USER GUIDE Publication AP8640_2 Allen & Heath XONE:DB2 User Guide AP8640_2
Limited One Year Manufacturers 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. In the event of a failure, notify and return the defective unit to the place of purchase.
INTRODUCTION TO THE XONE:DB2 Congratulations on the purchase of your new XONE:DB2 The XONE:DB2 is a ground-breaking mixer featuring studio quality effects and performance features that blur the boundary between DJ’ing and live production. Every feature has been meticulously researched with a view to providing you, the DJ, with the ultimate creative tool.
CONTENTS To ensure that you get the maximum benefit from your XONE:DB2 please spare a few minutes familiarising yourself with the controls and setup procedures outlined in this user guide. For further information please refer to the additional content available on our web site, or contact our technical support team. http://www.XONE.co.uk Warranty ............................................. Introduction to the DB2 .................. Packed Items ....................................... Panel Drawings .....
PACKED ITEMS Check that you have received the following: XONE:DB2 resource CD-ROM. Mains Lead Check that the correct mains plug is fitted. XONE:DB2 mixer. Safety Sheet. Important ! Read this sheet before starting. Retain for future reference. X-LINK Blanking Plug. Ensure the supplied blanking plug is always fitted when not using the X-Link port. This prevents damage to the socket pins which could be caused by accidental insertion of the USB lead. Type A-B USB Lead.
PANEL DRAWINGS Allen & Heath XONE:DB2 User Guide AP8640_2 6
APPLICATION DIAGRAM Allen & Heath XONE:DB2 User Guide AP8640_2 7
MIC / LINE CHANNEL 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 2 3 4 5 6 Allen & Heath MICROPHONE INPUT CONNECTOR Balanced XLR. Plug in a DJ, guest or announcement microphone here. Use a good quality low impedance dynamic mic such as those specifically designed for vocals. Do not use high impedance or unbalanced microphones, or condenser types which require phantom power.
MIC / LINE CHANNEL 7 8 9 10 CHANEL CUE SWITCH Press the Cue switch to listen to the channel pre-fade signal in the headphones and view its level on the main meters. The backlit switch lights red when selected. Press the switch again to deselect cue. CHANNEL LEVEL CONTROL Sets the level of the channel signal in the main mix. CHANNEL ON SWITCH Turns the channel On or Off. This feature is useful if a microphone is being used to switch it in and out of the mix.
MUSIC CHANNEL 1 1 MATRIX INPUT SELECTOR Please refer to Page 12 for further information on how to use this feature. 2 INPUT TRIM Amplifies or attenuates the input signal by up to ±10 dB. 1 3 2 3 4 EQ SECTION Configured as either Three band EQ or High-Pass/ Low-Pass filter depending on menu setting. Please refer to Page 13 for further details on this feature.
MASTER SECTION 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 6 5 6 ! Allen & Heath 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. MIX / MONITOR METERS The main meters follow the selected monitor source. The meter reads ‘0’ for an XLR output of +4dBu. The mixer should be operated with these meters averaging around ‘0’ with loudest peaks no higher than ‘+6’.
THE INPUT MATRIX Each music channel on the XONE:DB2 features an input matrix system, making it possible to select from any of the ten available sources no matter which input socket they are physically connected to.
XONE TRIMODAL EQ The Trimodal EQ on the XONE:DB2 can operate in any one of three different modes: ISOLATOR MODE In this mode, the EQ provides full attenuation when fully anti-clockwise and a safe +6dB of boost when fully clockwise. This EQ offers a steep 24dB/octave slope for tight frequency isolation. EQ MODE In this mode, the EQ provides –26dB of attenuation and +6dB of boost. This EQ has a gentler 12dB/ octave slope better suited to certain styles of music.
THE FX SECTION The intuitive layout of the XONE:DB2 FX section enables easy selection of any one of the five different effect types: DLY (DLY) DELAY VRB RES 1 (VRB) REVERB (RES) RESONATOR MOD (MOD) MODULATOR DMG (DMG) DAMAGE 2 The WET/DRY control [4] sets the level from no effect (DRY) when fully anticlockwise to maximum effect (WET) when fully clockwise. The EXPRESSION [3] controls a further parameter; for instance, regeneration when DELAY is selected.
