Studio Technologies 214 - Manual (Page 6)

Issue 1, July 2014 Model 214 User Guide
Page 6 Studio Technologies, Inc.
behind-the-scenes production personnel.
A status LED is associated with the talk-
back pushbutton. The pushbutton switches
use gold-plated contacts for reliable long-
term operation and include backlighting
using white LEDs. Three rotary controls al-
low the user to adjust the content and level
of the headphone output.
Microphone Input
The Model 214 provides a high-perfor-
mance microphone preamplifier which
offers low-noise, low-distortion, and high
headroom amplification over a 19 to 64 dB
range. The gain is adjustable in 3-dB steps
using pushbutton switches accessible on
the bottom of the unit. A 2-digit display in-
dicates the amplification in dB. The micro-
phone input is compatible with balanced
dynamic or condenser microphones.
Phantom power is provided and meets the
worldwide P48 standard. It can be enabled
or disabled as required. A dual-color LED
indicator serves as an aid for optimizing
the setting of the preamplifier’s gain. Micro-
phone signals are connected to the Model
214 by way of a standard 3-pin female XLR
connector.
Output Channels and their
Operation
By way of the Dante interface, the Model
214 provides a main output channel and a
talkback output channel. The main output
channel is designed to serve as the on-air,
stadium announcement, or other primary
audio feed. The talkback output channel
is intended to provide production trucks,
control rooms, or support personnel with
talent-originated cue signals. In addition
to the main and talkback output channels
a hot mic output channel is also available.
This un-switched audio output can be
useful when the Model 214 is being used
in conjunction with an intercom system or
audio console where an “always active”
microphone signal is required. For hot mic
audio data to be present on the Dante out-
put channel a configuration setting must
be made. This is provided for situations
where privacy is desired.
A large part of the Model 214’s unique
power is the ability to configure the opera-
tion of the main and talkback functions.
To meet the needs of the many specific
broadcast and production applications, a
variety of pushbutton operating modes are
available. The main pushbutton can be se-
lected to operate from among four modes.
In the “push-to-mute” mode the pushbut-
ton performs a momentary mute of the
audio signal associated with the main
output channel. In this way a “cough”
pushbutton function is created, something
typically required for television sports
broadcasting. In the “push-to-talk” mode
the pushbutton provides a momentary
active function for the main output. This
mode would be appropriate for an appli-
cation such as stadium announcement. An
alternate action “latching” configuration
allows the pushbutton to enable or disable
the audio signal associated with the main
output channel as desired. This is useful
in radio broadcasting, announce-booth, or
voice-over applications. The fourth mode
provides a hybrid function, supporting
both push-to-talk and tap-to-enable/tap-to-
disable operation. This operation is similar
to that found in many broadcast intercom
system user stations.
The pushbutton switch associated with
the talkback function can be configured
to operate from either of two modes. One
of the modes supports a “push-to-talk”