Model 348 Intercom Station User Guide Issue 1, January 2020 This User Guide is applicable for serial numbers M348-00151 and later with main firmware version 1.05 and later and STcontroller application version 2.06.00 and later. Copyright © 2020 by Studio Technologies, Inc., all rights reserved www.studio-tech.
This page intentionally left blank.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION Table of Contents Revision History ........................................................... 4 Introduction .................................................................... 5 Getting Started .............................................................. 7 Dante Configuration ...................................................... 11 Model 348 Configuration .............................................. 12 Operation ..........................................................
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION Revision History Issue 1: • Initial release of complete document. Issue 1, January 2020 Page 4 Model 348 User Guide Studio Technologies, Inc.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION Introduction The Model 348 Intercom Station provides eight independent talk and listen channels that are compatible with Dante® audio-overEthernet networks. The desktop unit is designed to serve as an audio control center for production and support personnel in numerous applications including on-air television sports and news broadcasting, live events, theater, industrial, and corporate AV.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION All Model 348 operating features are configured using the STcontroller software application. The extensive set of parameters allows the unit’s functions to be tailored to meet the needs of many applications. STcontroller, compatible with version 7 and later of the Windows® operating system, is available, free of charge, from the Studio Technologies’ website. It’s a fast and simple means of configuring, revising, saving, and loading a unit’s operating parameters.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION Dante receiver (audio input) channels can be assigned (routed or “subscribed”) using the Dante Controller software application. The Dante transmitter and receiver channels support 32 Dante flows, 16 in each direction. The digital audio’s bit depth is up to 32 with a sample rate of 48 kHz. Bi-color LEDs, located on the unit’s back panel, provide status indications of the Ethernet network and Dante interface performance.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION addition, it’s possible that a gooseneck microphone will be attached via the ¼-inch jack located on the top surface of the unit. One or two Ethernet connections will be made using either standard RJ45 patch cables or etherCON protected RJ45 plugs. The Ethernet data connection associated with the primary RJ45 connector is compatible with Power-over-Ethernet (PoE).
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION As previously discussed in this guide, an Ethernet connection that provides powerover-Ethernet (PoE) can serve as the Model 348’s power source. Alternately, an external 12 volts DC source can be connected. For redundancy, both PoE and the external source can be connected at the same time. If both PoE and an external 12 volts DC source are connected, power will be drawn only from the PoE supply.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION If a separate microphone and pair of stereo or monaural headphones need to be connected an adapter cable assembly must be fabricated. It would consist of a 5-pin male XLR connector wired to both a 3-pin female XLR connector for the microphone and a ¼-inch or 3.5 mm TRS jack for the headphones. In this scenario the microphone would, in most cases, be a dynamic type as the Model 348 provides only low-voltage DC electret power.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION Dante Configuration For audio to correctly pass to and from the Model 348 requires, as a minimum, that several Dante-related parameters be configured. These configuration settings will be stored in non-volatile memory within the Model 348’s circuitry. Configuration will typically be done with the Dante Controller software application which is available for download free of charge at www.audinate.com.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION If Switched is selected (the factory default) then the Model 348 will be able to establish one connection with an Ethernet network. It doesn’t matter which RJ45 is utilized, although for PoE powering the jack labeled Primary-PoE must be utilized. The other RJ45 connection can be used to interconnect with another piece of networked equipment.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION Installing STcontroller STcontroller is available free of charge on the Studio Technologies’ website (www.studiotech.com/stcontroller-application/) and is compatible with personal computers running Windows operating systems that are version 7 and later. STcontroller versions 2.05.00 and later are required to fully support the Model 348. If required, download and install STcontroller onto a designated personal computer.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION headsets that terminate on a 5-pin male XLR connector will incorporate a dynamic (nonpowered) microphone. In this case do not enable headset microphone power. The on/off status of the headset microphone power is displayed by way of an LED, red in color, that is located on the Model 348’s back panel below the Headset A connector. Note that the Model 348 cannot supply P12 or P48 phantom power that may be required by balanced condenser (capacitor) microphones.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION “dimmed” (attenuated or reduced in level) in certain circumstances. The function is provided for special applications where the headset’s left and right headphone outputs are connected to an external amplifier or set of amplified speakers. Normally when a talk function is active on one or a combination of the eight channels the level of the headset’s headphone output channels would not change. As such, the default dim value has been selected to be 0 dB.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION Dante Monitor Outputs – Dim Choices are 0 dB, 6 dB, 12 dB, and 18 dB. System – LED Intensity Choices are Low and High. When a talk or IFB function is active the Model 348 will invoke a dim (attenuation) function. This is designed to help achieve maximum intelligibility and minimize the chance of acoustic feedback when loudspeakers are associated with either or both Dante monitor outputs Monitor A or Monitor B.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION Note that even if the hot mic output is disabled the channel will appear in the Dante Controller. But in this case no signal would be present on the channel. System – Monitor A Call Tone Level Choices are Off, Low, Medium, and High. The Model 348 is capable of generating an audible alerting signal when a call signal is detected on a channel that is assigned to the Monitor A audio bus.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION will be active whenever the Talk with 18 kHz Tone function is active All Talk: In this mode the associated button will activate all Model 348 channels that are configured for Talk or Talk with 18 kHz Tone. Call: In this mode pressing the associated button will cause a 20 kHz sine wave call tone to be sent out any Model 348 channels that are both configured for the Talk or the Talk with 18 kHz Tone modes and are currently active.