For musicians, a good monitor mix can make or break a performance. Aviom understands this, offering personal mixing systems that put you in control of your sound. This post is your comprehensive guide to Aviom, covering everything from the basics of how it works to exploring its product line and comparing it to traditional monitoring methods. We’ll also look at Aviom’s innovative A-Net technology and how it simplifies setup and improves sound quality. Whether you’re playing a small gig or a large venue, Aviom can help you create the perfect monitor mix.
Key Takeaways
- Control your own sound on stage with an Aviom personal mixer. Adjust your monitor mix without affecting other musicians, creating a more comfortable and focused performance.
- Simplify setup with standard Cat-5e cabling. Aviom systems use readily available network cables, making setup easier and less expensive than traditional audio snakes.
- Find the right Aviom mixer for your needs. Whether you choose the powerful A640 or the streamlined A320, Aviom offers a range of personal mixers to suit different budgets and technical requirements.
What is Aviom?
Company History and Overview
Aviom is a privately held American company specializing in audio equipment, primarily for professional use. Founded in 2002 and headquartered in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Aviom is known for its personal mixing systems. These systems allow each musician on stage to control their individual monitor mix, a significant change from traditional stage monitoring. This personalized approach improves the live sound experience for performers. Aviom’s systems use a proprietary technology called A-Net, which transmits multiple channels of audio over standard Category 5e (or better) network cables. This simplifies setup and reduces the need for bulky, traditional audio snakes. For more information, visit Aviom’s website.
Understanding A-Net Technology
Aviom’s A-Net is a digital audio transport protocol created for personal mixing. It’s the core of what distinguishes Aviom in the live sound arena. A-Net transmits high-quality, low-latency audio over affordable and readily available network cables, making it practical for various venues and applications. The technology allows numerous audio channels to be sent over a single cable, simplifying setup and reducing clutter on stage. This Wikipedia article offers further details on Aviom and A-Net.
Aviom Personal Mixing Systems: An Overview
Key Features and Benefits
Aviom personal mixers give musicians control over their individual monitor mixes, creating a more comfortable and productive environment for rehearsals and performances. The A640 personal mixer, for example, combines a powerful mix engine with an intuitive interface that’s easy to use even while playing. Its channel mapping feature helps musicians personalize their mixes quickly. Aviom’s focus on clear, natural sound ensures a great mix every time. For budget-conscious musicians, the A320 offers a streamlined feature set while still delivering excellent sound quality. With either option, musicians can hear everything they need, allowing them to focus on their performance.
How Aviom Systems Work
Aviom systems use A-Net technology to distribute audio signals over standard Cat-5e network cables. This makes it easy to connect multiple personal mixers to a central audio source. The plug-and-play design simplifies setup and requires minimal technical expertise. Each musician connects their personal mixer to the network with a standard cable and can immediately create a custom mix. Because each musician controls their own mix independently, one person’s adjustments won’t affect anyone else’s, a common issue with traditional monitor systems. Musicians can adjust the levels of vocals, instruments, and other audio sources on the fly, ensuring they always have the perfect mix. This streamlined approach to monitor mixing makes Aviom a popular choice for live performances.
Exploring Aviom’s Product Line
Aviom offers a range of personal mixers and other audio equipment designed to give musicians control over their individual monitor mixes. Let’s look at some of their key products.
A640 Personal Mixer
The Aviom A640 Personal Mixer puts you in charge of your sound. It features a straightforward interface that’s easy to use during a live performance. The built-in Channel Mapping function helps you customize the mixer to fit your specific needs on stage. With plenty of mix channels and advanced features, the A640 is compatible with all Aviom systems using Dante networking, digital console cards, or analog inputs. This versatile mixer ensures you hear everything you need, clearly and precisely. It’s designed to integrate seamlessly with existing Aviom systems, giving you flexibility and control.
A320 Personal Mixer
The Aviom A320 Personal Mixer is a more affordable option that still delivers excellent monitor mixes. It’s designed for simplicity, with a streamlined feature set and an intuitive interface. If you’re looking for clear, natural sound in your monitor mix without a lot of fuss, the A320 is a solid choice. Like the A640, the A320 lets you pan both mono and stereo sources. The Stereo Placement control adjusts both the separation and overall position of the stereo source within your mix, giving you fine-grained control over your soundstage.
