User Guide

Model 354 User Guide Issue Preliminary 1, August 2021
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 7
Model 354
TALK STATION
and four Dante receiver (input) channels can be as-
signed (routed or “subscribed”) to other devices using
the Dante Controller software application. The Dante
transmitter (output) and receiver (input) channels are
limited to supporting four Dante flows, two in each
direction. The digital audio’s bit depth is up to 32 with
a sampling rate of 48 kHz. Two bi-color LEDs provide
an indication of the Dante connection status. An ad-
ditional LED displays the status of the associated
Ethernet connection.
The Model 354 is compatible with the AES67 inter-
operability standard. When configured in Dante Con-
troller to support AES67, the unit’s two transmitter
(output) channels will function in multicast; unicast
is not supported. In addition, the Model 354 is com-
patible with the Dante Domain Manager™ (DDM)
software application.
Audio Quality
The Model 354 provides excellent audio performance.
A low-noise, wide dynamic-range microphone pre-
amplifier and associated voltage-controlled-amplifier
(VCA) dynamics controller (compressor) ensures that
gooseneck microphone audio quality is preserved
while minimizing the chance of signal overload. The
output of the microphone preamp and compressor is
routed to an analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) sec-
tion that supports a sampling rate of 48 kHz with a bit
depth of up to 32.
As previously discussed, the Model 354 can store and
replay two audio files. These uncompressed PCM
audio signals utilize the high-quality 16-bit, monaural,
WAV format.
Audio sources can arrive in the Model 354 by way of
four Dante receiver (input) channels. The supported
sampling rate is 48 kHz with a bit depth of up to 32.
These signals pass into the Model 354’s 32-bit micro-
controller integrated circuit and can be used as part of
background music or talent cue channels. They can
also be used in conjunction with the analog and Dante
monitor output functions. The source selected for the
analog monitor output is sent to a high-performance
digital-to-analog (DAC) integrated-circuit converter
and then on to robust balanced (differential) output
circuitry. The analog monitor output is protected from
connection with low-voltage DC, ESD (“static”), and
other potentially damaging transients.
The audio content of the Dante transmitter (output)
channels will consist of, depending on the unit’s
configuration and operating state, a combination of
gooseneck microphone, WAV audio file, and audio
input sources. The signals remain in the digital domain
and route through the 32-bit logic circuitry and on to
the Dante interface section where it is packetized and
prepared for transport over Ethernet.
Configuration Flexibility
The Model 354 can easily be configured to meet
the needs of many specific applications and user
preferences. All configuration choices are performed
using the STcontroller software application. Versions
of STcontroller are available to support the WinOS®
and macOS® operating systems. Selectable con-
figurable parameters include microphone preamplifier
gain, WAV file level trim, LED indicator intensity and
actions, and monitor output source selection and op-
eration. In addition, each of the four output functions
can be optimized from the six available configuration
choices. These choices allow the unit to be configured
to support voice page, talent cueing (IFB), and other
specialized applications.
As previously described, the functions associated with
the four pushbutton switches and output channels can
be individually configured. As an example, for a voice
page application three of the output channels might
be configured to utilize a background music source
and play, before the microphone is active, a pre-page
message. The fourth output channel might be used
as a voice-page output with no background music of
pre-page audio. The four pushbutton switches would
typically be configured to provide a momentary (push
to activate) function.
Red and green LEDs are associated with the unit’s
four pushbutton switches. When lit singly they will
provide a red or green indication. When both are lit
simultaneously, they will provide an orange indication.
A configuration choice allows selection of how the
LEDs will light under various operating conditions.
This capability is provided to assist users who have
trouble observing the differences between colors,
typically issues differentiating between red and green.
The “color blindness” condition is not uncommon in
men and can make effective use of some electronic
equipment difficult. The Model 354’s ability to control
the pushbutton colors can also be useful for support
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