Studio Technologies M233-01151 - Manual (Page 32)

Issue 5, November 2014 Model 233 User Guide
Page 32 Studio Technologies, Inc.
controls to their detent position will result in
a comfortable headphone output level. The
user, in response to a changing operating
environment, can then move the controls to
get more or less level as desired. The de-
tent position will always remain as a useful
reference point. To achieve this condition
the audio level on the connected line inputs
may have to be calibrated as required. This
is somewhat counter to the usual mentality
of just providing the user with whatever level
comes up by default. Spending a few extra
minutes “trimming” the audio levels can
result in much happier and more productive
talent. As previously mentioned, a level trim
potentiometer is associated with each line
input. These may be helpful in achieving the
desired adjustment range of these two level
controls. Refer to the Technical Notes sec-
tion of this user guide for details.
Level/Balance Mode
When set to the level/balance mode, the
control on the far left and the control in the
center operate together to adjust the head-
phone output level. The control on the far
left adjusts the overall level of both the left
and right channels. The balance control,
located in the center, adjusts the relative
left/right level balance. In this mode the
controls operate in a manner reminiscent
of a consumer audio amplifier or receiver.
If set to the normal mode, rotating the bal-
ance control in the counterclockwise direc-
tion reduces the level of the right channel,
providing the user with more perceived
level in the left channel. If set to the reverse
mode, rotating the balance control in the
counterclockwise direction reduces the
level of the left channel, providing the
user with more perceived level in the
right channel.
When in the level/balance mode and the
minimum output level is set to –40 dB,
turning the level control to its fully coun-
terclockwise position will place both head-
phone output channels to 40 dB below
maximum. This ensures that talent will
never be fully “isolated” from potentially im-
portant cue signals. In addition, rotating the
balance control to either its fully clockwise
or fully counterclockwise position will cause
the applicable channel to be 40 dB below
its maximum. If set to the full mute mode,
turning the level control to its fully counter-
clockwise position will cause both the left
and right channels to fully mute. In addi-
tion, rotating the balance control to either
its fully clockwise or fully counterclockwise
position will cause the applicable channel
to fully mute.
Both of these controls have a mechanical
step (detent) that is located at the halfway
(50%) position of its rotation range. The
balance control will typically be set to its
center, detent position, making the level of
the left and right channels equal. In an ideal
installation, the level control can also be set
to its detent position and provide a com-
fortable headphone output level. This will
allow the user, in response to their prefer-
ence or a changing environment, to adjust
the level and balance controls as desired.
The detent positions will always remain as
a useful reference point. To achieve this
condition the audio levels on the connected
line inputs must be adjusted as required.
Spending a few extra minutes “trimming”
the connected audio levels, rather than just
providing whatever happens to come up,
should prove worthwhile. The result will be
talent that is more relaxed, and an overall
production that works more smoothly. As
previously mentioned, a level trim potenti-
ometer is associated with each line input.