We are creatives, we use tools to be creative and get the job done but we are not computer network specialists. However, with the growth of Audio Over IP using Dante or AVB and control surfaces connected via your network using protocols like EuControl, people may be using technology that we may not fully understand. In this article, we aim to explain, as simply as possible, tips you can implement to reduce problems with trying to get too much data reliably across your office or home network.

EuControl

EuControl enabled control surfaces include the Avid Dock, S1, S3, Avid Control app for iOS and Android, and Artist Series (such as Artist Mix and Artist Control).

Avid S4 And S6

Configurations for the Avid S4 and S6 control surfaces are a step up from using control surfaces like the S1 and S3 and the free Avid Contol app. For detailed advice on configuring your network when using Avid S4 or S6 control surfaces download the EUCON Networking Guidelines from Avid.

Network Basics and Best Practices

Avid S4/S6 and EuControl devices are audio mixing control surfaces that require a fast and reliable connection to the computer that you run your DAW, like Pro Tools on. Avid chose Ethernet because of its performance, flexibility and easily available hardware. Although S4/S6 and EuControl use common protocols for networking, there are certain requirements that will go above and beyond what a typical home or small office network can handle.

• Running applications that use high bandwidth, such as AVB and Dante over Ethernet, or even worse remote storage like Avid Nexis, and similar, can require significant data throughput that will stretch your conventional office or home network.

• Any temporary break in the Ethernet connection can cause the whole system to become unreliable and require a full reboot. To get the best performance it is recommended that you have separate computer networks with separate network connections, or Network Interface Controllers (NICs).

NICs (Network Interface Controllers)

Each Ethernet port on a computer has its own NIC. If your computer only has one NIC, don’t worry, you can add more NICs by using USB-to-Ethernet adapters, network cards, or Thunderbolt docks that also have an Ethernet port. Each NIC then supports a separate independent network/subnet.

When using EUCON control surfaces (including S4/S6, Dock, S1, S3, or Artist Series) in combination with Pro Tools Carbon, Pro Tools MTRX or MTRX Studio units in Pro Tools systems, it is recommended to use one dedicated NIC for EUCON peripherals and connect all other network devices to one or more separate NICs.

For example, use dedicated NICs for MTRX Studio/DADman, Dante audio, local network, internet, and so on. Using separate NICs is especially important when streaming IP audio over Dante.

If your computer does not have enough hardware Ethernet ports, use Ethernet-to-Thunderbolt/USB (or similar) adapters.

Note that for devices such as Pro Tools Carbon, an AVB-compatible adapter (or adapters) are required. For a list of qualified adapters and other requirements, see Pro Tools Carbon Support and Compatibility.

Each Network Needs A Different Subnet

Multiple networks need to be on different Subnets. For example, two separate ports on the Mac cannot have the same 192.168.1.x IP address. If you need a second NIC that needs to be configured to a separate Subnet IP address, for example, 192.168.2.x and so on.

Avid Control for iOS and Android

When the Avid Control app for iOS and Android is the only EuControl device being used, it can be connected to EuControl software running on your studio computer using an existing Wi-Fi connection. If using a router, a hard-wired connection is required between the device and your computer, note that for this application WiFi is not supported.

Avid Dock, S1(s), S3, Avid Control And Artist Series

Hardware EuControl surfaces, like the Avid Dock Avid S1, Avid S3, and the Artist Series, each needs an Ethernet connection to the computer. For a single unit like an Avid Dock, it is possible to connect the Dock directly to the computer and use the computer’s WiFi for the Avid Control App.

Once you have more than one control surface requiring a cabled Ethernet connection, you will need to use a router. See the images below for more details…

Audio Over IP With Interfaces Like Pro Tools Carbon, Avid MTRX Or Avid MTRX Studio

If you are using an interface that uses Audio Over IP, whether it is Dante with interfaces like the Focusrite Red Series, Avid MTRX, or AVB with interfaces like Pro Tools Carbon, It is strongly recommended that you do not use the same Network Interface Controller (NIC) for both EuControl and Audio Over IP. You need to use separate NICs, one dedicated to Audio Over IP and one for EuControl/local network for internet and file sharing on smaller setups. For more on this see the NICs (Network Interface Controllers) section above.

