Clear-Com AB-120 User Manual
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. China 100022
® Clear-Com, CellCom/FreeSpeak and the Clear-Com Communications Systems logo are registered trademarks of
The Vitec Group plc.
Website: www.clearcom.com
CONTENTS
OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Selecting Microphone Amplifier Gain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Microphone Preamplifier Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Line Output Level Select . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-4
Options for Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-4
Power from the IFB Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Power from the Intercom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Power from an External DC Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Rear Panel Connectors and Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-5
Headset Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Mic Out Connector. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Intercom Line Connectors (XLR 3 male and female). . . . . . . . . 1-6
IFB (XLR 3 female) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-6
Description of internal jumper options and adjustments . . . . . . . .1-7
Jumper Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
JP1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-9
JP7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-9
JP8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-9
JP9 and JP10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
JP11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-9
Microphone Output Pad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Dip Switch Selection of Earphone Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-10
Headphone Sidetone Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Application of Various Intercom System Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Clear-Com Party-Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-11
IFB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-11
INTERCOM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-11
Setting Jumpers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Setting Dip Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Wiring of Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-12
TW Party-Line Systems (RTS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
IFB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-13
INTERCOM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
POWER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-13
Channel Select Switch = ‘1’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Clear-Com Communication Systems
AB-120 Announcer Console Instruction Manual
1
Setting Jumpers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Setting Dip Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Wiring of Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-14
INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Sportscaster Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-1
Momentary Microphone Mute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-1
Announcer Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Latching Microphone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-1
AB-120 System Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
GLOSSARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
LIMITED WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W-I
TECHNICAL SUPPORT & REPAIR POLICY. . . . . W-V
TECHNICAL SUPPORT POLICY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W-v
RETURN MATERIAL AUTHORIZATION POLICY . . . . . . . . . . . . . W-vi
REPAIR POLICY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W-viii
2
AB-120 Announcer Console Instruction Manual
Clear-Com Communication Systems
Please read and follow
these instructions
before operating this
product.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with
the manufacturer’s instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as a radiators, heat
registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that
produce heat.
9. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
10. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by
the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used,
use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid
injury from tip-over.
11. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for
long periods of time.
12. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is
required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such
as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled
or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been
exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has
been dropped.
13. WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not
expose this product to rain or moisture.
Clear-Com Communication Systems
AB-120 Announcer Console Instruction Manual
Please familiarize yourself with the safety symbols in Figure 1. When
you see these symbols on this product, they warn you of the potential
danger of electric shock if the station is used improperly. They also
refer you to important operating and maintenance instructions in the
manual.
3
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.
Figure 1: Safety Symbols
EMC AND SAFETY
The GPI-6 General Purpose Inputs Interface meets all relevant CE and
FCC specifications set out below:
EN55103-1 Electromagnetic compatibility. Product family standard for
audio, video, audio-visual, and entertainment lighting control apparatus
for professional use. Part 1: Emissions.
EN55103-2 Electromagnetic compatibility. Product family standard for
audio, video, audio-visual, and entertainment lighting control apparatus
for professional use. Part 2: Immunity.
And thereby compliance with the requirement of Electromagnetic
Compatibility Directive 2004/108/EC and Low Voltage Directive
2006/95/EC
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause
harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
4
AB-120 Announcer Console Instruction Manual
Clear-Com Communication Systems
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.
The system’s main station is a powerful, yet user-friendly unit that can
serve as the heart of a Clear-Com system. We recommend that you
read through this manual completely to better understand the functions
of the system. If you encounter a situation or have a question that this
manual does not address, contact your dealer or call Clear-Com
directly at the factory. Our applications support and service people are
standing by to assist you (Refer to the Warranty section for contact
information). Thank you for selecting Clear-Com for your
communications needs.
DESCRIPTION
The AB-120 Announcer Console is a compact desktop unit designed
specifically for live event broadcasting. It integrates all of the input,
output, and controls necessary at the announce position, including
intercom, talkback, IFB, and mute.
Clear-Com Communication Systems
AB-120 Announcer Console Instruction Manual
Figure 1-1: AB-120 Product
A low noise, low distortion balanced microphone preamplifier delivers
broadcast quality sound from the announcer’s microphone. The
1-1
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.
A high output stereo headphone amplifier provides talent with both
program audio and cues from the control room, even in the most noisy
environments. The console can be configured so that intercom audio
and IFB inputs can be heard in the left/right ear or both, helping the
talent to instantly identify the source, The unit accepts one or two
channels of IFB, which can be standard self powered, three pin circuits
like those found on most broadcast IFM systems.
