Studio Technologies 236 Users Guide

Model 236

Announcer’s Console

User Guide

Issue 7, January 2023

This User Guide is applicable for serial numbers

M236-00151 and later with Main Firmware version 3.05 and later

and STcontroller software application version 3.10.07 and later

Copyright © 2023 by Studio Technologies, Inc., all rights reserved

studio-tech.com

50688-0123, Issue 7

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Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

Table of Contents

Revision History ......................................................................................................... 4

Introduction ................................................................................................................ 5

Getting Started ........................................................................................................... 7

Dante Conguration ................................................................................................... 9

Model 236 Conguration ........................................................................................... 11

Operation .................................................................................................................. 19

Technical Notes ......................................................................................................... 26

Specications ............................................................................................................ 32

Appendix A: STcontroller Default Conguration Values ............................................ 34

Appendix B: 3-Pin Header Connector Details ........................................................... 35

Appendix C: Block Diagram ...................................................................................... 36

Model 236 User Guide Issue 7, January 2023
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 3

Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

Revision History

Issue 7, Janaury 2023:

• Documents revised encoder conguration and operation.

• Miscellaneous improvements and clarications.

Issue 6, March 2022:

• Documents addition of Main – Encoder Action conguration function.

Issue 5, October 2021:

• Documents change to Dante Aux Output operation when Hot Mic is selected.

Issue 4, May 2021:

• Documents new analog microphone input limiter function.

• Documents revised conguration name from LED Intensity to LED Intensity and Action.

• Documents two LED Intensity and Action modes.

Issue 3, October 2020:

• Revises text to reect Audinate’s Inclusive Language Guidelines. The word “master,” in reference to Dante

has been changed to “Leader.”

Issue 2, September 2020:

®

clocking,

• Documents changes to Main 1 and Main 2 inputs and associated headphone monitoring.

• Documents addition of Sidetone Channel Routing feature.

• Adds technical note regarding level attenuation in Dante Aux and Talkback transmitter (output) channels when Analog

Mic Output is congured for Switched.

Issue 1, August 2020:

• Initial release.

Issue 7, January 2023 Model 236 User Guide
Page 4 Studio Technologies, Inc.

Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

Introduction

The Model 236 Announcer’s Console provides a combina­tion of high-performance audio with an extensive set of user

features and congurable resources. The unit is intended

for use in demanding broadcast sports, eSports, live event,
entertainment, and streaming broadcast applications. With
a few simple connections the Model 236 can provide one
on-air talent with all the resources they need to support
a wide range of applications. The compact, rugged steel
enclosure is intended for tabletop use, small enough for use

“court-side” or in a crowded booth, yet exible enough for

remote production deployment. The Model 236 supports
Dante® audio-over-Ethernet digital media technology with
AES67 compatibility for integration into contemporary
applications.

The Model 236 can integrate directly into both Dante
audio-over-Ethernet and standard analog audio environ­ments. With just a Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) Gigabit net­work connection, a microphone, and a pair of headphones
a complete broadcast on-air position can be created. With
the addition of a second Ethernet connection Redundant
Dante can be supported. And by using the Model 236’s an­alog microphone output a connection to a microphone-level
input on an associated remote I/O interface or audio con­sole can be supported.

With ten Dante audio inputs and an integrated sidetone
function, users can easily create their desired headphone

audio mix. They’ll enjoy clear and “click-free” monaural or

stereo audio that can only help their on-air performance.
Six independent Dante talkback channels allow users to
communicate with a variety of support personnel. Among
the range of operating capabilities includes the ability to
create talent cue (IFB) channels. This was specifically
included for REMI/At-Home applications. Provision has

been made such that a technician can “customize” the
Model 236’s hardware. Option kits, purchased separately,

can be added to support functions such as multi-pin head­set connectors, remote control inputs, and a low-voltage,
low-current DC tally output.

The Model 236 was designed to meet two main goals:
supporting great audio quality and providing an extensive
set of congurable features. Using the latest in audio inte­grated circuits and advanced 32-bit audio processing, the

unit’s audio performance should meet or exceed that of
any audio console, standalone microphone preamplier,

remote I/O interface, or outboard A/D or D/A converter.
With over 40 years of professional audio experience, Studio
Technologies takes audio performance seriously! And while

providing excellent technical specications is a “must,” a
device also has to “sound” good before we feel its design

is complete.

Figure 1. Model 236 Announcer’s Console front
and back views

The amount of exibility provided in the Model 236 allows

it to meet the needs of virtually all on-air announcer appli-

cations. And using the Studio Technologies’ STcontroller
software application makes “customizing” the operation
of a Model 236 fast and simple. The unit’s ability to han­dle both day-to-day and specialized situations makes it

a unique product in the market. For example, the push­button switches and rotary encoders can be independently

congured with multiple choices that range from simple to
quite advanced. If a Model 236 can’t seem to be cong­ured to meet an application’s goals please contact Studio
Technologies’ technical support for an application review.

The Model 236 is part of a three-product family that di󰀨er

only in the number of talkback channels provided. The
Model 236 provides six talkback channels, while the
Model 232 provides two and the Model 234 provides four.
The Model 236, as with the other two models, has a com­pact enclosure with overall dimensions of 6.5 inches wide
(16.5 cm), 2.9 inches high (7.4 cm), and 4.9 inches deep
(12.5 cm). Weighing 2.1 pounds (0.95 kg), the enclosure

is made of steel to provide some “heft” to minimize the
chance of inadvertent movement. The Model 236’s main,
secondary, and FPGA (programmable logic) rmware can

be updated using the USB port on the back of the unit; the

Dante rmware can be updated via an Ethernet connection.

Model 236 User Guide Issue 7, January 2023
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 5

Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

Setup, Conguration, and Operation

Set up, conguration, and operation of the Model 236 is

simple. The unit includes two Neutrik etherCON RJ45
connectors which allow interfacing with single or redundant
Gigabit Ethernet networks. The primary network connec­tion can provide power to the unit using a port on a Pow-

er-over-Ethernet (PoE) network switch. Model 236’s power

can also be supplied from a 12 volt DC source that is con-

nected using a 4-pin XLR connector. A broadcast headset
or handheld (“stick”) microphone can be directly connected
to the unit’s 3-pin female XLR microphone input connec-

tor. The input is compatible with dynamic or condenser
microphones. A P48 phantom power source allows support
for a wide range of condenser microphones. A 3-pin male

XLR connector provides an analog microphone output for
integration with inputs on related devices. A conguration

choice allows this output to be active all the time (hot mic
operation) or muted or unmuted following the main output
function. A pair of stereo headphones, the headphone
connection from a stereo or monaural headset, or even

earbuds can be connected to the Model 236’s headphone

output jack.

Audio signals are routed to and from the Model 236 using
the Dante Controller software application. This is available,
free of charge, from Audinate®, the creators of Dante. All

Model 236 operating features are congured using the
Studio Technologies’ STcontroller software application. The
extensive set of parameters allows the unit’s functions to

be tailored to meet the needs of many, many applications.
STcontroller is available at no charge from the Studio Tech­nologies’ website. Versions are available that are compat­ible with the Windows® and macOS® operating systems.

STcontroller is a fast and simple means of conguring,
revising, saving, and loading a unit’s operating parameters.

The Model 236’s front panel includes eight rotary controls

(encoders) which are used to adjust the level of the Dante
input signal sources as they create an audio mix that is fed
to both the analog and Dante digital headphone outputs.

Using RGB (red-green-blue) LEDs, each rotary encoder is

illuminated and can display whether or not signal is present
on their associated audio input channels. Two additional
rotary controls allow adjustment of sidetone level and the
overall level of the analog headphone output.

Seven pushbutton switches allow the user to control the
status of the main outputs (digital and analog) as well as

the six talkback functions. Extensive conguration choices

allow the operation of the pushbutton switches and associ-

ated output channels to be optimized to meet the needs of
specic applications. For example, the talkback functions
can be independently congured for talkback, talent cueing
(IFB), call signal (20 kHz tone), and other related actions.

The Model 236’s one main and six talkback pushbutton

switches are illuminated to display their operating status.

For performance conrmation an integrated sidetone func­tion allows audio coming from the headset’s microphone

to be returned to the headset output.

Audio Quality

The Model 236’s audio performance is completely “pro.” A
low-noise, wide dynamic-range microphone preamplier

ensures that microphone audio quality is preserved while

minimizes the chance of signal overload. The gain of the

microphone preamplifier can be adjusted over a range
of 20 to 65 dB in 1-dB steps. A digitally controlled analog
limiter function allows the signal level to be automatically
adjusted to reduce the chance of signal overload. A setting
in STcontroller allows the limiter function to be enabled or
disabled as desired. The limiter function applies only to
signals that are connected to the analog microphone input.

The output of the microphone preamplier is routed to an

analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) section that supports

sampling rates of 48 and 96 kHz. The audio signal, now in

the digital domain, routes through a 32-bit microprocessor
and associated programmable logic and then on to the

Dante interface section where it is packetized and prepared

for transport over Ethernet. Ten Dante transmitter (output)
channels are provided: one main, one aux, six talkback,
and two headphone monitor output channels.

Audio input signals arrive into the Model 236 by way of
eleven Dante receiver (input) channels and pass into the
Model 236’s 32-bit logic circuitry. Four channels are asso­ciated with the main section, six are used for the talkback
listen sources, and one can serve as an alternate micro­phone audio source. In addition to being used for typical
headphone monitoring, the audio input associated with
each talkback channel can be used as part of a talent cue
(IFB) function. All channel routing, headphone level control,
signal detection, and sidetone functions are performed
within the digital domain. This preserves audio quality,

enhances performance, and provides exibility, allowing

precise level control and mixing as well as eliminating
the need for analog audio signals to pass through passive
level controls (potentiometers). The audio signals des­tined for the analog headphone output are sent to a high­performance 2-channel digital-to-analog converter and then
on to robust driver circuitry.

