Shure W Series OPERATORS MANUAL
OPERATORS MANUAL
W25DR
W10BT
WL83
W10BT BODY-PACK TRANSMITTER
W25DR DIVERSITY RECEIVER
WL83 LAVALIER MICROPHONE
. . . 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
Frequency Bands
Diversity Reception
Multiple Miking
Directional Sensitivity
Audio Performance
With the Transmitter Off
On Feedback
.............................................................
Transmitter Range
System Power
.................................................................
What Else is Needed
W10BT Transmitter
W25DR Receiver
.................................................................
Setup and Connections
Unpacking
Receiver
...................................................................
......................................................................
.........................................................
.............................................................
..........................................................
....................................................
.......................................................
..........................................................
.....................................................
.............................................................
...........................................................
...............................................................
............................................................
For Microphone Level Use .....................................................
For Line Level Use ............................................................
Audio Output Connections ....................................................
Transmitter
...................................................................
Microphone Connections ......................................................
Instrument Connections ......................................................
Battery Check ...............................................................
Polarity .....................................................................
Setting Gain Levels ..............................................................
Transmitter Gain ...............................................................
Sound Pressure Levels ........................................................
Receiver Gain
Audio Output Settings
Checklist/Operation
Specifications
Antennas
.....................................................................
.................................................................
..........................................................
..............................................................
...................................................................
Transmitter ....................................................................
Receiver
....................................................................
Receiver Antenna Distance ....................................................
Receiver-Transmitter Distance
Receiver Antenna Mounting
...................................................
...................................................
Batteries ......................................................................
Troubleshooting
Accessories
.................................................................
...................................................................
FCC Certification .................................................................
Warranty Service ...............................................................
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
6
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
9
9
9
8
10
10
10
10
11
12
13
14
14
14
14
14
14
16
17
18
19
19
THE WIRELESS MICROPHONE
. . . what it is, what it does . . .
The wireless microphone is actually a system consist-
ing 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 inpulses, 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 in the VHFFM band between 150 and 216 megahertz. A total of 15
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
12 systems can be operated in a single sound installation, simultaneously and without intermodulation problems.
Diversity Reception.....
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,”
(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 blocked.
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
with annoying static or complete
poles, causes your radio signal to drop to a low, noisy
level -sometimes disappearing completely. This is
multipath.
Multipath is virtually a thing of the past with a unique
antenna/receiver system called DIVERSIPHASE™. The
two antennas supplied with the W25DR receiver are placed some distance apart, and the signals each receives
are compared at the receiver. The W25DR’s DIVERSIPHASE circuit monitors each antenna, and if the direct
and reflected signals appear to be creating an out-ofphase condition-and the inevitable signal dropout, the
receiver modifies the phase difference between the two
antennas until the two signals add in phase.
TYPICAL WIRELESS MICROPHONE SYSTEM
3
DIVERSIPHASE reception, plus close attention to the
simple but important instructions in this manual, will
help provide clean, clear wireless microphone operation
in almost any setting.
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 15 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 in 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
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
such irritations as radio wave skip, or CB or FM broadcast transmissions. The frequencies selected 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-volt power
converter is also available.
The transmitter operates from any 9-volt alkaline
transistor-radio-type battery (Duracell MN1604 is recom-
mended). 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:
1.
A battery for the transmitter.
2.
A microphone for the transmitter -either one design-
ed 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.
3.
A receiver-to-mixer cable, with a female XLR connector on one end (for the receiver output) and a mating
connector 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.
4
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: Permits checking
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 periodically 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
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.
5
W25DR 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
POWER LED Indicator remains on while power is ap-
plied. (NOTE:
115 Vac, 60 Hz source, 13.5 Vdc is always present at the
power converter output.)
AUDIO LEVEL Display: This 10-LED bar display in-
dicates the relative system modulation. Normal opera-
With the power converter connected to a
tion 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).
RF SIGNAL LEVEL Display: This 10-LED bar display indicates the relative RF level received from the transmitter. Red indicates an insufficient signal level; yellow in-
6
Loading...