ALLEN & HEATH LAUNCHES FIRST UNIVERSAL DJ CONTROLLER
Agoura Hills, CA (September 12, 2005) -- A significant leap forward has been
taken in DJ technology with the launch of Allen & Heath's pioneering
mixer/controller, the Xone:3D, at the 119th AES Convention (booth #237). The
unique design is the amalgamation of a high performance DJ mixer, a top spec
multi-channel USB soundcard, a comprehensive MIDI control surface, offering
a performance workstation that integrates all the tools of the modern DJ.
The mixer section is derived from the industry-standard Xone:92 and Xone:62
designs, featuring four multi-input stereo channels, 3-band total kill EQ, a
comprehensive cue system, two stereo returns, headphone monitor with mix/cue
control, and high quality dual rail faders. 3D contains the Xone range's
trademark VCF filters, offering low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass
selection; resonance and frequency filters; plus there is an assignable LFO
with depth control. The master section has two effects sends with pre/post
fader selection, and there is a VCA crossfader.
The USB soundcard has eight channels, arranged in stereo pairs, which can
operate in two modes - six channels from a PC and two returns, or four
channels from a PC and four returns. Using individual professional audio
standard 24bit stereo converters with an audio sampling rate of 48 kHz, the
card's design guarantees the best possible sound quality from laptops and
PCs. The soundcard can be fed from the main mix, FX1, or direct from the
channels, and features a SPDIF optical and coaxial interface. Also, the USB
connection sends and receives both audio and MIDI data to and from the PC,
and can be used to update firmware and set mixer configuration data.
There are dedicated MIDI control sections either side of the mixer, with a
total of eight dedicated control faders, 16 rotary controls with centre
detent, 10 encoders, 50 switches, and two custom jog wheels with micro
switches, which can be mapped for use as navigation controls for DJ software
such as Ableton Live and Traktor. Xone:3D can send a total of 105 different
MIDI control messages from the dedicated control sections, audio channel
faders and crossfader, to the 3D's MIDI out socket and via the USB interface
to the PC.
An automatic beat detector synchronises the MIDI clock to the main mix, the
FX2 mix buss, or can be disabled to allow the beat to be manually tapped-in.
The 3D also has connections for a footswitch controller and a gameport
socket for a standard analogue joystick that can also be used as a second
MIDI output.
The progressive DJs, Chris Liebing and Richie Hawtin, have been consultants
and beta testers during development of the Xone:3D.
"Technology is leading us into a very exciting and new form of DJ'ing,"
comments Chris Liebing. "Allen & Heath's Xone:3D is a huge step forward into
that future. More fun for the DJ, more fun for the crowd!"
The Xone:3D will be shipping later in the year, pricing TBA.
Further information on the company's DJ products can be found on the Xone
web site: www.xone.co.uk.
For further information on the entire range of Allen & Heath products please
visit www.allen-heath.com.
Established for 35 years, Allen & Heath designs and manufactures
professional audio mixing consoles for an international clientele in the
live sound, installed systems and nightclub markets. Established in 2002,
Allen & Heath USA has been set up by American Music & Sound (AM&S) to
provide U.S. distribution for the British audio mixing products
manufacturer.
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Contact Information
American Music & Sound
5304 Derry Avenue #C
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
Tel: 800-431-2609
Fax: 800-431-3129
Email: info@americanmusicandsound.com
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