ALLEN & HEATH ME-U - Personal Mixer Hub Manual

Introduction to ME-U

The ME Personal Mixing System is a uniquely flexible yet intuitively easy to operate solution giving individual musicians, performers and presenters the freedom to control their own monitor sound on stage.

ME-1 Personal mixer

• Up to 40 channels
• User assignable keys
• Master limiter and 3-band EQ
• 16 User presets
• Group function
• Name display
• 3.5mm Jack Aux input
• Built-in ambient mic
• Built-in signal generator
• Includes stand bracket
• Includes headphone hook

ME-500 Personal mixer

• Up to 16 mono/stereo channels
• Auto key assignment
• Master limiter and 2-band EQ
• 8 User presets

ME-500 and ME-1 mixers can be combined within the same ME system.
ME-U is a touring grade, 10 port PoE hub for use with Allen & Heath ME personal mixers. It provides power and up to 40 channels of audio to multiple ME-1 or ME-500 mixers. ME-U comes with a standard input card to interface with Allen & Heath digital mixers or Aviom^® A-Net^® sources. This card can be replaced with an option card to interface the ME with third party mixing systems.

Features:

• 10 ports to connect ME-1 / ME-500
• Hubs can be linked for more ports
• Power (PoE) available on all ports
• Locking EtherCon connectors
• Standard ME-D input card works with
  dLive ME monitor port
  dSNAKE (Qu, SQ and GLD mixers)
  ACE (iLive system)
  Aviom^® A-Net^® 16
• Option cards to interface to other systems
  Dante
  MADI
  EtherSound
  Waves (V2 card)
• Network port for setup
• Names and stereo links can be received or manually set
• Rugged 2U rack mount construction
• Quiet fan cooling

Front Panel

10 Output Ports – To distribute audio and power to up to 10 ME-1 or ME-500 personal mixers. Can also connect to the input of another ME-U hub when connecting to more than 10 ME-1 mixers. Each port provides:

• Up to 40 channels of audio
• Channel names (ME-1 only)
• Channel stereo linking
• PoE power
• Locking EtherCon connection

Input Port – To receive sources to distribute to ME personal mixers. The ME-D input card is provided as standard. Several other option cards are available from Allen & Heath letting you interface the ME-U to other mixing systems: Dante, MADI, Waves SoundGrid, EtherSound.

Rear Panel

• Use the mains lead for your territory as supplied with the ME-U.
• Secure the mains lead using the plastic clip to prevent it being pulled out.
• Heed all the warnings printed in the Safety Instruction sheet and on the rear panel.
• To ensure adequate cooling do not obstruct the ventilation slots.

Installing ME-U

Rack or Surface Mount

ME-U can be positioned on a flat surface or mounted into a standard 19" equipment rack. It requires 2U rack space. If necessary, remove the plastic feet by carefully prising them off using a flat bladed screwdriver. Mount the ME-U in the rack using 4 rack bolts with protective washers to protect the panel.

• Ensure adequate ventilation around the unit. Do not block the ventilation slots.

The Me-U is supplied with the ME-D Digital Input card as standard. This can be replaced with a different card if required.
To replace the Input card:

• First, turn the ME-U power off.
• Remove the two front fixing screws. Pull out the ME-D card and unplug the internal cable harness.
• Carefully fold the cable back into the slot. The replacement card does not use the internal cable harness.
• Slide the new card in and push it in until it clicks into the internal connector socket.
• Replace the two fixing screws.

• Make sure the ME-U is turned off before installing it or removing or fitting its Input card.
  

ME-D Standard digital input card for connection to Allen & Heath digital mixers via dSNAKE or ACE, and to Aviom® A-Net16 sources.

Dante, EtherSound, Waves SG To interface with other systems over Cat5 network protocols (48kHz).

MADI To interface with other systems via MADI (48kHz).

• The Aux BNC and MADI Link 2 are not operational in this application.

Connecting ME-U

Connecting the output ports

The ME-U output ports are for connection to Allen & Heath ME products only.

• Do not connect ME-U output ports to other mixers or equipment. Connect each ME-U Output port to the Link In port of the ME-1 or ME-500 mixer.
• Each port can power one ME mixer. If you daisy chain mixers then power is fed to the first mixer only.

ME-1 parallel connection

You can connect up to 10 ME mixers each with their own Cat5 cable.

ME-1 series connection

You can daisy chain ME mixers from any port.

Linking ME-U hubs

You can link ME-U hubs to connect to more ME mixers.

