Audio Technica RP32 Studio Broadcast UWB Wireless Microphone System User Manual Studio Broadcast System

Audio-Technica Corporation Studio Broadcast UWB Wireless Microphone System Studio Broadcast System

Contents

User Manual - RP32

Studio Broadcast System SET UP and USE RP32 Receiver Module
Studio Broadcast System Page 2 of 13 1. REGULATORY AND COMPLIANCE STATEMENTS ............................................................................................................ 3 2. RP32 UWB RECEIVER MODULE ....................................................................................................................................... 3. POSITIONING AND SET UP………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4. SYSTEM QUICK START ................................................................................................................................................
Studio Broadcast System Page 3 of 13 1. REGULATORY AND COMPLIANCE STATIC HAZARD. Opening this unit is likely to cause permanent performance malfunction. Evidence of opening will void warranty. Serviceable only by Audio-Technica. Contact Audio-Technica for return authorization should service be necessary
Studio Broadcast System Page 4 of 13 2. RP32 UWB Receiver Module A two digit display (7 Segment LED) is provided to automatically indicate the receiver channel number when the RP32 is connected via a CAT5 cable to the corresponding output channel of the MCU3224. This display serves as the unit’s power indicator. A visible channel number also indicates that there is a full round-trip connection between the RP and the MCU communications, confirming that the cable, the RP and the corresponding MCU3224 channel are all operating appropriately. Should the user prefer that the LED lights not be illuminated, there is a control option available on the MCU “tools” screen which allows this RP display lights to be turned off. Receiver ID Number Receiver Front View
Studio Broadcast System Page 5 of 13 Receiver Rear View RJ45 Connector for Cat5 Cable Connection to the RP32 is via an RJ45 jack on the rear. Once connected via RJ45 and shielded CAT5 cable to an MCU, the RP is operational. There is no power switch, and no further controls necessary. The MCU3224 supplies operating power and control over RP functions/preferences is available via the tools screen of the MCU3224. A choice of 2 mounting threads are available on the rear of the RP32. The inserts mate with either 5/8”-27 thread or ¼”-20 thread adapters.
Studio Broadcast System Page 6 of 13 3. Positioning and Set Up 3.1. Positioning When considering where to place RP32 Receiver Modules, it is useful to think of them as “lights” with which you are attempting to cover and entirely fill a space. A rough guideline of coverage pattern is shown below. This guideline is only a starting point. The effects of multipath both to and from the RP32 are very beneficial and create additional paths which “fill in” the coverage area. Although the system will work with only a single RP32 picking up and communicating with a BP24 beltpack, we recommend that you position the RP32s such that you have a minimum of 2 actively receiving the BP24 signal at all times, and preferably a minimum of 3. There is no signal to add, subtract, or interfere, so the more RP32s that communicate with and receive a BP24 the better. Think of it as an up to 32-way digital diversity. All RP32s process all of the possible 24 channels of BP24 transmitters at all times. It does not matter which RP32 picks up a signal or sends a signal. No pairing or other coordination is required. Once power is applied to an RP32, it will automatically begin sending sync pulses to BP24 transmitters (whether or not they are present) and they will look to receive a signal from a BP24 transmitter on the correct TDMA time slot. A note about physical obstacles: Since this system operates in a very high frequency range, the wavelengths are very short. That means that it is possible for them to “pass through” porous materials. Although it is not optimum, it is sometimes possible to place RP32s behind a surface if that surface will still allow the small 6GHz wavelength to pass. A metallic or glass or stone surface is highly reflective and is beneficial for creating supporting multipath, but it will not allow signals to pass through.
Studio Broadcast System Page 7 of 13 (drawing not to scale) The red areas indicate a likely direct connection path for a single RP32. It is important to note that there are a number of side lobes (may depend upon placement) and that there is pick up and reception to the rear. The more typically expected active space is indicated via the blue dashed lines.