Dante Audio-over-Ethernet

Audio data is sent to and received from the Model 236 using
Dante audio-over-Ethernet media networking technology.

As a Dante-compliant device, the Model 236’s ten Dante

transmitter (output) channels and eleven Dante receiver

(input) channels can be assigned (routed or “subscribed”)

using the Dante Controller software application. To mini-

mize the chance of a ow limitation, the Model 236’s Dante

Issue 7, January 2023 Model 236 User Guide
Page 6 Studio Technologies, Inc.

Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

transmitter and receiver channels support 32 Dante ows,
16 in each direction. The digital audio’s bit depth is up to 32
with a sample rate of 48 or 96 kHz. Bi-color LEDs, located
on the unit’s back panel, provide status indications related

to the Ethernet network and Dante interface performance.

The Model 236 is compliant with the AES67 interoperability

standard. In addition, the unit is compatible with Audinate’s

Dante Domain Manager™ (DDM) software application.
DDM offers an enhanced set of network control and
monitoring features, making it ideal for security-conscious

applications. This may also allow the Model 236’s audio

channels to support SMPTE® ST 2110-30.

Ethernet Data and PoE

The Model 236 connects to one or two local area networks

(LANs) by way of two Gigabit (GigE) twisted-pair Ethernet

interfaces. These 1000BASE-T interconnections are made
by way of Neutrik® etherCON RJ45 connectors. While
compatible with standard RJ45 plugs, etherCON allows

a ruggedized and locking interconnection for harsh or

high-reliability environments. The two Ethernet interfaces

can be congured, using the Dante Controller software

applications, to serve in the Dante Switched or Redundant
modes.

The Model 236’s operating power can be provided by way

of its Primary-PoE Ethernet interface using the 802.3af
Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) standard. PoE allows fast and

e󰀩cient interconnection with an associated data network.

Alternately, an external source of nominal 12 volts DC can
be connected to power the unit. If both are connected then
PoE will serve as the active power source.

Future Capabilities and Firmware
Updating

The Model 236 was designed so that in the future its
capabilities and performance can be easily enhanced. A

USB type A connector, located on the unit’s back panel,
allows the main, secondary, and FPGA rmware les to be
updated using a USB ash drive. The Model 236 uses the

Broadway™ integrated circuit from Audinate to implement

its Dante interface. The rmware in this integrated circuit

can be updated via an Ethernet connection helping to
ensure that its capabilities remain up to date.

Getting Started

What’s Included

Included in the shipping carton are a Model 236 Announc-

er’s Console and instructions on how to obtain a copy of

this guide. As a device that can be Power-over-Ethernet
(PoE) powered, no external power source is provided. This
is because in most applications an Ethernet switch with

PoE capability will be utilized. It’s also possible to connect

an external source of 12 volts DC to power the Model 236.

If this is the case then a power supply would need to be
obtained separately.

Connections

In this section signal interconnections will be made using

the connectors located on the back of the Model 236’s

enclosure. One or two Ethernet connections will be made
using either standard RJ45 patch cables or etherCON
protected RJ45 plugs. The Ethernet data connection asso­ciated with the Primary-PoE RJ45 connector is compatible
with Power-over-Ethernet (PoE). If desired, an Ethernet
connection made to the Secondary Ethernet connector can
provide access to a Redundant Dante network. Or it can
be utilized as an active “loop through” connection associ­ated with the Primary-PoE Ethernet connection. If PoE is

not going to be utilized, or a redundant source of power is

desired, a source of 12 volts DC can be connected by way

of a 4-conductor XLR connector.

A microphone can be connected using a cable-mounted
3-pin male XLR connector. A set of headphones, the head­set portion of a broadcast-style headset, or an earpiece will
be connected by way of a ¼-inch plug. If desired, the Model

236’s analog microphone output may be interfaced with

other equipment using a cable terminated with a standard

3-pin female XLR connector.

For special applications the Model 236’s internal circuit
boards contain 3-pin “header” connectors that allow ac-

cess to various functions. In addition, there are two spare
connector locations located on the Model 236’s back panel.
A technician can add connectors and wire them to the head-

ers such that application-specic needs can be supported.
For example, a 6- or 7-pin XLR connector can be added

to support direct connection of broadcast-style headsets.
Contact closures can be interfaced to the Model 236’s cir­cuitry, allowing external switches to activate the main and
talkback functions. A low-voltage, low-current tally output
associated with the main function is also available. Refer
to the Technical Notes section for details.

One or Two Ethernet Connections

One 1000BASE-T Gigibit Ethernet (GigE) connection is
required for Model 236 operation and can provide both
Ethernet data and power by way of Power-over-Ethernet

(PoE) for the Model 236’s circuitry. A 10BASE-T (10 Mb/s)
or 100BASE-TX (100 Mb/s) connection is not su󰀩cient.

A second 1000BASE-T (GigE) connection can be made if
Redundant Dante is desired. (For this functionality to be

active the Model 236’s network conguration must be set

for Redundant within the Dante Controller software appli­cation.) PoE is not supported on the Secondary Ethernet
connection. Again, a 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX connec-

tion is not su󰀩cient. The Secondary Ethernet connection

Model 236 User Guide Issue 7, January 2023
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Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

can also be used as a “loop through” port such as would

be provided by an Ethernet switch. (This requires that the
Model 236’s network conguration within the Dante Con­troller software application be set for Switched.) Switched
mode is the default setting but using the Secondary port
in this mode for applications other than troubleshooting is

not recommended. The unit will function reliably but “daisy
chaining” Ethernet signals can limit exibility and present
a failure point; it’s best if each Ethernet interface connects

directly to a port on an Ethernet switch.

The Ethernet connections are made by way of two Neutrik
etherCON protected RJ45 connectors that are located on
the back of the Model 236’s enclosure. These allow con­nection by way of cable-mounted etherCON connectors or

standard RJ45 plugs. The Model 236’s Ethernet interfaces

support auto MDI/MDI-X so that crossover cables are not
required.

External 12 Volts DC Input

An external source of 12 volts DC can be connected to the

Model 236 by way of a 4-pin male XLR connector which is
located on the unit’s back panel. While the requirement for

the external source is nominally 12 volts, correct operation
will take place over a 10 to 18 volts DC range. The Model
236 requires a maximum of 550 milliamperes (0.55 am­peres) at 12 volts DC for correct operation. The DC source

should be terminated on a 4-pin female XLR connector with

pin 1 negative (–) and pin 4 positive (+).

The Model 236 provides a 3-pin female XLR connector,

located on the back panel, to allow an analog microphone
to be connected. The microphone can be a standalone

handheld (“stick”) type, a stand- or arm-mounted type,

or can be part of a broadcast-style headset. The Model

236’s analog microphone input is directly compatible with
balanced dynamic or P48-compatible “phantom” powered

microphones. A microphone should be connected such that
its associated 3-pin male XLR connector has pin 1 as com­mon, pin 2 as signal high (+), and pin 3 as signal low (–).

A conguration setting in STcontroller allows the Model
236’s P48 phantom power source to be enabled or disabled

as desired. Another setting allows the gain of the preampli-

er circuitry associated with the analog microphone input to
be selected. In addition, a conguration setting allows the

limiter function to be enabled or disabled as desired. Details

on conguration settings will be described in later sections.

While the Model 236 provides an excellent source of P48

phantom power, it’s possible that an input on an associated

piece of equipment is already providing microphone power.
This input could be connected to the Model 236 by way of
the analog microphone output connector. This would not
create a problem since the circuitry that passes audio from

the Model 236’s analog microphone input connector to
the Model 236’s analog microphone output connector will

also pass microphone power from output-to-input without
interruption. This situation could be relevant in cases where

the Model 236’s analog microphone output connector is

If an external power source is required, the PS-DC-02
power supply, available as an option from Studio Tech­nologies, is directly compatible with the Model 236. Its AC

mains input allows connection to 100-240 volts, 50/60 Hz

with an output of 12 volts DC, 1.5 amperes maximum. Its

interfaced with a microphone input on an associated ENG
camera, audio console, microphone mixer, remote I/O
interface, or similar equipment. The microphone inputs on
such devices will often provide phantom power capability
which may, or may not, be enabled.

DC output is terminated on a 4-pin female XLR connector.

Analog Microphone Output

As previously discussed, an Ethernet connection that pro­vides Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) can serve as the Model

236’s power source. Alternately, an external 12 volts DC

source can be connected. For redundancy, both PoE and
the external source can be connected at the same time. If
both PoE and an external 12 volts DC source are connect­ed, power will be drawn only from the PoE supply. If the PoE
source becomes inoperative the 12 volts DC source will

provide the Model 236’s power. No interruption in operation

will occur during a power source transition.

Analog Microphone Input

Using a configuration selection within the STcontroller

software application, the Model 236’s microphone audio

source can be selected. In most cases a local microphone
will be connected and Analog will be selected. Alternately,
an audio signal can be provided by way of a Dante receiver
(input) channel. In this section, details on connecting an

A 3-pin male XLR connector on the Model 236’s back
panel provides an analog microphone-level output that’s

directly related to the analog microphone input. Technical-

ly this output is identical to the signal that’s connected to

the analog microphone input but with a solid-state muting

circuit in series with the interconnection. A conguration

choice in STcontroller allows the operation of the analog
microphone output to be selected. The choices are to have
the analog microphone output active at all times or for it to
also mute whenever the Dante Main transmitter (output)
channel mutes.

If the analog microphone output is congured to be active

at all times it will provide what is effectively an analog

“hot mic” output; a signal that is connected to the analog
microphone input will continuously “pass through” to the

analog microphone output. No Model 236 action will impact

this signal. If the analog microphone output is congured

analog microphone will be provided.

