Overview
The GX4816 is Allen & Heath's big stage rack: 48 recallable mic preamps and 16 relay protected line outputs in 5U, linked to the mixer over one Cat5e cable using the GX (gigaACE) protocol at 96kHz. The GX link carries 128 x 128, so there is headroom left for the two DX ports on the back.
Those DX ports take up to 4 DX expanders (or 2 DX32s), letting you extend the system to a second stage position or a drum riser from the same rack. On Avantis and SQ the DX2 port can be switched to feed the ME personal monitoring system with 40 channels at 48kHz. All preamps recall with the show and firmware updates come from the mixer.
Highlights
- 48 mic/line preamps, +5 to +60 dB, -20 dB pad, EIN -127 dB
- 16 balanced, relay protected XLR outputs
- GX (gigaACE) link at 96kHz over Cat5e up to 100 m
- 2 DX ports for up to 4 DX expanders or 2 DX32s
- DX2 feeds ME personal mixers on Avantis and SQ
- 5U, built in PSU, 80W max
Compatibility
Works with: Allen & Heath mixers with SLink or a gigaACE I/O card, at 96kHz. It uses 112 x 80 channels of the GX link including the two DX ports.
- Avantis and Avantis Solo: SLink, or a gigaACE card (M-DL-GACE-A) in either I/O port, up to 3 GX4816s in total
- dLive: one gigaACE card (M-DL-GACE-A) per unit, in any free I/O port of the MixRack (3 on DM0, DM48, DM64; 1 on CDM48, CDM64) or Surface (2 on S Class, 1 on C Class). The DX ports and ME feed are not available on dLive
- SQ-5, SQ-6, SQ-7, SQ5+, SQ6+, SQ7+, SQ-Rack: SLink, or the I/O port with an SLink card (M-SQ-SLINK-A)
- Qu-5, Qu-6, Qu-7 (and D models): SLink, 96kHz Qu only, Cat6a STP or better up to 80 m
- AHM-64: built in SLink, plus a second via an SLink I/O card; AHM-16 and AHM-32 via an SLink I/O card. DX ports not available on AHM
- ME personal mixing on the DX2 port: Avantis and SQ only
- Not compatible with Qu Classic or CQ
Specifications
| Inputs | 48 x XLR mic/line, +48V, LED per input |
| Gain | +5 to +60 dB in 1 dB steps, -20 dB pad |
| Mic EIN | -127 dB (150 ohm) |
| Outputs | 16 x XLR balanced, relay protected, +21 dBu max |
| Protocol | GX (gigaACE), 96kHz |
| Ports | 1 x GX EtherCon, 2 x DX EtherCon |
| Cable | Cat5e STP, 100 m (Qu: Cat6a, 80 m) |
| Power | 100 to 240V AC, 80W max |
| Rack space | 5U, integrated ears |
| Dimensions | 481.6 x 255 x 229.5 mm |
| Weight | 8 kg (10 kg boxed) |
Forefront Tip
An Avantis with a GX4816 on SLink, a DX168 on DX1 for the drum riser and ME-1s on DX2 is a very tidy band system. On dLive, budget one gigaACE card (M-DL-GACE-A) per GX4816, and note DX1 and DX2 on the GX cannot be used as a redundant pair.
As an authorised Allen & Heath dealer in Newcastle NSW, Forefront Productions ships to every state and can help you plan the I/O for your rig.
