Model 373A Intercom Beltpack User Guide Issue 1, April 2019 This User Guide is applicable for serial numbers M373A-00151 and later with application firmware 1.1 and later Copyright © 2019 by Studio Technologies, Inc., all rights reserved www.studio-tech.
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MODEL 373A INTERCOM BELTPACK Table of Contents Revision History ........................................................... 4 Introduction ................................................................... 5 Getting Started ............................................................. 8 Operation ...................................................................... 13 Technical Notes ............................................................ 16 Specifications ............................................
MODEL 373A INTERCOM BELTPACK Revision History Issue 1, April 2019: • Initial release. Issue 1, April 2019 Page 4 Model 373A User Guide Studio Technologies, Inc.
MODEL 373A INTERCOM BELTPACK Introduction The Model 373A Intercom Beltpack is a highly compact user-worn device that combines a single channel of talk and two channels of listen. The unit begins with the features offered by traditional analog partyline (PL) intercom user devices and adds a range of new capabilities, along with the advanced performance and flexibility that Dante® audio-over-Ethernet provides.
MODEL 373A INTERCOM BELTPACK A broadcast or intercom-style monaural headset with a dynamic or electret (DC-powered) microphone can be interfaced with the Model 373A using a 4-pin XLR connector. The Model 373A also directly supports connection of stereo earbuds or gaming headsets that utilize a 3.5 mm 4-conductor TRRS plug. These moderately priced devices, commonly associated with mobile phones or personal computers, are often of high-quality and may be preferred for some applications.
MODEL 373A INTERCOM BELTPACK level control, and sidetone creation are performed within the digital domain. This provides flexibility, allowing precise control of the audio signals and eliminating the need for the two rotary level controls from having to directly handle analog audio signals. The audio signals destined for the 2-channel headphone output are sent to a highperformance digital-to-analog converter and then on to robust driver circuitry. High signal levels can be provided to a variety of headsets.
MODEL 373A INTERCOM BELTPACK standard. This allows fast and efficient interconnection with the associated data network. To support PoE power management, the Model 373A’s PoE interface reports to the power sourcing equipment (PSE) that it’s a class 1 (very low power) device. Future Capabilities and Firmware Updating The Model 373A was designed such that its capabilities and performance can be enhanced in the future.
MODEL 373A INTERCOM BELTPACK connectors are essentially electrically wired in parallel. (Only the right-channel headphone output is connected to Headset B.) As such, only one headset should be connected at one time. Headset A The Model 373A provides a 4-pin male XLR connector that interfaces with the microphone and headphone connections of a monaural single- or dual-ear intercom- or broadcast-style headset. The connector is labeled Headset A. Refer to Figure 2 for connection details.
MODEL 373A INTERCOM BELTPACK (or devices) that will be “listening” to it. Within Dante Controller a “subscription” is the term used for routing a transmitter (Tx) flow (a group of output channels) to a receiver (Rx) flow (a group of input channels). The number of transmitter flows associated with an Ultimo integrated circuit is limited to two. These can either be unicast, multicast, or a combination of the two.
MODEL 373A INTERCOM BELTPACK Using STcontroller Immediately after starting STcontroller the application will locate and display the devices that it can control. All Model 373A units that are present on the network will be recognized and display on the device list. Use the Identify command to allow easy recognition of a specific Model 373A unit. Double clicking on a device name will cause the associated configuration menu to appear. Review the current configuration and make changes as required.
MODEL 373A INTERCOM BELTPACK Headphone Output Channel Routing Choices are Left, Right, and Left and Right. Two Dante transmitter (output) channels can be assigned to the Model 373A’s two Dante receiver (input) channels using the Dante Controller application. How these two audio signals are routed to the Model 373A’s headphone output channels can be independently configured. For flexibility, each input source has three routing options.
MODEL 373A INTERCOM BELTPACK Operation At this point everything should be ready and Model 373A operation can commence. An Ethernet connection with Power-overEthernet (PoE) capability should have been made. A monaural headset terminated with a cable-mounted 4-pin female XLR connector may be plugged into the Headset A connector. Alternately, a stereo gaming or computer-type headset will be connected to Headset B using a 3.5 mm 4-conductor TRRS plug.
MODEL 373A INTERCOM BELTPACK connected microphone. But if the COMP LED lights solid while a user is talking at a normal voice level this will typically indicate that the mic preamp gain setting should be reduced. Conversely, if the COMP LED almost never lights when normal talking is taking place, it’s possible that changing the mic preamp gain to the higher setting would be beneficial.
MODEL 373A INTERCOM BELTPACK An exception is if both Dante input channels are routed to only the left headphone output channel. In this case sidetone audio will only be sent to the left headphone output channel. The exact sidetone level is configured from among five values within the STcontroller application. There is also a selection choice for turning off sidetone. There is no means of adjusting the sidetone level using a physical button or control on the Model 373A unit.
MODEL 373A INTERCOM BELTPACK receptacle on the bottom panel, will slowly flash green. After a few seconds the LED identification pattern will cease and normal Model 373A button LED and Dante status LED operation will resume. Mic Kill Support The Model 373A includes a mic kill function, allowing the talk button, if it has been placed in its enabled (on) state, to be remotely forced to its disabled (off) state. This function is sometimes referred to as a “talk off” function.
MODEL 373A INTERCOM BELTPACK Using the Dante Controller software application, the Model 373A’s IP address and related network parameters can be manually set for a fixed (static) configuration. While this is a more-involved process than simply letting DHCP or link-local automatically assign an IP address, if fixed IP addressing is necessary then this capability is available. But in this case it’s highly recommended that each unit be physically marked, e.g.
MODEL 373A INTERCOM BELTPACK A selection in the STcontroller software application allows the Model 373A’s application firmware version to be identified. Connect the Model 373A unit to the network and let it connect and start to function. Then, after starting STcontroller, review the list of identified devices and select the specific Model 373A that interests you. Then select Version under the Device tab. A page will then display that will provide a lot of useful information.
MODEL 373A INTERCOM BELTPACK will flash slowly in alternate colors. Once the entire process is over, taking approximately 10 seconds, the Model 373A will restart using the newly saved application firmware. 6. At this time the Model 373A is operating under the newly saved application firmware and the USB flash drive can be removed. But to be conservative, remove PoE power first and then remove the USB flash drive. 7. Confirm that the desired application firmware version has been correctly saved.
MODEL 373A INTERCOM BELTPACK Specifications Power Source: Power-over-Ethernet (PoE): class 1 (very low power, ≤3.84 watts) per IEEE® 802.
MODEL 373A INTERCOM BELTPACK Appendix A STcontroller default Model 373A configuration values: Microphone Input – Electret Power: Off Microphone Input – Gain: 36 dB Headphone Output – Channel 1 Input Routes to: Left Headphone Output – Channel 2 Input Routes to: Right Headphone Output – Sidetone Level: Medium Button Operation – Talk: Push to Talk/Tap to Latch Issue 1, April 2019 Page 21 Model 373A User Guide Studio Technologies, Inc.
