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To ensure that you get the maximum benefit from the unit please spare a few minutes familiarizing yourself with the controls and setup procedures outlined in this user guide. For further information please refer to the additional information available on our web site, or contact our technical support team.
To register your Xone product please visit www.allen-heath.co.uk and, in the 'Support' tab, follow the 'Register Your Product' link.
The XONE:K2 is a software controller and audio interface designed to work with all DAW applications that implement MIDI. The main features of the Xone: K2 are:
MIDI Interface
The MIDI interface of the Xone: K2 can be customised by the user. The unit can be left in 'Open Architecture (Latching Layers Off) Mode' or set to 'Latching Layers Mode'. The blocks of control surface components that are linked to the Latching Layers can be configured by the user.
Audio Interface
The Xone: K2 has an internal four-channel16-bit soundcard that can operate at 44.1 and 48kHz. All four channels run from the PC to the Xone: K2 and are configured as follows (the labelling is from the perspective of a DAW):
Soundcard Output 1 - Headphones Left
Soundcard Output 2 - Headphones Right
Soundcard Output 3 - Master Out Left
Soundcard Output 4 - Master Out Right
X:LINK
It is possible to link two Xone: K2 units together using the X:LINK protocol. The provided RJ45 cable is used for power and data transfer from one unit to another—this releases one USB port if a second Xone: K2 is being used for control only.
X:LINK does not transfer audio between the units, so if units are to have their audio aggregated then two USB ports will be necessary.
The Xone: K2 is class compliant and enumerates as a MIDI device and four-channel audio device on a Mac.
AGGREGATE AUDIO
To aggregate two Xone: K2 units together, click the '+' button in the bottom left of the audio devices window to create a new aggregate audio device. Next, in the right hand side of the window, select both instances of the K2 and you will essentially create one device with eight outputs.
The Xone: K2 is class compliant and enumerates as a MIDI device and two-channel audio device on a PC. To benefit from the full four-channels of audio provided, the Xone: K2 ASIO* compatible USB audio and MIDI Device Drivers must be installed.
Software Installation (Microsoft Windows PC Windows7, Windows8, Windows10)
Follow the procedure described below to install ASIO* compatible Device Drivers:
By default the MIDI Channel number is set to 15 to prevent control interaction with Xone DB series mixers which default to channel 16.
To change the MIDI channel number on your XONE:K2, you must first enter setup mode.
Setup Mode
To enter setup mode, press and hold down the encoder [1] then power up by plugging the USB cable to your PC/Mac, (or RJ45 lead if powered from X-LINK). The switch matrix LED's will flash RED three times to indicate that the K2 has entered setup mode.
The display will default as above, with Switch 'A' (the MIDI CHANNEL setup option) being illuminated.
Press the setup encoder [1] to display the current MIDI channel number; see below.
Setting MIDI Channel Number
The channel number is represented by the number of illuminated switches; in this case MIDI Channel 14.
To change the MIDI Channel number, rotate the Setup encoder.
Once the desired MIDI Channel Number has been chosen, press the Setup Encoder [1] to store it and return to the setup mode.
Press the amber switch to exit setup mode and the switch matrix LED's will flash RED three times.
Latching Layers' provide embedded layer control via the 'LAYER' button on the Xone: K2. If Latching Layers are on, the LAYER switch is used to toggle between the RED, AMBER then GREEN layers. From this, if the LAYER switch is RED, any switch used on this layer will illuminate RED; if the layer switch is AMBER, then any switch used on this layer will illuminate AMBER etc.
To change the Latching Layers system on your XONE:K2, you must first enter setup mode.
Setup Mode
To enter setup mode, press and hold down the encoder [1] then power up by plugging the USB cable to your PC/Mac, (or RJ45 lead if powered from X-LINK). The switch matrix LED's will flash RED three times to indicate that the K2 has entered setup mode.
The display will default as above, with switch 'A' (the MIDI CHANNEL setup option) being illuminated.
Rotate the setup encoder [1] clockwise to illuminate switch 'B'; see below.
Once switch 'B' (the LATCHING LAYERS setup option) is illuminated, press the setup encoder [1] to display which components are attached to the latching layers; see overleaf.
If Latching Layers are 'on' (states [2], [3], [4] and [5]), the LAYER switch is used to toggle between the three layers.
