Allen & Heath Consoles: Why Starlite Trusts Their Digital and Analog Mixers for Rentals & Installations

Allen & Heath Consoles: Why Starlite Trusts Their Digital and Analog Mixers for Rentals & Installations

Manufacturer Spotlight: Allen & Heath – Consoles We Trust

 

At Starlite, we understand that in professional audio, the quality of a mixer defines the entire system’s performance. Whether we’re supporting a live corporate event, equipping a school auditorium, or integrating a new sound system into a performance venue, reliability, flexibility, and sonic transparency are non-negotiable. That’s why Allen & Heath consoles remain a cornerstone of both our rental inventory and our Systems Integration designs.

From their handcrafted analog roots in the London music scene to today’s state-of-the-art digital mixing platforms, Allen & Heath has built a reputation for precision engineering, intuitive user experience, and unmatched build quality. These values align perfectly with Starlite’s mission to deliver excellence in every AV project.

A Legacy of Innovation in Audio

Founded in 1969, Allen & Heath emerged at the forefront of Britain’s audio engineering revolution, building custom mixers for bands like Pink Floyd, Genesis, and The Who. These early designs established the company’s reputation for clean signal paths, robust circuitry, and innovative ergonomics, traits that continue to define their modern consoles.

More than five decades later, Allen & Heath remains an industry benchmark. Their digital console range represents a new era in live sound technology, capable of sub-millisecond latency and unparalleled DSP power. Designed, developed, and tested in Cornwall, UK, every console is shaped by real-world engineering feedback from active touring professionals, ensuring performance that meets the demands of both live and installed environments.

Their philosophy, “heritage, innovation, and a mission to just keep doing it better,” continues to drive their evolution from classic analog desks to advanced networked digital systems.

Why Starlite Relies on Allen & Heath

At Starlite, we’ve chosen Allen & Heath for the same reason top touring engineers and integrators do: consistency, versatility, and sound integrity.

In our rental inventory, we feature consoles designed to excel under demanding conditions:

Avantis 64-Input Digital Mixer 

Powered by the 96kHz XCVI FPGA engine, Avantis delivers exceptional sonic performance with ultra-low 0.7ms latency. Its dual 15.6” HD touchscreens and Continuity UI streamline navigation, while the full metal chassis ensures durability on the road. Integrated dLive-class processing, flexible bus architecture, and seamless Shure and Sennheiser RF integration make it a trusted choice for corporate AV, broadcast, and high-end live productions.

SQ Series Mixers

The SQ series bridges touring-grade processing with a compact form factor. With 48 input channels, DEEP processing architecture, 12 stereo mixes, and 64×64 I/O audio networking, these consoles are ideal for mid-scale performance spaces and educational installations. They provide powerful features like multitrack recording via USB and integration with Dante or SLink expanders—enabling scalable, networked audio solutions.

ZEDi-10FX & GL2200

For smaller venues, mobile productions, and hybrid analog setups, the ZEDi-10FX offers a studio-grade preamp design and USB interface capabilities, while the GL2200 remains a touring classic, valued for its warm, transparent analog sound and bulletproof reliability. Together, they showcase Allen & Heath’s commitment to versatility—from compact mixers to flagship consoles.

These systems allow our technicians and clients alike to experience accurate, consistent audio performance whether mixing a theatrical production, a graduation ceremony, or a high-profile corporate presentation.

Designed for Live, Installation, and Education

Beyond live production, Allen & Heath has become a leader in fixed installation audio. The AHM series matrix processors (including the AHM-64, AHM-32, and AHM-16) bring high-end digital signal processing and networked audio control to a variety of environments from schools and houses-of-worship to restaurants, hotels, and boardrooms.

Their consoles and processors integrate natively with Dante, AES67, and Allen & Heath’s ecosystem of expanders and controllers, making them ideal for flexible AV systems. These tools empower integrators to deliver scalable, user-friendly audio systems that can grow with an organization’s needs.

For our integration team, Allen & Heath represents the perfect blend of technical sophistication and practical usability. Educators and operators appreciate the intuitive interface, while professional engineers value the advanced processing headroom and precision mixing capabilities. 

