Rane AM2 User manual

AUTOMIXER
AM2

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION
To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not open the unit. No user
serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualied service personnel.
e symbols shown below are internationally accepted symbols that warn
of potential hazards with electrical products.
is symbol indicates that a dangerous voltage
constituting a risk of electric shock is present within
this unit.
is symbol indicates that there are important
operating and maintenance instructions in the
literature accompanying this unit.
WARNING
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 manufacturer’s instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including ampliers) 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 ground-
ing-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. e wide blade or third prong is provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not
t into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10. Protect the power cord and plug from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where it exits from
the apparatus.
11. Only use attachments and accessories specied by Rane.
12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specied 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 qualied service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as 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. e plug on the power cord is the AC mains disconnect device and must remain readily operable. To completely disconnect this apparatus from
the AC mains, disconnect the power supply cord plug from the AC receptacle.
16. is apparatus shall be connected to a mains socket outlet with a protective earthing connection.
17. When permanently connected, an all-pole mains switch with a contact separation of at least 3 mm in each pole shall be incorporated in the electri-
cal installation of the building.
18. If rackmounting, provide adequate ventilation. Equipment may be located above or below this apparatus, but some equipment (like large power
ampliers) may cause an unacceptable amount of hum or may generate too much heat and degrade the performance of this apparatus.
19. is apparatus may be installed in an industry standard equipment rack. Use screws through all mounting holes to provide the best support.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of re or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture. Apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping
or splashing and no objects lled with liquids, such as vases, shall be placed on the apparatus.
NOTE: is 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.
ese limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. is 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 commu-
nications. However, there is no guarantee that interference 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 o and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interfer-
ence 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 dierent from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
CAUTION: Changes or modications not expressly approved by Rane Corporation could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
is Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
Shielded CAT5e or better cables are required in order to comply with the FCC Rules part 15 limits for a Class B digital device.

Manual-1
AM2
AUTOMATIC MIXER
OPERATORS MANUAL
WEAR PARTS: is product contains no wear parts.
QUICK START
If you’re setting up the AM2 automixer, then this Quick Start is
for you. It’s intended to get your audio working quickly in just
422 words.
Plug microphones into the Mic Inputs using standard XLR
mic cables. Condenser mics need the MIC +48V switch position.
Use the MIC +0V middle position for dynamic mics. Use the
WIRELESS MIC position when connecting a wireless receiver
output.
Connect the Main Output XLR to your amplier or powered
loudspeaker and select the LINE switch position. If the Main
Output feeds a microphone input, select the MIC position.
Start with the gray OUTPUT LEVEL knob turned all the
way down – fully counterclockwise. One at a time for each mic,
talk very loudly with a microphone at an appropriate distance
for the application and adjust the corresponding black LEVEL
control so the loudest speech just barely ickers the red overload
(OL) indicators. Once the input gains are set, the AM2 automat-
ically controls the mic mix to avoid feedback. (You won’t need to
ride these controls.)
Turn on the amplier/loudspeaker and turn it up about half
way. Also turn the OUTPUT LEVEL knob up until the volume
is appropriate for your application.
AM2
AUTOMIXER
POWER
LOCATE
OUT
IN
CASCADE
RAD
1
MIC INPUTS
SIG
OL
2
SIG
OL
LEVEL
3
SIG
OL
LEVEL
4
SIG
OL
LEVEL
5
SIG
OL
LEVEL
6
SIG
OL
LEVEL
7
SIG
OL
LEVEL
8
SIG
OL
LEVEL
OUTPUT
SIG
OL
LEVELLEVEL
POWER
COMM
AUDIO RX
AUDIO TX
If the system feeds back (that horrible squeal), your mics
are hearing too much from your loudspeakers. First try moving
the mics farther from the loudspeaker and/or pointing the mics
and loudspeakers away from each other. Next, try turning down
the gain on the amplier or loudspeaker. If this does not reduce
feedback, don’t reach for the black Mic Input knobs, instead turn
down the OUTPUT LEVEL.
