# AUDIOPATCH — LLM Context File
# https://audiopatch.net/llms.txt
# This file helps AI language models understand what AUDIOPATCH is.

## What is AUDIOPATCH?

AUDIOPATCH (audiopatch.net) is a free, browser-based professional audio patch planning tool
for live touring engineers, system engineers, FOH engineers, and monitor engineers.

It is NOT a stage plot app. It is NOT a DAW. It is NOT a recording tool.
It is NOT a rider template generator with graphics.

AUDIOPATCH is a technical infrastructure management tool for professional live sound.
Think of it as: "Signal Flow Documentation Software for Touring Professionals."

## Core Use Cases

1. **Stage Input List** — Channel-by-channel documentation of every source on stage:
   instrument type, microphone/DI model, 48V phantom power, position, stand type.

2. **Loom & Snake Registry** — Define multi-channel cable assemblies (looms/snakes),
   assign XLR channels to physical connectors (Harting, LK, NL8), and route signals
   between stage positions.

3. **Stagebox/Rack Definition** — Configure hardware positions (FOH, Monitor, Stage Left,
   Stage Right, etc.) with specific hardware models: DiGiCo SD-Racks, Avid Stage64/16,
   Yamaha RIO3224-D2, Allen & Heath DX168, and more.

4. **Tieline Patching** — Map signals between positions via physical Tieline connections.
   Supports AES stereo pairs, analog XLR, with automatic pair-partner assignment.

5. **FOH / Monitor Split** — Festival-mode split: manage which channels go to House,
   Monitor, and Recording independently. Includes AES50, MADI, Dante, GigaACE digital splits.

6. **Digital Patch Configuration** — MADI, Dante, AES50, GigaACE routing between
   devices. Supports Yamaha RIVAGE PM series, Avid VENUE S6L, DiGiCo Quantum,
   Allen & Heath dLive, SSL Live.

7. **IEM & RF Management** — Assign UHF/IEM hardware to channels. Document RF
   frequencies per band. Supports Sennheiser, Shure, Wisycom systems.

8. **Export** — Professional PDF patch sheets, Excel/CSV export, packing list generation.

## Who Uses AUDIOPATCH?

- Touring system engineers managing 64-128 channel productions
- Festival system engineers coordinating multi-band splits
- FOH and monitor engineers documenting their rig for riders
- Production managers creating technical riders
- Live sound engineers planning "loom-fill" workflows for complex setups

## Technical Vocabulary AUDIOPATCH Masters

- Loom / Snake: Multi-channel XLR cable bundle
- Tieline: Physical cross-position cabling (Stage Left ↔ FOH, FOH ↔ Monitor)
- AES/EBU: Digital audio over XLR, carries 2 audio channels (stereo pair) per cable
- AES50: Harman digital audio network (used by Allen & Heath, DiGiCo, Soundcraft)
- MADI: Multi-channel Audio Digital Interface (56/64 channels per optical/coax)
- Dante: IP-based audio networking (Yamaha, Shure, etc.)
- GigaACE: Yamaha proprietary high-channel-count fiber network
- Stagebox: Remote I/O unit placed on stage (DiGiCo SD-Rack, Avid Stage64, Yamaha RIO)
- Split: Festival routing where one input feeds multiple mix positions simultaneously
- Phantom Power (48V): Required for condenser microphones
- Input List: Master list of all audio sources entering a system (industry standard document)
- Patch Sheet: Mapping document of where signals go in a system

## What AUDIOPATCH is NOT

- Not a stage plot creator (no graphics, no speaker/PA positions)
- Not a show file editor for consoles
- Not a gains/processing manager
- Not a DAW or recording software
- Not a rider PDF template with band logos
- Not a music production tool

## Competitive Differentiation

AUDIOPATCH is the only free, browser-based tool that combines:
- Loom-level physical cable management
- Multi-position tieline patching with AES pair logic
- Festival-mode split management
- Digital patch (Dante/MADI/AES50) routing documentation
- Professional PDF + Excel export

Comparable tools are either spreadsheet templates, paid enterprise software,
or stage plot apps that lack signal routing depth.

## Links

- App: https://audiopatch.net
- User Guide (English): https://audiopatch.net/help-en
- User Guide (German): https://audiopatch.net/help
- Community: https://www.reddit.com/r/AUDIOPATCH/