Shure AMS8100 User Guide

Model AMS8100

User Guide

AMS8100

-12

-30

-∞

UTPUT

AUX

TER

POWER

TER

PHONES

AUTOMATIC MICROPHONE MIXER

NOTE

Shure AMS8100 Mixers are designed for use only with Shure AMS Condenser Microphones. Conventional condenser or other microphones will not operate properly with the AMS8100.

Printed in U.S.A.

! 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 radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

9. DO NOT defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wider blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.

10. PROTECT the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.

This symbol indicates that there are important operating and maintenance instructions in the literature accompanying this unit.

! CONSIGNES DE SÉCURITÉ IMPORTANTES !

1. LIRE ces consignes.

2. CONSERVER ces consignes.

3. OBSERVER tous les avertissements.

4. SUIVRE toutes les consignes.

5. NE PAS utiliser cet appareil à proximité de l'eau.

6. NETTOYER UNIQUEMENT avec un chiffon sec.

7. NE PAS obstruer les ouvertures de ventilation. Installer en respectant les consignes du fabricant.

8. Ne pas installer à proximité d'une source de chaleur telle qu'un radiateur, une bouche de chaleur, un poêle ou d'autres appareils (dont les amplificateurs) produisant de la chaleur.

9. NE PAS détériorer la sécurité de la fiche polarisée ou de la fiche de terre. Une fiche polarisée comporte deux lames dont l'une est plus large que l'autre. Une fiche de terre comporte deux lames et une troisième broche de mise à la terre. La lame la plus large ou la troisième broche assure la sécurité de l'utilisateur. Si la fiche fournie ne s'adapte pas à la prise électrique, demander à un électricien de remplacer la prise hors normes.

11. ONLY USE attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.

12.

13. UNPLUG this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.

14. 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.

15.

DO NOT expose the apparatus to dripping and splashing. DO NOT put objects filled with liquids, such as vases, on the apparatus.

USE only with a 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.

This symbol indicates that dangerous voltage constituting a risk of electric shock is present within this unit.

10. PROTÉGER le cordon d'alimentation afin que personne ne marche dessus et que rien ne le pince, en particulier au niveau des fiches, des prises de courant et du point de sortie de l'appareil.

11. UTILISER UNIQUEMENT les accessoires spécifiés par le fabricant.

12.

13. DÉBRANCHER l'appareil pendant les orages ou quand il ne sera pas utilisé pendant longtemps.

14. CONFIER toute réparation à du personnel qualifié. Des réparations sont nécessaires si l'appareil est endommagé de quelque façon que ce soit, comme par exemple : cordon ou prise d'alimentation endommagé, liquide renversé ou objet tombé à l'intérieur de l'appareil, exposition de l'appareil à la pluie ou à l'humidité, appareil qui ne marche pas normalement ou que l'on a fait tomber.

15. NE PAS exposer cet appareil aux égouttures et aux éclaboussements. NE PAS poser des objets contenant de l'eau, comme des vases, sur l'appareil.

UTILISER uniquement avec un chariot, un pied, un trépied, un support ou une table spécifié par le fabricant ou vendu

avec l'appareil. Si un chariot est utilisé, déplacer l'ensemble chariot-appareil avec précaution afin de ne pas le renverser, ce qui pourrait entraîner des blessures.

Ce symbole indique que la documentation fournie avec l'appareil contient des instructions d'utilisation et d'entretien importantes.

! WICHTIGE SICHERHEITSHINWEISE !

1. Diese Hinweise LESEN.

2. Diese Hinweise AUFHEBEN.

3. Alle Warnhinweise BEACHTEN.

4. Alle Anweisungen BEFOLGEN.

5. Dieses Gerät NICHT in der Nähe von Wasser verwenden.

6. NUR mit einem sauberen Tuch REINIGEN.

7. KEINE Lüftungsöffnungen verdecken. Gemäß den Anweisungen des Herstellers einbauen.

8. Nicht in der Nähe von Wärmequellen, wie Heizkörpern, Raumheizungen, Herden oder anderen Geräten (einschließlich Verstärkern) installieren, die Wärme erzeugen.

