Case Studies

Pro16 Audio Distribution for How To Workshops

Creating Multiple Digital Splits Simplified

Fits and Starts Productions travels the US bringing their day-long How To Workshops audio training series to houses of worship. Led by industry veterans Mike Sokol and Hector La Torre, the team offers hands-on training to audiences of up to fifty students at a time, covering a wide range of audio topics. Fits and Starts relies on a Pro16 audio distribution system for connecting student work stations to the instructor console in order to support the hands-on elements of the workshops.

Students gather around individual mixing consoles while the instructor explains a topic such as EQ or effects routing. To deliver discrete copies of the 8-channel audio content to as many as 30 mixing stations, the team uses an AN-16/i Input Module and a series of eight AN-16/o Output Modules to create the splits required to deliver content to each student location. Fast setup, reliable sound quality, and simple wiring are critical to the system’s success.

According to chief instructor Mike Sokol, “I tried using audio distribution transformers, but the cabling, wiring, and ground loops caused almost insurmountable problems—especially when it has to be set up, torn down, and moved every week. I have an hour or two to set this up, and then I have to troubleshoot it and use for the entire next day. I want it to be trouble-free.”

Every Student Gets Hands-on Experience

The system feeds eight channels to inputs 1-8 on the AN-16/i, which are then patched to inputs 9-16 using the input module’s Thru jacks, duplicating the source material. Sokol continues, “From there the digital signal goes to an A-16D A-Net Distributor to make the wiring easier. That way I can run up to eight tables—each table has one of the AN-16/o Output Modules on it. Each output module allows me to run up to four individual mixing boards. I run two mixing consoles off each DB25 output on the AN-16/o using dual ribbon cables on each to make a local split. That way everybody gets exactly the same channels.”

Managing partner Hector La Torre adds, “During the hands-on mixing segment of the workshop we can send several tracks of music and vocals to all our attendees via their consoles so they can follow instructions and hear how to properly blend the individual tracks into a focused mix. The real-time ability is what helps us show how a music mix is part technology and part artistry.”