USER GUIDE Publication AP9967_1 Allen & Heath 1 XONE:43C User Guide
Limited One Year Manufacturer’s Warranty Allen & Heath warrants the Allen & Heath - branded hardware product and accessories contained in the original packaging ("Allen & Heath Product”) against defects in materials and workmanship when used in accordance with Allen & Heath's user manuals, technical specifications and other Allen & Heath product published guidelines for a period of ONE (1) YEAR from the date of original purchase by the end-user purchaser ("Warranty Period").
PACKED ITEMS Check that you have received the following: Mains Lead Check that the correct mains plug is fitted. Xone:43C mixer Spare knobs and buttons Type A-B USB Lead To connect the Xone:43C to your computer. Safety Sheet Important ! Read this sheet before starting. Retain for future reference.
CONTENTS Congratulations on purchasing the Allen & Heath Xone:43C DJ mixer. The Xone:43C is a DJ mixer featuring four stereo dual input channels, a Mic/Aux input channel, 45mm linear VCA channel faders, Xone VCF filter, X:FX external effects loop for send/return functionality with wet/dry control, a 16 Channel 96kHz 24bit USB Soundcard and X:LINK connectivity.
SETUP EXAMPLES Allen & Heath 5 XONE:43C User Guide
MIC / AUX INPUT CHANNEL 1 Standard 3-Pin XLR socket wired as Pin 1 = Ground, Pin 2 = hot (+), Pin 3 = cold (-). 1 2 2 3 Mic / Aux Select Switch Selects either the XLR microphone input or the alternative Aux input. 5 4 Channel Gain Control Adjusts the input sensitivity of the Mic / Aux channel to compensate for different source signal levels. 6 7 Aux Input Dual RCA sockets for connecting an external line level source.
PHONO / USB / LINE INPUT CHANNELS 1 - 4 1 Channel Level Control This control has a range from - 10dB to +10dB. Use it to adjust the signal level of an audio source to give a nominal 0dB reading on the channel meter, with the peak level at or below 6dB. 1 2 2 Phono / USB / Line Select Switch Selects either the RCA phono input, USB Soundcard input or the alternative RCA stereo line input.
PHONO / USB / LINE INPUT CHANNELS 1 - 4 7 7 Press the Cue switch to listen to the channel pre-fade signal in the headphones and see its level on the main meters. Press the switch to deselect cue. 8 9 Cue Switch 8 Channel Meter Displays the channel signal level. It is pre-EQ and prefader, allowing the input level to be displayed even if the EQ is set to off on all bands. The channel level control should be set so that the meter averages around ‘0’ with loudest peaks no higher than ‘+6’.
FILTER SECTION 1 This produces the classic Xone VCF sound by feeding some of the filter output back to its input. The control ranges from ‘mild’ producing a very subtle effect, to ‘wild’ producing a dramatic phase effect with feedback just short of oscillation. 1 2 2 X:FX Return to Filter Pressing this button routes the X:FX return to the VCF filter, instead of directly into the main mix buss.
HEADPHONE SECTION 1 1 Selects the way Cue operates. Normally, pressing a channel Cue switch overrides both left and right monitor program signals with the stereo Cue signal. With Split set to On, Cue overrides just the left channel leaving the program in the right channel. The left monitor meter displays the Cue signal, right displays program. This is very useful when beat mixing using headphones. 2 3 Split Cue Switch 2 Cue / Mix Control Allows the main mix output to be added to the Cue signal.
MASTER SECTION 1 Mix / Monitor Meters The main meters follow the selected monitor source. The default display is the mix level, pre-master level, which is overridden with an input channel level if the channel cue switch is selected. 1 In split cue mode, the left (L) mix meter will display the cued channel signal level and the right (R) mix meter will display the mix level. The cued mix audio is pre level to prevent mismatch due to the position of the master level control.
CROSSFADER 2 1 1 Crossfader This lets you fade between signals routed to either side, typically to fade smoothly into a new music track or to creatively layer sounds when scratch or cut mixing. The crossfader is a VCA controller which affects the level of signals routed via the filters. Make sure the switches on the channels you wish to fade are set to X or Y as appropriate.
