Samson RT80 User Manual

®

EarAmp

OWNERS MANUAL

UHF WIRELESS IN EAR MONITOR

U.S. Version

Produced by On The Right Wavelength for Samson Technologies Corp.
Copyright 1999, Samson Technologies Corp.

Printed October 1999

Samson Technologies Corp.
575 Underhill Blvd.
P.O. Box 9031
Syosset, NY 11791-9031
Phone: 1-800-3-SAMSON (1-800-372-6766)
Fax: [phone]

Table of Contents

Introduction 1
System Features 2
QuickStart 3
Guided Tour - Wireless EarAmp® Transmitter Front Panel 4
Guided Tour - Wireless EarAmp® Transmitter Rear Panel 5
Guided Tour - Wireless EarAmp® Receiver 6
Setting Up and Using the Wireless EarAmp® 8
Appendix A: Setting the Wireless EarAmp® Radio Frequency 10
Appendix B: Wireless EarAmp® Channel Plan 11
Appendix C: Using 2 CH Mode 12
Appendix D: Using Third-Party Earpieces 13
Specifications 14

Introduction

We know you don’t like reading owners manuals, but you’ve just purchased one of the most unique
wireless audio products around, and we want to tell you about it! So, before you plug in and start making
music, we’d like to suggest you take just a few moments out to scan these pages. We’ll make it as
painless as possible, we promise—and, who knows, you might just pick up a tip or two.

The Samson Wireless EarAmp® is designed to bring professional in-ear monitoring to a wide range of
users. By eliminating the need for loud onstage “wedge” monitors, it allows you to hear yourself better,
greatly reduces feedback problems, and makes the overall sound coming from the stage significantly
cleaner. You’ll find that this portable, lightweight system provides superlative audio quality and extensive
control at an extremely affordable price. Capable of operating in both stereo and dual mono “2-channel”
mode, the Wireless EarAmp® receiver provides individual volume and balance controls for the best
possible mix, separate bass and treble controls to fine-tune the signal, and a built-in adjustable limiter to
protect your ears. The Wireless EarAmp® transmitter also offers a host of advanced features, including
stereo/mono operation, dual stereo inputs with independent level controls and 15 dB attenuation pads,
dual headphone outputs with dedicated level control, “daisy-chain” input/outputs for routing signal to or
from external devices, a large backlit LCD display and a 5-segment audio VU meter—there’s even
provision for optional computer remote control! Operating in the 614 - 662 MHz range, the Wireless
EarAmp® system is extraordinarily frequency-agile, meaning that it can be used almost anywhere in the
United States, and a unique automatic programming feature allows the receiver to instantly be set to the
same radio frequency as the transmitter, with just the push of a single button.

In these pages, you’ll find an overview of Wireless EarAmp® features, a “Quickstart” (for those of you
with wireless experience), and a guided tour of its various controls. Then we’ll detail how to set up the
Wireless EarAmp® as well as how to adjust it for the best sound quality. Finally, we’ll wrap things up with
reference appendices and full specifications. You’ll also find a warranty card enclosed—please don’t for­get to fill it out and mail it so that you can receive online technical support and so we can send you updat­ed information about other Samson products in the future. Also, be sure to check out our website
(http://www.samsontech.com) for complete information about our full product line.

SPECIAL NOTE: Should your Wireless EarAmp® system ever require servicing, a Return Authorization
number (RA) is necessary. Without this number, the unit will not be accepted. Please call Samson at
1-800-372-6766 for a Return Authorization number prior to shipping your unit. Please retain the original
packing materials and, if possible, return the Wireless EarAmp® in its original packing materials.

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WARNING!

This product is capable of causing permanent damage

to your hearing if used at excessive volumes!

To protect your hearing, the Samson Wireless EarAmp® should always be used at as
low a volume as possible. We recommend that you stringently follow the guidelines

established by the U.S. Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) regarding
maximum time exposure at various sound pressure levels:

• Don’t use this product for more than 8 hours at 90 dB SPL

• Don’t use this product for more than 4 hours at 95 dB SPL

• Don’t use this product for more than 2 hours at 100 dB SPL

• Don’t use this product for more than 1 hour at 105 dB SPL

• Don’t use this product for more than 1/2 hour at 110 dB SPL

• Don’t use this product for more than 15 minutes at 115 dB SPL

• Don’t operate at listening levels of greater than 120 dB SPL!

Pay attention to what your ears are telling you! Ringing is a sign that you have set the
gain levels too high and that damage may result. We recommend that you consult with a
qualified audiologist if you exhibit ringing or any other symptoms.

Wireless EarAmp® System Features

The Samson Wireless EarAmp® system utilizes state-of-the-art technology in personal monitoring.
Its main features include:

• Excellent audio quality, with superior frequency response and low distortion.

• An extraordinary degree of frequency agility. The operating frequency can be selected either by
Group and Channel (there are 8 Groups of 16 Channels each) or by direct frequency selection (in
25 kHz increments between 614.35 and 662.0 MHz). This makes the Wireless EarAmp® eminently
suitable for traveling performances and allows it to be used in even the most “RF-hostile” urban
environments.

• Group numbers correspond to U.S. TV channel numbers so it is easy to select a known vacant
channel.

• Any number of receivers can be used with a single transmitter.

• Unique automatic receiver program function allows RF resetting at the push of a single button.

• PLL synthesized technology minimizes spurious emissions and provides solid, stable performance.

• Convenient belt clip for and flesh-colored ear buds for unobtrusive, nearly “invisible” usage.

