Frequently Asked Questions

Top 10

• What is A-Net?

  A-Net is Aviom’s proprietary digital audio networking protocol. It’s the technology that connects all Aviom products and ensures the fast and reliable performance.

• What do I need for a monitor system?

  A monitor system consists of an input module (such as the AN-16/i) or console card (such as the Y1 A-Net Card) and at least one Personal Mixer. Most users also add the A-16D or A-16D Pro A-Net Distributor to simplify wiring and power the mixers over the Cat-5. Of course, you can have as many mixers and distributors as you want. Links: AN-16/i Input Module Y1 A-Net Card A-16D Pro A-Net Distributor A-16D A-Net Distributor

• What cables can be used with an A-Net system?

  All A-Net® systems require unshielded Cat-5e or better. Do not use shielded cables or crossover cables. Many products accept either a standard RJ45 or a locking EtherCon® connector.

• How do I get audio into my Yamaha® console?

  The Pro64® 6416Y2 A-Net Card is a bidirectional (16x16) card for Yamaha's MY slot. It can be used with Aviom Personal Mixers with an ASI A-Net Systems Interface module. Links: ASI A-Net Systems Interface

• What's the difference between Pro16™ and Pro64®?

  Pro16 A-Net was designed as a point-to-point technology whose primary goals were speed and simplicity. Pro64 A-Net is a more sophisticated technology that gives more flexibility to designers of complex systems and meets the very highest specifications for audio fidelity and network performance, while also maintaining the speed and ease of use all Aviom products are known for. One of the main differences is that Pro64 systems are always bidirectional and every device on the network can “see” all 64 channels in a stream. This gives users more flexibility without having to physically rewire, and makes designing complex systems faster and simpler. Pro64 A-Net also supports higher sample rates (up to 192kHz±), provides remote control of mic pres, and offers more I/O options. Pro64 products are a great combination of simple and powerful, so you can get a system up and running in no time, or really dig in on some of the advanced features.

• Can I control the mic pres remotely?

  The Pro64 6416m Mic Input Module can be controlled over the network using the MCS Mic Control Surface and RCI Remote Control Interface. Links: 6416m Mic Input Modul MCS Mic Control Surface RCI Remote Control Interface

• How do I get audio in to the monitor system?

  In most cases, use any combination of direct outs, inserts, auxes, or groups from your existing console. You can use the AN-16/i Input Module to connect to an analog console, and there are a range of digital interface options from Aviom and our partners.

• Where do I buy Aviom products?

  Use the Where to Buy link at the top to find our Distribution Partners or a Manufacturer's Rep in your area. They can help you find a reseller that fits your needs.

• What's the latency of the system?

  The exact latency depends on the system and whether you're using analog or digital input and output modules. You can get detailed latency specs on the data sheets for individual products. It's less than a millisecond from analog in to analog out (about 800 microseconds), even with many devices daisy-chained.

• How many mixers can be in a system?

  There is no practical limit. We've seen systems with hundreds of mixers.

• I thought this was a list of the top 10 questions.

  Our Top 10 FAQ list goes to 11.

A-Net Technology

• What is A-Net?

  A-Net is Aviom’s proprietary digital audio networking protocol. It’s the technology that connects all Aviom products and ensures the fast and reliable performance.

• Is A-Net the same as Ethernet?

  No. Unlike Ethernet, A-Net was designed specifically for moving audio. There are some similarities between A-Net and Ethernet—they use the same cables and connectors, for instance—but A-Net manages data differently than Ethernet does. It’s these differences that deliver the user benefits like longer Cat-5 cable runs, lower latency, easier setup for audio, better fidelity, and more stability.

• Can I use off-the-shelf Ethernet switches or hubs with A-Net systems?

  No. Ethernet switches are designed to manage data collisions from different devices and can add significant delay to a system. Aviom’s Pro16 A-Net Distributors and Pro64 Merger Hubs allow parallel (or “star”) connections without the loss of performance associated with an Ethernet hub. Links: A-16D Pro A-Net Distributor A-16D A-Net Distributor MH10 Merger Hub MH10f Merger Hub

• What cables can be used?

  All A-Net products require unshielded twisted pair (or “UTP”) cables that are Cat-5e or better. Do NOT use shielded cables under any circumstances. Fiber optics can also be used in certain Pro16 systems with third-party media converters and in Pro64 systems with the MH10f Merger Hub, which includes two ports for fiber optic transceivers.

• What is the maximum cable length?

  Pro16 A-Net cables can be 500ft/150m between devices with Cat-5e. Pro64 A-Net cables can be 400ft/120m between devices.

