Shure wl83, w10bt User Manual

OPERATORS MANUAL

W20R

W10BT

WL83

W10BT BODY-PACK TRANSMITTER

W20R

WL83 LAVALIER MICROPHONE

RECEIVER

. . .

ON ACQUIRING ONE OF THE FINEST WIRELESS MICROPHONE SYSTEMS AVAILABLE TODAY. DESIGNED FOR
SIMPLE SETUP AND RELIABLE OPERATION, THIS SYSTEM SHOULD PROVIDE YEARS OF DEPENDABLE,
TROUBLE-FREE SERVICE. WE STRONGLY URGE THAT YOU READ THIS MANUAL; IT WILL SAVE YOU TIME AND EF­FORT, AND ENSURE OPTIMUM SYSTEM OPERATION.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Wireless Microphone ........................................................................... 3

Frequency Bands
Multiple Miking
Directional Sensitivity

Audio Performance
With the Transmitter Off

On Feedback ...................................................................................

Transmitter Range..

System Power ..................................................................................

What Else is Needed..

W10BT Transmitter ................................................................................

W20R Receiver ....................................................................................

Setup and Connections

Unpacking .....................................................................................

Receiver .......................................................................................

For Microphone Level Use

Transmitter.. ..................................................................................

Microphone Connections

Instrument Connections

Battery Check ...................................................................................

Polarity ....................................................................................... 9

Setting Gain Levels

Transmitter Gain .................................................................................

Sound Pressure Levels

Receiver Gain ...................................................................................

Checklist/Operation
Specifications

Antennas .........................................................................................

Transmitter

Receiver ........................................................................................

Receiver-Transmitter Distance

Batteries
Troubleshooting
Accessories

FCC Certification
Warranty Service

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THE WIRELESS MICROPHONE

. . . what it is, what it does . . .

The wireless microphone is actually a system consist­ing of a microphone, a transmitter, and a receiver. The
microphone is an electroacoustic transducer-a device
which converts sound waves (voice, musical in­struments, etc.) to electrical impulses, which are sent to
the transmitter. The transmitter generates a radio­frequency carrier, modulates this carrier with the
microphone signals, and radiates this modulated RF
signal like a tiny radio station. The receiver is matched
to the transmitter frequency and picks up the transmitter
signal through its antenna. The receiver’s circuitry
detects the modulated RF signal and converts it to an
audio voltage for routing (through a microphone input) to
an audio mixer.

At this point, the wireless system acts like any
microphone input to a sound system. The figure below
shows the complete system, including that which is not
a part of the wireless microphone system.

Frequency Bands.....

Shure wireless transmitters and receivers are single­channel, crystal-controlled units operating at selected
frequencies in the VHF-FM band between 150 and 186
megahertz. A total of 10 frequencies, computer-selected
for interference-free operation, are readily available, and
other frequencies can be ordered on a special basis.
This means that up to seven systems can be operated in
a single sound installation, simultaneously and without

intermodulation problems.*

*If more than seven systems are contemplated, Shure recommends the use of

DIVERSIPHASE™ wireless microphone receivers.

Multipath.....

The most troublesome aspect of wireless microphone
operation can be a phenomenon known as multipath
transmission, or simply, multipath. This appears as a

signal “dropout,”

with annoying static or complete

(although temporary) signal loss. It’s caused when the

direct signal and a reflected signal-bounced off walls,
ceiling, metallic objects, etc.-arrive at the receiver at
different times, literally out-of-phase, or when the signal
path is completely unobstructed.

You’ve probably experienced this phenomenon with
the FM radio in your car. A dropout location, most likely
caused by buildings, mountains, or even telephone
poles, causes your radio signal to drop to a low, noisy
level -sometimes disappearing completely. This is
multipath.

How can multipath be minimized? The following
general rules will help achieve optimum wireless
microphone operation:

l Maintain line-of-sight transmission (the transmitter

wearer should always be able to see the receiver
antenna)

l Keep the distance between transmitter and receiver

antenna as short as possible

l Avoid RF signal blocking by furniture, scenery, etc.
l Make sure both transmitter and receiver antennas

are vertically positioned.

l Don’t operate the transmitter with a weak or un-

suitable battery

Multiple Miking.....

More than one wireless microphone system can be
used in one sound installation, but each must operate at
a different frequency. Shure’s complement of 10 stan­dard transmitter-receiver frequencies is generally suffi­cient for any installation, but additional, special-order
frequencies can also be supplied for a nominal service
charge.

