Allen & Heath AH-DLIVE-S3 dLive S Class 20 Fader Surface, 12" touchscreen, 2 option I/O port, Hot Swap PSU, 27 SoftKeys

Allen & Heath dLive S3000 – 20-Fader Compact Professional Mixing Surface

The Allen & Heath dLive S3000 (AH-DLIVE-S3) is the compact entry point into the dLive S Class surface lineup, delivering the same XCVI processing power and Harmony UI as its larger siblings in a smaller footprint suited to professional touring, broadcast, and high-demand fixed installations. With 20 motorized faders across 6 assignable layers — 180 total fader strips — the S3000 provides exceptional control density for engineers who need a smaller console without sacrificing routing capability. It connects to any dLive MixRack via a single CAT5e cable or in dual-redundant mode.

Product Description

The S3000 features Allen & Heath's Harmony UI built around a single 12-inch capacitive touchscreen and wrap-around rotary controls. Gesture-based navigation — pinch, swipe, drag and drop — provides direct access to EQ, dynamics, FX, and routing without menu diving. The screen hosts 3 pages of 6 assignable rotaries with RGB illumination mapped to function for immediate visual orientation in any environment.

Twenty-six assignable SoftKeys enable one-touch access to scenes, custom macros, mutes, and user-defined functions. Dedicated Engineer's Wedge and IEM fader strips accommodate monitor workflow directly from the surface. Onboard I/O includes 8 XLR mic/line inputs and 8 XLR line outputs alongside AES3 digital I/O, providing a complete front end without requiring a separate stage box for smaller deployments. Two rear-panel I/O option slots support 128-channel networking cards including Dante, MADI, and gigaACE at 96 kHz.

The dual redundant, hot-swappable PSU ensures power continuity during live events. The surface was designed for daylight visibility with metering and screen brightness tuned for outdoor stages and high-ambient-light venues. USB stereo recording and playback provides onboard two-track capture capability.

Key Features

• 20 Motorized Faders / 180 Assignable Strips — 6-layer assignable layout provides more virtual strips per fader than any larger S Class surface.
• Single 12-Inch Capacitive Touchscreen — Gesture-based control with dedicated multi-mode EQ view and configurable widget areas.
• Harmony UI — Integrated physical and touchscreen workflow designed for speed in professional live and installed environments.
• 26 Assignable SoftKeys — User-programmable one-touch access to scenes, mutes, GEQs, and custom functions.
• Dual Redundant GigaACE Link — Automatic failover CAT5e connection to dLive MixRack.
• Two 128-Channel I/O Option Slots — Supports Dante, MADI, and gigaACE networking cards at 96 kHz.
• Hot-Swappable Dual PSU — Redundant power modules replaceable during live operation.
• Onboard 8-In / 8-Out Analog XLR I/O — Local mic preamps and balanced line outputs for immediate deployment.
• AES3 Digital I/O — 2 stereo AES3 inputs, 3 stereo AES3 outputs with SRC support.
• Engineer's Wedge and IEM Strips — Dedicated fader strips for monitor engineering without sacrificing FOH control.
• USB Stereo Recording and Playback — Onboard two-track WAV recording at 24-bit 96 kHz.

Typical Applications

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

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Which MixRacks are compatible with the dLive S3000?

The S3000 connects to all dLive S Class MixRacks (DM32, DM48, DM64) and C Class systems via CAT5e using the GigaACE protocol. Dual-redundant failover is supported with two CAT5e cables.

How does the 180-strip count work with only 20 physical faders?

The 20 faders are distributed across 6 fully assignable layers, meaning any input or mix can be assigned to any fader on any layer. The 180-strip figure represents the total number of unique channel assignments possible across all layers.

Can the S3000 be used without a MixRack?

No. The S3000 is a control surface and requires a separate dLive MixRack for audio processing. However, the MixRack can also be controlled via laptop, iPad, and TCP/IP devices simultaneously with the surface.

Does the S3000 support Dante networking?

Yes, via a separately purchased Dante option card installed in one of the two rear I/O option slots. Each slot provides up to 128 channels at 96 kHz.

Is the S3000 appropriate for house of worship or fixed installation use?

Yes. Configurable user permissions and custom layout options allow installers to simplify the interface for volunteer operators while preserving full engineer access when needed.

What support is available after purchase?

Creation Networks provides pre-sale consultation and post-sale support for Allen & Heath dLive products. Manufacturer warranty terms apply — contact us for details.