Search Results for 'DX168 AB168'

[Nicola A&HKeymaster]

Hi Kris,
I’m afraid that’s not possible.
The AR2412, AB168 and AR84 operate at 48kHz and cannot be mixed with 96kHz DX/GX expanders on the same SLink port.

Each DX port on the GX4816 allows connection of either:
– A single DX32
– One or two DX168, DX164-W, DX012 in any combination
The DX2 port can also be used for connection to the ME personal mixing system.

If you already own an AR2412, then the best option is to use it with the Avantis SLink port, and get a gigaACE card to run the GX4816 on a separate Cat cable.
If you don’t have an AR2412 and are looking for I/O expansion, I would definitely recommend looking at DX expanders instead.

[Andre SParticipant]

Hi IraBob,

there is a quality difference in the stageboxes. I quote Keith Johnson here: “The DX168 uses dLive preamps – the analogue circuitry and conversion is of a higher level than the GLD/Qu AB168:”

And he goes on: “This document may be useful – (https://www.allen-heath.com/media/SLinkConnections_V1_4_0.pdf)”

Cheers

[Andre SParticipant]

Hi IraBob,

welcome to the forum.

Well, it depends on where you…just kidding 😉

I would go with slink.
For 32 inputs you could buy 1 GX4816 (€3411) 48in/24outs -> the all in one box solution but most expensive!
or 2 AB168 (€966/each) 32in/16out
or 2 DX168 (€1169/each) 32in/16out
or 1 AB168 (€966) plus 1 AR2412 (€922) 40in/20out
or 1 AB168/DX168/AR2412 and the In/Outs of your SQ5 (if you have a lot of XLR cables left or some analog snakes).

You can record at 48 or 96 kHz no matter what kind of stagebox you use, because the SLink port is doing the samplerate conversion. The SQ itself is processing things internally at 96kHz anyway. The samplerate for recording can be set individually.

Next, I would get an SSD an use SQs “SQ Drive”. That´s the USB port on top of the mixer.

To summarize what I would do and money is an issue:
1 SQ5 (€2400)
1 AR2412 (€922)
1 AB168 (€966)
1 SSD 1TB (about €100)
1 long cat5e running from FOH to Stagebox 1 (€80)
1 shorter cat5e running from stagebox 1 to stagbox 2 (€25)
= €4493

If you use the In/Outs on the back of your SQ you can save €966 be leaving out the AB168.
And I would highly recommand getting a case for your SQ (€220)

I looked up all prices at THOMANN. Not because I particularly like them, but it´s easy and quick to look up prices.

The streaming part:
If you use the USB B port on the back of your SQ, you can´t use the SQ Drive to multitrack record. You can´t use USB B and SQ Drive at the same time. Solution:
1) Don´t connect the mixer via USB B to the videomixer. The videomixer, that you probably have, has hopefully audio inputs. Then use a matrix out or aux of the SQ to make a mix for the stream.
2) If you have to connect the mixer via USB B to the streaming computer, you could get a waves card for the SQ expansion slot. This card will let you record up to 64 channels of multitrack rec.

SHope that helps a bit.

Btw.: I have a lot of tipps and tricks for the SQ mixer videos on my channel. Maybe you´ll find some help there, too.
SQ Mixer tutorials

[SteffenRParticipant]

all inputs are patchabel

16 Mic inputs, 1 Talkback, 6 Line level inputs 4 on TRS and two on mini jack
you can add an AR84 AB168 DX168 AR2412 or GX4816 without adding a card
if you add a Dante card you can patch 64 channels from the Dante network additional to the DX and the local I/O

have a closer look on this
DX-GX System Guide

[Mfk0815Participant]

+1 for the SQ5
I used to work with the AR2412 and the AB168 on my GLD80. Then I bought a SQ6 and used the Stageboxes also on the SQ. After selling the GLD with the Stageboxes I switch to the two DX168. Differences? Other sample rate, the old one have more latency because of the SRC and the output relays of the old one works fine on the SQ as well during shutdown, the DX168 do not seem to have such relay. (but I am not sure about that)

[TeddsterParticipant]

Seriously? Where did you get this info?