9. Die Schutzfunktion des Schukosteckers NICHT umgehen. Bei Steckern für die USA gibt es polarisierte Stecker, bei denen ein Leiter breiter als der andere ist; US-Stecker mit Erdung verfügen über einen dritten Schutzleiter. Bei diesen Steckerausführungen dient der breitere Leiter bzw. der Schutzleiter Ihrer Sicherheit. Wenn der mitgelieferte Stecker nicht in die Steckdose passt, einen Elektriker mit dem Austauschen der veralteten Steckdose beauftragen.

10. VERHINDERN, dass das Netzkabel gequetscht oder darauf getreten wird, insbesondere im Bereich der Stecker, Netzsteckdosen und an der Austrittsstelle vom Gerät.

Dieses Symbol zeigt an, dass gefährliche Spannungswerte, die ein Stromschlagrisiko darstellen, innerhalb dieses Geräts auftreten.

Ce symbole indique la présence d'une tension dangereuse dans l'appareil constituant un risque de choc électrique.

11. NUR das vom Hersteller angegebene Zubehör und entsprechende Zusatzgeräte verwenden.

12.

13. Das Netzkabel dieses Geräts während Gewittern oder bei längeren Stillstandszeiten aus der Steckdose ABZIEHEN.

14. Alle Reparatur- und Wartungsarbeiten von qualifiziertem Kundendienstpersonal DURCHFÜHREN LASSEN. Kundendienst ist erforderlich, wenn das Gerät auf irgendwelche Weise beschädigt wurde, z.B. wenn das Netzkabel oder der Netzstecker beschädigt wurden, wenn Flüssigkeiten in das Gerät verschüttet wurden oder Fremdkörper hineinfielen, wenn das Gerät Regen oder Feuchtigkeit ausgesetzt war, nicht normal funktioniert oder fallen gelassen wurde.

15. Dieses Gerät vor Tropf- und Spritzwasser SCHÜTZEN. KEINE mit Wasser gefüllten Gegenstände wie zum Beispiel Vasen auf das Gerät STELLEN.

NUR in Verbindung mit einem vom Hersteller angegebenen oder mit dem Gerät verkauften Transportwagen, Stand, Stativ, Träger oder Tisch verwenden. Wenn ein Transportwagen verwendet wird, beim Verschieben der Transportwagen-GeräteEinheit vorsichtig vorgehen, um Verletzungen durch Umkippen

Dieses Symbol zeigt an, dass das diesem Gerät beiliegende Handbuch wichtige Betriebs- und Wartungsanweisungen enthält.

! INSTRUCCIONES IMPORTANTES DE SEGURIDAD !

1. LEA estas instrucciones.

2. CONSERVE estas instrucciones.

3. PRESTE ATENCION a todas las advertencias.

4. SIGA todas las instrucciones.

5. NO utilice este aparato cerca del agua.

6. LIMPIESE UNICAMENTE con un trapo seco.

7. NO obstruya ninguna de las aberturas de ventilación. Instálese según lo indicado en las instrucciones del fabricante.

8. No instale el aparato cerca de fuentes de calor tales como radiadores, registros de calefacción, estufas u otros aparatos (incluyendo amplificadores) que produzcan calor.

9. NO anule la función de seguridad del enchufe polarizado o con clavija de puesta a tierra. Un enchufe polarizado tiene dos patas, una más ancha que la otra. Un enchufe con puesta a tierra tiene dos patas y una tercera clavija con puesta a tierra. La pata más ancha o la tercera clavija se proporciona para su seguridad. Si el tomacorriente no es del tipo apropiado para el enchufe, consulte a un electricista para que sustituya el tomacorriente de estilo anticuado.

Este símbolo indica que la unidad contiene niveles de voltaje peligrosos que representan un riesgo de choques eléctricos.

! ISTRUZIONI IMPORTANTI PER LA SICUREZZA !

1. EGGETE queste istruzioni.

2. CONSERVATE queste istruzioni.

3. OSSERVATE tutte le avvertenze.

4. SEGUITE tutte le istruzioni.

5. NON usate questo apparecchio vicino all'acqua.

6. PULITE l'apparecchio SOLO con un panno asciutto.

7. NON ostruite alcuna apertura per l'aria di raffreddamento. Installate l'apparecchio seguendo le istruzioni del costruttore.

8. NON installate l'apparecchio accanto a fonti di calore quali radiatori, aperture per l'efflusso di aria calda, forni o altri apparecchi (amplificatori inclusi) che generino calore.

