Shure L Series User Guide

WIRELESS MICROPHONE SYSTEMS

GENERAL

Shure L Series wireless microphone systems are single-channel

systems operating in the VHF band between 169.445 MHz and

216.100 MHz. Each system consists of a hand-held L2 Microphone­Transmitter or an L11 Body-Pack Transmitter with a lavalier micro­phone or instrument adapter cable, and an L3 or L4 Receiver. Each
component is briefly described below.

L2 Hand-Held Microphone-Transmitter.

The L2 is a hand-held
microphone with a built-in transmitter. It features superb frequency
response, extended dynamic range, a batterytest light, and heavy­duty grille with built-in pop filter. The L2 is supplied in four models:

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L2/58, which includes the world-famous Shure SM58 cardioid
dynamic microphone

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L2/BETA58®, which includes the Shure BETA58 supercar­dioid dynamic microphone

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L2/87, which includes the Shure SM87 supercardioid condens­er microphone

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L2/BETA87, which includes the Shure BETA87 supercardioid
condenser microphone

L11 Body-Pack Transmitter. The L11 features extended dy­namic range, a battery test light, noiseless muting, and a rugged
case.

Lavalier Microphone.

A lavalier electret condenser microphone

plugs into the L11 Body-Pack Transmitter. Five microphone models
are available with the L Series body-pack systems: the WL83A,
WL84A, and WL93 lavalier type microphones, the WM98 instru-

ment microphone, and the WCM16 headworn microphone. Each

microphone features optimized frequency response, low distortion
and low RF susceptibility.

WA302 Instrument Adapter Cable. The WA302 instrument
adapter cable is used with electric guitars and other electric instru­ments instead of a lavalier microphone. The WA302 plugs into the
microphone input on the L11 Body-Pack Transmitter.

L3 Receiver.

The L3 offers interference-free operation, superior
quieting, and highly effective noise reduction. It has a removable
¼-wave antenna and is rack-mountable with an optional mounting
kit.

L4 Diversity Receiver.

The L4 includes all of the features of the
L3 receiver plus Shure’s exclusive MARCAD® circuitry. MARCAD
(MAximum Ratio Combining Audio Diversity) goes beyond stan­dard switching RF diversity. It constantly monitors the two signals
and combines them when both signals are usable. The result is in­creased RF gain, improved reception, and exceptional freedom
from dropouts.

PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS

Operating Frequencies.

A total of 28 frequencies, computer-se­lected for interference-free operation, are readily available. Other fre­quencies can be ordered on a special basis.

Multiple Miking.

Up to ten L Series systems can be operated in a
single sound installation, simultaneously and without intermodula­tion problems. However, each system must operate at a different
frequency.

Transmitter Range.

The maximum operating range for any L Series
system is normally 100 meters (330 feet), although operation at 300
meters (1000 feet) is often possible. Conditions at the installation site
(reflective surfaces, obstacles, radio interference, etc.) will ultimately
dictate a system’s limits. For best results, keep the distance between
the transmitter and the receiver as short as possible.

Power Requirements. The L3 and L4 receivers are supplied
with separate PS20 adapter for 120 VAC, 60 Hz power or a PS20E
adapter for 220/240 VAC, 50 Hz power. The receivers can also be
powered by any filtered 12.5 - 18 VDC power source. The L2 and
L11 transmitters operate on a 9-volt alkaline or 8.4-volt nicad bat­tery. Battery life depends on the type and brand of battery.

Copyright 1994, Shure Brothers Inc.

27A8441 (NJ)

222 HARTREY AVENUE, EVANSTON, ILLINOIS 60202-3696 U.S.A.

Printed in U.S.A.

L2 HAND-HELD MICROPHONE-TRANSMITTER
FEATURES AND CONTROLS

L2 MICROPHONE-TRANSMITTER FEATURES AND CONTROLS

(Figure 1)

FIGURE 1

L11 BODY-PACK TRANSMITTER FEATURES AND
CONTROLS (Figure 2)

L11 BODY-PACK TRANSMITTER FEATURES AND CONTROLS

FIGURE 2

1.

Microphone Input Connector: This 4-pin, miniature male

connector mates with Switchcraft TA4F connectors. The mi­crophone cable and the WA302 instrument adapter cable
plug into this connector.

1.

Grille: Protects the microphone cartridge and helps reduce

breath sounds and wind noise.

Note:

The grilles for the L2/58, L2/BETA58, the L2/87, and the

L2/BETA87 differ in appearance.

2.

Antenna (Internal; not shown):

sists of a special wire loop attached to a printed circuit board.

3.

MIC ON/OFF Switch:

the transmitter off, so no “pop” sounds occur. Also prevents re­ceiver from picking up unwanted signals.

4.

POWER ON/OFF Switch:

5.

Battery Test Light:

on and a “good” battery is installed. When this light starts to
dim, the transmitter will continue to operate for a short time
(typically 1/2 to 1 hour). If this light does not glow, the battery
should be replaced.

6.

Battery Compartment:

downward exposes the battery compartment and the audio

GAIN Switch (8).

7.

Frequency Identification Label:

compartment, this label lists the transmitter’s operating fre­quency.

Mutes the microphone without turning

glows when the POWER switch is turned

Unscrewing the handle and sliding it

The L2’s internal antenna con-

Turns transmitter on and off.

Located inside the battery

2.

Battery Test Light:

on and a “good” battery is installed.

the transmitter will not work.

3.

MIC ON/OFF Switch: “Mutes” the microphone without turn-

ing the transmitter off, so no “pop” sounds occur.

4.

POWER ON/OFF Switch:

5.