OPERATION
Instant access to an intercom system is available with a talkback
button. If the talkback button is pressed, the microphone is
momentarily switched from on air to intercom use. The Announcer
Console can be connected to virtually any party-line intercom system.
The AB-120 connects directly to a Clear-Com party-line system.
A mute button provides momentary silencing of the microphone.
Alternately, it can be set to latch when pressed, allowing the talent to
switch the microphone on and off with a single switch. The switch is
mechanically and electrically mute to ensure no clicking or switching
noise is heard when pressed.
The AB-120 plugs into and draws power directly from most intercom
and IFB systems, permitting an announce position to be located
virtually anywhere, regardless of AC power. When a powered intercom
or IFB is not available, the console can be externally powered with the
supplied DC adapter.
1-2
AB-120 Announcer Console Instruction Manual
Clear-Com Communication Systems
FRONT PANEL
Interrupt
Non-Interrupt
Mute
Indicator
Interrupt
Interrupt
Level
Control
Mute
Button
Talk Back
Indicator
Figure 1-2: AB-120 Front Panel Controls
Selecting Microphone Amplifier Gain
Talk Back
Button
Announc er Consol e
Non-Interrupt
Non-Interrupt
Level
Control
AB-120
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. As shipped
from the factory, microphone gain is set for a dynamic mic and the
output level is set for -10 dBu.
Microphone Preamplifier Gain
The microphone preamplifier gain must be set to provide proper
operation of the limiter circuit used in the talkback system. The
preamplifier can be set for gains of 40, 50, and 60 dB. Dynamic
microphones have a nominal output level of approximately -60 dBu.
Electret mic typically have an output level of -40 dBu. Jumpers JP9
and JP10 allow selecting the preamplifier gain to 40, 50, and 60 dB.
INPUT LEVEL JP 9 JP 10
-60 dB (dynamic microphone) 1-2 1-2
-50 dB 2-3 1-2
-40 dB (Electret microphone) 2-3 2-3
Jumpers JP9 and JP10 are normally factory set for -60 dB (dynamic
microphone).
Clear-Com Communication Systems
AB-120 Announcer Console Instruction Manual
1-3
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. The combination of JP8 and the 30 dB pad
allows an output level selection from 0 dBu to -50 dBu in 10 dB steps.
0dBu -10dBu -20dBu -30dBu -40dBu -50dBu
Output ConnectorJ2J2J2J3J3J3
JP8 Position Open 2-3 1-2 Open 2-3 1-2
The output gain is normally factory set to -10 dBu.
Options for Power
The AB-120 can be powered from the intercom line, the IFB line, or
from a local external DC supply. To power it from the intercom line of
the IFB line, the unit needs a minimum of 25 VDC. The AB-120 draws
approximately 100 mA of current with peaks of 120 mA.
The following topics describe how to power the AB-120 from the three
different sources.
Power from the IFB Line
To power the unit from the IFB line, set jump jacks on pins 2 and 3 of
JP5. JP5 selects where the positive DC power is sourced from.
If for noise reasons, pin 1 of the IFB input connector can not be
connected to power ground of the AB-120, the power cannot be
derived from the IFB line.
Power from the Intercom Line
To power the unit from the intercom line, set jump jacks on pins 1 and 2
of JP5. JP5 selects where the positive DC power is sourced from.
Power from an External DC Supply
If power from the intercom line or IFB line is not available then plug in
the DC supply supplied with the unit.
1-4
AB-120 Announcer Console Instruction Manual
Clear-Com Communication Systems
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
Channel Select
Pin 2 (RTS)
Pin 3 (CC)
IFB
Headset
30V 0.45A MAX
Mic Out
Intercom/Talkback
Figure 1-3: AB-120 Rear Connectors
Headset Connector
The standard AB-120 is shipped with a headset connector designed
for use with any type of announcer headset. Connection is via a
Switchcraft™ XLR-6F connector on the unit. The pinout of the headset
connector is as follows:
1. Microphone Lo (-)
2. Microphone Hi (+)
3. Headphone Common
4. Left Headphone (+)
5. Right Headphone (-)
6. Microphone Shield
Clear-Com Communication Systems
AB-120 Announcer Console Instruction Manual
The headset should have a separate shielded twisted pair of wires
directly to the microphone, otherwise some earphone to microphone
crosstalk may be experienced.
1-5
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