Aviom Musical Instrument A 16II User Manual
A-16II Personal Mixer  
User Guide  
Information in this document is subject to change. All rights reserved.  
Copyright ©2004 Aviom, Inc. Printed in USA  
Document Rev. 1.01  
Part Number 9301 1006 0001  
 
READ THIS FIRST  
Important Safety  
Instructions  
1. Read these instructions.  
!
2. Keep these instructions  
3. Heed all warnings.  
4. Follow all instructions.  
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.  
6. Clean only with a dry cloth.  
7. 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. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type  
plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A  
grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The  
wide blade or third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided  
plug does not fit your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of  
the obsolete outlet.  
10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly  
at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit the  
apparatus.  
11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.  
12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by  
the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use  
caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury  
from tip-over.  
13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for  
long periods of time.  
14. Refer all servicing to qualified personnel. Servicing is required when  
the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as when the power-  
supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have  
fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or  
moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.  
15. No on/off power switches are included in the A-16 system. The  
external power supply should be used to control power to an Aviom  
A-16 device. This power supply should remain readily operable.  
16. The solid line over dashed line symbol (  
input voltage must be a DC voltage.  
) indicates that the  
17. The box within a box symbol (  
supply is double insulated.  
) indicates that the external power  
 
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.  
If a defect is discovered, first write or call Aviom, Inc. to obtain a Return Autho-  
rization number. No service will be performed on any product returned without  
prior authorization. Aviom, Inc. will, at its option, repair or replace the product at  
no charge to you. The product must be returned during the warranty period, with  
transportation charges prepaid to Aviom, Inc., 1157 Phoenixville Pike, Suite 201,  
West Chester, PA 19380. You must use the product’s original packing materials for  
shipment. Shipments should be insured for the value of the product. Include your  
name, address, phone number, description of the problem, and copy of the original  
bill of sale with the shipment. The Return Authorization number should be written  
on the outside of the box.  
THIS LIMITED WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS. YOU  
MAY HAVE OTHER RIGHTS, WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE (OR  
JURISDICTION TO JURISDICTION). AVIOM’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAL-  
FUNCTIONS AND DEFECTS IN HARDWARE IS LIMITED TO REPAIR AND  
REPLACEMENT AS SET FORTH IN THIS LIMITED WARRANTY STATE-  
MENT. ALL EXPRESS AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES FOR THE PRODUCT,  
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF  
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE  
LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE WARRANTY PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE.  
NO WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WILL APPLY AFTER  
SUCH PERIOD.  
AVIOM, INC. DOES NOT ACCEPT LIABILITY BEYOND THE REMEDIES  
SET FORTH IN THIS LIMITED WARRANTY DOCUMENT. AVIOM, INC.’S  
LIABILITY IS LIMITED TO THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT, AT OUR  
OPTION, OF ANY DEFECTIVE PRODUCT, AND SHALL IN NO EVENT  
INCLUDE INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND.  
SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW EXCLUSIONS OR LIMITATION OF IMPLIED  
WARRANTIES OR LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL  
DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.  
Aviom and the Aviom logo are trademarks of Aviom, Inc.  
 
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  
Risk of electric shock!  
Do Not Open  
WARNING!  
To reduce the risk of fire or  
electric shock do not expose  
this product to rain or moisture.  
AVIS: Risque de choc electrique!  
Ne pas ouvrir  
CAUTION:  
■ Using any audio system at high volume levels can cause permanent  
damage to your hearing.  
■ Set your system volume as low as possible.  
■ Avoid prolonged exposure to excessive sound pressure levels.  
IMPORTANT:  
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B  
digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to  
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential instal-  
lation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and,  
if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful  
interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interfer-  
ence will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful  
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the  
equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one  
or more of the following measures:  
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.  
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.  
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that  
to which the receiver is connected.  
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.  
Changes or modifications to the product not expressly approved by Aviom, Inc. could  
void the user’s FCC authority to operate the equipment.  
 
Table of Contents  
Welcome............................................................... 1  
Features.............................................................1  
Conventions Used in this Document ....................... 1  
Warranty Information ...........................................2  
Package Contents ................................................3  
AC Line Conditioning.............................................3  
Channel Labels .................................................... 4  
What is Category 5?..............................................5  
Cables Used in the Aviom System .......................... 5  
Cable Lengths .....................................................  
About A-Net.......................................................... 7  
Power Supplies ..................................................... 8  
Cleaning and Maintenance Information .................9  
The A-16II Personal Mixer ....................................10  
Personal Mixer Components............................. 11  
System Setup........................................................ 12  
Power Connection ...............................................12  
System Interconnections ...................................... 12  
Audio Connections — Outputs ............................... 12  
Labeling the Channels .......................................... 13  
Operational Modes............................................... 14  
Global Controls....................................................15  
Tone Controls ................................................15  
Master Volume...............................................16  
Button Behaviors .................................................16  
Basic Navigation ..................................................17  
Personal Mixer Rear Panel..................................... 18  
A-Net Connectors........................................... 18  
DC Power Input ............................................. 18  
Audio Outputs ............................................... 18  
Automatic Mono/Stereo Plug Detection ............. 19  
Mixing .................................................................. 19  
Preparing to Make a Mix ....................................... 19  
The Editing Interface ........................................... 20  
Volume and Pan Control.................................. 20  
Pan LEDs ......................................................21  
Mixing ................................................................21  
Linking Channels .................................................22  
The Spread Control ........................................ 23  
The Effect of the Spread Control ..................... 23  
The Mute and Solo Functions ................................ 23  
 
Solo a Channel ..............................................23  
Held Solo Mode ............................................. 24  
Mute a Channel.............................................. 25  
Unmute a Channel.......................................... 25  
Creating Groups ..................................................26  
Creating Additional Groups.................................... 27  
Making Changes to a Group .................................. 28  
Changing Channel Settings Within a Group ........ 28  
Removing Channels From a Group .................... 28  
Muting Groups.....................................................29  
Making Changes to a Mix ...................................... 30  
Save a Preset......................................................30  
Verify a Mix Memory Location................................ 31  
Applications.......................................................... 32  
Create a Mix With Console Direct Outputs............... 32  
Using Aux Sends to Create a Monitor Mix ................ 32  
Studio Cue System...............................................33  
Playback Monitoring ....................................... 34  
Using Console Inserts .......................................... 35  
Y Cable Insert ...............................................35  
Adding Effects ...............................................35  
Using a Patch Bay................................................ 36  
In and Thru Patching...................................... 36  
Adding Effects to a Monitor Mix ............................. 37  
Adding Live Ambience to a Monitor Mix................... 37  
Silent Jam Session ...............................................38  
Other Uses for the Personal Mixer Outputs.............. 38  
Record a Mix .................................................38  
Troubleshooting.................................................... 40  
A-16II Personal Mixer Specifications ....................... 43  
 
 
Welcome  
Thank you for purchasing the Aviom 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.  
A-16II Personal Mixer Features:  
• Sixteen Channel select buttons with dual LEDs  
• Dedicated Recall, Group, Solo, and Mute buttons  
• Sixteen user Preset memory locations  
• Pan/Spread control with LED readout  
• Channel volume control with LED level readout  
• Master Volume, Treble and Bass controls  
• Tabletop or mic stand mountable (using optional MT-1 mic  
stand bracket)  
Conventions Used in this Document  
When indicating a button on the front panel of the A-16II Personal Mixer,  
a special typeface is used. For example, when selecting a Preset, press the  
RECALL button.  
1
 
