Allen & Heath dLive CDM48 MixRack: rear panel, ports and setup guide
The dLive CDM48 is the 7U MixRack that holds the dLive mix engine: 48 mic/line inputs, 24 line outputs, a 128-channel I/O option slot and the links to the Surface, DX expanders and ME personal mixers. Every connector is on one panel. Click any port below to see what it does.
- 7U rack mount
- 48 x XLR mic/line in
- 24 x XLR line out
- gigaACE surface link
- 2 x DX expander links
- ME port
- I/O option slot
- 96 kHz
dLive CDM48 specifications
| Model | dLive CDM48 |
| Rack space | 7U, 19 in. |
| Dimensions | 481.6 x 309 x 310 mm (19 x 12.2 x 12.2 in.) |
| Weight | 12 kg (26.4 lb) |
| Mic/line inputs | 48 x XLR, recallable gain, pad and 48 V phantom |
| Line outputs | 24 x XLR, balanced, +4 dBu nominal, relay protected |
| Mix engine | XCVI FPGA core, 96 kHz, 0.7 ms latency, 128 input channels, 64 mix buses |
| Surface link | 1 x gigaACE (etherCON) |
| Expansion | 2 x DX (DX1, DX3), up to 32x32 channels each |
| Personal mixing | 1 x ME port, 40 channels at 48 kHz |
| Option slot | 1 x I/O port, 128x128 channels |
| Network | 2 x gigabit RJ45 |
| Sync | Word clock BNC in/out |
| Headphones | Phones out with level control (follows PAFL) |
| Power | 100 to 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz, 175 W max, IEC inlet with rocker switch |
| Packed size | 600 x 430 x 470 mm, 14.5 kg (32 lb) |
Every connector on the CDM48, explained
Click a card to light up those ports on the panel above.
48 mic/line inputs48 on the panel
Inputs 1 to 48 are XLR mic/line inputs in 6 rows of 8. Gain, pad and 48 V phantom are set from the Surface or dLive Editor, and the settings recall with scenes.
The PP LED under each socket lights when phantom power is present, whether it comes from the MixRack or from somewhere else on the line. Any socket can feed any input channel.
24 line outputs24 on the panel
Outs 1 to 24 are balanced XLR line outputs at +4 dBu nominal. Relays keep them muted while the MixRack boots and shuts down, so you get no thumps through the PA. Patch any mix to any output on the I/O screen.
gigaACE, DX and ME4 on the panel
gigaACE connects the MixRack to the dLive Surface over one Cat5e (or better) cable up to 100 m. It carries 96 kHz audio and control both ways. On an S3000, S5000 or S7000, use gigaACE port A.
DX1 and DX3 connect up to two DX expanders, each carrying 32x32 channels at 96 kHz. Use DX1 for the first expander and DX3 for the second, and never connect both ports to the same expander.
ME feeds the ME personal monitor system: 40 channels at 48 kHz with channel names. Connect an ME-1 to daisy chain or an ME-U hub for power and distribution.
2 network ports2 on the panel
Two gigabit RJ45 ports for a laptop running dLive Editor, or a wireless router for the iOS apps. The recessed Reset Network Settings switch next to them restores the factory network settings.
Word clock1 on the panel
One BNC that works as word clock in or out. Choose input or output and the clock source on the MixRack / Audio / Audio Sync screen. The Audio Sync Lock LED lights when the MixRack is locked to a valid clock.
Phones output1 on the panel
Headphone output with its own level knob. It plays whatever is selected on PAFL, which is handy for checking lines at the rack.
AC mains inlet1 on the panel
IEC inlet with an on/off rocker and fuse. A plastic P-clip clamps the cord in place: slot the cable in, or refit the clamp with a Torx T20 driver.
The I/O Port slot. The blank plate on the left is a 128x128 option slot for cards such as Dante, MADI, Waves SoundGrid or ACE. Older iLive and GLD M-cards also fit with the M-DL-ADAPT adapter, which gives 64x64 channels at 48 kHz.
The other face
The opposite face of the MixRack is a flush panel with an ultra-quiet fan. Keep that vent clear. The rack ears are reversible, so you can mount the unit with either the connector panel or the fan panel facing the front of the rack or flight case.
Rack mounting the CDM48
- Plan 7U of 19 in. rack space. The unit is 309 mm (12.2 in.) deep.
- Remove the plastic feet before rack mounting and keep them for later.
- To change which face is at the front, take out the 3 Pozidriv screws on each ear and refit the ears on the other side.
- Mount with the M6 screws and washers supplied.
- Leave space for airflow below, in front of and behind the unit, and avoid mounting hot gear directly below it. For touring, use a shock-mounted flight case.
Connect and power up
- Switch on the MixRack. The mix engine passes audio after about 15 seconds. You will hear the output relays click and the Ready LED will light.
- Run a touring-grade Cat5e (or better) cable, up to 100 m, from the Surface to the gigaACE port, then switch on the Surface. The Lnk/Err LEDs flash steadily once the link is up, and the touchscreen responds after about 30 seconds.
- Connect DX expanders to DX1 and DX3 the same way.
- Connect a laptop or wireless router to a Network port for dLive Editor or the apps.
- MixRack IP
- 192.168.1.70
- Surface IP
- 192.168.1.71
- Subnet mask
- 255.255.255.0
- Gateway
- 192.168.1.254
Laptop on a wire? Give it a static address on the same subnet, for example 192.168.1.10. For wireless, set the router to 192.168.1.254 and hand out DHCP addresses such as 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.200.
Frequently asked questions
How many inputs and outputs does the dLive CDM48 have?+
48 XLR mic/line inputs and 24 XLR line outputs on the MixRack, plus more through DX expanders and the I/O option slot.
How much rack space does the dLive CDM48 need?+
7U of 19 in. rack space, and it is 309 mm (12.2 in.) deep.
Which port connects the dLive Surface?+
The gigaACE port. Use one Cat5e or better cable up to 100 m. On an S3000, S5000 or S7000 Surface, use gigaACE port A.
Why are there DX1 and DX3 but no DX2?+
DX2 and DX4 are reserved for redundant links on the larger DM MixRacks. On the CDM range you get DX1 and DX3, one per expander.
What is the default IP address of a dLive MixRack?+
192.168.1.70 with subnet mask 255.255.255.0. The Surface defaults to 192.168.1.71.
Can I mount the dLive MixRack with the connectors facing the front?+
Yes. The rack ears are reversible, so either the connector panel or the fan panel can face the front of the rack.
Plan this digital mixer (mixrack) in your rack
The dLive CDM48 is in the Allen & Heath library for DaMatrix, with every port mapped so you can drag it into a rack, patch it and print the documentation.
Related Allen & Heath devices
Summarized from the Allen & Heath dLive MixRack Getting Started Guide (CDM32, CDM48, CDM64). This page is a quick reference; check the full manual for safety warnings and model-specific limits.