Issue 7, January 2023 Model 236 User Guide
Page 8 Studio Technologies, Inc.

Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

to follow the status of the Dante Main transmitter (output)
then the analog microphone input signal will pass through
to the analog microphone output connector only when the
Dante Main transmitter (output) function is active. When­ever the Dante Main transmitter (output) channel is muted
the analog microphone input signal will not pass through
to the analog microphone output connector; it is muted in
an essentially click-free manner. Refer to Appendix C for a
block diagram of the analog microphone input and analog
microphone output circuitry.

The analog microphone output can be connected to a

balanced (di󰀨erential) analog microphone-level input on

a variety of devices. These include the microphone input
connections on a remote I/O interface associated with a
networked audio console. An example of such an interface
would be the Calrec® Hydra2®. The microphone inputs on

these devices typically o󰀨er microphone power, high-quality
amplication, and conversion to the digital domain. The
output signals from an I/O interface’s preamplier channels

are typically transported to the main electronics or console

surface using a ber optic interface. In this type of appli­cation, the Model 236’s Dante Main transmitter (output)

channel would not be used, or would only be used as a
backup path.

No preamplier or other active circuitry impacts the path
from the Model 236’s analog microphone input connector
to the Model 236’s analog microphone output connector.

But the signal does pass through 200-ohm resistors in each

“leg” (pin 2 and pin 3) as well as connecting to a solid-state

relay contact. The result is that the source impedance of
a connected microphone will be 400 ohms greater than
the nominal impedance of the analog microphone. This
will slightly raise the theoretical noise oor of the micro­phone signal vis-à-vis a directly connected microphone but

shouldn’t impact most real-world applications. In addition,

when the analog microphone output is in its muted state a
400-ohm load (from the two 200-ohm series resistors) will
be connected in parallel with the microphone. This addition­al load will typically attenuate the microphone output level
by 1 to 3 dB. This will then impact the level of the Dante
talkback output channels by the same amount.

Headphone Output

The Model 236 provides a 2-channel (“stereo”) headphone

output interfaced by way of a 3-conductor ¼-inch phone
jack. Devices such as stereo headphones or dual-channel

(“dual-muff”) broadcast-style headsets can be directly

connected using a 3-conductor ¼-inch plug. Following the
usual convention, the left channel should be terminated on
the tip lead of the plug, the right channel on the ring lead,
and common on the sleeve lead.

It’s also possible to use a single-channel, monaural
(“single-mu󰀨”) headset or a broadcast-type single earbud

but in these cases, care must be taken. If a 3-conductor

¼-inch plug is used by such a device’s transducer it should
be wired to the tip and sleeve leads; the plug’s ring lead
should be left unconnected. But it’s also possible that the
monaural device will be terminated on a 2-conductor (“tip
and sleeve”) plug. When such a plug is inserted into the
Model 236’s headphone output jack the right headphone

output channel will be shorted; the ring lead will be directly
connected to the sleeve lead. This can result in stress on
the right channel headphone output circuitry as well as
extra current draw. To prevent this undesirable condition,

ensure that no audio signal is configured such that it’s

routed to the right headphone output channel. Refer to the

Conguration section for details on using STcontroller to

select the desired headphone audio routing.

Dante Conguration

For audio to correctly pass to and from the Model 236
requires, at a minimum, that several Dante-related

parameters be congured. These conguration settings will
be stored in non-volatile memory within the Model 236’s
Dante network interface circuitry. Conguration will typically

be done with the Dante Controller software application
which is available for download free of charge at audinate.

com. Versions of Dante Controller are available to support

Windows and macOS operating systems.

The Model 236 is also compatible with the Dante Domain
Manager (DDM) software application. Refer to DDM
documentation for details on what Model 236 and related

parameters may have to be congured.

Audio Routing

The Model 236’s ten Dante transmitter (output) channels

must be assigned to the desired Dante receiver (input)
channels on associated equipment. This will route the Main,
Aux, Talkback, and Phones transmitter (output) channels

to the devices that will be “listening” to them. Within Dante
Controller a “subscription” is the term used for routing a
transmitter ow (a group of up to four output channels) to
a receiver ow (a group of up to four input channels).

The Model 236 uses the Broadway integrated circuit to
implement its Dante functionality. The number of transmit-

ter ows associated with this integrated circuit is 16 and,
as such, the chance of a ow limitation is minimal. These
ows can either be unicast, multicast, or a combination

of the two. (Note that when operating in the AES67 mode
the Dante transmitter (output) channels will function only
in multicast; unicast is not supported.)

Model 236 User Guide Issue 7, January 2023
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Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

Using Dante Controller, the desired Dante transmitter (out­put) sources can be routed to the eleven Dante receiver
(input) channels associated with the Model 236. The exact

number utilized will depend on the specic application.

Eight of the Dante receiver (input) channels are assigned
to the Main and Talkback level rotary encoders and can be
used for listening to associated mix, mix-minus, intercom,
or general audio channels. The ninth Dante input channel

can be used as the Model 236’s microphone input source.

Unit and Channel Names

The Model 236 has a default Dante device name of

ST-M236- along with a unique su󰀩x. The su󰀩x identies
the specic Model 236 that is being congured. The suf­x’s actual alpha and/or numeric characters relate to the
MAC address of the unit’s Broadway integrated circuit.

The eleven Dante receiver (input) channels have defaults
names of Main 1 L, Main 1 R, Main 2 L, Main 2 R, Talk-

back 1, Talkback 2, Talkback 3, Talkback 4, Talkback 5,
Talkback 6, and Mic In. The ten Dante transmitter (output)
channels have default names of Main, Aux, Talkback 1,
Talkback 2, Talkback 3, Talkback 4, Talkback 5, Talk­back 6, Phones L, and Phones R. Using Dante Controller,

the default device and channel names can be revised as

appropriate for a specic application.

Device Conguration

The Model 236 supports audio sample rates of 48 and 96
kHz with no pull-up/down options available. The digital au­dio data is in the form of pulse-code modulation (PCM) sam­ples. Encoding choices within Dante Controller are PCM
16, PCM 24, and PCM 32, but in most cases the default
selection of PCM 24 would be appropriate. Clocking and

Device Latency Parameters can be adjusted if required but

the default values in Dante Controller are typically correct.

Network Conguration – Dante Redundancy

The Model 236 allows connection of two Ethernet signals.

Two RJ45 jacks are located on the unit’s back panel and

are labeled Primary-PoE and Secondary. How these ports
function can be selected in the Network Config, Dante
Redundancy section of Dante Controller. The choices are
Switched or Redundant.

If Switched is selected (the factory default) then the Model
236 can establish one connection with an Ethernet network.

It doesn’t matter which RJ45 jack is utilized, although for

PoE powering the jack labeled Primary-PoE must be uti-

lized. The other RJ45 jack, labeled Secondary, can be used

to interconnect with another piece of networked equipment.

If the Model 236’s network conguration is selected for

Switched ensure that only one of the RJ45 jacks on the

back panel is connected to the LAN associated with the

Dante devices. If both of the Model 236’s RJ45 connec­tions are routed to ports on the same LAN this will typically
“crash” the network! (Although some of the latest, most-ad-

vanced Ethernet switches will automatically detect and

prevent such a “network bridging” issue from occurring.)

If Redundant is selected then Dante’s redundant networking
capability will be enabled. In this case, separate network
connections should be made to the Primary-PoE and

Secondary RJ45 jacks. A personal computer that’s running

STcontroller will typically be associated with the network
that is connected to the Primary-PoE RJ45 jack.

Network Conguration – Addresses

When the Model 236 has been congured for the Switched

network mode one Dante IP address will be associated
with the network connection that is made to either the
Primary-PoE or the Secondary RJ45 jack. If the network
conguration has been selected for Redundant then sep-
arate IP addresses and related network parameters will
be assigned to the Primary-PoE and Secondary Ethernet
ports.

By default, the Model 236’s Dante IP address and related

network parameters will be determined automatically using
the DHCP or, if that’s not available, link-local network pro­tocols. If desired, Dante Controller allows the IP address
and related network parameters to be manually set to a

xed (static) conguration. While this is a more-involved
process than simply letting DHCP or link-local “do their
thing,” if xed addressing is necessary then this capability
is available. But in this case, it’s highly recommended

that every unit be physically marked, e.g., directly using a

permanent marker or “console tape,” with its specic static
IP address or addresses. If knowledge of a Model 236’s

IP address or addresses has been misplaced there is no
reset button or other method to easily restore the unit to a
known (default) IP setting.

Note that if the Model 236’s network conguration has been

set for Redundant then the Primary and Secondary Dante
IP addresses and related parameters can be independently

congured. This allows both interfaces to be congured
automatically, both interfaces to be congured manually, or
one interface to be congured automatically and the other
to be congured manually.

AES67 Conguration – AES67 Mode

Dante Controller allows a Model 236 to be congured for

AES67 operation. This requires the AES67 Mode to be set
for Enabled. By default, AES67 mode is set for Disabled.

Model 236 Clocking Source

While technically the Model 236 can serve as a Leader

clock for a Dante network (as can all Dante-enabled devic-

es) in virtually all cases the unit will be congured to receive

Issue 7, January 2023 Model 236 User Guide
Page 10 Studio Technologies, Inc.

Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

its timing reference (“sync”) from another device. As such,
Dante Controller’s check box for Preferred Leader asso-

ciated with the Model 236 would typically not be enabled.

Model 236 Conguration

The Studio Technologies’ STcontroller software applica­tion is used to congure the way in which the Model 236

functions. No DIP switch settings or other local actions are

used to congure the unit. This makes it imperative that

STcontroller be available for convenient use on a personal

computer that’s connected to the related LAN.

