CLEAR-COM ENCORE AB-120 ANNOUNCER CONSOLE INSTRUCTION MANUAL
AB-120 Announcer Console Instruction Manual © 2009 Vitec Group Communications Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Part Number 810496Z Rev. 1 Vitec Group Communications LLC 850 Marina Village Parkway Alameda, CA 94501 U.S.A Vitec Group Communications Ltd 7400 Beach Drive IQ Cambridge Cambridgeshire United Kingdom CB25 9TP Vitec Group Communications Room 1806, Hua Bin Building No. 8 Yong An Dong Li Jian Guo Men Wai Ave Chao Yang District Beijing, P.R.
CONTENTS OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Setting Jumpers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14 Setting Dip Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14 Wiring of Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14 INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1 Sportscaster Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1 Momentary Microphone Mute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Please read and follow these instructions before operating this product. Read these instructions. Keep these instructions. Heed all warnings. Follow all instructions. Do not use this apparatus near water. Clean only with dry cloth. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. 8.
CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN This symbol alerts you to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage within the product's enclosure that might be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock. Do not open the product's case. This symbol informs you that important operating and maintenance instructions are included in the literature accompanying this product.
1 OPERATION INTRODUCTION Congratulations on choosing this Clear-Com product. Clear-Com was established in 1968 and remains the market leader in providing intercoms for entertainment, educational, broadcast and industrial applications. The ruggedness and high build-quality of Clear-Com products defines the industry standard. In fact, many of our original beltpacks and main stations are still in daily use around the world.
AB-120 can be used with virtually any broadcast headset or separate microphone or headphone fitted with a Switchcraft™ or Switchcraft style XLR-5M or XLR-6M connector. Microphone gain is jumper selectable to accommodate all microphone types. The microphone output stage uses a high grade transformer for driving the line. Output levels from 0 dB to -50 dB are jumper selectable.
FRONT PANEL Mute Indicator Mute Button Talk Back Button Talk Back Indicator Announcer Console AB-120 Interrupt Non-Interrupt Interrupt Level Control Non-Interrupt Level Control Figure 1-2: AB-120 Front Panel Controls Selecting Microphone Amplifier Gain The microphone preamplifier and the output line drive amplifier have selectable gains allowing the user to tailor the gain structure to the type of microphone being used and the desired output level.
Line Output Level Select The operating level at the output is selectable to accommodate the various types of devices that are to be fed. The microphone input of a console would need -60 dBu whereas the line input of a console might need a level of -10 dBu. Jumper JP8 allows the selection of three gain structures for the output amplifier and the output connector so the rear panel can be plugged into an alternate header on the printed circuit board that has a 30 dB pad inserted in the output.
REAR PANEL CONNECTORS AND CONTROLS The rear panel of the AB-120 has the following connectors and controls. • Headset connectors • Microphone Out Connector • Male/Female Pair of Intercom Connectors • IFB Input Connector • 30 VDC Power Connector • Channel Select Switch + Headset 30V Mic Out 0.
The connector is also 5 pin compatible and most standard intercom headsets can be directly plugged into the unit. Options The construction of the AB-120 lends itself to modification. The 6 pin XLR could be replaced with a 5 pin XLR. Next to the headset connector is a 1/4 inch hole intended for the user to install a stereo phone jack for a separate set of headphones. The 8 pin header on the printed circuit board that the headset connects to has circuits available for preening of electret microphones.
DESCRIPTION OF INTERNAL JUMPER OPTIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS The AB-120 has internal jumper options, connector selectable microphone output levels, dip switch selection of ear phone output, and headphone sidetone adjustment controls. As shipped from the factory, the AB-120 has its internal jumpers and dip switches set to implement the Clear-Com party-line as described in its respective section. The unit is setup for sportscaster mode, option and the mic output level is set for -10 dBu.
