On the front is a single 1/8″ headphones socket, and round the back are a pair of RCA audio outs, the USB socket (it takes its power from USB) and two proprietary X:LINK sockets.įirst things first: This is not meant to be a “plug and play” device. Allen & Heath made its name with pro mixers, and it shows: From the white rubberised buttons to the bolted-down pots to the quality faders, all controls scream reliability and longevity. The top plate is slightly textured black painted metal, firmly screwed down. A gripe? The four feet are plastic rather than rubber, which means they are slippier than they would otherwise have been on some surfaces. It is black, with a rubberised base and sides but with a brushed metal decal down the left and right bearing the Xone logo.
The faders are great quality, as you’d expect from a company that’s made its name selling pro mixers. This, combined with the four indentations for the feet of the Xone:K2, means that once you remove the unit from its case, the case can be used to raise it to the same height as, say, a mixer in a DJ booth.
The case is “semi-rigid”, being nylon with an all-round zip but padded with hard foam. Allen & Heath has plainly seen this and taken the concept further with the Xone:K2, which is actually supplied in a snug-fitting, custom case from the off.
One of the things DJs love about the Traktor Kontrol X1 – on the face of it the most similar controller to this that’s currently out there – is how practical it is. As well as being small and slim, it is lightweight, and you can also buy a lightweight carry case for it to make it easy to transport. In the box are the unit, a USB lead, a CD-ROM containing guides, drivers and so on, and an RJ45 patch lead for connection to other X:LINK enabled products (more on X:LINK later).
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