LOADING IN ALTERNATIVE EFFECTS PRESETS Loading Alternative Effects from the Internal Library Each basic effect type, DLY, VRB, RES, MOD and DMG has a library of alternative presets within the same category. These are accessed using the SELECT button. To view or load a preset, press an FX button, then press the SELECT button - this will display the selected effect library. Use the SEL/ADJ encoder next to the display screen to scroll through the list, then press the encoder to load the chosen preset.
THE FX DISPLAY WINDOW The effects display screen is divided horizontally into two segments labelled FX-X and FX-Y. Name of currently selected effect Currently analysed BPM FX-Y FX-X ** Beat Fraction for current effect Currently selected crossfader curve Currently selected EQ mode * Padlock to show BPM is locked BPM FOCUS: When the BPM display is in highlighted, this encoder sets the beat fraction for each effect. Rotating anticlockwise will decrease the time, and rotating clockwise will increase it.
CASCADING THE FX ENGINES (Version 2 Firmware) From Version 2 firmware, the two FX engines can be cascaded, or chained, to run the output of FX-X to the input of the FX-Y allowing the audio to be processed by any combination of two different effects. For instance, the track can have a delay effect added using the FX-X engine, plus a reverb using the FX-Y engine.
BPM ENGINE Unlike a DAW (digital audio workstation) the DB2 doesn’t have the complete song file to analyse, it has to do it real time by “listening” to the audio playing through the main mix. To improve the speed and accuracy of tempo analyses the beat detection engine can be guided to look for a tempo within a given range. This is selected in the setup menu, under “BPM RANGE”. The range options are shown below; choose one that nearest matches the style of music you normally play.
SETUP MENU - EQ AND CROSSFADER The front page of the setup menu displays the setup options for the EQ and crossfader. To enter the setup menu; press the MENU button, then use the ‘SEL/ADJ’ encoder to scroll up or down between ‘EQ SETUP’ and ‘XFADER SETUP’. To return to the front screen, select EXIT, or press the MENU button again. EQ SETUP The mode of the EQ can be set to Isolator, EQ or Filter using the EQ Setup menu. This is a global setup and so applies to the EQ controls on all channels.
ADVANCED SETUP MENU The advanced setup menu lists various settings that can be altered, enabling you to fine tune the DB2 to better suit your application. Use the ‘SEL/ADJ’ encoder to select ‘ADVANCED’ in the front MENU screen. The options are as listed. BPM RANGE BPM RANGE Selects the most appropriate tempo range for the style of music you play. You can also select external MIDI clock as the synchronisation source. See page 18 for more information on BPM settings.
ADVANCED SETUP MENU SPATIAL XOVER SPATIAL XOVER: is a new output processing tool that splits the audio into two frequency bands with adjustable stereo width for each band. This is a useful tool for dealing with poor room acoustics, less than ideal speaker placement, as a diagnostic tool for phase imbalance, or as an effect to change the bass sound focus. Frequency: Sets the cross-over point in Hertz at which the two bands are separated. HF Width: Adjusts the stereo width of the upper frequency band.
ADVANCED SETUP MENU HP SETUP This menu enables you to set the sensitivity, audio source and mode of the headphone cue system Trim: Adjusts the operating level of the headphone amplifier to match the sensitivity of your heaphones. The trim ranges from –28 to +12 dB. Mode: Toggles between Split and Normal. In Split mode a mono sum of the main mix is sent to the right headphone and the cue signal in the left. Use the CUE/MIX control to pan between the two .
ADVANCED SETUP MENU RECORD SETUP Trim: Sets the signal level of the analogue record outputs and the Digital Output. 0.0dB corresponds to a nominal output level of +4dBu when the main meters read 0VU. This is an ideal level to feed power amplifiers or interface with pro audio equipment, but is too high for most recording devices, (minidiscs etc) so use this control to attenuate the output level by up to 40dB. Source: There are three options available; Mix, Cleanfeed, or Phones.