TIP: One other piece of advice. Even though interfaces like Pro Tools Carbon, MTRX or MTRX Studio all have 2 Ethernet ports on the back, do not daisy-chain the Ethernet connections between devices. Though technically possible, daisy-chaining out of the second Network port is not supported and not recommended.

Improving WiFi Connections When Using Avid Control On Tablets Or Smartphones

Many common Avid Control issues can be traced to problems with WiFi signal strength. Here are some troubleshooting steps to try…

• Power down your router and power it back up again to force it to re-initialise. This often resolves any one of a number of problems.

• Minimise physical obstacles in between the router and the mobile device; walls and electronic equipment in between the router and mobile device will impact the signal strength.

  • Consider moving the router to be in the same room as your control surfaces.

  • Alternatively, consider installing a Mesh-based WiFi system with multiple transceivers and make sure one of them is in the same room as the control surfaces.

• Consider using a dedicated Gaming Router with MU-MIMO technology. MU-MIMO (Multi-User – Multiple Input Multiple Output) allows data to flow between multiple devices at the same time uninterrupted, which is great if you have more than one tablet.

  • Routers like the TP-Link AC5400 or Linksys Mesh AC2200 with 3 MU-MIMO Wi-Fi bands are recommended by Avid for 4 or more tablets and Surfaces.

  • Avid says that MU-MIMO dual-band Routers like the TP-Link Archer AC1200 and TP-Link Archer AC1900 are good for up to 3 tablets and 3 Control Surfaces.

There are several settings on tablets and smartphones that aim to improve connectivity for when you are moving around a building. They do this by switching to different signals or bands automatically. These are not required when you are in one fixed location, like a studio and can cause instability and intermittent connectivity for the Avid Control app.

• Make sure that the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz bands are separate and not merged into one SSID (name) in the Wi-Fi settings in the Router. This is usually called Band Steering.

• Usually, if you are within 40 ft/12m the better band to use is 5Ghz, if you are farther away then you may find the 2.4Ghz is stronger. The 5Ghz is a faster connection but has less range and Avid recommend using 5GHz if possible.

• Turn off Adaptive Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Assist or Wi-Fi+ on your phone or tablet. This is where the tablet or smartphone switches between cellular and Wi-Fi to find the best signal. If enabled, it can cause intermittent connectivity for the Avid Control app.

• If you have a quality of service (QoS) in the router settings enabled, Avid recommend turning it off for networks using EuControl. But for Audio Over IP, this setting needs to be on, which is another reason why AoIP needs to be on a separate network.

• If you have IGMP Snooping enabled on your router, turn it off.

• On your tablet or smartphone make sure Use Randomized MAC is not enabled in the Network Settings

Other Recommendations:

• Avid recommends connecting your Mac or Windows computer to the Router using a single Ethernet cable. Load Balancing with two network cables or a single network cable plus Wi-Fi can degrade performance.

• Turn off voice assistants like Alexa and Siri.

• Switch to Ethernet - This bypasses the need to use WiFi for the tablets or smartphone to communicate with your studio computer. Depending on your device you will need one of the following set of options…

  • Apple: Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter + USB 2 to Ethernet Adapter for connection of Ethernet cable direct to iPad. (Disable Wi-Fi on iPad when using this connection type)

  • Apple iPad with USB C: USB C to Ethernet Adapter

  • Android: USB to Ethernet Adapter (note: not all adapters are compatible with every tablet)

• Allow Bonjour to communicate through Windows Firewall. If you need to know how to do this Avid recommends the advice from Pure Info Tech.

Studio Network Takeaways

There are some key takeaways from all this advice…

• Don’t try and do everything across your office or home network. You will need separate networks for all but the most basic setups.

• If you are using Audio Over IP, set up a separate network with separate cabling and Ethernet ports on your computers and only use that network for Audio Over IP. Nothing else and that includes EuControl.

• If you are using multiple devices running Avid Contol, consider using Ethernet connectivity instead of WiFi, as you will get much more bandwidth and so it will be more reliable and more responsive.

• On larger setups consider a separate network dedicated for EuControl. If you are using Avid S4 or S6 control surfaces, this is almost essential.