USER GUIDE Publication AP6388 Allen & Heath 1 XONE:3D User Guide
Limited One Year Warranty This product is warranted to be free from defects in materials or workmanship for period of one year from the date of purchase by the original owner. To ensure a high level of performance and reliability for which this equipment has been designed and manufactured, read this User Guide before operating.
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION PC STOP! BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING WITH YOUR XONE:3D, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY TO ENSURE YOUR PC IS CORRECTLY SET UP TO BE USED WITH THE MIXER. Software Installation (Windows 2000 and XP) Follow the procedure described below to install the USB audio and MIDI drivers: 1— Connect the Xone:3D to your mains electricity supply and switch it on. Do not connect the 3D to the PC at this time. 2— Insert the Xone:3D Utility Disk, and run DRIVERS setup.
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION—APPLE MAC STOP! BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING WITH YOUR XONE:3D, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY TO ENSURE YOUR PC IS CORRECTLY SET UP TO BE USED WITH THE MIXER. Mac OSX Follow the procedure described below to ensure the mixer has been recognised. 1— Connect the Xone:3D to your mains electricity supply and switch it on. 2— Connect the Xone:3D to the Mac using the USB cable provided.
PACKED ITEMS Check that you have received the following: Xone:3D mixer Check that the rear panel optical in/out blank plugs are fitted. Mains Lead Check that the correct mains plug is fitted. Safety Sheet Important ! Read this sheet before starting. Retain for future reference. Type A-B USB Lead To connect the Xone:3D to your computer.
SPECIFICATIONS Operating levels Main outputs +4dBu XLR Monitor 0dBu RCA FX sends -2dBu RCA Maximum output level +26dBu Mic Sensitivity -45 to -15dBu RIAA input sensitivity 7-100mV 47K/330pF Frequency response Line in to Mix out 20 Hz to 30KHz +0/-2dB Distortion at 1kHz Line in at +0Vu out <0.02% Main Mix noise 22Hz— 22KHz unweighted <-80dBu (84dB S/N) Residual Mix noise22Hz— 22KHz unweighted <-97dBu Equalization 3-band +6dB/off (kill), 120Hz, 1.
CONTENTS Congratulations on purchasing the Allen & Heath Xone:3D performance DJ mixer. To ensure that you get the maximum benefit from the unit please spare a few minutes familiarizing yourself with the controls and setup procedures outlined in this user guide. For further information please refer to the additional information available on our web site, or contact our technical support team. http://www.xone.co.uk http://www.allen-heath.com Warranty ..............................................
CAUTI ON INPUT 4 INPUT 3 INPUT 2 INPUT 1 PHONO L R PHONO L R PHONO L R LINE A L R FX1 LINE L R LINE L R LINE L R LINE B L R FX2 WARNING: FOR CONTINUED PROTECTIONAGAINSTRISKOFFIRE REPLACEFUSEWITH SAMETYPEAND RATING. ATTENTION: REMPLACERLEFUSIBLEAVEC UN DES MEMES CARACTERISTIQUES. WARNING: THIS APPARATUS MUST BEEARTHED. TOREDUCETHERISK OF FIREORELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT EXPOSE APPARATUS TORAINORMOISTURE.
INTRODUCTION TO THE XONE:3D Welcome to the Allen & Heath Xone:3D digital DJ workstation. This system has been designed with the help of some of the world’s most cutting edge DJs to provide a seamless integration of traditional and computer based audio replay systems. The Xone:3D comprises three main sections: MIXER— The mixer is based on the award winning Allen & Heath Xone:92. It lets you mix a combination of vinyl, CD and other sources through 4 stereo channels to its main mix and monitor outputs.
DESCRIPTION The diagram below shows the signal flow through the Xone:3D system. MIXER— Each of the 4 channels can select one of 3 sources: phono, line or soundcard audio as shown. RIAA phono preamps are available on channels 2, 3 and 4. These may be changed to line input by resetting an internal jumper link if required. Level may be adjusted over a +/- 10dB range if the signal reads too high or low on the channel meters. The 3-band EQ provides a safe amount of boost but full cut (kill) for dramatic effect.
