Allen & Heath XONE:96 Review (Finally!) | DJ Mixer Review & Guide

[@MyAlteredSoul]

This mixer has needed a video that shows off how beautiful it really is while going in depth step by step since its release date. This has been the perfect balance of both.

[@PassionateDJ]

Thanks so much! We hope our videos exude passion *and* purpose.

[@LatirDownesThomas]

The best, most comprehensive explanation of this mixer. Cleared so much confusion I always had about it. Thank you and well done!!!

[@PassionateDJ]

Thanks for watching, and glad to help!

[@xsm5525]

I've been through about 4 to 5 DJM mixers, when I bought the Xone 96. I knew I'd settle with it. it sounds amazing!!

[@Dee.J.Mogfry]

A few hundred more amd you could get a mastersounds 4v like what I got after being disappointed by the 96....it also made the 96 sound cheap! ..I'm.not joking! The build quality on the 96 is crap!

[@MadelnMachines]

I wish it was a few hundred…more like £1000

[@DutchFreeman]

Great review! Happy owner of a Xone 96 recently as a replacement of my 10 year old Xone 42. What a beast the Xone 96 is, love it! It's build like a tank!

[@adomix]

Last year i replaced my 20 years old Pioneer DJM 300 with the Xone 96 and i‘m still amazed!

[@djcolindale]

I've used Allen & Heath DJ mixers for decades and this is by far the best yet. Great sound quality, very customisable and nothing sums the tracks together like this mixer does. I love it as well and great to see an in depth review. At first look it does look complicated but it's actually not so once you know what you want to do.

[@PassionateDJ]

Thanks Colin!

[@PRRazcle]

A Couple decades 😮” Interesting. I too can only dream of a Mixer like this one. Being that i have only done backyard parties a few at that im a “Bedroom DJ.” It be “over kill..” ?? My day job is in the way. And but WOW i wonder what is like to be on a Job as a DJ for so long. Hard work im sure. Personally i tap out and move from jobs after about 2yrs.. A Veteran DJ 🤔 IDK iWonder what is like. A VERY hard thing to endure im sure..

[@djcolindale]

@@PRRazcle I'm moving into my 4th decade of DJing now. Back in the 90's I was was sponsored by A&H and had a huge Xone 464 which I used for years. It might be overkill for bedroom and backyard but if you have the bucks you won't regret it.

[@PRRazcle]

Interesting continued success..@@djcolindale

[@strackete5441]

I like your idea of a dream 96 , but i personally would add some points: - replace 1 pair of the channel rca for spdif and make the other RCA Connections Phone/Line switchable - Add the CUE A/B System and the Link Connection from the PlayDifferently - (Most unlikely, but still nice to have) Serato Integration PS: Allen & Heath please reads this, and make it . Please

[@dobrescubogdan5740]

As perfect as the 96 gets, you may wonder why didn’t everybody jump to upgrade for the 96, or why is the 92 even manufactured after the appearance of the 96. After using it for a few years since its appearance, and after extensive feedback from many users, I can come up with a couple of reasons for choosing the 92: 1. A feel thing. Although you will instantly feel “at home” switching from a 92 to a 96, it will still feel slightly different. Faders on the 96 have more resistance, cue buttons feel less bouncy, and although the larger size 96 allows you to rotate the knobs more comfortably, many DJs have reported that they actually liked the more compact arrangement better. If you have never used a Xone 92, you will most likely never complain about any of these, but long-term users of the 92 can become very attached to its overall feel. 2. No intention of mixing with software. If this is the case, there is no significant reason to choose the 96 over the 92. While all the other new features may be useful, they are pretty much expendable for the average user. The only exception would be the more powerful phono preamps on the 96 if you are mixing vinyl with digital files, but in most situations the 92 will still stand up to the task, and maybe the dual cue system if you are a DJ duo, or regularly play back 2 back. 3. The test of time. Although the 96 is meant to be bulletproof like its older brother, it is still a fairly new mixer on the market, with different technology and more internals, which means more things can go wrong. Luckily there were no serious issues reported so far, but it still doesn’t have a history of nearly 20 years of heavy club use. We do not think this should be a concern, it should rather encourage people to trust Xone mixers, but there are also a lot of famous DJs, such as Ricardo Villalobos or Sven Väth who are still holding on to the 92, and this inevitably results in some additional popularity.