Aviom A-16II Personal Mixer User Guide  
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 sup-  
port. The information recorded above will be helpful in communicating with  
your Authorized Aviom Dealer should you need to contact Aviom Customer  
Service. If you have any questions concerning the use of this unit, please  
contact your Authorized Aviom Dealer first. For additional technical support,  
or to find the name of the nearest Authorized Aviom Repair Station, check the  
Aviom web site at www.aviominc.com.  
To fulfill warranty requirements, your Aviom product should be serviced only  
at an authorized Aviom service center. The Aviom serial number label must  
appear on the outside of the unit, or the Aviom warranty is void.  
This manual and its contents are copyrighted by Aviom, Inc. All rights are re-  
served by Aviom, Inc. This document may not, in whole or in part, be copied,  
photocopied, reproduced, translated, or reduced to any electronic medium or  
machine-readable form without prior written consent from Aviom, Inc.  
The software and/or firmware contained within Aviom products is copy-  
righted and all rights are reserved by Aviom, Inc.  
Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the text and il-  
lustrations in this manual, no guarantee is made or implied as to the accuracy  
of the information contained within.  
Personal Monitor Mixing System is a trademark of Aviom, Inc.  
A-Net is a trademark of Aviom, Inc.  
Copyright © 2004 Aviom, Inc.  
2
 
Package Contents  
Check the contents of the shipping box carefully before making connec-  
tions and continuing with installation.  
The A-16II Personal Mixer contains:  
• One A-16II Personal Mixer  
• DC Power supply for the A-16II Personal Mixer  
• One Category 5 interconnect cable  
• User Guide  
Also included within this document is a Warranty Card. Be sure to fill out  
the form and return it to Aviom, Inc. via mail or fax as soon as possible.  
AC Line Conditioning  
The A-16II is a digital device and is sensitive to sudden spikes and drops  
in the AC line voltage. Changes in the line voltage from lightning, power  
outages, etc. can sometimes damage electronic equipment.  
To minimize the chance of damage to your equipment from sudden changes  
in the AC line voltage, you may want to plug your equipment into a power  
source that has surge and spike protection. Power outlet strips are available  
with built-in surge protection circuits that may help protect your equipment.  
Other options for protection of your equipment include the use of an AC  
line conditioner or a battery backup system (sometimes referred to as an  
uninterruptible power supply, or UPS).  
3
 
Aviom A-16II Personal Mixer User Guide  
Channel Labels  
For writing channel information or names on the A-16II Personal Mixer  
label surface or “scribble strip”, we suggest the using a china marker or  
other easily removed marking device. A china marker is designed for mark-  
ing on plastic, metal, glass, wood, and paper. These are available at most  
office supply outlets. Avoid the use of permanent markers.  
Save  
Recall  
Group  
Personal Mixer Label Strip  
To clean the label writing area on the A-16II Mixer, use a soft clean cloth to  
remove most types of temporary marking material. For difficult-to-remove  
types of marking devices, a cotton swab moistened with a drop of rubbing  
alcohol can be used. Use the minimum amount possible to remove the  
writing. Be careful not to get rubbing alcohol on the surface of your Aviom  
products.  
4
 
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. A  
variation, called Category 5e, uses additional twists in the cable to reduce  
interference in high-speed network applications.  
The RJ45 connector looks similar to the connectors found on a telephone  
system, only larger. The twisting of the wire pairs helps to shield the cable  
from unwanted interference from electrical fields or radio interference  
(sometimes referred to as “RF”). Cat-5 cabling supports frequencies up to  
100 MHz and speeds up to 1000 Mbps.  
RJ45 Jack  
Cat-5 Cable  
Cables Used in the Aviom System  
The Category 5 cables used with your Aviom system are interchangeable  
with any standard Category 5 (or Cat 5e) cables. If you need a longer cable  
for a particular application, any computer store should be able to supply you  
with an appropriate cable. A qualified technician should be able to build  
custom cables to any length up to the maximum of 500 feet (150 meters)  
between A-Net components.  
For fixed or permanent installations, you have the option of running  
Category 5 cables inside walls and terminating them with readily available  
wall panels that include the RJ45 jack.  
5
 
Aviom A-16II Personal Mixer User Guide  
Note: When purchasing Category 5 cables, be sure to buy only  
standard Cat-5 cables, not those sold as crossover cables. A  
crossover cable is used for file transfer between two computers. It  
is not compatible with your Aviom equipment.  
Input Module  
Up to 500  
A-16II Personal Mixers  
feet of Cat 5  
cable can be  
used to  
connect  
each system  
component  
Infinite  
number  
of A-Net  
components  
6
 
About A-Net  
Aviom’s A-Net is an ultra-fast 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.  
As used in your Personal Monitor Mixing System, the A-Net signal carries  
sixteen channels of digital data from the A-Net input module to each and  
every Personal Mixer connected to the system.  
Some of the benefits of using A-Net to transmit digital audio are:  
• Sub-millisecond latency  
• No ground loops  
• Easy cabling using readily available components  
• An unlimited number of Personal Mixers can be used in a  
system  
• Ease in spanning long distances between system compo-  
nents  
Note: While the Category 5 cables and connectors used on your Aviom  
products look like typical computer network connections, do not  
connect computers, routers, or other home and business networking  
equipment to your Aviom products.  
7
 
Aviom A-16II Personal Mixer User Guide  
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 switch-  
ing type. It is capable of working with voltages from 100 to 240 volts AC.  
This means that a separate power supply is not needed to use the product  
with the power systems found in most countries throughout the world. You  
may need plug adapters to use the power supply with the AC outlet plug  
shape variations used throughout the world.  
Should you need to replace the power supply that came with your product,  
we recommend using only a power supply that meets the following  
specifications.  
Type:  
Switching  
100-240 volts  
24Vdc  
50/60Hz  
30VA  
Input Voltage:  
Output:  
Polarity  
0.5A  
Outer = negative; Inner = positive  
_
+
Power Supply Polarity  
Note that polarity of the plug found on the DC power supply needs to match  
that of the original power supply that came with your Aviom equipment.  
The outer contact is negative, the inner contact is positive. (See the diagram  
above.)  
8
 
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.  
Note: Never use abrasive cleaners. Never use solvents or abrasives on the  
finished surfaces of your Aviom product.  
9
 
Aviom A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System  
The A-16II Personal Mixer  
6
1
-
A
10  
 
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  
17  
18  
19  
Label strip  
Recall button (for Save, hold RECALL and GROUP)  
Group button  
Trim function: hold GROUP and press MUTE  
11  
 
Aviom A-16II Personal Mixer User Guide  
System Setup  
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.  
Power Connection  
The component parts of your Personal Monitor Mixing System use separate  
external power supplies.  
• Connect the DC power supply to the A-16II Personal Mixer  
unit.  
• Plug the power supply into an available AC power outlet.  
The Personal Monitor System will be in its “on” state as long as it is  
plugged into a working electrical outlet.  
No on/off power switches are included on the A-16II. If you would like to  
control the power state of your units, simply connect the power supplies to a  
power strip with an on/off switch. Use that as a system power switch.  
DC power for the Personal Mixer can optionally be supplied from an A-Net  
compatible distributor, eliminating the need for the power supply at the  
mixer’s location. Refer to the documentation provided with the distributor  
for more system setup information.  
System Interconnections  
A single Category 5 cable is required to connect each A-Net compatible  
device in your system.  
Connect a Category 5 cable from the A-Net Out jack on the input module to  
the A-Net In jack on the first Personal Mixer.  
Connect additional A-16II Personal Mixers with a single Category 5 cable  
from the A-Net Out jack on the first Personal Mixer to the A-Net In jack on  
the next Personal Mixer. (Repeat this process for each additional Personal  
Mixer unit in your system.)  
A-Net can also be distributed in parallel by using an A-Net Distributor.  
This can eliminate daisy chained A-Net connections.  
Audio Connections — Outputs  
Plug headphones, in-ear monitors, powered floor monitors, or spot monitors  
into the A-16II Personal Mixer’s Headphones/Line output jack on the rear  
panel of the Personal Mixer.  
12  
 
