Allen & Heath XONEV6 User Manual

ALLEN&HEATH

User Guide

Publication AP4975

XONE:V6 User Guide AP4975 Issue 2

Whilst we believe the information in this guide to be reliable we do not assume responsibility for inaccuracies. We also reserve the right to make changes in the interest of further product development.

This product complies with the European Electromagnetic 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.

NOTE: Any changes or modifications to the console not approved by Allen & Heath could void the compliance of the console and therefore the users authority to operate it.

ALLEN&HEATH

Manufactured in the United Kingdom Allen & Heath Limited Kernick Industrial Estate, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9LU, UK

http://www.allen-heath.com

2 XONE:V6 User Guide

Important Safety Instructions – Read First

Read instructions: Read and retain these instructions for future reference. Read the instructions on the Safety Sheet

provided separately. Adhere to all warnings printed here and on the console and its power unit.

Covers: Do not remove the power unit cover. Operate the console with its cover correctly fitted. Disconnect

mains power by unplugging the power cord if you need to remove the console cover to set option jumpers. Refer servicing work to competent technical personnel only.

Mains power: Connect the console power unit to a mains power supply only of the type described in this user guide

and marked on the unit. The power source must provide a good ground connection. Do not remove or tamper with the ground connection in the power cord. Use the power cord with sealed mains plug appropriate for your local mains supply as provided with the console. Route the power cord so that it is not likely to be walked on, stretched or pinched by items placed upon or against it.

Installation: Install the console and its power unit in accordance with the instructions printed in this user guide.

Do not connect the output of power amplifiers directly to the console. Use audio connectors and plugs only for their intended purpose.

Ventilation: Ensure adequate ventilation around the console and its power unit. Do not obstruct the ventilation

slots or position the unit where the air flow required for ventilation is impeded.

Moisture: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock do not expose the equipment to rain or moisture or use it in

damp or wet conditions. Do not place containers of liquids on it which might spill into any openings.

Environment: Locate the units away from direct sunlight and any equipment which produces heat such as power

supplies, amplifiers and heaters. Protect from excessive dirt, dust, heat and vibration when operating and storing. Avoid tobacco ash, drinks spillage, and smoke, especially that associated with smoke machines. Do not mount the power supply on any surface subject to resonance or vibration.

Handling: To prevent damage to the controls and cosmetics avoid placing heavy objects on the console

surfaces, scratching the surface with sharp objects, or rough handling and vibration. Protect the controls from damage during transit. Use adequate packing if you need to ship the unit.

XONE:V6 User Guide 3

Important Note on Mains Voltage Setting

The power unit has two mains voltage settings. Check that your unit is correctly set to work with your local mains voltage. This is marked on the power unit rear panel. The setting cannot be changed by the user. Refer this work to your service agent.

115V to 230V AC auto-sensing (most of the world)

100V AC fixed (Japan)

Important Mains Plug Wiring Instructions

The console is supplied with a moulded mains plug fitted to the AC mains power lead. Follow the instructions below if the mains plug has to be replaced.

The wire which is coloured Green/Yellow or Green must be connected to the terminal in the plug which is marked with the letter E or with the Earth symbol.

This appliance must be earthed.

The wire which is coloured Blue or White must be connected to the terminal in the plug which is marked with the letter N.

The wire which is coloured Brown or Black must be connected to the terminal in the plug which is marked with the letter L.

Ensure that these colour codes are followed carefully in the event of the plug being changed.

4 XONE:V6 User Guide

Contents

Important Safety Instructions .....................................................3

Front and Rear Panel Drawings .................................................6

Welcome to the XONE:V6..........................................................7

Front Panel Controls ..................................................................8

Rear Connectors ......................................................................14

Installing the Power Supply...................................................... 21

Installing the Console...............................................................23

Grounding ................................................................................24

Wiring the Cables .....................................................................26

Connector Types......................................................................27

Switching the Console On........................................................28

Operating Level and Meters.....................................................29

Internal Option Jumpers...........................................................30

Replacing the VU Meter Bulb ................................................... 34

Block Diagram..........................................................................35

Technical Specification ............................................................36

Performance Curves.................................................................39

User Notes (blank page) ..........................................................42