Daisy-chain up to eight AM2s together by connecting
CASCADE IN to CASCADE OUT. e Main Output on each
AM2 delivers a gain-sharing automix of it’s Mic Inputs and all
upstream Inputs. is means the mix of all Mic Inputs is on the
Main Output of the last AM2 in the daisy-chain. ough each
AM2’s OUTPUT LEVEL control always adjusts the volume of
it’s respective XLR OUTPUT, the last OUTPUT LEVEL aects
all Mic Inputs to it’s Main Output including the RAD PORT.
If your AM2(s) connect to a Rane Mongoose or HAL, the
last AM2 in the cascade needs its RAD PORT connected with
a shielded CAT5e cable (or better) to one of the Mongoose or
HAL’s rear panel Remote Audio Device ports. Some systems may
provide a RADX wall plate to connect the RAD Port cable.
If you have line sources such as iPods® or CD/DVD players
you would like to mix with these mics, or would like USB audio
playback or recording, look at the Rane AM1.

Manual-2
FRONT PANEL DESCRIPTION
1MIC INPUT LEVEL controls adjust the mic input gain. e green Signal indicators inform of audio presence. Overload
indicators warn of excessive signal levels.
2Main OUTPUT LEVEL control adjusts the level of the mix exiting the XLR output and the RAD Port output. When connected
to an AM1 or AM2 CASCADE IN port, the AM2 OUTPUT LEVEL only aects the XLR Output.
3CASCADE IN, CASCADE OUT and RAD status indicators prove that proper cable termination and device conguring has
occurred when all four indicators illuminate, when the AM2 is connected to an AM1 or other AM2s. If any of these are o or
ashing, a conguration or wiring error is the culprit.
4LOCATE indicator helps system installers identify a specic AM2 Automixer when using Rane’s Mongoose Tracker or Halogen
software.
5POWER indicator lights whenever adequate power is applied to the unit.
AM2
AUTOMIXER
POWER
LOCATE
OUT
IN
CASCADE
RAD
1
MIC INPUTS
SIG
OL
2
SIG
OL
LEVEL
3
SIG
OL
LEVEL
4
SIG
OL
LEVEL
5
SIG
OL
LEVEL
6
SIG
OL
LEVEL
7
SIG
OL
LEVEL
8
SIG
OL
LEVEL
OUTPUT
SIG
OL
LEVELLEVEL
POWER
COMM
AUDIO RX
AUDIO TX
1 2 3 45

Manual-3
REAR PANEL DESCRIPTION
1AC Power IEC input accepts electrons to power up the AM2. ough it is rst in this list, it’s best to connect it last.
2FAULT indicator lights when something goes awry.
LOCATE indicator ashes when toggled from the Mongoose Tracker or Halogen software. When using multiple AM2 devices in
a Rane Mongoose or HAL System, this uniquely identies a specic AM2.
USB indicator lights when a Windows or Apple operating system recognizes the AM2 for rmware updating.
POWER indicator glows when owing electrons pass in and out of the AC Power IEC input.
3USB DATA connector allows updating the AM2 rmware should a future need arise. Firmware updates are made available on the
AM2 page at www.rane.com/am2.html.
4CASCADE IN port permits adding up to 56 more microphones to the AM2’s eight mic inputs using up to seven Rane AM2
automixers, sold separately. Use shielded Ethernet CAT 5e cable (or better) connected from the AM2’s CASCADE OUT. See the
Connection section for details.
5One jack, two functions: e CASCADE OUT connects to an AM1 or another AM2’s CASCADE IN when combining units for
more gain-sharing mics. e RAD PORT connects to either a Rane Mongoose or HAL’s Remote Audio Device port to transport
the single-channel, Main Mix of the AM2 to a Rane HAL Multiprocessor, or a Rane Mongoose.
6MAIN OUTPUT XLR connector contains the main mix of all mics from this AM2, and all mics from preceding AM2s, if they
are connected using the CASCADE ports. e front panel OUTPUT LEVEL control adjusts the level exiting this jack.
MIC/LINE Output switch changes this Main XLR Output to mic-level, for feeding the output mix to a mic input device; or
line-level for feeding line-level input devices.