Before powering up the system, turn the Master volume control on the  
Personal Mixer to its minimum setting (full left) to ensure that unwanted  
high-volume audio is not accidentally sent into your monitors when the  
system is powered up. The Master volume control is the one in the upper  
right section of the Personal Mixer, next to the Bass and Treble controls.  
Labeling the Channels  
The A-16II 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 in the  
label area.  
Use only non-permanent marking devices on the label surface to avoid  
permanently marring the surface.  
Powering Up  
As when powering up any audio gear, it’s best to power up all system  
components in the safest possible order to minimize the risk of damage  
to system components and your hearing. Start by turning on devices such  
as mic preamps, mixers, keyboards, and effects processors. Follow this  
by turning on power amps, or anything that applies power to speakers,  
headphones, etc..  
In the case of the Personal Monitor Mixing System, you should power up  
your main audio mixer, effects devices, and keyboards first. Follow this  
by powering up your A-Net input module and then all connected A-16II  
Personal Mixers.  
Lastly, turn on any power amps, powered monitor speakers, in-ear moni-  
tors, etc. that are part of the monitor system.  
13  
 
Aviom A-16II Personal Mixer User Guide  
A-16II Features  
This section describes the controls, modes, and functions of the A-16II  
Personal Mixer. The basic components of the front panel include:  
• Sixteen lighted Channel buttons (they are also the Preset  
select buttons)  
• Channel label strip  
• Recall button  
• Group configuration and edit button  
• Solo and Mute buttons  
• Pan and Volume knobs  
• Bass and Treble tone controls  
• Master Volume control  
• A-Net Active indicator  
A-16  
Personal Mixer  
Save  
Select  
Mute  
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10  
11  
12  
13  
14  
15  
16  
Operational Modes  
When using the A-16II Personal Mixer, you will be in one of the following  
modes:  
• Mix Mode — Here you can change Channel and mix set-  
tings such as volume, mute, and panning; you’ll spend most  
of your time in this mode.  
• Recall Mode — Activated by the RECALL button, the row of  
sixteen Channel buttons are used to select one of the sixteen  
available mixes 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  
14  
 
selected Channel (or Group) is audible while the rest of the  
mix is muted.  
Two Solo modes are available; the standard Solo Mode  
works with one channel at a time. Pressing any other  
interface button exits Solo Mode.  
Held Solo mode remains in Solo as channels are selected.  
Pressing the SOLO button again cancels the Held Solo mode.  
• 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. Pressing any  
numbered button while still holding this button combination  
will save your current mix to that Preset location.  
Note: A Preset is saved when the numbered button is  
released.  
Global Controls  
The three knobs in the upper right section of the A-16II Personal Mixer  
affect your mix volume and tone directly. The Bass, Treble, and Master  
volume controls are always active, regardless of the selected Preset.  
Tone Controls  
Use the Bass and Treble controls to change the overall balance of bass or  
treble frequencies in your mix. These controls affect the entire mix, not the  
individual Channels.  
The default position for the BASS and TREBLE knobs is at 12 o’clock. To add  
more low frequencies to your monitor mix, turn the BASS knob to the right  
of the 12 o’clock position. To remove lows, turn the knob counterclockwise  
past the center. To change the high-frequency content, follow the same  
15  
 
Aviom A-16II Personal Mixer User Guide  
procedure; turn the TREBLE knob right to add highs, left to diminish them.  
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 160Hz shelving  
Treble EQ 9kHz shelving  
+12dB  
-12dB  
+12dB  
160Hz  
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. As a general suggestion, start with the Master volume knob at a low  
setting, about 9 or 10 o’clock to start. Raise the volume slowly from that  
point to a comfortable listening level.  
Note: Always use caution when adjusting any audio system component to  
avoid potential hearing damage.  
Button Behaviors  
There are various combinations of lighted and unlighted buttons on the  
A-16II Personal Mixer. Here is an overview:  
• Channel buttons have two LEDs, an upper and lower.  
The upper button is red and indicates that the Channel is  
selected. The lower button is yellow; it indicates that the  
Channel is muted. Channel buttons will light solid or flash.  
• The RECALL button has one red LED. It flashes when the  
RECALL button is pressed, indicating that you can now select  
a Preset by touching any numbered button.  
• There is one LED in the GROUP button. When the GROUP  
button is pressed, the LED flashes. This indicates that you  
can now build or edit a Group.  
• The RECALL and GROUP buttons will both flash when held  
down simultaneously. This is the Save Mode, as indicated  
by the connecting graphic above the two buttons on the front  
panel.  
• When a Preset is saved, all sixteen Channel buttons will  
flash briefly to confirm the Preset save operation.  
16  
 
• The SOLO button has one LED. It will light when pressed,  
indicating that the selected Channel or Group is now being  
auditioned with all other Channels being muted. Two Solo  
modes are available.  
• The MUTE button has no LED in it. Pressing the MUTE but-  
ton with a Channel selected will cause the Channel’s lower  
(yellow) LED to light.  
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 func-  
tion to set all sixteen channels to zero volume and all pans to  
the center settings.  
Mute  
In Recall  
Mode All  
Volumes  
Zero  
All Volumes Zero  
Select  
Mute  
15  
16  
Note: The text on the right side of the Personal Mixer label reads “In  
Recall Mode All Volumes Zero” as a reminder that this function is  
always available.  
Basic Navigation  
When the system is powered up, Preset 1 is automatically selected. On the  
Personal Mixer, one Channel is always selected for editing. You can tell that  
a Channel is selected because the upper LED in its button is lit.  
The sixteen Channel buttons have two LEDs in each, an upper and a lower.  
The red upper LED indicates that the Channel is selected; you can change  
its volume and panning. You can also solo or mute the channel using the  
dedicated SOLO and MUTE buttons on the Personal Mixer surface.  
The upper LEDs will also light in combination if a track is linked or is part  
of one of the three available Groups. (More info on Groups appears later in  
this document.)  
17  
 
Aviom A-16II Personal Mixer User Guide  
The lower yellow LED in each Channel button indicates the Channel’s  
mute status. A lit LED indicates that the Channel is muted. Any number of  
Channels can be muted.  
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.  
A-Net Connectors  
There are two A-Net connectors on the rear of the Personal Mixer.  
The A-Net In jack accepts  
• the A-Net signal coming from the A-Net input module if the  
Personal Mixer is the first Personal Mixer in the system, or  
• the A-Net signal coming from the Out jack of another  
Personal Mixer, or  
• the A-Net output from an A-Net distributor product  
The A-Net Out jack is used to connect another A-Net device. This will send  
the same sixteen audio channels being processed by the input module to the  
additional device so that another unique monitor mix can be created. An  
unlimited number of A-Net devices can be connected in series using this  
method.  
DC Power Input  
Connect the DC power supply to the jack on the rear of the Personal Mixer.  
Use only power supplies designed for your Aviom products.  
Audio Outputs  
The audio outputs on the rear of the A-16II 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.  
To connect a set of stereo speakers (studio monitors or stage speakers), use  
a stereo to dual-mono adapter to split the stereo signal into separate left and  
18  
 