DESCRIPTION BPM COUNTER— Displays the BPM (beats per minute) of a music track entered manually by tapping a button in time to the music, or automatically by analysing the signal routed to it. The signal may be routed from the main mix or from an individual channel via the pre-fade FX2 mix so that the beat may be calculated and checked before the track is routed to the mix.
SOUNDCARD OPERATING MODES The Xone:3D soundcard can be configured to operate in one of two modes. Choose the mode that best suits the audio requirement of the computer application you are running. Before starting make sure you have installed the ASIO drivers for your selected USB port as described at the start of this guide. SOUNDCARD OUT 5 3 1 6 4 2 SPDIF OUT IN OPTICAL COAX OPTICAL COAX MODE 1— 1 STEREO IN, 3 STEREO OUT This is the default mode.
SOUNDCARD OPERATING MODES To configure the soundcard operating mode and to select its sources, run the Configuration Utility software provided on the Xone:3D Utility CD. Mode 1 TO CHANGE THE SOUNDCARD MODE Important Note: Close all audio and MIDI applications running on your PC before starting the Configuration Utility. Failure to do this may result in the PC losing connection with the mixer and both requiring a reboot. After closing the PC applications, start the Configuration Utility.
MIXER SECTION — CHANNEL INPUT FX1 +6 00 1 1 PRE FX2 +6 00 LINE A LINE B SC 1 - 2 2 LEVEL -10 + 10 OFF +6 3 HF MF 4 +6 OFF LF 2 +6 OFF FILTER XFADE 1X Y2 OFF CUE 1 3 + 10! +6 +3 0 -3 -6 -10 -15 FX 1-2 send controls These controls adjust the signal level that is sent from each channel to the two FX mix busses. These signals will appear at the RCA sockets on the rear of the unit. FX1 PRE switch determines whether the FX1 send signal is affected by the channel fader.
MIXER SECTION — CHANNEL INPUT FX1 5 +6 00 PRE FX2 +6 00 LINE A LINE B SC 1 - 2 LEVEL -10 + 10 OFF +6 HF 6 MF +6 OFF LF +6 OFF FILTER XFADE 1X Y2 OFF 5 CUE 1 6 7 + 10! +6 +3 0 7 Filter/Crossfade Assignment The channel signal can be routed directly to the main mix or via either of the two filter/crossfade paths. Note that the crossfade affects the filter path only.
MIXER SECTION — MIX AND MONITOR 1 + 10! +6 +3 0 1 -3 -6 2 -10 -15 -20 L Mix Master Level Control A rotary master control adjusts the level of the main mix XLR outputs feeding the house sound system. This does not affect the monitor output or the meter reading. R 5 4 6 3 7 2 2 8 1 3 9 10 0 MIX 5 4 6 3 7 2 3 8 1 4 Mix / Monitor Meters The main meters follow the selected monitor source. The meter reads ‘0’ for an XLR output of +4dBu.
MIXER SECTION — FILTERS and LFO 1 LFO Tap Tempo button Tap the tap tempo button in time with the beat to set the frequency of the LFO. 2 LFO Depth control When assigned, the LFO modulates the filter with a cyclic frequency sweep effect in time to the beat set using the tap tempo button. The depth control adjusts how much effect the LFO has on the filter effect from fully off to very deep. 3 LFO Filter Assign Switch Use this switch to assign the LFO to either or both the filters.
FILTER 1 MIX BUS FILTER 2 MIX BUS MAIN LR MIX BUS MIXER SECTION — FX RTN & CROSSFADER XFADE ON XFADE CURVE CROSSFADER X Y FILTER 2 MIX 4 5 6 FILTER 1 MIX 3 2 1 7 8 9 0 4 FX1 RTN 10 5 3 2 1 7 8 9 0 FROM INPUT CHANNEL FILTER 1 TAP TEMPO FILTER 2 DC 1 6 LFO DEPTH FILTER / XFADE SELECT X1 2Y VCA OFF FX2 RTN VCA 10 LFO TAP TEMPO 4 5 6 3 2 1 7 8 9 0 1 1+ 2 4 FX Return Controls These controls route the incoming signal from the stereo FX1 and FX2 Return RCA connectors on the r
FRONT CONTROLS & CONNECTORS LF -12 HF + 12 -12 PHONES 1 1 2 3 4 Allen & Heath LEVEL + 12 0 10 MIC 2 3 4 Headphones Outputs Stereo 1/4” TRS jack and 3.5mm mini-jack. Plug in good quality stereo headphones intended for DJ monitoring. Use closed-ear headphones that provide maximum acoustic isolation when cueing your sources. We recommend that you use high quality headphones rated between 30 to 100 ohms impedance. 8 ohm headphones are not recommended.