Training, Support, and Community for AV Professionals

Allen & Heath develops exceptional technology and builds a community around it. Their global training programs, certification courses, and in-person workshops help engineers and operators expand their technical expertise. Whether through online tutorials or direct manufacturer support, users gain the confidence to maximize every feature of their console.

This dedication to education mirrors Starlite’s own philosophy: empowering clients with the tools and knowledge to achieve the best results from their AV systems.

Allen & Heath: Learning and Education

Trusted for Rentals, Installations, and Beyond

From the compact ZEDi Series to the flagship dLive and Avantis platforms, Allen & Heath continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in live sound and system integration. At Starlite, we trust their consoles because they’ve proven themselves time and again—delivering stability, sonic excellence, and future-ready flexibility for every project we take on.

Whether you’re managing a performance venue, upgrading a school auditorium, or producing a corporate event, Allen & Heath provides the foundation for reliable, professional-grade sound.

Don’t forget to follow us on social:

Allen & Heath’s dLive Master Class: A Recap

Allen & Heath’s dLive Master Class: A Recap

In September, Starlite had the honor of hosting the much-anticipated Allen & Heath University dLive console Master Class in our demo room. Led by industry veteran Matt Bangs, participants enjoyed a hands-on experience with the dLive system, learning on the S5000 equipped with the DM32 mix rack. They trained on the latest Firmware V2.0 with Rack Ultra FX,  gaining valuable insights into this premier digital mixing platform. The dLive system is known for its versatility and robust construction, making it suitable for a range of applications such as touring, corporate AV, houses of worship, broadcasting, and permanent installations. A highlight of the class was the introduction to the dLive Surface, the preferred method for controlling a dLive MixRack. With seven models available, from the travel-friendly CTi1500 to the expansive 36-fader S7000, there’s a surface for every need.

DEEP Processing: Studio Quality On Stage

A standout feature of the dLive system is the DEEP processing, which provides emulations of iconic hardware directly within dLive’s input and mix channels, all with zero latency. This allows users to incorporate studio-quality effects right on stage, making it a favorite among top artists on stadium tours. The system also includes the Dyn8 engine, featuring dynamic EQ and compression tools that enhance sound quality and manage vocals, ensuring exceptional audio performance across various setups.

 

RackUltra FX: Cutting Edge technology. Next-generation effects

The RackUltra FX collection, powered by the new RackUltra FX card, brings together a collection of 10 new algorithms that rival the most advanced plug-ins on the market.

This cutting-edge hardware enables a suite of advanced vocal tools. These professional-grade effects bring unparalleled sonic versatility to dLive, empowering engineers across all genres to achieve studio-quality results in live settings.

 

Modular System

Modular System Design: Unmatched Flexibility

The modular mix-and-match design of the dLive system allows users to create an ideal setup tailored to their unique requirements. From high input count multi-surface configurations to ultra-compact surfaceless setups, the system provides extraordinary flexibility with minimal configuration and setup time. Show files can be easily transferred between dLive systems, eliminating the need for time-consuming conversion.

Advanced Routing: Comprehensive I/O Options

The XCVI core’s parallel mixing engines support over 800 system inputs and outputs through a wide array of I/O and digital networking options. The powerful tie-line feature enables direct patching of system inputs to outputs, with automatic handling of sample rate and format conversion, ensuring clean splits and feeds without utilizing input channels or processing power.

Dyn8 Engine: Dynamic EQ and Compression

Every dLive system is equipped with 64 Dyn8 engines, offering 4 bands of multiband compression and 4 bands of dynamic EQ. These tools are crucial for managing vocals, enhancing IEM mixes, and refining various sources or buses, ensuring exceptional sound quality on any stage.

Takeaways

Overall Starlite was thrilled to host such an informative and engaging event. With Matt Bangs’ expert insights, attendees left with a deeper understanding of the dLive system’s features and its potential to elevate their audio setups. We look forward to organizing more events that showcase industry-leading technology and expertise within our community

Don’t forget to follow us on social: