Lectrosonics HMAB1A, HMAA1A User Manual
HMa
Wideband Plug-On Transmitter
With Digital Hybrid Wireless® Technology
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Digital Hybrid Wireless
US Patent 7,225,135
Fill in for your records:
Serial Number:
Purchase Date:
®
Rio Rancho, NM, USA
www.lectrosonics.com
HMa
2
LECTROSONICS, INC.
Wideband Digital Hybrid® Plug-On Transmitter
Table of Contents
General Technical Description .............................................................................................................................................................4
Digital Hybrid Wireless
No Pre-Emphasis/De-Emphasis ...........................................................................................................................................................5
Low Frequency Roll-Off ........................................................................................................................................................................5
Input Limiter ..........................................................................................................................................................................................5
Signal Encoding and Pilot Tone ............................................................................................................................................................5
Microprocessor and DSP ......................................................................................................................................................................5
Compatibility Modes ..............................................................................................................................................................................5
Control Panel ........................................................................................................................................................................................5
Controls and Functions .........................................................................................................................................................................6
LCD Screen ..........................................................................................................................................................................................6
Power LED ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 6
Audio Input Jack ....................................................................................................................................................................................6
Battery Compartment............................................................................................................................................................................ 6
Modulation LEDs ...................................................................................................................................................................................6
Audio Button .........................................................................................................................................................................................6
Freq Button ...........................................................................................................................................................................................6
UP/DOWN Arrows and Panel Lockout ..................................................................................................................................................6
Antenna .................................................................................................................................................................................................6
Battery Installation .................................................................................................................................................................................7
Attaching/Removing a Microphone ......................................................................................................................................................7
Operating Instructions ...........................................................................................................................................................................8
Power Up and Boot Sequence .............................................................................................................................................................. 8
Power Down ..........................................................................................................................................................................................8
Automatic Power Restore ......................................................................................................................................................................8
Standby Mode .......................................................................................................................................................................................8
UP Button Menu ....................................................................................................................................................................................8
DOWN Button Menu .............................................................................................................................................................................9
AUDIO Button Settings .......................................................................................................................................................................10
FREQ Button Settings .........................................................................................................................................................................11
Block 470/19 Frequency Overlap ........................................................................................................................................................ 11
Lock/Unlock Screen ............................................................................................................................................................................12
Remote Control with “Dweedle Tones” ................................................................................................................................................ 12
LectroRM ...............................................................................................................................................................................................13
Accessories ..........................................................................................................................................................................................14
21750 Barrel Adapter ..........................................................................................................................................................................14
MCA-M30 Barrel Adapter ....................................................................................................................................................................14
PHTRAN3 ...........................................................................................................................................................................................14
MCA5X ................................................................................................................................................................................................14
MCA-TPOWER ...................................................................................................................................................................................14
Specifications and Features ................................................................................................................................................................15
Firmware Update ..................................................................................................................................................................................16
Troubleshooting ....................................................................................................................................................................................18
Service and Repair ...............................................................................................................................................................................20
Returning Units for Repair ..................................................................................................................................................................20
®
Technology ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
Consumer Alert for US Users - FCC Order DA 10-92
Most users do not need a license to operate this wireless microphone system. Nevertheless, operating this microphone system
without a license is subject to certain restrictions: the system may not cause harmful interference; it must operate at a low power
level (not in excess of 50 milliwatts); and it has no protection from interference received from any other device. Purchasers should
also be aware that the FCC is currently evaluating use of wireless microphone systems, and these rules are subject to change. For
more information, call the FCC at 1-888- CALL-FCC (TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC) or visit the FCC’s wireless microphone website at
www.fcc.gov/cgb/wirelessmicrophones. To operate wireless microphone systems at power greater than 50mW, you must qualify as
a Part 74 user and be licensed. If you qualify and wish to apply for a license go to: http://www.fcc.gov/Forms/Form601/601.html
Rio Rancho, NM
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HMa
Bias Voltage
Thank you for selecting a Lectrosonics HMa plug-On
transmitter. The unique design provides several distinct
features for professional applications:
• Outstanding RF operating range
• Superb audio quality
• Corrosion-resistant housing
• Programmable compatibility modes for use with a
wide variety of different receivers
The Digital Hybrid Wireless® design (US Patent
7,225,135) combines 24-bit digital audio with analog
FM resulting in a system that has the same operating
range as analog systems, the same spectral efficiency
as analog systems, the same long battery life as analog systems, plus the excellent audio fidelity typical of
pure digital systems.