• What if I need a longer run?

  In some cases, the best choice is simply to use any compatible A-Net device to refresh the signal for another run. Both Pro16 A-Net and Pro64 A-Net are also compatible with fiber optics, which can be used to extend the signal many kilometers, depending on the performance specs of the fiber transceivers and the requirements of the application. Links: White Paper: Using Fiber Optics With Pro16 Systems MH10f Merger Hub

• Can A-Net be transmitted wirelessly?

  No. Wireless technologies aren’t sufficiently stable for the high-bandwidth, real-time performance required by A-Net. You can, of course, use wireless in-the-ear style monitor systems with A-Net systems.

• What is the latency of A-Net?

  It’s easy to be misled by latency statistics, so it’s important to look at what is being measured. Latency is the delay from transmission, but it’s important to consider all the factors that can add to delay. Converting a signal from analog to digital, for instance, takes a fair amount of time, and some specifications ignore this. The latency of a Pro16 A-Net system is below a millisecond, from analog in to analog out, even through a very long daisy-chain of devices. In more realistically sized systems, it’s about 800 microseconds (or 0.8 milliseconds) from analog in to analog out. Because Pro64 systems can have digital inputs and outputs, calculating the latency from input to output varies, depending on whether the audio is going through A/D and D/A converters. No matter what, the latency is still well below a millisecond from analog in to analog out. More detailed information can be found on each product’s data sheet.

• Is A-Net compatible with Power over Ethernet (POE)?

  No, but you can power certain A-Net devices over the Cat-5 cable, using the A-16D or A-16D Pro A-Net Distributor.

• Is A-Net available for use in third-party products?

  Yes, our OEM group can get you all the details. Contact them using the simple form from the link below. Links: License A-Net

Pro16 A-Net

• What is Pro16 A-Net?

  The original version of A-Net, Aviom’s proprietary audio networking technology. It’s the version of A-Net used in Pro16 Series products, such as the A-16II Personal Mixer and AN-16/i-M Mic Input Module.

• How is it different from Pro64 A-Net?

  Pro16 A-Net was designed to be fast and simple and to move audio from point to point to point without delay, fidelity loss, instability, or complex configuration. You can design some pretty sophisticated systems with Pro16 devices, but the technology itself is pretty simple in what it does.

• What kind of cable can be used with Pro16 A-Net?

  All A-Net products require unshielded twisted pair (or “UTP”) cables that are Cat-5e or better. Do NOT use shielded cables under any circumstances.

• Is Pro16 A-Net compatible with fiber?

  Yes. You can use certain media converters to covert from Cat-5 to fiber and back. Links: White Paper: Using Fiber Optics With Pro16 Systems

• What is the latency of Pro16 A-Net?

  Less than a millisecond, from analog input to analog output, even with many devices daisy chained. The latency from input at one device to output at the next is about 800 microseconds (or 0.8 milliseconds).

• Can I use an off-the-shelf Ethernet switch or hub?

  No, because Ethernet switches and hubs need Ethernet data. They would also add a lot of latency (or delay) to a Pro16 system. For parallel (or “star”) connections, use the A-16D or A-16D Pro A-Net Distributor. Links: A-16D Pro A-Net Distributor A-16D A-Net Distributor

• Can I use daisy chains?

  Yes. Almost every Pro16 device has an “A-Net Out” jack which can be used to connect to another device.

• How many devices can be daisy chained?

  We’ve never found a limit, and we’ve tested LOTS of boxes.

• How many channels does Pro16 A-Net support?

  Each Pro16 A-Net stream is 16 channels, but up to four streams can be combined onto a single cable for a total of 64 channels.

• Is Pro16 A-Net bidirectional?

  Pro16 systems can be bidirectional, though the technology itself transmits data in one direction. Think of it as point-to-point-and-copy. That’s part of what makes it so fast and so easy to use. So each 16-channel stream travels in only one direction on the cable. But up to four streams can be combined onto a single cable, and so any given cable run in a system can support up to 32x32, 48x16, or 64x0. The AN-16SBR System Bridge is used to combine streams for these larger systems. Links: AN-16SBR System Bridge

• What sample rate is used?

  48kHz, 24 bits.

• Is the data compressed?

  Never. The audio in every Aviom system is full bandwidth, high fidelity audio.

Pro64 A-Net

• What is Pro64 A-Net?

  The second generation of A-Net, Aviom’s patented digital audio networking technology. It’s the version of A-Net in the Pro64 Series products, including the 6416dio Digital I/O Module and MH10 Merger Hub.

