“Digital” or “old school” DJs, it doesn't matter: the doubt, at least once in their life, has come to everyone. Is it possible… to ride the evening with a single hybrid product?
What are the advantages and disadvantages? Is the (economic) firm worth the surrender? We will try to answer this - and other - questions by testing an Allen & Heath XONE 4D, certainly a leading product in the category, practically monopolist, able to land remarkable sets, excellent mixes, real-time effects and the simultaneous monitoring of two software, even of different kinds such as TRAKTOR by Native Instruments and LIVE by Ableton. All inclusive, turnkey.
In detail, we are talking about a product conceived by the English company in 2007 and then revised in 2009, a real hybrid, able to contain a midi controller and a sound card, all coordinated by the absolute quality of Allen & Heat mixers.
First impression
Once you open the box you realize that the parent company has been very thoughtful: the controller is accompanied by the power cable, the connection cable to the PC/USB MAC (which many other similar products do not include), the instructions strictly in English, the CD with drivers, software, configurations and more (I also recommend taking a look at the site for updates), supports and screws for rack mounting and a nice bag of always useful spare parts.
The Xone 4D (Fig.1) is a 4-channel mixer with eq. parametric and, including the great LFO filter section, it would be the XONE 92 in all respects - if it weren't just for the front-mounted microphone, non-Penny Giles faders and some logistical changes. There are so many connections that allow you to configure the console truly tailor-made, even based on the most particular needs, while the most virtuous operators can try new configuration and experimentation environments (Fig 2).
The control section, on the other hand, is characterized, on the mixer, by a BPM / MIDI / WCLOCK selector depending on the needs, and can be monitored in a small alphanumeric matrix with red LEDs clearly visible even in complete darkness. On the two sides, however, we find many controls of different kinds and without apparently pre-established functions, which indicates the possibility of more complete customization.
The audio section and its connections
The supplied sound card has 20 in e digital outs ed analog with sampling up 24 bit/ 96kHz of audio resolution. The Xone 4D can be configured with all editing software (Wavelab) and producer (Pro Tools, Cubase, etc.) as well as Traktor and Ableton, as it supports Core Audio, VST and ASIO drivers. The rear panel features the classic phone / line inputs on four channels, balanced master, monitor, rec out and a complete FX section, but also adds 6 direct output channels as well as optical I / O, SPDIF, midi, USB and, dulcis last but not least, foot switch control and joystick style DB-15 (Fig.3).
Midi controller section
The XONE 4D is characterized, as anticipated, by two controllers placed on both sides, each consisting of 5 rotary encoders, 4 60mm faders, 2 rotary jogs, 8 illuminated buttons, 16 potentiometers and 32 switches (Fig 4). It is useless to underline the shift for the double state in addition to the other 16 channel variables, as it is also a very complete MIDI instrument. Everything is configurable from a complex (for newbies) but very specific Controller Editor provided on the installation CD.
Once turned on ...
Whether it be PC o MAC, the installation is very simple and well guided; the tool as soon as it is accessed will already appear very reliable for its functionality.
What makes this instrument suitable for everyone is its versatility: used as a mixer, or as a controller, or in all its potential, it is always stable. Finally, the most amazing thing is that without the addition of other tools, it has an excellent emulation function up to 4 decks on Traktor, aided by the certification that the Native instruments released for this equipment. Whether it's vinyl or cd, you have impeccable control in the order of 5 ms of latency (that's why NI chose to promote it as a certified product). I recommend trying the settings and configurations that the parent company makes available, perhaps to get ideas for customizations.
We draw conclusions
After this general overview, let's understand the advantages and disadvantages of the product: as a “pro” it certainly has high reliability, almost infinite functions and the “all-in-one” factor on its side; as “cons” we can observe its not really transport size, the controller not perfectly built for Traktor (since it should be the reference use of the XONE 4D) even if completely configurable, and the price a bit high.
In detail:
Pro:
- Excellent sound card quality
Very simple and intuitive installation even for beginners
Excellent audio / MIDI integration
Versatility of use as well as almost infinite configurations
Very high dynamics and sensitivity
Against:
- Not really small size
A good knowledge of midi is required for editing and shifting functions
Spaces not perfectly managed
High cost
Own load too high for CPU and RAM
Xone 4D versus…?
This product - both in terms of quality / price and functionality - has no competitors, as there are no similar products except by combining various tools with each other (for example at home Allen & Heath Xone 92 + 2 Xone 1D or mixer of your choice + Traktor Audio 10 Dj + 2 Traktor Kontrol X1 from Native Instruments ...) but honestly I would have expected a better default setting: both as regards the use of Ableton and Traktor I do not think that the configuration of the parent company fully reflects the functions most used by most of DJs. But fortunately, as I said, the MIDI section is completely configurable and the high quality of all the controllers will support any function and any solicitation.
Finally we can say that it is definitely the choice to make for venues that host different types of DJs and with different configurations or for those who have a stable console preferably in a studio; I don't think it should be taken into consideration by the DJ who needs to travel, especially by plane, given its size and what the competition offers.
USEFUL INFORMATION:
Producer: Allen & Heath
Model: Xone 4D
Website: www.allen-heath.com
Italian distributor: www.grisbymusic.it
Cost: Approximately € 1.150,00