General Technical
Description
The transmitter uses a standard 3-pin XLR input jack
for use with any microphone with a mating XLR connector. An LCD, membrane switches and multi-color
LEDs on the control panel make input gain adjustments and frequency and compatibility mode selection
quick and accurate, without having to view the receiver.
The housing is machined from a solid aluminum block
to provide a lightweight and rugged package. A special
non-corrosive finish resists salt water exposure and
perspiration in extreme environments.
Along with providing peerless audio quality with wide
frequency response and dynamic range in Nu Digital
Hybrid mode, the technology used in the HMa includes
compatibility modes for Lectrosonics Mode 3 and
IFB receivers. Companion receivers are covered in
separate manuals. The HMa transmitter uses ±75 kHz
wide deviation for an excellent signal to noise ratio and
wide dynamic range. The DSP controlled input limiter
features a wide range dual envelope design which
cleanly limits input signal peaks over 30 dB above full
modulation. Switching power supplies provide constant
voltages to the transmitter circuits from the beginning (3
Volts) to the end (1.7 Volts) of battery life, and an ultra
low noise input amplifier for quiet operation.
Digital Hybrid Wireless® Technology
All wireless links suffer from channel noise to some degree, and all wireless microphone systems seek to minimize the impact of that noise on the desired signal. Conventional analog systems use compandors for enhanced
dynamic range, at the cost of subtle artifacts (known as
“pumping” and “breathing”). Wholly digital systems defeat
the noise by sending the audio information in digital form,
at the cost of some combination of power, bandwidth and
resistance to interference.
Lectrosonics Digital Hybrid Wireless® systems overcome channel noise in a dramatically new way, digitally
encoding the audio in the transmitter and decoding it
in the receiver, yet still sending the encoded information via an analog FM wireless link. This proprietary
algorithm is not a digital implementation of an analog
compandor but a technique that can be accomplished
only in the digital domain, even though the inputs and
outputs are analog.
Channel noise still impacts received signal quality and
will eventually overwhelm a receiver. Digital Hybrid
Wireless® simply encodes the signal to use a noisy
channel as efficiently and robustly as possible, yielding audio performance that rivals that of wholly digital
systems, without the power and bandwidth problems
inherent in digital transmission.
4
42V,15V, 5V
Shunt
Limiter
Input
Amp
Digital
AUDIO
FREQ
UP
DWN
Bicolor
Modulation
LEDs
Phantom
Power
Pot
LCD
Audio
Level
Hi.Lo
Pass
Filter
+4V
Audio
Microprocessor
Control Panel
A-D
Converter
11001001
Digital Signal Processor
D-A
Converter
11001001
Reference
Crystal
Phase Locked Loop
Reference
Crystal
Encoded Audio
and Pilot Tone
3 V
Battery
Filter
Amp
Switching
Power
Supply
Voltage
Controlled
Oscillator
1.2V
4V
-3.3V
+3.3V
Final
Amplifier
LECTROSONICS, INC.
Wideband Digital Hybrid® Plug-On Transmitter
Because it uses an analog FM link, Digital Hybrid
Wireless® enjoys all the benefits of conventional FM
wireless systems, such as excellent range, efficient
use of RF spectrum, and resistance to interference.
However, unlike conventional FM systems, it does
away with the analog compandor and its artifacts.
No Pre-Emphasis/De-Emphasis
The Digital Hybrid Wireless® design results in a signal-tonoise ratio high enough to preclude the need for conventional pre-emphasis (HF boost) in the transmitter and
de-emphasis (HF roll-off) in the receiver. This eliminates
the potential for distortion on signals with abundant
high-frequency information.
Low Frequency Roll-Off
The low frequency roll-off can be set for a 3 dB down
point at 35, 50, 70, 100, 120 and 150 Hz to control
subsonic and very low frequency audio content in
the audio. The actual roll-off frequency will vary slightly
depending upon the low frequency response of the
microphone.
Excessive low frequency content can drive the transmitter into limiting, or in the case of high level sound
systems, even cause damage to loudspeaker systems.
The roll-off is normally adjusted by ear while listening
as the system is operating.
Microprocessor and DSP
A microprocessor monitors user command inputs from
the control panel buttons and numerous other internal
signals. It works intimately with the DSP to ensure the
audio is encoded according to the selected Compatibility Mode and that the correct pilot tone is added to the
encoded signal.
Compatibility Modes
Along with providing peerless audio quality with wide
frequency response and dynamic range in Nu Digital
Hybrid mode, the technology used in the HMa includes
compatibility modes for Lectrosonics Mode 3 and IFB
receivers.
