User guide

AB168 AP9588 issue 1

The AB168 is a portable, rugged audio interface box for the Allen & Heath GLD and Qu digital mixing

systems. It provides 16 remote controlled mic/line preamps and 8 XLR line outputs. It connects to the

mixer over a single Cat5 cable using the Allen & Heath dSNAKE protocol. A second AB168 can be

connected to the AB168 to expand the number of system inputs and outputs.

The AB168 is simply an audio interface. It cannot be used by itself. It must connect to the GLD or Qu

mixer which is where the audio is processed.

 The AB168 is not compatible with Allen & Heath iLive Series components or ACE connection.

Refer to the GLD User Guide AP8561 and Qu User Guide AP9372 for instructions on connecting and

using the AB168 with your system. Refer to the Allen & Heath web site for more information and suitable

Cat5 cables.

The AB168 can be operated horizontally with the connectors facing upward

or sideward, or vertically to save space on stage. It can also be mounted in

a 19” equipment rack or case using the optional AB168-RK10 kit.

The diagrams below show two example applications.

Allen & Heath can provide the following CAT5e cables:

AH9650 100m drum of Etherflex cable with Neutrik EtherCon locking connectors.

AH9651 20m Etherflex cable with Neutrik EtherCon locking connectors.

AB168 AudioRack

GLD-80 +

2x AB168

32 inputs, 16

outputs on stage

Qu-16 + AB168

Access all 16

mic inputs on

stage

PAGE 1
AB168 AudioRack The AB168 is a portable, rugged audio interface box for the Allen & Heath GLD and Qu digital mixing systems. It provides 16 remote controlled mic/line preamps and 8 XLR line outputs. It connects to the mixer over a single Cat5 cable using the Allen & Heath dSNAKE protocol. A second AB168 can be connected to the AB168 to expand the number of system inputs and outputs. The AB168 is simply an audio interface. It cannot be used by itself.
PAGE 2
AB168 Panel Layout      Input sockets 16 balanced XLR mic/line inputs with +48V Phantom Power indicator. The preamps are built into the AB168 and their Gain, Pad and 48V phantom power are remote controlled from the mixer via the dSNAKE link. The outputs of the analogue preamps are converted to digital format and transported via dSNAKE to be processed and mixed at the GLD or Qu mixer. Output sockets 8 balanced XLR outputs operating at nominal +4dBu line level.