Directional Sensitivity.....

The transmitter radiates omnidirectionally, that is, ap­proximately equally in all directions. However, the signal

is attenuated by bodies, walls, and other surrounding ob-

jects. The receiving antenna is similarly sensitive to

radiation from all directions.

Audio Performance.....

Three important characteristics of high-fidelity audio

performance are wide frequency response, low distor­tion and good signal-to-noise ratio. The Shure wireless
system uses high-quality FM circuitry for wide-range fre­quency response. Distortion is kept to a minimum

TYPICAL WIRELESS MICROPHONE SYSTEM

3

through the use of linear-phase IF filtering and high­quality audio circuitry. A high signal-to-noise ratio and
wide dynamic range are necessary for noise-free, op­timum performance. The Shure wireless uses com­plementary compression and expansion circuitry in the
transmitter and receiver (companding) as well as pre-and
de-emphasis to achieve a maximum S/N ratio of 98 dB
A-weighted.

With the Transmitter Off.....

When the wireless microphone transmitter is turned
off, the receiver can still receive transmissions from
other sources. However, since the Shure system
operates in the 150-216 MHz band, it’s not susceptible to
interference from radio wave skip, or CB or FM broad­cast transmissions. The frequencies chosen for use in
the Shure system are computer-selected for minimum in­terference, but it’s almost impossible to guarantee a
“clear channel” at any location or at any time. (For in­stance, care must be taken to avoid wireless microphone
operating frequencies that are within the bandwidth of
locally operating TV channels 7 through 13.)

If the wireless system is to be in a permanent location,
it should operate without interference until someone
else in the vicinity starts using that frequency. But if the
system is to be used in different locations (i.e., “on the
road”), occasional frequency conflicts are inevitable. In
any case, if the wireless microphone is not in use, the
audio mixer gain should be turned down just as with a
wired microphone. If the mixer controls are not accessi­ble, turn the receiver off when the transmitter is not in
use to prevent unwanted signal pickup. If the system
must be left on and mixer controls are not accessible,
the transmitter should be left on to prevent outside in­terference pickup.

On Feedback.....

The use of a wireless microphone doesn’t eliminate
the possibility of annoying feedback. Feedback control
is generally achieved by careful placement of the
speakers relative to the microphone, minimum levels
necessary for the desired sound, good microphone
technique, and proper equalization of the sound system.

Transmitter Range.....

The FCC-required low power output of the transmitter
means that its distance from the receiver should be kept
as short as possible. Up to 150 meters (500 feet) should
be considered a maximum, although 300-meter
(1000-foot) or greater operation is often accomplished.

Reflections, obstacles and interference in a given in­stallation will dictate the system’s limits.

Other wireless systems that claim greater distance
and flexibility in their operation neglect to state that
each installation must be considered separately. A wide
variance exists between best- and worst-case condi­tions.

System Power.....

The receiver operates from power supplied by a
separate ac power converter provided with the system.
In addition to 120-volt operation with the power con­verter, the receiver can be operated from any well-filtered
source of 13.5 Vdc at 200 mA. An optional 220-240-volt
power converter (WA350) is also available.

The transmitter operates from any 9-volt alkaline
transistor-radio-type battery (Duracell MN1604 is recom­mended). Typical battery life is 8 hours. Inexpensive
carbon-zinc batteries are not recommended; their ex­tremely short life-about an hour- restricts them to
emergency use only. If nickel-cadmium rechargeable
batteries are used, they must be 8.4-volt (not 7.2-volt)
types. The lower-voltage batteries will not provide proper
transmitter function.

What Else is Needed.....

In order to make this wireless microphone system
operational, the following is needed:

A battery for the transmitter.

1.

2.

A microphone for the transmitter-either one design­ed specifically for the wireless transmitter (such as
the Shure WL83),

or most low-impedance
microphones (dynamic, ribbon or condenser) with a
microphone adapter cable (WA310). But if the
wireless system is to be connected to the electrical
output of a musical instrument instead of a
microphone, a transmitter instrument cable (WA300)
must be used.

A receiver-to-mixer cable, with a female XLR connec-

3.
tor on one end (for the receiver output) and whatever
connector is needed for the mixer microphone input
on the other.

Optional accessories, useful but not required, are
described in this manual.