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION Left and Right: In this mode the input audio will be sent to both the left and right headphone output channels. Monitor Routing Choices are Off, Monitor A, Monitor B, and Monitor A and B. The Dante input (receiver) audio associated with a Model 348 channel can be monitored using the Dante monitor output channels. The destination channel(s) can be configured as desired. Off: In this mode the input audio will not be sent to either of the monitor output channels.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION Eight of the Dante audio output channels are associated with the functioning of the eight pushbutton switches. Two additional Dante audio output channels are specified as monitor outputs. And the final Dante output channel provides a Hot Mic output function. Eight of the Dante audio input channels are assigned to the monitor section. Each of these inputs has an associated rotary encoder to adjust its signal level.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION pushbutton switches will “flash” in a unique sequence four times; the actual on/off status of the buttons will not change. In addition, the LINK ACT and GbE status LEDs, located directly below the two RJ45 connectors on the back panel, will slowly flash. After a few seconds the LED identification patterns will cease and normal Model 348 pushbutton LED, and Ethernet status LED operation will resume.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION default configuration is for this feature to be disabled (Off). When this configuration choice is enabled (On) and Gooseneck is selected as the microphone source the headset’s headphone outputs will mute. When the headset’s microphone is selected as the source the monitor outputs and associated loudspeaker will also mute. In both cases the mute state that was automatically enabled can be overridden by pressing the knob on the applicable rotary encoder.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION function is active then audio from the selected microphone source will be connected to the associated Dante output channel. The LED in the pushbutton switch will light green whenever the function is active. When the pushbutton is not pressed nor currently active no audio will be present on the associated Dante output channel. The associated Dante IFB program input channel will not be utilized.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION considered an operational limitation as typically an audio console will provide the program audio source at a nominal line level. As such, any needed adjustment of the signal level can be performed on the console. All IFB When a button function has been configured for All IFB and the pushbutton is pressed or the function is active then all of the other buttons configured for IFB will become active. The LED in the pushbutton will light green whenever the function is active.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION a Model 348 is being used in an environment where the ambient light is very low or nonexistent. An encoder knob that’s lit dark blue could be considered as being in its default state. It’s important to note that there could be a signal present on the associated Dante audio input but unless the Signal Present Display configuration has been enabled the encoder’s knob will remain dark blue. response to an encoder being within a group of four steps.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION This will prove useful when adjusting the encoders to achieve the desired level settings. If an encoder is placed in its mute state by pressing the encoder’s knob then the knob cap will light purple and the level display will not occur. Also, when mute is active any changes to an encoder’s position will not be recognized. To clarify, if an encoder knob is lit purple then any rotations of the knob will not be recognized.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION to the analog inputs on amplified loudspeakers. If a headset is being used and the headset dim function is enabled then it’s probably incorrectly configured and needs to be revised in STcontroller. Headset Headphone Output Automatic Mute As previously discussed in this guide a setting in STcontroller allows the headset’s headphone output channels to automatically mute when the microphone source is selected for Gooseneck. (By default, this function is not enabled.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION Another STcontroller configuration setting allows the monitor output channels to be automatically dimmed (attenuated) when any of the functions associated with the eight pushbutton switches are active. This can help to ensure that audio signals being reproduced by externally connected amplified speakers don’t interfere with audio that’s being picked up by selected microphone.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION assign a unique IP address in the IPv4 range of 169.254.0.1 to 169.254.255.254. In this way, multiple Dante-enabled devices can be connected together and automatically function, whether or not a DHCP server is active on the LAN. Even two Dante-enabled devices that are directly interconnected using an RJ45 patch cord should correctly acquire IP addresses and be able to communicate with each other.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION The spare connector location is compatible with the Neutrik DL-series of connectors. For flexibility XLR versions are available that provide from three to seven contacts. For example, a compatible 3-pin female connector would be Neutrik part number NC3FD-L-1. Another female connector with the unique Switchcraft® 6-pin arrangement, the NC6FDS-L-1, is often used to support headsets.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION USB flash drive. The Model 348 implements a USB host function and provides access by way of a type A receptacle located on the back panel. The Model 348 updates its firmware using files named M348.bin for the main firmware, M348sec.bin for the secondary firmware, and BWY.bit for the FPGA firmware. The update process begins by preparing a USB flash drive. The flash drive doesn’t have to be empty (blank) but must be in the personal-computer-standard FAT32 format.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION the correct file(s) in its root folder no harm will occur. Upon power up the green LED, located below the USB connector, will flash on and off rapidly for a few seconds to indicate that a valid file has not been found and then normal operation using the unit’s existing application firmware will begin. Broadway Firmware Update As previously discussed in this guide, the Model 348 implements Dante connectivity using the Broadway integrated circuit from Audinate.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION Specifications Applications: Dante-based intercom, IFB (interrupted foldback) master station, audio monitor mixer, specialized tone generator Power Sources: Power-over-Ethernet (PoE): class 0 (classification unimplemented, ≤12.94 watts) per IEEE® 802.3af External: 10 to 18 volts DC, 0.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION Connectors: Headset A: 5-pin female XLR Headset B: 3.
MODEL 348 INTERCOM STATION Appendix A STcontroller default Model 348 configuration values: General Menu Page: Microphone Input – Headset Mic Power: Off Microphone Input – Headset Mic Gain: 38 dB Microphone Input – Gooseneck Mic Gain: 24 dB Headset – Sidetone Level: Medium Headset – Dim: 0 dB Speaker – Source: Monitor A Speaker – Dim: 6 dB Dante Monitor Outputs – Mode: Off Dante Monitor Outputs – Dim: 0 dB System – Level Control Position Display: On System – Signal Present Display: On System – LED Intensity
