For the iLive line of digital mixers, Allen & Heath has introduced the iDR-64 larger format fixed I/O MixRack, featuring high I/O capacity and a lower price than the modular iDR10 MixRack.

The new iDR-64 is so named for its 64 mic / line inputs, which are accompanied by 32 XLR outputs in a 9U rackmount frame. The unit features the iLive 64 x 32 RackExtra DSP mix engine that delivers full processing (dynamics, EQ, and delay) for all 64 channels and 32 mixes. What's more, the RackFX DSP framework provides eight stereo processors capable of high-quality effects emulation, and each Rack has flexible I/O routing with EQ and Dynamik FXShaper on every dedicated return.

When you add the iDR-64 to the mix, the iLive Series now includes a total of six kinds of MixRacks and seven Control Surface variants. Since they all share the same firmware, the units can be mixed and matched in any combination and files can be transferred between systems via a USB key.

Using standard Ethernet, the iDR-64 can be controlled with one of the iLive Control Surfaces, ranging from the rackmount iLive-R72 to the iLive-176. Allen & Heath’s ACE (Audio Control Ethernet) link is provided to link the rack to a control surface, which in turn allows for long distance point to point control and audio communication over a single CAT5 cable up to 120 m in length. The iDR-64 also features a built-in network switch and MIDI ports, which let you control the unit remotely with a laptops, touch tablet, MIDI devices, and so forth.

For additional audio networking possibilities (such as system expansion, digital mic splitting, and multitrack recording), the iDR-64 has a Port B option slot as well.

The iDR-64 works alongside iLive Editor software, a JAVA-based program that enables both offline setup and online real-time operation of the system with or without a Control Surface connected. Version 1.7 of iLive Firmware and Editor software will be released at the same time as the iDR-64; the 1.7 update will support the iDR-64 MixRack, the new Dante and Rocknet audio networking cards, and iPhone apps. The software will also provide pre-amp safes; side chain source selection; PL remote control; and improvements to PEQ control, including a 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency range option, and HPF response curve overlay on the PEQ graph.

For more on the new iDR-64, please visit Allen & Heath's iLive Digital site.