Live
Personal monitor mixing and digital audio networking are revolutionizing the performance stage.
- Overview
- Systems
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- Successes
- Multimedia
- Resources
Aviom pioneered personal monitor mixing with the performing musician in mind. By putting control of the monitor mix into the hands of performers, Aviom has ended the frustrations of trying to play live with a bad monitor mix. As more and more performers switch to in-ear monitoring systems, the need for precisely controlled, personalized monitor mixes is only growing.
Distributing audio signals throughout a live performance venue using digital snakes is just as important when it comes to ease of use and high fidelity transport. Aviom's Pro16® and Pro64® input and output modules can be combined to build a variety of audio distribution systems, ranging from standard stage-to-FOH digital snakes to decentralized audio distribution systems.
When it comes to interfacing personal monitor mixing systems with digital consoles, no other company can match the support that Aviom has in the industry. Console interface cards for most major console manufacturers allow you to add the industry standard A-16II and A-16R Personal Mixers to your system easily. See our Partners page for additional information.
Click image to enlarge Four performers have individual control of up to sixteen channels of audio drawn from the console. Performers can listen to their mixes with headphones, IEMs, or powered wedges. The A-16D Pro A-Net Distributor supplies digital audio data and DC power to the individual Personal Mixers.
Click image to enlarge The individual Personal Mixers in this system are connected in a daisy chain. The performers have individual control of up to sixteen channels of audio drawn from the console. Performers can listen to their mixes with headphones, IEMs, or powered wedges. The system can be expanded indefinitely.
The AN-16/i-M Mic Input Module or a compatible Pro16 console card can be substituted for the line-level AN-16/i shown in the diagram.
Click image to enlarge Two more Personal Mixers are added to the Basic Four-Mix System, giving individual control of up to sixteen channels of audio to six different performers. The A-16D Pro A-Net Distributor on stage supplies audio and power to six A-16II Personal Mixers. Additional Personal Mixers can be added as required.
Two performers monitor with wired earphones, one with headphones, one with a powered wedge speaker, and two use wireless IEMs. Up to eight Personal Mixers can be connected directly to this distributor.
A-16R Personal Mixers can be substituted for any of the A-16IIs shown here.
Click image to enlarge This system draws digital audio directly from a Yamaha digital console using the Y1 A-Net Card. The A-Net audio stream is transported to an A-Net Distributor, which supplies audio and power to six Personal Mixers. Two performers monitor with wired earphones, one with headphones, one with a powered wedge speaker, and two use wireless IEMs. Up to eight Personal Mixers can be connected directly to this distributor.
Click image to enlarge Using A-16R Rack-Mount Mixers allows all audio connections to transmitters for wireless in-ears and/or amps for wedges to be kept together in a single rack, while performers use A-16CS Control Surfaces to control their mixes remotely.
The A- 16CS gives the performer control of all mix functions of the A-16R from up to 200 feet (60m) away.
Click image to enlarge By adding a second input module and preparing submixes from a console, different sets of monitor channels can be sent to groups of performers, giving more precisely tailored control to the individual sections. In this example, the drummer uses four channels for drums and a stereo submix of background vocals, while the singers use a stereo submix of drums and individual vocal channels. This allows musicians to focus control on the channels most important to them.
There is no limit to the number of monitoring zones that can be used simultaneously.
Click image to enlarge This monitor system uses two Y1 console interface cards in a Yamaha console to provide two zones of monitor content for performers. The engineer can assign audio channels that are required in both monitoring zones to the same channels in each Y1 card from the console's user interface. At the same time, channels unique to each zone are assigned to a specific card.
Click image to enlarge This basic Pro16 snake uses the A-Net Expansion jacks to combine two 16-channel streams (one for sends and one for returns) onto a single Cat-5 cable, up to 500 feet (150m) in length.
By adding an A-Net Distributor and Personal Mixers, return channels can also be used for a Pro16 Monitor Mixing System.
Click image to enlarge With the addition of a pair of AN-16SBR System Bridges to the system, 32 inputs from stage and 16 returns from FOH are transported up to 500ft/150m on a single Cat-5e cable.
Lossless splits to secondary output locations, such as a recording rig, can be added by simply connecting additional output modules as needed.