right mono signals. Then connect a standard mono cable to the audio input  
of the left and the right amplifier for the speakers.  
Mono  
To use a mono amplifier, powered speaker, etc., connect a standard audio  
interconnect cable (tip and sleeve “guitar cord” type) from the audio output  
on the Personal Mixer to the audio input on your mono device.  
To use a mono input on a device that has an XLR input connection, you  
need to use a cable that has a tip-sleeve ¼” jack on one end and an XLR on  
the other. Using a tip-ring-sleeve ¼” jack to XLR cable will cause the left  
and right channels to be summed, resulting in a loss of level.  
Automatic Mono/Stereo Plug Detection  
When a cable is plugged into the Line/Headphone output jack on the rear of  
the A-16II, the auto-detect circuit determines whether the device is mono or  
stereo.  
If a mono device is recognized, the A-16II automatically pans all channels  
to the left output and adjusts the balance accordingly. This is done to avoid  
a situation where a mix has channels panned hard right that would not be  
heard if only the left audio channel was being monitored.  
This test happens only once when the plug is initially inserted. Avoid using  
a Y-cord splitter to achieve mono. Note that saved mixes are not perma-  
nently altered. The panning changes are made seamlessly in software.  
NOTE: You may notice a very brief delay in audio playback  
when a plug is initially inserted into the output jack on the  
rear of the A-16II. This delay is normal; the A-16II mutes  
audio while the plug is being analyzed.  
It is suggested that all audio connections be made with  
audio volumes at their minimum setting to avoid sudden  
changes in level.  
Mixing  
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  
19  
 
Aviom A-16II Personal Mixer User Guide  
9 or 10 o’clock should be safe. Send audio into the system; this could be  
a band playing live or audio from a tape deck or other multi-track audio  
device. Raise the levels to a comfortable level after you have audio playing  
through the system.  
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. 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.  
The user interface is quite simple to understand. As with many digital mix-  
ers, the Personal Mixer has many Channels, but only one set of controls that  
are shared by all the Channels. A Channel is selected by pressing one of the  
numbered Channel buttons on the Mixer’s front surface. When a Channel  
is selected, the red LED in the Channel’s button will light to indicate that it  
has been selected and is ready to be edited.  
The procedure to edit a Channel involves only two steps:  
• Select the Channel you want to change.  
• Edit the volume, panning, or mute status  
That’s it. Each Channel of the mixer can be edited by following the same  
simple steps.  
The Editing Interface  
When you turn the VOLUME knob clockwise to raise the volume of the  
selected Channel, the volume level is reflected in the Volume LED indica-  
tors. There are twenty-four visible volume steps available in the Volume  
LEDs. Each LED lights at two levels, first at half brightness, then at full  
brightness. More LEDs lit indicates higher volume.  
The pan position for a Channel can be changed with the PAN knob. Turn it  
left or right to move the audio in the stereo field. Your changes will be re-  
flected in the Pan LEDs. The Pan LEDs are used to indicate the left-center-  
right location of the selected Channel. The Pan LEDs have a green middle  
LED to indicate the center position in the stereo field with red LEDs on the  
sides to indicate left or right positions. Changes will be heard immediately  
in any speakers or headphones connected to your Personal Mixer.  
Volume and Pan Control  
When you change the volume of a Channel on the Personal Mixer, the  
20  
 
LEDs in the Volume section of the mixer surface will indicate the level in  
real time. There are twelve LEDs in the Volume indicator, each capable of  
displaying two levels, for a total of twenty-four visible lighted steps.  
When a Channel is selected, the current volume is instantly indicated on the  
LEDs. When no LEDs are lit, Channel volume is at its minimum setting.  
Pan and Volume Controls  
To make changes to a Channel:  
• Select a Channel by pressing its numbered button—the  
button’s 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. The center LED is green. The  
LEDs on either side of center are red. As you turn the PAN knob, the LEDs  
will light in various combinations to provide the maximum number of  
position indicators with the fewest number of lamps. At either end of the  
display only one LED will be lit to indicate that the Channel is panned full  
left or right.  
When using linked channels (stereo inputs), the LEDs light in different  
patterns, using a pair of LEDs on either side of the display to indicate the  
width of the stereo field. When the stereo image has been collapsed to  
mono, only the center green LED will be lit. In this case the stereo input  
will be heard as mono.  
Mixing  
Start creating a monitor mix by selecting the first Channel you want to  
hear.  
21  
 
Aviom A-16II Personal Mixer User Guide  
Follow these steps:  
• Press the desired Channel button — its upper red LED will  
light.  
• Turn the VOLUME knob clockwise to raise the volume of  
the selected Channel until you hear it in the monitors. You  
should see the volume changes you’re making reflected in  
the Volume LED indicators. More LEDs lit indicates higher  
volume.  
There are twenty-four visible volume steps available in the Volume LEDs.  
Each LED lights at two levels—one at half brightness, the other at full  
brightness.  
The procedure for setting the pan position for a Channel is similar. Once  
a Channel is selected, you can turn the PAN knob left or right to move  
the Channel in the stereo field. Your changes will be reflected in the Pan  
LEDs. Changes will be heard immediately in any speakers or headphones  
connected to your Personal Mixer.  
Note: If you have connected the output of the Personal Mixer to a mono  
audio system or speaker, pan position is irrelevant.  
A Channel is playing in the center of the stereo field when only the center  
(green) LED is lit. As you turn the PAN knob, the Pan LEDs will light in  
various combinations to indicate the pan position.  
Continue this process of setting volume and pan until all the Channels have  
been added to the mix.  
At this point you should have a basic mix playing in your monitors. You can  
continue to make changes in real time as your needs require. Remember  
that changes to Channel volume and pan setting affect the selected Channel  
only. The selected Channel always has its red LED lit.  
Linking Channels  
For stereo input sources such as keyboards, drum machines, CD players,  
main mixer submixes, etc., the Aviom input modules provide a convenient  
method of controlling these two-channel sources. It’s called a Link. A Link  
is simply two Channels working together as one to process a stereo input.  
Linking two Channels is done from the front panel of the input module.  
Each pair of inputs has a corresponding Link switch. When the switch is  
positioned to the left, the two Channels are independent. When the switch  
is moved to the right, the Channels become linked. Only adjacent Channels  
can be linked (Channels 1 and 2, Channels 3 and 4, etc.).  
22  
 
When Channels are linked, they act as one source on the A-16II Personal  
Mixer. When you select either of the two linked Channels on the Mixer,  
both LEDs will light up, indicating that they are linked. Volume changes  
affect both Channels simultaneously.  
Channels that are linked at the input module will appear linked on every  
Personal Mixer connected to the system. You can link or un-link Channels  
as needed, even while audio is running through the system. All connected  
Personal Mixers update immediately.  
The Spread Control  
When two Channels are linked, they no longer have separate pan controls.  
With the Channel link comes a new feature, called Spread. The Spread  
control varies the stereo image of the two linked Channels from full stereo  
to mono. This allows you to position stereo sources in your mix by control-  
ling the width of the stereo image.  
Spread changes the panning of the left and right Channels simultaneously.  
Instead of having two Channels panned 100% left and right, Spread allows  
the Channels to be panned to 60% left and right, for example.  
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.  
To do this you can use the Solo mode. The Solo mode lets you listen to the  
23  
 
