Studio Technologies 58 2000 - Manual (Page 6)

Model 58/59 User Guide Issue 4, December 2000
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 7
for Surround
Introduction
What This User Guide Covers
This User Guide is designed to assist you
when installing and using the Model 58
Central Controller and the Model 59 Con-
trol Console.
StudioComm for Surround
As the production of multi-channel “sur-
round sound” audio material becomes
more prevalent, the need for monitoring
these sources becomes imperative for
more and more facilities. Whether it’s 4-,
6-, or 8-channel formats, a means to
select input sources, insert support de-
vices into the audio path, and control the
output level to monitor loudspeakers is
required. Studio Technologies has ad-
dressed this need with the StudioComm
for Surround Model 58 Central Controller
and Model 59 Control Console. Using
these components a system can be con-
figured to meet a facility’s exact monitoring
requirements.
A StudioComm for Surround system starts
with a Model 59 Control Console, a com-
pact but comfortable “command center,”
that is designed to reside at the operator’s
location. Using a single 9-pin cable, a
Model 59 connects to up to four Model 58
Central Controllers. Each Model 58 sup-
ports four 2-channel inputs and two output
channels in a single rack space. By select-
ing two, three, or four Model 58s, 4-, 6-,
or 8-channel systems can be created.
The Models 58 and 59 were developed in
conjunction with experts in the post-pro-
duction audio field. The overall goal turned
out to be very straightforward: Provide the
necessary technical performance and
features, while keeping it simple to oper-
ate! Be certain that users won’t have to go
through a long “learning curve” before they
become efficient. Allow the StudioComm
for Surround system to be flexible, but not
so much as to hinder the “big picture.” The
end result achieves these goals, providing
extensive capability in a simple-to-operate
format.
Model 58 Central Controller
The Model 58 Central Controller is a
single rack-space unit that supports two
output channels. Multiple Model 58s are
connected together to achieve 4-, 6-, or
8- channel systems. Each Model 58
provides eight main inputs, organized as
four 2-channel pairs. Two 2-channel insert
sections allow connection to external pro-
cessing equipment, specifically surround-
sound encoder-decoder units. The insert
sections can also be used for special
applications, such as creating a phantom
center channel. The 2-channel monitor
output section is switched, using electro-
mechanical relays, to allow connection of
two separate loudspeaker systems. Pro-
tection circuitry provides power-up and
power-down protection for the loudspeak-
ers. A 2-channel meter output provides a
“reference” signal, and is not affected by
the monitor output’s level-control circuitry.
The main inputs, insert sends and returns,
and monitor outputs are electronically
balanced, while the meter outputs are
unbalanced. Fifteen-turn trim potentiom-
eters are used to precisely calibrate the
main input, insert return, and monitor
output signals. Audio signal connections
are made using three 25-pin D-subminia-
ture connectors. The connectors follow
an industry-standard multi-channel wiring
scheme. Two 9-pin D-subminiature