9. NON modificate la spina polarizzata o con spinotto di protezione. Una spina polarizzata è dotata di due lame, una più ampia dell'altra. Una spina con spinotto è dotata di due lame e di un terzo polo di messa a terra. La lama più ampia ed il terzo polo hanno lo scopo di tutelare la vostra incolumità. Se la spina in dotazione non si adatta alla presa di corrente, rivolgetevi ad un elettricista per far eseguire le modifiche necessarie.

10. PROTEJA el cable eléctrico para evitar que personas lo pisen o estrujen, particularmente en sus enchufes, en los tomacorrientes y en el punto en el cual sale del aparato.

11. UTILICE únicamente los accesorios especificados por el fabricante.

12.

13. DESENCHUFE el aparato durante las tormentas eléctricas, o si no va a ser utilizado por un lapso prolongado.

14. TODA reparación debe ser llevada a cabo por técnicos calificados. El aparato requiere reparación si ha sufrido cualquier tipo de daño, incluyendo los daños al cordón o enchufe eléctrico, si se derrama líquido sobre el aparato o si caen objetos en su interior, si ha sido expuesto a la lluvia o la humedad, si no funciona de modo normal, o si se ha caído.

15. NO exponga este aparato a chorros o salpicaduras de líquidos. NO coloque objetos llenos con líquido, tales como floreros, sobre el aparato.

UTILICESE únicamente con un carro, pedestal, trípode, escuadra o mesa del tipo especificado por el fabricante o vendido con el aparato. Si se usa un carro, el mismo debe moverse con sumo cuidado para evitar que se vuelque con el aparato.

Este símbolo indica que la literatura que acompaña a esta unidad contiene instrucciones importantes de funcionamiento y mantenimiento.

10. EVITATE di calpestare il cavo di alimentazione o di comprimerlo, specie in corrispondenza di spine, prese di corrente e punto di uscita dall'apparecchio.

11. USATE ESCLUSIVAMENTE i dispositivi di collegamento e gli accessori specificati dal costruttore.

12.

13. SCOLLEGATE l'apparecchio dalla presa di corrente in caso di temporali o di non utilizzo per un lungo periodo.

14. RIVOLGETEVI a personale di assistenza qualificato per qualsiasi intervento. È necessario intervenire sull'apparecchio ogniqualvolta sia stato danneggiato, in qualsiasi modo, ad esempio in caso di danneggiamento di spina o cavo di alimentazione, versamento di liquido sull'apparecchio o caduta di oggetti su di esso, esposizione dell'apparecchio a pioggia o umidità, funzionamento irregolare o caduta.

15. NON esponetelo a sgocciolamenti o spruzzi. NON appoggiate sull'apparecchio oggetti pieni di liquidi, ad esempio vasi da fiori.

USATE l'apparecchio solo con carrelli, sostegni, treppiedi, staffe o tavoli specificati dal costruttore o venduti insieme all'apparecchio stesso. Se usate un carrello, fate attenzione durante gli spostamenti per evitare infortuni causati da un eventuale ribaltamento del carrello stesso.

Questo simbolo indica la presenza di alta tensione all'interno dell'apparecchio, che comporta il rischio di folgorazione.

Questo simbolo indica la presenza di istruzioni importanti per l'uso e la manutenzione nella documentazione in dotazione all'apparecchio.

SHURE AMS8100

DESCRIPTION

The AMS8100 is designed for numerous applications in sound reinforcement, audio recording, and broadcast. In any speech pickup application where multiple microphones are required, the AMS8100 dramatically improves audio quality. Automatic operation allows an individual talker’s voice to rise above background noise and reverberation to become clearer and more intelligible.

The Shure Model AMS8100 is an automatic microphone mixerusing Shure’spatent-- pending Directional Intellimix cuitry. Directional Intellimix activates only those microphones being addressed, minimizing the poor audio caused by multiple open microphones. The special patented* AMS microphones gate on only for sounds arriving from in front of the microphone within a 120_ “acceptance angle”. Additionally, if a talker’s voice originates within the acceptance angle of more than one AMS microphone, Directional Intellimix will activate only the closest, loudest microphone. Directional Intellimix, however, does not limit the number of open microphones to one; if several talkers speak simultaneously,Directional Intellimix will activate several microphones.

