IMPORTANT - Read before starting

Safety instructions

Before starting, read the Important Safety Instructions printed on the sheet supplied with the equipment. For your own safety and that of the operator, technical crew and performers, follow all instructions and heed all warnings printed on the sheet and on the equipment panels.

System operating firmware

The function of this product is determined by the firmware (operating software) that runs it. Firmware is updated regularly as new features are added and improvements made.

ⓘ Check www.allen-heath.com for the latest version of firmware for the product or the host system.

Software licence agreement

By using this Allen & Heath product and the software within it you agree to be bound by the terms of the relevant End User Licence Agreement (EULA), a copy of which can be found at www.allen-heath.com/legal. You agree to be bound by the terms of the EULA by installing, copying, or using the software.

Further information

Please refer to the Allen & Heath website for further information, knowledgebase and technical support. For more information on setup and mixing functions please refer to the Firmware Reference Guides available for download at www.allen-heath.com.

You can also join our Allen & Heath Digital Community to share knowledge and information with other users.

General precautions

• Protect the equipment from damage through liquid or dust contamination. 
• If the equipment has been stored in sub-zero temperatures allow time for it to reach normal operating temperature before use at the venue. Recommended operating temperature is 0 to 40 degrees Celsius.
• Avoid using the equipment in extreme heat and direct sunlight. Make sure the ventilation slots and fans are not obstructed and that there is adequate air movement around the equipment.
• Clean the equipment with a soft brush and dry lint-free cloth. Do not use chemicals, abrasives or solvents. Do not use lubricant or contact cleaner on faders.
• It is recommended that servicing is carried out only by an authorised Allen & Heath agent. Contact details for your local distributor can be found on the Allen & Heath website. Allen & Heath do not accept liability for damage caused by maintenance, repair or modification by unauthorised personnel.

Register your product

Register your product online at www.allen-heath.com/register.

Warranty

A limited manufacturer's warranty applies to this product, the conditions of which can be found at www.allen-heath.com/legal.

Packed Contents

• ME-500 Personal Mixer
• DC Power Supply for the ME mixer
• Safety Instruction Sheet

Accessories

Microphone stand side mounting bracket

The mixer has a built-in 3/8” thread to mount it to the top of a microphone stand. A bracket is also available for mounting to the side of a microphone stand.

Order code AB8999

Headphone holder

A hook that presses into the underside of the mixer to hang headphones or ear pieces while mounted to a microphone stand.

Order code AB8705

Cables

Use Cat5e or higher STP cables with a maximum cable length of 100m per connection.

Allen & Heath can provide a number of Cat5e and Cat6 cables suitable for use with ACE, dSNAKE, ME, DX, GX, and gigACE connections:

Contact your local A&H dealer for more information.

Introduction

Welcome to the ME Personal Mixing System, a flexible and easy to operate solution for individual musicians, performers and presenters to control their own monitor sound whether on stage, in houses of worship, rehearsal rooms, studios, conferences or live events.

ME-500 is a stand-alone digital personal mixer receiving up to 16 mono or stereo sources from the mixer over a single Cat5 cable and mixing these to its own outputs typically feeding headphones, in-ears or local loudspeaker.

ME is a 48kHz system which works with Allen & Heath digital mixers. It can also work with 48kHz third party equipment by adding the ME-U hub with suitable input card fitted.

ME-500 is the standard model in the range which also includes the greater featured ME-1 premium model. Any number of ME mixers can be connected in a system.

ME mixers are shipped with a universal voltage mains power supply unit. Alternatively you can power the mixer over its Cat5 input cable by using a standard PoE (Power over Ethernet) switch or the 10-port Allen & Heath ME-U PoE hub.

Front Panel

1. Shift key – Hold and press:

   +Master = Output Limiter

   +Rotary = Trim all levels

   +Recall = Store preset

   +Solo = Toggle brightness

   +Mute = Enter/exit standby

   +Key16 = Firmware version

2. Screen – Displays level and pan settings for the selected channel, output EQ and limiter settings, USB status and signal indication.

   Shift+Solo to toggle dim or bright display.

