Manual

Model 381 User Guide Issue 2, March 2020
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 7
MODEL 381
ON-AIR BELTPACK
is preserved while minimizing the chance
of signal overload. A configuration choice
allows selection of the signal source for the
Dante main output channel. The choices
are either the output of the microphone
preamp or the output of the compressor
circuit. These choices are referred to as
“pre-compressor” or “post-compressor.” The
ADC section utilizes a high-performance
integrated circuit that supports sampling
rates of 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz with
a bit depth of up to 24. The audio signal,
now in the digital domain, routes through a
32-bit microprocessor and on to the Dante
interface section where it is packetized and
prepared for transport over Ethernet.
Audio input signals arrive via the Dante
receiver channels and pass into the Model
381’s microprocessor. As with the Dante
audio output channels, the sampling rate
can be 44.1, 48, 88.2, or 96 kHz with a bit
depth of up to 24. Channel routing, head-
phone level control, and sidetone creation
are performed in the digital domain. This
provides flexibility, allows precise control,
and keeps the two controls from having
to directly handle analog audio signals.
The audio channels destined for the head-
phone output channels are sent to a high-
performance digital-to-analog converter
and then on to robust driver circuitry. High
signal levels can be provided to a variety
of headsets, headphones, and earpieces.
Configuration Flexibility
The Model 381 can be configured to meet
the needs of specific applications and user
preferences. All configuration tasks are
performed using the STcontroller personal
computer software application which is
compatible with version 7 and later of the
Windows® operating systems. There are
no mechanical switch settings or button-
press sequences required to configure how
the unit functions. Selectable parameters
include microphone preamplifier gain, P48
phantom power on/off, headphone output
performance, sidetone operation, talkback
button operation, and main output audio
source.
The gain of the microphone preamplifier
can be selected from among five choices.
This allows the Model 381 to match the out-
put sensitivity of a range of handheld and
headset-associated microphones. A low-
noise source of P48 phantom power can
be enabled if required to support condenser
(capacitor) microphones. The two Dante
input audio sources and the way in which
they are assigned to the headphone output
channels can be configured. In addition,
the operation of the two rotary controls can
be selected. These unique choices allow
almost any required headphone monitoring
situation to be implemented. Whether for
use in on-air sports, in an eSports broad-
cast, or as a production support tool, the
Model 381 should be able to achieve the
desired configuration.
The integrated sidetone function can be
configured to operate from among three
choices. This allows audio associated with
the microphone input and microphone pre-
amplifier to be returned to the headphone
output as required. Sidetone can be impor-
tant as some applications may provide a
“mix-minus” talent cue signal that doesn’t
include the user’s own voice content. A
configuration selection allows the talkback
button to be selected for a momentary or
latching operation. The Dante main output
channel can be selected to its audio source
to be “pre-” or “post-” the dynamics control
circuitry.