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P16-M
16-Channel Digital Personal Mixer
The POWERPLAY P16-M digital monitoring mixer is the
heart of the POWERPLAY 16 personal monitor system.
The P16-M's user interface offers individual mix control
over 16 channels of 24-bit digital audio delivered over the
proprietary BEHRINGER ULTRANET digital audio system.
The ULTRANET system deploys CAT5e cable to connect
the P16-M to a variety of devices, such as the P16-I Input
Module and P16-D ULTRANET Distributor, as well as
providing a direct, seamless digital connection to the X32
Digital Mixer.
24-bit digital audio first enters the P16-M through the
CAT5e ULTRANET IN connection on the back panel. Once
inside the P16-M, the digital audio passes to the digital
mixer section, where individual channels can be selected
and tweaked using top-panel controls. For each channel,
the controls include CHANNEL SELECT, VOLUME (with
level LEDs), stereo PAN/BAL(ance), and a set of EQUALIZER
controls that can be used to control gain for BASS (100 Hz)
and TREBLE (10 kHz) shelving equalizers, as well as MID
gain and FREQ controls for a sweepable semi-parametric
midrange EQ.
Within the SETUP group of controls, the LINK button can
be used to connect any two neighboring channels into
a stereo pair with full volume, equalization, and pan/
balance control. The GROUP function gathers multiple
channels into linked groups so that entire families of
instruments can be simultaneously and easily mixed (e.g.,
bass and drums in a single group, all guitars in a group, all
background vocals in their own group, and so on). Once
channels have been tweaked, grouped, and mixed, the
STORE and RECALL buttons can be used to save and re-
load up to 16 different mixer scenes.
In the OUTPUT section of controls, the LEVEL knob controls
the final output volume, while the LIMITER knob allows the
user to set the limiter threshold and protect their hearing
from sudden volume spikes. In the event the volume level
does become threatening, the unit includes an emergency
MUTE function easily accessible from a button on the
top panel.
For analog audio output, the back panel features a 1/4" TRS
headphone output, as well as unbalanced 1/4" LINE OUT
jacks for use with powered monitors. All functions may
also be controlled remotely via the dedicated MIDI IN
connection.
The ULTRANET system also provides useful additional
functions. If an outlet is unavailable for the power adapter,
the ULTRANET IN jack can also be used to provide remote
bus power from power-equipped ULTRANET devices to the
P16-M, in addition to digital audio. Digital audio may also
be sent through and out to additional ULTRANET units by
using the ULTRANET THRU jack. Audio sent out through
this ULTRANET jack will be a clone of the unprocessed
input signal, and therefore will also be available for full
custom mixing on additional P16-M units further downline
in your ULTRANET network.
The POWERPLAY P16-M's easily integrates over ULTRANET
with an entire family of products, including the P16-I
Input Module and P16-D Distribution Hub, as well
as the powerful X32 digital mixer. This wide-ranging
compatibility makes the P16-M an incredibly powerful
and flexible personal monitoring solution perfect for live,
studio, or installed sound applications.
Product Overview
