SQ5 & ME-1 Connectivity Issues

ME ME Troubleshooting
1

I have a SQ5 and recently added a ME-1 unit. While I get the channel names sent to the ME-1, I am having some issues:

  • I am not getting any audio to the headset or the mono line out - even though I can see audio signal on the ME-1 level meters.
  • I do not see the SQ5 in the ME-1 system settings - I believe the SQ5 name should be in the ‘Unit:’ field.
  • Most importantly, I am getting a red blinking light on the SLink port.

My path is as follows:

  • SQ5 (v1.6)→SQ5 SLink NIC → port 8 on a Layer 2 Netgear GS316EPP PoE data switch→ ME-1 (v1.17-Rev61242) via port 9 on the same Layer 2 Netgear GS316EPP PoE data switch.

A couple of notes:

  • It seems like I get control data but not audio data.
  • The SQ5 SLink is set to 100-Full.
  • The sample rate is set to 48kHz.
  • All cabling is Cat5e.
  • The Layer 2 Netgear GS316EPP PoE data switch has nothing special configured (flow control, error correction, etc…). I made a point to verify anything like this is disabled (most were disabled by default).
  • While there is a ton of information on how to configure the ME-1, I am not seeing a ton about the correct SQ5 configuration for the ME-1
    • What I have configured on the SQ5 is: I/O→Outputs→ME tab→IP Direct Output and then selected the appropriate patching. I can see this part working because the ME-1 gets channel names.
  • I have a Dante card and two DT168s (I mention to be thorough but I do not believe this is related).

What I have tried the following but no luck so far:

  • Changed the sampling rate from 96kHz to 48kHz. I know the SQ5 internally uses 96 kHz. I only saw a sampling rate setting for USB, Dante I/O card and DT168 stage boxes. Maybe there is a setting I missed?
  • Replaced data switch
  • Replaced both Cat5e cables
  • Used local PSU
  • Upgraded firmware of the ME-1 even though it had the same load.
  • Set ME-1 data port to 100-Full.
  • Direct connect from SLink to ME-1.

Any suggestions?

2

This symptom has been raised in several threads dating back a number of years yet remains unresolved - there seem to be a number of fixes or none.

I have a consistent but intermittent issue whereby disconnecting a unit to move it on stage, and then reconnecting, will cause the unit to appear to work but with no audio out. However, if left for 5-10 minutes, the audio will start. This doesn’t happen every time but often enough to be annoying to the musicians and frustrating to the sound operator. I haven’t yet found the root cause.

Recently all IEM units appeared to be working but no audio. We eventually discovered that someone had connected the drummer’s IEM to the ethernet switch twice (to both Link In and Link Out) When the connection to Link Out was removed, audio was available from all units.

3

Thanks for the reply. If this is a known issue and still outstanding (I did see the other threads w/ no known fix), I can’t believe there is much of a motivation from A&H to resolve - they can sell the ME-U device. However, this is a very expensive PoE data switch.