3. Master Level – Adjusts the overall mix level.

   Master Key – Press to access the output EQ. Turn the rotary to boost or cut. Press the rotary to toggle between bass and treble.

   Shift+Master to adjust the Limiter threshold.

4. Rotary – Turn to adjust Level. Press and turn to adjust Pan.

   Press Shift + turn the rotary to trim all levels.

   The rotary is also used to adjust output EQ and limiter.

5. Select keys – Press one of 16 keys to adjust level, pan, mute or to solo a channel. A fast flash shows when channels are muted.

   Also used for preset store and recall or to clear the mix.

   Shift+Key16 to view firmware version and update using USB.

6. Solo key – Press to enter solo mode and listen to just the selected channel. Press and hold for momentary solo. Solo flashes while active.

   Shift+Solo to toggle display brightness.

   Mute key – Press to mute the selected channel. The key lights red when muted. Keys flash to show which channels are muted.

   Shift+Mute to enter or exit standby mode.

7. Preset Recall key – Hold and press a select key to recall a preset:

   Key1-8 = From user presets

   Key9 = Clear mix settings

   Key10 = From USB key

   Preset Store mode – Hold Shift+Recall and press a select key to store current level, pan and mute settings:

   Key1-8 = To user presets

   Key10 = To USB key

Rear Panel

1. Phones – 3.5mm mini-jack and ¼” TRS stereo jack to connect one or two headphones or earpieces, or stereo line level equipment such as a wireless in-ear transmitter.

   Tip=Left, Ring=Right.

2. Mono Out – Balanced TRS jack to connect to mono line level equipment such as a powered speaker or drum throne.

   The output is the mono sum of the Left and Right mix.

   Tip=Hot, Ring=Cold

3. USB port – For data transfer between ME-500 mixers or to back up the settings to computer.

   The preset is stored as a file named PRESET.ME5 in the ME500PST folder on the USB device.

   Also used for updating the ME-500 operating firmware.

4. DC In – External PSU (power supply) input. Plug in the DC cable of the mains power unit provided with the ME mixer.

   ⓘ Only use power supply: ENG Electric 6A-161WP12 (A&H part code AM10314)

   Alternatively, the mixer can be powered via the Link In Cat5 cable when connected to a PoE (Power over Ethernet) switch or the ME-U hub.

5. Link In– Locking EtherCON connector to plug a Cat5 cable from the source.

   Receives up to 32 channels of audio and stereo link information when connected to a ME compatible Allen & Heath console, or 16 channels when connected to Aviom^® A-Net 16.

   The mixer can receive power over this Cat5 link if connected to a PoE switch or the ME-U hub.

6. Link Out – Locking EtherCON connector to plug a Cat5 cable to feed audio to the next ME mixer when daisy chaining them together.

   Link Out does not carry PoE power. Daisy chained mixers are powered using their external power units.

Monitor Link – Proprietary Allen & Heath Ethernet based Cat5 connection that carries 40 channels of 48kHz digital audio and stereo link data from the source console to ME personal monitor mixers.

ME-1 uses CH1-40. Channels can be assigned to its keys in any order and be configured for single, stereo or grouped operation at the ME-1.

ME-500 uses CH1-32 depending on how many channels are linked for stereo operation at the source console. Channels are automatically assigned to the 16 keys starting with CH1. Stereo linked pairs are assigned to a single key.

Installing ME-500

Mounting the unit

Surface mount – Non-slip feet

ⓘ  Do not place near hot equipment.

Top of stand mount – 3/8” thread

ⓘ Ensure the mic stand is stable.

Push in headphones hook (option)

Side of stand mount – Bracket option

Plinth or panel mount – Holes for 6B screws

Cat5 cable

OUT: To next ME mixer (If daisy chained)	IN: From console or hub

Use tour grade STP (shielded twisted pair) CAT5e or higher cable. Stranded core cables are less prone to damage when kinked or repeatedly coiled.

ME-500 provides locking Neutrik EtherCON sockets to protect the connections. We recommend the use of cables fitted with locking EtherCON plugs.

