Model 205 Announcer’s Console User Guide Issue 2, October 2018 This User Guide is applicable for serial numbers M205-00151 and later with application firmware 1.2 and later Copyright © 2018 by Studio Technologies, Inc., all rights reserved www.studio-tech.
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MODEL 205 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE Table of Contents Revision History ........................................................... 4 Introduction ................................................................... 5 Getting Started ............................................................. 10 Operation ...................................................................... 19 Technical Notes ............................................................ 24 Specifications ..........................................
MODEL 205 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE Revision History Issue 2, October 2018: • Documents addition of the Push to Mute/Tap to Latch main button operating mode. Issue 1, April 2018: • Initial release. Issue 2, October 2018 Page 4 Model 205 User Guide Studio Technologies, Inc.
MODEL 205 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE Introduction The Model 205 Announcer’s Console offers a unique combination of analog and digital audio resources for use in broadcast sports, eSports, live event, entertainment, and streaming broadcast applications. The unit is housed in a compact, rugged steel enclosure that’s intended for tabletop use. Calling the Model 205 “cute” or “cool” would be accurate; its nicely proportioned but diminutive size makes it ideal for use in space-constrained locations.
MODEL 205 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE be “mix-minus” an integrated sidetone function can provide the user with a microphone confidence signal. Three Dante audio output channels, one designated as main and two as talkback, are routed via an associated local-area network (LAN) to inputs on Dante-compatible devices. Three pushbutton switches, main and two talkback, provide the user with direct control over audio routing. The audio switching is performed in the digital domain and is virtually “click-free.
MODEL 205 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE parameters. This allows the unit’s performance to be optimized to meet the needs of specific applications. The user is presented with three pushbutton switches and three push-in/pushout rotary level potentiometers. This makes it easy to control the status of the main and talkback outputs as well as adjusting the signals that are sent to the headphone channels.
MODEL 205 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE domain. This provides flexibility, allows precise control, and keeps the three level potentiometers from having to directly handle analog audio signals. The audio channels destined for the phones outputs are sent to a high-performance digital-toanalog converter and then on to robust driver circuitry. High signal levels can be provided to a variety of headsets, headphones, and earpieces.
MODEL 205 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE headphone output channels. It would be common for program audio with director interrupt to enter the Model 205 by way of Dante input (receiver) channel 1 and be sent to the left headphone output. Program-only audio, entering the unit by way of Dante input channel 2, would be sent to the right headphone output. Pots A and B are used to adjust the level of those signals.
MODEL 205 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE Three system modes select the overall way in which the Model 205 functions. The on-air mode is optimized for applications where users will be on-air talent that must maintain strict separation between on-air and production audio channels. Other applications will benefit from the two available production modes. Future Capabilities and Firmware Updating The Model 205 was designed so that its capabilities and performance can be enhanced in the future.
MODEL 205 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE and Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) power. There may be situations where the associated Ethernet switch does not provide PoE power. In such cases an external PoE midspan power injector can be used. If the selected midspan power injector is 802.3afcompatible it should function correctly. Midspan units are available from a variety of sources, including many online retailers.
MODEL 205 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE the output is identical to the signal that’s connected to the microphone input but with a solid-state muting circuit in series with the interconnection. When the Model 205’s Dante main output channel is active the microphone signal will also pass through to the Model 205’s microphone output connector. Whenever the Dante main output channel is muted the microphone signal does not pass through to the microphone output connector; it is muted in an essentially click-free manner.
MODEL 205 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE The Model 205 uses the Ultimo 4-input/ 4-output integrated circuit to implement the Dante functionality. The Model 205 can also be configured to meet the requirements of the AES67 standard. This requires a setting to be enabled within the Device Info section of the Dante Controller application. The three Dante transmitter (Tx) channels associated with the Model 205’s Dante interface must be assigned to the desired receiver channels on associated equipment.
MODEL 205 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE • Sidetone • Main and talkback button operating modes • System operating mode • Remote control inputs • Button backlight intensity Changes made using STcontroller will be immediately reflected in the unit’s operation; no Model 205 “reboot” is required. Each time a change is made the main and talkback buttons on the front panel will momentarily flash orange in a distinctive pattern to indicate that a command from STcontroller has been received.
