The new Rane AM 1 is part gain-sharing automatic mic mixer, part manual line mixer, part USB audio I/O device, and simultaneously a Rane RAD.
It can be used as a stand-alone mic/line mixer, add more gain-shared mics using up to seven Rane AM 2 Automixers (sold separately), and/or use the RAD Port to transport the main mix via 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 line input optimized for wireless receiver outputs (+10 dBu max). A front panel Mic Mix Level control adjusts the volume of all automixed mics.
The AM 1 is optimized for automixing speech. The mic inputs have a fixed 100 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-powered 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 corresponding Level controls.
The AM 1 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 AM 1 output mix to a Rane Mongoose for routing to output RADs and/or a CobraNet network. The Cascade IN accepts audio and data from a Rane AM 2’s Cascade OUT. This adds the AM 2’s eight mic channels to the AM 1, creating a 12 channel gain-sharing automix.
Up to seven AM 2s can be cascaded to a single AM 1, 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 AM 1’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 1/4-inch & 3.5 mm headphone 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. The AM 1 is UL Listed and CE certified, and will be available in April 2010.