Use STP (shielded twisted pair) CAT5e or higher cables. Those with both foil and braided screens provide shielding from interference and are generally more rugged. Stranded core cables are less prone to damage when kinked or repeatedly coiled. ME-U provides locking Neutrik EtherCon sockets to protect the connections and ensure suitability for touring. We recommend you use cables fitted with locking EtherCon plugs. Maximum length per cable = 100m (330')

Plug any of these ports into the ME-D:

• Connection to 96kHz DX Expanders is not supported.

Qu, SQ, GLD and dLive can send:

• 40 audio channels
• Channel names
• Stereo link information

= Available
= Not available

Use the ME-U Setup Application:
Received names and stereo links
Manual names and stereo links
iLive Source Mode (turn this off)

Use the Qu Setup / Output Patch / Monitor screen to assign the channels. Stereo sources and linked Input channels are automatically linked and presented to the ME-1 as stereo pairs.
Use the SQ I/O / Outputs ME screen to assign the channels. Stereo channels are automatically linked and presented to the ME-1 as stereo pairs.
Use the GLD I/O / Monitor screen to select 'ME-1 Mode', assign the channels and set the stereo links.
Use the dLive I/O / ME screen to assign the channels and set the stereo links.

Using the standard ME-D input card.
Plug iLive ACE from the MixRack Port B.

Using 1 cable only - ACE:

• 40 audio channels
  No channel names and link information

Using 2 cables – ACE and Network:

• 40 audio channels
• Channel names
• Stereo link information

Use the ME-U Setup Application:
Received names and stereo links
Manual names and stereo links
iLive Source Mode (turn this on)

Select iLive MixRack from list
Use the iLive Outputs / Port B screen to assign the 40 channel sources.

• Map Port B ACE outputs 21-60 to ME channels 1-40:
  Port B Ch21 = ME Ch1
  Port B Ch22 = ME Ch2
  Port B Ch23 = ME Ch3
  -------
  Port B Ch60 = ME Ch40

iLive via ME-U ACE card

Using the ACE card option in the ME-U.

Without Network bridge:

• 40 audio channels
  No channel names and link information

With Network Bridge:

• 40 audio channels
• Channel names
• Stereo link information

Use the ME-U Setup Application:
Received names and stereo links
Manual names and stereo links
iLive Source Mode (turn this on)
Select iLive MixRack from list

Use the iLive Outputs / Port B screen to assign the 40 channel sources.

• Map Port B ACE outputs 1-40 to ME channels 1-40.

Input source – iLive mixer MMO

Using the standard ME-D input card.

Using 1 cable only – Aviom^®:

• 16 audio channels
• Stereo link information
  No channel names

Using 2 cables – Aviom^® and Network:

• 16 audio channels
• Channel names
• Stereo link information

Use the ME-U Setup Application:
Received names and stereo links
Manual names and stereo links
iLive Source Mode (turn this on)
Select iLive MixRack from list
Use the iLive Outputs / Port B screen to assign the 16 Aviom^® sources and links.

Input source - Aviom® A-Net 16

Using the standard ME-D input card.

• Use the ME-U to connect to ME-1 and ME500 mixers only. It is not intended for nor compatible with Aviom^® mixers.
  

The Aviom^® source can send:

• 16 audio channels
• Stereo link information
  No channel names

Use the ME-U Setup Application:
Received names
Received stereo links
Manual names and stereo links
iLive Source Mode (turn this off)
The ME-U gets its audio and link information from Aviom^® channels 1-16.

Fit a Dante, MADI, Waves SoundGrid (V2) or EtherSound card to interface other mix systems to the ME-U (48kHz only).
The source can send:

• Up to 40 audio channels
  No stereo link information
  No channel names

Use the ME-U Setup Application:
Received names and stereo links
Manual names and stereo links
iLive Source Mode (turn this off)
Option card inputs 1-40 are used to feed the ME-1 or ME-500 mixers.

• View and update the ME-U firmware
• View the unit operating temperature
• View the current input source
• View audio clock sync status
• View port link and PoE status
• Change the ME-U network settings
• Select name/link Source Mode (iLive)
• Choose the iDR MixRack (iLive)
• View and edit the 40 channel names
• View and edit the channel stereo links
  Settings are stored in the ME-U and remembered on power up.

Plug a Cat5 cable from your computer Network (LAN) port to the ME-U front panel Network port.
For the computer to communicate with ME-U it must have a compatible static TCP/IP address. Check that your computer LAN port is enabled with its DHCP turned off.