[@Cruzcity]

Thank you for the effects demonstration! Not fluent in new Dj technology & just ordered my X96. I mixed when I was 10-12 yrs old now diving back in @ 36. Currently on a Technics EX1200 mixer, not much to work with there. Cheers! Subscribed.

[@iwillnevergetone5]

this video was a huge help in me grabbing the Xone 96. it's a fantastic mixer: well built, sounds great, feels great to the touch, tons of I/O routing options for CDJ, vinyl, mp3 players, and of course synths and drum computers just as advertised. Passionate was also telling the truth: The DJ Hookup made it easy AF to pick up the 96 and they had it delivered to me less than two days after I ordered it. nothing but good things to say about the 96, Passionate DJ, and DJ Hookup

[@PassionateDJ]

Awesome, so glad to hear it! Enjoy that lovely mixer!

[@QRS365]

Thanks for this review. I been contemplating wether or not i should get this mixer. can i use a dub siren with this mixer ?

[@jamesdean5095]

The 96 changed my entire approach to DJing. You can hear the difference in my sets recorded before and after... achieved a whole new level of fluidity and class. It really is an instrument. Totally agree with your initial complaint about cueing post the filter, this was a major complaint from me early on. But you get used to it, you get to know those filters pretty well. This is a mixer that rewards intimacy - not so kind to the uninitiated. And I say that having run events where we subjected DJs to this beast and they struggled; we who were used to it had a massive home field advantage!

[@jamesdean5095]

@@trancevoyagesessions it’s not like the point was to make it hard for anyone. I’ve also been on the other side, turning up to a venue and having to wrangle A&H for the first time. Frankly it’s part of learning to play out, you simply can’t expect Pioneer be provided everywhere. And if you can’t handle each of the 2 major mixers than you’re not professional, simple as that

[@gogogogogogogogogogo]

Great review!! Thank you! Really made it simple for us, I appreciate it greatly :)

[@Technics_SL-1210]

Thank you for this great video - I'm from Germany, but I understood about 90% what you described. I own that mixer since three days now and you showed me the most imporant things👍👍

[@savetheplanet7236]

Best mixer EVER made!!

[@logic63]

Great review. I've been doing some research on the Xone 43 because I'm pretty much just a bedroom DJ these days but I still watched this whole video because it was so interesting. I wish I could find a video even half this through for the Xone 43. 😄

[@aistekalcyte2056]

Thank you for this tutorial, man. Best I could find on AH96

[@robinghosh2109]

Best review of the Xone 96. Amazing. Thank you so much 🙏🏼

[@djbobrokk723]

I owned so many mixers.. Pioneer V10, 900NXS2, S9, S11 : Rane 72mki, Seventy A-TRAK, MP2015 : Model 1 : A&H Xone DB4, PX5, 92, 96 : Mastersounds 4V.. Best trade off between powerful/sounds quality/options is 96 for sure.. each of formerly listed have their Top features, but all-in-all 96 is best one.. PS: it has a minus, indeed.. Serato un-compliance..

[@shadowdancer5382]

can use the 96 with serato ? i don't use dvs it would be only as an external mixer.

[@djbobrokk723]

@@shadowdancer5382 not Serato, it works with Traktor and rekordbox

[@Dee.J.Mogfry]

The 96 doesn't even come close to the 4v sound!...

[@djbobrokk723]

@@Dee.J.Mogfry Mastersounds deliver an HiFi sound, 96 is more powerful and sturdy.. best sound is Mastersounds but 96 is fine too 😉

[@BretMiller]

Sir, you have made the best and most useful video about this mixer! thank you so much!