• How is it different from Pro16 A-Net?

  Pro16 A-Net was designed as a point-to-point technology whose primary goals were speed and simplicity. Pro64 A-Net is a more sophisticated technology that gives more flexibility to designers of complex systems and meets the very highest specifications for audio fidelity and network performance, while also maintaining the speed and ease of use all Aviom products are known for.

• What are some of the added features of Pro64 A-Net?

  One of the main differences is that Pro64 systems are always bidirectional and every device on the network can “see” all 64 channels in a stream. This gives users more flexibility without having to physically rewire, and makes designing complex systems faster and simpler. Pro64 A-Net also supports higher sample rates (up to 192kHz±), provides remote control of mic pres, and offers more I/O options. Pro64 products are a great combination of simple and powerful, so you can get a system up and running in no time, or really dig in on some of the advanced features.

• Can Pro16 and Pro64 devices be used together?

  Yes. The ASI A-Net Systems Interface module can be used to translate a Pro64 network stream into the Pro16 format. The ASI breaks the Pro64 network into up to four 16-channel blocks that Pro16 devices can use. You can’t, however, “upconvert” from Pro16 to Pro64, so if your system needs the added features of Pro64, make sure you start there. Links: ASI A-Net Systems Interface

• What kind of cable can be used with Pro64 A-Net?

  All A-Net products require unshielded twisted pair (or “UTP”) cables that are Cat-5e or better. Do NOT use shielded cables under any circumstances.

• Is Pro64 A-Net compatible with fiber?

  Yes. The MH10f has two SFP (“small form-factor pluggable”) slots for fiber optic transceivers, so fiber connectivity is built right into the network. You can use any combination of single-mode and multi-mode transceivers. Links: MH10f Merger Hub

• What is the latency of Pro64 A-Net?

  The exact latency depends on how you’ve configured your system and whether you’re using analog or digital inputs and outputs. You can find detailed latency specs on the data sheets for individual products, but the system-wide latency will remain below a millisecond in all except the largest systems.

• Is Pro64 A-Net bidirectional?

  Yes, it is, but it’s even easier than that. Pro64’s Auto Mode allows you to stop thinking in terms of directions at all: no matter what combination of parallel and serial connections you’ve use in the system or where your inputs and outputs are located physically, the Pro64 system will make all network audio available, in real time, throughout the network. In other words, there are no directional limitations, and there’s no upstream or downstream to worry about.

• What are the exceptions to that?

  There really aren’t any.

• Can I use daisy chains?

  Yes, you can connect any Pro64 A-Net device to any other Pro64 A-Net device and create very long daisy chains. Most systems, though, will use a combination of daisy chains and stars.

• How do I make star connections?

  The MH10 and MH10f Merger Hubs are 10-port hubs for parallel (or star) connections. A lot of the flexibility and power in the system comes from these devices. Think about what they’re doing in a complex system: they have 10 bidirectional ports, any or all of which could have long daisy chains of devices or additional stars (each of which could have more long daisy chains or stars, and so on), and they need to take all the audio coming in any of those ports and get it back out all the other ports. Without slowing the network down and without imposing limits on how you connect the devices. Links: MH10f Merger Hub MH10 Merger Hub

• How many channels does Pro64 A-Net support?

  It depends. At the base 44.1/48kHz sample rate in Auto Mode, a system can have up to 64 channels in it. Those channels can enter the system at any physical location and can be output anywhere else, regardless of how the network is connected. Once the audio is inserted into the system, it’s protected by the network. Manual Mode, on the other hand, is a 64x64 system (at the base sample rate) where the two 64-channel streams are directional (one in each direction, like a traditional analog snake). So at any point in the system, you can have up to 128 channels on the cable, passing through every device. Each I/O module needs to be assigned to one of the two 64-channel streams. In addition, because you can insert new audio into the system at any time, “overwriting” a channel that’s already in the stream, there is no practical limit to the number of audio channels in a system.

• What sample rates are supported?

  Pro64 A-Net supports three ranges of variable sample rates: 44.1/48kHz±, 88.2/96kHz±, and 176.4/192kHz±:. All sample rates run at 24 bits, with no compression ever. Note that as you double the sample rate, the channel count is cut in half, so an Auto Mode system running at 96kHz supports 32 channels.

• Are sample rate converters used?

  No, that’s where Pro64’s variable sample rates come in. With a range of about ±10% from the nominal rate, the Pro64 network can sync to virtually any clock it’s presented with. That’s important because sample rate converters actually change the audio data to make the samples align between two devices whose clocks are slightly different (even if their nominal rates are the same). Once the audio data has been changed by a sample rate converter, it can’t be changed back.