Maximum length per cable = 100m (330’)

Ethernet PoE Switch

Use a standard off-the-shelf Ethernet PoE switch or the 10 port Allen & Heath ME-U hub for parallel connection of audio and power to multiple ME mixers.

Use a Layer 2 unmanaged switch that supports 100 Mbit/s (Fast Ethernet).

ⓘ Layer 3 or 4 protocols can cause audio clicks or interruption.

ⓘ Aviom® A-Net 16 is not compatible with standard Ethernet switches.

PoE (Power over Ethernet) - Either of the two standards 802.3af (15.4W at source) or 802.at (25.5W at source) is suitable. Check that the overall power rating is enough to power all the ME mixers you wish to connect (allow 15W per mixer).

Connecting audio

Stereo Headphones – Two output sockets let you plug in headphones or ear pieces with either a large (1/4”) or small (3.5mm) stereo plug. Headphones with impedance between 16Ω and 600Ω are recommended. Lower impedance headphones tend to be louder. You can use either socket or both at the same time, for example to feed two musicians with the same mix. Stereo line equipment – You can use the stereo outputs to feed line level equipment such as a recording device or wireless in-ear transmitter. Maximum line output level = +21dBu. The ME-500 presents both the left and right signals on the same TRS (3-pole stereo) output jack. The stereo signal is duplicated on the large and small output sockets. Use a stereo Y-cable to feed equipment with separate left and right inputs. The output is unbalanced. To connect to balanced equipment link the input cold (-) signal to ground within the destination plug.

Mono output – The output can feed balanced or unbalanced line-level equipment, such as a powered speaker.

⚠ If you use a speaker be careful to avoid loud levels that may cause feedback. Start with the master level turned down and the level increase gradually.

Using ME-500

Powering up the mixer

To turn the mixer on - Plug the external power unit into the DC In socket, or use PoE (powered via the Cat5 cable) by connecting a PoE switch or ME-U hub to the Link In socket. The blue power indicator lights. ME-500 starts with its previous settings restored and nothing selected.

ⓘ  PoE is not available from the Link Out socket when mixers are daisy chained.

To turn the mixer off - Unplug the DC cable or the Link In cable if you are using PoE.

ⓘ Removing power will turn off audio to other mixers in the chain If they are daisy chained from the Link Out socket.

Dimmer

Press Shift+Solo to toggle the screen and key illumination bright or dim.

Standby

Use Standby when you leave the mixer unattended. This locks the controls and mutes the audio. Press Shift+Mute to enter standby. Press both keys again to exit.

Mapping channels to keys

Source patching - Use the source console output patch page to send audio and stereo link information to the ME mixers. Refer to the console user guide for instructions.

You can patch any combination of input channels, group and mix outputs to the 40 ME monitor channels. ME-500 uses up to 32 channels depending on how many are linked for stereo operation.

Input channel source - We recommend you patch input channels from their Direct Outputs with these set to post-EQ, post-mute, pre-fader. This means the monitor sends will be affected by the console channel EQ and mutes but not by the FOH mix faders.

Stereo links – Odd/even pairs of channels can be linked for stereo operation at the source console output patch page.

ME key assignment – The 16 select keys auto assign to the received ME monitor channels starting from CH1. Odd/even linked pairs of channels assign to single keys.

ⓘ  If you change stereo links while the ME mixer is turned on then it will re-assign its keys up or down starting from CH1.

User label - Once you have set the monitor patch and stereo links you can label the 16 keys using the space provided.

The display

The display indicates the parameter being controlled by the rotary – level, pan, bass, treble, limiter threshold.

SIG lights to show audio signal activity:

Green = -40dB signal presence

Orange = +3dB normal level

Red = Peak 3dB before clipping

LIM lights when the limiter is active.

USB lights when a USB device is recognised.

Adjusting Master level

Turn to adjust output volume. Start with the Master at minimum. Adjust sources for optimum meter reading then turn up the rotary for comfortable listening level. Typical setting is around mid-position.

Working with Channels

Press a select key to work with a channel:

Level – Turn the rotary. The bar shows the level from off to +10dB boost. The pointer indicates 0dB level, typical setting for the main source in your mix.