Control Panel
The control panel includes four membrane switches and
an LCD screen to adjust the operational settings. Multicolor LEDs are used to indicate audio signal levels for
accurate gain adjustment and for battery status.
Input Limiter
A DSP-controlled analog audio limiter is employed
before the analog-to-digital (A-D) converter. The limiter
has a range of more than 30 dB for excellent overload
protection. A dual release envelope makes the limiter
acoustically transparent while maintaining low distortion. It can be thought of as two limiters in series, a
fast attack and release limiter followed by a slow attack
and release limiter. The limiter recovers quickly from
brief transients, with no audible side effects, and also
recovers slowly from sustained high levels, to keep
audio distortion low and while preserving short term
dynamics.
Signal Encoding and Pilot Tone
In addition to controlling the limiter, the DSP also
encodes the digitized audio from the A-D converter
and adds an ultrasonic pilot tone to control the receiver’s squelch. A pilot tone squelch system provides
a reliable method of keeping a receiver output muted
(squelched) even in the presence of significant interference. When the system is operating in the hybrid
mode, a different pilot tone frequency is generated
for each carrier frequency in 100 kHz increments to
prevent inadvertent squelch problems and simplify
multi-channel coordination.
Rio Rancho, NM
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HMa
Controls and Functions
Modulation
Input
Coupler
XLR Input Jack
PWR LED
LEDs
LCD
AUDIO Button
UP Arrow
FREQ Button
Battery
Compartment
DOWN Arrow
LCD Screen
The LCD is a numeric-type Liquid Crystal Display with
several screens that allow settings to be made with the
AUDIO and FREQ buttons, and the UP and DOWN
arrow buttons to configure the transmitter. The transmitter can be turned on in a “standby” mode with the
carrier turned off to make adjustments without the risk
of interfering with other wireless systems nearby.
Power LED
The PWR LED glows green when the batteries are
charged. The color changes to red when there is about
20 minutes of life left. When the LED begins to blink
red, there are only a few minutes of life.
A weak battery will sometimes cause the PWR LED to
glow green immediately after being put into the unit,
but will soon discharge to the point where the LED will
go red or shut off completely.
Audio Input Jack
The XLR input jack on the transmitter accommodates
hand-held, shotgun and measurement microphones.
Phantom power can be set at various levels for use
with a wide variety of electret microphones.
Battery Compartment
The battery compartment door is made of machined
aluminum and is hinged to the housing to prevent it
being damaged or lost.
Modulation LEDs
The Modulation LEDs provide a visual indication of the
input audio signal level from the microphone. These
two bicolor LEDs can glow either red or green to indicate modulation levels. Full modulation (0 dB) occurs
when the -20 LED first turns red.
Signal Level -20 LED -10 LED
Less than -20 dB
-20 dB to -10 dB Green Off
-10 dB to +0 dB
+0 dB to +10 dB Red Green
Greater than +10 dB
Off Off
Green Green
Red Red
Audio Button
The AUDIO button is used to display the audio level
setting, low frequency roll-off and phantom power
mode. Repeatedly pressing the button will cycle
through the available settings, allowing the UP and
DOWN arrow buttons to adjust the values.
Freq Button
The FREQ Button displays the selected operating frequency and also toggles the LCD between displaying
the actual operating frequency in MHz and a two-digit
hexadecimal number. Frequencies can be selected in
either 100kHz or 25kHz steps. The appearance of the
hexadecimal number is different in the 100kHz step
size mode than in the 25kHz step size mode.
NOTE: The FREQ and AUDIO buttons are used
together to enter the standby mode and to turn the
power on or off.
UP/DOWN Arrows and Panel Lockout
The UP and DOWN arrow buttons are used to select
the operating frequency, adjust the audio level, or set
the Compatibility Mode.
Pressing both arrows simultaneously enters the lock
countdown. Holding the two buttons in until the countdown is completed locks the control panel buttons so
they can only be used to display current settings. “Loc”
is displayed to indicate the controls are locked when a
button is pressed while the panel is locked.
Once locked, the control panel is unlocked by removing the battery or using the remote control “dweedle”
tones.
Antenna
An antenna is formed between the housing and the
attached microphone, operating much like a dipole. At
UHF frequencies the length of the housing is similar to
1/4 wavelength of the operating frequency, so the antenna is surprisingly efficient, which helps extend the
operating range and suppress noise and interference.
6
LECTROSONICS, INC.
Wideband Digital Hybrid® Plug-On Transmitter
TO AT TACH
Battery Installation
The transmitter is powered by two AA batteries.
