Allen & Heath
Allen & Heath AH-AB-168 16x8 Digital Stage Box
★★★★★
XLRPhantom power
Expand Your Audio Capabilities on Stage and in the StudioThe Allen & Heath AB168 Remote Audio Rack is a portable stage box solution for GLD and Qu series mixers. Featuring 16 XLR inputs and 8 XLR outputs, it offers flexible connectivity for live and installation settings. Specifications: Bra...
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Overview
Expand Your Audio Capabilities on Stage and in the Studio
The Allen & Heath AB168 Remote Audio Rack is a portable stage box solution for GLD and Qu series mixers. Featuring 16 XLR inputs and 8 XLR outputs, it offers flexible connectivity for live and installation settings.
Specifications:
- Brand: Allen & Heath
- Model: AH-AB-168
- Type: Remote Audio Rack/Portable Stage Box
- Inputs: 16 XLR Mic Preamps
- Outputs: 8 XLR Line Outs
- Compatibility: Allen & Heath GLD and Qu Series
- Connectivity: dSNAKE protocol via EtherCon
Key Features
16 mic preamps on XLR, 8 XLR line outs
Compatible with GLD and Qu
Phantom power LED per Input
dSNAKE connection with locking Ethercon port
Additional locking Ethercon port for daisy chaining/ME personal mixing system
Specifications
Brand
Allen & Heath
Model
AH-AB-168
Inputs
16 mic preamps on XLR
Outputs
8 XLR line outs
Compatibility
GLD and Qu digital mixing systems
Input Indicators
Phantom power LED per Input
Primary Connection
dSNAKE with locking Ethercon port
Secondary Connection
Additional locking Ethercon port for daisy chaining/ME personal mixing system
Pros & Cons
👍 Pros
- Features 16 high-quality mic preamps on XLR, offering ample inputs for various audio sources.
- Equipped with 8 XLR line outputs, providing sufficient channels for sending audio to multiple destinations.
- Includes a phantom power LED for each input, allowing for easy visual confirmation of power status.
- Utilizes a dSNAKE connection with a locking Ethercon port, ensuring a secure and reliable digital audio link.
- Provides an additional locking Ethercon port for convenient daisy-chaining or integration with an ME personal mixing system.
👎 Cons
- Specifically compatible with GLD and Qu systems, which limits its use with other digital mixers.
- Does not include any built-in processing or effects, serving solely as an input/output stage box.
- Requires a dSNAKE connection, meaning traditional analog multicore cables cannot be used for connectivity.
- The unit may necessitate additional power supply, as no power features beyond phantom are specified.
- Lacks any local control interface for input gain or other settings, relying entirely on the connected mixer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many microphone inputs does the Allen & Heath AH-AB-168 stage box offer?
The Allen & Heath AH-AB-168 stage box provides 16 mic preamps on XLR inputs, allowing for a substantial number of microphones or line-level sources.
Which digital mixing systems are compatible with this stage box?
This stage box is compatible with both the GLD and Qu series digital mixing systems from Allen & Heath.
Does the stage box indicate when phantom power is active for a microphone?
Yes, there is a dedicated phantom power LED per input, providing clear visual confirmation of its status for each connected microphone.
What type of connection does the AH-AB-168 use for digital audio?
The AH-AB-168 utilizes a dSNAKE connection, which is secured by a locking Ethercon port for reliable digital audio transmission.
Can multiple AH-AB-168 units be connected together?
Yes, the stage box features an additional locking Ethercon port specifically designed for daisy chaining multiple units or connecting to an ME personal mixing system.
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