Below is from Keith of A&H:

Regarding the build – the AB168 and DX168 use the same metalwork 🙂
The DX168 uses dLive preamps – the analogue circuitry and conversion is of a higher level than the GLD/Qu AB168.
You mention maybe 3 stageboxes. If using AB168’s this would be possible with the addition of an SLink option card and an extra Cat5e run. With DX168’s you would add a DX Hub at the stage end to achieve this.
If you don’t need drops and plan to have all I/O in the same place, you could also check out the GX4816, this has the same technology as the DX168’s but in a 48×16 single 5U box.

[RoyParticipant]

Pretty sure you can’t use either as a stage box with your SQ5 I’m afraid. But as a proud owner of a QU Pac, I can safely say that they are just ticket for smaller events, especially pub gigs where space is tight.
Tour best bet is to get a DX168 which delivers the 96k of the desk, as opposed to a AB168 which is only 48k.

[BarryjamParticipant]

Dx168 is not compatible with Qu. The compatible stageboxes for QU line are ab168 or AR2412 or AR84.

DX168 are for Slink (not dsnake) on SQ line or Dlive.

[peterlandersParticipant]

See the document Keith linked to. Only two AB168s can be on a single SLink port, so for three you’d need an option card and a second cable run. DX168s *can* go on both, but he’s saying that’s not necessary: just need a DX hub on stage, so one run from the SQ to the stage instead of two.

That linked document shows all the (many) possible stage box configurations.

[KeithJ A&HModerator]

Hey @boota,

A few things to consider, and putting aside the 48vs96 debate as requested:

Regarding the build – the AB168 and DX168 use the same metalwork 🙂
The DX168 uses dLive preamps – the analogue circuitry and conversion is of a higher level than the GLD/Qu AB168.
You mention maybe 3 stageboxes. If using AB168’s this would be possible with the addition of an SLink option card and an extra Cat5e run. With DX168’s you would add a DX Hub at the stage end to achieve this.
If you don’t need drops and plan to have all I/O in the same place, you could also check out the GX4816, this has the same technology as the DX168’s but in a 48×16 single 5U box.

This document may be useful – (https://www.allen-heath.com/media/SLinkConnections_V1_4_0.pdf)

I will let others chime in about their experiences on tangible differences in sonic quality.

Cheers!
Keith.

so i’m looking at getting two or three 16×8 stageboxes for my church’s sq7. we are using the console for FOH and multitrack recording. are there any tangible differences in sonic quality or durability between the AB168 and the dx168 boxes? (also if we can keep this from becoming a 96 v 48 k flamewar i’d be thankful.)

[SwellParticipant]

The SLink IO card proved useful over the weekend. I needed to route audio around 2 city blocks for a car show. I ran 2x dx168s from the main SLink port, and then in the opposite direction I connected a AR2412 and a Ab168 to the SLink IO card. That allowed me to help route several speakers across a 1200’ span. Next I plan on grabbing a DX Hub and a few more DX168s to expand my systems flexibility/capability across 1500’. Thanks for the great documentation showing what the capabilities (and maximum limitations) are for the SQ!

[ScottParticipant]

Yes, you can connect the AR2412 to the GLD, then the AB168 to the expansion port of the AR2412 to get 40 channels.

Yes, you can get a rackmount kit for the AB168/DX168.

[MarkPAmanParticipant]

You know that you can use the AB168, AR2412, AR84 as well as the DX168 with the SQ desks if you just want inputs & outputs? If a second desk is really needed, one Qu-SB can be used.

If the problem is TS > XLR conversion, then there’s plenty of rack mount 8 way DI boxes you could get for much less money than a Qu-SB

[RyanParticipant]

Ah I see what you’re saying now – I misunderstood what you were pointing out (thought it was that the SQ-5 couldn’t handle 48 inputs). You’re right that the setup described still needs 48 physical inputs (only exception would be inputs coming over usb).

When OP said 32 inputs with a copper snake I assumed its an SQ-7, which could be paired with the DX168 or AB168 you mentioned for the 48 inputs.

Other combinations that could work for 48 inputs would be SQ-6 + AR2412, or SQ-5 with multiple stageboxes.