Changes made using STcontroller will be immediately

reected in the unit’s operation; no Model 236 reboot is
required. Each time a change is made the eight LEDs as­sociated with the multi-purpose display on the Model 236’s

front panel will light orange in a distinctive pattern to indicate
that a command from STcontroller has been received.

Installing STcontroller

STcontroller is available free of charge on the Studio Tech-

nologies’ website (studio-tech.com). Versions are available

that are compatible with computers running the Windows
and macOS operating systems.

If required, download and install STcontroller onto the des­ignated personal computer. This personal computer must

be on the same local area network (LAN) and subnet as
the Model 236 unit(s) that are to be congured. Immediately

after starting STcontroller the application will locate all the

Studio Technologies’ devices that it can control. The one
or more Model 236 units to be congured will appear in the
device list. Use the Identify command to allow a specic
Model 236 unit to be easily recognized. Double-clicking
on a device name will cause the associated conguration
menu to appear. Review the current conguration and make

any changes that are desired.

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Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

General Menu Page

The following conguration selections are available in STcontroller’s General menu selections tab:

Microphone Input – Analog Mic In P48: This section has

two congurable choices: O and On.

STcontroller allows the analog microphone input’s P48

phantom power source to be enabled or disabled. The
real-time status of the P48 source is displayed both in

STcontroller and by way of an orange LED that is located
on the Model 236’s back panel adjacent to the analog

microphone input connector. Select On or O to meet the
needs of the connected microphone.

No problems will occur if an external source of P12 or P48
phantom power is present on the connection made to the
analog microphone output connector. In this case, simply

turn o󰀨 the Model 236’s P48 phantom power source. The
external source of microphone power will “pass thru” from

the analog microphone output connector to the device
connected to the analog microphone input connector.

Microphone Input – Analog Mic Input Limiter: This sec­tion has two congurable choices: O and On.

A level limiting function can be applied to the analog mi­crophone input. This can be useful in helping to prevent
overload of the signal associated with the analog input

when it is utilized by the main and talkback output channels.

When O is selected no limiter action will take place. When
On is selected the limiter function will be active.

Microphone Input – Source: This section has two cong-
urable choices: Analog Mic In and Dante Mic In.

Using STcontroller the Model 236’s microphone source

can be selected. When Analog Mic In is selected the audio
source will be the device connected to the analog micro­phone input connector. As expected, a signal connected

to the analog microphone input will rst pass through the

microphone preamplifier circuitry. An audio signal that
arrives by way of the Model 236’s Dante Mic In receiver

Issue 7, January 2023 Model 236 User Guide
Page 12 Studio Technologies, Inc.

Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

(input) channel can also be utilized. Any audio signal that is

present on this Dante receiver (input) channel can serve as

the Model 236’s microphone source. This could be useful,

for example, where the output of a wireless microphone

receiver or a console microphone channel could e󰀨ectively
be utilized as the Model 236’s microphone source.

Analog Microphone Input – Analog Gain: This section

can be congured from among the following range: 20 to

65 dB in 1-dB steps.

When the Model 236’s microphone input source is selected
for Analog Mic In the gain of the microphone preamplier

can be adjusted over a range of 20 to 65 dB in 1-dB steps.

There’s no problem changing the gain setting while the unit

is operating although small audio clicks or pops may occur
during gain transitions. Selecting the correct amount of gain
for an application might require some experimentation. The

goal is to bring the analog microphone’s signal up to the

Dante reference level which Studio Technologies considers
to be –20 dBFS. (This is 20 dB below digital maximum.)

Operating at this “reference” signal level will help ensure
the delivery of “clean” audio to the destination devices.

There’s no “perfect” preamplier gain setting that this guide

can recommend. The two issues that impact the setting are
the output sensitivity of the connected microphone and the

acoustical output level of the microphone’s user. With some

microphones or headsets, such as the popular Sennheiser
HMD 26 or HMD 27, selecting an initial setting of 40 or 45
dB would be appropriate. Users who speak loudly might

need to have their gain reduced to 35 or even 30 dB. “Quiet”

users might need a gain setting of 50 or 55 dB.

STcontroller includes a “virtual” level meter which is located
to the right of the gain graphic “slider.” It also includes an

indication of when the limiter function is actively controlling
the signal level. The level meter will typically be used as

a guide when adjusting the preamplier gain setting. The

level meter function can be enabled or disabled as desired.
However, it should be disabled when not required in order
to reduce the amount of network data tra󰀩c being trans­ported to and from the Model 236. When a voice signal at
a normal level is present on the connected microphone

or headset the level meter’s green area should light. The
orange section should light on signal peaks. The red zone

and the limiter active indicator should never light.

The multi-purpose display, located on the front panel of
the Model 236, can serve as an 8-segment audio level
meter which can be used when setting the microphone

preamplier gain. When a voice signal at a normal level is
present on the connected microphone or headset the ve
green LEDs should light. The two orange LEDs should light
on signal peaks; the red LED will only light when the signal
is near to or actually “clipping.”

The signal present/peak LED, located on the unit’s back

panel below the analog microphone input connector, can
also be used as a guide when setting the microphone

preamplier gain. This LED can light orange during signal

peaks, but should never light solid red as that would indi­cate an undesirably high-level condition.

As a “reality check,” it’s recommended that a level meter
associated with a device that’s digitally connected to the
Model 236’s Dante Main transmitter (output) channel be

observed. That will be an excellent means of checking the

actual signal level within the signal “chain.” If necessary,
adjust the gain of the Model 236’s analog microphone
preamplier to achieve the desired result.

Dante Microphone Input – Dante Trim: This section can
be configured from among the following range: –20 to
20 dB in 1-dB steps.

A separate input gain setting is provided in STcontroller if
the microphone source has been selected to be the Dante
Mic In receiver (input) channel. A configuration choice
allows adjustment over a range of –20 to 20 dB in 1-dB
steps. The information provided in the previous section,
Analog Gain, is also appropriate when adjusting the Dante
Trim value. The usual goal is to achieve a nominal Dante
transmitter (output) level of –20 dBFS when a typical au­dio signal is being provided on the Dante Mic In receiver
(input) channel.

System – Mic Level Display: This section has three

congurable choices: O, Always On, and On When Main
Active.

An eight-LED bi-color multi-purpose display is provided on

the front panel of the Model 236. It can display the level
of the selected microphone input source. (The source is

congured, in a separate STcontroller menu choice, to be
either the output of the analog microphone preamplier or
the Dante Mic In receiver (input) channel.) This congu-

ration choice is used to enable or disable the microphone
level display function as is appropriate for an application.

It’s possible that the display will only be enabled during

setup and testing of an application. After performance

conrmation, including setting of the preamplier gain or

Dante trim level, a user may request that the microphone

level display function be turned o󰀨.

System – Signal Present Display: This section has four

congurable choices: O, Main Inputs, Talkback Inputs,
and All Inputs.

The top surface of the eight rotary encoders can light as
an indication of the level of the audio signal associated

with a specic rotary encoder and related input function.
RGB (red-green-blue) LEDs are located within each

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Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

rotary encoder and create the colors that are displayed. A
rotary encoder knob will light green when the signal level
is within the normal range, yellow when the signal level
is greater than normal, and red when the signal level is high
enough to risk degrading the audio performance.

The ability of the rotary encoders to provide a signal
present indication can be enabled or disabled as desired.

The eight rotary encoders are organized into two groups.

One group consists of the two rotary encoders associated
with the Main inputs. The other group consists of the six
rotary encoders associated with the Talkback inputs. A

conguration setting in STcontroller allows which group, or

groups, will provide a signal present display. Which exact

conguration is selected will depend on the requirements of

an application and the personal tastes of Model 236 users.
Note that even if the Signal Present Display function is

congured for O each rotary encoder will still display their
operating states using LED illumination: blue for normal

and purple for mute.

System – LED Intensity and Action: This section has four

congurable choices: High, Low, High – Main O When
Inactive, and Low – Main O When Inactive.

The pushbutton switches, rotary encoders, and multi-

purpose display have LED indicators associated with them.
The LED Intensity and Action conguration choices allows
the overall intensity of these LEDs to be selected. In addi­tion, the choices allow the LED action in the main output

pushbutton switch to be selected. Typically, deciding which
intensity choice is appropriate will depend on the amount of
ambient light present where the Model 236 is located. One
of the high settings would usually be used where there is

signicant ambient light present.

In most announcer’s console applications an LED would

be lit in the main pushbutton switch to indicate that the

function is in its o󰀨, inactive, or standby state. In the case

of the Model 236 by default the main pushbutton will light

red when the function is o󰀨 and green when the function is

on. To assist users who have trouble with color discrimina-

tion (“color blindness”) the main pushbutton switch can be
congured to not light when the function is o󰀨 (not active).
When selecting either of these conguration choices the
green LED associated with the main pushbutton switch will
light green when the function is active; the pushbutton’s red
LED will never light.

System – Dante Aux Output: This section has four con-

gurable choices: O, Hot Mic, Tally Tone, and Main with
18 kHz Tone.

The Dante Aux transmitter (output) channel is available
for special applications and is capable of providing a vari-

ety of audio signals. Each conguration choice has been

carefully selected and may prove useful in sophisticated
applications.

When Hot Mic is selected audio associated with the output

of the Model 236’s microphone preamplier will always be

present on the Dante Aux transmitter (output) channel. (The

input source for the preamplier will always be the analog

microphone input.) The Hot Mic function can be very useful
but has the potential for abuse. By the very nature of a hot
mic function, no button press by the user will cause the
audio signal on the Dante Aux transmitter (output) channel
to become inactive. Users must be aware that audio from

the microphone preamplier will always be present on this

Dante transmitter (output) channel. A level anomaly can
also be present when the Dante Aux transmitter (output)
is configured for Hot Mic. Refer to the Technical Notes
section for details.

