Allen & Heath with dLive promises a before and after in digital mixing

The manufacturer's new state-of-the-art digital mixer features a gesture control interface and internal process to 96 bits / 96 KHz.

Allen & Heath presents dLive, your next generation digital mixing system, based on an ultra-flexible architecture, a powerful FPGA processing core and extensive expansion options, network control and connectivity, plus the intuitive Harmony user interface, with gesture control. dLive is the powerful and flexible solution for today's high-end touring and installations.

dLive has an architecture where the mixing rack (MixRack) and control surface are separated. The dLive system processing is housed in the MixRack, available in three formats (DM32, DM48 y DM64) and three control surfaces. All MixRacks and surfaces are compatible (They work together as soon as you connect them), with common configuration and show file compatibility. MixRacks contain the processing engine developed by the Allen R&D team & Heath, with latest generation FPGA technology.

A unique architecture

The 96k/96bit XCVI Core processing core has the capacity to 128 inputs with full processing and 16 stereo processing returns, with a total of 160 inputs for mixing and an architecture of 64 Fully user-configurable mix buses. dLive incorporates the complete DEEP processing package, including graphic EQs, compressors, multiband compressors and dynamic EQ, along with the 16 virtual processing racks, including Allen's superb effects emulations & Heath.

Allen R&D Director & Heath, Rob Clark. emphasizes that “we have focused on the requests of our clients and the best sound engineers when developing the new Allen technologies & Heath for live mix. The XCVI engine has been designed from the ground up to perfectly execute DEEP processing algorithms, from FPGA engine. This unique architecture allows users to determine the processing structure they want to use on each input and each mix channel., without wasting valuable effects racks or adding latency”.

Remote I/O expansion can be accomplished from the MixRacks or the surface itself using dual redundant Cat5 DX ports. This allows the connection of up to three DX32 modular expansion units. Other expansion and networking options between systems are available, through five input/output ports for 128 canales, which include Dante, Waves SG, ACE and MADI; There is also a fiber optic option in development.

There are three dLive surfaces; S3000, S5000 y S7000. The mapping and configuration of each of them is fully customizable; Each input or each mix bus can be assigned to any fader or bank, and can also be labeled and customized with a color. The engineer also has 26 Freely assignable SoftKeys. One of the key points of the new Harmony user interface, that integrates screen and adjacent controls.

Regarding the touch screen (single or double, depending on surface model), It is a 12” capacitive screen, with gesture control, and configurable widget areas for scenes, meters and effects. Advanced lighting control is also incorporated for optimal visibility, both in broad daylight and in low visibility conditions. The surfaces also include encoders with RGB color and an LED strip in the upper area.

Mix control options are available through the MixPad and OneMix applications, as well as on/offline editing software, TCP/IP control for integration of third-party devices, as well as IP remote faders and rotary controls.

Finally, dLive features a new tour-proof chassis, high rigidity and low weight. All units have dual slots for power supplies, and all fonts can be swapped between surfaces, MixRacks and expansion units. There is also double audio redundancy between all the elements that make up the system.

Nicola Beretta, senior product manager, recognizes that “it really is the definitive mixing system, with all the processing tools and power that the most demanding engineers expect, as well as network capabilities, for any application. This adds up to a highly intuitive user interface, and which we believe enables the fastest workflow in the industry. dLive is an optimal product for both touring and permanent installations, theater or auditoriums.

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