ADVANCED SETUP MENU USB ROUTING This menu selects the routing options for the upstream USB. Send 1 corresponds to USB 1-2, Send 2 to USB 3-4 etc. See page 24 for more information, The options are: CH1-4 Analog: Routes the selected converted analogue input to the soundcard input. CH1-2 Digital: Routes the selected digital input to the soundcard input. CH1-4 Post Fader: Routes the selected post-fade channel audio to the soundcard input.
USB AUDIO SYSTEM The 16-channel USB2.0, 48kHz/24bit audio system built into the XONE:DB2 makes it the perfect interface for use with Digital Audio Workstation software. The mixer deals with the processor intensive effects work, leaving the computer lightly loaded to better stream the audio data. Another advantage is that all processing is kept in the digital domain, especially if the DAW is used to simultaneously record the mix. MIDI compatible DAWs can be controlled from the DB2 via MIDI.
USB SOUNDCARD ROUTING SEND 4 (IN 7-8) SEND 3 (IN 5-6) SEND 2 (IN 3-4) SEND 1 (IN 1-2) SOUNDCARD INPUTS LEVEL LEVEL SOFT TRIM SOFT TRIM POST PRE ANA ADC R I A A LEVEL SOFT TRIM DIG INPUT CHANNEL POST FADER SOFTWARE SWITCH R I A A LEVEL SOFT TRIM PH/LN PHONES MIX RECORD BOOTH MIXER SOURCES CHANNEL SOURCES MIC The XONE:DB2 provides eight (four stereo) soundcard inputs that will appear in your chosen DAW application.
USB SOUNDCARD ROUTING Each of the USB audio sends can source from various points within the XONE:DB2 Input Channels. From the diagram, the three options are Analogue In, Digital In and Channel PFL. ANA DIG INPUT CHANNEL POST FADER CHANNEL SOURCES ADC R I A A ANALOGUE IN - The analogue sources are arranged as follows: CHANNELS 1 AND 4 - LINE INPUT ONLY CHANNELS 2 AND 3 - SWITCHABLE LINE /PHONO R I A A DIGITAL IN - The source connected to digital input 1 or 2.
PC DRIVER INSTALLATION STOP! BEFORE YOU CONNECT YOUR XONE:DB2 TO A COMPUTER PLEASE FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS ON INSTALLING THE CORRECT DRIVERS FOR THE USB SOUNDCARD. CHECK www.XONE.co.uk/db2 FOR NEWS ON THE LATEST DRIVER VERSIONS Software Installation (Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7) Follow the procedure described below to install the USB audio and MIDI drivers: 1— Connect the XONE:DB2 to your mains electricity supply and switch on. Do not connect the DB2 to the PC at this time.
PC DRIVER INSTALLATION 6—If this window appears, select ‘Install’. 7—The USB driver will now install. 8— If this window appears, select ‘Install’. 9— Reboot to complete installation. The installation process may differ slightly dependant upon Operating System and Security Software. Note: Always use the same USB port with your XONE:DB2. When installing on a MS Windows system, the drivers will be associated with the USB port that you are currently plugged into.
PC DRIVER INSTALLATION Checking the Driver Installation Once the driver installation is complete, you will need to check that the XONE:DB2 is being recognised. Connect the XONE:DB2 to your PC/laptop and then right click on My Computer and select Manage. Next select Device Manager in the left hand window. 2.9.32 2.9.32 2.9.32 Expand the Sound, Video and Game Controllers section to reveal the WDM audio and MIDI drivers for the XONE:DB2.
MAC DRIVER INSTALLATION STOP! BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING WITH YOUR XONE:DB2, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY TO ENSURE YOUR MAC IS CORRECTLY SET UP TO BE USED WITH THE MIXER. CHECK www.XONE.co.uk/db2 FOR NEWS ON THE LATEST DRIVER VERSIONS Mac OSX Open the XONE_DB2_Driver_x.x.x.dmg to reveal the window shown. Click on the XONE:DB2 mpkg file to launch the driver installation. Click on “Continue”. Select install location and then click “Install”.
