Allen & Heath Xone:V6 Club Mixer Shown at AES

(Click for a close-up)

Making its US debut at the AES show, the Allen & Heath Xone:V6 has 6 dual stereo channels, with RIAA/line inputs on channels 1-4 and line/line inputs on channels 5-6, which also feature valve (tube) preamps for mellowing digital sources.

Each stereo channel has a high pass filter (sweepable from 30Hz to 600Hz), illuminating cue switch, precision Penny & Giles rotary fader with conductive plastic tracks and a custom molded 8 bar, peak reading led meter. Stereo insert points are included on all channels for accessing external processing such as FX or additional EQ. A mic input is provided on a balanced, metal shrouded XLR featuring TRS insert point, ON switch and two bands of EQ at 120Hz and 2.5 kHz. Phantom power is enabled via an internal link.

The master section incorporates 2 band EQ with +/-6dB of cut and boost at 80Hz and 10 kHz, left/right insert points and rotary output level control. Twin VU meters, based on an original 1950s telecoms design, provide accurate mix level monitoring. Two main mix outputs are available on balanced XLR (+4dBu) and TRS Jack (-2dbu). Record outputs are on RCA phono (-10dBV). A booth monitor on +4dBu balanced outputs is provided, featuring level control and 2 bands of EQ at 100Hz and 10kHz.

The monitor section features level, active-tone and mix/cue preview controls plus an intelligent, processor-controlled cue system. Headphone jacks are included on both front and rear panels.

Esoteric discrete circuitry (which employs no op-amps) has been used throughout the main mix path to ensure sonic purity. Each input is on a separate, vertically mounted circuit board and the rotary controls are firmly secured to the front panel with metal nuts. The front panel itself is machined from a 6mm thick block of solid aluminum. From the Bakelite control knobs with turned alloy fascias to the chromed toggle switches and bezel illuminated cue switches, the Xone:V6 has been designed with quality and style in mind.

Xone:V6 uses a custom external linear power supply with intelligent circuitry which automatically monitors and matches AC voltages from 100V to 265V, making it well suited to international touring.

The Xone:V6's designer, Andy Rigby-Jones, explains the philosophy behind the mixer: "We just wanted to create the best rotary club mixer there has ever been. There are no tricks or gimmicks involved, just hard work researching the best components and painstaking development in discrete circuit design. We think that the serious audiophiles in the club and DJ world will find V6 a real breath of fresh air."

Allen & Heath's Sales and Marketing Director, Bob Goleniowski added, "The Xone:V6 furthers our mission to bring DJs and clubs the benefits of the expertise we've gained in over 30 years of professional console design and construction. We are confident that there will be many more converts to the Allen & Heath brand when this console starts appearing at some of the world's most prestigious clubs."