Allen & Heath Mixers: The Ultimate Guide to Live Sound & DJ Innovation

UNPUBLISHED

9 Lounges Team

9/27/2025

When you think of top-tier mixing consoles and DJ gear, Allen & Heath (often stylized A&H) immediately stands among the elite. Since the late 1960s, this British brand has earned a reputation for rugged build, sonic clarity, and forward-thinking design. Over decades, it has found its way into studios, concert halls, clubs, and DJs’ rigs. In this post, we explore how this brand grew, what makes its consoles special, and why celebrated artists like Pink Floyd, The Who, Richie Hawtin, and John Digweed trust it.

Built To Inspire Greatness

_____________________________________

KNOW MORE

____________ Advertisement ___________

Xone DJ

In the DJ world, Xone mixers are legendary. The Xone:92, launched in 2004, defined a new blueprint, introducing features like twin VCF filters, improved EQ contouring, and MIDI control.
Even in 2025 it remains on many DJs’ riders—for example, Richie Hawtin was among the first to test its prototype at London’s Cargo and later at Ultra Music Festival in Miami.

In 2024/2025, Allen & Heath also celebrated 20 years of the Xone:92 with a limited edition version, updating filter design and aesthetics to honor its legacy.

Roots & Evolution: From London Workshops to Global Stage

Allen & Heath was founded in 1968 by Andy Bereza and Stephen Batiste (with others joining) in the UK.
In the early ’70s, the company’s custom quadraphonic mixing console MOD1 was used by Pink Floyd (mixed by Alan Parsons) and appeared in Live at Pompeii.
They also built for The Who, bringing advanced mixing techniques to live rock.

From hand-wired analog desks to digital consoles, Allen & Heath kept a steady focus on innovation, modular design, and real-world engineering.
Today, under the Audiotonix umbrella, Allen & Heath continues to push boundaries with powerful digital architectures like their XCVI FPGA core powering dLive, SQ and Avantis lines.

Turn Dreams Into Tracks

______________ Advert ______________

KNOW MORE

____________________________________

Allen & Heath Digital Mixers: The Big Four Explained

Allen & Heath’s digital console range is renowned worldwide for innovation, performance, and reliability. Spanning four iconic series, each mixer family is designed to meet the unique demands of live sound, studio work, and installations.

dLive Series (96 kHz) – Built for pro touring and large-scale installations, dLive offers a uniquely flexible architecture powered by the XCVI FPGA core, delivering ultra-low latency and unmatched processing power.
Avantis - The latest 96 kHz digital console in the lineup, Avantis is turning heads with its twin HD touchscreens, Continuity UI, and rugged full-metal chassis that ensures durability on the road.
SQ Series – Compact yet powerful, SQ mixers bring 96 kHz audio performance and full-format features to a smaller footprint, making them ideal for modern sound engineers who need portability without compromise.
Qu Series – Loved across the industry, the Qu series is celebrated for its intuitive workflow, peerless ease of use, and reliability. From live venues to rehearsal studios, it has become a true industry standard wherever music plays.

Why Artists & Sound Engineers Choose A&H

Reliability & Build Quality: Many analog desks from decades ago are still in use—testimony to its durable engineering.
Sonic Signature & Warmth: The analog circuits, filters, summing, and precision components give a richness and character that many engineers prefer. The Xone:92’s performance under pressure is often praised by veteran DJs.
Modularity & Upgradability: From modular analog designs to digital ecosystems, users can scale, expand I/O, or integrate networking like Dante.
Innovative DSP & Low Latency: Their XCVI core and DEEP effects architecture mean high performance without external latency overhead.
Artist Trust & Iconic Use: When legends like Pink Floyd, The Who, Richie Hawtin, and John Digweed trust this brand, it’s a strong seal of credibility.