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Allen & Heath at 117th AES and at Plasa 2004

At Plasa 2004, London, and at 117th AES, San Francisco, Allen & Heath introduced a product inspired by the Xone DJ range. The Xone VF-1 is a 1U rack universal analogue stereo filter intended for live and studio use that can interface with any mixer to create and manipulate sophisticated audio filtering. Styled similarly to the lush Xone:V6 valve rotary mixer, the unit's circuitry is an enhanced version of the filters built into Allen & Heath's Xone mixers, and offers three basic filter types: High-pass, Band-Pass and Low-pass. The basic filter types can be combined to create further filter types such as 'notch'.
The VF-1 has MIDI capability, and also contains an envelope follower, an LFO with both triangle and square wave outputs, and resonance control with automatic limiter circuits, which enable high levels of resonance to be used without causing the system to overload. One unique feature of the VF-1 module is the inclusion of valve overdrive circuitry, whereby a single control enables the user to "dial in" an amount of valve "warmth" while maintaining a constant output level.
Allen & Heath displayed the Xone:92 CTRL mixer, a modified version of the MIDI-enabled Xone:92, designed for, and in collaboration with, leading experimental DJ, Richie Hawtin. The CTRL mixer allows Hawtin greater MIDI accessibility and control options, specifically for Hawtin's Ableton Live sequencing software.
Allen & Heath also launched additions to the PL Series of remote controllers and wallplates which accompany the iDR range of programmable DSP solutions for fixed installation and live sound. Similar to the PL6 fader panel, the PL10 is a compact mixer interface with eight rotary faders, LED ladders, and 16 configurable switches, making it possible to mix live events within the iDR system.
A new version of the iDR System Manager software, which is used to configure the iDR hardware units, was also be released. Version 3.5 provides support for the new PL10 module, such as the ability to program personal monitor and foldback mixing, as well as additional flexibility for individual crosspoint mutes and groups allowing multiple level control, and an improved intuitive interface for programming the iDR matrix.
PLASA 2004 marked Allen & Heath's 35th year designing and manufacturing pro audio products and, to commemorate the milestone, there was a museum area on the stand with a display of past products for visitors to learn more about Allen & Heath's history, alongside the company's complete current portfolio.
35th anniversary of Allen and Heath Above: Allen & Heath past and present: (l-r) Debbie Maxted, Bob Goleniowski, Andrew Sterling, Ivor Taylor and Glenn Rogers at the company's 35th anniversary celebrations in London.
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