Manual

Issue 2, March 2020 Model 381 User Guide
Page 8 Studio Technologies, Inc.
MODEL 381
ON-AIR BELTPACK
Future Capabilities and
Firmware Updating
The Model 381 was designed so that its
capabilities and performance can be en-
hanced in the future. A USB connector,
located on the unit’s main circuit board
(underneath the unit’s cover), allows the
application firmware (embedded software)
to be updated using a USB flash drive.
The Model 381 uses Audinate’s Ultimo™
integrated circuit to implement the Dante
interface. The firmware in this integrated
circuit can be updated via the Ethernet con-
nection, helping to ensure that its capabili-
ties remain up to date.
Getting Started
What’s Included
Included in the shipping carton will be a
Model 381 On-Air Beltpack and a printed
copy of this guide. As a device that is
Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) powered,
no external power source is provided.
Connections
In this section signal interconnections will
be made using the three connectors located
on the bottom of the Model 381’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 microphone will be connected using a
cable-mounted 3-pin male XLR connector.
A set of headphones or an earpiece will be
connected by way of a 2- or 3-conductor
¼-inch plug.
Ethernet Connection with PoE
A 100BASE-TX Ethernet connection that
supports Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) is
required for Model 381 operation. This one
connection will provide both the Ethernet
data interface and power for the Model
381’s circuitry. A 10BASE-T connection is
not sufficient as Dante does not support
this Ethernet protocol. And a 1000BASE-T
(“GigE”) connection is not supported unless
it can automatically “fall back” to 100BASE-
TX operation. The Model 381 supports
Ethernet switch power management,
enumerating itself as a PoE class 2 device.
The Ethernet connection is made by way
of a Neutrik etherCON protected RJ45 con-
nector that is located on the bottom of the
Model 381’s enclosure. This allows connec-
tion by way of a cable-mounted etherCON
connector or a standard RJ45 plug. The
Model 381’s Ethernet interface supports
auto MDI/MDI-X so that a “cross-over” or
“reversing” cable will never be required.
Ethernet Connection without PoE
As previously discussed in this guide, the
Model 381 was designed such that the
Ethernet connection will provide both data
and Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) power.
There may be situations where the as-
sociated 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 802.3af-
compatible it should function correctly.
Midspan units are available from a variety
of sources, including many online retailers.
Microphone Input
The Model 381 provides a 3-pin female
XLR connector which allows a balanced dy-
namic or phantom-powered condenser mi-
crophone to be connected. The microphone
can be a standalone handheld (“stick”) type
or can be part of a broadcast-style head-
set. The Model 381’s microphone input is
directly compatible with balanced dynamic