Allen & Heath just released a brand new model in its Xone series of DJ mixers. The Xone:43 is a pure analogue mixer meant for clubs and DJs who want top shelf sound quality in a four-channel mixer format. It has four switchable line and phono inputs for plugging in CDJs or turntables, three-band EQs and individual effect sends / returns across all four channels, and of course Allen & Heath’s legendary Xone filters. The crossfader is Innofader-compatible, in case you want to swap out the stock fader.
Apart from the usual master and booth outputs, it’s also possible to connect a microphone and an external audio device thanks to its switchable XLR mic and RCA line inputs, giving it that “4+1 mixer” characteristic. No onboard effects and no digital inputs or outputs here, folks!
This is a gutsy move by a major DJ hardware company, especially in 2015 where we’re seeing more digital-equipped hybrid mixers than pure analogue ones (even the throwback-looking Rane MP2015 mixer has dual USB jacks). I can imagine this finding a home in many purists’ and vinyl DJs’ tech riders and set-ups. It’s certainly not cheap, but if you’re strict about sound quality and are willing to shell out for it, this is still over a thousand dollars cheaper than that sexy Rane rotary mixer.
• The Allen & Heath Xone:43 analogue DJ mixer is available now for €899. Check out the Allen & Heath website for more details.
Are you in the market for a straightforward mixer? Think this would go well with your DVS set-up? Let us know what you think below.
Joey Santos
