Studio Technologies 212 2013 - Manual (Page 11)

Model 212 User Guide Issue 5, May 2013
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 11
System Components
The following are included in the shipping
carton: Model 212 Announcer’s Console,
user guide, button label sheet, and 24 volt
DC power supply.
Microphone Input
The Model 212 is compatible with balanced
dynamic and condenser microphones.
Depending on the application, the micro-
phone may be part of a headset, or be an
independent handheld or stand-mounted
model. The Model 212’s 48 volt nominal
power source will support essentially all
phantom-powered microphones. The qual-
ity of the Model 212’s microphone pre-
amplifier and associated circuitry is such
that special applications may benefit from
using “high-end” microphones. If selected
appropriately, models from manufactur-
ers such as AKG, Beyer, DPA, Neumann,
Sennheiser, and Shure will perform very
well in Model 212 applications.
Microphone interconnection is made by
way of a 3-pin female XLR connector which
is located on the Model 212’s back panel.
The mating connector (male) should be
wired so that pin 2 is signal high (+ or hot),
pin 3 is signal low (– or cold), and pin 1
is shield. It’s possible that an unbalanced
microphone will also work correctly. In this
case, the mating connector (male) should
be wired so that pin 2 is signal high (+ or
hot), and signal common/shield is connect-
ed to both pins 1 and 3.
The Model 212 is not compatible with
unbalanced “electret” microphones that
require a source of low-voltage DC for
operation. These microphones, sometimes
found in low-cost headsets, are not gener-
ally suitable for on-air or other demanding
applications.
As of the writing date of this user guide,
the Sennheiser HMD 26 headset is very
popular for on-air sports broadcasting
use. A fine product, it works very well
with the Model 212. Note that adding the
suffix “-XQ” to the headset’s part number
(HMD 26-600-XQ) specifies a 3-pin male
XLR connector for the dynamic micro-
phone and a ¼-inch 3-conductor plug for
the stereo headphones. This configura-
tion is very useful, allowing the headset
to work directly “out of the box” with the
Model 212.
If the writer may digress for a moment to
recount a story… an audio dealer once
shared a secret with me concerning head-
sets. He loved selling the “lower-end” (less
expensive) models of name-brand head-
sets, which he did by the veritable “boat-
load.” Why? Because these usually broke
soon after going into service! He knew
that on a regular basis he’d receive orders
for more of them. Had these users, from
the beginning, purchased only premium-
quality headsets, their total cost of owner-
ship would have been much less. Enough
said…
Headphone Output
The Model 212’s headphone output is
compatible with stereo or mono head-
phones, headsets, or earpieces. Connect-
ing devices with a nominal impedance
of 100 ohms or greater is preferred. This
shouldn’t be an issue since essentially all
contemporary devices already meet this
condition.
Devices are connected to the headphone
output by way of a ¼-inch 3-conductor
phone jack located on the Model 212’s
back panel. As is standard for stereo
headphones, the left channel is connected
to the “tip” lead of the ¼-inch headphone