Set a static computer IP address:
IP address = 192.168.1.nnn
Subnet Mask = 255.255.255.0
Where nnn is between 1 and 254 (not 40)

The default ME-U network address is:
IP address = 192.168.1.40
Subnet Mask = 255.255.255.0
If this has been changed and is not known then it may be incompatible and the computer may not connect. If this is the case reset the ME-U network settings using the front panel recessed switch.

Start your computer web browser.
Enter the ME-U IP address into the browser address bar: 192.168.1.40
The computer should connect and display the Status page of the ME-U Setup Application.

Reset the ME-U network settings

If the computer fails to connect then try resetting the ME-U network settings:
Turn the ME-U off. Use a thin pointed object to press the recessed 'Reset' switch. Turn power back on and keep the switch pressed for 20 seconds while the unit reboots. This resets the ME-U network to:

The Status page

This page shows information about the ME-U. It lets you check the current status of the hub, its input source and connected units:

Firmware – The current operating firmware running in the ME-U.

• Check the Allen & Heath web site for the latest version available.

Temperature – The current operating temperature measured inside the unit.

• If this reads higher than 40 degrees C then check that there is adequate airflow around the unit and that its ventilation slots are not blocked.

Audio Source – Displays the Input card type and information on the source connected to the ME-U. The following will display depending on input card fitted and source:

• ME-D dSNAKE/ACE
• ME-D Aviom^® (Aviom source recognised)
• Dante Option Card
• MADI Option Card
• EtherSound Option Card
• ACE Option Card (not typical – use ME-D)

Source Mode – 'iLive' will appear if the ME-U has been set to work with iLive. In this mode the ME-U attempts to find channel names and stereo link information from the iLive.

• iLive mode should only be set if you are working with an iLive system. For all other sources turn this mode off using the System Setup page.

iDR Mix Rack – This displays the name of the unit the ME-U attempts to connect to when set to work with iLive. This information does not appear if iLive mode is turned off.
Source Clock Sync – The box is ticked if the ME-U audio clock has synchronised to the source.

System Setup page

Use this page to access ME-U system settings:
ME-U IP Settings – Displays the current network static TCP/IP settings. You can change these if you wish to access the ME-U via a different network.
Default settings can be restored using the front panel recessed 'Reset' switch.
IP address = 192.168.1.40
Subnet Mask = 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway = 192.168.1.254

• If you are using the Network port to receive names from an iLive system then make sure the ME-U and iLive network addresses are compatible.
• If you are not sure how to set these settings then refer to your IT administrator.

Host MAC Address – This is the permanent address assigned to the ME-U hardware.
dSNAKE MAC Address – This is the permanent address assigned to the input card found in the Input Port.
Source Mode – If you are using ME-U with an iLive system and connecting its network to receive its names and stereo link status then tick the iLive mode box.

• If you are not connecting to an iLive system then make sure the box is not ticked. Failure to do so may result in the ME-U being unable to find names from the connected system.

iDR Mix Rack Selection – The 'Found Units' list shows any iDR racks found on the network. Choose the rack to connect to.
The 'iDR Mix Rack' box shows the name of the iLive iDR rack the ME-U looks for when starting.
This setting is only used if iLive Source Mode has been selected.
Default - Restores the factory default iDR Mix Rack name.

Channel Setup page

Some Allen & Heath digital mixers can broadcast their channel names and stereo link status to the ME-U for distribution to all connected ME-1 and ME-500 mixers:
iLive – Data is sent over an additional cable plugged from an iLive Network port into the ME-U Network port.
Qu, SQ, GLD and dLive – Data is sent over the Cat5 connection along with the audio into the ME-D input.
Odd/even channels can be linked at the source so that the ME mixers automatically link the two channels for stereo operation assigned to a single key.
Use this page to view and edit the names and stereo link status of the 40 audio channels sent to the 10 ME-U Output ports. The page displays two main columns:
Received – Channel names and stereo link status received from the source. The list is blank if none are received.

• The ME-U remembers the last received settings, for example when the mixer is turned off or the ME-U input cable is unplugged. Reboot the ME-U if you wish to clear and refresh the received settings.

Manual – This column lets you manually enter channel names and select odd/even pairs to be stereo linked.
Use Received – Tick this box to use the names and link status received from the source. Untick the box to use the manually entered data. Tick individual channels or tick All at the top to affect all 40 channels.
Sync – ME-U checks every few seconds to update the list of received names and links displayed with those assigned at the mixer.
Default – Click to reset all the manual names to numbers 1-40, clear all stereo links and to set all channels to use received data.

