Allen & Heath dLive
Modular 96 kHz digital live mixing system (MixRack + S-Class surface) with an XCVI FPGA core.
Description
dLive (Allen & Heath, 2015-2016) is the brand's flagship digital mixing system, successor to iLive. It uses a split architecture: a MixRack (DM32/DM48/DM64) holding all DSP and audio, and an S-Class control surface (S3000/S5000/S7000) connected over a network. The XCVI core, built on FPGA rather than conventional DSP, delivers 128 input channels, 64 configurable buses and 0.7 ms latency at 96 kHz.
Where to buy
Technical
Specifications
Inputs / Outputs
| Total inputs | 128 |
|---|---|
| Mic inputs | 64 |
| Total outputs | 32 |
| Inputs / outputs | S5000 surface: 8 XLR mic/line in, 8 XLR line out, AES3 (2 in / 3 out stereo), 2 I/O Ports (128 ch @ 96 kHz each), dual-redundant GigaACE gigabit link to the MixRack, redundant DX link for expansion, 2 network ports, Wordclock BNC. |
Processing
| Mix buses | 64 |
|---|---|
| DSP engine | XCVI (FPGA) |
| Max sample rate | 96 kHz |
| Bit depth | 24 bits |
| Processing resolution | 96 bits |
| Architecture | Modular split architecture: a MixRack (DM32/DM48/DM64) holds all DSP and audio; the surface (C/S1500, S3000, S5000, S7000) is only a controller connected to the rack over a network link. The system can be mixed with no surface, via iPad/PC. |
| DSP engine (details) | XCVI core built on FPGA technology (not conventional DSP): 36 parallel virtual cores, ~25 billion operations/second, 6 parallel mix engines computing >10,000 cross-points per sample, and an FPGA router with 3,000 × 3,000 audio paths. Capacity for 160 × 64 channels of processing at 96 kHz. |
| Channels | 128 fully-processed input channels + 16 stereo FX returns (160 sources to the mix), 64 configurable-assignment mix buses (auxes/groups/matrices/mains share the 64 buses), 0.7 ms analogue-in to analogue-out latency. |
| Channel processing | DEEP processing: loadable emulation models (compressors, preamps) on channels, plus 64 Dyn8 engines (dynamic EQ + multiband compression). Onboard RackExtra FX (stereo FX buses). The line-up was later extended by the RackUltra FX card (10 algorithms including Vocal Tuner/Shifter). |
| Modularity and expansion | I/O Ports accept networking cards: gigaACE (128×128 @ 96 kHz, A&H proprietary), Dante (64×64 and 128×128), Waves SoundGrid (V3), superMADI. Remote I/O expansion via DX32/DX168/DX164-W expanders (the DX32 has no FPGA core; it only adds I/O). |
Surface
| Physical faders | 28 |
|---|---|
| Motorized faders | Yes |
| Fader layers | 6 |
| Screens | 2 |
| Touchscreen | Yes |
Recording
| Onboard recording | Yes |
|---|
Networking
| Networking & protocols | Dante / MADI / SoundGrid |
|---|---|
| Redundant PSU | Yes |
| Redundant networking | Yes |
Physical
| Width | 1,115 mm |
|---|---|
| Depth | 728 mm |
| Height | 413 mm |
| Weight | 35 kg |
Power
| Power draw | 300 W |
|---|
Other
| Variants and configurations | Reference configuration for numeric specs: DM64 MixRack (64 mic in / 32 local out) + S5000 control surface (28 faders). S-Class 96 kHz system. The dimensions/weight/power in specs_fixed are those of the S5000 SURFACE; the DM64 rack measures 482.6 × 313 × 458 mm and weighs 21 kg. |
|---|---|
| Price | High-end system sold mainly through pro dealers on quotation. Used-market reference seen: an S5000 + DM64 second-hand package listed around €12,700 ex-VAT. Reliable new street price not publicly displayed (to be confirmed). |
Strip & details
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Diagrams
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Software
dLive Director v2.12Download
dLive MixPad v2.11Download
dLive OneMix v2.11Download
dLive Director (mode en ligne) v2.12Download
dLive4You v2.10Download
Custom Control v1.5.3Download
Other screenshots
Accessories
Stagebox / rack
- DX32 (modular expander)
Modular I/O expander (DX-format cards).
- DX168 (16x8 stagebox)
16 mic in / 8 out stage box, DX link.
- GX4816 (audio expander)
48 XLR in / 16 out audio expander, DX and ME connectivity.
I/O card
- Waves SoundGrid M-DL-WAVES3 card
Waves SoundGrid (V3) networking card for plugin integration.
Documents
Editorial & artists
Our take
History & design
dLive is Allen & Heath's digital flagship, aimed at the high-end of live sound (major tours, festivals, venues, rental, broadcast) against systems like DiGiCo SD/Quantum or Yamaha Rivage/CL. The range is conceived as a system rather than a console: processing and audio live in the MixRack (DM32, DM48 or DM64, from smallest to most I/O-rich), while the surface is just a controller.
The brain is the XCVI core, an FPGA chip (not a sequential DSP) running ~25 billion operations/second, with 36 parallel virtual cores and a 3,000 × 3,000 path router. It provides 128 fully-processed input channels, 16 stereo FX returns, 64 freely-assignable mix buses (auxes, groups, matrices, mains) and 0.7 ms end-to-end latency, all at 96 kHz with variable bit depth and a 96-bit accumulator.
Processing includes DEEP technology (loadable compressor/preamp emulations) and 64 Dyn8 engines (dynamic EQ + multiband compression), plus RackExtra FX. On the network side, each I/O Port accepts cards: the proprietary gigaACE link (128×128 @ 96 kHz), Dante, Waves SoundGrid and MADI, with remote I/O expansion via DX expanders.
The representative S5000 surface offers 28 motorised faders over 6 layers, two 12" capacitive touchscreens, the gesture-driven Harmony UI, hot-swappable redundant power and a redundant GigaACE link to the rack. Surface-less mixing is possible via iPad apps (MixPad, OneMix) or the Director software.
Notable users
Links
- Manufacturer Official dLive range page: Allen & Heath allen-heath.com
- Manufacturer Allen & Heath : MixRack dLive DM64 allen-heath.com
- Press article Front of House Magazine : Road Test dLive fohonline.com
- Press article audioXpress: dLive launch announcement audioxpress.com
- Forum A&H forums: Dante or gigaACE (network cards) forums.allen-heath.com
Related consoles
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Documents are archived locally for preservation. Source credited. Takedown requests: [email protected]