• What are jitter and wander?

  Jitter is a small variation in the digital clock, and wander is low frequency jitter. Audio networks are prone to the accumulation of jitter and wander from device to device, and that can lead to reduced audio fidelity. Because Pro64 A-Net manages jitter and wander at the system level, the highest fidelity is preserved without using sample rate converters and without imposing limits on how you configure the network. Links: White Paper: A-Net v. Ethernet White Paper: Managing Jitter, Wander, and Latency

Designing Systems

• Does every person need their own Personal Mixer?

  In most cases, yes, and that gives everyone control over what they hear. In some cases (a choir, for instance), sharing may make sense. Aviom's Personalizer system configuration tool can help you figure out what components you need. Links: Personalizer

• How do the Personal Mixers connect, in a daisy chain or in parallel?

  The Pro16 monitoring system is extremely flexible. Personal Mixer products can be connected using either method, as your application requires. To connect Personal Mixers in parallel, add an A-Net Distributor. Links: A-16D Pro A-Net Distributor A-16D A-Net Distributor

• Can I connect a wireless monitoring system to the Personal Mixers?

  Yes; the rack mounted A-16R Personal Mixer is especially easy to use with wireless monitor transmitters. Its optional A-16CS Control Surface allows the performer edit mix settings while the Personal Mixer remains offstage in a rack with the wireless gear. You can also use wireless monitors with the A-16II, but you’ll need a Y-cable to split the stereo output from the A-16II into the left and right channels need by most transmitter units.

• Can I connect multiple sets of headphones to an A-16II?

  Yes, but you should use an external headphone distribution amp to split the signal.

• Can I use a mono wedge or in-ear system with the Aviom system?

  Yes. The A-16II has a special auto-detect circuit on its output that will defeat the pan control if you connect a mono plug to the output, and the A-16R can be set to operate as a mono device. However, if you’re listening through headphones or earphones, stereo will give you significantly better sound and let you keep your mix at a lower volume while giving you more clarity. If you’ve ever heard someone complain that their earphones make them feel disoriented or stuffy, experiment with panning channels slightly left or right, especially instruments that are in the same pitch range. You have two ears, so use them both. Stereo sound is critical to the way we perceive space.

• We have a 32 channel console and we use all of those channels. How can I use an Aviom monitor system?

  Remember the goal is to give musicians enough control to get the mix they want. You don’t want them to have work too hard to adjust their mix or get the mix right in the first place. Sixteen channels is a good balance for giving a lot of control without turning musicians into engineers. Of course lots of bands have more than 16 inputs into their console. That’s where submixes from the board come in: instead of using 8 channels in your monitor system for all those drum mics, send a stereo submix of drums. Most musicians would rather just “turn the drums up [or down!]” than have to make a good drum mix and keep that adjusted. As much as possible, keep the submixes in stereo, though, especially for musicians using earphones or headphones.

• What if the drummer really wants to control all of those drum inputs?

  There are a couple answers to this. First, you could get a new drummer. No, seriously, it’s not unusual for drummers to want a little more control over their drum mix than, say, the lead singer. The flip side is that most drummers don’t need six different vocal channels in their mix. The best answer to this is to use two (or more) input modules and send multiple sets of 16 channels to the musicians’ personal mixers. This way, the drummer can get lots of drum channels and a submix of the vocals while the singers get a drum submix and lots of vocal channels. This method is useful for more than just drummers and singers—anybody who has different needs should get a set of channels tailored for their needs.

• But I really like a lot of control. Is there any way I can control more than 16 channels?

  Yes. By ganging multiple A-16R Rack-Mount Mixers together with the Mix In jack, you mix a virtually unlimited number of channels. You would need an A-16CS Control Surface for each A-16R, or you could use MIDI commands to control all your mixers.

• What colors do the mixers come in?

  Blue.

• Can an A-16II be used with an A-16?

  Yes.

• I want to run my Yamaha® console at 96kHz, but it’s not working with my Y1 card.

  You need the Pro64 6416Y2 A-Net Card instead. Pro16 products operate only at 48kHz, and the card and console need to be at the same sample rate. Remember that the card slot on the console is only 8 channels at 96kHz, so you’ll need two Y2 cards to get the 16 channels for your monitor system. You’ll also need an ASI to translate the Pro64 data to the Pro16 format required by the Aviom mixers.

• I have a Y1 card for a monitor system. Can I use it to get audio in to the console too?