[@PassionateDJ]

Thanks for watching

[@jovantrendmaker4722]

A&H xone 92 and 96 are both hybrid between mixing console (studio mixer) and dj mixer. U can also use these mixers for live acts very well

[@ericharrelson32]

I don't see the 96 listed on the Serato DJ Hardware list. Are the sounds cards only compatible with Traktor software? But you did mention plugging in Ableton in one and your DJ software in the other. I'm a little confused about the sound card. Will the sound cards work with any of the DJ apps?

[@PassionateDJ]

Short answer: the 96 is not Serato-compatible. 😢 Serato is a special beast, in that it only works with "approved" or certified hardware. Either because the device is a Serato unlock device, or because it's covered under Serato "club kit" - probably the list you were looking at. Generally speaking, other DJ software (like Traktor) should work fine. It's unfortunate that the 96 misses out on Serato. The DB2 and DB4 were both supported, but are discontinued... and there aren't a lot of 4-channel Serato mixers left.

[@ruffhouse9760]

best breakdown ive come across by far, thank you

[@lodewijkhoogstraaten1147]

Thank you for this video! I have this mixer and still had some questions you just answered. I also agree with the filters. That they are confusing and easy to mess up in a live set going from hpf to lpf or whatever. I am loving this mixer and the sound. I work in the industry with HUGGGGEEE high end PA's and you can REALLY hear when they are using the xone or the pioneer. The xone sounding so much better. The better the PA the bigger the difference you can hear because the more details that the xone lets you hear come alive. Giving you way more depth and details. Anyways, thanx for the vid!

[@thomasdinkelkorn6935]

No worrys, you wont hear the difference once the DJ blasts his 128kbits mp3s through

[@lodewijkhoogstraaten1147]

@@thomasdinkelkorn6935 haha yes and there are also those cheap "dj's". No saving that sh*t :P

[@benw2751]

I agree with your filter recommendation for changes. Good call.

[@lifetakesflight]

Thanks for this video. I'm considering this one I also have the 6000s

[@ericharrelson2045]

Nice detailed review, you cover it thoroughly. Thanks

[@willchorhotsoi]

i think channel AB still necessary to have the frequence knob on the EQ. It could be useful to deal with audio feedback while using a mic on it. i guess. Great demo video afterall. Big Up.

[@HouseMusicDefined]

I have the Xone 96. My buddies have a warehouse space and have the 900 nexus2 and a Xone 92. I was renting the front office of the warehouse from them. While I was visiting the other side of the country for 4 months. They would ask to use my 96 pretty much every event they did while I was gone. Personally I’ve been djing and around djing since there were maybe 4 or 5 mixers to choose from on the market. As long as the sound is decent it all gets figured out. I notice the newer a dj is the more they have trouble working on different mixers. As an example… I remember the first time I played a proper club. I had never played on that type of mixer. It was a urei. Imagine playing on a mixer for the first time to a packed club at 18 years old? Every record from start to finish of the night. That was how it was at that time for any dj moving up from house parties to a club. I do have admit that the mixers are busier and have way more features now to navigate. I remember the first mixer that came out with a sampler. It blew our minds. Lol!

[@opamusic9457]

great review mate, agree with the filter per channel...

[@PassionateDJ]

That would make it so close to perfect!

[@opamusic9457]

@@PassionateDJ and a better sound. Close to a rotary 😉

[@risquedj]

@@opamusic9457 Integrated circuit analog (Xone:96) will never sound as good as discrete circuit analog like what is found in top tier (Condesa, Resor, etc.) rotary mixers.

[@lazlybateman8819]

Thanks for the detaild video! We use a Xone 96 with faders from the Xone 92, man, this is the dream mixer. Check out the details about the problems of the 96 faders. Cheers!

[@deanaronovici9894]

Can you please compare this mixer to the pioneer v10?

[@mikedubz5576]

Do you still prefer the xone 96 Over the model 1 playdifferently?

[@PassionateDJ]

Based on the EQ setup, probably. I just like a traditional EQ, and the four bands are a nice way to give additional control without changing how anything works. That said, I wouldn’t kick either one out of bed!

