A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System User Guide Information in this document is subject to change. All rights reserved. Copyright ©2003 Aviom, Inc. Printed in USA Document Rev. 1.
Aviom, Inc. 1157 Phoenixville Pike Suite 201 West Chester, PA 19380 USA 610-738-9005 610-738-9950 (fax) www.aviom.
READ THIS FIRST Important Safety Instructions 1. ! 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Read these instructions. Keep these instructions Heed all warnings. Follow all instructions. Do not use this apparatus near water. Clean only with a dry cloth. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. 8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat. 9.
Aviom, Inc. Limited Warranty Aviom, Inc. warrants this product against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of the original retail purchase. This warranty does not apply if the equipment has been damaged due to misuse, abuse, accident, or problems with electrical power. The warranty also does not apply if the product has been modified in any way, or if the product serial number has been damaged, modified, or removed.
WARNING! ! TO REDUCE THE DANGER OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK DO NOT REMOVE COVERS. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL ONLY To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock, do not expose this product to rain or other types of moisture. To avoid the hazard of electrical shock, do not handle the power cord with wet hands. Operating Temperature: 10˚C to 40˚C (50˚F to 105˚F) CAUTION Using any audio system at high volume levels can cause permanent damage to your hearing.
Table of Contents Welcome Features Conventions Used in this Document Warranty Information Package Contents AC Line Conditioning Installing the A-16T in a Rack Channel Labels What is Category 5? Cables Used in the Aviom System Cable Lengths About A-Net Power Supplies Cleaning and Maintenance Information The A-16 Personal Mixer Personal Mixer Components The A-16T Transmitter Transmitter Components Navigating the System The A-16T Transmitter Front Panel Channel LEDs Input Levels The Link Switch Power and A-Net
DC Power Input Audio Outputs Quick System Setup AC Power Connection System Interconnections Audio Connections — Inputs A-16T Front Panel Settings Audio Connections — Outputs Labeling the Channels Powering Up Basic Navigation Preparing to Make a Mix Mixing Saving Your New Preset What Gets Saved Connecting Audio Connections on the A-16T Rear Panel Connecting a Mixer Direct Output Bus Outputs Aux Sends (Effects Sends) Insert Send/Return Points Line Level Devices Mixing The Editing Interface Making Changes to a
Using Console Inserts Y Cable Insert Adding Effects Using a Balanced TRS Cable Adding Effects When Using a Single Balanced Cable Using a Patch Bay A-16T In and Thru Patching Adding Effects to a Monitor Mix Adding Live Ambience to a Monitor Mix Silent Jam Session Other Uses for the Personal Mixer Outputs Record a Mix Troubleshooting A-16T Transmitter Specifications A-16 Personal Mixer Specifications 45 45 45 45 46 46 46 47 47 48 48 48 49 51 51
Welcome Thank you for purchasing the Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System. This User Guide is designed to familiarize you with your new product and to have you up and running in no time. Features Your Personal Monitor Mixing System provides a host of professional features designed to make the system flexible in a variety of music and audio situations.
Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System Warranty Information Please record the following information for future reference: Your Authorized Aviom Dealer: Name: _____________________________ Address: _____________________________ _____________________________ Phone: _____________________________ Serial Numbers of Your Aviom Products: ____________________ ____________________ Date of Purchase: ________________ Your Authorized Aviom Dealer is your primary source for service and support.
Package Contents The complete A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System comes packaged in two parts, the A-16T A-Net Transmitter and the A-16 Personal Mixer. Check the contents carefully before making connections and continuing with installation.
Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System Installing the A-16T in a Rack The A-16T Transmitter is designed to be installed in a standard 19-inch audio equipment rack. This design is both for easy transportation of the unit and for protection. The unit takes up one standard rack space. Optionally, you can use the unit on a table top or other flat surface such as a shelf. The rack ears on each side of the unit are designed to support the weight of the A-16T without additional hardware.
What is Category 5? Category 5 (sometimes referred to as Cat-5) describes a commonly used type of high performance network cabling. It is used mainly for data transmission purposes to connect computers, modems and other devices. A standard Category 5 patch cable consists of four twisted pairs of copper wire terminated by RJ45 male connectors. The cable assembly is used to provide connectivity between any two Category 5 female outlet jacks.
Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System Cable Lengths Category 5 cables used with the A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System can be up to 500 feet (approximately 150 meters) in length. The maximum cable length specification applies to the cable connected between the A-16T Transmitter and the first A-16 Personal Mixer in your system as well as for cable runs between each additional A-16 Personal Mixer unit in your system.