XONE:V6 User Guide 5

Rotary Faders

INPUT 1 INPUT 3

LINE

PHONO

INPUT 2

LINE

PHONO PHONO

LEVEL

CHANNEL 1

30Hz

OFF

CUE

200

100

400

500

600Hz

200

100

30Hz

OFF

400

500

600Hz

CUE

CHANNEL 2

CHANNEL 3

LEVELLEVEL

30Hz

OFF

CUE

LINE

PHONO

INPUT 4

LINE

INPUT 5

LINE B LINE B

LINE A

INPUT 6

LEFT MIX LEVEL

RIGHT MIX LEVEL

200

100

400

500

600Hz

CHANNEL 4

LEVEL

100

30Hz

OFF

CUE

LEVEL

200

400

500

600Hz

HI-PASSHI-PASSHI-PASSHI-PASS

200

100

OFF

400

500

600Hz30Hz

CUE

CHANNEL 5

CHANNEL 6

LEVEL

30Hz

OFF

CUE

200

100

400

500

600Hz

HI-PASSHI-PASS

10kHz

+6-6

-6

MASTER EQ

MASTER

2.5kHz

+15

-15

10kHz

-6 +6

100Hz80Hz 120Hz

-6

BOOTH

+15

-15 5

MIC

OFF

CUE

PHONES

TONE

CUE/MIX

MIX

GND

-OUT - IN

XLR

+OUT2+IN

LINE IN/OUT

INSERT

TIP

TIP +

RING

RING -

GND

MIC INPUT

TIP SEND

RING RETURN

MASTER

INSERT

LINE

PHONO/

LINE

PHONO/ LINE

EXT CUE INPUT

RECORD

-10dBV

MIC INSERT

MASTER OUT

-2dBu

CUE DC LINK

PHONES 2

MIC TO BOOTH

+4dBuBOOTH

DC POWER

ONLY USE CORRECT

ALLEN&HEATH PSU

MASTER OUT

INPUT

WARNING!

FOR BALANCED CONNECTION ONLY.

DO NOT SHORT PIN 2 OR PIN 3 TO GROUND.

FOR UNBALANCED OPERATION USE JACK OUTPUTS

AVIS: RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE - NE PAS OUVRIR TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

WARNING - THIS APPARATUS MUST BE EARTHED. REFER TO USER GUIDE BEFORE CONNECTING SUPPLY. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

SND

RTNRTN

MADE IN ENGLAND BY ALLEN & HEATH LIMITED

SND SND

RTN RTN RTNRTN

&ALLEN HEATH

SND SND

6 XONE:V6 User Guide

Welcome to the

The XONE:V6 is an audiophile rotary club mixer that sets a new

quality benchmark. It is an echo of the earliest days of pro audio when pioneering individuals hand crafted outstanding products free from the constraints of cost and time. We revisited the basics of audio circuit design restoring the simple purity of a minimum signal path meticulously constructed from the finest discrete components. The result is a console that gives great recordings the space and freedom to express their true warmth and clarity.

The main circuits use carefully selected transistors instead of ICs to ensure the shortest signal path and high voltage rail operation for massive headroom. The lower open loop stage gain means minimum negative feedback resulting in reduced intermodulation distortion of the complex waveforms typical of music. The all important RIAA input stage uses paralleled audio grade JFETS and a composite passive equalisation network which maintains low noise and very high input impedance constant with frequency. Similar care has been taken with the input preamps using JFETS in a classic long tailed pair configuration and a Class A mosfet output stage which replaces the busy integrated op-amp typically found in modern preamps. Two of the channels feature valve inputs producing the distinctive second harmonic distortion which helps warm up clinical sounding sources such as CD. As much time has been spent carrying out ‘golden ear’ listening tests as performance logging in the laboratory. The result is the simple assurance that you will hear every nuance of the music you mix.

The same attention to quality detail is applied to the construction. The face plate is machined from 6mm thick bead blasted aluminium. The main VU meters are a very rugged and accurate original 1950’s British telecom design. The vintage durability is also reflected in the choice of the knobs and switches.

The XONE:V6 also features the best in modern technology and engineering excellence. The top of the range, oil damped rotary faders are made by Penny & Giles, a British company renowned for its fader expertise. Not only are the controls guaranteed to give you the finest mix precision, they will also give you the longest term service. The power unit also benefits from the finest in linear design for a rock solid bottom end and utmost clarity.

The 6 input channels each have two selectable stereo inputs. CH1-4 include selectable RIAA and line inputs. CH5 and 6 feature stereo line valve preamps. Rear panel inserts are provided for patching in external processing. The channel hi-pass filters use large rotary controls for performance mixing. The microphone channel has a balanced XLR input with selectable phantom power, vocal optimised EQ, insert point, on/off switch, and the ability to route to the booth if required.

Balanced XLR master and booth stereo outputs are provided. The master output is also available on unbalanced TRS jack, and includes an insert point. The recording output is taken from the booth mix. Two band EQ is available on both the master and booth outputs. The cue system feeds both front and rear headphones sockets. The channel cue switches auto-cancel for fast action, and the cue/mix rotary fader lets you audition how a source will sound when added to the mix. The tone control helps you lift the sounds you want to check in your headphones. Various internal jumpers are provided so you can set preferred source selection and operating levels.