[@mikedubz5576]

Just bought a playdifferently 1.4 And a xone 96 Both same week and both are stay Till i pass away. Best mixers on the market. Many by craponeer v10 i bought 2 for the price of one cheap pioneer v10. Did a mistake buying a pioneer djm once and never again.

[@hihihaha1987]

the filter cue is the only point i share, i just got him new, i think also thats kind of stupid, this mixer do sooo much but that point they forget? why? strange.. but till now im pretty happy with it. the sound is insane, and i fnially without another mixer i can use both pc and laptop same time if i want too. right now mysetup is following, xone 96 2x sc6000 1 korg replay 1 strymon timeline and my push 3 standalone or the APC40 mk2 depends what im doing.

[@inneryard]

I love my Xone 96 🎉

[@danieljacobs829]

Hey really good review and touched on all the main points of the Xone 96, i.e. EQ, Filter, Send/Return, and routing. My first mixer outside of MIDI/Traktor many years ago was the 92. Loved it and eventually went to DB4 which sadly died. I currently use a NXS2 but have the 96 in my cart. I miss the sound quality of A&H and like to use external fx which is where the NXS really falls short - harsh internal sound (plus cheesy RMX) and external routing options. I also have a TT so the info regarding the updated preamp is a huge deal. Again, thanks for the quality material in this overview!

[@PassionateDJ]

So glad to help, Daniel. :) Totally agree with your assessment - though I'm sorry to hear about your DB4!

[@TheDjed19]

Sound wise how does this mixer compare to the Rane 2015 I’m torn.

[@BlueshellGamer]

Its by far the best mixer ever made.

[@PRRazcle]

I Wonder though i has a USB is that also like other Analogue gear just for software updates only or can it also dub as a Digital Daw ie A Serato Mixer as well 🤔?? Comes across like a ‘Swiss it should!

[@mikedubz5576]

Best version of the xone 96 i see is this one! An Extra mechanical switch like the one found above the per channel cue section the one that select filter 1/2 it would best if there was 2 available basically one that allow you to select filter 1 on same side as filter 2 in order to be able to apply and manipulate a high pass on filter 1 and a low pass on filter 2 on a per channel way or in the Master Chanel like the way model 1 does and boom you have a crazy awesome mixer! Maybe andy rigby Jones is reading this! Or Even a 4 way eq and a high pass low pass resonance per channel that would be able to fit the per channel strip given those micro switches could part and add the extra 3 pots on that side of the mixer getting rid of the cue button and replacing that with small switches! Or Move the entire pot system further up! Sure it makes it more busy but it also Will make this mixer the Best dj mixer ever made. Hands down!

[@djlefty9171]

Hey David - I have 2 questions on this mixer (that I own) around live streaming. Firstly, can I use usb 1 or 2 and plug strain go into my laptop and stream through obs. Secondly, I cannot find a way to use a mic in my live streams through the xone96 - was wondering if you had any tips at all? Thanks Neil

[@teachingspanishintheu.s.am9235]

Same here, I'm having problems connecting both of the record outputs to my streaming platforms. It sounds too loud and bad, too much signal. Any tips please. Thanks is in advance

[@sr_naranja_music]

Super nice review!

[@오지한-i7y]

great review & demo!!! thanks a lot👍

[@k.0.f.883]

Review 💯‼️💯‼️ from start to finish, Thanks for Sharing

[@kisho2679]

How connect a stem separator via send/return?

[@HipHoff]

26:30 Thanks for the good laugh in the midst of learning a lot

[@PassionateDJ]

Always happy to entertain 🤣🤣

[@antoniemerks1375]

Very good in depth review finally

[@anonymousmc7727]

My car just got a flat!can I use your spare;)

[@sashaatree6535]

how connect ipad to this? and play synths apps?

