Studio Technologies M212-00151 - Manual (Page 29)

Model 212 User Guide Issue 2, June 2006
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 30
a variety of XLR-type connectors. These
spare connector locations are specifi-
cally included so that a Model 212 can
be customized to meet the many specific
needs that arise in broadcast and related
audio applications. Expected uses for
these locations include adding a 5-, 6-, or
7-pin XLR-type connector to allow direct
connection of a broadcast headset. In ad-
dition, Studio Technologies offers optional
line input cards that mount directly in a
spare connector location. This was previ-
ously described in this user guide.
The spare connector locations are com-
patible with the Neutrik DL-series of
connectors. For flexibility, versions are
available that provide from three to seven
contacts. For example, a compatible 3-pin
female connector would be Neutrik part
number NC3FD-L-1. To support headsets
the NC6FDS-L-1 is often used. This is a
6-pin female connector with the unique
Switchcraft® 6-pin arrangement. The
hardware that secures the blank plates to
the Model 212’s back panel is also intend-
ed to secure the replacement connectors.
If connectors are installed in the Model
212’s spare connector locations adding
labels to those connectors can be helpful.
For a great look it is recommended that
Brother® P-Touch ¼-inch (6 mm) labels
be created. Tape material that prints white
text on a black background works out
well for the Model 212. The Brother label
cassette number TX-3151, white on black,
is appropriate for use with many of their
printers.
In addition to the spare connector loca-
tions on the back panel, provision has
been made to allow easy interconnection
with the Model 212’s printed-circuit-board-
mounted input and output connectors.
This was accomplished by including
numerous 3-position male “header” con-
nectors on the Model 212’s circuit board.
These headers, on 0.1-inch centers, are
wired in parallel with the Model 212’s con-
nectors. This “no solder” solution makes
customizing a Model 212 a simple pro-
cess. The headers, located on the Model
212’s printed circuit board, are Molex®
part number 22-23-2031. They mate with
Molex housing number 22-01-3037. To
make the interconnection separate crimp
terminals are attached to loose wires and
then “snapped” into the housing. Molex
part number 08-50-0114 specifies crimp
terminals that are appropriate for wires of
22 to 30 gauge. These parts are available
worldwide from sources such as Digi-Key
(www.digikey.com).
To make the process of connecting to the
Model 212’s headers a simple task an
interface cable kit, part number 31087, is
available from Studio Technologies. Each
kit includes five cable assemblies and a
length of heat-shrinkable tubing. Each
cable assembly consists of a mating con-
nector with three color-coded wires at-
tached. These wires, nominally 12 inches
in length, allow convenient soldering to
a connector selected to be installed in a
spare location on the Model 212’s back
panel. For reference, the wire color for pin
1 is gray, pin 2 is yellow, and pin 3 is blue.
The heat-shrinkable tubing is provided so
that connector solder cups can be insu-
lated from each other. It will also provide
some strain relief to the solder joints. Be
certain to slip the desired length of tubing
over the wire prior to soldering a connec-
tion! (If the writer had a dollar for every
time he forgot to put tubing on a wire—or
slip on a connector shell—before making
a solder connection…)