Figure 1-5: AB-120 Jumper and Switch Locations 1-8 Clear-Com Communication Systems AB-120 Announcer Console Instruction Manual
Jumper Options There are eleven two position jumpers that provide many options for the operation of the AB-120. To access these jumpers, remove the bottom cover of the unit. Inside the bottom cover is a label describing the functions of jumper and switch. Note: Jumpers 2, 3, 4 and 6 are not used. JP1 JP1 provides termination for the intercom line if needed. The AB-120 is always a remote intercom station and therefore does not provide termination for an intercom line.
Dip Switch Selection of Earphone Output Each earphone amplifier has an eight position dip switch providing a selection of inputs to that amplifier. S2 is for the left ear and S3 is for the right. Any or all of the inputs can be selected at the same time. The following illustrates the function of each dip switch. Figure 1-6: DIP Switch Settings for S2 and S3 It will be noted that each of the IFB inputs has two dip switches and each has different gains associated with it.
APPLICATION OF VARIOUS INTERCOM SYSTEM TYPES The AB-120 is intended to work with virtually any intercom system. Options, jumpers, and connectors have been provided for the following systems. • Clear-Com party-line • TW party-line Systems (RTS) • Other four wire systems Clear-Com Party-Line An all Clear-Com party-line system is described as follows: IFB IFB is provided by a PIC-4000 two channel IFB system containing interrupt and non-interrupt functionalities.
Setting Jumpers JP1 JP2 JP3 JP4 JP-5 JP6 JP-7 JP-8 JP-9 JP-10 JP-11 1-2 Unterminate intercom line Not used Not used Not used Power intercom line Not used Clear-Com Intercom Level Set per chart in a following section Set per chart in a following section Set per chart in a following section Set per chart in a following section 1-2 1-2 Mic output Mic Pre’p gain Mic Pre’p gain Mode Setting Dip Switches S2 Left ear select 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 S3 Right ear select open open close open open open open open 1 2 3 4
Figure 1-8: AB-120 Connected to a TW Party-Line System TW Party-Line Systems (RTS) A TW party-line system is described as follows: IFB IFB is provided by a two channel interrupt and non-interrupt system. INTERCOM Talkback is provided from one or two channels of a TW party-line system Channel ‘1’ is the producer channel. Any announcer pressing the talkback button would speak into this channel. Any or all of the announcers may talk at any time as they are summed on the party-line channel.
Channel Select Switch = ‘1’ Setting Jumpers JP1 JP-5 JP-7 1-2 1-2 2-3 JP-8 JP-9 Mic output Mic Pre’p gain Mic Pre’p gain Mute JP-10 JP-11 Unterminate intercom line Power intercom line RTS Intercom Level and JP1 on the option board if used Set per chart in a following section Set per chart in a following section Set per chart in a following section Set per chart in a following section Setting Dip Switches S2 Left Ear Select 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 S3 Right Ear Select open open close open open open open open
2 INSTALLATION The AB-120 is a versatile interconnection box and can accommodate many types of installation. The AB-120 has two modes of operation; sportscaster mode and announcer mode. When shipped from the factory the AB-120 has its internal jumpers and dip switches set to implement the Clear-Com party-line setup. The unit will be configured for Sportscaster Console operation and the microphone output level is set for -10 dBu with a dynamic microphone input.
2-2 HEADPHONE OUTPUT 1/2 6-PIN HEADSET CONNECTOR TALKBACK TALKBACK TALLY COUGH BUTTON MUTE TALLY 1/2 6-PIN HEADSET CONNECTOR 100-240 VAC HEADSET AMPS LOGIC BAL/UNBAL SELECT ELECTRET POWER LIMITER 30 VDC RIGHT VOLUME LEFT VOLUME PREAMP GAIN SELECT RIGHT EAR LEFT EAR DIP SWITCH SELECT INTERCOM 1 MUTE 30 VOLT POWER SUPPLY SIDETONE ADJUST CONSOLE POWER -INTERCOM A -SPARE -IFB 2 -IFB -SPARE -SPARE -INTERCOM A -SPARE -IFB 2 -IFB -SPARE -SPARE CC/RTS GAIN LINE LEVEL GAIN SELECT POWER S
3 SPECIFICATIONS Note: 0 dBu is referenced to 0.
Max Gain Dynamic Mic - Party Line Dynamic Mic - Hot Mic Out IFB Input - Headset Out Party Line - Headset Out Rear Panel Connectors Headset Microphone Out Intercom IFB Power 41 dB ± 3 dB 40 dB ± 3 dB 40 dB/22 dB (switchable) ± 3 dB 34 dB ± 3 dB XLR-6F XLR-3M 2 XLR-3 (Male and Female Loop through) XLR-3F 2.