73-position switches support:
MIC +48V phantom power Mic position for condenser mics.
MIC +0V Mic position for dynamic mics.
WIRELESS MIC position intended for wireless mic receiver outputs.
Each switch controls a pair of mic inputs, as indicated by the rear panel grouping of two jacks for one switch.
8MIC INPUTS 1 thru 8accept dynamic or condenser microphones, or the output of a wireless microphone receiver. ese inputs
are optimized for speech and have a xed 80 Hz low-cut and 7 kHz high-cut lter. Both lters are 2nd-order Butterworth lters.
CASCADE
RAD PORT
USB
DATA
OUTPUT MIC INPUTS
12345678
100-240V
13 WATTS50/60 Hz
MADE IN
U.S.A.
RANE CORP.
ACN 001 345 482
AM2
MIC +48V MIC +0V WIRELESS MIC MIC +48V MIC +0V WIRELESS MIC MIC +48V MIC +0V WIRELESS MIC MIC +48V MIC +0V WIRELESS MIC
INOUT
USB
LOCATE
FAULT
POWER
24 VDC @ 100 mA
CLASS 2 WIRING
MIC LINE
1
2
3
4
5 6 87

Manual-4
CONNECTION
Connect the AC power cord last to avoid loudspeakers hurting
your sensitive ears.
MIC INPUTS
e eight mic jacks are balanced XLR inputs. Unbalanced mics
or wiring can also be used with their inherent lower quality and
higher potential for hum and noise. Standard microphone cable
with a two-conductor twisted pair plus a shield is best. Rane
follows the AES recommended practice of pin 2 positive (hot),
pin 3 negative, and pin 1 to shield. If your microphone is unbal-
anced (only two conductors), see the Sound System Interconnec-
tion RaneNote elsewhere in this manual or on Rane’s website for
the proper cable to use. Or better yet, get a balanced mic.
For condenser microphones which require phantom power,
use the MIC +48V switch position. Dynamic mics use the
center, MIC +0V position. When using a wireless microphone
receiver, use the WIRELESS MIC position.
MAIN OUTPUT
e Main Output is a mono balanced XLR jack. Connect the
Main Output XLR using mic cable to your amplier or powered
loudspeaker and select the LINE position on the adjacent switch.
If the Main Output feeds a microphone snake or mic input,
select the MIC switch position.
USB DATA PORT
Check the AM2 page on Rane’s website for potential rmware
updates at www.rane.com/am2.html
If there is an update, follow the instructions on our website.
When using the AM2 with Mongoose Tracker or Halogen
software, AM2 rmware is always kept up to date via the AM2’s
R AD PORT.
RAD PORT
If your audio system delivers the AM2’s Main Output audio
mix using Rane’s digital audio transport technology exiting the
RAD Port, connect a shielded Ethernet patch cable to the RAD
Port. When the Rane HAL or Mongoose at the other end of
this connection recognizes the AM2’s RAD Port, audio nirvana
is achieved and all four adjacent RAD Port Status indicators
illuminate.
CASCADE IN / OUT PORTS
Connect a shielded Ethernet patch cable from the CASCADE
IN port to another AM2’s CASCADE OUT port to add more
mics to the mix of this AM2. All four CASCADE IN Status
Indicators illuminate when the two devices recognize each other.
Connect up to seven more Rane AM2 Automixers for a total of
64 gain-sharing mics. Be certain to connect CASCADE OUT
to CASCADE IN throughout – otherwise, nirvana won’t be
achieved.
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
REMOTE AUDIO DEVICES & DRs
DIGITAL REMOTES
EXPANSION BUS
ETHERNET
REMOTE AUDIO DEVICES
DIGITAL REMOTES
123412345678
4
12345678
321
LINK
LAN
LINK
COMM
POWER
COMM
POWER
AUDIO TX
AUDIO RX
MIC / LINE INPUTS
LINE OUTPUTS
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
RELAY OUT
LOGIC IN
C
NC
NO
C
NC
NO
G
4
3
2
1
G
2
1
SHIELDED CAT5e OR BETTER 24 VDC @ 100 mA24 VDC @ 50 mA
ACN 001 345 482
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause
harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
MADE IN U.S.A.
