Headphone Output, Superior Audio Quality Is Maintained Throughout
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User Guide Issue 2, June 2006 This User Guide is applicable for serial numbers: M212-00151 and later Copyright © 2006 by Studio Technologies, Inc., all rights reserved www.studio-tech.com 50330-0606, Issue 2 Table of Contents Introduction ................................................................... 5 System Features ........................................................... 6 Installation and Setup ................................................... 10 Configuration ................................................................ 15 Operation ...................................................................... 24 Technical Notes ............................................................. 27 Specifications ................................................................ 34 Appendix A .................................................................... 35 Block Diagram Model 212 User Guide Issue 2, June 2006 Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 3 This page intentionally left blank. Issue 2, June 2006 Model 212 User Guide Page 4 Studio Technologies, Inc. Introduction What This User Guide Covers This User Guide is designed to assist you when installing, configuring, and using the Model 212 Announcer’s Console. Additional background technical information is also provided. A product block diagram is included at the end of this guide. System Overview The Model 212 Announcer’s Console is designed to serve as the audio control center for announcers, commentators, and production talent. With its digital audio Figure 1. Model 212 front panel input and output resources the tabletop unit is well suited for numerous applications including on-air television sports broadcast- ing. The broadcast-standard interfaces allow direct integration into contemporary “all digital” environments. The Model 212 integrates all on-air, talkback, and cue audio signal routing into one compact sys- tem. Some of the unit’s highlights include ease of use, configuration flexibility, and sonic excellence. Whether it’s microphone preamplification, Figure 2. Model 212 back panel switching of main and talkback audio signals, or the headphone output, superior audio quality is maintained throughout. A A truly next-generation product, extensive microprocessor provides the Model 212’s research into the needs and desires of logic power, allowing precise control of the field production personnel was integral to unit’s operation. A range of choices allows the Model 212’s creation. While primarily the desired operating configuration to be targeted for on-air television applications, easily selected. While flexible, the user is specialized features are included to allow presented with an easy-to-use set of con- the Model 212 to be used in a variety of trols and indicators. The digital audio inter- other audio applications. These include faces are directly compatible with system on-air radio broadcasting, stadium an- environments that use AES digital audio nouncement, and voice-over/narration signals as their preferred transmission booths. method. Unbalanced, 75 ohm interfaces are standard with balanced 110 ohm support also available. Model 212 User Guide Issue 2, June 2006 Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 5 dynamic range control of the signal can System Features offer increased performance for many applications. This would be appropriate Microphone Input for applications such as stadium an- A high-performance microphone pre- nouncement positions, sports events amplifier circuit provides low-noise/low- using nonprofessional on-air talent, as distortion amplification over a 10 to well as situations where the risk of digital 50 dB gain range. The gain is adjustable “clipping” is present. in 10 dB steps. The input is compatible with balanced dynamic or condenser Main and Talkback Audio microphones. The microphone power source is 48 volts nominal and meets the Channels worldwide P48 phantom standard. An Internally, the Model 212 creates analog LED indicator serves as an aid for optimiz- main and talkback audio channels. The ing the setting of the preamplifier’s gain. main audio channel is designed to serve The output of the microphone preamplifier as the on-air, stadium announcement, is routed to the compressor circuit that or other primary audio feed. The talkback supports the main and talkback audio audio channel is intended to provide channels. production trucks, control rooms, or support personnel with a talent-originated Dynamic Range Control cue signal. The two analog channels are converted to 24-bit PCM digital audio and A studio-quality compressor circuit is multiplexed and formatted into an AES provided to control the dynamic range digital audio “stream.” The A/D converters of the analog signal coming from the and digital transmitter circuitry is synchro- microphone preamplifier. Far from a nized (“locked”) to the selected digital simple “clipper,” the circuit utilizes a input signal. The system will automatically sophisticated laser-trimmed voltage- revert to the internal clock, which provides controlled-amplifier (VCA) integrated cir- a 48 kHz sampling rate. The main audio cuit for quiet, low-distortion level control. channel is assigned to digital channel 1 The output of the compressor is used by with talkback audio on digital channel 2. the main and talkback channels, being The composite digital audio signal routed to the inputs of their respective is routed to two physical interfaces. One analog-to-digital converter circuits. The output is AES3id compliant (unbalanced, threshold of the compressor can be con- 75 ohms) with a BNC connector for inter- figured from among two values. When facing. This professional interface is trans- configured for –4 dBFS dynamic range former-coupled and capable of driving control will only take place as the signal long broadcast cable runs. approaches the level limit of the digital signal. During normal operation the com- The digital audio output signal is also pressor would not be active. With the routed to a unique bidirectional digital compressor configured to –14 dBFS some interface. Similar to AES3id, it uses a dynamic range control would be expected BNC connector and supports two chan- during normal operation. While not appro- nels of audio in each direction over a priate for major on-air situations, having single 75 ohm cable. The bidirectional Issue 2, June 2006 Model 212 User Guide Page 6 Studio Technologies, Inc. audio interface will find use in specialized the user with a clear, easy-to-use interface. applications, including direct integration One pushbutton switch controls the status with Riedel® intercom systems. Note that of the main audio channel. This is the au- audio signals received from the bidirec- dio signal intended for on-air, announce- tional interface are described in the Cue ment, or other primary uses. Two LEDs Sources section of this document. display the on/off status of the main audio channel. A second pushbutton switch For enhanced flexibility, the Model 212 controls the status of the talkback audio includes the resources to support a third channel. This is the audio signal used to digital output. Circuitry, located on the communicate with producers, directors, printed circuit board assembly, creates spotters, or other behind-the-scenes pro- an AES3 compliant, 110 ohm nominal, duction personnel. A status LED is associ- transformer-balanced digital output. Gain- ated with the talkback button. Two rotary ing access to this output simply requires controls allow the user to adjust the level adding a 3-pin male XLR-type connector of the stereo headphone output. to one of the two spare connector loca- tions on the Model 212’s back panel. Operational Flexibility Connector kits, available from Studio Technologies, make this a simple task. Much of the Model 212’s unique capabili- ties derive from the ability to configure the For specialized applications an optional on/off control of the main and talkback direct microphone output card is available. audio channels. To meet the needs of the This allows the Model 212 to support an many specific broadcast and production analog signal chain for the main output applications, a variety of button operat- channel. Of course this output also pro- ing modes are available. The main but- vides “click-free” microphone on/off ton, located on the left side of the front (“muting”) control. panel, can be selected to operate from The Model 212 isn’t limited for use in “on- among four modes. In the “push-to-mute” air” applications. A special feature can be mode the button performs a momentary enabled, placing the unit in a “production” mute of the main audio channel. In this mode. When this mode is active enabling way a “cough” button function is created, the talkback audio channel will no longer something typically required for television force the main audio channel to mute. This sports broadcasting. In the “push-to-talk” allows the main audio channel to be used mode the button provides a momentary as a second talkback output. In this con- active function for the main audio channel. figuration the unit can be even more pow- This mode would be appropriate for appli- erful when used in a live event application, cations such as stadium announcement. such as serving as a master console for a An alternate action “latching” configura- production director. tion allows the button to enable or disable the main audio channel as desired. This User Controls and Status is useful in radio broadcasting, announce- booth, or voice-over applications. The Indicators fourth mode provides a