Allen & Heath AH-ME-500 – 16-Channel Personal Mixer for In-Ear Monitoring

Product Overview

The Allen & Heath ME-500 is a standalone 16-channel personal mixer designed to give individual performers, musicians, and presenters full control over their own monitor mix. It receives up to 16 mono or stereo sources over a single Cat5 cable and provides an intuitive interface with dedicated channel buttons, a master rotary control, and 8 user preset memories. The ME-500 is directly compatible with Allen & Heath dLive, GLD, and Qu console systems as well as Aviom A-Net 16, and can be expanded to work with Dante, MADI, and EtherSound sources via the optional ME-U hub. Power can be supplied via the included power supply or through PoE from a compatible network switch.

Product Description

Personal monitoring has become a standard requirement in live performance environments ranging from major concert tours to house of worship stages. The ME-500 addresses the need for an affordable, reliable, and genuinely intuitive personal mixer that performers can operate without audio engineering expertise during a set or service.

The ME-500 connects to a compatible Allen & Heath console or ME-U hub via a single Cat5 cable carrying both audio data and PoE power. Up to 16 independent sources — assignable as mono or stereo — are received from the console and displayed on the unit's channel buttons. Each of the 16 channels can be independently adjusted for level and pan, and the built-in 2-band EQ allows tonal correction of the mix without requiring assistance from the front-of-house engineer.

The limiter function is particularly practical for protecting performers' hearing, a consideration increasingly important in professional touring and broadcast environments. A configurable limiter prevents sudden loud peaks from reaching the headphone output regardless of how the performer has set their individual channel levels. This feature is also relevant for houses of worship where volunteer musicians may inadvertently push their personal mix to damaging levels.

Channel assignment uses auto key assignment, where the console automatically maps sources to the ME-500 channel buttons based on the console's channel numbering. Manual assignment is also supported. Up to 8 user preset memories allow performers to save different mix configurations — useful for musicians who switch between ensemble sections during a performance, or broadcast presenters who need different monitor mixes for different program segments.

Daisy chaining allows multiple ME-500 units to be connected in series from a single console output or ME-U hub port, reducing the cabling infrastructure required for large ensemble configurations. The locking etherCON connectors on the Cat5 link ports ensure secure connections in stage environments where cables are subject to physical stress.

The ME-500 ships with a power supply (100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz). Both the 1/4-inch and 1/8-inch headphone outputs are active simultaneously, allowing a performer to use either in-ear monitors or full-size headphones without changing any settings. A balanced mono 1/4-inch output is also available for feeding an in-ear transmitter or stage monitor amplifier.

Key Features

• 16 Mono or Stereo Channels — Receives up to 16 independent sources over a single Cat5 cable from a compatible Allen & Heath console
• Compatible with dLive, GLD, Qu, and Aviom A-Net 16 — Broad system compatibility for live sound, installation, and touring environments
• Dante, MADI, EtherSound via ME-U Hub — Optional hub expands compatibility to third-party audio networking systems
• 2-Band Per-Channel EQ — Tonal shaping available at each performer's position without FOH engineer involvement
• Configurable Limiter — Protects performer hearing from sudden level peaks
• 8 User Preset Memories — Save and recall complete mix configurations for different performance scenarios
• Dual Headphone Outputs — Simultaneous 1/4-inch and 1/8-inch outputs for IEM or full-size headphone use
• Balanced Mono Output — Feed an in-ear transmitter or wedge amplifier directly from the ME-500
• PoE or Included Power Supply — Flexible power options reduce cabling overhead in permanent or touring installations
• Daisy Chain Support — Multiple ME-500 units can be linked from a single console port to reduce infrastructure cost
• Locking etherCON Connectors — Secure Cat5 link connections designed for stage environments

Typical Applications

• House of worship stage monitoring for musicians and vocalists requiring independent personal mixes
• Live sound touring where performers demand individual monitor control without increasing FOH engineer workload
• Broadcast and recording studio talkback and cue mix distribution to talent
• Corporate event and conference production providing presenter monitor feeds
• Theater productions requiring individual mix control for pit orchestra and on-stage performers
• University and training facilities where students learn mixing and monitoring techniques independently

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the ME-500 compatible with Allen & Heath dLive without any additional hardware?

Yes. The ME-500 connects directly to the dLive system's ME send port on the MixRack using a standard Cat5 cable with etherCON connectors. No hub or adapter is required for direct dLive connectivity.

How many ME-500 units can be connected to a single Allen & Heath console?

This depends on the number of ME send ports available on the specific console model and whether a ME-U hub is used. A ME-U hub can expand the number of connected ME devices significantly. Consult the Allen & Heath documentation for your specific console model.

Can the ME-500 receive Dante audio without a separate hub?

No. Dante compatibility requires the optional ME-U hub, which accepts Dante, MADI, and EtherSound connections and distributes them to connected ME personal mixers.

Does the ME-500 ship with a power supply?

Yes. A power supply (100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz) is included. The unit can also be powered via PoE from a compatible network switch, which requires a minimum of 15 W from the PoE switch.

Can a performer mute individual channels on the ME-500 during a performance?

Yes. Individual channels can be muted by pressing the channel button. A solo/isolate function is also available to temporarily listen to a single channel in isolation.

What is the maximum cable length between the console and a ME-500 unit?

Allen & Heath specifies standard Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cable. Maximum cable runs follow standard Ethernet specifications of up to 100 meters (328 feet) per segment.

Is the ME-500 compatible with Aviom A-Net 16 systems from other console manufacturers?

The ME-500 includes Aviom A-Net 16 compatibility, which allows it to be used with any console or system that has an Aviom A-Net 16 output. This extends its use beyond Allen & Heath systems.