AVL MASTER HANDBOOK 2026

Abundant Life Church - Matthews, NC

Version 2 Draft - Updated 12-16-25
(Core Systems + Expanded Operations)
(Diagrams & Advanced Modules Forthcoming)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction & Purpose

2. AVL Ecosystem Overview

3. Full AVL ECO Startup Sequence

4. Front of House (FOH) - Avantis Console

5. I/O, Signal Flow & Troubleshooting

6. Gain Structure: Gain / Trim / Direct Out

7. Broadcast & Studio Operations

8. ME-1 Personal Monitor System

9. Ableton / Dante Stage Operations

10. IP & Dante Network Troubleshooting

11. Projection & ProPresenter Operations

12. Pre-Service Media & Countdown Workflow

13. Live Stream Setup (Subsplash + OBS)

14. Studio / FOH / Playback Workflow

15. Full AVL ECO Shutdown Procedure

16. Appendix (Coming Soon)

Videos for all topics are available at:
https://alcnc.church/avlt

1. INTRODUCTION & PURPOSE

The AVL Master Handbook 2026 exists to ensure every volunteer, leader, and technical team member can confidently operate the Abundant Life Church AVL ecosystem with clarity, consistency, safety, and excellence.

This handbook establishes a unified operational standard across audio, video, lighting, playback, and IP-based networking systems. It serves as the official operational reference for ALC Matthews and will continue to evolve as systems and training expand.

2. AVL ECOSYSTEM OVERVIEW

Abundant Life Church operates a fully networked AVL ecosystem built around Dante audio distribution and centralized control.

  • Avantis FOH console
  • ME-1 personal monitor system
  • ProTools-based studio broadcast mix
  • Ableton playback over Dante
  • OBS and Subsplash livestream distribution
  • DMX lighting control
  • Network switches supporting Dante, NDI, and control data

Key Principle: If routing, IP addressing, or I/O assignments are incorrect, audio and video will fail downstream.

3. FULL AVL ECO STARTUP SEQUENCE

Order matters. Always follow this sequence.

Booth First (Control Before Power)

  • Wake projection computer and launch ProPresenter
  • Wake lighting computer and launch lighting software

FOH Audio Console

  • Power on Avantis console before any rack or platform power
  • Load correct scene using Q Mode

Video Suite

  • Power video suite via main power strip
  • Turn on multiview, switcher, and center monitor

Back AV Room

  • Turn on main rack power
  • Turn on FOH power (speakers, lighting bars, platform)

Rule: Turn ON last → Turn OFF first

4. FRONT OF HOUSE (FOH) - AVANTIS CONSOLE

Scene Management

  • House Mix Scene → Congregation audio
  • Broadcast / ProTools Scene → Livestream & recording

MIX Button (Critical)

  • LR = House
  • Video Mix = Livestream
  • Aux / Groups = Monitors & routing

5. I/O, SIGNAL FLOW & TROUBLESHOOTING

  • Check I/O assignment
  • Confirm gain meter activity
  • Verify routing to LR, Groups, and Video mix

Unassigned I/O = Silence everywhere

6. GAIN STRUCTURE

  • GAIN - Physical preamp
  • TRIM - Virtual level control
  • DIRECT OUT - Signal sent to Studio & ME-1

7. BROADCAST & STUDIO OPERATIONS

Studio receives individual audio stems via Dante.

  • ProTools
  • Dante Virtual Soundcard
  • Dante Controller
  • RedNet monitoring

Studio monitors use Dante channels 61 (L) and 62 (R).

8. ME-1 PERSONAL MONITOR SYSTEM

Default Groups:

  • Piano
  • Aux Keys
  • Bass
  • Guitar 1
  • Guitar 2
  • Drums
  • Tracks
  • Clicks & Guides

9. ABLETON / DANTE STAGE OPERATIONS

  • Dante Virtual Soundcard must show STOP
  • All Dante devices GREEN
  • Load current Ableton service session

10. IP & DANTE NETWORK TROUBLESHOOTING

  • AVL network uses 192.168.253.xxx
  • Green = Good
  • Orange = Device off
  • Red = IP conflict

11. PROJECTION & PROPRESENTER OPERATIONS

  • Wake projection computer
  • Launch ProPresenter
  • Turn on projectors via remote

12. PRE-SERVICE MEDIA & COUNTDOWN WORKFLOW

Countdown must start 5 minutes before service.

  • Convert video to slide
  • Calculate seconds
  • Subtract from 300
  • Apply remaining countdown

13. LIVE STREAM SETUP (SUBSPLASH + OBS)

  • Create livestream in Subsplash
  • Enable YouTube & Facebook
  • Insert "VISIT US ONLINE" website link

14. STUDIO / FOH / PLAYBACK WORKFLOW

FOH does not mix livestream. Studio controls broadcast audio.

15. FULL AVL ECO SHUTDOWN PROCEDURE

  • Back AV Room power off first
  • Shutdown Avantis via Utility menu
  • Lighting blackout and quit software
  • Turn off projectors via remote
  • Verify charging of cameras, mics, comms

16. APPENDIX (COMING SOON)

  • Full ECO diagram
  • Studio Part 2
  • Drum mic & trigger system
  • Stage routing & subsnake map
  • AVL IP address reference sheet

END OF VERSION 2 DRAFT