REAR CONNECTORS 2 1 4 1 3 AC Mains Input IEC cable with moulded mains plug suitable for your local supply. Important: Read the SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS sheet included with the Xone:43C and printed on the rear panel. Check that the correct mains lead with moulded plug has been supplied with your console. The power supply accepts mains voltages within the range 100-240V without changing any fuses or settings. Ensure that the IEC mains plug is pressed fully into the rear panel socket before switching on.
REAR CONNECTORS 4 6 5 4 7 8 9 10 USB Line / Phono select switches Switches for selection between Control vinyl (Phono) or CD (Line) per input channel if using Serato DJ Club Pack. See Page 19 for more information. 5 USB Soundcard 16 Channel 96kHz 24bit USB Soundcard. See Page 17 for more information. 6 Master Output Balanced XLR. This is the main output that feeds the house PA system. Plug into the house processor/amplifier system using balanced cables. Use balanced cables and equipment.
DRIVER INSTALLATION (MAC) Drivers Although the Xone:43C is class compliant and will work on a Mac without drivers, for best performance we recommend you download the dedicated drivers from our website: www.allen-heath.com/xone43cdrivers When the drivers have downloaded, extract them to a folder and click on the .dmg file to start installation: 1. Click to load the Driver 2. Click Continue 4. Enter your user name and password then click install software 3. 5. Click Install 6.
DRIVER INSTALLATION (PC) Drivers In order to access all the soundcard channels on your Xone:43C you will need to install the dedicated ASIO driver, which can be downloaded from our website: www.allen-heath.com/xone43cdrivers When the drivers have downloaded, extract them to a folder and click on the setup file to start installation: 1. Choose your language and click OK to continue 2. 3. 4.
USB SOUNDCARD — DEFAULT The Xone:43C includes a 16 Channel (8 in / 8 out) 96kHz 24bit USB Soundcard. By default, the mixer ships with the soundcard configured to offer the best workflow to suit Serato DJ.
USB SOUNDCARD — USER OPTIONS The Xone:43C Soundcard can be reconfigured beyond the default shipping configuration. To make any changes via the jumpers you will need to open the mixer, see Page 31 for information on how to do this.
SERATO The XONE:43C DJ Mixer features Serato DJ support. Users wanting to take advantage of this are required to purchase Serato DJ Club Kit available in-app and at: http://store.serato.com/ Please note: Mixer does not support full control of Serato Video. Serato NoiseMap™ Control Vinyl & CD Vinyl is available from most DJ retailers and the Serato Store in a variety of colours and collectors pressings: http://store.serato.com/ You can burn your own Serato Control CDs or use the Control Signal .
SERATO DJ SETUP On the top panel, find the corresponding music channel and select the input selector switch to USB (middle position). Serato DJ Navigate to the 'Setup' screen in Serato DJ. 1. Click 'Expansion Packs' 2. Click ‘Vinyl/CDJ Control’ to check this is enabled 3. *You are now ready to use CD players or turntables with the XONE:43C Mixer. *Users wanting to take advantage of this are required to purchase Serato DJ Club Kit in-app or available at: http://store.serato.
MIDI MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, and is an interface protocol from the nineteen eighties to enable different keyboards, sequencers, drum machines, etc. to communicate with each other. MIDI is still a common interface used by most DAW software to allow remote control of various functions within the program. The Xone:43C has the ability to send and receive MIDI.