Aviom A-16II Personal Mixer User Guide  
selected Channel alone without disturbing the rest of the mix. Two types of  
Solo mode are available; one functions on a channel by channel basis, the  
other (called Held Solo) remains in force until the user exits it.  
Solo mode works on the currently selected Channel or Group. To use Solo  
mode, first select the Channel you want to hear alone. Its red button LED  
should be lit. Now press the SOLO button, found in the pair of buttons in the  
upper right corner of the Personal Mixer. The Channel is now heard solo.  
You can make changes to volume and panning when a Channel is in Solo  
mode. All changes happen immediately. Consider Solo mode as a tempo-  
rary state only. You cannot save a Preset with a Channel in Solo mode.  
Only one Channel, linked pair (or Group) can be in solo at a time. To exit  
Solo mode, simply select another Channel or press the SOLO button again  
to exit.  
To select a different Channel for auditioning in Solo mode, remember that  
you must first select a Channel and then press the SOLO button to enter Solo  
mode.  
Held Solo Mode  
This Solo mode allows Channels to be soloed in succession without exiting  
the Solo Mode. This is in addition to the regular Solo Mode behavior that  
allows the user to exit Solo Mode by pressing any other interface button  
after soloing a Channel. Held Solo Mode is indicated by the flashing of the  
Solo LED.  
To use Held Solo Mode, you must start from Mix Mode (that is, no Chan-  
nels are currently soloed). The Recall, Group, and Solo LED’s should be  
off.  
To use Held Solo Mode:  
• Press and hold the SOLO button.  
• While holding down the SOLO button, press and then release  
any Channel button.  
• You can now release the SOLO button. (If you release the  
SOLO button before releasing the Channel button, Held Solo  
Mode will not be engaged.)  
• The Channel that you pressed is now soloed, and the Solo  
LED is flashing.  
• To solo another Channel, press any other Channel button.  
• To exit Held Solo Mode, press the SOLO button again.  
You can also exit Held Solo Mode by pressing the RECALL, GROUP, or MUTE  
buttons.  
24  
 
Remember that the system can only enter Held Solo Mode from the normal  
Mix Mode. If you currently have a Channel temporarily soloed (the Solo  
LED is lit solid), you must exit the temporary Solo Mode (by hitting another  
Channel button or the SOLO button) before you can enter Held Solo Mode.  
Mute a Channel  
The method used for muting Channels is similar to that used for the Solo  
function—first select the Channel, then perform an action. There are some  
differences, however.  
• You can mute as many Channels as necessary for your  
application.  
• Channels that are muted can be saved as part of a Preset.  
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.  
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.)  
•
•
•
Press the MUTE button.  
The yellow LED will go out.  
To clear mutes on other Channels, continue selecting  
Channels, followed by pressing the MUTE button to clear the  
mutes.  
Save the Preset with the mutes, if desired.  
25  
 
Aviom A-16II Personal Mixer User Guide  
Note: Solo mode will temporarily override a mute. This guarantees that  
you will always hear the Channels you solo. When you exit Solo  
mode, the Channels are returned to their previous state.  
Creating Groups  
When you need control over more than just a stereo pair of Channels as  
described earlier using the Link function, you can use the Group function  
to control multiple Channels. Up to three Groups can be created per user  
Preset. This means that every Personal Mixer can have up to forty-eight  
different Groups saved by using all sixteen user Presets.  
A Group can consist of any number of Channels, but Groups cannot  
overlap. That is, one Group cannot contain Channels that are part of another  
Group. Mono or linked stereo Channels can be part of a Group.  
As you create a Group, the Channel volume and pan settings of each Chan-  
nel added to a Group are retained. This helps to keep the overall blend of  
Channels that are part of a Group even while you adjust the Group’s overall  
volume. The VOLUME control changes the overall level of the Group.  
Some examples of Groups in use:  
• A Group allows background vocal parts from six singers to  
be adjusted together.  
• All the drums in a live drum kit can be combined to a single  
stereo mix for easy adjustment for the guitar player, while  
the drummer retains individual control over each drum in  
his mix.  
• Horns and woodwinds can be controlled together.  
• Rhythm section instruments 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.  
• Channels that are added to the Group will flash their upper  
red LED to indicate that they are now part of the Group.  
26  
 
To Save your Group, simply press the GROUP button again. The Group LED  
goes out and you are returned to your current Preset and live mix.  
In the current Preset, you will now see all Channel LEDs associated with a  
Group light whenever you press a Channel button that is included in your  
saved Group. The Channels now behave as one.  
Note: Remember to save the edited Preset if you want to recall the  
Preset with the new Group settings later.  
Creating Additional Groups  
Three Groups can be created and saved in each Preset in a Personal Mixer.  
Each Group can be created and/or edited as needed while live audio is  
playing through the system.  
The instructions in the previous section describe how to create and save the  
first Group in a mix. Creating additional Groups follows the same proce-  
dure. Use these steps to create a second and/or third Group.  
•
•
•
•
Select a Channel that is not currently part of an existing  
Group.  
Press the GROUP button to enter Group Mode. The Group  
LED will flash.  
Double-click any Channels that you want to add to the  
Group.  
To save the Group, press the GROUP button again. The  
flashing LED will go out.  
Shortcut: While in the Group edit mode, you can start the process of creat-  
ing a new Group while editing an existing Group. To do this,  
•
Press a Channel button that is not already part of the current  
Group being edited. Its red LED will light solid.  
•
•
•
•
Double-click Channels to add them to a new Group.  
Create a third Group by following the same procedure.  
Exit the Group edit mode to save the Groups.  
Save the Preset.  
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.  
27  
 
Aviom A-16II Personal Mixer User Guide  
Making Changes to a Group  
Once you have created a Group, you can edit it in a number of ways. You  
can add or delete Channels from the Group, and change individual Channel  
volume and pan settings.  
To change a Group, start by selecting a Channel that is already part of a  
Group. All Channel LEDs that are part of the Group will light. Press the  
GROUP button to enter the editing mode. The Group LED flashes.  
Changing Channel Settings Within a Group  
While editing a Group, you’ll notice that one LED in each Group is lit solid  
while the other LEDs are flashing. This solid LED indicates the Channel  
currently selected for editing. You can change its volume and panning  
without affecting the other components of the Group. The changes you  
make to volume and pan affect only the selected Channel, allowing you to  
change the relative balance of the individual components of your Group.  
Changes can be made in real time.  
To select a different Channel in a Group for editing, press one of the  
flashing LEDs (don’t double-click it). The new selection will light its LED  
solid, while the previously selected Channel will start to flash. Continue  
making changes as needed. Remember, volume and pan changes only affect  
the Channel whose LED is lit solid. Press the GROUP button again to exit  
Group Mode.  
Removing Channels From a Group  
When in the Group edit mode (the Group LED is flashing), changes can be  
made to the existing Groups. To remove a Channel from a Group, simply  
double-click the Channel that you want to remove. The flashing LED will  
go out. To add other Channels to a Group, double-click them. When you  
have double-clicked to remove all Channels that were previously part of the  
Group you’re editing, the Group will no longer exist. You need at least two  
Channels to have a valid group.  
Exit the Group edit mode by pressing the GROUP button again. The LED in  
the Group button will go out. This saves your changes to the Group.  
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.  
28  
 