4 GLOSSARY Some of the terms used when discussing critical communications for television or theatre may be new to you as they are unique to intercom applications. Although many of the terms are common to other audio applications, to be certain you understand their meanings we offer the following definitions: All Call: Ability to push one button from the main station and talk to all channels at once on a multiple channel system.
station at a time can talk while others listen. A walkie-talkie is a good example of half-duplex communication. IFB: The term means “Interrupt Fold Back.” A fold-back is a monitor system that allows, for example, talent to hear their voices or musicians to hear their voices and instruments on stage. IFB (program interrupt) disconnects the audio source while the talk button on the main station is pushed. ISO: A private conversation path.
LIMITED WARRANTY This document details the Clear-Com Standard Limited Warranty for all new products for sale within all regions with the exception of Military, Aerospace, and Government (MAG). EXCEPT AS SET FORTH HEREIN ("LIMITED WARRANTY"), CLEAR-COM MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, NONINFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ALL OF WHICH ARE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED. 1.
(5) All software products, including Concert (Client and Server), ECS, Production Maestro and Logic Maestro are warranted for one year and shall substantially conform to published specifications. The media on which the Software is furnished is warranted to be free of defects in material and workmanship (under normal use) for a period of one year. (6) Any Clear-Com products that are listed within the last time buy period have the same Limited Warranty for their type 1.i 1 - 1.i.5 as above.
h) Software Upgrades i) Software Upgrades include new Features and/or Functional Enhancements and are not included as part of the Standard Warranty but may be purchased at the published rates. ii) Note: In the absence of a Software Update containing a program correction and no available workaround to mitigate the problem, at the discretion of Service, Sales, Engineering, or Product Management, the Customer may be provided a Software Upgrade under warranty. 2. Exclusions.
iv Clear-Com Communication Systems Standard Limited Warranty
TECHNICAL SUPPORT & REPAIR POLICY NOVEMBER 1, 2008 In order to ensure that your experience with Clear-Com and our World Class products is as beneficial, effective and efficient as possible, we would like to define the policies and share some "best practices" that can accelerate any problem solving processes which we may find necessary and to enhance your customer service experience. Our Technical Support, Return Material Authorization, and Repair Policies are set forth below.
Days: Tel: Email: iii) Asia-Pacific: Hours: Days: Tel: Email: Monday - Friday +49 40 853 999 700 TechnicalSupportEMEA@vitecgroup.com 0800 - 1700 Pacific Time Monday - Friday +1 510 337 6600 CustomerServicesAPAC@vitecgroup.com d) Email Technical Support is available for all Clear-Com branded products free of charge for the life of the product, or two years after a product has been classified as obsolete, whichever comes first.
d) Damaged equipment will be repaired at the Customer's expense. e) Returns are subject to a 15% restocking fee. f) Advance Warranty Replacements (AWRs); i) During the first 30 days of the Standard Warranty Period: Once the equipment fault has been verified by Clear-Com or its authorized representative, Clear-Com will ship a new replacement product.
vii) Note: Shipping charges, including duties, taxes, and insurance (optional), to Clear-Com's factory is the responsibility of the Customer. Shipping AWRs from Clear-Com is at Clear-Com's expense (normal ground or international economy delivery). Requests for expedited shipping (E.g. "Next-Day Air") and insurance are the responsibility of the Customer.
the cost of repair, the Customer may elect to return the product to the factory for an estimate. The Customer is responsible for shipping costs both to and from the factory in the event they choose not to accept the estimate. v) The Customer must provide either a purchase order for the repair work, or will be required to make an advance payment (as a debit against the Dealer's line of credit, or credit card) prior to the repaired product being returned to the Customer.