We hope you enjoy using the XONE:V6 as much as we have enjoyed designing it.

Andy Rigby-Jones, the designer

XONE:V6 User Guide 7

PHONO

LEVEL

INPUT 4

LINE

100

200

Channel Controls

6 Input channels are provided. Each has switchable inputs for two stereo sources. CH1-4 provide line and phono (RIAA) inputs. CH5 and 6 feature valve preamps and have two switchable line sources each. All channels provide insert points for patching in additional equipment. Internal jumper

400

options let you change the gain settings and switch out the RIAA equalisation.

Phono / Line select CH1-4 This toggle switch selects the PHONO input

in its left position, or the LINE input in its right position.

Line A / Line B select CH5,6 This toggle switch selects the LINE A

input in its left position, or the LINE B input in its right position.

500

RIAA The PHONO input passes through an RIAA equaliser. This

compensates for the response of the turntable pickup cartridge and results in

30Hz

OFF

600Hz

HI-PASS

the desired flat frequency response. Note that the RIAA equaliser can be bypassed using internal option jumpers if you want to use the inputs for additional line sources instead.

Valve preamps The CH5 and CH6 preamps provide the warm, musical

CUE

CHANNEL 4

8 XONE:V6 User Guide

sound associated with the characteristically strong second harmonic distortion associated with the valve circuit.

Meter This has 8 LEDs which display the level from -18dB to +10dB relative

to the normal 0dB operating level. It is peak responding so that it can accurately display fast music peaks. The stereo L and R signals are summed to feed the meter display. Turn back the LEVEL control if the red ‘+10’ LED lights. Although there is still plenty of headroom above this level, it is important to prevent very high channel levels which could overload the mix if several sources are being mixed together.

INPUT 5

LINE A

LEVEL

LINE B

Level Adjusts the input sensitivity from fully off to its maximum +10dB gain.

Correct use of this control makes it impossible to overload the input preamp. Adjust it so that the meter averages around ‘0’ with loudest peaks up to ‘+6’. Note that there are internal option jumpers to reduce the maximum gain

available to +6 or 0dB.

Hi-Pass filter A variable frequency 12dB per octave filter can be switched

in or out of the channel signal path using the ON/OFF switch. The cut off frequency can be swept from 30Hz to 600Hz. The large rotary provides fine control during performance.

OFF

CHANNEL 5

100

CUE

200

400

500

600Hz30Hz

HI-PASS

Cue Press this button to route the channel signal to the headphones. The

integral blue LED lights when it is active. An ‘intelligent’ cue system is provided for quick and easy channel monitoring during performance. The cue switches are cleared when the console is powered on. The following is possible:

Latching action - Press once to turn it on, press again to turn it off.

Momentary action - Press and hold for longer than 2 seconds. Cue turns off when you release your finger.

Interlocking action - Press one to turn the previous selection off. This way you can quickly switch from one to another channel.

Adding action - Press two or more at the same time.

Rotary Fader Each channel has a large rotary fader for precision control

of its level when mixing. This type of control provides far greater accuracy than the typical linear fader found in most DJ mixers. It uses the renowned Penny & Giles oil-damped potentiometer for smooth movement, accurate control and long life. The rotary ranges from fully off when anti-clockwise to fully on at unity gain (0dB) when clockwise. For best performance operate these controls near to their fully clockwise position for normal music level.

XONE:V6 User Guide 9

-15

2.5kHz

+15

Microphone Controls

A DJ microphone can be plugged in. A professional quality balanced dynamic vocal type is recommended. Phantom power can be internally enabled if a condenser type is preferred. The mic can be switched into the master mix, booth mix, and routes to the cue monitor. An insert is available for patching in processors such as a limiter or compressor.

Mic on/off Switch the microphone into the master mix using the ON/OFF

toggle switch. Depending on the position of the rear panel MIC TO BOOTH switch, the signal may also appear in the booth mix. When the mic is switched off, its post fade signal is automatically sent to the cue mix for monitoring.

OFF

-15

MIC

120Hz

+15

Mic level Controls the level of the microphone from fully off to a maximum

+60dB gain. Typical operation with a dynamic vocal mic is around the 2 to 3 o’clock position.

Hi-pass filter A hi-pass filter is built in to help remove handling noise and

the popping associated with the close mic proximity effect.

Mic EQ Two controls adjust the frequency response of the mic channel.

2.5kHz is a shelving HF control, 120Hz is a shelving LF control. Both provide up to 15dB cut or boost. The response is flat at the centre positions. Where possible use only small amounts of EQ, and cut rather than boost.