Click image to enlarge This system adds a Pro16 Monitor Mixing System to the 32x16 Pro16 Digital Snake to combine plug-and-play signal transport with the industry standard for personal mixing, all onto a single Cat-5e cable.
The console in this example is fitted with two Y1 A-Net Cards, which send 16 channels of monitor content and up to 16 channels of returns back to the stage. AN-16/i Input Modules can be substituted for returns from an analog console.
Click image to enlarge Forty-eight channels of mic/line inputs on stage are connected to three AN-16/i-M Mic Input Modules. All 48 channels are transported via A-Net using a single Cat-5e cable to FOH, where three AN-16/o Output Modules convert the digital audio to analog for connection to the mixing console.
Sixteen channels of return lines from FOH travel over the same Cat-5e cable by incorporating a digital console card and an AN-16/o Output Module.
The AN- 16SBR System Bridge is used to combine the A-Net streams from four devices onto a single Cat-5e cable.
An AN-16/i Input Module can be substituted for return lines from an analog console.
Click image to enlarge Each 6416dio Digital I/O Module in a Pro64 network is capable of 16in/16out operation at sample rates up to 192kHz. This system shows 16 AES3 digital audio signals patched into each 6416dio module; input channels are assigned to Slot ranges within the network. Once active on the Pro64 network, these channels can be output anywhere by simply tuning an output module to the same channel range. In this example the same 6416dio modules used for inputs can also output 16 digital AES3 signals from a different Slot range within the Pro64 network.
Digital splits can be created anywhere in the network by connecting additional I/O modules or console cards.
Click image to enlarge This digital snake connects 32 channels of mic signals from four Yamaha® AD8HR preamps to a pair of 6416dio Digital I/O Modules. Pro64 A-Net connects the 6416dio modules to a Yamaha digital console fitted with two 6416Y2 cards. Content for return lines from FOH, as well as monitor content, is generated at the console and transmitted over the same Cat-5e cable back to the stage.
Alternatively, a digital split to a monitor desk can be added serially or with an MH10 Merger Hub. Monitor content can be returned to the stage over the same cable.
Monitor feeds are converted from Pro64 A-Net to the Pro16 format compatible with Pro16 Personal Mixers by the ASI.
Click image to enlarge In this system, a pair of 6416Y2 cards are set up to link two Yamaha® digital consoles. By setting each card to transmit and receive a unique region of the Pro64 network, the operators can easily transfer audio signals between the consoles digitally.
Digital splits of the audio from either or both consoles can be created simply by adding Pro64 output modules set to the same channel range as the channels you want to copy. The digital splits can be analog, digital, or even additional Yamaha consoles with 6416Y2 cards installed.
Up to 64x64 channels can be transferred between two consoles in this manner by populating the consoles with additional 6416Y2 A-Net cards.
Add the MH10 or MH10f Merger Hub to this system to provide additional distance between the Pro64 devices or add parallel connectivity.
Click image to enlarge In this system, a pair of Yamaha® digital consoles are
linked
with a 32x32 Pro64 digital snake that uses just one Cat-5e
cable between the two locations. Each console has two 6416Y2
cards installed, each of which can provide 16 inputs and 16
outputs simultaneously. By setting each card to transmit and
receive a unique region of the Pro64 network, the operators can
easily route and transfer audio signals between the consoles
digitally.
Digital splits of the data from either
console can be created by adding Pro64 output modules set to
the same channel range as the channels you want to copy. The
digital splits can be analog, digital, or even additional Yamaha
consoles with 6416Y2 cards installed.
Add the MH10 or MH10f Merger Hub to this system to provide
additional distance between the Pro64 devices or add parallel
connectivity.
Click image to enlarge Tie lines can be used to connect rooms, venues, recording studios, classrooms, buildings, production areas, or remote trucks so that users can share data effortlessly.
This system shows four similarly equipped locations that have both analog and digital I/O modules installed. Locations are connected with MH10f Merger Hubs making it easy to use fiber for long distance runs where needed.
Click image to enlarge On the stage, 48 mic signals connect to three 6416m Mic Input Modules. All Pro64 devices on stage
connect to an MH10 Merger Hub in parallel. A-Net from the
MH10 on the stage connects to another MH10 at the front-of-house position. The dotted line indicates a second Cat-5e cable
installed as a backup.
At the FOH position, all Pro64 devices are connected in
parallel to the MH10.