Manual names and stereo links
If your source does not broadcast the channel data then you can manually enter names and stereo linking for the 40 channels. Tick and then untick the (All) box in the 'Use Received' column.
Click a Name box and type in a name with up to 6 characters. This is the name that will be displayed on the ME-1 mixer screen when its key is assigned for 'Default' name.
Tick the Stereo Link box for channels you wish to link, for example left and right of a stereo keyboard. Type a name for the linked channels into the top name box. The lower name box is disabled on linked channels.

Clearing names and links
Click Defaults to reset all manual names to their number 1-40 and all stereo links off. This also sets all channels to use received data.
You can use this to reset names and links as a starting point for entering manual names. In this case remember to untick the 'Use Received' boxes.

Manually editing received names
You can use a combination of received and manual data.

Firmware page

Use this page to update the ME-U operating firmware.

• Check the Allen & Heath web site for the latest version available. Read the firmware Release Notes.

Firmware – Displays the firmware version currently running on the ME-U.
Choose File – Click this button to browse the folders on your computer and choose the firmware file to load. The file has the following format, for example: AllenHeathME-U_V1.00-Rev12345.uImage

To update the firmware
Click the Update button to start the firmware update. It can take up to 6 minutes to complete.

• Do not turn the power off while the firmware is being updated.
  When complete, click the Continue button. This will automatically restart the ME-U unit.

Specification

Input – Card option slot – 40 channels 48kHz digital audio ME-D (dSNAKE, ACE, Aviom^®) card provided Aviom^® A-Net16 compatible -16 channels
M-Dante network card option available
M-MADI card option available
M-Waves V2 network card option available
M-ES-V2 EtherSound card option available
Outputs – 10 ports Compatible with ME mixers
Locking EtherCon connectors
PoE available on all output ports
Network Port – Ethernet TCP/IP
System setup + receiving iLive channel data
Setup – Uses PC or Mac web browser
Received or manual channel names
Received or manual odd/even stereo links
iLive mode for receiving iLive names/links
Default IP address = 192.168.1.40
Subnet Mask = 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway = 192.168.1.254
Mains Input – 100-240V AC 47-63Hz 250W
PoE capability – 15W at each ME-U output
Dimensions – Width x Depth x Height
2U rack - 483 x 253 x 92mm (19"x10"x3.6")
Weight – 4.6kg (10.1lbs) unpacked

Further information

Visit the Allen & Heath web site to find out more about the ME Personal Mixer System.
www.allen-heath.com

• ME-U application examples
• The ME System knowledgebase
• The latest ME-U operating firmware
• The latest ME-1 and ME-500 mixer firmware
• Allen & Heath contact for your territory

SAFETY

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST:

Safety instructions
Before starting, read the IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS sheet supplied with the equipment and downloadable from the Allen & Heath web site. For your own safety and that of the operator, crew and performers, follow all instructions and heed all warnings printed in the sheet, this guide and on the equipment.

General precautions

• The hub is designed to be rack mounted or used on a flat surface. Ensure it is securely positioned and cables are routed to avoid a trip hazard.
• To prevent damage to the equipment, avoid dropping it, placing objects on its surface, scratching the surface with sharp objects, or rough handling and vibration in operation or transit.
• Protect the equipment from damage through liquid or dust contamination.
• The hub has an internal fan and ventilation slots on the rear and sides to aid cooling. Ensure adequate ventilation around the equipment.
• Avoid operating the equipment in extreme heat or cold. Recommended operating temperature is 5 to 40 degrees Celsius.
• Clean the surface with a soft brush and dry lint-free cloth. Do not use chemicals, abrasives or solvents.
• It is recommended that servicing is carried out only by an authorised Allen & Heath agent. Allen & Heath do not accept liability for damage or data loss caused by maintenance, repair or modification by unauthorised personnel.

Operating firmware
The function of the ME-U hub is determined by the operating firmware that runs within it. Firmware is updated when new features are added or improvements made. Check the Allen & Heath web site for the latest version available. This can be downloaded and then loaded into the ME-U hub using its Setup application. By using this Allen & Heath product and the software within it you agree to be bound by the terms of the relevant End User Licence Agreement (EULA), a copy of which can be found at: www.allen-heath.com/legal.
Note – ME-1 mixers must be running firmware version V1.1 or higher to work correctly with the ME-U hub. Download the latest version from the Allen & Heath web site.

Cables
Cat5 cables are required to connect the ME-U hub to ME mixers. These are not provided with the ME-U. Source cables of suitable length to meet your application requirements. More information is provided later in this guide.
Register your ME-U with Allen & Heath online at: http://www.allen-heath.com/support/register-product/