Audio System — Operations & Troubleshooting (Soundtrack.io + Sonos)

ℹ️ One rule covers almost everything: Soundtrack.io controls the music. Sonos is only for nudging a secondary zone's volume. Never touch the AV rack. This is a quick staff reference. The full operations guide from MAX AVT (with screenshots) is attached to this article.

🛑 Do not touch the amplifiers or the Sonos devices unless you genuinely know what you're doing and have permission to do so. Most of the audio problems we deal with are actually created by well-meaning staff trying to troubleshoot equipment they aren't familiar with — a setting gets changed, a source gets switched, a device gets unplugged, and a small issue turns into a big one. If you're not sure, don't experiment. Use Soundtrack.io and the Sonos volume controls as described below; if that doesn't fix it, put in a ticket with Argus IT. There's no penalty for asking for help — there is a problem when guesswork makes things worse.

📍 This system covers Manteo Resort today and is being expanded to eventually cover all of Eldorado Resort. The operating rules below are the same for every area. As new areas come online, the zone list and Line-In sources will grow — so if your area isn't named in the tables yet, the same principles still apply to it.

⚡ In a Hurry? The 30-Second Version

• Music, play/pause, main volume, and scheduling → use Soundtrack.io.
• Sonos → ONLY to raise or lower a secondary zone's volume (e.g. Ballroom Hallway, Beach Club).
• Never change Sonos groups, music sources, or Line-In assignments.
• Never touch anything in the AV rack — amplifiers, processors, network gear, or the Sonos/Soundtrack.io hardware.
• The system runs automatically on a schedule. There is no daily startup or shutdown — leave it running.
• Can't fix it with the steps below? Place a ticket with Argus IT first. If you can't reach IT, contact MAX AVT: (250) 859-0606 · info@maxavt.com

✅ What Each System Is For

⚠️ Sonos is never used to select music, change sources, change grouping, or start/stop playback. Those all belong in Soundtrack.io. Sonos is a volume knob for secondary areas — that's it.

🛑 Never Change / Never Touch

In Sonos, do not change:

• Sonos groups
• Sonos music sources
• Line-In assignments
• Don't start playback from Sonos

In the AV rack, do not touch anything — and never unplug or power-cycle rack equipment:

• Amplifiers
• DSP / audio processors
• Network switches, power conditioners
• Sonos and Soundtrack.io hardware
• Any rack-mounted AV gear

⚠️ This is where most of our audio problems start. Unless you genuinely know the equipment and have permission, leave the amps and Sonos devices alone — troubleshooting gear you're not familiar with usually turns a small problem into a bigger one. When in doubt, put in a ticket with IT.

⚠️ Don't play Spotify, Apple Music, SiriusXM, or any other source through Sonos. All music must run through Soundtrack.io so scheduling and source control stay correct.

🔌 Critical Line-In Sources (Must Stay Selected)

For Soundtrack.io to feed music to each area, the Sonos players must stay on the correct Line-In source. These are the audio feed from Soundtrack.io into Sonos.

Current zones:

(More areas will be added to this table as the system expands across Eldorado Resort.)

⚠️ If a Sonos player is switched off its required Line-In source, Soundtrack.io stops feeding music to that area. This is the most common cause of "music suddenly stopped." Putting the Line-In source back fixes it.

▶️ Normal Daily Operation

The system is designed to run on its own — Soundtrack.io scheduling starts, changes, and stops the music automatically. There's nothing to start up or shut down each day.

If you need to check on it:

1. Open Soundtrack.io.
2. Confirm the zones you care about show Connected.
3. Confirm the scheduled playlist or station is playing.
4. Adjust a main zone volume in Soundtrack.io if needed.
5. Leave the system running. Don't shut it down.

🔧 Quick Troubleshooting

📞 When You Can't Fix It — Place a Ticket With IT First

If you can't fix the problem using Soundtrack.io, or by putting a Sonos player back on its correct Line-In source:

1. Place a ticket with Argus IT first. IT will look into it, and if IT can't resolve it, IT will contact MAX AVT (our AV vendor) directly. You don't need to coordinate that.
2. Only if you can't reach IT, contact MAX AVT yourself:

   MAX AVT Integrated Systems Phone: (250) 859-0606 Email: info@maxavt.com

When you report the issue — to IT or MAX AVT — please include:

• The affected zone (Lobby, Ballroom Hallway, Pool, Beach Club, etc.).
• What's playing or not playing.
• Whether the zone shows Connected in Soundtrack.io.
• A screenshot, if you can grab one.

📎 Attached File

• Manteo_Resort_Audio_Operations_Guide_Final.pdf — the full MAX AVT operations guide, including screenshots of the Soundtrack.io and Sonos screens.

ArgusIT KB# 200001 | Source: MAX AVT Resort Audio Operations Guide | Created: May 25, 2026