RANE CORP.
HAL1
100-240 V
50/60 Hz 55 WATTS CLASS 2 WIRING
CASCADE
RAD PORT
USB
DATA
OUTPUT MIC INPUTS
12345678
100-240V
13 WATTS
50/60 Hz
MADE IN
U.S.A.
RANE CORP.
ACN 001 345 482
AM2
MIC +48V MIC +0V WIRELESS MIC MIC +48V MIC +0V WIRELESS MIC MIC +48V MIC +0V WIRELESS MIC MIC +48V MIC +0V WIRELESS MIC
INOUT
USB
LOCATE
FAULT
POWER
24 VDC @ 100 mA
CLASS 2 WIRING
MIC LINE
CASCADE
RAD PORT
USB
DATA
OUTPUT MIC INPUTS
12345678
100-240V
13 WATTS
50/60 Hz
MADE IN
U.S.A.
RANE CORP.
ACN 001 345 482
AM2
MIC +48V MIC +0V WIRELESS MIC MIC +48V MIC +0V WIRELESS MIC MIC +48V MIC +0V WIRELESS MIC MIC +48V MIC +0V WIRELESS MIC
INOUT
USB
LOCATE
FAULT
POWER
24 VDC @ 100 mA
CLASS 2 WIRING
MIC LINE
CASCADE
RAD PORT
USB
DATA
OUTPUT MIC INPUTS
12345678
100-240V
13 WATTS
50/60 Hz
MADE IN
U.S.A.
RANE CORP.
ACN 001 345 482
AM2
MIC +48V MIC +0V WIRELESS MIC MIC +48V MIC +0V WIRELESS MIC MIC +48V MIC +0V WIRELESS MIC MIC +48V MIC +0V WIRELESS MIC
INOUT
USB
LOCATE
FAULT
POWER
24 VDC @ 100 mA
CLASS 2 WIRING
MIC LINE
HAL1 Multiprocessor
AM2 Automixer
AM2 Automixer
AM2 Automixer (up to eight)

Manual-5
MIC INPUTS
e rear panel, three position switch sets the appropriate gain for
condenser, dynamic and wireless microphones as well as select-
ing phantom power for condenser microphones. e Mic Inputs
are automatically mixed using a gain-sharing algorithm. Set
the inputs using the black knobs so they do not (or rarely) clip.
en, sit back and relax. If you’ve already set up the inputs and
someone starts talking louder/closer than you expected, feel free
to turn them down a little.
e green Signal indicators should easily light for soft talk-
ers even at relatively low Level settings. e Overload indicator
should light only occasionally for only the loudest talkers.
Since these Mic Inputs and their underlying gain-sharing au-
tomix algorithm are designed and optimized for speech signals,
do not use these Inputs with non-speech audio signals such as
those from musical instruments or CD/DVD players.
MAIN OUTPUT
e Main Output of an AM2 delivers the gain-sharing automix
of it’s Mic Inputs and all upstream inputs. e gray OUTPUT
LEVEL control knob always adjusts the level of the Main Out-
put. Remember, if mulitple AM2s are daisy-chained together
(using CASCADE IN / OUT ports), the automatic mix of all
microphones in the system is present at the Main Output of the
last AM2 in the daisy-chain.
CASCADE IN PORT
e Cascade Input allows more mics to be added to the gain-
sharing mic mix algorithm of the AM2’s eight Mic Inputs.
When a shielded Ethernet patch cable fed from another AM2’s
CASCADE OUT port is connected to the next AM2’s CAS-
CADE IN port, all cascaded AM2 microphones are automati-
cally added to the automatic Mic Mix of the last AM2 in the
chain. (US Patent Pending.)
Cascade audio is 24-bit, 48 kHz, xed-point for the curious
audio nerd.
When all four Cascade Status indicators light, this means
the cable is wired properly. If any of the Status indicators are
ashing, the cable is not wired properly or damaged. In this case,
perhaps an Ethernet crossover cable was accidentally connected,
or the cable crimp has an error.
