Allen & Heath's Xone DJ range just got one larger with the launch of Xone:42, a 4-channel DJ mixer that itself is mixed with a USB audio interface. Xone Designer Andy Rigby-Jones speaks very highly of the new mixer:

"Designed to seamlessly interface with current leading edge DJ technology, the Xone:42 has an ergonomic, intuitive layout, making it one of the easiest to use hi-tech mix tools around."

The Xone:42 is built around four dual-input stereo channels where channels 1 and 4 are phono/line and channels 2 and 3 are line/line. Every channel has a +6dB to total kill 3-band EQ, a three-color bar meter measured in nine segments, gain control, and 60mm VCA faders highlighted by an illuminated X/Y crossfader section. Each channel also benefits from the Xone's Voltage Control Filter, complete with assignment switches for selectable filter type, resonance, frequency controls, and all the fixings.

The Xone:42 brings a new feature to the line -- the "X-FX" system which is already cool by default seeing as how you can't spell "X-FX" without two "X's" making it double X-TREME. In actuality, it allows an external effects processor to interface with the unit. A single knob controls the amount of channel signal sent to the effects unit, and the affected signal returns either through the main mix or through the filter.

Finally, the Xone:42 functions as a USB interface. It can be used for playback through or recording via the Xone:42. With appropriate software, software DJ effects can be patched into the unit as well through the X-FX system.