  No, the Y1 card is for outputs only. If you want a bidirectional card, use the 6416Y2 A-Net Card. You'll need an ASI A-Net Systems Interface as well to translate the Pro64 data stream to the Pro16 format that's compatible with the Personal Mixers. Links: 6416Y2 A-Net Card ASI A-Net Systems Interface

• Can the AV-M8 Mic Input Module be used with Personal Mixer products?

  Yes, the AV-M8 outputs a standard Pro16 data stream, allowing any Pro16 output device to be connected. Two 8-channel AV-M8 module scan be cascaded to create a single 16-channel A-Net stream if desired. Links: Cascading Two AV-M8 Modules

• How many A-16II or A-16R Personal Mixers can be powered from each connection on the A-16D or A-16D Pro distributors?

  Each Personal Mixer that you want to power over the Cat-5 cable needs a unique connection the A-Net Distributor (each distributor can power 8 Pro16 units).

• Is the A-16CS Control Surface required when using the A-16R?

  No, the A-16CS is just one of the control options for the A-16R digital mixer. The A-16R can be controlled from its front panel, as well as via RS-232 from control devices manufactured by AMX and Crestron.

• Can the Pro16 Y1 card and Pro64 6416Y2 card be used at the same time in a Yamaha device?

  Yes, both types of cards can be installed and used simultaneously in the same Yamaha product. The only limits are the number of available MY expansion slots.

Using Systems

• What information is stored in a Preset?

  Channel volumes, pan settings, muted channels, and group settings.

• Every time I turn on my mixer, the mix is different than when I turned it off. What’s going on?

  The A-16II and A-16R both recall Preset 1 when they’re powered up. Save your favorite mix here and that's what you'll get every time you power up. And if you get a new mix you like, be sure to save it before powering down.

• Is there a way to mute all the channels at once or reset the mixer?

  If you press Recall and then Mute, all channel volumes will be set to zero and all pan settings set to center. Make sure you save your actual mix before you do this, or you’ll start over. Some people like to use this as a way to start making a new mix. You can also save a Preset with all the channels muted but still panned where you want them.

• I need more of my vocals in my mix, but that channel is all the way up already. What should I do?

  It’s not that you need more of your vocals so much as you need to hear your vocals better. The best way to do that is to turn everything else down, which is what the Global Trim function on the A-16II is for. Press and hold Group and then press Mute. This will reduce the channel volume for all channels by a few ticks (3dB, to be exact). Then you’ll have some room to turn up your vocal channel. One of the advantages of having control over your own mix is that you don’t need to keep asking for the engineer to turn something up louder and louder!

• The LED readout on the pan isn’t changing when I turn the knob. Is it broken?

  Not if you can hear the audio moving in the stereo field. Not every tick of the knob is displayed on the LED readout (the readout would have to be too big!).

• There are some people in our ensemble that don’t like high tech stuff and don’t want to have to mix.

  No problem. Just set up a basic mix for them and save it. If you leave their channel selected and show them the channel and master volume knobs, they can go about their business. Most people will start to push a few buttons and turn some knobs once they see how easy it is and how much better their mix sounds. Some Aviom users like to adjust their mix a little bit for every song every time they play, and others almost never change their mix. Either way is fine.

• I have an original A-16. Should I upgrade to the A-16II?

  Of course! Seriously, there are some great enhancements on the A-16II. If you plan to use a console interface card or any Pro64 gear with your mixing system, then you must upgrade to the A-16II, as the original A-16 isn’t compatible with these newer products. Other than that, the A-16II has a louder headphone output, the Global Trim function, Held Solo mode, and stereo/mono auto detection.

• What are Global Trim and Held Solo?

  Global Trim allows you to reduce all 16 channel volumes at once. This is really useful when you want to turn up a channel that’s already all the way up. Held Solo puts the mixer in a mode where you’re soloing whatever channel you select without having to keep pushing the Solo button. This is a big help when you’re setting up and checking levels or trying to track down a problem.

• How do you recommend labeling the channels?

  It depends on what you like. We’ve seen people use white gaffer’s tape or artist’s tape and a marker. You can also use transparent tape. Some people like the electronic label machines. We also have an Excel template you can download and print out. Links: Download A-16II Personal Mixer Label template

• Isn't there a version of the A-16II Guided Tour video on YouTube where the mixer blows up at the end?

  No. We deny that completely. Okay, yes. But the ending of that video is silly, inappropriate, and not at all in keeping with the image of a serious, no-nonsense, pro audio company like Aviom. Those responsible have been dealt with, believe you me. If we were to make that version of the video available on this web site by, say, clicking here, it would just be wrong! Close

• Can I connect an original A-16 to a Y1 card or Pro64 ASI module?