When Tally Tone is selected a 20 kHz sine wave signal
at a level of –20 dBFS will be present on the Dante Aux
transmitter (output) channel whenever the Main output
function is active. This is provided as a control signal for

use in REMI/At-Home or other specialized applications. A
20 kHz tone being present on the Dante Aux transmitter

(output) will serve as the tally signal indicating that audio
may be present on the Dante Main transmitter (output)
channel.

Main with 18 kHz Tone is an interesting configuration
choice. Whenever the Dante Main transmitter (output)
channel is active the signal on the Dante Aux transmitter
(output) channel will consist of a combination of audio from
the selected microphone input source (either the output of

the microphone preamplier or the Dante Mic In receiver
(input) channel) and an 18 kHz sine wave tone. In this way,

a single Dante transmitter (output) channel will contain both

on-air audio and a tally indicator that is specically provided

for REMI/At-Home applications. Other products from Studio
Technologies, including the Model 5422A Dante Intercom
Audio Engine and the Model 391 Dante Alerting Unit, can

directly utilize this signal.

System – Analog Mic Output: This section has two con-

gurable choices: Switched and Always On.

On the Model 236’s back panel is a 3-pin male XLR

connector that is labeled Mic Out. The way in which this
output acts is determined by the Analog Mic Output con­guration choice. If Switched is selected then audio from
the analog microphone input connector will be routed to
the analog microphone output connector whenever audio
is present on the Dante Main transmitter (output) channel.
The analog microphone output connector will be muted
whenever the Dante Main transmitter (output) channel is
not active. If Always On is selected then audio from the

Issue 7, January 2023 Model 236 User Guide
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Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

analog microphone input connector will always be routed
to the analog microphone output connector.

No matter which conguration choice is selected phantom

power that is present on the analog microphone output
connector will pass through to the analog microphone input
connector. This is intentional and will not cause damage
to the Model 236. However, for correct operation only one
source of phantom power should be enabled at any one
time. In practical terms this means that if phantom power
is being provided by an external connection to the analog
microphone output connector (such as from a microphone
input of an audio console or remote I/O interface) then the

Model 236’s analog microphone input P48 phantom power

source should be disabled.

System – Encoder Minimum Level: This section has
three congurable choices: –30 dB, –40 dB, and Full Mute.

The Model 236 has eight rotary encoders, two associated
with the main section and six associated with the talkback

section. This conguration determines the minimum level

of signals associated with the rotary encoders as they
are turned in their counterclockwise (CCW) direction. The
–30 dB and –40 dB settings ensure that some audio signal
will always pass through to the headphone output. This can

be useful when it’s critical for audio to always be present
on the headphone output; a user can’t inadvertently fully

mute audio input signals when turning a rotary encoder.
The Full Mute setting is quite di󰀨erent, ensuring that when
a rotary encoder is moved counterclockwise (CCW) to the
end of its level steps the associated audio input signal(s)
will fully mute.

will be sent to the headphone outputs whenever the audio
signal associated with the selected microphone source is
present on the Dante Main transmitter (output) channel. If
the Talkback Buttons mode is selected then the sidetone
function will be active whenever one or more of the talk­back functions are active. Selecting the Main and Talkback
Buttons mode will cause the sidetone function to be active
whenever the selected microphone audio signal is present
on the Dante Main transmitter (output) channel or any of
the Dante Talkback transmitter (output) channels.

System – Sidetone Routing: This section has three con­gurable choices: Left, Right, and Left and Right.

Sidetone is audio from the selected microphone input

source. A conguration choice allows the sidetone audio
signal to be routed to the headphone outputs’ left channel,

right channel, or both the left and right channels. The
sidetone signal will be routed to the selected channels of
both the analog and Dante headphone outputs.

Remote Inputs / Tally Output – Overview

The Model 236 provides four contact closure inputs that

can be utilized in installer-implemented remote-control

applications. They are physically located inside the Model

236’s enclosure on the main printed circuit board and
accessible using two 3-pin male “header” connectors. The

same electrical connection used for Remote Control In 2

can also be congured to provide a low-voltage, low-current

DC output tally signal. A technician will make connections
to the headers and will then install one or two connectors

in the Model 236’s back panel. Refer to the Technical Notes

section for details.

System – Sidetone Mode: This section has four cong-
urable choices: O, Main Button, Talkback Buttons, and
Main and Talkback Buttons.

Sidetone is audio from the selected microphone input
source that is sent to the analog and Dante headphone

outputs. This can be important, allowing a user to “hear”

themselves for performance confirmation and comfort.

Making a specic selection from among the four available
modes will depend on the needs of the application. If a “full
mix” is being supplied to the Model 236 then locally pro­vided sidetone won’t be needed and the O conguration

choice should be selected.

If “mix-minus” audio is being supplied to the Model 236

then selecting a mode which enables sidetone can be

an important means of establishing user condence. The
specic sidetone mode that is selected will establish exactly

when sidetone audio will be sent to the headphone outputs.
If the Main Button choice is selected then sidetone audio

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Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 15

System – Remote Control In 1: This section has ten

congurable choices: O, Main Button, Talkback 1 Button,
Talkback 2 Button, Talkback 3 Button, Talkback 4 Button,
Talkback 5 Button, and Talkback 6 Button.

The action performed when Remote Control In 1 is

enabled will follow the conguration selected from among

six choices. When O is selected no action will be asso­ciated with Remote Control In 1. When Main Button is
selected activating Remote Control In 1 will provide the
same function as pressing the main button. (A separate

conguration choice allows the action of the main button

to be selected.) When any of the talkback button choices
are selected then activating Remote Control In 1 will cause
the selected talkback function to change state. The precise
action of the remote talkback function will be identical to

how the associated talkback button is congured. (Sepa­rate conguration choices allow the action of the talkback

buttons to be selected.)

Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

System – Remote Control In 2 / Tally Out: This section
has nine configurable choices: Off, Main Button, Talk-

back 1 Button, Talkback 2 Button, Talkback 3 Button, Talk­back 4 Button, Talkback 5 Button, Talkback 6 Button, and
Main Out Tally.

The configuration choices for Remote Control In 2 are
the same as those provided for Remote Control In 1 with
the addition of a choice of Main Out Tally. When this con-

guration choice is selected then the physical pin on this
“header” connector becomes an output. It provides a main

output active (tally) signal, changing from 0 to 3.3 volts DC
whenever microphone audio is present on the Dante Main
transmitter (output) channel.

System – Remote Control In 3: The conguration choices

for Remote Control In 3 are the same as those provided
for Remote Control In 1.

System – Remote Control In 4: The conguration choices

for Remote Control In 4 are the same as those provided
for Remote Control In 1.

Main – Encoder 1 Tap to Mute: This section has two
congurable choices: O and On.

This configuration determines the manner in which the
Main 1 rotary encoder functions in relation to the mute
action.

If On is selected then momentarily pressing (tapping) the
knob associated with the rotary encoder for Main 1 will
cause the associated audio input channels to mute. The
knob will light purple when mute is active.

If O is selected then momentarily pressing (tapping) the
knob associated with the rotary encoder for Main 1 will not
cause the associated audio input channels to mute. When

pressed, the knob will ash purple ve times to indicate
that the encoder press was recognized but no action is

taking place.

Main – Encoder 2 Tap to Mute: The conguration choices

for Main – Encoder 2 Tap to Mute are the same as those
provided for Main – Encoder 1 Tap to Mute.

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Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

Talkback Channels Menu Page

The following conguration selections are available in STcontroller’s Talkback Channels menu selections tab. The
conguration selections apply individually to Talkback Channels 1-6.

Phones Routing: This section has three configurable
choices: Left, Right, and Left and Right.

A conguration choice allows the signal that arrives on the
Model 236’s Dante Talkback receiver (input) channel to

be routed to the left channel, right channel, or both the left
and right channels of the analog and Dante headphone
outputs. A rotary encoder is associated with the talkback

function and is used to control the on/o󰀨 status and level

of the Dante Talkback receiver (input) source.

Listen Mode: This section has four congurable choices:

Always, Main Out Active, Main Out Inactive, and
Talkback 1 Active.

This conguration choice selects under which operating

mode(s) the audio source connected to the Dante Talkback
receiver (input) channel will be routed to the analog and
Dante headphone outputs. This is a somewhat esoteric

conguration but can prove useful in specialized applica­tions. If Always is selected an audio source connected to
the Dante Talkback receiver (input) channel can always
be monitored using the headphone outputs. No main or
talkback button press will impact the ability to monitor the
talkback source.

If Main Out Active is selected then monitoring of the source
connected to the Dante Talkback receiver (input) channel
can only take place when the main output function is active.
If Main Out Inactive is selected then the opposite action will
take place. Only when the main output function is inactive
can the source connected to the Dante Talkback receiver
(input) channel be monitored. When Talkback 1 Active
is selected then the source connected to the Dante Talk­back 1 receiver (input) channel can only be monitored when
the Talkback 1 function is active. Note that this function will

only apply to the specic talkback function that is being
congured, i.e., Talkback 1, Talkback 2, etc.

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Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

Encoder Tap to Mute: This section has two congurable

choices: O and On.

This configuration determines the manner in which the

Model 236’s six talkback rotary encoders function in relation

to the mute action.

If On is selected then momentarily pressing (tapping)
the knob associated with a rotary encoder will cause the
associated audio input channel to mute. The knob will light
purple when mute is active.

If O is selected then momentarily pressing (tapping) the
knob associated with a rotary encoder will not cause the
associated audio input channel to mute. When pressed, the

knob will ash purple ve times to indicate that the encoder
press was recognized but no action is taking place.

Button Mode: This section has three congurable choices:

Push to Talk, Latching, and Hybrid.