• Receiver offers dedicated volume and center detented balance controls, along with independent bass
and treble controls allow each user to set up the optimum in-ear mix. There’s even a Loudness
switch for improved legibility when operating at low signal levels.

• Receiver provides stereo and dual mono (“2 CH”) modes for maximum flexibility. In “2 CH” mode, the
balance control enables you to adjust the blend of the two incoming signals, which are mixed internal­ly to mono and routed to both ear buds.

• Receiver has a high-powered 200 mW 1/8" (Walkman-type) headphone output, while the transmitter
offers dual 1/4" and 1/8" (Walkman-type) headphone jacks.

• Built-in adjustable limiter helps protect your ears from transients and signal overloads.

• Receiver utilizes microprocessor true diversity for maximum range, tone key squelch for rejection of
spurious signals, and noise reduction for crystal-clear sound.

• Receiver operates on a standard 9-volt battery, with battery life of four hours or more.*

• Battery LED indicator shows you when the receiver battery needs to be replaced.

• Unique “daisy-chain” parallel inputs/outputs allow a third signal source to be input or external
monitoring of incoming audio signal to the transmitter.

• Transmitter operates in stereo or mono mode, and provides dual inputs (Main and Aux), with
independently adjustable input level for each, as well as a five-segment input level VU meter to allow
optimum gain settings. In addition, a large back-lit LCD display also shows the currently selected
Group/Channel and radio frequency.

• Switchable 15 dB pad for main and auxiliary inputs allows the Wireless EarAmp® system to be used
with a wide variety of signal sources.

• Transmitter is rack-mountable in any standard 19" rack (taking only a single space) for portability and
easy integration into existing systems.

• Computer interface allows optional remote control of all transmitter functions via software.

• Rugged construction of all components makes the Wireless EarAmp® eminently roadworthy.

* Typical usage. Actual battery life may vary depending upon headphone output level.

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QuickStart

If you’ve had some prior experience using wireless systems, these QuickStart instructions will get you up
and running with your Wireless EarAmp® system in a matter of minutes! Detailed instructions for setting
up and using your Wireless EarAmp® can be found on pages 8 -11 of this manual, and the “Guided Tour”
sections on pages 4 - 7 provide full descriptions of all transmitter and receiver controls and displays.

1. Physically place the transmitter where it will be used, install its antenna, and extend it vertically.

2. Place a fresh battery in the receiver and turn it on momentarily to check it; the receiver’s Battery LED
will light red if the battery is weak and needs to be replaced.

3. Turn off all audio equipment in your system and connect your mixer’s line, aux or cue outputs to the
transmitter’s Main inputs. If you want to transmit additional signal, use the Aux and/or Daisy Chain
inputs.

4. Connect the supplied AC adapter (don’t use substitutes!) to the DC Input on the rear panel of the
transmitter (first looping the cable around the strain relief), then plug it into a 3-pin grounded AC socket.

5. Set the Phones Level and Input Level controls on the transmitter to minimum (to the “-10” position)
and then turn the transmitter on by pressing its Power switch; the front-panel LCD will light up.

6. Turn on the power to the receiver, place both of its antennas in an upright position, and set the
Volume knob to minimum (fully counterclockwise). Do not place the earbuds in your ears yet.

7. Set the transmitter to either Group/Channel mode (by pressing the CH. button) or Frequency mode
(by pressing the FREQ button). Group/Channel mode must be used whenever there are two or more
transmitters being used in the same location.

7a. If in Group/Channel mode, use the Up/Down buttons to select a Channel. Press both the CH. and
FREQ buttons simultaneously to enable Group selection (again, using the Up/Down buttons).

7b. If in Frequency mode, use the Up/Down buttons to select a frequency between 614.35 and 662.0
MHz, in 25 kHz increments.

8. To set the receiver to the same radio frequency, turn its Program switch off, then on (towards the “up”
arrow) and then, within ten seconds, press and hold the transmitter’s Program button for at least three
seconds. When correctly programmed, the receiver’s TX LED will flash.

9. Do a walkaround through the intended area of coverage while observing the receiver’s TX LED as you
do so (it will light steadily green when receiving valid tone pilot signal). Reposition antennas or select a
different Group/Channel or frequency as necessary.

10. Turn on your mixer and set the level of the signal you’re sending to the transmitter to unity gain
(0 vu). Then slowly raise the transmitter’s Input Level control while observing the level meters; the “0”
segment should light frequently, the “+6” segment only infrequently. If you have signal connected to the
Aux inputs, use a screwdriver to adjust the rear-panel Aux Input control. If you are sending very hot
signal to the transmitter, you may need to set either the Main and/or Aux Attenuator switch to “-15 dB.”
The audio signal can be monitored by connecting a pair of headphones to the transmitter and slowly
raising the Headphone Level control or by connecting the Daisy-Chain outputs to an external monitoring
system.

11. Set the receiver’s 2 CH/Stereo mode switch as desired (see Appendix C for details). Connect the
supplied earbuds (or third-party earpiece) to the receiver’s headphone jack and place them in your ears.

Slowly turn up the receiver’s volume control until you achieve the desired level. The EarAmp® receiver
should always be used at as low a volume as possible. If you hear ringing in your ears, turn
down the volume control and operate it at a lower level!

12. Adjust the receiver’s Balance control and Limiter Level, Bass and Treble trimpots as desired. If
you’re operating at low signal levels, turning the loudness control on will help improve legibility. Close the
battery door and clip the receiver to your belt.

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