Allen & Heath AH-DLIVE-DLC15 dLive C Class C1500 12 fader Surface, 12" touchscreen, 1 option I/O port, rack mountable

Allen & Heath dLive C1500 – Rack-Mountable 12-Fader Digital Control Surface

The Allen & Heath AH-DLIVE-DLC15 C1500 is the first rack-mountable control surface designed for the dLive MixRack system, combining a compact 2U form factor with a 12-inch capacitive touchscreen, 12 motorized faders, and the Harmony UI for fast, intuitive digital mixing. It is purpose-built for engineers who need a professional dLive control surface in applications where space is constrained — including installed AV systems, broadcast trucks, and front-of-house positions in smaller venues. Paired with any dLive C Class MixRack, the C1500 provides full access to the dLive processing engine at 96kHz.

Product Description

The C1500 departs from the traditional concept of a mixing console by placing the 12-inch capacitive touchscreen at the center of the workflow rather than treating it as a secondary reference display. Pinch, swipe, drag-and-drop gestures make the interface respond like a modern tablet, and dedicated widget areas can be configured to display scene lists, meters, FX controls, and custom layouts side-by-side. High-grip rotary encoders with RGB illumination surround the screen, providing immediate hands-on access to EQ, dynamics, and gain without leaving the display context.

The C1500 includes built-in analogue I/O (6 XLR mic/line inputs, 6 XLR line outputs, 1 stereo AES3 in/out), eliminating the need for a separate local I/O stage in smaller deployments. The connection hub provides gigaACE link to any dLive MixRack, a DX link for I/O expansion, one I/O port expansion slot supporting 128 channels at 96kHz (Dante, MADI, or gigaACE cards), dual network ports, BNC Word Clock I/O, and video output. The 12 faders operate across 6 layers for 72 fully assignable strips, and 19 programmable SoftKeys handle recall, scene changes, and custom functions. USB stereo recording and playback is onboard.

Key Features

• Rack-Mountable Design — The C1500 is the first dLive surface built to install in a standard 19-inch rack, making it ideal for fixed AV installations and OB vehicles.
• 12-Inch Capacitive Touchscreen with Harmony UI — Responds to pinch, swipe, and drag-and-drop gestures; configurable widget areas display meters, scenes, FX, and custom controls simultaneously.
• 12 Faders, 6 Layers (72 Assignable Strips) — Full access to all dLive channels and buses with completely flexible strip assignment.
• RGB-Illuminated Rotary Encoders — High-grip encoders with colour-coded function mapping provide tactile control over key processing parameters at any ambient light level.
• Built-In Analogue and Digital I/O — 6 XLR mic/line inputs, 6 XLR line outputs, 1 stereo AES3 in/out included on the surface without requiring an additional local I/O rack.
• 1 x I/O Port Expansion Slot — Supports 128-channel, 96kHz option cards including Dante, MADI, and gigaACE for networked AV integration.
• GigaACE and DX Links — Connects to any dLive C Class or S Class MixRack and supports DX expander I/O for additional channel count.
• 19 Assignable SoftKeys — Freely programmable for scene recall, mute groups, monitor switching, and custom workflow functions.
• Engineer and Performer Monitor Strips — Dedicated Wedge and IEM fader strips streamline monitor world operations from the same surface.
• USB Stereo Record and Playback — Onboard recording for quick stereo capture and playback for virtual sound checks.

Typical Applications

• Fixed AV installations requiring a rack-mounted control surface
• Broadcast studio and outside broadcast vehicle integration
• House of worship monitor control position
• Auditorium front-of-house with space-constrained mix position
• Corporate conference room and boardroom with distributed dLive MixRack
• Multi-purpose room and training room installed AV systems
• Government and commercial meeting space with centralised audio processing

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the C1500 include a MixRack?

No. The C1500 is a control surface only. It requires a compatible dLive C Class or S Class MixRack (such as the CDM32, CDM48, CDM64, or DM0) connected via the GigaACE gigabit link. The MixRack houses the XCVI processing core.

Can the C1500 be rack-mounted in a standard equipment rack?

Yes. The C1500 is designed for 19-inch rack installation, which is unusual for a dLive control surface. Rack ears are included and the reversible design supports both front and rear rack orientations.

What network audio cards are compatible with the I/O Port?

The single I/O Port expansion slot accepts Allen & Heath Dante, MADI, and gigaACE option cards, each providing up to 128 channels at 96kHz. Third-party card compatibility should be confirmed with Allen & Heath documentation.

Can multiple C1500 surfaces be used with one MixRack?

The dLive system supports simultaneous control from multiple surfaces and software clients over the network. Consult the dLive system architecture documentation for specific multi-surface configuration limits.

Is iPad or remote software control supported?

Yes. The dLive MixRack can be controlled simultaneously from a C1500 surface, a laptop running dLive Editor, and Allen & Heath IP remote controllers, all operating over the network connection.

What warranty applies to this product?

Allen & Heath products are covered by a standard manufacturer warranty when purchased through an authorised dealer. Contact Creation Networks for warranty registration details and support options.