Antenna: A flexible antenna wire is permanently attached to

the bottom of the body-pack transmitter. For proper opera-

glows when the POWER switch is turned

If this light does not glow,

Turns transmitter on and off

tion, the antenna must hang in the vertical position, not coiled
or bundled.

6.

Audio Level Control:

ous sound sources. A small screwdriver is supplied to make
adjustments.

7.

Frequency Identification Label:

original operating frequency.

8.

Belt Clip: Allows the transmitter to be worn on a belt, waist-

band or guitar strap. It can be removed, if desired.

9.

Microphone Cable Connector:

nector (female) plugs into 4-pin socket on body-pack trans­mitter.

10.

Lavalier Microphone (WL93 shown):

microphone supplied with a mount that clips onto a tie, lapel,
or acoustic instrument.

11.

Battery Compartment:

poses the battery compartment.

Allows audio level adjustments for vari-

Identifies the transmitter’s

Switchcraft TA4F 4-pin con-

Condenser lavalier

Hinged cover on bottom surface ex-

8.

Audio Level Control Switch:

microphone.

Controls the audio level of the

2

12.

WA302 Instrument Adapter: Plugs into electric guitar and

other electric instruments.

L3 AND L4 RECEIVER FEATURES AND CONTROLS (Figure 3)

FRONT

REAR

MODEL L3 RECEIVER

L3 AND L4 RECEIVERS, EXTERNAL FEATURES AND CONTROLS

POWER ON Indicator: This green LED glows when power is

1.
turned on.

2.

RF Signal Indicator (L3 Only):

Yellow light glows to show that
received RF signal exceeds squelch threshold level. This light
is not an indicatorof signal strength, although a barely flickering
light indicates marginally acceptable signals.

AUDIO PEAK Indicator:

3.

Red light glows to show approaching
audio overload condition. Normal operation is shown by occa­sional glowing of light on loud signals; constant glowing indi­cates excessive audio level and need to lowertransmitter Audio
Level control.

4.

VOLUME Rotary Control: Determines signal level at receiver

OUTPUT connector(s). Also permits matching signal level to
input level requirements of a mixer or amplifier.

POWER On/Off Button:

5.

Applies power from the DC power in­put jack to the receiver. Green POWER light glows and remains
on when power is applied to the receiver.

DIVERSITY Signal Indicators (L4 Only):

6.

Yellow lights glow to
show usable RF signals are being received from antenna A, an­tenna B, or both.

7.

AUDIO NORMAL Indicator (L4 Only): Green light flashes,

showing normal audio operation.

Phone Jack Output Connector: ¼-inch phone jack provides

8.
unbalanced output to audio mixer or amplifier.

9.

12 VDC Negative Ground Coaxial Power Jack:

Accepts pow­er from the supplied AC adapter, or from any well-filtered 12-18
VDC supply.

SQUELCH MIN-MAX Screwdriver Control:

10.

The squelch circuit
automatically quiets or “mutes” the receiver when no transmitter
signal is being received. The squelch control is factory-set for best
operation in most applications, but can be adjusted for unusual
conditions (see Receiver Squelch paragraph).

11.

XLR Output Connector (L4 Only): XLR connector provides

balanced low-impedance microphone-level output.

12.

Antenna Connector: SO-239 UHF-type connector provides

connection to ¼-wave vertical antenna.

FIGURE 3

MODEL L4 RECEIVER

RECEIVER SETUP
L3 and L4 Receiver Installation

1.

Place the receiver in its operating location, either on a horizontal

surface or in a rack panel (rack panel mounting brackets are
supplied with L4 receivers). If placed on a horizontal surface,
attach the four adhesive bumpers to the bottom corners of the

receiver. If installing an L4 receiver in a rack panel, remove the
screws on each side of the receiver, position the mounting
brackets supplied with the L4 over the holes, and secure the
brackets with the two removed screws and the two screws
supplied with the L4.

2.

Connect the supplied PS20 AC adapter to the POWER input

connector on the rear panel. Plug the AC adapter into a 120
VAC, 60 Hz power source.

NOTE: If the receiver is to be plugged into a 230 VAC, 50 Hz
power supply, connect the PS20E AC adapter to the POWER
input connector on the rear panel.

3.

Attach the supplied ¼-wave antennas to the ANTENNA connec-

tor(s). Make sure the antennas are pointed upward.

IMPORTANT

The receiver antenna(s) should be within line-of-sight
of the transmitter. Obstructions or reflective objects will degrade sys­tem performance. Improved L4 diversity performance may be ob­tained by remotely locating one or both antennas so that they are
separated by 1.5 meters (60 inches) or more. Optional Shure
WA380 ½ Wave High Gain Antennas are recommended for such
applications. They may be mounted directly on the receiver or re­motely located using two Shure WA420 Antenna Cable Kits. With
rack-mounted receivers, both antennas mustextend above the rack
cabinet or be remotely located. To operate as many as four receiv­ers with only two antennas, use the Shure WA404 amplified Anten­na/DC Power Distribution System.

4.

Obtain an audio cable (Shure WA410 or equivalent) with ap-

propriate connectors to connect the receiver to audio mixer or
amplifier.

NOTE:

To connect the L3 output to the high-impedance input of
an audio mixer or amplifier, use a cable with ¼-inch phone
plugs on both ends.

5.

Connect the cable between the OUTPUT connector on the re-

ceiver and the mixer/amplifier input.

NOTE:

When a long cable run is required, or when the mixer input
has phantom power present, add a low- to high-impedance line
matching transformer at the L3 output jack (Shure A95U or equiva­lent). A conventional low-impedance microphone cable can then
be used between the A95U output and the mixer input.

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