A small amount of HF boost can improve the intelligibility of vocals over the mix, adding brightness. Use HF cut to remove harshness. A little LF boost can add punch to the male voice. Use LF cut to reduce boominess and LF noise.

Phantom power An internal option jumper is provided to enable +30V

phantom power to the mic input XLR. Only use this if it is required, for example with certain condenser mics. Do not use it with unbalanced connections.

10 XONE:V6 User Guide

LEFT MIX LEVEL

Master Controls

The Master is the main output that feeds the house sound system. An overall level control together with 2-band equaliser is provided. External processing equipment such as a limiter or house EQ can be inserted into the master mix signal path.

Main meter Two lamp-illuminated moving coil VU meters display the left

and right signals. The needle movement accurately follows the VU (volume unit) standard. It displays the average signal level. The meter is post master EQ and pre MASTER level control so that you can keep a check on the console mix level regardless of house volume. Refer to the notes on Operating Level and meters later in this guide.

10kHz

+6-6

80Hz

-6

MASTER EQ

MASTER

Master EQ Two controls adjust the frequency response of the overall mix.

10kHz is a shelving HF control, 80Hz is a shelving LF control. Both provide up to 6dB cut or boost. The response is flat at the centre positions. Where possible use only small amounts of EQ, or none at all. The LF control is tuned very low to boost frequencies well below the 80Hz turning point. This lets you bring out thumping lows from big system subs without wooliness.

These controls should be used for performance rather than room or equipment compensation. If the system has been properly specified and installed then it should reproduce the music with an accurate flat response. Rear panel insert points are provided for patching in processing equipment such as equalisers needed for room compensation.

Master level Controls the overall level of the house mix. It ranges from

fully off to 0dB unity gain. For normal operation it should be used near to or at its fully clockwise position. The XLR delivers +4dBu output level when the MASTER level is fully clockwise and the VU meters read ‘0’. This should match most systems. Internal option jumpers are available for 0dBu operation if preferred.

XONE:V6 User Guide 11

-6

10kHz

100Hz

Booth Controls

The DJ’s local loudspeakers are fed from the console BOOTH output. The booth mix is sourced from the master mix. It is derived post insert so that the DJ hears exactly what is being fed to the house system. The DJ microphone signal can be included or removed from the booth mix. The same mix feeds the recording outputs.

Mic To Booth switch This rear panel switch is

recessed to protect it from accidental operation once set. Use a pen or similar pointed object to change its setting. Set the switch out (flush with panel) to include the microphone signal in the booth and recording mix. Set the switch in (pressed) for a music only mix.

MIC INSERT

MIC TO BOOTH

-6

BOOTH

Booth EQ Two controls adjust the frequency response of the overall mix.

10kHz is a shelving HF control, 100Hz is a shelving LF control. Both provide up to 6dB cut or boost. The response is flat at the centre positions. Where possible use only small amounts of EQ, or none at all. The LF control is tuned slightly higher than the master EQ to better match the performance of the speakers typically used. The booth EQ only affect the booth output. It does not affect the headphones or recording feeds.

Booth level Controls the overall level of the booth mix. It ranges from fully

off to 0dB unity gain. For normal operation it should be used near to or at its fully clockwise position.

12 XONE:V6 User Guide

Headphones Controls

The DJ headphones is sourced from the booth mix and switched cue system. Headphone sockets are provided on both the front and rear panels.

CUE

PHONES

TONE

CUE/MIX

MIX

Tone control This combines the LF and HF equaliser into one, easy to use

control. At centre position the frequency response is flat. Turning clockwise boosts the high frequencies while cutting the lows. Turning anti-clockwise boosts the lows while cutting the highs. Use this to check the frequency makeup of the music you are cueing in the headphones.

Cue / Mix This control balances the level of cue signal and booth (music)

signal in the headphones. Fully anti-clockwise, only cue signal is routed. Fully clockwise, only booth mix is routed. At centre position, equal cue and booth signal is mixed together. Use the control when auditioning new tracks and experimenting with how they may sound when added to the mix.

Phones level Controls the overall level of the headphones. It ranges from

fully off to maximum volume.

Headphones are available with different impedance specification, typically between 8 and 600 ohms. The XONE:V6 is designed to operate with headphones in the range 30 to 600 ohms. For best performance we recommend the high quality 70 or 100 ohm type popular with top DJs.

Important Note about Hearing: To avoid damage to your

hearing do not operate any sound system at excessively high volume. This also applies to any close-to-ear monitoring such as headphones. Continued exposure to high volume sound can cause frequency selective or wide range hearing loss. Make sure that your system complies with any venue sound level and noise regulations which may apply.

XONE:V6 User Guide 13

+ 29 hidden pages