Allen & Heath unveils cut-price version of Xone:3D

Allen & Heath unveils cut-price version of Xone:3D

3 April, 2007 | 9.30AM

• Written by: Terry Church
• Filed under: Music News: allen & heath, midi controller, xone:1d, xone:3d

Allen & Heath kicked serious arse last year with the launch of their groundbreaking Xone:3D mixer. 

The controller allowed DJs to mix digital music files on a computer using traditional mixing methods.

In other words, a laptop DJ no longer had to look like they were checking emails or porn, and could throw away the annoying mouse.

Loads of the world’s top DJs, including Paul van Dyk and 20:20 Vision boss Ralph Lawson, jumped at the chance to use the Xone:3D with software programs like Ableton Live and Traktor for their club sets.

The only problem was the Xone:3D was bloody expensive (about $2800 US), so only DJs who took their spinning really seriously could afford to spunk their cash on the kit.

So Allen & Heath followed up the Xone:3D with the launch of a smaller and cheaper version called the Xone:2D, which retailed for about $700 US.

It was clearly aimed at middle-market DJs.

Now the company has launched a bargain-bucket version of the controller called, wait for it, the Xone:1D.

Costing around $400, the Xone:1D is a cute MIDI controller connected by USB which can be used to control and mix digital music files using software such as Ableton Live and Traktor.

As well as USB connection, the Xone:1D also has a five pin DIN MIDI sockets for connection to other MIDI-enabled devices.

For the nerds out there: the Xone:1D also has eight rotary pots, 16 push buttons (five of which are illuminated) and five rotary encoders.

And like the Xone:3D and Xone:2D the mixer’s buttons can be mapped for use as navigation controls or as a DJ performance mixer.

The Xone:1D will be in the shops from June 2007.

Now you can afford to buy your partner a birthday present, as well as satisfy your thirst for new DJ gadgets.

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