Allen & Heath AH-GX-4816 48x16 XLR In/Out Portable GX Expander with DX Sockets

Allen & Heath GX4816 – 48x16 Portable Stage Expander for dLive and SQ

The Allen & Heath GX4816 is a 96 kHz portable GX Expander designed for use with dLive and SQ Series mixing systems, providing 48 mic/line inputs and 16 balanced XLR line outputs in a compact stagebox form factor. It connects to the host mixer via a primary GX etherCON port and supports further I/O expansion through two DX ports, each capable of connecting up to two additional DX Expanders. For productions requiring personal monitoring, the GX4816's DX2 socket integrates directly with Allen & Heath's ME personal mixing system. The unit ships rack-ready with included rack ears (5 RU) and can also be used on the floor as a traditional stagebox.

Product Description

The GX4816 brings 48 of Allen & Heath's fully recallable dLive mic preamps to any compatible mixing system. Each input features individually selectable 48V phantom power with per-socket LED indication, so engineers can instantly confirm phantom status across a dense input list without leaving the FOH position. Gain is adjustable from +5 to +60 dB in 1 dB steps, and an active -20 dB pad extends the maximum input level to +30 dBu, accommodating everything from ribbon microphones to line-level sources.

At 96 kHz, the GX4816 delivers the high-resolution audio quality that dLive and SQ systems are built around. The 16 balanced XLR outputs feature relay protection and a maximum output level of +21 dBu, with a residual output noise floor of -95 dBu. Preamp parameters including gain, pad, and phantom power are fully controlled from the connected dLive or SQ surface, maintaining a clean stage with no need for local adjustment.

Two DX ports allow connection of up to four DX Expanders, providing scalable I/O expansion as production demands grow. The etherCON-based GX connection carries uncompressed audio at 96 kHz between the stagebox and the mixer with minimal latency. Power consumption is a modest 80 W maximum from a universal 100–240 VAC power supply, and the operating temperature range of 0–40°C suits both climate-controlled venues and outdoor covered stages.

Key Features

• 48 dLive Mic Preamps — Fully recallable, +5 to +60 dB gain in 1 dB steps with -20 dB active pad, controlled from the connected mixer surface
• 96 kHz Audio — High-resolution conversion matched to dLive and SQ system architecture for consistent signal fidelity across the entire signal chain
• Per-Socket Phantom Power LEDs — Individual 48V phantom power selection and status indication on all 48 inputs eliminates the need for engineers to physically check the stage
• 16 Balanced XLR Outputs — Relay-protected outputs with +21 dBu maximum level and -95 dBu residual noise for clean monitor and effects sends
• Primary GX etherCON Port — Single-cable Cat5/6 connection to dLive MixRack or SQ mixer carries audio, control, and power signaling
• Two DX Expansion Ports — Each port supports up to two DX Expanders, enabling scalable I/O growth without additional cabling infrastructure
• ME Personal Mixing System Integration — DX2 socket connects directly to Allen & Heath ME-1 and ME-500 personal mixers for performer-controlled monitoring
• Stagebox and Rack-Mount Ready — Ships with rack ears for 5 RU installation; floor-deployable stagebox format suits touring and fixed-install applications

Typical Applications

• House of worship main stage and monitor input expansion
• Auditorium live sound reinforcement with distributed stage inputs
• Broadcast studio multi-source analog input aggregation
• Multi-purpose room and touring productions requiring portable 48-input stagebox
• Training room and conference setups with SQ-series mixers needing expanded mic capacity

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Allen & Heath mixers are compatible with the GX4816?

The GX4816 is designed for use with Allen & Heath dLive and SQ Series mixing systems. It connects via the GX etherCON port on dLive MixRacks or the SLink/GX port on SQ consoles.

How many total inputs can I achieve by chaining DX Expanders?

The GX4816 has two DX ports, each supporting up to two DX Expanders. Adding four DX Expanders to the GX4816 can substantially extend I/O capacity beyond the base 48 inputs, up to the limits of the connected mixer's processing engine.

Can I control preamp gain and phantom power remotely?

Yes. All preamp parameters — gain, pad, and phantom power — are fully controllable from the connected dLive or SQ console surface. No local adjustment on the unit is required during a performance.

Is the GX4816 rack-mountable?

Yes. Rack ears are included in the box. The unit occupies 5 rack units (5 RU) when mounted. It can also be used as a floor-standing stagebox without the rack ears.

Does the GX4816 support the ME personal monitoring system?

Yes. The DX2 socket on the GX4816 allows direct connection to Allen & Heath ME-1 and ME-500 personal mixers, enabling performers to control their own monitor mixes independently.

What cable type does the GX etherCON connection use?

The GX connection uses standard Cat5e or Cat6 cable terminated with etherCON locking connectors. A single cable carries all 48 inputs, 16 outputs, and remote control data between the GX4816 and the mixer.

What is the audio latency of the GX4816?

The GX4816 operates within the broader dLive or SQ system latency, which is under 0.7 ms from MixRack input to output at 96 kHz. The GX hop adds a fixed number of additional samples consistent with other GX expanders in the ecosystem.