REAR CONNECTORS 3 CAUTI ON INPUT 4 2 INPUT 3 INPUT 2 0 I OFF ON INPUT 1 PHONO L R PHONO L R PHONO L R LINE A L R FX1 LINE L R LINE L R LINE L R LINE B L R FX2 WARNING: FORCONTINUED PROTECTIONAGAINSTRISK OF FIRE REPLACEFUSEWITH SAME TYPEAND RATING. ATTENTION: REMPLACERLEFUSIBLEAVEC UN DES MEMES CARACTERISTIQUES. WARNING: THIS APPARATUS MUST BEEARTHED. TOREDUCE THE RISK OF FIREORELECTRIC SHOCK DONOT EXPOSEAPPARATUS TORAIN ORMOISTURE.
REAR CONNECTORS CAUTI ON INPUT 4 INPUT 3 INPUT 2 WARNING: THIS APPARATUS MUST BEEARTHED. TOREDUCE THE RISK OF FIREORELECTRIC SHOCK DONOT EXPOSEAPPARATUS TORAIN ORMOISTURE. 0 I OFF ON INPUT 1 PHONO L R PHONO L R PHONO L R LINE A L R FX1 LINE L R LINE L R LINE L R LINE B L R FX2 WARNING: FORCONTINUED PROTECTIONAGAINSTRISK OF FIRE REPLACEFUSEWITH SAME TYPEAND RATING. ATTENTION: REMPLACERLEFUSIBLEAVEC UN DES MEMES CARACTERISTIQUES.
REAR CONNECTORS 13 14 CAUTI ON INPUT 4 INPUT 3 INPUT 2 WARNING: THIS APPARATUS MUST BEEARTHED. TOREDUCE THE RISK OF FIREORELECTRIC SHOCK DONOT EXPOSEAPPARATUS TORAIN ORMOISTURE. 0 I OFF ON INPUT 1 PHONO L R PHONO L R PHONO L R LINE A L R FX1 LINE L R LINE L R LINE L R LINE B L R FX2 WARNING: FORCONTINUED PROTECTIONAGAINSTRISK OF FIRE REPLACEFUSEWITH SAME TYPEAND RATING. ATTENTION: REMPLACERLEFUSIBLEAVEC UN DES MEMES CARACTERISTIQUES.
MIXER SECTION — BPM COUNTER 1 BPM When an audio source is routed to the auto beat detector a dot in the bottom right hand corner will flash to indicate that BPM analyses is taking place. MIDI START STOP RESET CLOCK + PULL PUSH TAP The display can also show the BPM to the nearest decimal place by pressing and holding the TAP button. This will shift all digits one place to the left. 2 If the internal MIDI clock has been disabled “OFF” will be continuously displayed.
MIXER SECTION — BPM COUNTER 4 BPM MIDI CH MODE MIDI START STOP RESET CLOCK + PULL PUSH TAP AUTO BPM SELECT FX2 MIX OFF 4 5 7 8 9 4 FX1 RTN 10 5 6 3 2 1 7 8 9 0 FX2 RTN 10 LFO TAP TEMPO 4 5 6 3 2 1 7 8 9 0 1 1+ 2 Allen & Heath 5 6 3 2 1 0 4 10 DEPTH 2 ASSIGN 6 7 8 5 BPM Tap Tempo Button This control is used to tap in a beat manually at any speed between 70 and 400 BPM. The taps are averaged, so the greater number of taps the more accurate the result.
