Haven’t made the investment yet but I do have one last question. I am in great need of more stereo mix outputs and I need to know if I can get these from both units? I understand I would utilize groups to do this -yes?
I was really hoping for this firmware update to enable linking of mono mixes to make stereo but as it didn’t happen, I’ll need an alternative.
From the larger units you can use groups as mixes, yes.
That gives 7 stereo mixes I think…
And if you want to mono your existing stereo outputs you need to use external combiners with special resisters to SUM the connections.
DO NOT JUST JOIN the wires together.
There are available small black boxes that will do this externally that work well.
Hope this helps
Thanks Bob…
NZDave… I don’t need any more mono, just stereo - good info to have though-thanks.I actually have a small combiner box that I take to all the shows - never need it but good to have just in case.
Now I just need to jump on the best deal I can find for either the AR or the AB…
So how many extra stereo mixes can I get by using an AB168 or and AR2412 with my QU-PAC?
Also, been looking at my Qu-Pac on screens I never use that will have to be set up to assign channels for the D snake. Not sure how to do it so Im going to need some help. Maybe once I get the unit, things will become clearer…What does the n/c stand for in the channel assign boxes?
N/c means ‘not connected’
You don’t get extra outputs, you just a choice of places to push the signals.
Oh… I was hoping to be able to get one more stereo mix by using the AB168… oh well, its not a deal breaker. So, N/C means not connected ha ha… couldn’t work it out - feel a bit silly now !
Thank you Bob
I asked the same question a while back 
The StageBoxes are purely a multicore - albeit a software patchable one.
I have read that I can convert groups to mix outs… Is that not so? Couldnt I use these as an extra mix out for iems…If so, how would I do that?
Yes, but that’s not dependant on e stagebox (except for the QuPAC/sb which don’t have enough physical outputs natively IIRC.
Sorry - I probably should have re-iterated that I do have the QU-PAC. I had disclosed this when I started this thread but didn’t think to mention it again.
The AB168 is on its way and I am hoping to be able to use a group to get the extra mix. I might need some help with that if it doesn’t become clear once i get everything connected.
Right - then you should be able to set the group to mix mode (I’m not sure how it’s labelled) and send it to any of the stage box outputs.
The Pac is a 32 in the crippled body of a 16
Yes it is !!..
I have a QU16 also and love it but I iPad mix mostly and the QU-PAC is just the ticket to leave on stage - small footprint etc. I purchased it for that reason but now would like to be able to expand on its capabilities.
I have not yet ‘needed’ more than the 16 (or 22-whichever way you look at it) channels it provides but I got close once running sound at an outside festival. I made the QU16 work but a few extra channels would have been nice.
Now with the AB168, I get the extra channels I need, the extra (group) stereo mix outs and no heavy copper multi core to carry around - Bingo! …
Just wanted to update. My AB168 arrived yesterday. ‘Hands on’ learning was much simpler than I had imagined - the A&H manuals and reading materials are not very clear IMHO. I should have remembered when I first got my QU16, I learned more by just playing and experimenting with the board than from anything else.
I set up everything very quickly and was able to re-assign a group to a mix and I had 32 channels up and running so all is good.
The AB168 is quite a small footprint - smaller than I had imagined for some reason- which is a bonus.
I’m also looking forward to not having to bring my analog snake to each show - mainly the coiling up at the end of the night. Now…click, click. I got a nice 50ft Cat5 cable with Neutrik ends for iPad use (QU on stage) and I’ll get a longer one to use at FOH when not using the iPad.
Thank you to everyone who helped and advised me.