Allen & Heath Ships Flagship ML5000 Console
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| ML5000 |
July 22, 2000Allen & Heath announces that the ML5000, its new top-of-the-line live console, is now shipping to pro
audio dealers worldwide.
The desk has evolved since the first prototype was previewed at last autumn's AES in New York, with the finished design
benefiting from extensive consultation with key users. The most noticeable change is the addition of a robust full-length
meterbridge.
The ML5000 is a VCA-equipped, 16 aux, 8 audio group mixer with 8 mute groups, matrix, and enhanced LCR and IEM
facilities, providing big-league sound reinforcement capability in a compact package. Allen & Heath has designed the
console to reflect the needs of users who require sophisticated control on a realistic budget.
Furthering Allen & Heath’s 'dual functionality' concept pioneered on the GL series, the ML5000 has a uniquely flexible
group/aux structure, allowing engineers to quickly configure the mixer for FOH, monitor, and combined roles. In FOH
mode, the ML5000 provides 8 audio groups, 8 VCA groups with scene automation, 16 auxes, 8-way matrix, and left, right,
and center outputs. In dedicated monitor mode, the console offers 16 aux mixes plus the left and right outputs, all with
faders, inserts, talkback, and metering, while the center output becomes an engineer's wedge monitor feed.
All mono inputs have 4-band parametric EQ with sweepable 'Q' on the mids and in/out switching. Auxes 9-16 can be paired
to create up to 4 stereo auxes with pan control, providing ideal facilities for IEM users. The ML5000's unique two-pot
'LCRplus' panning system enables full speaker balancing and positioning from each channel or group. Four dual input
stereo channels are featured in addition to the 32 and 48 mono inputs provided on the two ML5000 variants. Consoles can
be expanded with up to two 24-channel sidecars, providing a maximum of 96 mono inputs.
The desk boasts a 128-patch memory system for storage of mute snapshots and VCA group assignments. Patches can be
linked to external sequencers and effects units via MIDI or RS-232, giving the ML5000 truly sophisticated show control and
archiving capabilities.
The new top-of-the-range Allen & Heath console is also a significant departure in terms of styling, with a flat fader bay and
sculpted side cheeks. For more information, visit their web site at www.ml5000.com and www.allen-heath.com. |