Note: Standard zinc-carbon batteries marked
“heavy-duty” or “long-lasting” are not adequate.
Batteries operate in series, with a connecting plate
built into the battery door
To install new batteries:
1. Slide open the Battery Cover and remove any old
batteries.
2. Insert the new batteries into the housing. One battery goes in positive (+) end first, the other negative
(- ) end first. Look into the battery compartment to
determine which end goes in which side. The side
with the circular insulator is the side which accepts
the positive end of the battery.
Attaching/Removing a
Microphone
The spring loaded coupler under the XLR jack maintains a secure fit to the microphone jack with continuous pressure applied by an internal spring.
To attach the microphone, simply align the XLR pins
and press the microphone onto the transmitter until
the coupler retracts and latches. A click sound will be
heard as the connector latches.
To remove the microphone, hold the transmitter body
in one hand with the microphone pointing upward. Use
your other hand to rotate the coupler until the latch
releases and the coupler rises slightly.
Do not pull on the microphone while releasing the
locking collar.
TO REMOVE
Hold the
transmitter
case with the
Press firmly, listen for click.
Depress collar fully.
Click!
Pull on mic to ensure it is locked.
NOTE: Do not hold or apply any pressure to the
microphone body while trying to remove it, as
this may prevent the latch from releasing.
microphone
pointed
upward.
Rotate the
collar in the
direction
shown.
positive (+)
terminal
negative (–)
terminal
Note: It is possible to install the batteries backward
and close the battery door, but the batteries will
not make contact and the unit will not work.
3. Slide the Battery Cover until it snaps securely shut.
Rio Rancho, NM
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HMa
Operating Instructions
Modulation
PWR LED
LEDs
AUDIO
Button
Power Up and Boot Sequence
1) Ensure that good batteries are installed in the unit.
2) Simultaneously press and hold the AUDIO and
FREQ buttons. Continue holding the buttons until
On and the characters 1, 2, 3 have appeared. The
boot sequence will then initiate.
As the unit turns on, the
Modulation LEDs and PWR
LED all glow red, then green,
Initial Power On
Timer Screen
and then they revert to normal
operation.
The LCD displays a bootup sequence which con-
sists of five screens:
Category: Example
Company Name: Lectro
Frequency Band (XX) and
Firmware Version (rX.XX):
Compatibility Mode: CP 400
RF Power Output: 100
Operating Frequency 482.875
Power Down
Simultaneously press and hold the AUDIO and
FREQ buttons. Continue holding the buttons until
OFF and the countdown characters 3, 2, 1 have appeared. The unit will then power down.
If the AUDIO and FREQ
buttons are released before
Initial Power Off
Timer Screen
on and the LCD will return to the previous screen.
the LCD goes blank at the end
of the countdown, the unit will
not turn off. Instead, it will stay
UP Arrow
FREQ
Button
A1 r1.00
DOWN Arrow
Automatic Power Restore
The firmware will remember the power on/off state
and the settings when batteries reach their end of life
or are removed. When fresh batteries are installed,
the unit will reboot and return to the previous settings without the need to press any buttons. This only
works when the unit is fully on and transmitting. It
does not work in the Standby Mode.
Standby Mode
Standby Mode allows you to
verify or change the trans-
Standby Screen
mitter’s operating frequency
or audio input level without
transmitting a signal. Quickly press and release both
the AUDIO and FREQ buttons simultaneously to enter
and exit this mode. The characters rF OFF will appear
on the LCD while the unit is in the standby mode.
UP Button Menu
Hold the UP button while powering up the unit.
Hold
Then press both
Then press the AUDIO button repeatedly to scroll
through the settings. Use the UP and DOWN arrow to
select the available options under each setting.
Compatibility Mode Screen (Up Button Menu)
CP (Compatibility Mode);
press the UP and DOWN
arrows to select one of the
following:
Note: RF transmission is prevented while
selecting Compatibility Modes. Also, the HMa
exits this screen to the Standby Mode.
• Nu Digital Hybrid
• 3 - (Mode 3) For non-Lectrosonics analog receivers. Contact the the factory for details.
• IFB - For Lectrosonics IFB receivers.
While in the compatibility mode screen, pressing
either the AUDIO or FREQ button exits to standby
mode. To power off from the compatibility mode
screen, press and hold AUDIO and FREQ together.
NOTE: If batteries are removed or reach the end
of life while the unit is turned on, the unit will turn
back on with a brief, simultaneous press of the
AUDIO and FREQ buttons. The counting sequence
will not be displayed in this instance.
8
LECTROSONICS, INC.
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