  No, the original A-16 Personal Mixers can only be used with systems that have analog input modules. Digital input modules such as the Pro16 Y1 card and the Pro64 ASI A-Net Systems Interface can sync to sample rates within +/-10% of the base sample rate. The original A-16 cannot do this.

• Is there a limiter in the A-16II or A-16R Personal Mixer?

  No, Personal Mixers do not have any DSP effects processing built in.

• Are effects like reverb or delay available in the A-16II or A-16R?

  No; there are no digital effects in the Personal Mixer products. Some users opt to dedicate a channel or two of their input module to an effects return. This way, the mix engineer can add effects to the appropriate channels and users can decide how much of the effected sound they want to listen to in their individual mixes.

Pro16 Series

• I can’t decide if I should use Pro16 or Pro64 products.

  There are a few ways to make your choice. The best way is to actually design your system both ways and see which makes more sense based on the objectives of the application. We’d be happy to help you with that too!

• Is the AN-16/i-M remote controllable?

  No, it’s designed as a set-and-forget mic pre, which a lot of users end up preferring. If you want or need remote control, use the Pro64 6416m Mic Input Module.

• I have a Y1 card for my monitor system. Can I add a snake to that?

  No, the Y1 is an output-only card. If you want to go into your console as well, use the Pro64 6416Y2 A-Net Card. You can still use your Aviom monitor system; an ASI module will translate the Pro64 network stream to the Pro16 format required by the mixers. Links: 6416Y2 A-Net Card ASI A-Net Systems Interface

• What pinout do you use on your DB25 jacks?

  All the DB25 jacks on our analog products use the standard analog audio pinout (sometimes also called the Tascam® or Mackie® pinout). Details on this can be found in the Library. The 6416dio Digital I/O Module, as well as the AES3 module for the PB28 patchbay, provide both Yamaha® and Tascam/Digidesign® pinouts. You can use either but not both at once. Make sure the cables match whichever jack you choose! Links: DB25 Pinout PB28 Patch Bay

• I have an Aviom monitor system, What’s the best way to add a snake to my system?

  It depends how many channels you need and what your other requirements are. Aviom solutions—whether you call them a snake, a multicore, a network, or anything else—can be scaled and customized easily.

• How do the Expansion jacks work?

  They’re basically half a System Bridge. Use them to combine two Pro16 streams onto a single cable for 32x0 or 16x16 runs. Refer to the Systems section or your User Guide for details on how to connect them. Links: Expansion jacks

• How do System Bridges work?

  The AN-16SBR combines up to four Pro16 streams onto a single cable for runs up to 32x32, 48x16, and 64x0. Use one on each end of a bridged cable run to combine and separate the streams.

• Can I patch A-Net cables through RJ45 jack fields, floor pockets, and wall plates?

  Yes, as long as all you’re doing is physical patching. As with all wiring, make sure your connections are solid, and keep the wires inside the Cat-5 cable twisted as much as possible. And remember that a patch point doesn’t refresh the A-Net signal, so don’t connect two 500-foot (150m) cables through a floor pocket and expect it to work!

• How many AV-P2 Output Modules can be powered from each connection on the A-16D or A-16D Pro distributors?

  Each AV-P2 that you want to power over the Cat-5 cable needs a unique connection the A-Net Distributor (each distributor can power 8 Pro16 units).

• Can a Pro16 input module be connected to the ASI to send its inputs into a Pro64 network?

  No, the ASI converts a Pro64 stream to Pro16 outputs only.

Pro64 Series

• I can’t decide if I should use Pro16 or Pro64 products.

  There are a few ways to make your choice. The best way is to actually design your system both ways and see which makes more sense based on the objectives of the application. We’d be happy to help you with that too!

• What pinout do you use on your DB25 jacks?

  All the DB25 jacks on our analog products use the standard analog audio pinout (sometimes also called the Tascam® or Mackie® pinout). Details on this can be found in the Library. The 6416dio Digital I/O Module, as well as the AES3 module for the PB28 patchbay, provide both Yamaha® and Tascam/Digidesign pinouts. You can use either but not both at once. Make sure the cables match whichever jack you choose! Links: DB25 Pinout PDF

• I keep hearing ticks, pops, and clicks in my audio. What’s going on?

