Allen & Heath AH-DLIVE-S5 dLive S Class 28 Fader Surface, Dual 12" touchscreens, 2 option I/O port, Hot Swap PSU, 27 SoftKeys

Allen & Heath dLive S5000 – 28-Fader Professional Digital Mixing Surface

The Allen & Heath dLive S5000 (AH-DLIVE-S5) is a mid-size control surface in the dLive S Class lineup, purpose-built for professional touring, broadcast, and prestige fixed installations where high channel density and fast workflow are both required. Featuring 28 motorized faders across 6 assignable layers — 168 total fader strips — the S5000 delivers the same XCVI processing architecture and Harmony UI as the flagship S7000, in a slightly more compact footprint that fits venues where the largest surface is impractical. It connects to any dLive MixRack via a single CAT5e cable or in dual-redundant mode for mission-critical deployments.

Product Description

The S5000 centers on Allen & Heath's Harmony UI with dual 12-inch capacitive touchscreens and tactile wrap-around rotary controls. The gesture-based interface — pinch, swipe, drag and drop — provides direct access to EQ curves, dynamics, FX parameters, and mix routing without menu diving. Each screen hosts 3 pages of 6 assignable rotaries with RGB illumination for fast visual orientation in any lighting environment.

Twenty-six assignable SoftKeys provide one-touch access to scenes, custom macros, and key functions. Dedicated Engineer's Wedge and IEM fader strips are included for monitor world applications. The S5000 carries onboard analog I/O — 8 XLR mic/line inputs and 8 XLR line outputs — along with AES3 digital I/O, enabling standalone front-end use without a separate I/O stagebox. Two rear I/O option slots accept 128-channel networking cards including Dante, MADI, and gigaACE at 96 kHz.

The dual redundant, hot-swappable PSU design means power supply replacement is possible mid-performance without signal interruption. Metering and touchscreen brightness are calibrated for daylight visibility, supporting outdoor stages and high-ambient-light venues. USB stereo recording and playback is included for two-track capture without additional hardware.

Key Features

• 28 Motorized Faders / 168 Assignable Strips — 6-layer layout handles complex touring and broadcast channel counts without compromise.
• Dual 12-Inch Capacitive Touchscreens — Gesture-based EQ and mix control with dedicated multi-mode EQ view per screen.
• Harmony UI — Unified interface combining physical rotaries with touchscreen for the fastest mix workflow in the dLive class.
• 26 Assignable SoftKeys — User-programmable shortcuts for scenes, mutes, GEQs, and macros.
• Dual Redundant GigaACE Link — Automatic failover CAT5e connection to dLive MixRack for zero-dropout operation.
• Two 128-Channel I/O Option Slots — Rear-panel slots for Dante, MADI, and other 96 kHz networking cards.
• Hot-Swappable Dual PSU — Redundant power modules replaceable during live operation.
• Onboard 8-In / 8-Out Analog XLR I/O — Local mic preamps and line outputs for immediate use.
• AES3 Digital I/O — 2 stereo AES3 inputs, 3 stereo AES3 outputs with sample rate conversion to 192 kHz.
• Engineer's Wedge and IEM Strips — Dedicated fader strips for monitor engineering workflows.
• USB Stereo Recording and Playback — Onboard two-track WAV capture without external devices.
• Daylight-Visible Metering — Multi-point peak metering designed for outdoor and high-brightness stage environments.

Typical Applications

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

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the S5000 compatible with all dLive MixRacks?

Yes. The S5000 connects to any dLive S Class MixRack (DM32, DM48, DM64) and C Class systems via CAT5e using the GigaACE protocol. Dual-redundant failover cabling is also supported.

Can multiple surfaces control one MixRack simultaneously?

Yes. The dLive system supports simultaneous control from the physical surface, a laptop running Allen & Heath's Director software, and iPad apps — all at the same time over TCP/IP.

What networking options are available for the S5000?

The two rear I/O option slots accept Dante (M-DL-DANTE), MADI, gigaACE, and other option cards, each providing up to 128 channels at 96 kHz for audio over IP or fiber networking.

Does the S5000 support monitor mixing from the same surface?

Yes. Dedicated Engineer's Wedge and IEM fader strips are built into the surface, allowing monitor engineers to work from the same console without compromising front-of-house workflow.

Is the S5000 suitable for fixed installation in an auditorium or house of worship?

Yes. Custom user permission layouts and configurable screen setups make the S5000 appropriate for installations where different operators need different levels of access.

What warranty coverage applies to the dLive S5000?

Allen & Heath products include a manufacturer warranty. Contact Creation Networks for current warranty terms and professional installation support.