Allen&Heath M-ACE User Manual

iLive ACE Option AP7652

Instructions

Part number M-ACE-A

M-ACE is one of several plug-in card options that may be fitted to

the iLive Series. It can provide a multi channel digital audio and
network control link between two MixRacks or between a MixRack
and Surface using a single CAT5 cable. ACE offers an alternative to
EtherSound and other networking standards providing a digital
audio snake for situations where point-to-point rather than
distributed network connection is required.

ACE (Audio and Control over Ethernet) is a proprietary Allen &

Note For firmware V1.5 this option is

not supported in the iLive Surface RAB2
module Port B. The only option
supported in Surface Port B is the MMO
module (ADAT, iDR link).

Lnk/Act

Error

BRIDGE
CONTROL
NETWORK

1

Lnk/Act

Error

2

Lnk/Act

Error

Heath system for transporting control and audio between MixRacks
or between MixRack and Surface using standard RJ45 connectors
and CAT5e Ethernet cable. It allows very low latency point-to-point
connection of up to 64 audio channels in both directions. It can
transport network control (TCP/IP Ethernet) over the same
connection meaning that just one cable may be used to link devices.
Cable length is up to 120m (400’) depending on cable type .

Lnk/Act Yellow indicator flashes steadily to indicate that the
network is linked and active. It lights solid if the port is connected to
a second cable available as a redundant link.

Error Red indicator lights when a connection or data error is
detected. It is normal for it to light briefly when the cable is plugged
or unplugged.

BRIDGE CONTROL NETWORK Lets you link to a NETWORK port
so that the Ethernet control can be transported over the same cable.
A short network link cable is provided with the kit. If you do not
need the network connection between the devices then leave this
unplugged. If you use the bridge make sure there is no additional
NETWORK cable connection between the devices.

ACE Port 1 Use a CAT5 cable to connect to the ACE port on the
other device.

ACE Port 2 A second port is available for optional redundant
backup connection using a second cable. There is no interruption
to the audio when switching between main and redundant
connection.

REMOTE AUDIO 2

ON

0

SYSTEM LOCK

Fitting to iDR-32 and iDR-48

These MixRacks and the T Series surfaces already have one ACE

Port B

NETWORK

BRIDGE

10

PAFL
(CHK)

Lnk/Act

Error

Port A

BRIDGE
CONTROL
NETWORK

1

Lnk/Act

Error

2

Lnk/Act

Error

Port B

SYNC
IN

AUDIO
CLOCK

SYNC
OUT

PAFL

(CHK)

10

0

SYSTEM LOCK

ON

REMOTE AUDIO 2

NETWORK

BRIDGE

CONTROL

Lnk/Act

Error

1

Port A

CONTROL

Lnk/Act

Error

1

Lnk/Act

Error

Lnk/Act

Error

2

Port B

Lnk/Act

Lnk/Act

Error

2

SYNCINSYNC

AUDIO

port built in for linking audio and control to/from a connected
Surface. The M-ACE card option may be fitted to Port B to add a
second ACE connection for linking audio between MixRacks.

Make sure the MixRack is switched off. Remove the 2 screws
securing the blank panel over Port B. Slide the M-ACE card into the
slot and press it firmly into the mating connector. Secure the card in

Error

place using the 2 screws.

Fitting to iDR10 and iLive Surfaces

The option card can be fitted into the Port A (MixRack or Surface) or
Port B (MixRack only) slot in the Remote Audio 2 (RAB2) module.
Systems fitted with the older Remote Audio module can be
upgraded with the new RAB2 module.

Note The option port is not available on the T Series surfaces.

Make sure the System is switched off. Remove the 2 screws
securing the blank panel over the port slot . Slide the M-ACE card

OUT

CLOCK

into the slot and press it firmly into the mating connector. Secure
the card in place using the 2 screws.

iLive M-ACE Option Instructions AP7652 issue 2 1

FOH SYSTEM

K

g

T Series Surface

ACE

audio

control

iDR-48

Port B
ACE

digital audio snake

Mic split for FOH/Monitor/Recording

Bi-directional audio routing

audiocontrol

iDR-48

Port B
ACE

Network
Bridge

redundant backup

digital audio snake

network link

Wireless router for PC running Editor

T Series Surface

ACE

iDR10

Port A

T Series Surface

iDR-32

iDR-32

Network
Link

MONITOR SYSTEM

ACE

audiocontrol

audio

control

Remember to plug in
the NETWORK
brid

e cable!

BRIDGE

NETWOR

Linking MixRacks

Link audio between two systems Use a

single CAT5 cable to link up to 64 channels of
audio in both directions between two systems.
For example, create a digital mic splitter for a
FOH/Monitor system or to another system for
broadcast or recording. Signals such as
talkback and inter-system communications can
also be transported in either direction. Use the
OUTPUTS screen Port B patchbay at either end
to choose the signals to send via the link.

Bridge Network control over the same cable
Use the short cables to link one of the
NETWORK ports to the ACE Bridge socket at
both ends. Use this if you want to put both
systems on to the same TCP/IP network, for
example for one laptop to access either system
using two sessions of Editor.

Tunnel another TCP/IP network through ACE
You can use the Bridge socket to transport a
non-related 3
lighting or amplifier system controller. Make
sure their IP addresses do not conflict with
those of the iLive systems.

Redundant backup cable Use the second ACE
port if you want to run a second CAT5 cable as
a backup. Audio switches seamlessly between
the two in the event of one cable becoming
damaged or disconnected.

Surface to MixRack link

ACE can be used to provide a simple, single
cable point-to-point link between the Surface
and MixRack transporting both the audio and
control. The iDR-32, iDR-48 and T Series
surfaces already have Port A ACE built in for this
purpose. The iDR10 MixRack and standard
iLive Surfaces can have the M-ACE option fitted
to Port A to provide the single cable rack to
surface link instead of the two cable network
and EtherSound (or other networking standard)
link.

rd

party TCP/IP network such as a

Note To use the M-ACE option with the iDR10

and iLive surfaces make sure they have the

iLive Surface

Network
Link

Port A

Port B option

12

Optional

Redundant

Backup

Single CAT5

iDR10

2 iLive M- ACE Option Instructions AP7652 issue 2

(control + audio)

Network
Link

1
2

RAB2 Remote Audio 2 module fitted. Systems
fitted with the earlier Remote Audio module may
be upgraded to Rab2.

To combine the audio and network connection
over the same CAT5 cable make sure you link
one of the NETWORK ports to the ACE BRIDGE
socket. Do this using the short CAT5 cable
provided wherever the M-ACE card is fitted.

The iDR-32, iDR-48 and T Series surfaces bridge
the network to ACE internally for their built-in
ACE port.

Redundant backup cable Use the second ACE
port if you want to run a second CAT5 cable as
a backup between MixRack and Surface.