Allen & Heath's first screen shot of the Xone:DB4 was a load of cables and the headline "Prepare yourself for the DOG'S B•LL••KS". With every new product there comes hype however; usually the end result isn't as ground breaking as the manufacturer would have you believe.
With the Xone:DB4 I'm not so sure; this is a 4 channel mixer but it's A&H's first fully digital application designed for the DJ. What it enables is up to 12 separate devices 4 analog, 4 USB and 4 digital. It's also MIDI mappable so you can operate software programs like Ableton direct from the mixer.
The EQ section is quite innovative in that it offers 3 modes. EQ-mode, which has a -26dB kill, with a gentle slope. Isolator-mode which comprises of -24dB drop out, with a sharp slope. Finally you have filter-mode which converts the EQ into filter channels to create high-pass, low-pass and resonance filters. Lowering the High and Low would ultimately create a band pass filter, so effectively you have 4 filters from 3 dials. As not to confuse the DJ the rotary dials illuminate in 3 different colours so you know instantly what mode your in. That's providing you can remember what color means what.
The Xone:DB4 also has a loop section but whereas most mixers on the market today loop a selected channel, the Xone:DB4 has a loop section on each channel. Once you push the loop button the mixer automatically records 4 bars, even if started at the smallest denominator of 1/16 of a beat, you can still extend the loop to a maximum of 4 bars; all beat synced from either the internal or external MIDI-clock.
A&H's next box of tricks is the effects unit which again is independent from the loop section and each channel has its own effects parameter setting. It means that you can set an effect to a loop or main audio signal, then add a different effect to another channel. You can even record various changes in those effects whilst playing a loop; for example filter and time on a delay effect and the loop will carry on playing your input changes. You don't just get one type of delay, you get a whole library of delays to choose from and the fun doesn't stop there either. The same goes for reverb, modulation, resonance which can give a sort of Beastie boys intergalactic style effect. Various flanger, phaser, distortion and bit-crushing effects are also thrown in for good measure. For all those DJs who just can't get enough bass and regularly visit Dubstep Anonymous you'll be pleased to know there's even an effect called infra-bass which adds a sub harmonic layer an octave lower for a very fat or phat bassline. The effects unit itself is taken from A&H's iLive Pro touring console but has been optimized for dance music being played in a club environment as opposed to a live band playing in concert halls and arenas. Additionally there is a separate classic analog filter taken from the Xone:92 for good measure.
The Xone:DB4 has a dedicated mic input in XLR form shared with an auxiliary RCA input with a 2 band EQ. That channel can either override the other 4 channels as a talk-over option or can be assigned to channel 1 should you want to add effects to the auxiliary input or microphone. Once you go into the system setup you really get to understand how formidable the Xone:DB4 is. You can adjust the midi-clock, add or decrease the maximum headphone output, select between normal, split, pre or post EQ and effects. You can even record your mix either clean, without the mic, mixed and even a headphone mix. If you are getting some phase cancellation coming through your booth output you can invert the phase. The same goes for the master output too, except you can change the phase individually on the left and right channels. The beauty is that all those internal settings can be saved to USB so you won't have to re-calibrate everything if you go back to the same venue or another dj changes all the parameters. The real surprise is the MIDI-configuration which looks like every single part of this digital mixer is mappable to software.
What's so Great:
For Allen & Heath's first attempt at producing a fully digital DJ mixer which can control programs like Abelton and Traktor they seem to have thought about virtually everything.
For me personally I need a separate channel for the microphone but then A&H have out done themselves by allowing me to assign it to an effects channel. This will save me a lot of money and space in not having to purchase an effects unit should I need to add a touch of reverb or delay to enhance the vocals for someone singing over a playback. I've been looking for the next step up from the Xone:92 for about 6 months and have struggled to find something that still retains that analog warmth in the EQ and filters but can also control various aspects of Traktor Pro.
How much am I gonna get stung:
When you consider that the Xone:92 still retails at over £900/€1400 and this unit is a Xone:92 plus a MIDI-controller, plus a multi-effects unit you know it's not going be easy to swallow.
If you live in the Eastend then it's going to cost an Archer but if you sweet talk your retailer you might just get a bit change back from that £2,000.
I couldn't categorically state my search is over but I've seriously started to consider what I'd get for donating a kidney.
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