Model 371A Intercom Beltpack User Guide Issue 2, August 2019 This User Guide is applicable for serial numbers M371A-02501 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 371A INTERCOM BELTPACK Table of Contents Revision History ............................................................ 4 Introduction ................................................................... 5 Getting Started .............................................................. 7 Operation ...................................................................... 12 Technical Notes ............................................................. 16 Specifications .........................................
MODEL 371A INTERCOM BELTPACK Revision History Issue 2, August 2019: 1. Documents revision to STcontroller (version 2.02.00 and later) which separates microphone power and microphone gain configuration. Issue 1, June 2018: 1. Initial release. Issue 2, August 2019 Page 4 Model 371A User Guide Studio Technologies, Inc.
MODEL 371A INTERCOM BELTPACK Introduction The Model 371A Intercom Beltpack begins with the features offered by 2-channel broadcast-style party-line intercom user devices then adds support for traditional single-channel headsets. Applications that have traditionally deployed single-channel analog party-line intercom systems from firms such as Clear-Com® can now easily upgrade to a high-performance dual-channel system.
MODEL 371A INTERCOM BELTPACK corporate and government AV installations, aerospace command and control, and post-production facilities. Dante Audio-over-Ethernet Audio data is sent to and received from the Model 371A using the Dante audioover-Ethernet media networking technology. As a Dante-compliant device, the Model 371A’s two audio output (Dante transmitter) and two audio input (Dante receiver) channels can be interconnected (routed) with other devices using the Dante Controller software application.
MODEL 371A INTERCOM BELTPACK Configuration Flexibility A highlight of the Model 371A is its ability to be easily configured to meet the needs of specific users and applications. All configuration choices are made using the STcontroller software application that communicates with the Model 371A by way of an Ethernet network connection. Configurable parameters include microphone power and preamplifier gain, sidetone audio operation, and talk button operation.
MODEL 371A INTERCOM BELTPACK located on the bottom of the Model 371A’s enclosure. An Ethernet data connection with Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) capability will be made using either a standard RJ45 patch cable or an etherCON protected RJ45 plug. A headset that has a cablemounted 4-pin female XLR connector will be plugged into the Model 371A’s 4-pin male headset connector. Ethernet Connection with PoE A 100BASE-TX Ethernet connection that supports Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) is required for Model 371A operation.
MODEL 371A INTERCOM BELTPACK is available for download free of charge at www.audinate.com. Versions of Dante Controller are available to support Windows® and OS X® operating systems. The Model 371A uses the Ultimo 2-input/ 2-output integrated circuit to implement the Dante architecture. The two Dante transmitter (Tx) channels associated with the Model 371A’s Dante interface must be assigned to the desired receiver (Rx) channels.
MODEL 371A INTERCOM BELTPACK STcontroller allows observation and selection of functions that include: • Microphone Input – Electret Power • Microphone Input – Gain • Sidetone – Level • Button Operation • System – Mic Kill Changes made using STcontroller will be immediately reflected in the unit’s operation; no Model 371A “reboot” is required.
MODEL 371A INTERCOM BELTPACK The compressor active LED, labeled COMP and visible adjacent to the headset connector, can act as a guide when setting the microphone preamplifier gain. During normal talk operation the compressor active LED should light intermittently. If, for example, with a dynamic microphone the LED rarely lights and the preamp gain is set to 42 dB it might be a good idea to change it to 48 dB.
MODEL 371A INTERCOM BELTPACK associated with this channel is going to be monitored but talk audio is not allowed to “join” this specific intercom channel. System – Mic Kill Choices are Off, Device ID, Global Kill Command, and Device ID/Global Kill Command. The mic kill function allows an enabled talk channel to be disabled by remote control. Specifically, it’s possible to remotely change all active (on) talk channels to their off state. This function is sometimes referred to as a “talk off” function.
MODEL 371A INTERCOM BELTPACK red upon Model 371A power up to indicate that the Dante interface is not ready. After a short interval it will light green to indicate that it is ready to pass data with another Dante device. The SYNC LED will light red when the Model 371A is not synchronized with a Dante network. It will light solid green when the Model 371A is synchronized with a Dante network and an external clock source (timing reference) is being received.
MODEL 371A INTERCOM BELTPACK green LED will light to indicate that the output is active. The button will not be lit when the function is not active. Latching If a button has been configured for the Latching mode operation momentarily pressing (“tapping”) the button will cause the function to change states; off-to-on or on-to-off. Whenever the talk function is active the green LED will light. The button will not be lit when the function is not active.
MODEL 371A INTERCOM BELTPACK Normal talk audio signals will not be confused with a call signal. Digital filters within the Model 371A’s processor integrated circuit limits the microphone input’s high frequency response to about 10 kHz. This helps to ensure that false call detection won’t take place. Digital filtering is also performed on the audio input (Dante receiver) signals before they are sent to the headphone output.
MODEL 371A INTERCOM BELTPACK If configured, the Identify command can also cause the mic kill function to activate. For details please refer to the next paragraph of this guide. Mic Kill Function The Model 371A includes a mic kill function, allowing talk buttons that have been placed in their enabled (on) state to be remotely changed to their disabled (off) state. This allows one or both talk channels on a specific Model 371A that have been enabled to be remotely disabled.
MODEL 371A INTERCOM BELTPACK would use two Model 371A units without a PoE-enabled Ethernet switch being present. Using the Dante Controller software application the Model 371A’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 address, if fixed addressing is necessary then this capability is available.
MODEL 371A INTERCOM BELTPACK the version number has been displayed the call button can be released and normal operation will begin. As an example of what would be a typical application firmware display, if the channel 1 talk button “flashes” once followed by the channel 2 talk button “flashing” two times this would indicate that application firmware version 1.2 was present in the Model 371A.
MODEL 371A INTERCOM BELTPACK 3. Locate the USB connector on the main circuit board. It’s near the call button. Insert the prepared USB flash drive into it. 4. Apply power to the Model 371A by connecting to a Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) Ethernet source. 5. After a few seconds the Model 371A will run a “boot loader” program that will automatically load and save the new application firmware file (M371A.bin). This will take only a few seconds.
MODEL 371A INTERCOM BELTPACK the following text provides a summary of the changes: • All configuration selections for the Model 371A are performed using the STcontroller software application. STcontroller also allows the version numbers of the Model 371A’s application firmware (embedded software) and Ultimo firmware to be remotely identified. • Support for electret microphones was added to the Model 371A. This involved adding a 5 volt DC power source to the microphone input circuitry.
MODEL 371A INTERCOM BELTPACK Specifications Power Source: Power-over-Ethernet (PoE): class 1 (very low power, ≤3.84 watts) per IEEE® 802.
MODEL 371A INTERCOM BELTPACK Appendix A STcontroller default Model 371A configuration values: Microphone Input – Electret Power: Off Microphone Input – Gain: 42 dB Sidetone – Level: Medium Button Operation – Channels 1 and 2: Push to Talk/Tap to Latch System – Mic Kill: Global Kill Command Issue 2, August 2019 Page 22 Model 371A User Guide Studio Technologies, Inc.