Studio Broadcast System Page 8 of 13 3.2. Matrix Screen - Receiver Measurement The matrix screen allows the user to visualize specific connections between 32 possible receivers and 24 possible transmitters. There are two modes: Receiver Test and Transmitter Test. In the receiver test mode the user selects a source transmitter - blue buttons on the right side of the screen - and the screen on the left indicates the active receivers currently linked to that transmitter. Active receivers which have been plugged into the system are indicated with a blue square; green fill indicates a link to the selected transmitter. It is best if at least 3 RP32s indicate a green “linked” status to a BP24 transmitter at all times. This screen is useful for experimenting with RP32 placement in order to determine the best coverage. Mode Swap Button Σ Mode Select
Studio Broadcast System Page 9 of 13 The Σ button is used to view receivers that are connected to ANY active transmitter rather than just a single transmitter. This mode is used to test which receivers are most effective in a given set up, and may also assist in receiver placement. When the user selects the matrix screen, the system will first check for added receivers; without interrupting the operation of the active receivers or the audio output. This gives the user a way to add receivers while the system is in active operation. If the user plugs in a receiver it will not be active until the system goes through this process. Pressing the mode swap button switches to Transmitter measurement mode. 4. System QUICK START  Using a shielded CAT 5 cable (may be used with up to 1,000 feet of cable per channel) terminated with a standard RJ45 connector, plug the cable into the RJ45 input jack on the rear of at least RP32 receiver. Connect the other end of the CAT 5 cable to the RJ45 input jack on the rear of the MCU3224 main control unit. You may connect up to 32 RP32 receivers by connecting them into the corresponding channel output (1-32) found on the rear of the MCU. You do not need to turn the RP on. It receives power via the CAT 5 cable from the MCU 3224. The RP display should immediately light and display the channel output number to which it has been connected on the MCU.  Apply power to the MCU3224 by connecting at least one IEC cable to AC wall supply.  Press the front panel “power” button. The power light(s) corresponding to the IEC cable input will be visible on the front panel (one red and one blue), and the GUI screen will illuminate and enter a “set-up” mode while the system is normalizing and preparing for operation.
Studio Broadcast System Page 10 of 13 Once the system is available for operation, the GUI screen will display a “HOME SCREEN.”  On the left-hand side of the screen, select the “Matrix” button: This will allow the user to view and confirm that the desired number of RPs are connected to the system with the desired channel # assignments.  Place 2 x AA batteries into a BP24 beltpack transmitter and slide the internal power switch into the on position.
Studio Broadcast System Page 11 of 13 Ensure that the BP24 system ID is the same as the System ID of the MCU3224 (system will turn on in “default” system ID 1 for all devices). The System ID is visible in all screens on the left-hand side of the display for “navigation.”  Select the BP24 channel for operation (1 through 24)  Select the desired BP24 gain level  Ensure that the BP24 front surface is facing the RP32 front surface, and that they are located somewhat in proximity to each other and roughly in a line-of sight orientation. (Note that the distance of operation can be 90’ or more, depending upon the particular operating environment, and line of sight operation is not strictly or fully required due to positive effects of multi-path. However, with only a single RP connected to the system, the “multiple coordinated receiver diversity” is not in operation. Thus, line of sight and proximity are more important to stable operation for initial set-up with only a single RP).
Studio Broadcast System Page 12 of 13  Return to the MCU and select the “home screen”  The BP24 that has just been turned on should be shown in the display on the channel number that you have set via the BP24 channel selection process.  Press the GUI on the displayed channel to highlight/select the channel of the BP24 that you are operating. This will allow all information about this particular channel to be observed on the other screens. It also selects this particular channel for output to the front-mounted headphone monitor jack.  You may now listen to your selected beltpack, or if you prefer, you can observe its operation characteristics by selecting the “transmitter detail” button:  Repeat this process for as many RP32s and BP24s as needed for the application.  No frequency or channel coordination is required. Simply ensure that only one beltpack channel is in operation for each channel (up to 24) in each system ID. (Do not attempt to set 2 BP channels to the same channel # in the same system. The system will not operate).
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