30 September 2010

Allen & Heath DB4 leak

The DB4 is a four channel hybrid mixer with build in soundcard, loop generators, effect processor, USB inputs and selectable outputs. It looks to be an awsome product! But...

It looks like it has enough buttons to maintain all functions in Traktor that you might want to use, but it does not seem to be made mainly with Traktor in mind. So this makes me basically not spring off my seat for this mixer. I can't see the need for Traktor DJs to need external effects and the button layout seems a bit off when I concider my normal workflow.

A&H are known for their high quality equipment. However on the products I've tested from Allen & Heath before I never quite liked the faders and basically hated the buttons, but the rotary knobs where quite alright. But the owners of the gear I tested did swear to the controller, so I guess you need to use the mixers form A&H regularly to really enjoy their products... But that's my opinion.


The Xone:DB4 is a truly ground-breaking mixer and by far the most advanced product that we have designed. Every feature has been meticulously researched with a view to offering DJs ultimate creativity. Based on the iLive pro-touring FX system, we developed FX algorithms with BPM conscious parameters and tight spectral control, customised to perfectly fit the DJ environment.

As the loops and FX are automatically synchronised to the tempo of the track, it is very easy to build some amazing grooves and soundscapes without problems of latency, low fidelity and the general hassle often associated with using software and laptops.

The icing on the cake is the flexible input matrix, where any audio source can be selected on any or all of the channels. Different processing can be applied to the same track on separate channels and you can fade between them, or a phrase sampled in the looper of one channel can be added to the mix later in the track. Our digital design team has done an incredible job to ensure that this is one of the most innovative and exciting DJ mix tools to date.”

Andy Rigby-Jones
Xone Design Manager



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