[@sidekick8740]

Yet another fabulous passionate review - thanks! But, after watching this review I purchased the Model1.4 instead as to me it seems neat and elegant compared to the large and complicated (busy) Xone96. You really helped me understand both mixers and what would work for me. So, really appreciated - thanks again.

[@PassionateDJ]

Glad to help! Enjoy that new mixer!

[@xsm5525]

you should have kept the xone 96, you'll miss that crossfader

[@N0rth0M-1]

i had a xone 4d back in the day and i was really not impressed, after it broke i kinda stopped pursuing the hobby as a whole and now i got back to it with a djm v10 and that thing is absolutely insane only thing about it that i don't like is channel 2 and 5 can only accept line signal and no timecode dvs at all, otherwise i couldn't come up with anything to make it better

[@TheDjed19]

Does this mixer have full kill eq?

[@Solidcastrecords]

Awesome mixer loving it !

[@bonescr]

Awesome full video

[@JoshuaKane.]

Great review man!

[@PassionateDJ]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@alikavousi6962]

I'm seriously considering buying one the only thing holding me back is, I get the 96 and boom they release a new mixer with 96 being 5 years old now! any clue anyone?

[@jamesdean5095]

No clue, but it took them 15 years to upgrade the 92. (The DB series is different)

[@alikavousi6962]

@@jamesdean5095 thanks james, you are right I think I will snatch one up

[@kennethmalafy8012]

The only thing it is missing really is efx, curious choice to leave those off with the two cards onboard- that's the only thing keeping this from being a crazed beast (and why I give the nod to the Pioneer V10 over this).

[@xsm5525]

v10 is stupidly over priced though

[@kennethmalafy8012]

@@xsm5525 If you consider that the V10 has: beat and noise type efx (on diff sections so can be used independently), a compressor on each channel and a master three knob kill eq - then compare it to the Xone 96 price and I don't really consider the V10 over priced. I still do not understand why they left efx off this. I know they wanted to push the analog part but still.....

[@Judasz696]

​@@kennethmalafy8012 the overprice of v10 has nothing to do with that what you mentioned. They couldnt cannibal nexus mixera so they set higher price. That's why it's overpriced.

[@kennethmalafy8012]

@@Judasz696 V10 is not overpriced. It has 6 channels, two sends and returns, a multi i/0 send and return, a compressor, a full mixer isolater and tons of efx. The sound quality is clear S tier and it has upsample processing. The song will song better on the V10 (I can personally attest to this). I don't think it's overpriced if you look at the price of Xone: 96 and the new Pioneer A9. I had the Xone 96 for two years and I felt I had reached the limits with what it could do, so I bought a V10. I am not sorry about that purchase, the V10 is a clear step up and it's a savage beast! If you don't think so, try the V10- I have yet to meet someone who doesn't agree. I still love filters on the Xone and I still occasionally use it but the V10 is in a league of its own at the moment. I haven't seen or mixed on another mixer that I would even say is comparable.... If the Pioneer A9 is going for 2.8k, and the Xone 96 is 2.2k ish (with no effects), I would say the V10 is a sweet deal at 3.5k. That overpriced stuff is all in your head, take a closer look at pricing in the actual market, which is how companies price their products. They don't go by what's kicking around in your head.... Companies have marketing and sales divisions, I am sure the price point was well researched. Last one: The V10 has been sold out for roughly 18 months or so (it comes in and usually is sold out by the end of the day), I am obviously not the only one that thinks its a sweet deal.

[@poppy3879]

Did he really skip the demo of the bandpass filter??

[@MrSpiderkells]

Hi, anybody notice their 96 getting hot. I notice that runs very warm. Is this normal ?

[@lifetakesflight]

I don't understand how they could design this mixer with the cue to only be pre filter. Why??? Such a popular techno mixer though I wonder how people get around this.

[@MyAlteredSoul]

Bill has good taste in pedals

[@PassionateDJ]

I agree, though he certainly uses them in more subtle ways than this. He's currently in the middle of a DOPE studio build.