LATCHING LAYER OPTIONS
Use the rotary action of the Setup encoder to select between the Latching Layer options. The Latching Layer states shown above are described as follows:
Once the desired controls are linked to the Latching Layers, press the setup encoder to store and return to the setup mode. Press the amber switch to exit setup mode and the switch matrix LED's will flash RED three times.
If controls have been added to the latching layers system, the LAYER switch will be illuminated RED (layer 1) once the unit has exited setup mode.
The X:LINK protocol is a proprietary Allen and Heath protocol for connection between X:LINK enabled products.
XONE:K2 X:LINK
In the case of the XONE:K2, X:LINK provides power and MIDI data transfer between two units.
NOTE: X:LINK does not include the transfer of audio.
Use the provided RJ45 cable to link the OUT connection on one unit to the IN connection of the other. The unit wired to the IN connection should be the unit that is connected to the PC/Mac (see below).
In order for the units to work independently of each other, the MIDI channel numbers must be different. For information on setting the MIDI channel number.
SINGLE SETUP (PHONES ONLY)
The above diagram shows a basic setup using one Xone: K2 (front and rear panels are both shown). In this application the XONE:K2 is being used with headphones only.
PC DRIVER TYPE
In this particular application, as only the headphones are in use, it is possible to use the WDM (Windows Device Manager) driver or the supplied ASIO driver. The WDM driver will default to Soundcard Output 1-2 which feeds the headphones.
MAC
The XONE:K2 will appear as a device with four outputs. iTunes will default to Soundcard Outputs 1-2 which feeds the headphones.
SOUNDCARD MAPPING
PC WDM: | In DAW application, set Master Output to Soundcard Output 1-2 |
PC ASIO: | In DAW application, set Master Output to Soundcard Output 1-2 |
MAC: | In DAW application, set Master Output to Soundcard Output 1-2 |
SINGLE SETUP (PHONES AND MIX)
The above diagram shows a basic setup using one Xone: K2 (front and rear panels are both shown). In this application, the XONE:K2 Master output is wired to a speaker system.
PC DRIVER TYPE
In this particular application, as the Master Output and the headphones are in use, the ASIO driver must be employed.
MAC
The XONE:K2 is Class Compliant and does not need a specific driver.
SOUNDCARD MAPPING
PC ASIO: | In DAW application, set Monitor (or Cue) Output to Soundcard Output 1-2 and Master (Mix) Output to Soundcard Output 3-4 |
MAC: | In DAW application, set Monitor (or Cue) Output to Soundcard Output 1-2 and Master |
SINGLE SETUP (EXTERNAL MIXER)
The diagram shows a setup using one XONE:K2 and a twochannel analogue mixer. The front and rear panels of the XONE:K2 are shown, joined by the dashed line.
In this configuration, the XONE:K2 Master Output is connected to one channel on the mixer using RCA cables.
The XONE:K2 Headphone Output is connected to the other channel on the mixer using a 3.5mm jack to dual RCA lead.
PC DRIVER TYPE
In this particular application both Master and Headphone outputs are required so the ASIO driver must be used.
MAC
The XONE:K2 is Class Compliant and does not need a specific driver.
SOUNDCARD MAPPING
Your chosen DAW needs to be set to External Mixing Mode to allow for individual deck outputs. Selection of this mode will differ depending upon the DAW used. Please refer to the Help files within your DAW for setup information.
PC ASIO: | In DAW application, set one Deck Output to Soundcard Output 1-2 and the other Deck Output to Soundcard Output 3-4 |
MAC: | In DAW application, set one Deck Output to Soundcard Output 1-2 and the other Deck Output to Soundcard Output 3-4 |
MIXER CONNECTIONS
The mixer will drive the main PA system and headphones.
DUAL SETUP (PHONES ONLY)
The above diagram shows a setup using two Xone: K2s. The front and rear panels are shown on the 'Master' unit, joined by the dashed line.
In this configuration, the XONE:K2's are linked together using the X:LINK bus. This gives twice the amount of control but still only utilises one USB port.
For more information on the X:LINK setup see THE X:LINK PROTOCOL.
PC DRIVER TYPE
In this particular application, as only the headphones are in use, it is possible to use the WDM (Windows Device Manager) driver or the supplied ASIO driver. The WDM driver will default to Soundcard Output 1-2 which feeds the headphones.
MAC
The XONE:K2 will appear as a device with four outputs. iTunes will default to Soundcard Outputs 1-2 which feeds the headphones.