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.  
Muting Groups  
Groups can be muted if necessary while creating a mix or editing. The  
procedure is the same as for muting a single Channel. To mute a Group:  
•
•
First select one of the Channels that is part of the Group.  
The upper (red) LED in each Channel button that is part of a  
Group will be lit solid.  
•
•
To mute the Group, simply press the MUTE button.  
The lower (yellow) LEDs in all Channel buttons contained  
in the Group will light, indicating that the Channels are now  
muted.  
•
Unmute the Group by pressing the MUTE button again while  
the Group is still selected.  
Note: The mute status of your Groups is saved as part of a Preset.  
Global Trim Function  
The Global Trim function can be used to lower all sixteen audio levels  
in a mix simultaneously, which is useful when some of the channels are  
nearing maximum level and additional mix balance changes are required.  
This function operates in a similar manner to a studio mixing console with  
automation; invoking the command calculates a new volume level for all  
channels.  
The Global Trim function drops the level of the mix by 6dB with each  
use, keeping the relative levels intact among the sixteen audio channels.  
Changes to volume levels are instantly updated and can be seen on the  
volume LED readout as each channel is selected. Note that as channels ap-  
proach their minimum volume level that the mix balance will change since  
the A-16II has no way of re-balancing the mix once the minimum level for a  
channel has been reached.  
The Trim function is labeled on the A-16II front panel, once near the GROUP  
button and once near the MUTE button to indicate the button combination  
used to perform the Global Trim.  
To Use the Global Trim function:  
• Hold the GROUP button down.  
29  
 
Aviom A-16II Personal Mixer User Guide  
• While still holding the GROUP button, press the MUTE button  
once.  
• The mix is trimmed by 6dB on all channels  
• Perform additional trims as needed.  
• Set the volumes on the current mix as needed.  
• Save the mix as a Preset to preserve the changes.  
Save  
Hold GROUP and then press MUTE to use the Global Trim function  
Making Changes to a Mix  
Once you have a basic monitor mix, you may want to make changes to fine  
tune the settings for the individual Channels. This is as simple as selecting  
the Channel and then adjusting the VOLUME and PAN knobs as required.  
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.  
Save a Preset  
Each Channel button on the A-16II front panel also serves as a memory  
location. Saving a mix as a Preset allows instant recall of up to sixteen mix  
scenes.  
To save a mix as a Preset:  
• Hold both the RECALL and GROUP buttons  
• While holding down RECALL and GROUP, press one of the  
Channel buttons (1 to 16) where you want the mix to be  
saved.  
30  
 
• All sixteen Channel buttons will flash briefly to indicate  
that the Save operate was successful.  
• Release the RECALL and GROUP buttons.  
Verify a Mix Memory Location  
When editing mix Presets, it is useful to know which Preset was the last  
one to be recalled in order to avoid overwriting Presets accidentally. When  
preparing to save a mix in the A-16II, the software will display the last  
mix Preset that was recalled when the RECALL and GROUP buttons are held  
simultaneously. The red LED in the Channel button that corresponds to the  
last recalled Preset will light as long as these two buttons are held.  
31  
 
Aviom A-16II Personal Mixer User Guide  
Applications  
This section describes how to set up and use the 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 Input module 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., do not  
affect the sound of the direct output.  
Aviom input modules can accept up to sixteen direct outputs. You can use  
balanced or unbalanced cables to connect audio, depending on the configu-  
ration of your mixer.  
The most likely scenario involves using a multi-cable snake to connect the  
main mixing board’s direct outs to the Input Module. It’s not a requirement,  
but rather a convenient method of keeping cable mess to a minimum.  
Follow these steps to create a monitor mix with direct outputs:  
• Connect a balanced or unbalanced cable from the direct  
output jack on the main mixer to the first input on the input  
module rear panel.  
• Repeat this procedure for the other console channels you  
want to add to the monitor mix.  
• Select an appropriate Input Level setting on the input  
module front panel.  
• Label the Personal Mixer with Channel names.  
• Begin playing audio into the Personal Monitor Mixing  
System. Select a Channel and set the volume and panning  
for each.  
• Save the mix as a Preset.  
At this point you can use the mix as is, or fine tune it by adding Groups,  
linking Channels, etc.  
Using Aux Sends to Create a Monitor  
Mix  
An Aux Send (sometimes referred to as an Effects Send) can be used alone  
or in combination with other audio sources to create a monitor mix.  
32  
 
Using a fairly typical layout of a console with four Aux Sends, here is  
what you could do to send audio to the input module to create a monitor  
mix. Again, remember that you can use any of the different types of audio  
signals available on your particular audio mixer to create a monitor mix  
(direct outputs, bus outputs, 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 input  
module and then on to the Personal Mixer units.  
The first task is to separate the instrumental and vocal parts into four  
sub-mixes. Imagine that we want a separate controllable level for the lead  
singer, background singers, drums, and the rest of the instruments. So, Aux  
Send 1 is assigned to Lead Vocals, Aux Send 2 is assigned to Background  
Vocals, Aux Send 3 is assigned to the drums, Aux Send 4 is assigned to  
the instruments. All that’s left to do is connect four cables from the mixing  
board’s Aux Sends to the input module.  
Turning up the Aux Send 1 level on the mixing console sends the lead vocal  
to the input module. Since there is only one singer, there’s no sub-mixing or  
balance setting required.  
The four musicians who sing background vocals will need to be blended  
at the main mixer. This will be done by sending audio from each of their  
microphones into Aux Send 2. By changing the aux send level, you control  
the blend of the four singers, without affecting the mix created by the faders  
on the main mixer.  
The same concept used to create a mix of all the background singer’s  
microphones is used for the drum kit and the instruments. The drums are  
sent to Aux Send 3, while the instruments are sent to Aux Send 4. At each  
musician’s Personal Mixer, a custom mix can now be created. The singer  
can have more instruments, the drummer can have less background vocals  
and no drums in the mix, the instrumentalists can have their own back-  
ground vocal level, etc.  
Studio Cue System  
In the studio, the flexibility of the Personal Monitor Mixing System will  
give performers more control of their headphone cue mix. At the same time  
it allows the engineer to spend less time fussing with the cue mix and more  
time making the tracks sound great.  
Making a cue mix from a recording console is essentially the same as  
when using a live mixing board. If your board has direct outputs or unused  
33  
 
Aviom A-16II Personal Mixer User Guide  
auxiliary sends, you can use the same techniques as described for live  
audio monitor mixes.  
Playback Monitoring  
In the studio, performers also need to listen back to tracks they have just  
recorded. If each performer is using a different mix while recording,  
playback of the track will be different in each set of headphones.  
If you can dedicate two inputs on the input module 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 input module 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.  
• Connect cables from the console for monitoring the fourteen  
performer Channels as described previously. Use direct  
outputs, aux sends, etc.  
• Patch the stereo mix output that you want the performers to  
hear into the remaining two Input module inputs.  
The idea is that you will create two Presets on the Personal Mixers for the  
performers. The first is their standard cue mix. It uses fourteen channels;  
the last two are muted. They can change it as needed while they work. The  
other Preset is the exact opposite. The performer’s fourteen cue channels  
are muted and the two channels containing the engineer’s playback mix are  
on.  
For the example, let’s assume that Channels 1 through 14 are used for  
performer cue playback. Channels 15 and 16 will be used to play back the  
recorded track.  
To complete the setup:  
• On the input module front panel, set the Link switch on  
Channels 15 and 16 to the linked position.  
• On each Personal Mixer create a basic mix of the fourteen  
channels of audio.  
• Mute Channels 15 and 16.  
• Save the Preset (to location #1, for example).  
• Create another Preset that has the first fourteen channels  
muted. (Shortcut: Start by recalling the All Channels Zero  
Preset by holding RECALL and then pressing MUTE.)  
• Set a volume for the playback on Channels 15 and 16.  
• Save the Preset (to location #16, for example).  
34  
 