Three 6416dio modules are used to output the mic signals from
the stage to the mixing console as AES3 digital data.
The 6416m modules on stage are remote controlled
with an MCS connected to an RCI Remote Control Interface. One
of the 6416dio modules at the FOH position is used to insert 16
channels of return content into the network. Back on the stage,
the return content from the FOH position is output to the DSP
and speaker processing devices from a 6416o. (A 6416dio may be substituted for digital outputs to processors.)
The MH10f can be substituted for the MH10 hubs shown in the diagram to add fiber connectivity to this system.
Click image to enlarge This system connects up to 48 channels on stage with the FOH mix position and also provides a return path for up to 16 channels to the main processors and amps. All audio settings on the stage inputs, as well as mic pre presets, are remote controllable from FOH using the MCS. MH10 and MH10f Merger Hubs may be added in each rack for the additional security of backup cables between stage and FOH.
Splits to other locations, such as a monitor console, recording rig, or broadcast room, may be connected at any point in this system.
Click image to enlarge This 48x16 digital snake provides 48 channels of remote controllable mic inputs, via three 6416m Mic Input Modules on stage, plus 16 returns, output to processors and amps by a 6416o Output Module. At FOH, a Yamaha console is equipped with three 6416Y2 A-Net Cards, providing up to 48 channels in and 48 channels out to and from the Pro64 A-Net network.
The MCS at FOH provides real-time status monitoring of all network audio channels, plus remote control of all audio settings and presets on the 6416m modules.
Click image to enlarge This 48x16 digital snake adds the flexibility of two MH10f Merger Hubs—one in the stage rack and one at FOH—allowing Stage and FOH to be connected by Cat-5e or single- or multi-mode fiber. Backup cables of either type may be added.
Both audio and control data are passed seamlessly over the fiber optic link.
Click image to enlarge This system adds a Pro16 Monitor Mixing System to the basic 48x16 Pro64 digital snake. Audio content for the Personal Mixers is routed to the Pro64 network from the Yamaha console, through the second 6416Y2 A-Net Card. The ASI A-Net Systems Interface on stage translates the A-Net data from the Pro64 system to the Pro16 format used by the Personal Mixers.
A second zone of personal mixing content, for further customization of mixing, can be added with no additional hardware, using the remaining 6416Y2. The ASI supports up to four 16-channel Pro16 A-Net Outputs.
Click image to enlarge This basic Pro64 digital snake system provides 16 remote controllable mic inputs on stage via a 6416m Mic Input Module, analog outputs (mic or line level) at FOH via a 6416o Output Module, and 16 analog returns from FOH to stage. Remote control is provided via the MCS connected to the RCI Remote Control Interface at FOH.
The system can be expanded by connected additional mic input modules on stage and output modules at FOH. Output splits, such as for a recording rig, can be added to any open A-Net port anywhere in the system.
Click image to enlarge This system combines a 32x16 Pro64 digital snake with the flexibility and control of a Pro16 Monitor Mixing System.
Thirty-two inputs are provided on stage via two 6416m Mic Input Modules, remote controllable from FOH with the MCS Mic Control Surface. These signals are connected to the analog FOH via two 6416o Output Modules. Up to 16 return signals can be passed from the console back to processors on stage via a 6416i Input Module at FOH and a 6416o Output Module on stage.
Audio for the monitor system is supplied from the console to a second 6416i at FOH. The ASI A-Net Systems Interface module on stage passes this audio data to the A-16D Pro and the Pro16 Personal Mixers.
The MH10 Merger Hubs shown here allow devices in each rack to be connected in parallel and also provide a simple means for connecting backup cables between the stage and FOH racks.
A-16II
Personal Mixer
|
A-16R
Rack-Mount Mixer
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6416m
Mic Input Module
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AN-16/i-M
Mic Input Module
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6416Y2
A-Net Interface Card
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6416dio
Digital I/O Module
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Aviom16/o-Y1
A-Net Card for Yamaha®
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Yellowjackets Record at BiCoastal Music
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Recording Studio in Italy Hosts Joey DeFrancesco |
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"American Idol" Uses Personal Mixers For Communications Network |
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Popular Las Vegas Show Relies on Aviom |
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Alpha Studios Nashville Gets Creative with Pro16 System |
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Pro64 Digital Multicore at the "Classic Open" in Leipzig |
A-16II Guided Tour
This video explores many of the features and functions of Aviom's revolutionary A-16II Personal Mixer. Follow along to learn how to select channels, adjust volume and pan, save and recall Presets, and more.
