The Allen & Heath R72 is a digital mixer control surface designed to serve as the primary tactile interface for larger Allen & Heath digital mixing systems, most notably the flagship dLive series. It represents the centralized command hub for live sound engineers, offering extensive hands-on control without the need for deep menu navigation during critical show conditions. The R72 features 72 motorized faders arranged across multiple layers, providing direct access to a vast number of input channels, mixes, groups, and DCAs. Its layout is meticulously designed for ergonomics and speed, with a high-resolution multi-touch screen for detailed channel editing, library management, and visual feedback, flanked by dedicated knobs and buttons for immediate adjustment of EQ, dynamics, and effects parameters.

At its core, the R72 is a sophisticated controller that must be paired with a separate processing engine, such as the dLive DM64 or DM0 MixRack, via a high-speed digital audio network (typically AES50 or Dante). This split architecture allows the processing hardware to be located remotely, often on stage, minimizing analog cable runs while the control surface remains at the front-of-house or monitor position. The surface itself is equipped with Allen & Heath's proprietary Fat Channel strip, which gives engineers one-touch access to the complete processing chain for any selected channel, including comprehensive 4-band parametric EQ with dynamic EQ options, compressor, gate, and premium emulations of classic analog gear. The system supports a massive channel count and mix bus capacity, fully leveraging the 128-channel, 64-bit floating-point processing of the dLive engine.

Built for the rigors of touring and fixed installation, the R72 boasts a rugged metal chassis with a sleek, angled design that enhances visibility and accessibility. It includes comprehensive connectivity for external control, recording, and personal monitoring systems via integrated interfaces like USB, Milan AVB, and optional Dante cards. The surface also supports remote mixing via iPad using the dLive Director app, extending control flexibility. Combining an expansive physical control set, powerful and intuitive software integration, and road-ready construction, the Allen & Heath R72 provides a professional audio engineer with a comprehensive, responsive, and highly reliable platform to manage the most complex live mixes with confidence and creative freedom.