  That’s a classic symptom of a clock error. The most important rule to keep in mind when you’re using digital audio gear is that every piece of gear that’s connected digitally must use the same clock. The Pro64 network simplifies this process by matching almost any clock you give it and distributing it throughout the network (so you don’t have to run separate clock cables throughout your facility), but you still have to tell every digital audio device what to use as the clock. For Pro64 analog devices, it’s automatic.

• What’s a Clock Master?

  In the Pro64 network, it’s the device that runs the clock that everything else runs off of. In a system comprised solely of analog devices, the Clock Master and Control Master are the same device. If your system has a 6416dio in it, you can separate the Clock Master and Control Master.

• What’s a Control Master?

  It’s the device in charge of the network. It keeps track of network settings (Auto Mode or Manual Mode, for instance) and network resources like channel availability.

• The blue LEDs aren’t lit on some or all of the devices in the network.

  That means they haven’t officially joined the network. This could be a cable or power failure or could be because you don’t have a box set as the Control Master. To diagnose the problem, look for the Control Master (red LED on the front panel). If the blue LED on the Control Master is on, then start working your way through the rest of the network looking for the point where the connection was broken.

• Does it matter what order the devices are connected?

  In Manual Mode, which is directional, order matters, because channels at one network point can overwrite channels already in the network stream. In Auto Mode, which is directionless, the order of the modules doesn’t matter at all.

• What’s the difference between Port A and Port B? Which is the output and which is the input?

  There’s no difference, and they’re both inputs and outputs. Pro64 data is everywhere all the time, so there’s no such thing as an A-Net In or A-Net Out in a Pro64 network. The only time you need to keep track of A ports and B ports is in Manual Mode, because that’s how you control which direction the audio at a particular device goes (or comes from). It’s good practice to connect Port A on one box to Port B on the next and so on. This makes it a lot easier to keep track of what’s going where.

• Can the Pro64 network be controlled from a computer?

  Not at this time.

• How many 6416m Mic Input Modules can I control remotely?

  Each MCS Mic Control Surface provides control of up to one entire network stream of mic pre channels. So if you’re using all 16 channels on your mic modules and running at 48kHz±, you can control four 6416m modules from one MCS. But the 64 channels the MCS is controlling could also come from up to 64 different mic pres. You can also divide control among up to four different control groups to allow multiple users to control different sets of channels simultaneously. Finally, you can have multiple control points for the same control group. The way you work should determine how best to set up your remotes.

• Can I use my house clock with the Pro64 system?

  Yes, but you don’t have to. One of the benefits of the Pro64 network is that it will distribute a digital clock throughout the network while maintaining the integrity of that clock signal. Both the 6416dio and the 6416Y2 (via the host console) can sync to an external clock.

• When using Virtual Data Cables, is the audio capacity of the Pro64 network affected?

  No, the Virtual Data Cables occupy their own reserved space in the Pro64 data stream.

• What is a Virtual Data Cable (VDC)?

  Virtual Data Cables™ can be used for simultaneously distributing up to 14 channels of non-audio control data to any device on the Pro64 network. Pro64’s VDC supports RS-232, RS-422, MIDI, and GPIO (the VDC I/O complement varies with each device).

• Can all varieties of Virtual Data Cables be used simultaneously in the network?

  Yes, any combination of GPIO, MIDI, RS-232, and RS-422 VDC can be used. The total number of Virtual Data Cables inputs in use network-wide cannot exceed 14.

• Does each Virtual Data Cable instance take up only one Virtual Data Cable slot?

  RS-232 and RS-422 communication require two Virtual Data Cables be used—one for the transmitting device and another for the receiving device. The network automatically allocates an odd/even pair of VDC Slots for this purpose. MIDI and GPIO inputs use one Virtual Data Cable at a time.

• What is GPIO?

  GPIO stands for General Purpose Input/Output. GPIO can be used to send switch and contact closure signals.

• Can a VDC input be sent to multiple destinations?

  GPIO and MIDI inputs can be sent to as many destinations as an application requires, just like an audio signal. RS-232 and RS-422 communications are handshaking protocols and do not allow more than one pair of devices to be connected at a time.

• What baud rates are supported for RS-232/422?

  Baud rates up to 57600 can be used. Pro64 I/O module have DIP switches for setting the baud rate.

• Can RS-232/422 control the front panel settings of a Pro64 device?

  No, the Virtual Data Cables move user control data from one point to another. That data cannot control the Pro64 network itself.

• Can one Pro64 module use all the VDC types simultaneously?

  Yes. Each I/O module can use any or all of its VDC ports.

• The 6416Y2 interface card for Yamaha devices has only one type of VDC connector (for RS-232/422). Can other types of VDC like GPIO and MIDI be used with this module?

