Studio Technologies 76 V.1.04 - Manual (Page 5)

Model 76/77 User Guide Issue 4, September 2008
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 5
for Surround
Introduction
What This User Guide Covers
This User Guide is designed to assist you
when installing and using the Model 76
Central Controller and one or more associ-
ated Model 77 Control Consoles.
Overview
As the production of both multi-channel
surround (5.1) and 2-channel stereo audio
material has become a day-to-day reality,
the need for monitoring these sources is
imperative for recording, post-production,
and broadcast facilities. Studio Technolo-
gies has addressed this need with the
StudioComm for Surround Model 76
Central Controller and Model 77 Control
Console. With its digital audio inputs and
analog outputs, it’s a simple task to inte-
grate the system into virtually any facility.
The carefully selected group of features,
including downmix, channel mute/solo,
and reference level, make the system both
powerful and simple to use. And by using
the best of contemporary technology, as
well as following rigorous design practices,
the system’s audio quality is simply excel-
lent. With the StudioComm for Surround
system any audio console, disk-based
recording system, or broadcast facility can
have a complete multi-channel monitor
system.
A StudioComm for Surround system starts
with the Model 76 Central Controller. It oc-
cupies just one rack space but allows con-
nection of two surround (5.1) inputs and
three stereo inputs, along with separate
surround and stereo monitor outputs. The
surround and stereo inputs are digital and
compatible with AES3id sources. These
unbalanced digital signals utilize BNC
connectors and are ubiquitous in most
post-production and broadcast environ-
ments. Sample rates of up to 192 kHz and
bit depth of up to 24 are directly supported.
And with the system’s dynamic range of
greater than 106 dB, there isn’t a prob-
lem ensuring that a source’s audio quality
is maintained. The monitor outputs are
analog, balanced line-level, with a maxi-
mum signal level of +26 dBu. They include
power-up/power-down protection circuitry
to help maintain the health of the connect-
ed loudspeaker systems.
Digital audio signals are interfaced with
the Model 76 using nine BNC connectors.
Analog monitor output signal connections
are made using one 25-pin D-subminiature
connector. An advanced fl ash-based
microcontroller integrated circuit provides
the logic “horsepower” for the unit. AC
mains power is connected directly to the
Model 76, which is factory selected for
100, 120, or 220/240 V operation. The
internal power supply utilizes two toroidal
mains transformers for quiet audio opera-
tion. One 9-pin D-subminiature connector
is used to connect the Model 76 with up to
four Model 77 Control Consoles. A second
9-pin “D-sub” connector is used to interface
remote control signals with the Model 76.
The Model 77 Control Console is the
“command center” that is designed to
reside at an operator’s location. It allows
fi ngertip selection of all monitoring func-
tions. Numerous LED indicators provide
complete status information. A 4-digit
numeric display indicates the monitor
output level in real time. While most instal-
lations will use only one Model 77 Control
Console, up to four can be connected
to a Model 76 Central Controller. This pro-
vides multiple users with full control over
the monitoring system. Each Model 77