SOUNDCARD MAPPING
PC WDM: | In DAW application, set Master Output to Soundcard Output 1-2 |
PC ASIO: | In DAW application, set Master Output to Soundcard Output 1-2 |
MAC: | In DAW application, set Master Output to Soundcard Output 1-2 |
DUAL SETUP (PHONES AND MIX)
The above diagram shows a setup using two Xone: K2s. The front and rear panels are shown on the 'Master' unit, joined by the dashed line.
In this configuration, the XONE:K2's are linked together using the X:LINK bus. This gives twice the amount of control but still only utilises one USB port.
The XONE:K2 Master output is wired to a speaker system.
For more information on the X:LINK setup see THE X:LINK PROTOCOL.
PC DRIVER TYPE
In this particular application, as the Master Output and the headphones are in use, the ASIO driver must be used.
MAC
The XONE:K2 is Class Compliant and does not need a specific driver.
SOUNDCARD MAPPING
PC ASIO: | In DAW application, set Monitor (or Cue) Output to Soundcard Output 1-2 and Master (Mix) Output to Soundcard Output 3-4 |
MAC: | In DAW application, set Monitor (or Cue) Output to Soundcard Output 1-2 and Master (Mix) Output to Soundcard Output 3-4 |
DUAL SETUP (EXTERNAL MIXER)
The diagram shows a setup using two Xone: K2s and a fourchannel analogue mixer. The front and rear panels of the XONE:K2's are shown, joined by the dashed line.
In this configuration, the first XONE:K2 Headphone Output is connected to channel one on the mixer using a 3.5mm jack to dual RCA lead. The Master Output of this XONE:K2 is connected to channel two on the mixer using RCA cables.
The Master Output on the second XONE:K2 is connected to channel three on the mixer using RCA cables. The Headphone Output of this XONE:K2 is connected to channel four on the mixer using a 3.5mm jack to dual RCA lead.
PC DRIVER TYPE
In this particular application both Master and Headphone outputs are required so the ASIO driver must be used.
MAC
The XONE:K2 is Class Compliant and does not need a specific driver.
AGGRERATING AUDIO DEVICES
This application uses two XONE:K2's which BOTH need to be plugged to the Mac/PC via USB. In order for the DAW application to see 8 (four stereo) outputs, the soundcards of the two XONE:K2's must be 'joined' together.
PC: To do this on a PC, a third-party application must be used.
MAC: The joining of the two XONE:K2's on a Mac can be achieved by using the in-built Aggregate Device Editor.
SOUNDCARD MAPPING
Your chosen DAW needs to be set to External Mixing Mode to allow for individual deck outputs. In the DAW application route Deck Outputs to Soundcard Outputs accordingly. This may involve some trial and error to determine which outputs are coming from which XONE:K2.
CONNECTING TO A DB SERIES MIXER
The diagram shows a setup using two Xone: K2s and a XONE DB Series mixer.
In this configuration, the XONE:K2 units are connected via their X:LINK sockets. The OUT connection of the K2 on the left is connected to the IN connection of the K2 on the right. The OUT connection of the K2 on the right is connected to the X:LINK socket on the XONE DB Series mixer.
In this configuration, power to the two Xone K2 units is supplied over X:LINK. The DB Series mixer acts as a MIDI hub for the two Xone K2 units and hence their MIDI Channel numbers must be different to each other AND the mixer.
The Xone K2 units will not be seen in software as MIDI devices in their own right, and so they will need to be addressed through the DM mixer using channel numbers to separate the messages they send and receive.
Dimensions and Weights
Width | Height | Depth | Weight | |
Xone: K2 | 135 mm(5.3") | 30 mm(1.2") | 358 mm(14") | 1.0kg (2.2lbs) |
Carry Case | 170 mm(6.7") | 70 mm(2.8") | 392 mm(15.4") | 0.4kg (0.9lbs) |
Packed | 185 mm(7.3") | 78 mm(3") | 426 mm(16.8") | 1.5kg (3.3lbs) |
Frequency Response 44.1kHz | 20Hz to 20kHz +0/–0.4 dB |
THD + N | 0.01% typical |
Maximum Output Level | +6 dBu |
Dynamic Range Output | 96 dB |
Registering your product
We hope that you are happy with it and that you enjoy many years of faithful service with it.
Please register your product with Allen&Heath online at:
http://www.allen-heath.com/support/register-product/
Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.
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