About A-Net Aviom’s A-Net is a high-speed data transmission protocol. It is capable of sending and receiving high-quality audio using readily available Category 5 cables. The A-Net technology is a proprietary system developed by Aviom. A-Net is based on Ethernet, a Local Area Network (or LAN) technology. This provides A-Net with a mature and robust base on which to build.
Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System Power Supplies Your Aviom product uses a DC power supply that has a two-prong power cord. The prongs on the power supply are identical, meaning that there is no need to orient the plug in a specific direction in the power outlet. Some products with two-prong power cords have polarized plugs that can only be inserted into an electrical outlet one way. The power supply that ships with your Aviom product is a universal switching type.
Cleaning and Maintenance Information The exterior of your Aviom product should be cleaned with a dry, soft, lint-free cloth. For tougher dirt, you can use a cloth slightly dampened with water or with a mild detergent. When cleaning your Aviom products, never spray cleaners directly onto the product surfaces. Instead, spray a small amount of the cleaning solution onto a clean cloth first. Then use the dampened cloth to clean the product. Never use abrasive cleaners.
Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System 12 11 10 9 10 16 17 18 1 15 2 14 13 3 4 5 6 7 8 The A-16 Personal Mixer
Personal Mixer Components 1 A-Net In jack (rear panel) 2 A-Net Out jack (rear panel) 3 A-Net Active LED 4 Channel Pan control and LEDs 5 Channel Volume control and LEDs 6 DC power jack (rear panel) 7 Headphones/Line output (rear panel) 8 Bass tone control 9 Treble tone control 10 Master volume control 11 Solo button 12 Mute button 13 Channel Mute LED 14 Channel select LED 15 Channel or Preset select button (depends on mode) 16 Label strip 17 Recall button (for Save, hold Re
Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System The A-16T Transmitter 1 2 4 5 12 6 3
Transmitter Components 1 Clip LED 2 Signal present LED 3 Link switch 4 Input Level switches 5 Power LED 6 A-Net output 13
Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System Navigating the System This section explains the basic layout of your new Aviom products. The diagrams on the previous pages can be used as a quick visual guide to the location of the basic components of the Personal Monitor Mixing System. The A-16T Transmitter Front Panel The front panel of the A-16T contains the Channel information, Link switches, Signal Present LEDs, Clip LEDs, Power indicator, Input Level switches, and the A-Net output connector.
settings available. Changes to the input level on the A-16T front panel affect a pair of channels at a time. The four levels are +22dB, +4dB, 0dB, and -10dB. To select the proper Input Level setting, choose the Input Level position that most closely matches the output of your audio gear. Here are some examples to be used as a guide: • Use the +22dB setting for the hottest signals such as those coming from professional broadcast equipment, tape decks, and some digital audio workstations (DAWs).
Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System There are eight Link switches on the front panel of the A-16T. They can be used in any combination, as your needs require. The Link switch is located between two channels—one odd and one even. Links always affect adjacent channels (for example, channels 1 and 2, channels 13 and 14, etc.). The default setting, with the Link switch to the left, allows independent control of each input channel from the A-16 Personal Mixers.
The A-16T Rear Panel On the rear of the A-16T Transmitter you will find the power connector, the sixteen audio inputs, and the sixteen Thru jacks. Signal routing into and out of the A-16T Transmitter has been designed to be extremely flexible, allowing the A-16T to integrate into virtually any audio environment. Power Connector Your A-16T Transmitter comes with a switching-type power supply.
Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System mixing boards do not have this signal routing option available. In this case, the mixer’s insert points (sometimes referred to as an effect insert send and receive) can be used instead. When using a mixing board’s insert points to get monitor signals into the A-16T, the Thru jack can be used to complete the insert send/receive loop used by most manufacturers. Additional information about patching and connecting systems appears later in this document.
saved as Presets. • Group Mode — Used when creating Groups or editing existing Groups. This is activated by pressing the GROUP button. The Channel Select buttons are used to add or delete Channels from a Group. • Solo Mode — When the SOLO button is pressed, the selected Channel (or Group) is audible while the rest of the mix is muted. • Save Mode — This mode is activated by pressing and holding both the RECALL and GROUP buttons. When both buttons are held down, the Save Mode is active.
Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System The Bass and Treble EQs in the Personal Mixer are both shelving type. There is +/-12dB of cut or boost available for each. Bass EQ Treble EQ 160Hz shelving 9kHz shelving +12dB +12dB 160Hz -12dB 9kHz -12dB Master Volume The overall system volume is controlled by the MASTER volume control. This is an analog-style control. Turn it counterclockwise for a full off setting.
