Each audio channel can select any of the stereo audio sources: Analogue Line 1-4 (switchable to Phono on 2 & 3), Digital 1-4, or USB 1-4. Additionally, the Mic/Auxiliary channel can be routed through channel 1 for further processing. Each channel has a three-band EQ that can be configured as standard asymmetric EQ (+6/-25dB), total kill (+6dB/Off with a 24dB/octave slope), or reconfigured as a high-pass/low-pass filter system with adjustable resonance. The EQ knobs incorporate an illuminated pointer that changes colour as a visual aid to show which type of equalization has been selected.
A Mic/Auxiliary input is also provided, with two-band EQ, gain, cue, and mix level. This can be routed to Channel 1 to add FX to this channel. To the right of the main mixer is the master section, with main mix level, booth level, and headphone monitoring system.
The OLED display is clearly visible even in bright sunlight, and shows each channel FX selection and current BPM, as well as providing an interface for the Menu set-up functions – such as meter mode, BPM range, USB audio routing scheme, display brightness, in addition to the extensive built-in FX library, and these settings can be saved to a USB key for recall on another unit, such as in a fixed club installation.
The Quad FX Core DSP engine allows each channel to have its own FX bank and BPM detection system, which automatically adjusts all time-related FX and loops to the tempo of the music. There are five basic FX types optimised for DJ use – delay, reverb, modulators, resonators and damage – and each FX type has a patch library of effect variations that can be assigned to the relevant control. Each FX bank has a dedicated expression control and a rotary pot to set the wet/dry level, and further adjustment can be performed using the global controllers in the FX master section.
In addition to the FX, each channel has a built-in looper, with selectable loop length from 1/64 beat to four bars using the rotary encoder. With an intuitive layout similar to the Xone:92, there are also two filter banks on either side of the main mix channels. ‘Based on the iLive pro-touring FX system, we developed FX algorithms with BPM conscious parameters and tight spectral control, customised to perfectly fit the DJ environment,’ says Xone Design Manager, Andy Rigby-Jones. ‘As the loops and FX are automatically synchronised to the tempo of the song, it is very easy to build some amazing grooves and soundscapes without problems of latency, low fidelity and the general hassle often associated with using software and laptops.’
There is a built-in, multichannel USB2 soundcard allowing replay and recording from computer-based audio software for four stereo sends and four stereo returns. All controls (except mic and phones levels) send Midi data but the mixer can double up as a Midi controller via the Midi shift button, which allows the Loop and FX selection controls to send Midi data without changing the mixer settings.
The Xone:DB4 has a lightweight aluminium chassis designed to make touring with the console easy. Other features include assignable deck starts, crossfader and upfader curve controls, 13-point level metering, digital output, analogue balanced outputs for main mix and booth, and a record output with adjustable level.
The icing on the cake is the flexible input matrix, where any audio source can be selected on any or all of the channels,’ adds Rigby-Jones. ‘Different processing can be applied to the same track on separate channels and you can fade between them, or a phrase sampled in the looper of one channel can be added to the mix later in the track.’
More: www.xone.co.uk