Other Notable Products
Aviom is known for its A-Net technology, a system for distributing audio signals over standard network cables. This system allows each musician and sound engineer to create personalized monitor mixes. The Pro16 Monitor Mixing System is one of Aviom’s most recognized products. They also offer a variety of other monitor mixers, audio networking equipment, and audio distribution equipment to create a complete, customized monitoring solution.
Aviom vs. Traditional Monitoring: Advantages
Independent Control for Musicians
With traditional monitor mixes, musicians often rely on the sound engineer to adjust levels, which can be frustrating during a live performance. Aviom personal mixers put control directly in the hands of each musician. Using a dedicated Aviom mixer, performers create their ideal mix, adjusting the volume of their instrument, vocals, and other instruments without affecting what anyone else hears. This personalized approach creates a more comfortable and enjoyable experience for everyone on stage, a significant improvement over traditional setups where musicians have to communicate their needs to an engineer, potentially disrupting the flow.
Improved Sound Quality
Aviom personal mixers contribute to better sound quality in several ways. Crafting a personalized mix allows musicians to hear themselves and others with greater clarity. The A640 Personal Mixer, for example, offers high-resolution panning, allowing precise placement of each instrument within the stereo field. This creates a more immersive and detailed soundscape, enhancing the overall performance. By reducing the number of instruments competing for space in a single monitor mix, the overall sound becomes cleaner and less muddled.
Simplified Setup
Traditional monitoring systems can be complex to set up, often requiring numerous cables and a skilled engineer. Aviom simplifies this process. Aviom systems use standard Cat-5e cables (the same cables used for ethernet connections) for audio distribution. This makes setup easier and more cost-effective. The plug-and-play nature of Aviom allows connections through analog input modules, digital console cards, or a Dante network, offering flexibility for various setups. This streamlined approach saves time and effort, allowing musicians to focus on their music.
Choosing Your Aviom Mixer
Comparing the A640 and A320
When you’re choosing between the Aviom A640 and A320 Personal Mixers, it helps to understand their features. The A640 boasts a powerful 36-channel mix engine, handling up to 18 mono or stereo sources, making it a solid choice for busy live sound environments. Its user interface and Channel Mapping feature make customization easy for individual needs.
The A320 offers many of the same features, but at a lower price. It provides musicians with excellent monitor mixes and allows panning of both mono and stereo sources. It’s a good option if you want quality sound without a hefty price tag.
Factors to Consider
Compatibility is key when choosing an Aviom mixer. Aviom Personal Mixers work with each other, including older models like the A-16II. This lets you balance power, simplicity, and budget for each performer. The A640 is compatible with all existing Aviom systems using Dante networking, digital console cards, or analog inputs. This flexibility is helpful in varied live sound settings.
Setting Up Your Aviom System
Step-by-Step Guide
Getting your Aviom system working is surprisingly simple. These systems use standard Cat-5e cables for audio distribution, making setup pretty much plug-and-play. You have a few options for connecting your audio sources to the Aviom system. You can use analog input modules (these convert analog signals to digital), digital console cards (for a direct digital hookup), or a Dante network for digital audio networking. From there, each musician connects to the system with their personal mixer, giving them control over their individual monitor mix. They can adjust the levels of everything—vocals, instruments, etc.—without affecting anyone else’s mix. One of the best things about Aviom is how adaptable it is. You can start small and add components later. A single A-Net Distributor can power up to eight personal mixers, and you can add more distributors as needed. The Cat-5e cables not only carry the audio signal but also power the personal mixers, which simplifies cable management.
Performance Tips
For wireless in-ear monitor users, the A640 and A360 personal mixers have a “Network Mix Back” feature. This sends a digital copy of the stereo mix back to the distributor for seamless integration. When planning your system, consider how many musicians you have and how many input sources you’ll need. This will help you choose the right personal mixer model—the A640, A360, or A320. The A640 Personal Mixer has some great features, including per-channel treble, bass, and reverb controls, plus independent pan and spread adjustments for stereo sources. Explore all the features your mixer offers to get the most out of your Aviom system.
Aviom and Other Audio Equipment
Digital Console Integration
Aviom personal mixers seamlessly integrate with digital consoles, expanding your mixing capabilities. For example, the A640 personal mixer works with all Aviom systems, whether they use Dante networking, digital console cards, or analog inputs. This flexible compatibility allows integration into a wide range of setups. You can even use the A640 alongside other Aviom personal mixers like the A360, A320, or A-16II, creating a customized monitoring system for each musician.
