AM1
AUTOMIXER
Data Sheet - 1
General Description
The Rane AM1 is part gain-sharing automatic mic mixer, part
manual line mixer, part USB audio I/O device, and simultane-
ously a Rane RAD. Use it as a standalone mic/line mixer, or add
more gain-shared mics using up to seven Rane AM2 Automixers
(sold separately). Use the RAD Port to transport the main mix
digitally via CAT 5 to either a Rane HAL’s RAD Port, or to a
Rane Mongoose to a CobraNet network.
Each of the four XLR Mic Inputs offers front panel input
Level controls feeding a gain-sharing automatic mixer. Rear panel,
3-position switches for each Mic Input support dynamic mics (no
phantom power), condenser mics (48 V), or wireless receiver out-
puts (+12 dBV max). A front panel Mic Mix Level control adjusts
the volume of all automixed mics.
The AM1 is optimized for automixing speech. The mic inputs
have a fixed 80 Hz to 7 kHz bandpass filter to provide the best
voice-only automatic mixing using a gain-sharing algorithm.
Three manually-mixed audio inputs provide a simple user
interface and installation. The Aux 1 Input dual RCA and Aux 2
3.5 mm jacks are independently monoed, each with a front panel
Level control. A dedicated USB Charge port adjacent to Aux 2
provides power to USB devices such as iPods or other USB-pow-
ered devices. The separate orange USB Audio Input also offers a
front panel Level control for the 16-bit, 48 kHz digital audio that
is monoed immediately upon entry.
Signal and Overload indicators monitor the Mic and Aux
Inputs, the Mic Mix and the Main Mix. Indicators flank the cor-
responding Level controls.
The AM1 appears in Windows and Apple OS X computers
as a standard USB Audio Device, immediately compatible with
dozens of audio recording and playback audio applications. The
AM1 registers with the OS as a 16-bit 48 kHz device for both
incoming and outgoing audio. The USB Audio port doubles as a
firmware update port if future updates become available.
The XLR Main Output can be set to Mic- or Line-level to feed
a mic snake or a +20 dBu max balanced input. The front panel
Output Level control affects the XLR Output and the RAD Port
output. The analog RECORD RCA Outputs and the digital USB
Audio output are both mono, pre-Output Level, containing the
same mix as the Main Output.
The RAD Port sends the AM1 output mix to either a Rane
HAL’s RAD Port for further signal processing and control, or to
a Mongoose for routing to a CobraNet network. The Cascade
IN accepts audio and data from a Rane AM2’s Cascade OUT.
This adds the AM2’s eight mic channels to the AM1, creating a
12-channel gain-sharing automix. Up to seven AM2s can be cas-
caded to a single AM1, offering up to 60 gain-shared mics. Both
the RAD and the Cascade IN port have status indicators to aid
setup and troubleshooting.
Rear panel Fault, Locate, USB and Power indicators inform
head-scratchers of device errors, the AM1’s physical location,
positive USB audio device OS registration and AC power status.
A front panel pre-Output Selector permits headphone cueing
so users can verify input and output operation before bringing
new sources into the live Output mix. Both ¼" & 3.5 mm head-
phone jacks with a Level control are provided. Duplicate Locate
and Power indicators are on the front and rear.
Universal IEC power on the rear supports 100 to 240 VAC
and 50/60 Hz.
DATA SHEET
Features
INPUTS
:
• Gain-Sharing Automatic Mic Mixing:
• 4 XLR Inputs with Level controls & Sig/OL indicators.
• Select Mic, Mic with 48V phantom, or Line level.
• Manually Mix:
• Overall Mic Mix.
• Two Aux Inputs: dual RCA & 3.5 mm, independently monoed.
• USB Audio Input (16-bit, 48 kHz).
• USB Charge Port for iPod or other USB-powered devices.
• Power, Locate, USB, Fault, and RAD status indicators.
OUTPUTS (all mono):
• XLR Main with Mic/Line switch, Level control & Sig/OL.
• Dual RCA Record.
• Pre-Output Headphone ¼” and 3.5 mm with Level control:
• Source select cues Mics, Aux 1, Aux 2, USB Input or Output.
• USB Audio Output (16-bit, 48 kHz).
• Rane RAD and Cascade In RJ-45 Ports:
• Cascade In Port connects up to seven Rane AM2 Automixers.
• RAD Port sends Output to either HAL (DSP/control) or
Mongoose (CobraNet).
