Allen&Heath XONE 42 User Manual

USER GUIDE

Publication AP6857

Allen & Heath 1 XONE:42 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. In the event of a failure, notify and return the
defective unit to ALLEN & HEATH Limited or its authorised agent as
soon as possible for repair under warranty subject to the following
conditions

Conditions Of Warranty

The equipment has been installed and operated in accordance with the
instructions in this User Guide.

The equipment has not been subject to misuse either intended or
accidental, neglect, or alteration other than as described in the User
Guide or Service Manual, or approved by ALLEN & HEATH.

Any necessary adjustment, alteration or repair has been carried out by
ALLEN & HEATH or its authorised agent.

This warranty does not cover fader wear and tear.

The defective unit is to be returned carriage prepaid to ALLEN &
HEATH or its authorised agent with proof of purchase.

Units returned should be packed to avoid transit damage.

In certain territories the terms may vary. Check with your ALLEN &
HEATH agent for any additional warranty which may apply.

This product complies with the European Electro magnetic Compatibility
directives 89/336/EEC & 92/31/EEC and the European Low Voltage
Directives 73/23/EEC & 93/68/EEC.

This product has been tested to EN55103 Parts 1 & 2 1996 for use in
Environments E1, E2, E3, and E4 to demonstrate compliance with the
protection requirements in the European EMC directive 89/336/EEC.
During some tests the specified performance figures of the product were
affected. This is considered permissible and the product has been passed as
acceptable for its intended use. Allen & Heath has a strict policy of
ensuring all products are tested to the latest safety and EMC standards.
Customers requiring more information about EMC and safety issues can
contact Allen & Heath.

XONE:42 User Guide AP6857 Issue 4

Copyright © 2007 Allen & Heath Limited. All rights reserved

Allen & Heath Limited

Kernick Industrial Estate, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9LU, UK

http://www.allen-heath.com http://www.xone.co.uk

Allen & Heath 2 XONE:42 User Guide

PACKED ITEMS

Check that you have received the following:

Xone:42 mixer

Mains Lead

Check that the correct
mains plug is fitted.

Spare knobs
and buttons

Safety Sheet
Important ! Read this sheet

before starting.
Retain for future reference.

Allen & Heath 3 XONE:42 User Guide

Registration Card

Complete and return
to Allen & Heath to
register your product.

CONTENTS

Congratulations on purchasing the Allen & Heath Xone:42 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......................................................... 2

Packed Items.................................................. 3

Contents ......................................................... 4

Panel Drawings.............................................. 5

Introduction ................................................... 6

Specifications.................................................. 7

Block Diagram ............................................... 8

Mic / USB Channel Input............................. 9

Phono / Line Input Channels 1 and 4....... 11

Line / Line Input Channels 2 and 3 ........... 13

Filters Section ................................................ 14

Headphone Section ...................................... 16

Master Section............................................... 17

Crossfader...................................................... 18

Rear Connectors .......................................... 19

USB Connection ........................................... 22

Filter Reference............................................. 23

Operating Levels........................................... 24

Earthing ........................................................... 25

Replacing the Crossfader / Face Plate...... 26

User-Replaceable Parts................................ 27

“You’ve tried it your way, now try it ours …”

Allen & Heath 4 XONE:42 User Guide

Rear Panel

PANEL DRAWINGS

WARNING:
FOR CONTINUED PROTECTION AGAINST RISK OF FIRE
REPLACE FUSE WITH SAME TYPE AND RATING.
ATTENTION: REMPLACER PAR UN FUSIBLE
STRICTEMENT IDENTIQUE EN VALEURS.

