Model 206 Announcer’s Console User Guide Issue 2, October 2018 This User Guide is applicable for serial numbers M206-00151 and later with application firmware 1.2 and later Copyright © 2018 by Studio Technologies, Inc., all rights reserved www.studio-tech.
This page intentionally left blank.
MODEL 206 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE Table of Contents Revision History ........................................................... 4 Introduction ................................................................... 5 Getting Started ............................................................. 10 Operation ...................................................................... 19 Technical Notes ............................................................ 24 Specifications ..........................................
MODEL 206 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 206 User Guide Studio Technologies, Inc.
MODEL 206 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE Introduction The Model 206 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 206 “cute” or “cool” would be accurate; its nicely proportioned but diminutive size makes it ideal for use in space-constrained locations.
MODEL 206 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE be “mix-minus” an integrated sidetone function can provide the user with a microphone confidence signal. Four Dante audio output channels, one designated as main and three named talkback, are routed via an associated local-area network (LAN) to inputs on Dante-compatible devices. Four pushbutton switches, main and three 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 206 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 four pushbutton switches and three push-in/push-out 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 206 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE 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. main button would typically be configured to provide a push to mute (cough) function.
MODEL 206 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE common for program audio with director interrupt to enter the Model 206 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. Pot C is used for the sidetone function where microphone audio is sent to both the left and right channels of the headphone output.
MODEL 206 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE Three system modes select the overall way in which the Model 206 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 206 was designed so that its capabilities and performance can be enhanced in the future.
MODEL 206 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 206 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 206’s Dante main output channel is active the microphone signal will also pass through to the Model 206’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 206 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE The Model 206 uses the Ultimo 4-input/ 4-output integrated circuit to implement the Dante functionality. The Model 206 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 four Dante transmitter (Tx) channels associated with the Model 206’s Dante interface must be assigned to the desired receiver channels on associated equipment.
MODEL 206 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE • 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 206 “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 206 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE 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. Dante input (receiver) channel 1 will be routed to the left headphone output channel and pot A will adjust its level. Dante input (receiver) channel 2 will be routed to the right headphone output channel and pot B will adjust its level.
MODEL 206 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE Headphone Gain Range The overall level of the headphone output can be configured as desired for specific applications. The default setting, low, is designed so that users with typical audio input sources will be inclined to set the rotary potentiometers at approximately 50% of rotation. This would be appropriate for most applications.
MODEL 206 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE • Talkback Buttons: In this mode the sidetone function will be active whenever one or more of the talkback functions are active and the audio signal is present on the talkback 1, talkback 2, and/or talkback 3 Dante output channels. • Main and Talkback Buttons: In this mode the sidetone function will be active whenever the audio signal associated with the mic input is present on the Dante main output channel and the microphone output connector.
MODEL 206 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE Button Operation – Talkback The manner in which the three talkback buttons function can be configured. One setting applies to both talkback buttons. There are three mode choices available: • Push to Talk: If this mode is selected the talkback functions will normally be inactive and the LED associated with each button will not be lit. Whenever a talkback button is pressed its associated talkback function will become active and its green LED will light.
MODEL 206 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE phone output reduces in level (“dims”) whenever the main, talkback 1, talkback 2, or talkback 3 functions are active. This mode was specifically provided to minimize the chance that acoustical feedback will occur in applications where the headphone output is connected to the inputs on amplified speakers (or inputs on an amplifier associated with loudspeakers).
MODEL 206 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE LEDs within the main and talkback pushbutton switches will light in a short test sequence to indicate that the application firmware (embedded software) has started. Once that sequence has completed and the Dante connection has been established full operation will begin. The various LEDs will then become operational, displaying the status of their designated functions.
MODEL 206 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE microphone preamplifier gain, is such that the dynamic range of the signal is being actively controlled. It’s perfectly acceptable for this LED to light intermittently whenever a user is talking at a normal voice level into an associated microphone. But if the COMP LED lights solid while a user is talking at a normal voice level this will typically indicate that the microphone preamplifier gain setting should be reduced.
MODEL 206 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE main output channel and the microphone output connector will become active and remain active until the pushbutton is released. If the main pushbutton is momentarily “tapped” the audio signal will change state. Upon Model 206 power up the audio signal will be in its muted state. • Push to Mute/Tap to Latch: This mode is a combination of the Push to Mute and Latching modes. Whenever the main button is momentarily “tapped” its status will alternate between active and muted.
MODEL 206 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE mode will also determine if the level of the headphone output is impacted by pushbutton activity. Understanding how the three system operating modes impact overall system operation will ensure correct operation and maximum usability. • On-Air: When the system operating mode has been selected to on-air the main button will be forced to be inactive whenever a talkback function is active.
MODEL 206 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE domain. The potentiometers are “push-in/ push-out” type which allow their associated knobs to be in their “out” position when adjustment is desired and their “in” position when protection from an unwanted change is beneficial. Technical Notes IP Address Assignment By default the Model 206’s Ethernet interface will attempt to automatically obtain an IP address and associated settings using DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol).
MODEL 206 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE 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.com) for details on optimizing networks for Dante applications. Application Firmware Version Display There are two ways in which the version number of the Model 206’s application firmware (embedded software) can be identified.
MODEL 206 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE here to the naming convention required by the Model 206, the name of the zip file itself will include the file’s version number. For example, a file named m206v1r1MCU.zip would indicate that version 1.1 of the application firmware (m206.bin) is contained within this zip file. Once the USB flash drive is inserted into the USB interface, located on the main circuit board under the cover, the unit must be powered off and again powered on. At this point the file will automatically load.
MODEL 206 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE Note that if a connected USB flash drive doesn’t have the correct file (m206.bin) in its root folder no harm will occur if power is applied to the Model 206. 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 206 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 206 ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE Appendix A: Model 206 Block Diagram The following block diagram shows a simplified version of the Model 206’s microphone input and microphone output circuitry. Model 206 User Guide Studio Technologies, Inc.
