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Channel Groups and Multi-Unit Control

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Overview

Channel groups are one of the most powerful features of the WVC product line. They let you assign RCA output channels — across one or more WVC units — into logical groups that can be controlled independently or in a relative (chained) relationship. This article explains how channel groups work, how to configure them, common deployment architectures, and how to use multiple WVC units together in a single wireless mesh.

What Is a Channel Group?

A channel group is a collection of one or more RCA output channels that are controlled together by a single encoder or knob action. Each group can be given a custom name (e.g., "Front", "Sub", "Rear") that appears on the knob display, the RTC screen, and in the app. You can have as many channel groups as you have channels, and each group can be set to one of two modes:

  • Standalone — Volume is fully independent of all other groups.
  • Relative — Volume moves proportionally to a parent group. Example: If Channel Group 2 (subwoofer) is set to Relative to Group 1 (mids/highs) at 50%, and you turn your mids/highs down to 50%, your subwoofer output will automatically be at 25% — maintaining the same relative balance.

Default Channel Group Configuration

By default, all output channels on a unit are assigned to a single channel group, so the knob controls all channels together. You can reconfigure this in the AuralSync app under Advanced → Channel Groups.

Switching Between Channel Groups on the Knob

Single Encoder Knob

  • Single click the top of the knob to toggle between Fast Mode and Slow Mode volume stepping.
  • Double-click the top to cycle to the next channel group.

Dual Encoder Knob

Each encoder is assigned to a specific channel group, allowing simultaneous, instant control of two groups without any button presses. Additional groups beyond two can still be accessed by double-clicking the top of either encoder.

Chaining Relative Groups

Firmware supports chaining relative channel groups — for example:

  • Group 1 (Highs) — Standalone, master volume
  • Group 2 (Mids) — Relative to Group 1
  • Group 3 (Subwoofer) — Relative to Group 2 In this configuration, turning down Group 1 cascades the volume reduction through Groups 2 and 3 proportionally. Each group can still be independently adjusted within its relative range.

Understanding Active Channels

Before planning your deployment, it helps to understand what an "active channel" means in this context:

  • A mono signal occupies one active channel (a single RCA connection carrying one signal).
  • A stereo signal occupies two active channels — a left and a right RCA connection carrying different audio data. This distinction matters when deciding how to assign your inputs and outputs across one or more WVC units.

Deployment Architectures

There is no one-size-fits-all answer for how to wire a WVC into your system. The right topology depends on how many amplifiers you have, whether you're using a DSP, and how much independent control you need. The following scenarios illustrate common approaches.

Scenario 1: Two-Channel Unit Controlling Two Amplifiers (Mono Channels)

A 2-channel WVC has one left and one right output. If you want to control two separate amplifiers independently — for example, a subwoofer amplifier and a mids amplifier — you can route one mono signal to each:

  • Channel 1 (left) → Subwoofer amplifier
  • Channel 2 (right) → Mids/highs amplifier Assign each channel to its own channel group. You can then switch between groups on the knob (double-click) to adjust subwoofer and mids levels independently. This gives you complete independent control of your entire system from a single 2-channel unit.

Scenario 2: Two-Channel Unit with Multiple Amplifiers on the Same Signal (Y-Splitter)

If you have a stereo left/right signal and want to feed it to more than one amplifier, you can use a Y-splitter, passive RCA splitter box, or an active device such as the LF Audio Multi-Amplifier Synchronizer or DD Audio ZDL to split the output to multiple amplifiers. All amplifiers on the split will be attenuated together as a single channel group.

See the warning below about what not to do with Y-splitters — splitting outputs to multiple amplifiers is fine; combining inputs is not.

Scenario 3: Six-Channel Unit for Full System Control

A 6-channel WVC provides six independent inputs and six outputs. A typical full-system deployment:

  • Channels 1–2 → Front left / front right → Mids amplifier
  • Channels 3–4 → Rear left / rear right → Highs amplifier
  • Channels 5–6 → Subwoofer left / subwoofer right → Subwoofer amplifier Each stereo pair can be assigned to its own channel group for independent control, or grouped together as a master volume.

