Studio Technologies 210 2012 - Manual (Page 10)

Issue 5, September 2012 Model 210 User Guide
Page 10 Studio Technologies, Inc.
System Components
Included in the shipping carton are the
following: Model 210 Announcer’s Con-
sole, user guide, button label sheet, and
24 volt DC power supply.
Microphone Input
The Model 210 is compatible with bal-
anced dynamic and condenser micro-
phones. Depending on the application,
the microphone may be part of a headset,
or be an independent handheld or stand-
mounted model. The Model 210’s 48 volt
nominal power source will support essen-
tially all phantom-powered microphones.
The quality of the Model 210’s microphone
preamplifier and associated circuitry is
such that special applications may benefit
from using “high-end” microphones. If
selected appropriately, models from man-
ufacturers such as AKG, Beyer, Neumann,
Sennheiser, and Shure will perform very
well in Model 210 applications.
The microphone input is also compatible
with line-level audio sources. This allows
the output of an external microphone pre-
amplifier, microphone processor, or audio
console to be directly connected. When
the configuration DIP switches are set for
0 dB (no gain) the nominal level of the
source audio signal should be approxi-
mately –2 dBu.
Microphone interconnection is made
by way of a 3-pin female XLR connec-
tor which is located on the Model 210’s
back panel. The mating connector (male)
should be wired so that pin 2 is signal
high (+ or hot), pin 3 is signal low (– or
cold), and pin 1 is shield. It’s possible that
an unbalanced microphone will also work
correctly. In this case, the mating connec-
tor (male) should be wired so that pin 2
is signal high (+ or hot), and signal com-
mon/shield is connected to both pins 1
and 3.
The Model 210 is not compatible with
unbalanced “electret”-type microphones
that require a source of low-voltage DC
for operation. These microphones, some-
times found in low-cost headsets, are
not generally suitable for on-air or other
demanding applications.
As of the writing date of this user guide,
the Sennheiser HMD 26 headset is very
popular for on-air sports broadcasting
use. A fine product, it works very well with
the Model 210. Note that adding the suf-
fix “-XQ” to the headset’s full part number
(HMD 26-600-XQ) specifies a 3-pin male
XLR connector for the dynamic micro-
phone and a ¼-inch 3-conductor plug for
the stereo headphones. This configura-
tion is very useful, allowing the headset
to work directly “out of the box” with the
Model 210.
If the writer may digress for a moment
to recount a story… an audio dealer
once shared a secret with me concerning
headsets. He loved selling the “lower-end”
(less expensive) models of name-brand
headsets, which he did by the veritable
“boatload.” Why? Because these usually
broke soon after going into service! He
knew that on a regular basis he’d receive
orders for more of them. Had these
users, from the beginning, purchased only
premium-quality headsets, their total cost
of ownership would have been much less.
Enough said…
Headphone Output
The Model 210’s headphone output
is compatible with stereo or mono
headphones, headsets, or earpieces.