The manner in which each talkback button functions can

be congured from among three choices. If Push to Talk is
selected the button’s function will normally be inactive and
the LED associated with the button will not be lit. Whenever

the talkback button is pressed its associated function will

become active and the button’s green LED will light.

When the Latching mode is selected and the associated

talkback button is pressed, the button’s function will alter­nate between its active and inactive state. The button’s
green LED will be lit whenever the function is active. Upon

Model 236 power up the function will be in its inactive state

and its LED will not be lit.

The Hybrid mode is a combination of the Push to Talk and

Latching modes. It’s similar to the way in which pushbutton

switches often function in user stations associated with
broadcast or production intercom systems. If the talkback
button is pressed and held the associated function will be
active. It will stay active until the button is released. If the
talkback button is momentarily tapped the status of the
function will change, either from inactive-to-active or from

active-to-inactive. The talkback button’s green LED will be

lit whenever the function is active. Upon Model 236 power
up the talkback button will be in its inactive state and its

LED will not be lit.

Button Function: This section has five configurable
choices: Talk, Talk with 18 kHz Tone, Call, 20 kHz Tone,
and Disabled.

The action caused by a talkback button being active can

be congured from among ve choices including being

disabled. Each choice is unique and is worth contemplating

how it can serve a specic application. If congured for

Talk, whenever the associated talkback function is active

then microphone audio will be sent out the associated
Dante Talkback transmitter (output) channel. This is the
typical talkback action where audio from an announcer
or commentator is sent to broadcast support personnel

including directors, producers, “spotters,” or statisticians.

The Dante Talkback transmitter (output) channel might be

routed directly to an amplied loudspeaker, audio monitor

panel, or input on a matrix intercom system.

The Talk with 18 kHz Tone function is similar to the Talk

mode except that an 18 kHz sine wave tone at a level of

–20 dBFS is added (summed) with the microphone audio.
It is intended for use in REMI/At-Home applications where

a “pilot tone” needs to be sent along with microphone audio.
This is specically provided for use with the tone-activated
(“TOX”) talent cue (IFB) function supported in the Studio
Technologies’ Model 5422A Dante Intercom Audio Engine
product. The 18 kHz tone will serve as the “trigger,” en-

abling microphone audio coming from a Model 236 to pass
through a Model 5422A and on to a talent cue listener.

The Call function is provided to emulate the call button
function provided on certain intercom equipment. If a talk-

back button is congured for Call, whenever it is enabled a
20 kHz sine wave tone at a level of –20 dBFS will be sent
out an active Model 236 talkback channel that is congured

for either the Talk or the Talk with 18 kHz Tone modes. The

20 kHz sine wave will be combined with microphone audio
and, if congured, the 18 kHz tone. This function can allow
a Model 236 to serve as both an announcer’s console and

an intercom user station.

When 20 kHz Tone is selected and its associated talkback

button is pressed, only 20 kHz sine wave audio at a level of

–20 dBFS will be sent out the associated Dante transmitter
(output) channel. This function can be useful for triggering
other functions associated with connected devices such
as the Model 5422A Dante Intercom Audio Engine and the
Model 391 Dante Alerting Unit.

The Disabled selection allows a talkback button to not
impact the performance of the other Model 236 resources.
This can simplify the user experience when an application

isn’t utilizing all of the talkback buttons. When a talkback

function has be disabled tapping the associated button

will cause its LED to ash red four times to indicate that
it’s doing nothing. If the button is pressed and held its red
LED will ash continuously.

Impact on Main Output: This section has two congurable

choices: None and Mutes.

A conguration choice selects how enabling a talkback

function will interact with the main output function. For on­air use the choice of Mutes would typically be selected. In
this way, a user pressing a talkback button will cause

Issue 7, January 2023 Model 236 User Guide
Page 18 Studio Technologies, Inc.

Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

microphone audio present on the Dante Main transmitter
(output) channel to automatically mute. This would be the

normal operating condition in an announcer’s console
application; the microphone audio content that’s being
sent to a talkback channel isn’t intended to be heard by

broadcast listeners!

For special Model 236 applications the None conguration
choice may be desired. When selected for this mode micro­phone audio remains present on the Dante Main transmitter
(output) channel, whether or not the talkback function be­comes active. This might be appropriate if a Model 236 is
being used as an intercom station or in a stage manager
console application.

Tone Detect Function: This section has three congurable

choices: None, Call Light, and IFB (Dims Main Phones
Audio).

The Model 236 has the ability to detect a high-frequency

tone that’s present on a Dante Talkback receiver (input)

channel. This detection capability can be used for two
unique actions – one is to create a call light function and
the other to create a talent cue (IFB) function. If the tone

detect function is not needed the conguration choice of

None would be appropriate.

A valid tone is dened as a signal that’s continuously pres­ent in the Dante Talkback receiver (input) channel with a

frequency of approximately 15 kHz or greater. (There is

no means to allow a momentary tone to create a latching
function.) The talkback audio source can consist of just a
high-frequency tone, but more typically will be a combi­nation of a high-frequency tone and a voice or broadcast
program audio signal.

The Call Light function is provided such that an intercom
call tone signal, when present on a Dante Talkback receiv­er (input) channel, will result in the associated talkback
rotary encoder knob flashing yellow. It will also cause

the multi-purpose display to ash orange. By design the
multi-purpose display will ash a maximum of ve times
while the rotary encoder knob will continue to ash as long

as a call tone is detected. The call light function allows the
Model 236 to be integrated into an intercom application that
uses high-frequency call signals. For example, intercom

stations, such as the Studio Technologies’ Model 348, can

generate call signals which can be detected by the Model

236’s talkback input channels. In addition, voice or program
audio that’s present on this Dante Talkback receiver (input)

channel can be routed to either or both the headphone out­put channels. Before the signal is routed to the headphone

outputs it will pass through a low-pass lter (LPF) which

removes the high-frequency call tone content.

Selecting IFB (Dims Main Phones Audio) allows a broad­cast type talent cue (IFB) function to be created directly
inside the Model 236. This can be very useful in REMI/
At-Home applications where there may not be a central
location that supports generation of talent cues. By using

the Model 236’s tone detect function in the IFB (Dims Main
Phones Audio) mode, simply providing interrupt audio along

with a high-frequency “pilot” or activation tone will allow a

broadcast-standard IFB signal to be created.

The actual IFB function’s action is very simple. If a high-
frequency tone is detected on the Dante Talkback receiver
(input) channel the Model 236 will respond by attenuating
(dimming or reducing in level) the audio associated with the
Dante Main receiver (input) channels to which the talkback
audio has been assigned to. For example, if the talkback
audio source has been assigned to the left headphone
channel then audio coming from a Dante Main receiver
(input) channel that is routed to the left phones channel

will be attenuated (“dimmed”) whenever the IFB function

is active. The audio level associated with the Dante Main
receiver (input) signals will return to normal when the
high-frequency tone is no longer present. The attenuation

(dim) level is xed at 15 dB which should work well for

virtually all IFB applications. As previously mentioned, be­fore the talkback signal is routed to the headphone output

it will pass through a low-pass lter (LPF) which removes

the high-frequency call tone content. Additional details on
this function are provided in the Technical Notes section.

Operation

At this point all connections and conguration steps should

have been completed and Model 236 operation should be
ready to commence. In most cases an Ethernet connection
with Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) capability will have been
made to the Primary-PoE Ethernet connector. Alternately, a
source of 12 volts DC may have been connected to provide
power for the Model 236. A second Ethernet connection

may be present if Redundant Dante is being utilized by

the application. A microphone and a pair of headphones
or earbuds should have been connected. Alternately, a
broadcast-style headset may have been connected. If
desired, a connection to the analog microphone output will
have been made.

Using the Dante Controller software application the Model
236’s network interface and audio channel routing congu­ration should have been made. In this way, the operational

characteristics of the unit’s two Ethernet interfaces will have

been selected. In addition, some or all of the ten Dante
transmitter (output) channels and eleven Dante receiver
(input) channels will have been routed, by way of Dante

“subscriptions,” to the receiver and transmitter channels on

associated Dante-enabled equipment.

Model 236 User Guide Issue 7, January 2023
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 19

Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

Seven of the Model 236’s Dante transmitter (output) chan­nels are associated with the Main and Talkback functions.
Another Dante transmitter (output) channel is associated

with the Model 236’s Aux output. Two additional Dante

transmitter (output) channels are digital duplicates of the
2-channel (stereo) analog headphone output. Ten of the
Dante receiver (input) channels are associated with the
main and talkback headphone monitor sections. These
inputs have associated rotary encoders to adjust the signal

levels as they are sent to the headphone output “mix.” A

eleventh Dante receiver (input) channel can be used to
provide an alternate microphone input signal.

Using the Studio Technologies’ STcontroller software ap­plication, the Model 236’s operating conguration should

have been selected to meet the needs of the application.

An extensive range of congurable parameters is available,
allowing the way in which a specic Model 236 operates

to be quite unique.

Initial Operation

The Model 236 will start to function as soon as a Pow­er-over-Ethernet (PoE) or a 12 volts DC power source is
connected. However, it may take up to 30 or 40 seconds
for full operation to commence. Upon initial power up the

various status LEDs, located on the back panel, along with

the rotary encoders, multi-purpose display, and pushbutton

switch LEDs on the front panel, will light as the internal

processors, Ethernet network, and Dante interface begin to

function. The various LEDs will then become operational,

displaying the status of their associated functions.

Power Status LEDs

An LED labeled PoE is located below the Primary-PoE
Ethernet connector on the Model 236’s back panel. It will

light green if an Ethernet signal that is providing PoE pow-

er is connected. An LED labeled DC is located below the
4-pin XLR connector that is provided for connection to a

DC power source. It will light green if a source of 10 to 18

volts DC is connected. If both the PoE and DC LEDs are lit

then the PoE Ethernet connection will be providing Model
236 operating power. The DC power supply will be ready

as a “hot standby” should the PoE source fail.

