Phoenix Audio Technologies DUET VCA User Manual

User Manual

Please read the instructions in this manual before using the Duet
Please refer to our website www.phnxaudio.com for more information, specifically to our Q&A
section in our Support page.

For additional help please send a detailed e-mail to [e-mail]

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction………………………………………………………………………….3

2. Key Elements………………………………………………………………………..4

3. Key Features………………………………………………………………………...5

4. Control Panel / Volume Adjustment ……………………………………………6

Setting Audio Levels Through the PC ………………………………………...….7

External Speaker / Headphone Connection ……………………………………..8

5. Computer (USB) Connection……………………………………………….…....9

6. Duet PCS………………………………………………………………………….…10

7. Duet VCA ……………………………………………………………………….…..12

8. Duet Executive………………………………………….…………………….……18

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1. Introduction

The Duet is a high quality speakerphone for desktop use in a small to medium room setting. It has
an impressive pickup and broadcasting range for its size and is remarkably portable. The Duet
utilizes a high quality microphone, speaker, and a powerful DSP to obtain its performance. The
Duet microphone is multidirectional and it picks up voices in a 360 degree radius.

The Duet product line consists of three different versions of the Duet. In its basic configuration, the
Duet PCS is designed for PC VoIP (voice over IP) communication. In addition to VoIP
communication, the Duet VCA and Duet Executive offer secondary connection interfaces like video
codec and telephone line connections respectively.

This manual covers instruction for the installation and usage of all the products in the Duet product
line, from basic configurations that apply to all three versions to the specific interfaces that come
with the Duet VCA and Executive.

Duet versions that are detailed in this manual include:

- PCS: only USB computer connection

- VCA: USB computer connection with an additional analog interface for video codecs

- Executive: USB computer connection with an additional telephone headset interface. The

Duet Executive also offers limitless daisy chain capability.

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2. Key Elements

control button panel

speaker

back panel

(can not be seen in picture)

microphone

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3. Key Features

- By default, the Duet utilizes its internal microphone and loudspeaker providing high quality,

headset-free hands-free communication.

- The Duet has a 3.5mm stereo jack for external loudspeakers or headphones. Connecting
your loudspeakers to the Duet will automatically disable the internal loudspeaker

- The Duet is powered through the USB port and does not need an additional power supply.

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4. Control Panel / Volume Adjustment

The Duet has only three control buttons:

(2)

- (1) Volume Up

- (2) Volume Down

- (3) Mute

When the Duet is powered, a blue light will illuminate through the buttons on top of the unit,
indicating that the unit is on and operating.

Push the “mute” button (the middle button with the microphone icon) and the light will start to blink,
signaling that the unit is in “mute mode”. In “mute mode” the unit’s microphone (internal or external
if you use a headset) is blocked. Push this button again, and the light becomes steady, indicating
that the microphone is on and fully functional.

Pushing the “volume up” and “volume down” buttons (up arrow and down arrow buttons), will
increase and decrease the unit’s volume, respectively.

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(3)

(1)

A prolonged push on the volume buttons will increase and decrease the volume by several levels,
until you release the button or the maximum / minimum volume level has been reached.

The Duet will make a beep sound when the volume up and volume down buttons are pushed and a
series of beeps when a prolonged push is performed (each beep signals one level of volume level
increase / decrease). When the volume reached the maximum or minimum step no more beeps will
be sound. When at the minimum level the Duet’s loudspeaker is muted.

How to set the audio levels through your computer

The Duet identifies itself to the computer through the USB port as an audio input and output device.
You can use the Windows mixer application to setup the playback (speaker) level and the
microphone (recording) sensitivity. These controls are accessible through the Control Panel
(Windows OS) or the Preference Panel (MAC OS).

Phoenix offers to Windows users, for free, two very convenient software tools to help you setup and
maintain the audio levels. One is an Audio Setup Utility that will run in the background and restore
your volume settings whenever it detects that a phoenix device has been connected. It will also
enable you to control the telephone volume levels and the 3-way bridge – these volume settings are
not accessible by the Windows mixer. The other is a Test Wizard that will walk you through the

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setting of the output and input level, will let you “hear” your settings and will test the integrity and
the performance of the Duet. This tool allows you to send your test results by email to our support
team.

These two tools are available for free on our website www.phnxaudio.com under the Support tab.

Duet Executive Note: the computer mixer settings will only affect the sound level when engaging
in communication through your computer. It will not affect the sound levels when you use the device
with your telephone. The Volume control knobs on the device itself will affect both the telephone
and the computer’s communication.

External Speaker / Headphone connection

The Duet is equipped with a 3.5mm stereo Headphones / External Speaker connector. Connecting
your PC’s loudspeakers (or headphones) to the Duet will disable the Duet’s internal speaker. Your
computer’s audio (music, VoIP communication, or any other form of audio) will be passed through
to the external speakers. While the internal speaker is disabled when using this connection, the
Duet’s internal microphone will remain functional.

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