The AMS8100 can handle up to eight AMS microphones and two aux--level sources. The AMS8100 microphone inputs work only with Shure AMS microphones. Each microphone in put channel has a two-band equalizer.Equalization is useful to

cir-

reduce unwanted low-frequency audio pickup, as well as to make the different AMS microphones—lavalier, surface-mount, probe and gooseneck—sound similar in their different applications. Each input channel has three associated logic terminals: Gate Out, Mute In, and Override In. These connections providefor activation of external devicesand externalmicrophone control, importantfor specializedinstalled soundapplications. Each mixer channel also has a for use as a direct output. This jack can be modified to be a gated channel output or a send/receive insert point.

The AMS8100 is capable of being expanded for installations as large as 400 input channels. The AMS8100 is fully link--compatible with Shure’s SCM810 and FP410 automatic mixers. The single-rack-height chassis is ideal forinstallations with limited rack space. The removable header-type input and output connectors are quick, convenient, and eliminate the time and expense of wiring XLR microphone connectors.

The AMS8100 is designed for 100--120 Vac operation and its line cord contains a standard American 3-pin grounded ac plug. The AMS8100E is designed for 220-- 240 Vac operation and its line cord contains a CEE 7/7 (“Schuko”) plug. An accessory rack panel adapter to convert the removable block input and output connectors to XLR connectors, and aux connectors to phono jacks is available as the RKC800.

/4-inch phone jack

FEATURES

· Reliable, quick-acting, noise-free microphone activation

· Quick setup -- no threshold settings to adjust

· Direction --sensitive gating activates microphones only for

sounds originating within 120_ acceptance angle

· MaxBus allows gating of only one microphone per talker, while allowing gating of multiple microphones for multiple talkers

· Last Mic Lock-On circuit maintains ambient sound

· Automatic gain reduction as additional microphones are ac-

tivated (NOMA: Number of Open Microphones Attenuator)

· Adjustable EQ per channel: low-frequency rolloff and highfrequency shelving

· Bi-color LED indication of channel activation and clipping

· Removable block screw connectors for quick and easycon -

nection of microphones

Shure AMS8100 Mixers are designed for use only with Shure AMS Condenser Microphones. Conventional condenser or

other microphones will not operate properly with the AMS8100.

*U.S. Patent #4,489,442

English --

· Link --compatible with SCM810 and FP410 automatic mix ers

· Linking capability for systems up to 400 microphones

· Non-automatic aux-level inputs with level control

· Front-panel headphone output with level control

· Peak-responding output limiter with selectable thresholds

and LED indicator

· 100 --120 V operation or 220 --240 V operation, selectable via internal switch.

· AMS8100: UL and cUL listed under UL813 and CSA C22.2 No. 1.

· AMS8100E: Conforms to European Union directives, eligible to bear CE marking; VDE GS-Certified to EN 60 065; meets European Union EMC Immunity Requirements (EN 50 082--1, 1992).

NOTE

CONTENTS

Description 5....................................................................................

Features 5.......................................................................................

Contents 6.......................................................................................

Operating Principles 7............................................................................

Front Panel 8....................................................................................

Rear Panel 9.....................................................................................

AMS Microphones 10.............................................................................

Dip Switches 11..................................................................................

Setup 12.........................................................................................

Mixer Linking 14..................................................................................

Specifications 16.................................................................................

Advanced Functions 17...........................................................................

English --

OPERATING PRINCIPLES

The AMS8100is designed for use in a wide variety of multiple microphone speech applications. It is an audio processor that activates only the microphones that are being addressed. The operational concept behind the AMS8100 is called Direc- tional IntelliMixÒ. It delivers seamless automatic mixing via a unique combination of features:

· AMS direction --sensitive microphones

· MaxBus

· Last Mic Lock-On

· NOMA

An AMS direction--sensitive microphone will activate only for sounds which originate within a 120_ acceptance angle in front of the microphone. Other sounds outside of the 120_ acceptance angle, including speech, background noise, and reverberation, will not gate the microphone on, regardless of level.

MaxBus eliminates the poor audio quality that results when a talker is picked up by more than one microphone. It does this by controlling the number of microphones that may activate for a single s ound source. With MaxBus, one talker will activate only one AMS8100 channel, even if multiple microphones are “hearing” that talker. However, Maxbus allows multiple channels to activate simultaneously for multiple talkers. See the illustrations below. The illustration on the left shows how an AMS4000 or AMS8000 gates microphones for two talkers — by automatically gatingon any microphones that pick upa talker within the 120_ acceptance angle. The illustration on the right shows how MaxBus operates in the AMS8100 —even though the talkers are within the acceptance angle of several microphones, only one microphone will activate for each talker.