There is also one special button combination, the RECALL button followed by the MUTE button. When used together this combination serves a twofold function: • If there is a sudden change in the audio volume coming through the monitor system, this button combination silences all audio channels instantly. • When starting from scratch to create a mix, use this function to set all sixteen channels to zero volume and all pans to the center settings.
Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System Pan and Volume Controls To make changes to a Channel: • Select a Channel by pressing its numbered button—the upper LED will light. • Rotate the VOLUME knob to the right to increase the volume, to the left to lower the volume • While the Channel is still selected, you can also change the Pan setting. Rotate the PAN knob left or right to change the position of the Channel in the stereo field. Pan LEDs The Pan indicator is made up of five LEDs.
To mute a Channel: • Select the Channel first • Press the MUTE button • The yellow LED in the Channel button lights To unmute a Channel: • Select a muted Channel • Press the MUTE button • The yellow LED in the Channel button will go out Additional Channels can be muted or unmuted by following the same procedure—first select the Channel, then press the MUTE button. Personal Mixer Rear Panel On the rear of the Personal Mixer you will find the A-Net connectors, the power supply input, and the audio output.
Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System Audio Outputs The audio outputs on the rear of the A-16 Personal Mixer can be used with headphones, in-ear monitors, powered speakers, or any other device that can accept a line level audio output. Stereo, dual-mono, and mono outputs are available by using the appropriate cables Stereo The TRS outputs on the Personal Mixer are stereo. Any pair of stereo headphones can simply be plugged into the jack.
Quick System Setup For those who can’t wait to try their new product (or for those who hate reading manuals) follow these quick setup instructions to get up and running in no time. Refer to the detailed setup and usage instructions later in this document for additional information. Start with all devices turned off. When all power and audio connections have been made, you can then power up all the components in your system.
Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System Audio Connections — Inputs The Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System is designed to work in a wide variety of audio situations. For complete setup information, refer to the detailed instructions later in this document. For the purposes of this quick startup guide, a single audio setup example will be used. Since many mixing boards provide direct channel outputs, we’ll use that output for example purposes.
Labeling the Channels The A-16 Personal Mixer has a convenient label strip right on the front panel. Use a china marker (sometimes called a “grease pencil”) to write the name of the instrument or audio source appearing on each Channel’s label area. Optionally, you could also write a performer’s name on the A-16 label strip marking area to identify Channels. Use only non-permanent marking devices on the label surface to avoid permanently marring the surface.
Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System Preparing to Make a Mix Set the global tone controls—BASS and TREBLE—to about 12 o’clock. This is the default EQ setting; no boost or cut is applied to the audio mix. Set the MASTER volume knob on the Personal Mixer to a low setting, about 9 or 10 o’clock should be safe. Send audio into the system; this could be the band playing live or audio from a tape deck or other multi-track audio device.
Saving Your New Preset It’s important to remember that your mix is not saved if you should power the system down unless you store the mix as a Preset. You need to save a Preset to a memory location to be able to recall it later. The Channel buttons serve as memory location buttons when in Save mode. To save a Preset: • Hold down the RECALL and GROUP buttons, found in the upper left side of the Mixer surface.
Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System Connecting Audio The are many ways to get audio into the A-16 for processing. Depending on your application—studio, stage, etc.—the types of signals and equipment available will vary. This section will give examples of some typical setups that you can modify to suit your individual needs. Connections on the A-16T Rear Panel There are two rows of connectors on the rear of the A-16T Transmitter.
If your mixer has direct outputs available, then a cable from each channel that needs to be sent to the monitors is connected to the Transmitter inputs. A maximum of sixteen direct outputs can be plugged into the Transmitter unit. If you have more than sixteen direct outputs to be monitored, then some of the channels will need to be sub-mixed. This can be accomplished on most consoles by using a bus output, described below.
Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System You can extend this idea further to create a stereo drum mix. This requires that the drums be assigned to two bus outputs, usually consecutive numbers such as 1 and 2, 3 and 4, etc. The pan (or left/right balance) from the drum kit is then set by using the mixer’s Pan knobs. To get the floor tom into only the right speaker, for example, its pan knob should be turned to the fully clockwise position. The bus output idea can be combined with direct outputs as needed.
other. Using a TRS insert, the effects device would have the Send cable plugged into its Input and the Return cable plugged into its Output. This wiring completes the loop without interrupting the audio being played though the console. Console TRS Channel Insert Effect Output Effect Input Signal flows from the console into the effect device and back into the console To use the A-16T Transmitter with this insert layout, both the In and Thru jacks on the Transmitter are used.
Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System Line Level Devices In addition to connecting a traditional mixing console, there are numerous other audio sources that can be used with the Personal Monitor Mixing System. There is no requirement that your audio sources be connected to a mixing console first. Using some creative patching, you’ll find numerous uses for the Personal Monitor Mixing System. Here are a few examples: • Connect a CD player’s stereo outputs to two inputs on the Transmitter.
Mixing The process of creating a monitor mix using the Personal Monitor Mixing System is similar to the process used to create a front of house mix. As mentioned in the Quick Setup tutorial section, the Personal Mixer interface makes it easy to jump right in and create your first mix within minutes of connecting the system for the first time. Mixing involves setting pan, volume, and mute status for each Channel, and then saving this setup as a Preset so that you can recall your custom mix later.
Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System When you select a Channel by pressing its corresponding numbered Channel button, the current settings for channel volume and panning are indicated instantly in the Volume and Pan LED readouts. When a Channel is selected, you can always make real-time changes to its settings. Note: Remember to save your new mix to a memory location before turning the system off.
The Effect of the Spread Control Spread turns this: into this, for example When you adjust the Pan control with a stereo-linked Channel selected, the Pan LEDs show the width of the stereo spread that is currently set. Multiple LEDs light to indicate the compression of the image from full stereo to mono. The Mute and Solo Functions Solo a Channel While working with a mix, you may want to listen to a particular Channel by itself to check a part, locate or solve a problem, select a pan location, etc.
Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System Channel LED should be lit. Next, press the MUTE button to silence the Channel. The Channel’s lower (yellow) LED will light to indicate that it is muted. Select any other Channels that you want to mute and follow the same procedure to remove them from the current mix. Unmute a Channel Once a Channel is muted, you can follow this simple procedure to clear the mute: • Select the muted Channel. (It should have the yellow LED in its button lit.
• Multiple stereo keyboards can be combined into one source. Creating and editing Groups is done in the Group Mode. To create your first Group: • Start by selecting a Channel that you want to be included in the Group. • Press the dedicated GROUP button on the left side of the Personal Mixer. • Its red Group LED will begin to flash indicating that you can now edit the Group. • Double-click the Channel buttons to include a Channel in the Group.
Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System If you try to create more than three Groups, the interface will automatically select one of the existing Groups when you enter Group edit mode. You have the option at this point to edit an existing Group or clear Channels that are part of one of the other existing Groups. Note: A Channel that is already part of one Group cannot be part of any other Group. Making Changes to a Group Once you have created a Group, you can edit it in a number of ways.
Some points to note about Groups: • Up to three Groups can be created per Preset. • Groups are relative only to the Personal Mixer that they are created on. • Groups you create on your Personal Mixer do not affect other Personal Mixers being used in your system. Remember that although you have edited and saved changes to your Group, you must still save the Preset if you want to recall the Preset with the new Group configuration intact.
Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System Applications This section describes how to set up and use the A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System in a variety of contexts. Create a Mix With Console Direct Outputs The direct output of a live or recording console allows you to take an exact copy of an input channel’s audio and patch it into the A-16T for processing. A typical console’s direct output point is right after the input, meaning that changes made on the console as far as effects, EQ, etc.
The example will use a band with a rhythm section (keyboards, bass, drums, and guitar) and a lead singer. Assume that all of the instrumentalists sing background vocals. The example assumes that you do not want to use any other type of output from the mixer. With four Aux Sends available on the mixing board, four independent sub-mixes can be sent to the A-16 Transmitter and then on to the A-16 Mixer units. The first task is to separate the instrumental and vocal parts into four sub-mixes.
Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System be different in each set of headphones. If you can dedicate two inputs on the A-16T Transmitter for playback, you can easily provide the performers with a high-quality playback of the track they have just recorded. Here’s how to set it up: • Set aside the first fourteen Channels of the A-16T for audio tracks to be sent to the performers as a cue mix. • The remaining two Channels are reserved for the stereo mix that the engineer creates in the studio.
Using Console Inserts When you use your console’s insert points to send audio signals to the A-16T Transmitter for processing, you have some options. The patching on the rear panel of the A-16T is designed so that you can still use the insert point on your console for its traditional use—adding an effect to a channel. There are some special ways that the A-16T can be used to allow this flexible processing. The exact layout of your existing main mixer will influence how many of these techniques you can use.
Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System when you patch a TRS cable into the A-16T Thru jack. This is an important point to remember, and is not a typo. The upper jack on the A-16T will complete the loop when used this way. If the same cable were to be plugged into the bottom In jack, only the Send portion of the loop would be connected. Although not an undesirable audio connection, this would not complete the signal loop.
is a simple wiring idea for having access to the A-16T rear-panel In and Thru connections. It allows permanent installations to have access to the flexible patching options of the A-16T as needed. In the studio this allows you to patch direct outputs to the A-16T one day, and then use a combination of aux sends, direct outputs and console bus outputs another day without reaching behind an equipment rack. This setup is designed for a patch bay that is not normalled.
Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System If you are using direct outputs from channels to send instrument and mic signals into the A-16T, you need to dedicate two channels to the mics that are picking up the ambient sound. It is not necessary that the live mics be sent into the front of house mix. Silent Jam Session There is no requirement that a mixer be used with the Personal Monitor Mixing System.
Troubleshooting Before contacting Customer Service, check the following list of common problems and solutions for help. Problem: No audio from Personal Mixer outputs Possible Solutions: • No input audio from the main mixing console. Check the levels of the main mixing board that the system is connected to. • Check the cables and connections between the main mixer and the A-16 system. The Signal LEDs on the front of the A-16T can be used to confirm that audio is being received.
Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System cable connected to the first Personal Mixer should be connected to the ANet In jack. The next device is connected from the Out on the first device to the In on the next. Problem: A Preset was saved with a stereo link active but when the Preset is recalled the channels are mono. (Or, a Preset was saved with mono channels, but on recall the Channels are linked.
A-16T Transmitter Specifications Analog to Digital Conversion: Sampling Rate 48 kHz Bit depth 24 bits Signal to Noise Ratio (Referenced to 0dB) -93dB Frequency Response 4Hz-22kHz +0.2dB/ -3dB Crosstalk -90dB Maximum Levels - Line Inputs +22dBu Impedance - Transmitter Line Inputs 48k ohms Dimensions 1U high by 6” deep Weight 6.8 lbs.
Index A A-16T Front Panel Settings 26 A-16T Rear Panel 17, 30 A-Net 7, 16 A-Net Active LED 11, 16 A-Net Connectors 23 A-Net In jack 23 A-Net Out jack 23 AC Line Conditioning 3 AC Power Connection 25 adapter cable 24 Adding Effects 45, 46, 47 Adding Live Ambience 47 All Volumes Zero 21 Audio Connections — Inputs 26 Audio Connections — Outputs 26 Audio Outputs 24 Aux Send 42 Aux Sends 32 B Balanced signals 17 Balanced TRS Cable 45 Basic Navigation 27 Bass and Treble knobs 19 Bass tone control 11 Bus Outputs
Connecting a Mixer 30 Console Inserts 45 Create a Mix 42 creating a monitor mix 28 Creating Groups 38 crossover cables 5 D DC Power Input 23 Direct Output 30 Direct Outputs 42 E Editing Interface 35 effects device outputs 15 Effects Send 42 Effects Sends 32 effect insert 18 EQ 20 F Front Panel 14 front panel 18 G Global Controls 19 Group 38, 39, 40 Group - Making Changes 40 Group button 20 Group Mode 19 I in-ear monitors 26 inline coupler 6 Inputs 26 Input Levels 14 insert point 18 Insert Send/Return 3
Linking channels 16 Link Switch 15 Live Ambience 47 M make a custom adapter cable 24 Master Volume 18, 20 Master volume control 11 mixer sub-groups 15 Mix Mode 18 Monitor with effects 45 Mono 24 Mute 37 Mute a Channel 37 Mute button 20 Muting a Channel 22 Muting Groups 41 O Outputs 26 P Package Contents 3 Pan Control 21 Pan knob 35 Pan LEDs 22, 28 Patch Bay 46 Personal Mixer Components 11 Personal Mixer Rear Panel 23 Playback Monitoring 43 Power Connector 17 Power LED 16 power supply 8, 17 power supply p
Signal LED 14 Solo 37 Solo a Channel 37 Solo button 20, 37 Solo Mode 19, 21, 22 Spread Control 36 stereo channe 15 stereo headphones 17, 24 stereo input 15, 16, 22 Studio Cue System 43 System Interconnections 25 T Thru jack 45, 46, 47 Thru Patching 46 Tone Controls 19 Transmitter Components 13 Treble tone control 11 TRS Inserts 32 U Unmute a Channel 38 V Volume knob 35 W What Gets Saved 29 X XLR input 24 Y yellow LED 27 Y cable 32 Y Cable Insert 45