WARNING: THIS APPARATUS MUST BE EARTHE D.
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT EXPOSE APPAR ATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

SERIAL No:

Front Panel

CAUTION

0
I

X:FX SND

L

R

LINE

L

R

INPUT 1

LRPHONO

LR

X:FX RTN

USB AUDIO

LROUT

IN

LR

RECORD

BOOTH

L

L

R

R

INPUT 4

LR

LINE

LR

AC MAINS IN ~

OFF
ON

100 - 240V~

47-63Hz ~ 30W MAX

T500mAL 250V 20mm

FUSE

MADE IN THE UK BY ALLEN & HEATH LIMITED

A

LINE
B

INPUT 3

LR

LR

INPUT 2

LRPHONO

LINELINE
A

LINE

LR

B

MIX OUT

LEFT RIGHT

Allen & Heath 5 XONE:42 User Guide

INTRODUCTION TO THE XONE:42

The Xone:42 is a high performance 12” analogue DJ mixer featuring four stereo dual input channels, a
Mic/USB channel, 60mm linear VCA channel faders, an analogue VCF filter, and the new X:FX external
effects loop with wet/dry control.

This mixer is designed to seamlessly interface with current leading-edge DJ technology, and may be used
by the widest range of DJs - from those who keep it in the bedroom, to regular performers and profes­sionals. The same rugged build quality of vertical circuit board construction that is used throughout the
Xone range ensures that the Xone:42 can deal with any environment expected of it, and its ergonomic,
intuitive layout and stylish graphics make the Xone:42 one of the most easy-to-use hi-tech mix tools
around.

Each of the four main stereo channels is equipped with a powerful three band equalizer providing a safe
+6dB of boost and total kill for complete frequency isolation. Nine point metering on each channel al­lows for precise matching of signal levels, and smooth VCA faders help to ensure a perfect mix. Individual
channels can be routed to either side of the 45mm VCA crossfader, which has an adjustable curve control
for smooth mixes or virtually instant attack suitable for scratching.

The Xone:42 incorporates the X:FX system that enables an external effects processor to be easily inter­faced, with a single knob controlling the proportion of the channel signal sent to the effects unit, from 0%
(dry) to 100% (wet).

The Xone:42 is also equipped with the legendary Xone VCF filter system. Each of the four main channels
can be individually routed to the filter, and the X:FX Return to Filter function allows channel signals that
have been through an external effects unit to be subsequently routed through the filter. Three basic filter
types can be selected: hi-pass, band-pass and low-pass. These filter types can be added together to create
other filter types; for example, hi-pass and low-pass together create a notch filter. Each filter type can be
swept from 20Hz to 20 kHz by the rotary frequency control, whilst resonance can be set from “mild” to
“wild”. A filter reference is included towards the end of this User Guide.

The mixer incorporates a USB audio interface for easy connection to a computer and integration of digi­tal media. It can be used to play back music files from a laptop and to record mixes from the Xone:42, or
when used with appropriate software, as a digital DJ effects unit that can be patched into the X:FX. The
USB input combines with an XLR microphone input to provide an additional channel with two band +/­12dB EQ and rotary level control.

A powerful headphone amp ensures more than adequate monitor level, while two separate headphone
sockets are provided on 3.5mm and ¼” Jack. A split cue feature allows the cue signal to be monitored in
the left headphone and the main mix in the right.

The master section has individual controls for the main mix and booth. Stereo nine point output meters
display the post master level output, or the pre-fade source level when a cue is selected. In split cue
mode the left meter displays the cue level and the right meter the master output.

A dedicated booth output, record out at -8dBu, and balanced main mix outputs on XLR round off the
Xone:42’s impressive list of features.

Allen & Heath 6 XONE:42 User Guide

SPECIFICATIONS

Nom / max output levels Main Mix +4dBu +27dBu

Booth 0dBu +22dBu

X:FX Send 0dBu +20dBu

Record Out -10dBV +10dBV

Internal headroom Channels +22dB

Frequency response +/-0.5dB 10Hz - 20kHz

Distortion < 0.03% THD+noise @1kHz

Crosstalk < -90dB inter-channel

Mic EIN 22Hz-22kHz -126dB 150 ohm source

Residual noise Mix 1 -94dBu

Booth -101dBu

X:FX -92dBu

Rec -95dBu

Mix noise Mix 1 -80dBu (-84dB S/N)

Booth -84dBu (-82dB S/N)

X:FX -88dBu (-84dB S/N)

Rec -90dBu

Channel meters Peak reading 9 LED -20dB to +10dB

Main meters Peak reading 9 LED -20dB to +10dB

Mic EQ 2-Band +/-12dB

Channel EQ 3-Band +6dB / total kill

Channel fader 60mm stereo VCA, < -90dB shutoff

Crossfader 45mm stereo VCA - replaceable

Filters Stereo VCF, analogue

Consumption 30W max

Dimensions and Weights

The console is fitted with rubber feet for desktop operation.

