Studio Technologies 216 Data Sheet

The Model 216 Announcer’s Console is designed to serve as the
audio control center for announcers, commentators, and produc

­tion personnel. This tabletop unit supports applications utilizing
the Dante™ Audio-over-Ethernet media networking technology.
The Model 216 is suitable for numerous applications including
on-air television sports broadcasting, stadium announce, and
corporate AV. The unit integrates all on-air, talkback, and cue
audio signal routing in one compact system. Four pushbutton
switches allow the user to control the main and talkback audio
output channels. Ease of use, configuration flexibility, and sonic
excellence are some of the unit’s highlights.

Key Features:

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Dante™ Audio-over-Ethernet technology

• Extensive feature configuration

• Excellent audio quality

• One main and three talkback audio output channels

• Four headphone audio input channels

• PoE and 12 volt DC powering

• Headphone output with sidetone function

• Rugged, compact enclosure

Overview

The Model 216 is compatible with the latest broadcast and audio

system environments that use the Dante technology. An Ethernet

connection with Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) power is all that’s

required to make the unit part of a sophisticated, networked

audio system. Connect a microphone and pair of headphones (or

a broadcast headset) and the installation is complete. Whether

it’s the on-air audio, the talkback audio, or the headphone cue

feed, superior audio quality is always maintained. A range of

configuration choices allow the desired operating parameters to

be easily selected. And while flexible, the user is presented with

an easy-to-use set of controls and indicators.

User Controls and Status Indicators

Four pushbutton switches, five LED indicators, and three rotary

controls provide the user with a clear, easy-to-use interface.

One pushbutton switch controls the status of the main output.

This is the audio channel intended for on-air, announcement,

or other primary uses. Two LEDs display the on/off status of

the main output. Three additional pushbutton switches control

the status of the talkback output channels. These are the audio

signals used to communicate with producers, directors, spot

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ters, or other behind-the-scenes production personnel. A status

LED is associated with each of the talkback pushbuttons. The

pushbutton switches use gold-plated contacts for reliable long-

term operation and include backlighting using white LEDs. Three

rotary controls allow the user to adjust the content and level of

the headphone output.

Microphone Input

The Model 216 provides a high-performance microphone pre-

amplifier which offers low-noise, low-distortion, and high head

room amplification over a 19 to 64 dB range. The gain is adjust

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able in 3-dB steps using pushbutton switches accessible on the

bottom of the unit. A 2-digit display indicates the amplification in

dB. The microphone input is compatible with balanced dynamic or

condenser microphones. Phantom power is provided and meets

the worldwide P48 standard. It can be enabled or disabled as

required. A dual-color LED indicator serves as an aid for optimiz

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ing the setting of the preamplifier’s gain. Microphone signals are

connected to the Model 216 by way of a standard 3-pin female

XLR connector.

Output Channels and their Operation

By way of the Dante interface, the Model 216 provides a main

output channel and three talkback output channels. The main

output channel is designed to serve as the on-air, stadium an

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nouncement, or other primary audio feed. The talkback output

channels are intended to provide production trucks, control

rooms, or support personnel with talent-originated cue signals.

A large part of the Model 216’s unique power is the ability to

configure the operation of the main and talkback functions. To

meet the needs of the many specific broadcast and produc

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tion applications, a variety of pushbutton operating modes are

available. The main pushbutton can be selected to operate from

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among four modes. In the “push-to-mute” mode the pushbut-

ton performs a momentary mute of the audio signal associated

with the main output channel. In this way a “cough” pushbutton

function is created, something typically required for television

sports broadcasting. In the “push-to-talk” mode the pushbutton

provides a momentary active function for the main output. This

mode would be appropriate for an application such as stadium

announcement. An alternate action “latching” configuration

allows the pushbutton to enable or disable the audio signal

associated with the main output channel as desired. This is useful

in radio broadcasting, announce-booth, or voice-over applica

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tions. The fourth mode provides a hybrid function, supporting

both push-to-talk and tap-to-enable/tap-to-disable operation.

This operation is similar to that found in many broadcast intercom

system user stations.

The three pushbutton switches associated with the talkback func

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tions can be configured to operate from either of two modes. One

of the modes supports a “push-to-talk” function. This is typically

used for on-air broadcast applications. The other mode provides

a hybrid function, the operation of which is discussed in the pre

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vious paragraph. The hybrid mode is especially useful when the

Model 216 is used in a production-support application.

Overall Model 216 operation can be configured from among

one on-air and two production modes. The Model 216’s on-air

mode is appropriate for on-air television, radio, and streaming

broadcast applications. When on-air is selected the audio signal

associated with the main output channel will always mute when

one or more of the talkback functions is active. This prevents

audio that’s intended for production or support personnel from

being sent out the on-air audio path.

For non-on-air applications, the Model 216 can be configured to

operate in either of two “production” modes. These allow the

main output to be used as a third talkback output channel, rather

than always muting when a talkback function is active. Using

these production modes the unit can be even more powerful

when used in a live event application, such as serving as a small

“IFB” console for a sports-event spotter, musical director, or

production assistant. In addition to changing how the main output

functions, one of the production modes also supports using the

headphone output for connection with amplified speakers. The

headphone output level will automatically be reduced (attenuate

or “dim”) whenever the main or talkback output channels are ac

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tive. This can enhance intelligibility and help prevent acoustical

feedback from occurring between the speakers and the active

microphone.

and what sidetone action will take place. Four headphone control

configuration modes are offered. These modes impact how the

three rotary controls adjust the four Dante input channels and

the sidetone audio signals. The first two modes support standard

on-air applications and use only Dante input channels 1 and 2.

In the broadcast world these two signals are often referred to

as talent cue or IFB audio. They typically originate in production

trailers or control rooms and provide one channel of program-

with-interrupt audio and a second channel with program-only

audio. The third and fourth configuration modes allow all four of

the Dante-provided audio sources to be utilized. These can be

useful for more complex or specialized situations.

The three headphone level controls (“rotary pots”) are provided

for setting the “mix” of the selected sources as well as adjusting

the overall headphone output level. How these controls function

depends on the selected headphone control mode. As previously

mentioned, the first mode is intended to support traditional on-air

sports applications. In this mode the left and center controls act

in a dual-channel (“level/level”) fashion, allowing independent

control of the left- and right-channel volume.

For use with dual-channel or stereo cue signals, the second mode

provides a stereo (“level/balance”) mode. In this mode the left

control adjusts the level of both input channels 1 and 2, while the

center control allows adjustment of the left/right level balance.

In both modes the right control is used to adjust the level of the

sidetone signal.

In the third headphone control mode the left control adjusts the

level of both input channels 1 and 2, the center control adjusts

the level of both input channels 3 and 4, while the right control

adjusts the sidetone level.

The fourth headphone mode uses the left control to adjust the

level of input channel 1, the center control to adjust the level

of input channel 2, and the right control to adjust the level of

both input channels 3 and 4. In this mode the sidetone function

is not active.

Headphone Output

The Model 216 provides a number of configuration choices that

relate to the headphone output. These choices impact which

audio sources are utilized, how the rotary level controls function,

Studio Technologies, Inc. Model 216 Announcer’s Console, Issue 2, Page 2

The sidetone function allows audio from the Model 216’s micro

phone preamplifier to be routed to the headphone output. This

can be useful, providing the user with an aural confirmation of

the signal connected to the mic input. It is especially important

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