MAC DRIVER INSTALLATION Enter your system password. Click on “Continue Installation”. Restart your Mac.
MAC DRIVER INSTALLATION Checking the Driver Installation Once the driver installation is complete, you will need to check that the XONE:DB2 is being recognised. To do this, connect the XONE:DB2 to your Mac and then, from the file menu, select: GO Utilities Audio MIDI Setup The Audio Devices window will open automatically. To open the MIDI Studio window, from the File Menu, select: Window Show MIDI Window In the Audio Input section, the number of channels should be seen as 8, running at 48kHz, 24 bit.
MIDI CONTROL MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, and is an interface protocol from the nineteen eighties to enable different keyboards, sequencers, drum machines, etc. to communicate with each other. MIDI is still a common interface used by most DAW software to allow remote control of various functions within the program.
MIDI CONTROL MESSAGES INPUT MATRIX DB2 CHANNEL INPUT SELECT 1 2 3 SOURCE 4 ANA USB DIG TRIM CONTROL 1 Eb 6 D6 C# 6 C6 F6 CH 16 CH 16 CH 16 CH 16 CH 16 OFF ◄► E6 CH 16 CC 32 CH 16 2 G4 F# 4 F4 E4 A4 CH 16 CH 16 CH 16 CH 16 CH 16 OFF ◄► G# 4 CH 16 CC 6 CH 16 3 B2 Bb 2 A2 G# 2 C# 3 CH 16 CH 16 CH 16 CH 16 CH 16 OFF ◄► C3 CH 16 CC 24 CH 16 4 Eb 1 D1 C# 1 C1 F1 CH 16 CH 16 CH 16 CH 16 CH 16 OFF ◄► E1 CH 16 CC 15 CH 16 EQ SECTION EQ CONTROL DB2 CHANNEL HF MF LF 1 CC 31 CH 16 CC
MIDI CONTROL MESSAGES EXPRESSION, DRY / WET, FILTER AND FX ON SWITCH FX UNIT EXP DRY/ WET X CC 9 CH 16 CC33 CH 16 CC 34 CH 16 E8 CH 16 Y CC 11 CH 16 CC 7 CH 16 CC 3 CH 16 F8 CH 16 FILTER FX ON ADDITIONAL CONTROLS CC 26, CH 16 CC 18, CH 16 CC 28, CH 16 CC 20, CH 16 G# 6, CH 16 CC 22, CH 16 CC 30, CH 16 A 6, CH 16 CC 39, CH 16 X - G# 8 CH 16 Y - A 8 CH 16 MIDI SHIFT MODE FX UNIT MOD DMG SELECT X CC 112 CH 16 F# 5 CH 16 G5 G# 5 A5 CH 16 CH 16 CH 16 Bb 5 CH 16 B5 CH 16 C5 CH 16 Y
DIGITAL IO - X-LINK DIGITAL INPUTS - DIGITAL OUTPUT DIGITAL INPUTS 1&2 X-LINK DIGITAL OUTPUT DIGITAL INPUT: The XONE:DB2 has two digital inputs on the rear panel designed for standard 75 Ohm RCA interface cables. These inputs are compatible with the following formats: AES3, IEC60958, S/PDIF (Sony/Phillips Digital Interconnect Format), EIAJ CP1201, all from 32kHz to 192kHz, and up to 24bits. DIGITAL OUTPUT: The digital output is fixed at 48kHz/24 bit, non copy protected, with a 75 Ohm impedance.
SPECIFICATIONS Operating levels Main outputs 0VU = +4dBu Monitor 0VU = +4dBu Record 0VU = +4dBu Maximum output level +24dBu balanced Mic Sensitivity -20dB - -50dB RIAA input sensitivity 1kHz 70mV = 0VU (200mV max) Frequency response Line in to Mix out 10Hz - 20kHz +0/-0.5dB Distortion at 1kHz Line in at +0Vu out 0.
NOTES Allen & Heath XONE:DB2 User Guide AP8640_2 39
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