*IMPORTANT: Other microphones specified as being for wireless microphone use

are probably not wired for use in Shure wireless systems. Condenser microphones
with phantom-powered preamp circuits - Shure SM85, SM87, etc. - will not operate
with this transmitter.

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W10BT TRANSMITTER

ANTENNA: This is a flexible, 1/4-wave vertically

polarized antenna approximately 30 cm (12 in.) in length
and permanently attached to the bottom surface of the
transmitter. For proper operation, the antenna must be

in the vertical position; it cannot be coiled or bundled.

BATTERY (not supplied): Only alkaline (Duracell

MN1604 or equivalent) or heavy-duty nickel-cadmium
(8.4-volt) transistor-radio-type batteries should be used.
A fresh alkaline battery should provide approximately 8

hours of operation, and a recharged nicad should pro­vide 1-1/2 to 2 hours.

BATTERY COMPARTMENT: Slide the cover down to
expose the battery compartment. Make certain the bat­tery is installed using the proper positive (+) and

negative (-) polarity.
BATTERY TEST Push-Button Switch:

the condition of the installed battery when the power
switch is on. The BATTERY TEST LED Indicator will fail
to light if the battery is weak or dead (or if the POWER
switch is off). Note that if the battery is tested periodical-

ly during use, an impending battery failure can be
detected: the LED will fail to light at 7.25 volts. At that
time, approximately 1 hour of alkaline battery life is left.

BELT CLIP: Permits convenient attachment to the
user’s belt, waistband or other clothing.

GAIN HI/LO Slide Switch: Selects the High Gain posi­tion to boost the signal of low-output microphones, or

Permits checking

the Low Gain position for high-output microphones or
musical instruments. Allows maximum modulation
without clipping.

MICROPHONE JACK: This is a 4-pin, miniature, male
Tini Q-G connector designed to mate with Switchcraft
TA4F or equivalent connectors. A built-in 20-kilohm load
resistor provides proper matching for dynamic, ribbon or
condenser microphones. Connector pin 2 supplies
+5-volt bias voltage for condenser microphone phan­tom powering. In addition to microphones with TA4F
connectors, Shure has available an adapter cable with a
standard XLR female connector for use with conven­tional microphones (WA310), and a musical instrument
adapter cable with a 1/4-inch phone plug on the equip­ment end (WA300).

MICROPHONE LEVEL Rotary Control: In conjunction
with the GAIN HI/LO switch, this control provides addi­tional audio level adjustment. A small screwdriver is
supplied to make adjustments.

MICROPHONE ON/OFF Toggle Switch: Permits the
user to “mute” the microphone without turning the
transmitter off. This avoids the “pop” that may accom­pany power turn-on and turn-off, and generally prevents
pickup of unwanted signals by the receiver.

POWER ON/OFF Slide Switch: Applies power to the
transmitter circuitry. The switch is a low-profile type to
minimize accidental turn-off.

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W20R RECEIVER

FRONT PANEL

POWER Push-Button Switch: Applies power from the
external power converter or other well-filtered 13.5 Vdc
(200 mA) sources to the receiver circuitry. An adjacent
green POWER LED Indicator remains on while power is
applied. (NOTE:
a 115 Vac, 60 Hz source, 13.5 Vdc is present at the power
converter output.)

AUDIO LEVEL Display: This IO-LED bar display in­dicates the relative system modulation. Normal opera­tion is shown by illumination of the green portion of the
display, with occasional excursions into the yellow. If
frequent or constant yellow or red indications are
observed, the transmitter MICROPHONE LEVEL control
should be lowered (counterclockwise), or the Gain
switch set to the Lo position. The display is calibrated in
volume units (VU).

With the power converter connected to

RF SIGNAL LED Indicator: This yellow indicator lights

to show that the receiver is picking up the transmitted
signal. Note that the LED is not an indicator of signal
strength (the LED will light through a range of marginal
through strong signal conditions), but a flickering LED
generally indicates barely acceptable operation, and no
indication means that no signal is being received. The
receiver contains a squelch circuit to eliminate un­wanted signals or noise in the absence of wireless
transmitter signals. The squelch circuit is not user­adjustable; it is preset to an optimum threshold setting
of 1.0 µV, minimizing setting errors and difficulties in
returning the squelch to its original setting. The yellow
RF LED does not light when the squelch circuit is ac­tivated.

REAR PANEL

ANTENNA UHF-Type Connector: Provides for connec-

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