MODEL 205 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE Headphone Audio Sources and Routing STcontroller allows selection from among five headphone audio source and routing modes. Each mode is distinct and careful selection will help optimize the Model 205’s operation for a range of applications. Mode 1 – Ch1L/Ch2R/SidetoneLR Mode 1 is provided for on-air applications where two independent audio sources need to be routed separately to the two headphone output channels.
MODEL 205 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE be routed to both the left and right channels of the headphone output. Its level will be adjusted using pot B. A stereo pair can enter the Model 205 by way of Dante input channels 3 and 4. These signals will be sent, in stereo, to the left and right channels of the headphone output. Their level will be adjusted using pot C. Headphone Gain Range The overall level of the headphone output can be configured as desired for specific applications.
MODEL 205 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE Four sidetone modes are available: • Off: In this mode the sidetone function is not active. • Main Button: In this mode the sidetone function will be active whenever the audio signal associated with the microphone input is present on the Dante main output channel and the microphone output connector.
MODEL 205 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE associated with the microphone input will be routed to both the Dante main output channel and the microphone output connector. Whenever the main button is pressed and held the audio signal will mute on both the Dante main output channel and the microphone output connector and the button’s LED will change from green to red. It will stay in this condition until the main button is released.
MODEL 205 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE and the two talkback output channels can be used separately and not impact each other. This also allows both the main and talkback pushbuttons to be used simultaneously. When selected for the correct application, the production mode can prove to be very useful.
MODEL 205 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE commence. Upon initial power up the three status LEDs, located on the back panel below the RJ45 jack, will begin to light as network and Dante connections are established. The COMP LED, adjacent to the microphone input connector, may or may not flash momentarily. The P48 LED, also located adjacent to the microphone input connector, will flash once to indicate that it is functioning.
MODEL 205 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE COMP and displays the status of the microphone audio compressor function. This function controls the dynamic range of the audio signal that can be present on the Dante audio output (transmitter) channels and sidetone audio sent to the headphone output versus the signal present on the microphone input.
MODEL 205 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE Model 205 power up the audio signal will be in its muted state. • Push to Talk/Tap to Latch: This mode is a combination of the Push to Talk and Latching actions. It’s similar to the way in which talk pushbuttons function on user stations associated with broadcast or production intercom systems.
MODEL 205 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE remote control input 1 will also function in a latching manner. System Operating Mode The system operating mode configuration is used to select the overall operating mode of the Model 205. Specifically, the system operating mode determines how the main function will operate vis-à-vis the talkback functions. In addition, the system operating mode will also determine if the level of the headphone output is impacted by pushbutton activity.
MODEL 205 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE Users should find the headphone audio quality to be excellent, with high maximum output level and low distortion. Analog audio signals do not pass directly through the potentiometers. The position of each potentiometer is recognized by the Model 205’s processor which then adjusts the appropriate signal level within the digital domain.
MODEL 205 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE Optimizing Network Performance For best Dante audio-over-Ethernet performance a network that supports VoIP QoS (voice-over-internet-protocol quality of service) capability is recommended. This can typically be implemented on virtually all contemporary managed Ethernet switches. There are even specialized switches that are optimized for entertainment-associated applications. Refer to the Audinate website (www.audinate.
MODEL 205 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE the personal-computer-standard FAT32 format. Save the new firmware file in the root directory with a name of m205.bin. Studio Technologies will supply the application firmware file inside a .zip archive file. While the firmware file inside of the zip file will adhere to the naming convention required by the Model 205, the name of the zip file itself will include the file’s version number. For example, a file named m205v1r1MCU.zip would indicate that version 1.
MODEL 205 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE Note that if a connected USB flash drive doesn’t have the correct file (m205.bin) in its root folder no harm will occur if power is applied to the Model 205. Upon power up the main button’s LED will flash on and off rapidly for a few seconds to indicate this condition and then normal operation using the unit’s existing application firmware will begin.
MODEL 205 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE Specifications Power Source: Power-over-Ethernet (PoE): class 2 (low power, ≤6.49 watts) Network Audio Technology: Type: Dante audio-over-Ethernet AES67-2013 Support: yes Dante Domain Manager (DDM) Support: yes Bit Depth: up to 24 Sample Rate: 44.
MODEL 205 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE Appendix A: Model 205 Block Diagram The following block diagram shows a simplified version of the Model 205’s microphone input and microphone output circuitry. Model 205 User Guide Studio Technologies, Inc.