Last Mic Lock-On maintains a seamless audio mix by keeping the most recently activated microphone open until a newly activated microphone takes its place. Without Last Mic Lock-On, a long pause in conversation will cause all microphones to turn off, and it may sound as if the audio signal has been lost. Last Mic Lock-On ensures that background ambiance will always be present. (This feature can be defeated via DIP switch on the rear panel.)

NOMA (Number of Open Microphones Attenuator) automatically reduces the gain of the mixer as additional microphones are activated. In a sound reinforcement application, if the system gain is set below the feedback point with a single microphone gated on, the increase in system gain with additional “on” microphones could cause feedback. NOMA prevents this by automatically reducing all “on” microphone gains by 3 dB as additional microphones are gated on. This maintains constant total system gain, avoiding feedback and permitting the maximum microphone gains at all times. Also, this consistency of system gain means that pickup of room noise and reverberation also remains constant at thelevel of a single microphone. (Note: NOMA is not the same as an automatic gain control [AGC] and does not adjust input levels based on loud or soft talking.)

Multiplemiking situations—with several talkers participating—have always presented problems for the audio technician. If too few mics are used, the coverage of each talker may vary, with one talker (nearest the mic) being louder and clearer than the next. Talkers farthest from the mics will sound “echoey” and reverberant, as very little of their direct sound reaches the microphones. If too many mics are used, there’s more background noise and reverberation pickup, as well as less gain before feedback with a sound reinforcement (PA) system.

It’s similar to having multiple v ideo cameras allfocused on the same subject. If these camera signals are combined, the result is a blurred image. When multiple microphones are open for a single talker, the result is a blurred audio signal. It’s often not practical for someone to turn mics on when they are needed and off when they are not. The AMS8100 automatic microphone mixer solves these problems.

The AMS8100 automatically attenuates (turns down) any microphone not being used, greatly reducing the excess re verberation and feedback problems associated with the use of conventional multiple microphone and mixer techniques. When a new talker starts to speak, the AMS8100 immediately selects and silently activates the most appropriate microphone within 4 milliseconds. Directional IntelliMix signal proc- essing enables the AMS8100 to provide clear, natural voice pickup. The AMS8100 significantly reduces the problems of “hollow” or “muddy” sound, and insufficient gain before feedback.

WITHOUT MaxBus

(AMS8000)

*Shaded areas indicate

microphones gating on.

English --

WITH MaxBus

(AMS8100)

FRONT PANEL

ÊË

ÌÏ

100

828

100

Ê Microphone Channel Gain Controls 1 - 8. Allows ad-

justment of microphone gain.

100

Ï Aux INPUT

100

AUX

INPUT

MASTER

-30 -12 0 +12

LIMITER

+20

AMS8100

POWER

PHONES

/4-inch Phone Jack. Mixes external auxilia-

ry- or line-level sources, i.e., tape recorders, into output.

This input is not automatic. Signal appears at output of all

Ë Input LED 1 - 8. Lights green when channel is active;

lights red at 6 dB below clipping level.

Ì Low-Cut Filter 1 - 8. Recessed screwdriver adjustment

provides adjustable low-frequency rolloff (high pass) to

linked mixers. Unbalanced input: Tip =input, Ring = input.

Tip and Ring sum together.

Ð MASTER Level Control. Determines the overall output

level.

reduce undesirable low-frequency signals.

Ñ Output Level Meter. Nine-segment LED meter indicates

Í High-Frequency Shelving Filter 1 - 8. Recessed screw-

driver adjustment provides level boost or cut in mid/highfrequency region for compensation of off-axis microphones, or for cutting the high-frequency sibilance of microphones.

peak outputsignal level. Last LED indicates limiter action.

Ò PHONES Control and

/4-inch Phone Jack. Permits

monitoring of mixer output through headphones.

PHONES control determines headphone output level.

Î AUX Level Control. Sets the input level for aux-level

equipment connected to the adjacent INPUT or rear-panel

/4-inch AUX input.

/4-inch phone jack

Ó POWER LED. Lights green when unit is powered.

English --

+ 15 hidden pages