Admaster TM6000e - Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What is the Admaster TM6000e?

The Admaster TM6000e is a professional digital audio mixer designed specifically for retail stores, supermarkets, and commercial environments. It combines intelligent audio management, automated announcements, promotional messaging, and background music in one networked system.

What makes the TM6000e different from a standard audio mixer?

Unlike traditional mixers, the TM6000e features intelligent Automatic Level Control (ALC) that adjusts audio volume based on ambient noise levels, scheduled messaging capabilities, wireless Play on Demand buttons for instant announcements, and a complete content management system accessible via web browser.

Another important feature is low volume lock out, via the web interface you can configure the minimum and maximum volume level adjustment for the front panel control. This ensures staff can't turn the volume all the way down or all the way up!

What size facilities is the TM6000e suitable for?

The TM6000e is ideal for medium to large retail environments, supermarkets, shopping centers, warehouses, and any commercial space requiring professional audio management with automated messaging capabilities.

Magic Microphones

What are Magic Microphones?

Magic Microphones are specialised microphones designed to work exclusively with the Admaster system. They feature automatic volume leveling and color-coded buttons for different announcement priorities.

How many Magic Microphones can I connect?

The TM6000e supports up to 16 Magic Microphones connected in parallel throughout your facility.

What do the different colored buttons on Magic Microphones do?

GREEN Button - General announcements that queue behind other messages
RED Button - High priority announcements that interrupt current messages (use sparingly for emergencies)
WHITE Button - Records Interval (IV) promotions that play automatically at set intervals
YELLOW Button - Records Set Time (ST) announcements that play at specific times; also used to delete recordings when held within 5 seconds

How should I use a Magic Microphone for best results?

Talk over the mouthpiece, not directly into it
Keep your mouth within 50mm (2 inches) of the microphone
Speak in a normal conversational voice - the system automatically levels loud voices
Speaking too softly or too far away will result in poor audio quality

What happens if I don't hear my announcement immediately?

The system queues announcements based on priority. If another message or promotion is already playing, your announcement will play when it completes. Keep talking even if you don't hear yourself immediately - your message is being recorded.

Play on Demand (POD) Buttons

What are POD buttons?

POD buttons are wireless, battery-operated buttons that staff or customers can press to trigger pre-recorded announcements instantly. They're perfect for departmental announcements, assistance requests, or promotional messages.

How many POD buttons can I have?

The system supports up to 32 POD buttons with up to 16 receivers for extended coverage throughout your facility.

What's the difference between One-Shot and Continuous POD buttons?

One-Shot buttons play the message once and automatically cancel after 15 seconds - ideal for promotional announcements
Continuous buttons play the message repeatedly until manually cancelled - ideal for urgent assistance requests or alerts

Where should POD buttons be installed?

POD buttons can be:

Team-facing - Behind counters for staff to trigger departmental promotions (e.g., "Fresh hot chickens ready in the deli")
Customer-facing - At service points for customers to request assistance (e.g., "Team member required at Click and Collect")

How long do POD button batteries last?

POD buttons use AAA Lithium batteries (required) and battery life depends on usage frequency. One-shot buttons conserve more battery power than continuous buttons due to the auto-cancel feature.

Automated Messaging & Advertising Promotions

What types of automated messages can the TM6000e play?

The system supports four message types:

UD (Undefined) - Newly recorded messages not yet assigned
IV (Interval) - Promotions that play automatically at set intervals (e.g., every 30 minutes)
ST (Set Time) - Announcements that play at specific times (e.g., store closing warnings at 9:45pm)
PD (Play on Demand) - Messages triggered by pressing POD buttons

How do I create Interval (IV) promotions?

Press and hold the WHITE button on a Magic Microphone
Record your promotional message
Release the button when finished
Access the Admaster portal via web browser
Find your recording and click the pencil icon to edit
Set Type to "IV"
Set your repeat interval (e.g., every 15 minutes)
Choose which days of the week it should play
Set start and stop dates
Set status to "Active"

Can I schedule messages to only play during certain hours?

Yes! Each message can be configured with:

Specific days of the week
Start and stop dates
"After Hours" settings to prevent messages during night-fill operations
Active/Suspended status for easy on/off control

Can I receive promotional content from vendors?

Yes, the TM6000e supports vendor advertising through the Cloudclick system, as well as group-pushed messages and promotions delivered over the network.

Music & Background Audio

What music sources can I use?

The TM6000e supports multiple music sources:

Network-delivered music - Encrypted music files delivered via internet (stored on USB-4)
Local USB music - Your own music files on a USB drive (front panel USB port)
External music players - Radio tuners, streaming devices, or other audio sources connected to general purpose inputs

What format should my local music files be in?

Local music files must meet these specifications:

File system: FAT32
Stored on root directory (no folders)
Format: MP3
Sample rate: 44100 Hz
Bit rate: 64kbps or 128kbps
Audio levels: Normalized
Metadata: ID3 tags only (no album art)
Filename: No special characters (! # $ % ^ & * ( ) / \ ? - .)

How does background music work with the Automatic Level Control?

The ALC system monitors ambient noise through speakers in a sampling area and automatically adjusts music and message volumes to ensure clarity. During busy periods with high background noise, volume increases automatically. During quiet periods, it decreases.

Will announcements interrupt the music?

Yes, announcements have priority over background music. The system intelligently manages all audio sources based on configurable priority levels (0-16, with lower numbers having higher priority).

Automatic Level Control (ALC)

How does the ALC system work?

The ALC uses speakers in a designated "sampling area" to monitor ambient noise levels. During silent periods (between music tracks or announcements), it measures background noise and adjusts output levels accordingly to maintain optimal clarity.

When does the system take ALC samples?