[@DigitalMutant]

I will not eat next year to buy this and 2 technics mk7 😅

[@delacon7233]

really good video

[@PassionateDJ]

Appreciate it - thanks for watching! 🙏

[@georgeohara7611]

Sólido, con excelente fluido para mezclar... .. pionner nexsus 2 mixer.. tiene xone por encima ..aunque no es una mixer para novatos

[@davidkutz-marks798]

No, you can set cue to post-filter

[@tomasnovacek1533]

jeez why are all channels red?! Leave some headroom for god sake!!!

[@boidrown-pv8vj]

who can tell me the track id

[@dereksw5367]

i dunno, because of the hybrid audio, it doesn´t sound as warm and more agressive in the highend than the 92. also the cue/master knob is really bad on this one. i don´t get it that the volume gets lower when you turn the cue/master knob. they should´ve left it like in the 92.

[@matteomelfa]

Can’t see the point of having usb audio, but not being able to use it as a proper recording sound card too….. Mah……

[@ryan1845]

PLAYdifferently Model 1 4 lyfe 😘

[@anonymousmc7727]

I got one that fell off a truck for 200;)

[@djsubculture2111]

If they only had a rotary version.

[@amorphisman]

does this mixer have any kind of logic to it? if it does, i can't actually find it

[@HansenKay-q1h]

Miller Steven Jackson Kimberly Johnson Brian

[@Fanophil]

Les effets sont vraiment nul sur la Xone 96 franchement pour ce prix... Et dire que j' ai vendu ma djm 900 où il y avait toute une panoplie d'effets je regrette presque mon choix

[@matteomelfa]

Unfortunately it doesn’t allow to sample, otherwise it would be perfect!

[@MIKEDIAMONDZ]

No FX ....

[@AlienShine]

Digital in is indeed an odd omision.

[@risquedj]

It's an analog mixer.

[@AlienShine]

@@risquedj So, it has a sound card, why would that not be usable with digital in? It does for the PC with USB.

[@petelongrs]

You don't need the background music whilst you're speaking mate; at least not through the whole video.

[@PassionateDJ]

Sir, this is a DJ channel.

[@harvey3760]

💞 promosm

[@DjPacLab]

Mixer with no technological innovation except the 32 bit card, completely useless to bring such a mixer onto the market...Allen & Heath is a great brand but it doesn't bring innovation. Perhaps the most innovative product is the px5 but neutered by putting a filter only etc...

[@tomasnovacek1533]

29. minute bass EQ maxed OMG really? This just proof that you know nothing about mixing. Keep all red more hype :D :D

[@PassionateDJ]

You’re hilarious. None of this happens when I’m actually mixing - did we watch the same video?

[@oddioj1350]

In use it's a solid mixer.. but long term, the build quality of this mixer is god awful.(this commonly known) This particular model had bad quality components and the channel faders are all the 1st to go.. what's worse is the up faders are slightly different than the Xone 92s faders making them not compatible while replacements are scarce for the 96.. not good.. my buddy had all 4 faders go out on him within just a year. They rushed this mixer out and the quality of components is sub par by comparison to the 92.

[@tomasnovacek1533]

oh common you complaining about filter cue while your signal clipping red - OMG really - noob. Xone analog filter is unbeatable tool in the DJ word - so you cant go wrong - just remember the ammount of resonance and keep levels of your music at the +6dB max!!! Jeez how dare you.

[@PassionateDJ]

The hell are you talking about? I’m not actively mixing in those shots you dingbat. It’s for the visual lol

[@Sairamark]

most terrible layout mixers ever had

[@lucmermans37]

Go back to your traktor controller bro

[@Sairamark]

@@lucmermans37 :))) I have this xone 96, sounds great, but this layout …can not find words for, also as the guy said works with serato, no that not works wit Serato… here is what they say: "I would recommend checking out the Denon DS1 interface. The Allen & Heath K1 is a support accessory that is natively mapped to Serato DJ pro and can be used in conjunction with a Serato DJ Pro supported mixer, controller or interface. The Xone96 is not a supported mixer and there are no plans at this stage for it to be."