The Allen & Heath AR84 is a professional 8-input, 4-output digital expansion rack designed to extend the I/O capabilities of compatible Allen & Heath digital mixers, specifically those in the GLD and Qu series. Its primary function is to serve as a remote stage box, allowing sound engineers to place the mixer's preamplifiers and analog connections close to the sound sources on stage while the control surface remains at the front-of-house position. This dramatically reduces the need for long, bulky analog multicore snake cables, as the AR84 connects to the mixer via a single Ethernet cable using Allen & Heath's proprietary digital audio network (AES50 for GLD, dSNAKE for Qu). It transmits all audio channels with low latency and high fidelity over distances up to 100 meters.

Engineered for reliability in both touring and installed environments, the AR84 features a robust, rack-mountable steel chassis. Its eight inputs are provided on combo XLR/TRS jacks, each equipped with a high-quality mic preamp offering individual gain control, phantom power (+48V), and a pad. The four outputs are on XLR connectors. The unit includes dual Ethernet ports for daisy-chaining multiple AR series racks or for implementing a redundant network loop, enhancing system stability. Comprehensive status LEDs provide immediate visual feedback on sample rate, clock source, and network activity. It is powered by an external power supply and can be remotely controlled from the mixer surface, allowing gain adjustments to be made from FOH.

As a flexible I/O expansion solution, the Allen & Heath AR84 provides a clean, scalable way to increase the channel count and flexibility of a GLD or Qu digital mixing system. It empowers sound engineers to build a distributed digital audio network that optimizes cable runs, improves signal integrity, and simplifies stage setup. By adding remote preamps and outputs, it transforms a compact mixer into a powerful system capable of handling larger, more complex productions.