Studio Technologies 216 - Manual (Page 23)

Model 216 User Guide Issue 1, July 2014
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 23
channel 2. The manner in which the talk-
back pushbuttons function depends on
the way they were configured. One LED
indicator, green in color, is located directly
above each talkback pushbutton. It lights
whenever the microphone audio signal
is connected to its associated talkback
output channel. If the Model 216’s system
mode is selected for on-air, whenever
either or both talkback functions is ac-
tive the audio signal associated with the
main output channel will be placed in its
muted state. If the Model 216 is selected
for the production mode, the status of the
talkback pushbuttons will not impact the
status of the audio signal associated with
the main output channel.
Talkback Button Modes
Depending on the selected configuration,
there are two ways the talkback push-
buttons can function:
• Push to Talk: If this mode is selected
the audio signal associated with the
talkback output channels is normally
muted. The audio signal will become
active whenever its associated talkback
pushbutton is pressed and held.
• Hybrid: This mode is a combination of
push to talk and alternate action. If a
pushbutton is pressed and held, the
audio signal associated with that talk-
back output channel will become active
until the talkback pushbutton is re-
leased. If the talkback pushbutton is
momentarily “tapped” the audio sig-
nal will change state. Upon Model 216
power up the audio signal will always
be in its muted state.
Headphone Output Level
Controls
Three rotary controls (“pots”) are located on
the Model 216’s front panel and are associ-
ated with the headphone output. The way the
controls function depends on the selected
configuration. One configuration parameter
sets what audio input signals are assigned
to the controls. There are four modes avail-
able. Another parameter selects whether the
headphone output channels will maintain a
minimum output level or can be fully muted.
To understand exactly how the level controls
on a specific Model 216 will function requires
knowledge of how that unit has been config-
ured. Please refer to the Configuration sec-
tion of this guide for details. It may require
a bit of study to fully understand how the
controls will function. The author would like
to be able to provide a simple explanation.
But there are really four simple explanations,
one for each configuration choice!
Each level control has a mechanical step
(detent) that is located at the halfway (50%)
position of its rotation range. This is intended
to serve as an aid to Model 216 users. In
an ideal installation, setting the controls to
their detent position will result in a comfort-
able headphone output level. The user, in
response to a changing operating environ-
ment, can then move the level controls to
get more or less level as desired. The detent
position will always remain as a useful ref-
erence point. To achieve this condition the
audio level on the appropriate audio inputs
will have to be calibrated as required. This
is somewhat counter intuitive to the usual
mentality of just providing the user with
whatever level comes up by default. Spend-
ing a few extra minutes “trimming” the input
audio channel levels can result in much
happier, and more productive, users.