We recommend using shielded twisted-pair for the best EMI
performance.
CASCADE IN Status indicators are dened below:
AUDIO Tx LED – lights when the AM2’s audio is successfully
transmitted to, and received by, the AM2. If this is o, check
the cable.
AUDIO Rx LED – lights when the connected AM2 successfully
sends audio which also proves this twist in the cable is correct.
COMM LED – lights green when the AM2’s CASCADE OUT
is properly communicating with the other AM2 and proves
that the twisted pair for Comm in the cable is good. If this
indicator is o, the cable is not a happy camper.
POWER LED – is always on when the AM2 is powered. If the
AM2 is powered and this is o, make sure the power twisted
pair in the connected cable is not shorted.
AM2
AUTOMIXER
POWER
LOCATE
OUT
IN
CASCADE
RAD
1
MIC INPUTS
SIG
OL
2
SIG
OL
LEVEL
3
SIG
OL
LEVEL
4
SIG
OL
LEVEL
5
SIG
OL
LEVEL
6
SIG
OL
LEVEL
7
SIG
OL
LEVEL
8
SIG
OL
LEVEL
OUTPUT
SIG
OL
LEVELLEVEL
POWER
COMM
AUDIO RX
AUDIO TX
OPERATION

Manual-6
©Rane Corporation 10802 47th Ave. W., Mukilteo WA 98275-5000 TEL [phone] FAX [phone] WEB rane.com
112243
CASCADE OUT / RAD PORT
is port functions as a CASCADE OUT port when con-
nected to the CASCADE IN port of a Rane AM1 or AM2 (sold
separately). Connect the CASCADE OUT port of an AM2 to
the CASCADE IN port of another automixer, to add it’s Mic
Inputs and all upstream inputs into the automatic gain-sharing
mix of the downstream mixer. When cascaded, the signal on
the CASCADE OUT port is unaected by the gray OUTPUT
LEVEL control.
is port functions as a RAD Port when connected to a
Rane Mongoose or HAL (sold separately). e RAD port con-
tains a Rane-specic digital audio transport protocol allowing
audio delivery to a HAL Multiprocessor or Mongoose (Co-
braNet™). e audio exiting the RAD port contains the Main
Mix and is attenuated by the gray OUTPUT LEVEL control.
For inquisitive technophiles, RAD Port audio is 24-bit,
48kHz, xed-point.
CobraNet is a trademark of Cirrus Logic Inc.
CASCADE
RAD PORT
USB
DATA
OUTPUT MIC INPUTS
12345678
100-240V
13 WATTS50/60 Hz
MADE IN
U.S.A.
RANE CORP.
ACN 001 345 482
AM2
MIC +48V MIC +0V WIRELESS MIC MIC +48V MIC +0V WIRELESS MIC MIC +48V MIC +0V WIRELESS MIC MIC +48V MIC +0V WIRELESS MIC
INOUT
USB
LOCATE
FAULT
POWER
24 VDC @ 100 mA
CLASS 2 WIRING
MIC LINE
RAD PORT Status indicators are dened below:
AUDIO Tx LED – lights green when audio is received by a
Mongoose, HAL or AM2. If this indicator is o, either the
cable is bad, or there is a communications error between the
devices (see COMM LED below).
AUDIO Rx LED – lights green when the RAD Port successfully
receives audio from the Mongoose, HAL or cascaded AM2. If
this indicator is o, you may have a bad cable, or the device at
the other end of the cable is not powered or connected.
COMM LED – lights green when communication is established
between the Mongoose, HAL or a cascaded AM1 or AM2.
is indicator turns o if the RAD Port cannot communcate
with the other device for some reason – likely due to a faulty
cable.
POWER LED – lights green when the RAD Port is receiving 24
volt power from the Mongoose, HAL or cascaded device. is
also indicates that the twisted pair for power within the cable
is wired and crimped properly. If the Power LED is o and
the other end of the cable is plugged into a powered device,
there is a problem with the cable.