Allen & Heath AH-DLIVE-DLC25 dLive C Class C2500 20 fader Surface, 12" touchscreen, 1 option I/O port

Allen & Heath dLive C2500 – 20-Fader Digital Mixing Surface, C Class

The Allen & Heath dLive C2500 (AH-DLIVE-DLC25) is a compact yet capable control surface in the dLive C Class lineup, offering 20 motorized faders across 6 fully assignable layers for a total of 120 fader strips. Designed for touring, fixed installations, and broadcast applications where a smaller physical footprint is required without sacrificing the full dLive Harmony UI and processing capability, the C2500 connects to any dLive MixRack via a single CAT5e cable using the GigaACE protocol. It includes onboard analog I/O, a 12-inch capacitive touchscreen, and 19 assignable SoftKeys.

Product Description

The C2500 is built around Allen & Heath's Harmony UI — a 12-inch capacitive touchscreen paired with tactile wrap-around rotary controls and RGB-illuminated knobs mapped to function for immediate visual orientation. The gesture-based interface responds to pinch, swipe, and drag-and-drop navigation for direct access to EQ curves, dynamics, FX parameters, and mix routing. Three pages of 6 assignable rotaries per screen provide quick physical access to processing parameters without requiring a touchscreen interaction.

The fully customizable layout lets engineers or installers assign any input or mix to any fader on any layer, with virtual scribble strips for color-coded channel naming. This makes the C2500 equally suited to touring engineers who want a familiar layout for every show, or to installation integrators who need to configure the surface for volunteer or non-technical operators. Nineteen assignable SoftKeys provide one-touch macros for scenes, mutes, GEQs, and user-defined functions.

Built-in I/O includes 6 XLR mic/line inputs and 6 XLR line outputs, plus AES3 digital I/O, for immediate deployment without an external stage box. The rear-panel I/O option slot accepts 128-channel networking cards at 96 kHz for Dante, MADI, or gigaACE. A DX link supports connection to DX32 or DX168 expanders for additional analog I/O. USB stereo recording and playback provides onboard two-track capture capability.

Key Features

• 20 Motorized Faders / 120 Assignable Strips — 6-layer fully assignable layout with flexible channel mapping for touring and fixed installation.
• Single 12-Inch Capacitive Touchscreen — Harmony UI with gesture control, dedicated multi-mode EQ view, and configurable widget areas.
• 19 Assignable SoftKeys — One-touch shortcuts for scenes, mutes, GEQs, and custom macros.
• GigaACE CAT5e Link to MixRack — Single-cable connection to any dLive MixRack.
• RGB-Illuminated Rotary Controls — Color-mapped to function for immediate visual orientation in any lighting environment.
• One 128-Channel I/O Option Slot — Supports Dante, MADI, and other 96 kHz networking cards.
• Onboard 6-In / 6-Out Analog XLR I/O — Local mic preamps and balanced line outputs for immediate use without a separate stage box.
• AES3 Digital I/O — 1 stereo AES3 input, 1 stereo AES3 output.
• DX Link for I/O Expansion — Connects to DX32 or DX168 expanders for additional analog channels.
• Engineer's Wedge and IEM Strips — Dedicated fader strips for monitor engineering.
• USB Stereo Recording and Playback — Onboard two-track WAV recording without external devices.
• Daylight-Visible Metering — Comprehensive multi-point metering calibrated for outdoor and high-brightness environments.

Typical Applications

• House of worship
• Broadcast studio
• Auditorium
• Multi-purpose room
• Training room
• Government space

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the C2500 and C3500?

The C3500 has 24 faders (144 total strips) and dual 12-inch touchscreens, while the C2500 has 20 faders (120 total strips) and a single 12-inch touchscreen. Both are C Class surfaces with one I/O option slot and the same onboard analog I/O count.

Which dLive MixRacks are compatible with the C2500?

The C2500 connects to all dLive MixRacks (DM32, DM48, DM64) via a single CAT5e cable using the GigaACE protocol. It is also compatible with C Class MixRack systems.

Does the C2500 support Dante networking?

Yes. The rear I/O option slot accepts the Allen & Heath Dante option card (M-DL-DANTE), providing up to 128 channels of Dante audio at 96 kHz.

Can the C2500 be configured for non-technical operators?

Yes. The C2500 supports configurable user permissions and custom screen layouts, allowing installers to simplify the interface for volunteers or non-technical staff while retaining full access for engineers.

Is the C2500 suitable for house of worship or fixed installation?

Yes. The compact footprint, configurable layout, and user permission system make the C2500 well-suited to houses of worship, training rooms, and multi-purpose spaces where a full-size surface is not practical.

Can the C2500 handle both front-of-house and monitor mixing?

Yes. Dedicated Engineer's Wedge and IEM fader strips are included, supporting both FOH and monitor workflows from the same surface when connected to a dLive MixRack.

What warranty applies to the dLive C2500?

Allen & Heath products are covered by a manufacturer warranty. Contact Creation Networks for current terms and professional support options.