ASHLY AQM-1208 12-in x 8-out AquaControl Digital Zone Mixer

Product Overview

The Ashly AQM-1208 is a twelve-input by eight-output AquaControl digital zone mixer and DSP processor designed for commercial AV installations requiring comprehensive mic mixing, BGM distribution, paging, and zone management. It serves as a standalone DSP frontend to any external power amplifier, combining full microphone preamp capability with speaker management DSP in a single 1RU unit. Controlled from any web browser without software installation, the AQM-1208 provides remote access from anywhere in the world for configuration and live system management.

Product Description

The AQM-1208 expands on the AquaControl DSP lineup with a 12-input by 8-output configuration suited for mid-to-large commercial installations. The twelve balanced mic/line inputs each include a precision Class A microphone preamp with 21V phantom power switchable per channel, giving the AQM-1208 the capability to handle full-stage or conference-room microphone configurations without any external mic preamp hardware. Channels 9 through 12 additionally support four unbalanced summed RCA line inputs for sharing program sources such as BGM players or streaming receivers. Eight balanced line outputs connect to the installed power amplifiers of any brand.

The AquaControl browser-based interface requires no application installation and works on any PC, tablet, or smartphone on any operating system. Remote access over LAN or internet lets integrators configure and troubleshoot installed systems from anywhere in the world, reducing costly site visits. The AquaControl interface is optimized for touchscreens and operates fully from any iOS or Android browser. An offline AquaControl Portal application for Windows allows preparation of configurations before arriving at the install site.

Eight internal matrix mixers enable sophisticated routing for zone mixing, BGM distribution, and paging, where each mix can be shared across multiple outputs. Priority ducking automatically reduces lower-priority sources when paging or other high-priority inputs become active. Auto-mixing manages multiple open microphone channels. The event scheduler and real-time clock automate routine system operations such as timed preset changes, source switching, and volume adjustments without requiring an external control processor. Integration I/O includes 8 GPI inputs, 2 GPO outputs, 8 remote VC ports, and standby control, supporting wall remotes including AquaTouch7, WR-1, WR-1.1, WR-1.5, and WR-2. DSP is 32-bit at 48kHz with THD below 0.01% and S/N above 110dB. The compact 1RU chassis measures 19 x 1.75 x 8.5 inches and weighs 6.2 lbs.

Key Features

• 12 Balanced Mic/Line Inputs with Class A Preamps — All 12 inputs include precision Class A mic preamps with 21V phantom power switchable per channel.
• 4 Summed RCA Line Inputs on Channels 9-12 — Additional unbalanced RCA line inputs for BGM, program, or streaming source feeds.
• 8 Balanced Line Outputs — Full 8-zone output capability for multi-area commercial audio distribution.
• AquaControl Browser-Based Interface — Accessible from any web browser on any OS without software installation.
• Remote Access Anywhere — Configure and manage systems over LAN or internet from any location worldwide.
• 8 Matrix Mixers for Complex Zone Routing — Create 8 independent mixes, each shareable across multiple outputs for BGM distribution and paging zone assignments.
• Comprehensive DSP Library — Gain, DVCA, compressor, leveler, limiter, gate, multi-priority ducking, 10-band PEQ, HPF/LPF, crossovers, FIR filters, delay, auto-mixing, ambient noise control, signal generator, event scheduler.
• Auto-Mixing — Automatic microphone gain management for multi-mic conference and worship applications.
• Multi-Priority Ducking Matrix — Automatic level reduction of lower-priority audio when paging or emergency sources are active.
• Event Scheduler with Real-Time Clock — Time-based automated system operations without external control processors.
• 8 GPI / 2 GPO / 8 VC Ports — Comprehensive integration I/O for control systems, wall remotes, and automation.
• 32-Bit / 48kHz Processing — High-resolution DSP with THD below 0.01% and S/N above 110dB.
• 1RU Compact Chassis — 19" x 1.75" x 8.5", 6.2 lbs; efficient rack-space utilization in commercial installation environments.
• 5-Year Limited Warranty — Full Ashly Audio warranty coverage.

Typical Applications

• House of worship mic mixing and multi-zone audio distribution
• School auditorium and gymnasium multi-source microphone mixing
• Conference room and boardroom full mic/zone processing
• Retail store multi-zone BGM distribution and paging
• Hotel ballroom multi-source zone management
• Restaurant and hospitality venue multi-area audio
• Sports facility announcer and PA system processing
• Corporate campus multi-room distributed audio

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the AQM-1208 differ from the AQM408?

The AQM-1208 provides 12 inputs (including mic/line preamps with phantom power) and 8 outputs, compared to the AQM408's 4 line inputs and 8 outputs. The AQM-1208 is intended for applications needing multiple microphone sources, while the AQM408 is optimized for systems with fewer source inputs.

Can the AQM-1208 handle condenser microphones with phantom power?

Yes. The AQM-1208 provides 21V phantom power switchable per channel on all 12 mic/line inputs, supporting condenser microphones on any channel independently.

Does the AQM-1208 require software installation for remote control?

No. AquaControl is entirely browser-based and works from any web browser on any operating system, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. No application needs to be installed on the controlling device.

Can the AQM-1208 be configured and managed remotely over the internet?

Yes. The AQM-1208 supports full remote access via its Ethernet port over LAN or internet, allowing system integrators to configure, adjust, and troubleshoot systems from anywhere without a site visit.

What is priority ducking and how does it work on the AQM-1208?

The multi-priority ducking matrix automatically reduces the level of designated lower-priority sources (such as background music) when a higher-priority source (such as a paging announcement) becomes active. Priority levels and response times are fully programmable in AquaControl.

What wall remotes are compatible with the AQM-1208?

The AQM-1208 works with AquaTouch7 touchscreen panels and WR-1, WR-1.1, WR-1.5, and WR-2 wall remotes via the 8 VC ports. Virtual remote pages within AquaControl also allow browser-based remote control from any smartphone or tablet.