Dante Network Compatibility
Aviom offers direct connectivity to Dante networks with products like the D800-Dante. This device connects directly to your Dante network, letting you route up to 64 channels of audio to your Aviom personal mixers. The D800-Dante supports high sample rates, up to 192kHz, for pristine audio quality (though the signal converts to 48kHz for the Aviom mixers). This direct integration simplifies setup and creates a reliable audio distribution solution for your entire Aviom system.
Aviom Product Reviews and Feedback
Common Praise and Concerns
Aviom personal mixers consistently receive positive feedback for their control and flexibility. Musicians appreciate the intuitive interfaces, especially on the flagship A640, which allows for easy on-the-fly adjustments. The enhanced clarity and personalized control these mixers offer contribute to a more satisfying experience on stage. Reviews, like this one from Premier Media, often praise the A640’s features and user-friendliness.
However, some users have reported issues with signal quality, especially with older Aviom systems. Concerns about noise and lower audio levels compared to direct sources have surfaced on forums like Gearspace. It’s worth noting these reports often pertain to earlier systems, and Aviom has since made advancements in its technology.
Audio Quality Considerations
Aviom prioritizes creating products that meet the demands of working musicians. Their proprietary A-Net protocol aims to deliver high-quality audio, reliable performance, and a straightforward setup. This technology is central to Aviom’s design philosophy, as explained on their About Aviom page. The A640, for instance, combines a powerful mix engine with a user-friendly interface, balancing performance with ease of use.
Aviom Pricing, Discounts, and Where to Buy
Authorized Dealers and Online Retailers
Aviom personal mixers are available from several authorized dealers and online retailers. You can find a wide selection, including the Aviom A640, at Sweetwater. Musician’s Friend also carries Aviom products, like the A320, and often runs sales and promotions. Comparing prices at different retailers is always a good idea.
Finding Deals
Want to save money on your Aviom system? Check for manufacturer coupons in print publications—sometimes, the old ways work best. Also, look out for promotional periods, like holidays, when retailers often offer discounts. A little research can help you get the best possible price.
Aviom Alternatives
While Aviom is a popular choice for personal mixing, it’s always smart to explore other options. Several companies offer systems with similar features and functionality. Here are a few alternatives worth checking out:
Allen & Heath
Allen & Heath offers the ME-500, a 16-channel personal mixer designed for use with digital mixing consoles and audio networks. Its compatibility with various Allen & Heath consoles via a Cat5 cable, or even with an Aviom A-Net 16 system, makes it a versatile choice.
Behringer
The Behringer P16 Personal Mixing System is known for its affordability. It’s a popular option for live sound, frequently compared to Aviom and Allen & Heath systems. For those working with a tighter budget, the P16 offers a cost-effective way to incorporate personal monitoring. This discussion on Music Stack Exchange offers more perspectives on the P16.
Roland
Roland, a reputable name in audio equipment, also offers personal monitoring solutions. Their products are generally well-regarded for their quality and integration with other digital audio systems, making them suitable for live sound.
PreSonus
PreSonus provides several audio interfaces and mixers suitable for personal monitoring. Their StudioLive series, for instance, offers flexible routing and can be paired with PreSonus software for a customized monitoring experience.
Hear Technologies
Hear Technologies focuses specifically on personal monitoring systems. They design products that are user-friendly and integrate easily with existing audio setups, presenting a strong alternative to Aviom for live sound applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a personal mixing system? It’s a setup that lets each musician on stage control their own monitor mix. Think of it as having your own personal sound engineer right at your fingertips. You adjust what you hear in your headphones or in-ear monitors, without affecting anyone else’s mix.
Why would I need an Aviom system if I already have monitors on stage? Traditional stage monitors can be a real headache. With everyone’s instruments blasting through the same speakers, it’s hard to hear yourself clearly. Aviom lets you create a custom mix so you can hear exactly what you need, leading to a much better performance.
Is Aviom only for professional musicians? Not at all! While many pros use Aviom, it’s beneficial for any musician who wants more control over their monitor mix. Whether you’re playing small clubs or rehearsing in your garage, Aviom can make a huge difference.
What’s the difference between the A640 and the A320? The A640 is Aviom’s flagship mixer, packed with features and capable of handling lots of inputs. The A320 is a more streamlined, budget-friendly option that still delivers great sound and control. Both offer personalized mixing, but the A640 gives you more advanced options.
Where can I buy Aviom products? Aviom products are available from various online retailers like Sweetwater and Musician’s Friend, as well as from authorized dealers. It’s always a good idea to compare prices before you buy. You might even find a deal if you’re lucky!