When the musicians are cutting tracks, have them select Preset #1. Record  
tracks as usual, with each musician listening to their personal custom-  
ized cue mix. When you want to listen back to a recorded take, have the  
performers switch to Preset #16. They now hear the engineer’s mix. All  
players hear the same mix, that the engineer can control as needed.  
Of course the players can create additional cue mixes and save them to the  
remaining empty Preset locations as needed.  
Using Console Inserts  
When you use your console’s insert points to send audio signals to the Input  
module Transmitter for processing, you have some options. The patching  
on the rear panel of the input module 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 input module 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.  
Y Cable Insert  
The input module can be used with a console’s insert send/return loop just  
as if it were an effects processor. If you have a console with a single TRS  
jack used for send and return of the effects loop, a “Y” cable is used to split  
the signal into two components. One is the Send, the other is the Return.  
To use this type of insert with the input module, patch the Send cable into  
the In jack on the Input module. Then use the Return cable plugged into the  
Input module Thru jack to complete the loop back to the main mixer. The  
Input module is now patched into the channel with no change to the audio  
signal. The console sees the Input module as just another effects device.  
Adding Effects  
What if you need to add an effect such as a compressor to the same channel  
feeding the monitor system via the input module? There are a couple of  
options. For both examples, start with the cables set up as just described for  
the simple insert example. You’ll need one more cable.  
Monitor without the effect:  
• Remove the cable from the Thru jack of the Input module.  
• Plug it into the output of the effect.  
• Connect a cable from the Input module Thru jack to the  
input of the effect. The send/return loop is complete and  
35  
 
Aviom A-16II Personal Mixer User Guide  
now includes the effect. You do not hear the effect in the  
monitors.  
Monitor with the effect:  
• Remove the cable from the In jack of the Input module.  
• Plug it into the input of the effect.  
• Connect a cable from the output of the effect to the Input  
module In jack.  
• Leave the cable already connected to the Input module Thru  
jack as it is. It completes the loop.  
• To add the effect (such as a compressor) connect an insert Y  
cable’s TRS plug to the Input module In jack  
• Plug the Send cable on the other end of the Y cable to the  
input of the effect processor.  
• Plug the Return cable on the Y cable into the effect’s output.  
This completes the loop.  
You can wire much of the same functionality described above into a patch  
bay for more permanent installations. Remember to use the same type of  
cables and patch bays—balanced cables with balanced patch bays, unbal-  
anced cables with unbalanced patch bays.  
Note: This technique does not work with the AN-16/i Input Module.  
Using a Patch Bay  
The input module’s in and through connections can be wired into a patch  
bay for flexible and repeatable connections day after day. This concept can  
work for both studio applications and live performance.  
You can use either balanced patch bays or unbalanced. One point worth  
mentioning— use matched systems. That is, if you have a balanced patch  
bay, use balanced audio cables for interconnections. If your patch bay is  
unbalanced, use unbalanced cables.  
In and Thru Patching  
Not to be confused with patching the input module into a mixer’s insert  
send/return loop, this is a simple wiring idea for having access to the input  
module rear-panel In and Thru connections. It allows permanent installa-  
tions to have access to the flexible patching options of the Input module as  
needed.  
In the studio this allows you to patch direct outputs to the Input module one  
36  
 
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. A normalled  
patch bay is one that automatically sends the signal from one jack of the  
patch bay (typically the top row) to another jack (typically the lower jack).  
To connect a patch bay using this configuration:  
• Use balanced or unbalanced cables (depending on your  
patch bay) to connect the Input module row of Input jacks to  
one row of the patch bay.  
• Patch another set of cables from the Input module Thru  
jacks to another row of the patch bay.  
• Patch an audio signal into the Input row of the patch bay.  
• The signal is processed by the Transmitter. It will appear in  
the Personal Mixers.  
• To send the signal elsewhere in the studio, patch a cable into  
the Thru row on the patch bay.  
• Repeat these steps to add additional audio signals to the  
mix.  
Adding Effects to a Monitor Mix  
Sometimes you may want to have reverb, delays, etc. sent into the monitor  
system. This works for studio cue systems as well as for live applications.  
There are two ways of accomplishing this:  
• Patch the effects returns from the mixer into the Input  
module via insert points if available.  
• Connect the effects device outputs to the Input module first  
and then use the Thru jack on the Input module to complete  
the signal chain.  
In either case the performers can now decide how much reverb is required  
in their personal mix. And, they can save up to sixteen mixes with various  
amounts of effects in each.  
Adding Live Ambience to a Monitor  
Mix  
For performers using in-ear monitors in a live-performance situation, it  
may be desirable to add some room tone into the monitor system to help add  
a sense of space. This technique can be used with most live consoles. All  
you need is a way to send the signal from a pair of stage or room mics into  
the Input module Transmitter.  
If you are using direct outputs from channels to send instrument and mic  
37  
 
Aviom A-16II Personal Mixer User Guide  
signals into the Input module, 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. In fact it makes a great late-night jam session environment  
for keyboard players, guitarists, and electronic drummers, etc.  
To set up a silent headphone system for jamming:  
• Connect the outputs from stereo keyboards to inputs on the  
Input module.  
• If the keyboard player uses a sub-mixer, you can optionally  
connect the stereo output of the keyboard mixer to two  
inputs on the Transmitter.  
• Patch the output of a guitar amp simulator into a pair of  
inputs.  
• Connect an electronic drum kit’s outputs into the Input  
module.  
• Set the Link switches on the Input module for any stereo  
Channel pairs.  
Other Uses for the Personal Mixer  
Outputs  
The stereo audio outputs on the A-16II Personal Mixer can be used with  
stereo headphones, in-ear monitors, or powered speakers. But, since the  
outputs are at line level, they are capable of sending the current monitor  
mix to any audio device capable of using a line level audio signal.  
Record a Mix  
The output of your Personal Mixer can be used for recording. To connect  
the stereo TRS line output to some devices you may need to use an adapter  
to split the signal into two separate mono outputs—one for the left side, the  
other for the right. To record the output of a Personal Mixer:  
• Create a mix. Use panning, mutes, Groups etc. as required.  
• Save the Preset to a memory location.  
• Connect the line outputs of the Personal Mixer to the inputs  
of the recorder. (You may need a special cable to split the  
stereo signal into dual mono signals.)  
• Play back the mix you created.  
• Set an appropriate audio level for recording on the device.  
38  
 
Use the Master volume control to set a level that does not  
distort the inputs of the recorder.  
Using this technique you can quickly create a variety of recorded tracks  
for rehearsals, etc. by recording the different Preset mixes saved on your  
Personal Mixer.  
39  
 
Aviom A-16II Personal Mixer User Guide  
Troubleshooting  
Before contacting Customer Service, check the following list of common  
problems and solutions for help.  
Problem:  
Possible Solutions:  
• No input audio from the main mixing console. Check the  
No audio from Personal Mixer outputs  
levels of the main mixing board that the system is connected  
to.  
• Check the cables and connections between the main mixer  
and the personal monitor system. The Signal LEDs on the  
front of the input module can be used to confirm that audio  
is being received.  
• Bad cables; try a replacement.  
• All Channels on the Personal Mixer are at zero.  
• Master volume level on the Personal Mixer is at zero.  
• A-Net cables are not connected properly.  
Problem:  
Can’t change Presets  
Possible Solutions:  
• Make sure that the RECALL button has been pressed. Its  
LED will flash, indicating that you should press a numbered  
button to recall a Preset.  
Problem:  
Can’t hear a Channel that is part of a Group  
Possible Solutions:  
• The Group might be muted. Check the lower (yellow) LED  
in the Channel buttons. A lit yellow LED indicates the  
Channel is muted. To unmute it, press the MUTE button  
while the Group is selected. The yellow LED must be unlit  
in order to hear the audio on that channel.  
• The Channel volume is all the way down. In Group edit  
mode, select the Channel and check the level for that Chan-  
nel by looking at the LEDs in the Volume indicator. If no  
LEDs are lit, then the Channel is turned all the way down.  
Raise the volume by turning the Channel VOLUME knob;  
re-save the Group and Preset if necessary.  
Problem:  
The A-Net LED is on, but there is no sound  
Possible Solutions:  
• The A-Net Active LED indicates that the input to the  
receiving device is properly connected to another A-Net  
40  
 