MIXER SECTION — LFO 6 BPM MIDI CH MODE MIDI START STOP RESET CLOCK + PULL PUSH TAP AUTO BPM SELECT FX2 MIX OFF 4 5 6 3 2 1 7 8 9 0 4 FX1 RTN 10 5 6 3 2 1 7 8 9 0 FX2 RTN 10 LFO TAP TEMPO 4 5 6 3 2 1 7 8 9 0 1 1+ 2 10 DEPTH 2 ASSIGN 6 7 7 8 8 Allen & Heath LFO Tap Tempo button Tapping this button will set the speed of the LFO (low frequency oscillator) within the range of 0.25Hz - 3.
MIDI CONTROL SECTION 1 1 2 3 Rotary Encoders Turning an encoder produces MIDI CC (continuous controller) messages with a unique controller number in two’s compliment binary encoding. Refer to the MIDI mapping diagram for the differences between Map 1 and 2 for these controls. These encoders feature a built in momentary push switch. Pressing down on the encoder knob activates the switch and sends a “note on” MIDI message, releasing the switch sends a corresponding “note off” message.
MIDI CONTROL SECTION MIDI Messages The diagram below shows which controls are associated with MIDI CC (continuous controller) and note on/off messages. These controls send the MIDI messages shown when operated. The switch light ring indicators (except for start/stop and tap tempo) may be turned on or off by incoming MIDI messages. MIDI Map Two control mappings are available. Run the Xone:3D Configuration Utility to select the required map. Map2 is the default for most applications.
MIDI IMPLEMENTATION CHART Function Transmitted Received Remarks Basis Channel Default Option 16 1-16 16 1-16 Selectable with Configuration Utility Mode Default Messages Altered X X X X X X Note Number O O Velocity Note ON Note OFF X X X X After touch Keys Channel X X X X Pitch Bend X X 1 3 4 O O O X X X Joystick Y Joystick X Footswitch 5 6 7 O O O X X X Crossfader Filter 1 Freq Filter 2 Freq 8-45 O X Dedicated Controls Program Change X X System Exclusive X X System C
MIDI NOTE CHART Note No. (Hex) Allen & Heath Note No. (Decimal) Note No. (Hex) Note Name Note No.
FILTER REFERENCE The VCF Filters A voltage controlled filter is an audio filter where the cut-off frequency is altered by a DC control voltage rather than a variable resistor. This produces a much wider operating range and more control over the filter response to create unlimited combinations of tonal effect. Two stereo VCFs are provided, one either side of the crossfader. Each can be switched in or out and has its own frequency sweep control. A Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO) provides filter modulation.
OPERATING LEVELS It is most important that the system level settings are correctly set. It is well known that many DJs push the level to maximum with meters peaking hard in the belief that they are getting the best from the system. THIS IS NOT THE CASE ! The best can only be achieved if the system levels are set within the normal operating range and not allowed to peak. Peaking simply results in signal distortion, not more volume.
EARTHING The connection to earth (ground) in an audio system is important for two reasons: SAFETY - To protect the operator from high voltage electric shock, and AUDIO PERFORMANCE - To minimise the effect of earth (ground) loops which result in audible hum and buzz, and to shield the audio signals from interference. For safety it is important that all equipment earths are connected to mains earth so that exposed metal parts are prevented from carrying high voltage which can injure or even kill the operator.
CABLES AND CONNECTIONS adapter RCA phono jacks CABLE A UNBALANCED CABLE B UNBALANCED CABLE C BALANCED UNBALANCED BALANCED Sleeve= ground Ring= cold (-) Tip= hot (+ ) 2= hot (+ )1= ground Sleeve= ground Ring= cold (-) Tip= hot (+ ) BALANCED CABLE D 1= ground 2= hot (+ ) BALANCED XLR FEMALE XLR MALE 3= cold (-) 3= cold (-) CABLE E BALANCED Sleeve= ground Ring= cold (-) Tip= hot (+ ) 2= hot (+ ) 1= ground 1= ground 2= hot (+ ) BALANCED XLR FEMALE BALANCED CABLE F BALANCED Sleeve=
FAQs Q. I am using the four deck map for Native Instruments Traktor, but the Xone:3D only has three channels; how do I use the fourth deck? A. Audio for the fourth deck can be provided by the internal soundcard on your computer. To do this you will need to use the excellent freeware ASIO driver, ASIO4ALL written by Michael Tippach available from http:// www.asio4all.com/. This will allow you to select both the Xone:3D and your PCs soundcard as audio devices. Q.
