Touring show - standard set up of SQ7 with AR2412 + AR804 S-Linked, via own Ethercon Cat5e.
Mid-show this last Saturday, we suddenly lost all input channels 9 onwards (1-8 remained fine). I/O’s indicated lost S-Link connection for Ch9 onwards (AR2412 primary stage box with AR804 daisy chained) We rebooted desk - No change. Show stopper.
We then rebooted the stageboxes and fixed the problem! No further input issues, so show restored. (Much applause!)
However, 30 mins later the stagebox outputs were suddenly lost/muted, but then literally 10 seconds later, self-restored of their own accord, and remained solid.
I should mention that other Band digital kit and computers were suffering odd seemingly unconnected issues during set up and soundcheck. For that reason I began to suspect possible dirty or dipping stage mains power causing corruption? So, in the show interval we laid in a new discrete 13A supply to stage boxes from another area in theatre. Powered back up, and no problem. Second half of show completed without further issues.
Back at base today, all tested fine.
My question… Could a dirty or dropped voltage mains power cause such input/output dropout errors on the stageboxes? Anyone come across this?
Our rider asked for a clean audio 32A, but later checks revealed that there may have been dimmer packs on the same phase supply, though local stage techs denied that these were in circuit and that this would have been an issue.
Final thought, this was the first show in the tour with V1.6.1 installed.
Forgot to say. We had swapped Cat5e during the set up from Theatre’s installed link to running out our own, due to connection issues, but take the point on possible causes.
Tested fine back at base though.
Our SQ’s have been rock solid up to then.
I’m particularly interested to hear if anyone has experienced losing at least half the inputs suddenly on the AR2412, but with the first 8 remaining connected and unaffected. (A required reboot restoring all again)
As I was reading the OP, my initial thought was a power issue. That was reinforced further when it was mentioned that other systems were having problems too.
I personally would chalk this up to an issue with the power being provided on stage. A drop in voltage could easily cause the box simply stop working correctly (like the first event), or reboot (like the second event).
Have now installed a decent Furman Power Conditioner and a voltage monitor in the stagebox rack, but I appreciate that won’t deal with serious voltage drop mid show.
I’m interested to hear from A&H on what level of voltage drop they think will likely give rise to issues, and if so, does losing partial connection only on either inputs or outputs figure?