Allen & Heath GLD-AR84 expansion rack

General

In short, the GLD-AR84 is a secondary breakout box for Allen & Heath's GLD series. This expansion rack features eight separate inputs and four separate outputs, which can be freely assigned to your GLD-80 mixing console by softpatching. At first glance, the AR84 looks like a simple break-out box. But it is more than that.

AR84 with dSNAKE support and built-in preamps

Allen & Heath's GLD series features the digitised dSNAKE system. This eliminates thick, bulky and interference-prone multi cables and replaces them with thinner, universal Cat5 cables. Of course, this adaptation needs some technical support. That is why the preamplifiers for the inputs are already built into the GLD-AR84, whereby the preamplifiers can be remotely controlled. A big advantage here is that you can optimise the signal before digitisation, and then optimise it to your liking on the GLD-80 digital PA mixer. Thanks to its operation via Cat5 cables, the GLD-AR84 can be placed up to 120 metres away from the PA mixer.

Scope of the expansion rack

The AR84 is the secondary expansion rack of the GLD series and can be used as a first, second or third additional expansion. The GLD-AR84 can be connected in two ways. The first way is achieved by connecting the AR84 to the dedicated output provided on the GLD-AR2412 to extend the breakout box on stage. If you already have that or if these are too many channels for your application, the second connection comes into play. This is present on the GLD-80 mixer as a second dSNAKE connection, allowing you, for example, to create a second or small expansion rack system on the other side of the stage, or near your mixer. Since this connection too can span the 120 metres, proper placement is no longer an issue.