Ethernet Status LEDs

Four Ethernet status LEDs are located below the two eth­erCON RJ45 connectors on the Model 236’s back panel.
The LINK ACT LED will light green whenever an active

connection to an Ethernet network has been established.

It will ash in response to Ethernet data packet activity on
that interface. The GbE LED will light orange when an active

Gigabit Ethernet connection is present on that interface,
something that is required for optimal operation.

Dante Status LEDs

The SYS and SYNC LEDs, also located on the back panel,

display the operating status of the Dante interface and its
associated network activity. (The Model 236 has one Dante
interface although single and redundant local area networks
(Redundant Dante) can be connected.) After lighting red

and green as part of the power-up sequence the SYS LED

will light red to indicate that the Dante interface is not ready.
After a short interval it should light green to indicate that it
is ready to pass data with other Dante devices. The SYNC

LED will also be part of the power-up sequence and will
light red when the Model 236 is not synchronized with a

Dante network. It will light solid green when the Model 236

is synchronized with a Dante network and an external clock

source (timing reference) is being received. It will slowly

ash green when this specic Model 236 is part of a Dante
network and is serving as the Leader clock. It’s possible

that up to 30 or 40 seconds may be required for the SYNC

LED to reach its nal state.

P48 Power Status LED

An LED indicator is located on the Model 236’s back panel

adjacent to the analog microphone input connector. It is
labeled P48 and will light red whenever the analog micro­phone input’s P48 phantom power source is active and ca­pable of providing DC power to the connected microphone.

Microphone Input Signal Active LED and Mic
Preamp Gain

An LED indicator is located on the back panel adjacent

to the analog microphone input connector. It is labeled

SIG PEAK and displays the output level of the Model
236’s microphone preamplier. The LED will light green

when a signal at a normal level is present on the out­put of the microphone preamplifier. The LED will light
orange when a signal is above the normal level but audio

quality is not being compromised. This is a “warning”

indication that should be noted as a potential issue.

The LED lighting orange in response to an occasional
signal peak is not a problem. If the LED lights red then the
signal from the microphone preamplier is close to, or has
reached, its maximum level. A signal reaching “clipping”

must be avoided to ensure that microphone audio quality

has not been compromised. The Model 236’s limiter func­tion, when enabled, will minimize the chance that clipping

will occur. The limiter function being active on more than
an infrequent occasion will normally indicate that the gain

of the microphone preamplier should be reduced. Refer

to the Microphone Input – Analog Gain section for details

on how to best to congure the gain of the microphone
preamplier.

Issue 7, January 2023 Model 236 User Guide
Page 20 Studio Technologies, Inc.

Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

LED Intensity and Action

On the Model 236’s front panel there are LED indicators

associated with the pushbutton switches, rotary encoders,
and multi-purpose display. Using the STcontroller software

application the intensity of these LEDs, as a group, can
be congured from among four choices, two that specify
high and two low. If during operation the LED intensity isn’t
perceived to be optimal then a change in the conguration

choice might be warranted. In most cases, the default
intensity, high, will be applicable. However, one of the low

LED intensity conguration choices may be superior in
applications where the ambient light in the Model 236’s

location is also low.

The green LED associated with the main pushbutton

switch will always light when the function is active. Two

conguration choices cause the red LED associated with

the main pushbutton switch to be lit when the function is not
active. For applications where the user may have trouble

identifying the di󰀨erence between the colors green and red
two conguration choices allow the red LED to be disabled.
When one of these conguration choices is selected the

main pushbutton switch will not light when the function is
not active. It will light green when the function is active.

back panel. Alternately, the microphone source can be se­lected to be the Dante Mic In receiver (input) channel. This
is provided so that devices with Dante transmitter (output)
channels, such as a wireless microphone receiver, can be

directly utilized as the Model 236’s microphone source.

Each microphone source, analog and Dante, has an inde-

pendent gain conguration parameter which is accessible

by way of STcontroller. The applicable parameter should
be adjusted if a level issue prevents excellent Model 236
audio performance from being achieved.

Multi-Purpose Display

A display consisting of eight bi-color LEDs is provided on
the Model 236’s front panel. The display, which allows
each LED to light green, orange, or red, is used for several
functions. It will ash red in a unique pattern to indicate that
the Dante Identify command has been received. It will ash
orange in a di󰀨erent pattern when a conguration change

has been received from the STcontroller software applica-

tion. The multi-purpose display’s LEDs will also light orange

to indicate the approximate setting of the rotary encoders.
A call tone detected on a talkback input channel will cause

all the display’s LEDs to momentarily ash orange. Details

about these actions are covered in later sections.

How to Identify a Specic Model 236

Both the Dante Controller and STcontroller software ap-

plications provide a function to allow a specic Model 236
unit to be identied. Both applications include an “eyeball”
icon that when clicked will activate the Model 236’s Identify
function. On that unit the eight LEDs associated with the
front-panel multi-purpose display will ash red in a unique
sequence four times. In addition, the LINK ACT and GbE
status LEDs, located directly below the two RJ45 connec­tors on the back panel, will slowly ash. After a few sec­onds the LED identication patterns will cease and normal
Model 236 multi-purpose display and network status LED

operation will resume.

General Operating Notes

As has been previously covered, many Model 236 oper-

ating features can be congured using the STcontroller

software application. For details refer to the Model 236

Conguration section. The following paragraphs will high­light some of the Model 236’s capabilities and introduce

them to new users.

Microphone Source Selection

The Model 236’s microphone input source can be select­ed, using STcontroller, to meet the specic needs of an

application. In most cases the microphone source will be
configured to be the output of the preamplifier circuitry
associated with the analog microphone input. This is the
usual arrangement where a microphone is connected to

the 3-pin female XLR connector located on the Model 236’s

The multi-purpose display can also be used to indicate
the level of the selected microphone source. Starting from

the left, the rst ve LEDs (1-5) will light green to indicate
a microphone signal level that’s within the normal range.
The next two LEDs (6 and 7) will light orange when a

microphone signal level is greater than normal. This can

be considered to be a “warning” range. The LED on the
far right (8) will light red when the microphone source’s

signal level is nearing, or has reached, its maximum. A
microphone signal at an acceptable level may occasionally

light the orange LEDs. But the red LED should rarely, if
ever, light. A conguration choice in STcontroller allows the
multi-purpose display’s level meter mode to be enabled or

disabled as desired.

Dante Aux Output

Although a user probably won’t be aware of it, the Model

236 provides a Dante transmitter (output) channel designat­ed as Aux. How this output functions will depend on how it

has been congured in STcontroller. By default, the Dante

Aux output is disabled. Three other choices allow some

interesting functions to be created. When congured for

Hot Mic the signal associated with the output of the micro-

phone preamplier will always be present on the Dante Aux
output. (The preamplier supports the analog microphone
input.) The user should be aware that when this congura-

tion is selected there is no means to mute the Dante Aux
transmitter (output) channel. They must assume that other
personnel will be continually monitoring audio associated

with the analog microphone source. When congured for

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Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 21

Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

the Tally Tone mode the Dante Aux channel will have an

18 kHz sine wave tone present whenever the main output
function is active. A third conguration mode, Main with
18 kHz Tone will have both the microphone audio source
and an 18 kHz sine wave tone present on the Dante Aux

output whenever the main output function is active. These
latter two modes are provided for use in supporting REMI/
At-Home applications.

Main and Talkback Buttons

The action of the main and talkback pushbutton switches

can be independently congured using STcontroller. These

are called the button modes and there are four choices for
the main button and three choices for the talkback buttons.

Main Button Modes

The main button can be congured from among four choic­es: Push to Mute, Push to Talk, Latching, and Hybrid.

Push to Mute: When the main button is congured for

this mode the function is enabled when the button is not
pressed and disabled when the button is pressed. This

is a typical “cough” function that’s frequently utilized in

on-air broadcast applications. The main button will light
green when the main function is active and red when it is
not active.

Push to Talk: In this mode the function becomes active
whenever the main button is pressed and held.

Latching: In this mode the function will change state
whenever the main button is momentarily pressed (tapped),

either o󰀨-to-on or on-to-o󰀨.

Hybrid: This mode is a combination of the two previous
modes. If the main button is pressed and held the function
will become active. It will become inactive when released.
If the button is tapped then the function will change states.

Talkback Button Modes

The six talkback buttons can be independently congured

to function in the Push to Talk, Latching, or Hybrid modes.
These take on the same actions as were discussed in the
previous section for the main button.

Talkback Button Functions

The six talkback channel functions can be independently

congured. The channels can function from among four

choices (Talk, Talk with 18 kHz Tone, Call, and 20 kHz
Tone) as well as being able to be disabled. A careful study

of each choice will highlight the large variety of applications

a Model 236 can support. While the product’s title includes
the text “Announcer’s Console,” that doesn’t cover all the

applications in which a Model 236 might prove useful.

Talk: When a talkback button function has been cong-
ured for this mode and its button is active then audio from

the selected microphone source will be connected to the
associated Dante transmitter (output) channel. The but-

ton’s LED will light green whenever the function is active.
When the function is not active its LED will not be lit and no

audio will be present on the associated Dante transmitter
(output) channel.

Talk with 18 kHz Tone: This function is similar to the Talk

function except that an 18 kHz sine wave tone is added

(summed) with audio from the selected microphone source.

This function is specically provided for use in REMI/At-

Home applications when an on-air or tally indication in the
audio path is desired.

