Aux outs

[FACTplayers]

We use an M7 downstairs in the sanctuary and two of the omni outputs on it are stereo left and right. That signal comes up to a little crappy Mackie Mixer that is ancient and gives off a nice little buzz. The output from the Mackie goes to the Rane Splitter. One of those signals are sent to a Haivision Streaming Server because we are a multi campus church where we stream the sermons live. Another signal goes to a Aja Ki-Pro device that records the service. Another goes to a computer in our editing room that is also recording as our back-up in case the Ki-Pro crashed because one of our campuses gets there sermon on a drive each week. Another signal goes to a CD recorder to make cds each week. Other signals are run to tvs just outside the room and then to other tvs around the building as part of a closed circuit system. Not all of these devices take in the same signal level, that is why I am needing control of each output. All devices are needing to be run stereo though because that is how the signal is coming in. I know our current system works but they are wanting to get it all combined down into one device and just clean that whole system up a little bit.

It doesn't sound like you need to monitor the mix at all. You want to set it and forget it and adjust the gain on the device receiving the signal. Adjusting the levels during the recording usually tends to have some undesirable results. Just my $0.02.

 

[museav]

We are using it as a way to monitor the level and also bump up the audio a bit if need be. The only other way we have to monitor it is to go around and check the signal at all the individual places and we just don't have time to do that. So if signal input changes we can change it easier than going and turning the gains on all the individual channels on the splitter and not being able to see the signal level.

Echoing others, once you get appropriate gain structure set for each destination you not only should not have to monitor the signal at the destinations but would also typically want to prevent people being able to adjust the levels. As FMEng noted, most Distribution Amplifiers allow you to adjust the gain for each output so you can preset proper gain structure for each destination, then all you have to do is monitor the level going to the DA.

Something like the unit FMEng noted or RU-ADA8D ‐ Audio Distribution Amplifier with the associated power supply can be purchased for under $400.

It is not clear why the levels are changing and you are having to adjust them, that almost sounds like someone is not paying attention to the send levels from the main mixer, however I agree that a comp/limiter or even better an AGC/leveler between the main mixer and DA could probably make it much more 'hands off' as well as more idiot proof. The Aphex compellor that FMEng referenced is probably the industry standard and if you watch you can sometimes find a good deal on used units. There are also other products such as the Symetrix 422 that may work fine, although perhaps a step down from the Compellor.

 

[hosko]

Have you considered embedding the audio into the video? This is how broadcast facilities handle audio and video by embedding the audio and using SDI. You would run the output of the video mixer and audio desk into an embedder, BlackMagic's line of Mini Convertors are nice, so if you have analog audio and vision you would use a Analog to SDI box which gives you two SDI's out.
You would need an output to go to the Haivision Streaming Server, a 2nd to the Aja Ki-Pro, a 3rd to the editing computer, a 4th to CD and a 5th to HDMI splitter for use on monitors.

I don't know what version Halivision you run but it should accept SDI, the Aja definitely does and you edit system might. So your system could consist of the following if you have an analog setup:

Mini Converter Analog to SDI - ~$300
Mini Converter SDI Distribution ~$300
Mini Converter SDI to Audio ~$500
Mini Converter SDI to HDMI ~$300

Audio and Vision would be patched into the Analog to SDI, this is the only place you need to make sure the input level is correct as it will be turned into digital and remain the same throughout. You would then connect the SDI out of the analog to SDI into the input of the SDI distribution, which will give you 8 outputs. Connect the Halivison, Aja and edit suite to the outputs, connect the SDI to Audio for the inputs to the CD recorder. This leaves you 4 outputs which you could use for displays either using a single SDI to HDMI which you could use inexpensive HDMI distribution boxes or multiple SDI to HDMI convertors.

This setup makes cable runs a breeze, HD signals can be run on 300ft cable runs and SD over 1000-1200ft runs. You can always convert it to fibre if you need longer runs.