Allen & Heath has announced v1.6 firmware for its AHM series of audio matrix processors, introducing a suite of new features including Unit Stacking, expanded third-party control and integrated feedback suppression, further bridging the worlds of commercial integration and systems engineering, and offering new levels of control and scalability.
‘With AHM v1.6, we’re expanding the possibilities for both commercial integrators and system engineers,’ says Allen & Heath Commercial Audio Manager, Samantha Potter. ‘It’s a release that puts the best of both worlds into a single platform, opening up new applications in hospitality, entertainment, houses of worship, education and more.’
The headline feature of the new release is Unit Stacking, a major step forward in scalability for the platform. For the first time, multiple AHM processors can be managed, monitored and controlled from a single Project within System Manager, introducing custom views of channels across the entire system. Unit Stacking enables integrators and system engineers to design and operate larger, more complex systems with the same speed and simplicity expected from smaller systems.
Version 1.6 also brings expanded third-party control and monitoring, enabling AHM to integrate tightly with devices such as displays, video switchers, microphones and amplifiers. Additionally, device behaviour can be monitored directly from IP controllers, providing end-users with greater visibility and confidence in day-to-day operation.
Making its debut in v1.6, Feedback Suppression helps to tame problem frequencies and prevent unwanted feedback across up to eight zones. Available on AHM-32 and AHM-64 units fitted with the AEC/Processing Expansion card, Feedback Suppression provides peace of mind for integrators, ensuring stability in acoustically challenging environments, with ‘even the most eccentric or unpredictable speakers’.
Additional features and improvements include new ganging options for levels, delays and dynamics, building on the EQ ganging from v1.5. Workflow refinements such as socket labelling, processing block visibility, global mute and level controls, and playback looping further streamline system design and management. Version 1.6 also adds support for embedded recall with dLive and Avantis systems, VLAN compatibility for SLink and gigaAce connections, and other improvements.
‘We are continuing to develop AHM in direct response to the needs of our customers,’ adds Potter. ‘With v1.6 we’re proving that powerful, scalable systems don’t have to come at the expense of workflow speed or audio quality, ensuring integrators and system engineers can deliver outstanding results in any application.’
AHM v1.6 is available for download now from the Allen & Heath website.