Setting Up Ableton Live Lite 5 Install Ableton Lite from the Xone 3D CD-ROM and launch the software. Close the ‘Unlock an Ableton Product’ window – the Preferences window will now be visible (if not use Options -> Preferences). 1— In the Preferences window select the ‘Products’ tab. Now highlight the ‘Live Lite to Full Version Upgrade 2— Click on ‘Demo’ and this will put the live upgrade into Demo Mode allowing multichannel audio to be used. 3— In the ‘Preferences’ window select the ‘Audio’ tab.
Setting Up Ableton Live Lite 5 5— Select the ‘1/2 (stereo)’, ‘3/4 (stereo)’ and ‘5/6 (stereo)’ options and de-select the mono equivalents. You must click ’OK’ for the changes to take effect. 6— In Ableton, choose an audio track and click on the ‘Audio To’ drop down menu and select ‘EXT Out’. 7— Once EXT Out has been selected, another drop down menu will appear— this menu allows the selection of the 1/2, 3/4 and 5/6 outputs. Output 1/2 maps to Channel 1 on the Xone 3D (select the SC1-2 button).
MIXER TROUBLESHOOTING If things don’t seem to be working properly the first thing is not to panic. It is very easy to overlook a simple error or obvious problem in the heat of the moment. Instead, work methodically through a few checks before deciding there is an actual problem. Does the mixer power up NO Check the mains power socket with another appliance. If this works try another IEC lead on the mixer. If it still doesn’t work then check the fuse on the back of the unit.
SOUNDCARD AND MIDI TROUBLESHOOTING If you are having problems either with getting the Xone:3D Configuration Utility to connect, or sending/receiving audio or MIDI then first check the following: Are the supplied ASIO drivers properly installed? Are you plugged into the same USB port that you used when installing the drivers? With the Xone:3D powered up and connected to the correct USB port on your PC , click on START SETTINGS CONTROL PANEL SYSTEM This will bring up the system properties window as on the ri
SOUNDCARD AND MIDI TROUBLESHOOTING If everything appears to be OK in the device manager, click on: START SETTINGS CONTROL PANEL SOUNDS and AUDIO DEVICES Select the Audio Tab and using the drop down menu select the Xone:3D WDM Audio as the default device, shown below: Apply this setting and click OK. Close all other windows and open up Windows Media Player and try playing a file. This should now play through soundcard outputs 1-2.
UPDATING FIRMWARE Firmware is the built-in operating software which determines how the Xone:3D functions. Occasionally new firmware may be made available to add new functionality or improve performance. Check the Xone website www.xone.co.uk for the latest firmware download. WARNING Do not update your firmware unless absolutely necessary. Ensure that the USB cable is not unplugged during the update. Avoid switching on / off any other electrical equipment during the update, which may cause voltage spikes.
UPDATING FIRMWARE 6. The configuration utility will now prompt you for the new 3D code file. Browse to the location where you saved the file in step 1. 7. 8. Select the file and click ‘Open’. The code will now be uploaded to the 3D. Progress is shown by a blue bar on the right of the screen. Progress Bar 9. When the update has successfully completed, the configuration utility will prompt you to reboot your 3D. Switch the 3D off and wait for the configuration utility to show that it is disconnected.
USER OPTIONS Internal Link Options The Xone:3D offers several internal option settings: • • • FX1 and FX2 Return Routing— The FX1 and FX2 Returns are set, by default, to route to the main LR Mix. Link options allow the return to be routed through either Filter 1 or Filter 2. Disabling / Enabling RIAA Preamps—All channels are fitted with RIAA preamplifiers. Link options allow the RIAA preamplifier stage to be enabled or disabled. When disabled, the Phono input becomes a Line input.