  The 6416Y2 does not have GPIO or MIDI Virtual Data Cable inputs, but GPIO and MIDI data from other modules in the network will pass through the 6416Y2 on its way to other compatible Pro64 devices without being affected.

• The Yamaha LS9 series consoles do not have RS-232/422 remote control connectors on them. Are they still compatible with the Virtual Data Cables?

  Yes, the LS9 can pass remote control data to the Virtual Data Cables through the console’s backplane connector directly to a 6416Y2 card.

• Do Pro64 products offer front-panel lockout protection?

  Yes. The front panel of each Pro64 I/O module can be locked separately to prevent accidental data entry or editing. In addition, the Pro64 device designated as the system’s Control Master can lock the entire network by using a password to prevent unwanted editing.

• Does Pro64 support redundant Cat-5 cabling?

  Yes. The MH10/MH10f Merger Hubs have a backup cable path (ports 9-10) when the network is running in Manual Mode. In addition, the Pro64 network supports ring topology connections in Auto Mode which allow multiple backup cables to be connected.

• Can I make a digital split of input channels from an analog input module as AES3 digital data (or vice versa)?

  Yes, once audio data is part of the network, it can be output in any format the network supports (analog in to AES3 digital out, AES3 digital in to analog out, analog to Yamaha, and/or AES3 digital to Yamaha) simultaneously.

• What is a Slot?

  A Pro64 audio network can manage 64 individual active audio signals at the default 48kHz sampling rate. We refer to these audio signals within the Pro64 network as Slots. This was done intentionally to separate the physical audio channels on a hardware input device from active audio signals that are actually assigned to be part of the network. You can think of a Slot as basically the equivalent of one wire pair in a multi-pair analog cable.

• Can the mic preamps in a Pro64 system be remote controlled?

  Yes, the 6416m can be controlled from anywhere in the network using the optional RCI Remote Control Interface and MCS Mic Control Surface.

• Can more than one 6416m mic preamp in a Pro64 network be controlled by the same remote controller?

  Yes, any number of 6416m modules can be addressed and controlled from the same RCI Remote Control Interface, which can be located anywhere in the network.

• Does the Pro64 network support more than one mic preamp remote control device simultaneously?

  Yes, any number of mic pre remote controllers can be used on the network. Individual 6416m Mic Input Modules can be set to listen to a specific remote controller by assigning them to one of the four available control groups.

• Can the AV-P2 be connected to a Pro64 network?

  Yes, by adding the ASI A-Net Systems Interface, any Pro16 output device can be connected to a Pro64 network.

• Does the MH10f ship with SFP modules?

  No, SFP transceiver modules need to be purchased separately through a third-party reseller.

• What type of fiber connectors are used on the MH10f?

  Most SFP ("small form-factor pluggable") transceiver modules use the LC connector, but you can select a transceiver with a different connector if you want.

• Can multiple 6416Y2 cards be used in the same Yamaha device?

  Yes, the number of available MY expansion slots on the Yamaha device (and the DC power requirements of the 6416Y2 card from the host) determine the number of cards that can be used at one time. See the 6416Y2 card page for additional information. Links: 6416Y2 Card Compatibility Chart

• Does the 6416dio support the AES3 and AES3-id specifications?

  Yes, two models of the 6416dio are available, one with DB25 connectors which can terminate as XLR for AES3 and a second with BNC connectors for the AES3-id format.

• What formats do the DB25 connectors on the 6416dio support?

  DB25 connectors for both the Digidesign®/Tascam® and Yamaha® compatible pinouts are provided. Aviom makes a module for the PB28 patch bays that supports AES3. It has matching DB25 connectors for the Digidesign/Tascam and Yamaha pinouts on the rear and XLR connectors on the front.

• Do Pro64 products have backup or redundant power supplies?

  Some Pro64 products include a 24 Volt DC backup power inlet that uses a 4-pin XLR connector. Pinout and voltage information is included in the User Guide for each product, available in the Library. Products with backup DC power inlets include: 6416m Mic Input Module RCI Remote Control Interface 6416dio Digital I/O Module MH10 Merger Hub MH10f Merger Hub

• Do I need to update the firmware in Pro64 modules?

  All Pro64 modules should have the most recent firmware installed in them to ensure trouble-free operation. As new Pro64 modules are released, the older Pro64 products need to be updated especially if the older modules will be used as the network's Control Master. The Pro64 Update Tool is a Windows software application for updating the operating firmware in Pro64 Series products. Links: Get the Pro64 Update Tool and all recent firmware update files.