Cue sources, Headphone output – Studio Technologies 212 2006 User Manual
Page 8

Issue 3, July 2006
Model 212 User Guide
Page 8
Studio Technologies, Inc.
operation is similar to that found in many 
broadcast intercom system user stations.
The button associated with the talkback 
function can be configured to operate 
from either of two modes. One of the 
modes supports a “push-to-talk” function. 
This is typically used for on-air broadcast 
applications. The other mode provides a 
hybrid function, the operation of which is 
discussed in the previous paragraph. The 
hybrid mode is especially useful when the 
Model 212 is used in a production-support 
application.
Cue Sources
The Model 212 allows two audio channels 
from one of three digital audio sources 
to be routed to the stereo headphone out-
put. Configuration switches select which 
digital input is active. The available sourc-
es are the AES3id input, the previously 
discussed bidirectional digital interface, 
and the optionally implemented AES3 
input. The AES3id input is an unbalanced, 
75 ohm interface that uses a BNC connec-
tor. Transformer-coupled, it is compatible 
with standard unbalanced digital audio 
signals. The bidirectional digital interface 
is similar to AES3id but carries two audio 
channels in each direction. It is intended 
for use in special applications. The AES3 
input is balanced, 110 ohms, and to use 
requires the addition of a connector on 
the unit’s back panel. No matter which of 
the digital inputs is selected, the receiver 
circuitry can accept bit depths of 16 to 24. 
While the nominal sample rate is 48 kHz, 
any signal in the range of 32 to 96 kHz is 
acceptable. Note that the received clock 
signal is used for two purposes; it allows 
correct receiver synchronization as well as 
serving as the transmitter clock source for 
the digital outputs.
Digital-to-analog conversion circuitry cre-
ates two analog “cue” audio signals from 
the selected digital interface. In on-air 
broadcast applications these cue signals, 
originating in production trailers, control 
rooms, or remote locations, supply pro-
gram-with-interrupt audio on one chan-
nel and program-only audio on the other. 
Each source can be individually assigned 
to the left channel, right channel, or both 
left and right. This allows a wide variety of 
stereo and mono headphone mixes to be 
created.
Some applications may benefit by being 
able to connect standard line-level audio 
signals to the Model 212. To meet this 
need one or two optional line input cards 
can be installed in the Model 212’s back 
panel. Each card provides a female XLR-
type connector and transformer-isolated 
+4 dBu nominal input circuit. Each source 
can be individually assigned to the left 
channel, right channel, or both left and 
right.
Headphone Output
Two rotary controls are provided for 
user adjustment of the headphone output 
levels. For application flexibility the actual 
function of the two “pots” is configurable. 
For traditional on-air sports applications 
they can be selected to the dual-channel 
(“level/level”) mode which provides 
independent control of the left- and 
right-channel volume. For use with dual-
channel cue signals, or to support user 
preference, the stereo (“level/balance”) 
mode can be selected. In this mode one 
control adjusts the overall level of both 
the left and right channels, while the other 
allows adjustment of the left/right level 
balance. To help minimize the chance of 
broadcast cues being missed, both level 
