We have been having a number of issues with our AB168.
On a number of occasions, after plugging everything into the snake, and switching to a previously utilized scene with all DSnake inputs from a previous gig, (now changed in 1.7 to simply a yellow input), the yellow DS icon in the lower right of the display goes to what is best described as a “greyed out” version of the icon.
The AB168 is unchanged…two blue lights + the yellow flickering light at both ends of the cat5 connecting cable. The unit is plugged directly into mains power. No power bars / extensions etc.
After fiddling, we get an indication that things are running via the AB168.
HOWEVER, what most would consider “normal” volumes coming through the FOH via local inputs, when switched to the AB168 inputs, become incredibly muted, even when gain settings are identical.
What should be coming out of the FOH speakers at a healthy volume via the stage box, is coming out muted.
No one wants to deal with the issue when setting up for a gig so we switch to local inputs and muddle through.
This makes using the stage box / AB168 superfluous. It is simply an unreliable $1,400 boat anchor.
quite posibly a bad ethernet cable, especially if the yellow icon was yeallow and then changed.
If the cable is determined to be good, then the AB168 is the problem and I would suggest contacting A&H.
I’ve experimented with my back up cable and there’s no difference. The volume levels coming via the AB168 are completely different, and considerably muted, compared to direct connections into the desk.
Thanks for that useful information. It remains a $999 ineffectual boat anchor at that, or any other price.
Here’s what I’ve heard from the A&H Rep via a distributor of the product:
"There’s an intermittent issue with the AB168 units during bootup…the expanders will revert to a previous factory firmware version and the Qu is not recognized properly.
R&D are currently writing a maintenance update for Qu firmware (as the Qu mixer will automatically update the AB168 firmware), but this will not be available most likely for a few more weeks.
Other solution is to send us the AB168 unit, we will update the firmware manually.
Or connect the AB168 to a GLD mixer with firmware V1.42 or higher, this will also update the firmware in the AB168.
The firmware update will resolve the situation".
It’s nice to see A&H are making their problem my problem.
It would be very, very difficult to recommend any of this hardware given this situation. As it stands, the band, who have been playing gigs since the mid 70’s, consider the A&H stuff unreliable crap. The longer the issue goes unresolved, the faster the reputation will spread via word of mouth.
A&H needs that sort of reputation like they need a bad dose of the clap.
The ball’s in their court. Let’s see if they step up and do the right thing.
