Studio Technologies 216 - Manual (Page 6)

Issue 1, July 2014 Model 216 User Guide
Page 6 Studio Technologies, Inc.
behind-the-scenes production personnel.
A status LED is associated with each of
the talkback pushbuttons. The pushbut-
ton switches use gold-plated contacts for
reliable long-term operation and include
backlighting using white LEDs. Three rotary
controls allow the user to adjust the con-
tent and level of the headphone output.
Microphone Input
The Model 216 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 indi-
cates 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
216 by way of a standard 3-pin female XLR
connector.
Output Channels and their
Operation
By way of the Dante interface, the Model
216 provides a main output channel and
three talkback output channels. The main
output channel is designed to serve as the
on-air, stadium announcement, or other pri-
mary audio feed. The talkback output chan-
nels are intended to provide production
trucks, control rooms, or support personnel
with talent-originated cue signals.
A large part of the Model 216’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 three pushbutton switches associ-
ated with the talkback functions 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 func-
tion, the operation of which is discussed in
the previous paragraph. The hybrid mode
is especially useful when the Model 216 is
used in a production-support application.
Overall Model 216 operation can be con-
figured from among one on-air and two
production modes. The Model 216’s on-
air mode is appropriate for on-air televi-
sion, radio, and streaming broadcast