device. It does not indicate that all devices in a system are  
properly connected, however. If you have two Personal Mix-  
ers connected together, the second Personal Mixer’s A-Net  
LED will light because the first Personal Mixer is correctly  
connected to it. Check that each device in the chain has a  
Category 5 cable plugged into it.  
• Check that the A-Net cables are connected in the correct  
order. The Cat 5 cable connected to the first Personal Mixer  
should be connected to the A-Net 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.)  
Possible Solutions:  
• The status of the stereo link is set by the Link switches on  
the input module. If a Preset is recalled and the position  
of the Link switch is different from when the Preset was  
saved, the Preset will be adjusted to agree with the current  
hardware settings on the input module’s front panel. If this  
happens, simply change the position of the Link switch  
on the input module. Your current mix will be updated  
immediately.  
Problem:  
A Channel was assigned to one Group and now it is suddenly  
part of a different Group.  
Possible Solutions:  
• When you link a pair of channels with the Link switch  
on the input module after a Group has been created, it is  
possible that channel characteristics could change. This in-  
cludes the volume, pan, mute status, and Group assignment.  
The rule to remember is that the even-numbered channel  
(the right side of the pair) will inherit the characteristics of  
the odd-numbered channel (left side of the pair).  
Problem:  
When editing a Group that contains a large number of Chan-  
nels, it seems like all of the LEDs are pulsing.  
Possible Solutions  
• This is a normal effect of the current-limiting circuit and is  
not an indication of a problem.  
41  
 
Aviom A-16II Personal Mixer User Guide  
Problem:  
I don’t think my Preset was saved.  
Possible Solutions:  
• When saving a Preset, make sure that the RECALL and  
GROUP buttons are both held down before pressing a  
memory location button. The Preset is saved when you  
release your finger from the memory location button. When  
a Preset has been saved correctly, you will see all sixteen  
Channel LEDs flash momentarily to confirm the save opera-  
tion.  
Problem:  
In Group mode, I can’t select a new Channel.  
Possible Solutions:  
• If you already have three Groups defined and attempt to  
select a new Channel that is not part of an existing Group,  
the button press is ignored. This happens you are trying to  
create a new which would exceed the limit of three Groups  
per Preset. Edit or delete an existing Group to continue.  
42  
 
A-16II Personal Mixer Specifications  
Digital to Analog Conversion:  
Bit Depth  
24 bit  
Sample Rates  
44.1kHz to 48kHz +/-10%  
-103dB  
Signal to Noise Ratio (Referenced to 0dB)  
EQ:  
Treble (shelving)  
+/- 12dB at 9kHz  
+/- 12dB at 160Hz  
Bass (shelving)  
Output:  
Works with 30 - 600 ohm  
headphones  
Headphone driver  
Maximum Levels Line/Headphone outputs  
+20dBu  
Impedance Line/Headphone outputs  
140 ohms  
Size  
10.75” w x 5.6” deep x 2.25”  
tall  
Dimensions  
Weight  
Options:  
MT-1  
3.4 lbs.  
mic stand mount  
43  
 
Index  
A
A-Net 7  
A-Net Active LED 11  
A-Net Connectors 18  
A-Net In 11, 18  
A-Net LED 40  
A-Net Out 11, 18  
AC Line Conditioning 3  
Adding Effects 35, 37  
Adding Live Ambience 37  
All Volumes Zero 17  
Audio Connections, Outputs 12  
Audio Outputs 18  
Automatic Plug Detection 19  
Aux Send 32  
B
Basic Navigation 17  
Bass 15, 19  
Bass and Treble knobs 15  
Bass tone control 11  
Button Behaviors 16  
C
cable 3  
Cables 5  
Cable Lengths  
Category 5 5  
Channel  
selecting 20  
Channel buttons 17  
Channel Labels 4  
Channel linking 17  
Cleaning and Maintenance 9  
clean the label writing area 4  
connecting stereo speakers 18  
Console Inserts 35  
Create a Mix 32  
creating a monitor mix 17, 21  
crossover cables 6  
 
D
daisy chain 12  
DC Power 12, 18  
DC Power supply 3  
default EQ setting 19  
default mix 17  
Direct Output 32  
E
Editing Groups 28  
Editing Interface 20  
Effects Sends 32  
EQ 16  
tone control 11  
F
Front Panel 14  
G
Global Controls 15  
global tone controls 19  
Global Trim 29  
Group 26, 27, 28, 40  
Group - Making Changes 28  
Group button 16  
Group Mode 14  
H
headphones 18  
Headphones/Line output 12  
Held Solo Mode 15, 24  
I
inline coupler  
Insert 35  
L
label strip 13  
LEDs 17  
Line/Headphone output 19  
Link 26, 34  
 
linked Channels 17, 21  
Linking Channels 22  
Live Ambience 37  
M
Master Volume 14, 16, 19  
Master volume control 11  
memory location 30  
Mix Memory Location 31  
Mix Mode 14  
modes 14  
Monitor with effects 36  
Mono 19, 21, 22  
Mono/Stereo Plug Detection 19  
Mono vs. Stereo output 18  
Mute 11, 17, 19, 23  
mute all 17  
Mute a Channel 25  
Mute button 17  
mute status 18  
Muting Groups 29  
O
Operational Modes 14  
Out, A-Net 18  
Outputs 12  
P
Package Contents 3  
Pan 20, 22  
Pan LEDs 21, 22, 30  
parallel 12  
Patch Bay 36  
Personal Mixer Components 11  
Playback Monitoring 34  
Plug Detection  
stereo/mono 19  
Power Connection 12  
Power Supplies 8  
Power supply 3  
power supply 8, 18  
power supply polarity 8  
Preset 17, 20  
Memory Location 30  
save 15, 30  
 
R
Recall button 16  
Recall Mode 14, 17  
Record a Mix 38  
red LED 16, 20, 26, 27  
Removing Channels From a Group 28  
replace the power supply 8  
RJ45 connector 5  
S
Save a Preset 30  
Save Mode 15, 16  
scribble strip 4  
Solo 11, 17, 23  
Held Solo 24  
Solo a Channel 23  
Solo button 17, 24  
Solo Mode 14  
Spread Control 23  
stereo headphones 18  
stereo input 21  
stereo input sources 22  
stereo speakers 18  
connecting 18  
Stereo vs. Mono output 18  
Studio Cue System 33  
System Interconnections 12  
T
Thru jack 35, 36, 37  
Thru Patching 36  
tone control  
EQ 11  
Tone Controls 15  
Treble 11, 15, 16, 19  
Trim 11  
Troubleshooting 40  
TRS 18  
U
uninterruptible power supply 3  
Unmute a Channel 25  
UPS 3  
 
V
Verify a Mix Location 31  
Volume knob 20  
Volume LEDs 20, 22, 30  
X
XLR input 19  
Y
Y-cord 19  
yellow LED 18  
Y Cable Insert 35  
 
Aviom Warranty Registration  
Please take a moment to fill in this warranty registration form. Return it to Aviom  
via mail or fax. All information will be kept confidential.  
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