Scenario 4: WVC with a DSP — Master Volume + Independent Subwoofer Control

A common and flexible topology when using a DSP:

  1. Your source signal enters the WVC inputs.
  2. The WVC outputs feed the DSP — this channel group acts as master volume control.
  3. The DSP processes the signal and sends its outputs to your mids/highs amplifiers directly.
  4. The DSP also loops one output back into a second WVC input channel, which then feeds the subwoofer amplifier — this channel group provides independent subwoofer level control. This gives you a master volume knob for the whole system plus a separate subwoofer trim, all from one WVC unit.
Note

If you are running a full DSP-based system with proper stereo signals on all channels, running mono signals into the WVC is generally not recommended. The DSP loop-back topology above is better suited to those builds.

Using Multiple WVC Units Together

The WVC wireless encrypted mesh allows you to link multiple WVC base units together. A single knob can connect to and control multiple units simultaneously. Channel groups can span channels that reside on different physical units.

Example: You have two 6-channel units linked together — 12 total channels. You could assign:

  • Channels 1–4 (Unit 1) to Channel Group 1 — master volume
  • Channels 5–12 (across both units) to Channel Group 2 — relative to Group 1 The system supports up to 24 channel groups across linked units, giving you fine-grained independent control over a large number of output channels.

Linking Units

To add a secondary unit to the mesh:

  1. Open the AuralSync app and connect to your primary unit.
  2. Navigate to Advanced → Mesh / Multi-Unit.
  3. Follow the on-screen pairing steps to add the secondary unit.
  4. Once linked, all channels from both units appear in the Channel Groups configuration screen.

Relative Channel Groups in Detail

When a channel group is set to Relative, its volume is always expressed as a percentage of its parent group's current level.

Example:

  • Group 1 (master) is at 100% → Group 2 (relative at 50%) outputs at 50%
  • Group 1 drops to 50% → Group 2 automatically outputs at 25% (50% of 50%)
  • Group 1 drops to 0% → Group 2 is also at 0% This allows you to set a permanent balance between amplifier sections that is maintained automatically as you adjust master volume — without needing to touch the subwoofer or secondary group separately.

⚠️ Warning: Never Use a Y-Splitter to Combine Input Signals

A common mistake is attempting to use a Y-splitter to merge two stereo signals into a single RCA input — for example, combining a front left/right pair and a rear left/right pair into one input in order to control more amplifiers with fewer channels.

Do not do this. Here is why:

Signal Cancellation

Stereo audio contains different data on the left and right channels — different frequencies, different timing, and often intentional phase differences. When you electrically combine two RCA signals using a Y-splitter, the voltages from both sources are summed on the same conductor. If the two signals are out of phase with each other (even partially), they partially or fully cancel:

  • Two signals that are 180° out of phase produce zero output — a completely flat, silent signal.
  • Two signals that are partially offset produce incoherent noise — a garbled mix that does not resemble either original signal. Real music signals are not perfectly in phase, so combining them this way produces unpredictable, degraded audio — not a useful summed signal.

Output Device Conflict

Each RCA output is driven by an active circuit (typically an op-amp). When you connect two outputs together via a Y-splitter, the output stages of both devices are now directly connected and fighting each other's voltage rails. This is electrically harmful and can damage the output stages of your source device, DSP, or WVC unit.

The Right Solution

If you need more channels of independent volume control than your current unit provides, add another WVC unit and link it to your mesh wirelessly. Do not attempt to combine signals with a Y-splitter.

Splitting one output to multiple amplifiers (one output → Y-splitter → two amp inputs) is fine. Combining multiple outputs into one input is not.

Naming Channel Groups

You can give each channel group a custom name (up to 10 characters) such as "Front", "Sub", "Rear", or "Fill". Custom names appear everywhere groups are referenced:

  • On the knob display when switching between groups
  • On the RTC screen in the Channel Groups editor and volume display
  • In the AuralSync app when managing groups

Names are set in the Channel Groups configuration screen (on the RTC or in the app) and automatically sync to all connected devices — knobs, other RTC units, and the app. Groups without a custom name display as "Group 1", "Group 2", etc.

Configuring Channel Groups in the App

  1. Open the AuralSync app and connect to your unit.
  2. Navigate to Advanced → Channel Groups.
  3. Set the number of groups.
  4. Tap each group name to rename it (optional).
  5. Assign each output channel to a group.
  6. Set each group's mode: Standalone or Relative to [Group X].
  7. If Relative, set the percentage.
  8. Tap Save.