MIDI MIDI Channel Setup 1 9 2 10 3 11 4 12 5 13 6 14 7 15 8 16 MIDI Parameters All MIDI in Hex n = MIDI Channel number xx = Parameter number Control Change messages (CC): Bn xx 00 - 7F Note On Messages: 9n xx 7F Note Off Messages 9n xx 00 Allen & Heath 22 43C CHANNEL FADER 1 CC = Bn 00 00-7F 2 CC = Bn 01 00-7F 3 CC = Bn 02 00-7F 4 CC = Bn 03 00-7F XONE:43C User Guide
MIDI MIC/Aux Channel Mic Cue On = 9n 5C 7F Off = 8n 5C 00 Mic ON On = 9n 5D 7F Off = 8n 5D 00 Channel CUE Channel 1 On = 9n 4D 7F Off = 8n 4D 00 Channel 2 On = 9n 39 7F Off = 8n 39 00 Channel 3 On = 9n 25 7F Off = 8n 25 00 Channel 4 On = 9n 11 7F Off = 8n 11 00 Channel Filter Channel 1 On = 9n 49 7F Off = 8n 49 00 Channel 2 On = 9n 35 7F Off = 8n 35 00 Channel 3 On = 9n 21 7F Off = 8n 21 00 Channel 4 On = 9n 0D 7F Off = 8n 0D 00 XFX / Filter Allen & Heath X:FX On = 9n 04 7F Off = 8n 0
MIDI NOTE IMPLEMENTATION TABLE Note Numbers Octave C C# /Db D D# / Eb -1 0 0 1 1 2 0 12 0C 13 0D 1 24 18 25 19 2 36 24 37 3 48 30 4 60 3C 5 72 6 7 8 108 6C 109 6D 110 6E 111 9 2 3 14 0E 26 1A 25 38 49 31 61 3D 48 73 84 54 96 60 E 3 4 15 0F 27 1B 26 39 50 32 62 3E 49 74 85 55 97 61 F 4 5 16 10 28 1C 27 40 51 33 63 3F 4A 75 86 56 98 62 F# / Gb G G# / Ab A A# / Bb B 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 0A 11 0B 17
PANEL DRAWINGS Rear Panel Front Panel Allen & Heath 25 XONE:43C User Guide
SPECIFICATIONS Nom / max output levels Main Mix +4dBu +27dBu Booth 0dBu +22dBu X:FX Send 0dBu +20dBu Record Out 0dBu +20dBu Internal headroom Channels +20dB Frequency response +/-0.5dB 20Hz - 20kHz Distortion < 0.
BLOCK DIAGRAM Allen & Heath 27 XONE:43C User Guide
FILTER REFERENCE The VCF Filters A voltage controlled filter is an audio filter where the cut-off frequency is altered by a DC control voltage rather than a variable resistor. This produces a much wider operating range and more control over the filter response to create unlimited combinations of tonal effect. Filter Type Select The filters are ‘state variable’. This means that they provide three simultaneous filter HI-PASSband-pass FILTER and low-pass.
OPERATING LEVELS It is most important that the system level settings are correctly set. It is well known that many DJs push the level to maximum with meters peaking hard in the belief that they are getting the best from the system. THIS IS NOT THE CASE ! The best can only be achieved if the system levels are set within the normal operating range and not allowed to peak. Peaking simply results in signal distortion, not more volume.
EARTHING The connection to earth (ground) in an audio system is important for two reasons: SAFETY - To protect the operator from high voltage electric shock, and AUDIO PERFORMANCE - To minimise the effect of earth (ground) loops which result in audible hum and buzz, and to shield the audio signals from interference. For safety it is important that all equipment earths are connected to mains earth so that exposed metal parts are prevented from carrying high voltage which can injure or even kill the operator.
REPLACING THE CROSSFADER If the crossfader is subject to a lot of use it will, in time wear out and need replacing. Intermittent or noisy operation is an indication that it is becoming worn. Using a propriety fader cleaner such as CaigLube might temporarily restore use, but DO NOT use on a new fader as it will wash away the factory applied grease.
REPLACING THE CROSSFADER Step 4: Gently slide the two halves of the console apart until the rear connector PCB is wholly visible. Step 5: With care unplug the two grey flat wireforms from the connector PCB. The console base and front panel can now be separated. Step 6: Remove the crossfader cap. Remove and retain 2 screws from crossfader front panel. Step 7: With care unplug the white harness from the connector PCB. The cross fader and plate can now be separated.
REPLACING THE CROSSFADER Step 9: Fit the new replacement crossfader to the bracket as shown (slot 1). The longer (slot 2) beneath is for mounting the optional Innofader (not supplied). The standard crossfader must be fitted to slot 1 and not slot 2. 1 2 Step 10: Screw the crossfader plate back to the console. Replace the crossfader cap. Connect the white harness from the connector PCB. Step 11: Re-assembly of the console is the reverse of steps 1-5.
