"The Xone:92 is the only DJ mixer with midi output in production, so we decided to test it on our Japanese tour," comments Coldcut's Black. "Jon already uses a Xone:62 for his audio mixing, so we knew that the sonic standard would be excellent and the build quality, superior. The Xone:92 performed very well and the sound quality delighted our sound engineer. We use a lot of material during our performances and we found that the mixer is very versatile and helps us manage different sources, giving us even more creative scope and freedom."
Black uses a laptop playing VJamm2 AV sampler software - designed by Coldcut together with Camart - and two Pioneer DVJX1 AV turntables. All audio from these sources is routed directly into the Allen & Heath Xone:92 mixer. A Korg Kaoss Entrancer is on an effects loop from the Xone:92, and the VJamm2 and one of the DVJX1's have their video signal routed through the Kaoss pad, so that AV effects can be applied to these sources before they reach the Edirol V4 video mixer, along with other video sources routed to the video mixer. The video mixer is controlled via midi from the Xone:92, which means that both audio and visual sources can be controlled and manipulated on the mixer, without need to manage the video mixer as well. Thus, when the Xone:92's crossfader cuts in a sample, the video mixer is also controlled to crossfade the corresponding visual for that sample.
More also has a laptop running Ableton live through a sound card, giving two stereo outputs, one through an effects unit into the Xone:62 mixer, and the other directly into the Xone:62. Other sources are CD and vinyl turntables. Finally, the duo's video tech, Mike Stirling, has a further video mixer with sources from DVDs and cameras, which are routed into Black's video mixer, providing a layer of silent video for the AV performance to be mixed over.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