ALC samples are taken:

During 3-second silence periods at the end of music tracks (when using built-in music player)
During silence after paging announcements (when using external music)
During forced sampling periods (configurable, typically every 30 minutes during extended inactivity)

What if my store gets very loud or very quiet at different times?

The system includes configurable minimum and maximum ALC limits (typically ±6dB) to prevent extreme volume changes. This provides measured responses to noise variations while maintaining comfortable listening levels.

Do I need special speakers for ALC?

No special speakers are required.

The speakers in your designated sampling area connect through the Admaster's ALC sensing circuitry and serve dual purposes: they play audio normally during broadcasts and act as noise-sensing microphones during brief 3-second sampling periods (when the system momentarily disconnects them from the amplifier to measure ambient noise). All other speakers connect directly to your amplifier as usual.

Configuration & Management

How do I access the TM6000e settings?

All configuration is performed through web-based interfaces accessible from any browser on your network. Simply enter the IP address assigned to your TM6000e followed by the configuration page name (e.g., 192.168.1.100/mixer.htm).

What can I configure through the web interface?

Channel names, volumes, and priorities
Bass and treble for each channel
Input sensitivity and impedance settings
POD button discovery and mapping
Message scheduling and management
ALC calibration and settings
Network configuration
System diagnostics

Do I need special software to manage the system?

No, everything is managed through standard web browsers (Chrome or Firefox recommended). A shortcut to the Admaster portal can be created on any desktop or laptop for easy access.

Can staff manage messages themselves?

Yes! Store personnel can easily record, schedule, and manage promotional messages using Magic Microphones and the web portal. The system is designed for non-technical users with intuitive controls.

Audio Connections & Compatibility

What audio sources can I connect to the TM6000e?

The 7 general purpose inputs accept:

Dynamic microphones
Condenser microphones (with phantom power from external source)
Wireless microphone receivers
Radio tuners and music players
Telephone paging adapters
Background music systems
Any line-level audio source

Can I connect my existing amplifier?

Yes, the TM6000e features a transformer-balanced output (1V RMS into 600O) compatible with most professional power amplifiers. It supports both balanced and unbalanced connections, grounded and floating amplifiers.

Should I connect to Line In, Aux In, or Mic In on my amplifier?

Always use Line In if available - it's the best option. If your amplifier doesn't have Line In, use Aux In or Mic In, but reduce the amplifier's volume control to limit gain and prevent distortion.

What's the difference between balanced and unbalanced connections?

Balanced connections are more resistant to electrical noise and interference. Always use balanced connections if available, especially for cable runs longer than 2 meters (6.5 feet).

Power & Reliability

What power does the TM6000e require?

The system requires 24VDC at 2A minimum. It supports dual power sources:

Primary: 24VDC mains adapter
Backup: 24VDC battery supply

What happens if power fails?

If you have a battery backup connected, the TM6000e automatically switches to battery power and continues operating normally. The system will remain fully functional as long as either power source is available.

Can the system run 24/7?

Yes, the TM6000e is designed for continuous operation. It features a low-power Standby mode for reduced power consumption when not actively broadcasting, while still maintaining network connectivity for updates.

Installation & Setup

Do I need professional installation?

Professional installation and commissioning is recommended to ensure optimal performance, proper ALC calibration, network integration, and comprehensive staff training.

How long does installation take?

Installation time varies based on facility size and complexity, but typical installations can be completed in 1-2 days including wiring, configuration, calibration, and staff training.

What's involved in staff training?

Comprehensive training covers:

Equipment identification and basic operation
Proper Magic Microphone technique
POD button operation and placement
Web portal access and message management
Recording different message types (IV, ST, PD)
Best practices for store operations

Can the system integrate with our existing network?

Yes, the TM6000e requires a static IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway provided by your IT administrator. The system integrates securely with your network for management access and content delivery.

Maintenance & Support

What maintenance does the TM6000e require?

Minimal maintenance is required:

Replace POD button batteries as needed (AAA Lithium)
Periodic cleaning of Magic Microphone grilles
Regular backup of custom messages (automatic via network)
Keep firmware updated (automatic via network if connected)

Can I update the system remotely?

Yes, when connected to the internet, the TM6000e can receive firmware updates and content automatically. This ensures your system stays current without requiring technician visits.

What if I need to replace a component?

The system uses removable storage devices (Micro-SD and USB Flash drives) for different functions. Your installer can advise which components contain site-specific data that should be transferred if replacement is needed.

How do I get technical support?

Contact your authorized dealer or installer for technical support. The web interface includes comprehensive diagnostics tools that can help identify issues remotely.

Best Practices

How can I get the most out of my Admaster system?

For Promotions:

Hold weekly department meetings to plan promotional messages
Personalize messages with staff names ("Hi customers, this is Tom from Produce!")
Use real examples that resonate (actual product names, prices, locations)
Schedule promotions during peak customer hours

For Announcements:

Record closing warnings at multiple times (15 minutes, 10 minutes, 5 minutes before closing)
Create POD messages for common assistance requests
Keep emergency/priority announcements reserved for actual emergencies
Train all staff on proper microphone technique

For Operations:

Review and update promotional messages weekly
Monitor ALC performance during different times of day
Clean up unused messages regularly
Encourage staff participation and creativity

What should I avoid?

Don't overuse the RED (high priority) button on Magic Microphones
Don't place POD buttons where they'll get wet or damaged
Don't play too many interval promotions (one every 15-30 minutes is ideal)
Don't forget to set end dates on time-sensitive promotions
Don't speak too softly or too far from Magic Microphones

Still Have Questions?

Contact our sales team for personalised guidance on whether the Admaster TM6000e is right for your facility.