Pan – Press and turn the rotary to adjust the balance between left and right. The pointer indicates mid position.

Mute – Press the Mute key to toggle the channel on or off (muted). The select keys flash to show channels which are muted.

Solo – Press the Solo key to listen to just the selected channel. The key flashes when solo is active. Press and hold for more than 1 second for momentary action.

Working with the Master

Press the Master key to work with the output:

Mute – Press the Mute key to toggle the mix output on or off.

Bass – Turn the rotary to boost or cut low frequencies (BASS) by up to 15dB.

Treble – Press the rotary to toggle between bass and treble. Boost or cut high frequencies (TREB) by up to 15dB.

Setting the output limiter

The limiter can provide ear protection by preventing the output volume exceeding a maximum level set by the user.

Press Shift+Master to access the limiter:

Threshold – Set the output to the loudest volume required and turn the rotary until the LIM indicator starts to flash.

⚠ To avoid the risk of hearing damage do not operate at high volumes for an extended period of time.

Trimming all levels

Hold Shift and turn the Rotary to simultaneously trim all levels up or down.

Use Trim All to reduce a hot mix if SIG flashes red, to bring up a mix with low meter reading, or to turn all levels off.

ⓘ  The mix balance will change when the source with highest level reaches maximum or source with lowest level reaches minimum. Use Trim All carefully to make small adjustments if you want to keep the relative balance between the sources.

ME-500 Presets

ME-500 can store and recall up to 8 presets. These store all channel levels, pans and mutes. Master EQ and limiter settings are not stored.

Use Keys1-8 to store presets within the mixer. Use Key9 to quickly clear all mix settings.

USB Preset transfer

Settings can be transferred between ME-500 mixers or archived to computer using a USB device. This transfers all channel levels, pans and mutes.

Use Key10 to store settings to USB.

The USB icon lights solid if a valid device is recognised. It flashes if there is a problem with the device.

The settings are stored as a file named PRESET.ME5 in a ME500PST folder on the USB device.

ⓘ ME-500 and ME-1 presets are not compatible.

ⓘ Presets cannot be named. Do not rename the USB file.

Recalling Presets

Hold down Recall. The Select keys light to show preset status:

Off – Preset not available
On – Last preset recalled
Short flash – Preset available to recall

While holding down Recall, press a Select key to recall its preset. The current mixer settings are overwritten with the contents of the preset.

Use Keys1-8 to recall mixer presets.

Use Key10 to recall settings from USB.

Storing Presets

Hold down Shift+Recall. The Select keys light to show preset status:

Off – Preset not available
On – Last preset stored
Short flash – Preset available for store

While holding down Shift+Recall, press a Select key to store the current settings to its preset.

Use Keys1-8 to store to mixer presets.

Use Key10 to store settings to USB.

Clearing all mix settings

Hold down Recall and press Key9 to instantly clear all channel levels, pans, mutes and solo. The Master EQ, limiter and stored presets are not affected.

Hard Reset

Hard reset returns the mixer to factory default by clearing all mix and master settings and clearing all stored presets.

To perform a hard reset:

Turn the mixer off.

Hold down the Shift+Recall+Master keys and power up the mixer. Release the keys after 5 seconds.

Firmware Version

ME-500 firmware is numbered

e.g. Version 1.23 where:

• 1 = major version
• 2 = minor version
• 3 = maintenance version

To check the current mixer version make sure the USB device is not plugged in:

To check a USB device version plug it in first.

Hold Shift + press Key16 to view the major version on the screen:

While holding Shift press Key16 again to view the minor version.

Press again to view the maintenance version.

The USB icon lights solid if a valid device is recognised. It flashes if there is a problem with the device.

The right hand dot indicates major, minor or maintenance version. The left hand dot displays its number.

Number 1 to 9 Major Minor Maintenance

Update Firmware

Check the Allen & Heath website for the latest version of firmware. This can be downloaded and transferred to the ME mixer via USB key.

To start the update, press and release the rotary while holding down Shift+Key16.

For more information refer to the release notes and instructions on the web site.