphone input to provide an additional channel with two band EQ and rotary level control.

The mixer also features a 45mm VCA crossfader with curve control, and a powerful monitoring section with split cue control, mix to cue, two headphone outputs (1/4″ and 3.5mm), dedicated booth output, and balanced main mix outputs on XLR.

The Allen & Heath Xone:42 costs ?599 and will be available from sometime this Fall. More information on the Allen & Heath Xone:42.

http://www.xone.co.uk/

http://futuremusic.com/blog/?p=1856

[Caley Martin]

Re: Allen&Heath Xone:42

I saw this just yesterday... it looks like a decent 4 channel mixer, but would be nice if there were filters per channel and/or MIDI support, otherwise it's decent leap from the 32.

[Jenks]

Re: Allen&Heath Xone:42

There are filters per channel. Each channel has a dedicated filter, no assigning with the 42.

It's a good leap from the 32. Nice way to get the AH sound at a moderate price. I think it's a nicely rounded mixer.

[jeffrey collins]

Re: Allen&Heath Xone:42

I kinda wish they had the 4 band eq like the other mixers do. I love being able to cut the whole bottom end and mix really well into other tracks.

[kalin]

Re: Allen&Heath Xone:42

@jeffrey collins -- they finally realized that not only house djz want to use their products effectively, that's why they threw the 4-band EQ out of the window.

[Caley Martin]

Re: Allen&Heath Xone:42

There are filters per channel. Each channel has a dedicated filter, no assigning with the 42.

It's a good leap from the 32. Nice way to get the AH sound at a moderate price. I think it's a nicely rounded mixer.

What I meant to say was, individual filter types per channel... from the looks of it it's only only one type (HPF, BPF, LPF) at any given moment. But yeah, decent stuff!

[jeffrey collins]

Re: Allen&Heath Xone:42

From seeing the mixers, battle dj's use around here. They would never use an A&H mixer. I mostly always see old stanton, numark, or at the best, a vestax battle mixer.

I really don't have a problem with the 3 band eq...just as long as I can completely kill the low end with the eq...which you can't do with the djm-600.

[kalin]

Re: Allen&Heath Xone:42

@jeffrey collins -- I was talking about mixing techno music in particular. I have friends who mix techno and they hate the 92 because of the 4-band EQ. some of the tricks they perform while cutting and mixing are almost impossible with it.

[Jenks]

Re: Allen&Heath Xone:42

i play techno, and i don't use the 4 band eq. agreed. i pretty much treat it like a 3 band eq, which is why i'm pretty geeked about the 42. might be switching my 62 for a 42.

[jeffrey collins]

Re: Allen&Heath Xone:42

I absolutely love the 4 band eq. I think more mixers should have them...it gives you more flexibility in mixing your tracks. I do know that techno dj's tend to eq the shit out of everything to try to make it seem likke the music they are playing is more interesting than it is. They could probably use the 3 band easier....BUT try telling that to Hawtin, who has his own custom 92.

[Jenks]

Re: Allen&Heath Xone:42

I do know that techno dj's tend to eq the shit out of everything to try to make it seem likke the music they are playing is more interesting than it is.

huh?

[PartyInGreece]

Re: Allen&Heath Xone:42

I've got a 92 and I absolutely love it. As far the 4 band eq, I think it can be used well regardless of the kind of music you play. I play deep house, minimal and techno and I use all four bands when I play. Most of the clubs I play at however have the DJM 800, which is nice for the effects it offers, as opposed to just filters on the xone.

The best set up in my opinion is a xone92 with FX-1000 hooked up.

[jeffrey collins]

Re: Allen&Heath Xone:42

huh?

I know a lot of local techno dj's...and this was before the whole "minimal is cool thing" like it is today. And those guys were always layering two and three records together and running their hands around the eq like they just finally touched a pair of breasts.

[kalin]

Re: Allen&Heath Xone:42

I guess it just comes to styles of playing your music. I know people who are ready to run out of a club if they see 92 hooked up for them to play techno with (they also play proper house music and they love the 4 bands for that). but yeah, it boils down to how you're accustomed to spinning techno. if you like to throw a lot of tricks & cuts, 4 bands are not gonna do it for you, that's for sure.

[Jenks]

Re: Allen&Heath Xone:42

anyone that runs out of a club because of a mixer needs to sell all their records and get into knitting.