Pro16 in 2.5 Minutes
Well, our multimedia guys got into the Red Bull again, and the result is this fast paced overview of Aviom's Pro16™ Monitor Mixing and Audio Distribution systems. Fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the ride.
Intro to the 6416m Mic Input Module
Ray Legnini, Aviom's Product Research and Development Manager, takes you on a tour of the features and benefits of our revolutionary new 6416m Mic Input Module.
- 6416m/RCI/MCS User Guide
Includes 6416m Mic Input Module, RCI Remote Control Interface, & MCS Mic Control Surface. (17.5MB)
- 6416Y2 A-Net Interface Card Quick Start
This document shows suggested card setups that can be used as starting points when creating an audio network using the 6416Y2 and other Pro64 products.
- Networked Audio in Festival Production
Pro16® digital snake and monitor mixing products can help streamline and simplify production in a festival environment.
- Live Performance - 48 X 16 Digital Snake
In this Pro16® digital snake system, 48 channels are transmitted from stage to front of house, with 16 channels of returns brought back to the stage.
- Live Performance - 64x16 Digital Snake With Dual-Feed Monitors
In this Pro64® snake, sixty-four inputs on stage are transmitted digitally to front of house, with 16 channels of processed returns and two 16-channel monitor feeds transmitted back to the stage. Monitor feeds are passed to two Pro16® Monitor Mixing Systems on stage.
- Aviom Product Applications Book - Screen Version
Sample System Diagrams for: Commercial AV, Houses of Worship, Broadcast, Live Sound, and Studios. This book contains over 20 CAD drawings showing sample installations of Aviom audio networks, audio distribution and personal monitor systems in a variety applications.
- Monitor Mixing in Rehearsal
Better Performance Through Better Monitoring - Learn how the Pro16 Monitor Mixing System can improve productivity at rehearsals and how this translates directly to improved on-stage performance.
- Personal Monitor Mixing with Engineer Control
This document covers issues related to monitoring on stage from both the performer's and the engineer's perspectives.
- Using Personal Mixers with Wireless Monitor Systems
More and more performers are turning to wireless in-ear systems for their stage monitoring needs. Learn how to integrate Aviom's Pro16® Personal Mixing System with your wireless in-ear (IEM) setup.
- Remote Control of Yamaha Mic Pres with the 6416Y2 and VDCs
Pro64 Virtual Data Cables can be used to send control data from a Yamaha digital console to Yamaha remote-controllable mic preamps such as the AD8HR. This document explains how to set up your system and configure the 6416Y2 card for this application.
- A-Net And Video: Transmitting Video Over Cat-5 Cables
Using a pair of inexpensive baluns, you can easily transmit composite video over your Pro16 audio distribution system, for monitoring remote locations or displaying information like song lyrics on remote video monitors.
- Using Fiber Optics With Pro16 Systems
For applications requiring cable runs longer than 500ft (150 m), fiber optic media converters can be used to extend the distance between Pro16 devices to up to 50 miles (80 kilometers).
- A-Net v. Ethernet - Networking Designed for Audio
Streaming networking technology delivers greater power and performance than Ethernet.
- Managing Jitter, Wander, and Latency in Digital Audio Networks
Challenges facing designers of professional-grade digital audio equipment are discussed with clear examples of the advantages of A-Net Pro64.
- A Closer Look at A-Net
Comparing Pro16 and Pro64 - learn about the two versions of Aviom's exclusive A-Net audio transport technology, and find out which is best suited for your application.
- Calibration and Gain Staging with Digital Transport
Learn how to address the most common source of trouble for console users making the switch to digital transport - gain stage calibration.
- A-16II Personal Mixer Labels
Print channel strip labels for A-16II Personal Mixers from this template. (The scribble strip is in Microsoft Excel format in a zip file.)
- Pro16 Monitor Mixing Personalizer
This interactive form will guide you to determine the number of mixers, input and output devices needed for your church or band, and the tool will build a parts list for you as you go. You can then print the specs for your system, or even email it to yourself.
- Yamaha Console Configuration Info
This document covers signal routing to the Y1 card from the Yamaha user interface.