Width Height Depth Weight

Mixer 305 mm (12“) 84 mm (3.3“) 358 mm (14”) 5 kg (11 lbs)

Packed 490 mm (19.5”) 205 mm (8.1”) 450 mm (17.7”) 7 kg (15.4 lbs)

Allen & Heath 7 XONE:42 User Guide

BLOCK DIAGRAM

STEREO INPUTS

LINE A

L

LINE B

L

STEREO INPUTS

PHONO

L

LINE

L

USB AUDIO

USB AUDIO IN

L

R

XONE:42

2 and 3

LINE A/B

R

R

1 and 4

R

RIAA

R

USB

TO PC

USB AUDIO INTERFACE

LEVEL

PHONO/LINE

BLOCK DIAGRAM

CUE

POST-EQ

METER

3 BAND EQ

+

MID

LO

MIC

2= +

MIC INPUT

HI

MIC/USB

FADER

DC

VCA

X:FX RETURN

USB AUDIO OUT

GAIN

+

-

-2dBu

2 BAND EQ

HI

LO

XFADE SELECT

L

R

X:FX

WET/DRY

LEVEL

FILTER

X:FX RETURN

TO FILTER

CH ON

CUE MIX

FILTER MIX

XFADE X/Y DC

CUE LOGIC DC

LR MIX

X:FX SEND

FILTER MIX

VCF TO XFADER

XFADE CURVE

XFADER OFF

CROSSFADER

X

Y

FILTER

DC

X:FX SEND

X:FX SEND

MIX

2=+

LR MIX

CUE MIX

CUE LOGIC DC

RECORD OUT

-10dBV

LR SUM

+

MIX

L

R

BOOTH

CUE ACTIVE

SPLIT CUE

BOOTH

ADD MIX

L

R

LR

CUE PRG - SPLIT

BAL

HEADPHONES

+

METER

L

MIX

+4dBu

OUT

2=+

R

L

BOOTH

R

OUT

PHONES 1/4"

L
R

PHONES 3.5mm

Allen & Heath 8 XONE:42 User Guide

MIC / USB INPUT CHANNEL

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

USB Connector

USB (Universal Serial Bus) V1.1 is an external peripheral
interface standard for data transmission. Xone:42 USB
works at 12Mbps and provides two stereo uncom­pressed audio channels - one stereo up and one stereo
down, or two mono up, two mono down. It is fully
compatible with USB2.

The USB connection is used to send and receive audio
data between the Xone:42 and a connected computer.
Use a standard type A to B lead to connect to your
computer.

Mic / USB Select Switch

Selects either the XLR microphone input or the alterna­tive USB input. In the up position MIC is selected; when
pressed, USB is selected.

Mic Input Socket

Standard 3-Pin XLR socket wired as Pin 1 = Ground, Pin
2 = hot (+), Pin 3 = cold (-).

4

5

Channel Gain Control

This control has a range of -∞dB to +9dB for USB inputs
and a range of –57 dBu to –27dBu for MIC inputs. Use
it to adjust the signal level of an audio source to give a
nominal 0dB reading on the main meters, with the peak
level at or below 6dB. Turn LEVEL down if the +10
peak meter starts flashing.

Channel Equaliser

The Mic/USB input channel is equipped with a 2 band
EQ stage providing +12dB of boost when fully clockwise
and –12dB attenuation when fully anti-clockwise.

Allen & Heath 9 XONE:42 User Guide