Call: When a talkback button’s function has been cong-
ured for this mode it will emulate the call button function
provided on intercom equipment. Whenever a talkback

button that is congured for Call is enabled a 20 kHz sine

wave tone will be added (summed) with the audio present

on an active Model 236 talkback channel that is congured
to either the Talk or the Talk with 18 kHz Tone modes.

20 kHz Tone: When a talkback button function has been

congured for this mode the action is very simple. When
the function is active a 20 kHz sine wave tone is connected

to the associated Dante transmitter (output) channel. No
other audio signal will be present on that channel.

Disabled: When a talkback button function has been con-

gured for this mode no audio action will take place. When

a talkback function has be disabled tapping the associated

button will cause its LED to ash red four times to indicate
that it’s doing nothing. If the button is pressed and held its
red LED will ash continuously. No voice or tone audio will

be present on the associated Dante transmitter (output)
channel.

Audio Monitoring

The Model 236’s audio monitor section allows a user to

create their desired audio mix from eleven sources. The
sources consist of ten Dante receiver (input) channels, four
main and six talkback, as well as the selected microphone
input source (sidetone). Mixing (summing) of the selected
sources is done in the digital domain to create the 2-chan-

nel signal “bus.” This 2-channel (stereo) mix is available as

both an analog headphone output, provided on the Model

236’s back panel by way of a 3-conductor ¼-inch jack,

and in the form of two Dante transmitter (output) channels.

Headphones, headsets, or in-ear monitors can be directly
connected to the analog headphone output. The Dante

Phones L and Phones R transmitter (output) channels can
be routed to devices that can utilize the networked digital

audio sources. Examples include wireless headphone or
talent cue (IFB) systems, matrix intercom frames, or audio
consoles.

Issue 7, January 2023 Model 236 User Guide
Page 22 Studio Technologies, Inc.

Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

Using eight rotary encoders and one rotary potentiometer,
a user can directly create the desired combination of audio

sources (the “mix”) they want. The rotary encoders allow

adjustment of the main and talkback input levels. A rotary

potentiometer, located on the left side of the Model 236’s

front panel, is used to adjust the sidetone level. Another
rotary potentiometer, located on the right side of the Model

236’s front panel and labeled Master, is used to adjust the

overall level of the headphone output. Setting this con-

trol to its 2 o’clock position is the recommended starting
point for e󰀨ective listening. Both the Sidetone and Master

potentiometers are push-in/push-out types which allow their

respective levels to be easily set and then “pushed-in” to

provide protection from being accidentally changed.

Headphone Routing and Level Control

Main Input 1 and Main Input 2 each have two Dante
receiver (input) channels associated with them. How the
Dante source signals are subscribed (routed) to the left and
right channels of these inputs (using Dante Controller) will
dictate what is routed to the headphone output channels.
Stereo or dual-channel sources can be routed to the left and
right channels of a main input. Or a monaural signal can be

subscribed (routed) to either or both of a main input’s left

and right channels. One rotary encoder is associated with
Main Input 1 and will control both the left and right chan­nels as they are sent to the analog and Dante headphone
outputs. A second rotary encoder impacts the left and right
channels associated with Main Input 2.

STcontroller provides independent conguration choices

for each of the Dante talkback receiver (input) channels.
This allows these signals to be routed to the left, right, or
both the left and right headphone channels. Turning one
of the talkback rotary encoders will impact its associated
talkback audio source as it is sent to the left, right, or both
the left and right headphone output channels.

Sidetone

The sidetone function is provided for assisting users in

hearing audio from the Model 236’s selected microphone

input source. Exactly when the sidetone function will op-

erate will depend on a STcontroller conguration setting.

Three choices are available, along with the ability to disable

the sidetone function. When congured for Main Button

the sidetone function will be active only when the main
button function is active. When set to the Talkback Buttons
mode sidetone audio will be sent to the headphone outputs
whenever one or more of the talkback functions are active.
The third choice, Main and Talkback Buttons, will cause
the sidetone function to be active whenever any function is

active. A separate STcontroller conguration choice allows

sidetone audio to be routed to the left, right, or both the left
and right headphone output channels.

Listen Mode

A unique STcontroller conguration mode allows each talk­back input function to be individually congured for when

its audio will be routed to the headphone outputs. There
are four choices available, but in most cases the default,
Always, will be appropriate. This mode will allow an audio
source entering the Model 236 by way of a Dante Talkback
receiver (input) channel to always be able to be monitored.

For special applications the other three choices will restrict

when the audio source can be monitored. When congured

for the Main Out Active mode the associated talkback audio
input source can only be monitored when the main output
function is active. The Main Out Inactive mode provides
the opposite action; only when the main output function
is not active can the associated talkback audio source be
monitored. The third choice allows the six talkback functions

to have a unique mode that relates to its specic channel.

For example, the Talkback 1 Active mode will allow the
audio source associated with the talkback 1 audio source
to be monitored only when the talkback 1 function is active.

Rotary Encoders

Eight rotary encoders are provided on the front panel of the
Model 236. Two of the rotary encoders are located above
the Main pushbutton switch. They are associated with the
four Dante Main receiver (input) channels. Each will control
the level of one or two audio sources, allowing monaural
or stereo operation. A rotary encoder is associated with
each of the six Dante Talkback receiver (input) channels.

Each rotary encoder has 24 steps (“clicks” or “detents”)

for each 360 degrees of rotation. Turning a rotary encoder
knob clockwise by 1 and 1/3 rotations (32 steps or 480
degrees) is required to change from audio minimum to
audio maximum. (As expected, the same action occurs in
reverse: when turning a rotary encoder counterclockwise
by 32 steps the audio level will change from maximum to
minimum.)

The top surface of each rotary encoder knob is translucent.

RGB (red-green-blue) LEDs within each rotary encoder can

display a wide range of colors. A rotary encoder knob that is
dimly lit with a dark blue color indicates that its associated

function is active. This provides a physical identication of
each rotary encoder’s location when a Model 236 is being

used in an environment where the ambient light is very low

or nonexistent. It’s important to note that there could be a

signal present on the associated Dante receiver (input)
channel but unless the Signal Present Display congura­tion has been enabled for that input channel its knob will
remain dark blue.

The RGB (red-green-blue) LEDs within each rotary encoder

can shine through the end of its associated knob to pro­vide a visual indication of the level of the signal or signals

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Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

associated with the rotary encoder’s function. As previously

mentioned, for the signal level to be displayed on the rotary
encoder knobs requires that the Signal Present Display

conguration in STcontroller be selected as desired. The

default condition is for the signal present display to be
active for both the Dante Main receiver (input) channels
and the Dante Talkback receiver (input) channels. This
setting would be appropriate for most applications. The

other conguration choices allow just the rotary encoders

associated with the main inputs or just the rotary encoders
associated with the talkback inputs to have their signal
present display function active.

If enabled for signal present display a rotary encoder knob
will light in response to the signal level on its associated
Dante receiver (input) channel or channels. This function

is pre-encoder (also known as “pre-fader”) which means
that the encoder’s LEDs will respond to an input signal level

prior to any gain or loss that may be selected by adjust­ing the associated rotary encoder. A rotary encoder knob
will light green to indicate that a signal with a level of –40
to –16 dBFS is present on its associated Dante receiver
(input) channel or channels. The knob will light yellow when
the signal has a level of –15 to –5 dBFS. The knob will
light red when the signal has a level that meets or exceeds
–5 dBFS.

Main Section Rotary Encoders

A rotary encoder is associated with the left and right
input channels of Main Input 1. A second rotary encoder
is associated with the left and right input channels of Main
Input 2. A number of conguration choices in STcontrol­ler determine how these rotary encoders will function. If
enabled to display the level of the associated input signals,
the rotary encoder knobs will light in response to the higher
of the signal levels that are present on their respective left
and right input channels; independent display of the signal
levels present on the left and right inputs is not possible.

knob will not impact the audio signals. The encoder’s knob
will momentarily ash purple to indicate that the button
press was recognized but no action was taken.

The minimum encoder level can also be congured. This

directly impacts the functionality of the two rotary encoders
that support the main 1 and main 2 listen functions. If the
conguration is selected for Full Mute then turning either
of the rotary encoders in their counterclockwise (CCW)
direction will eventually cause the associated input signals

to fully mute. If the conguration is selected for one of the

attenuation values (choices are –30 dB or –40 dB) then
turning a rotary encoder CCW will eventually attenuate the
associated audio input channels by the selected value. But

the inputs won’t fully mute, ensuring that audio signals can

always be sent to the headphone output channels. This is
provided for broadcast applications where users, typically
on-air talent, must be able to hear program, mix-minus, or
other support audio at all times. This will help to ensure that

users can’t accidentally mute their headphone output chan­nels and cut o󰀨 their audio “link” to production personnel.

Each encoder provides 24 steps per one full rotation. (24
steps per 360 degrees of rotation.) As created in software,
32 encoder steps (1 and 1/3 rotations of a rotary encoder
knob) are required to move between the minimum and
maximum levels. For user assistance, the eight LEDs
associated with the multi-purpose display on the front of the
Model 236 can indicate the approximate position of each

rotary encoder. Each LED on the multi-purpose display will
light or ash orange in response to a rotary encoder being

within a group of four steps. Encoder step 1 is considered

to be full mute and causes the display’s LED 1, located on
the far left, to ash orange. LED 1 will light orange when
a rotary encoder has been set to steps 2-4. The display’s
LEDs 1 and 2 will light when a rotary encoder has been

set to steps 5-8, etc. Step 32 is the maximum level and

causes the display’s LEDs 1 through 7 to light orange and
LED 8 to ash orange.

Two conguration choice determines if pressing an encod­er’s knob will mute or unmute the associated input signals

or if the knob press will be ignored. An STcontroller choice
also determines if the level of the main receiver channels
will either be fully muted or attenuated (reduced in level)
when an encoder is rotated the maximum number of coun­terclockwise (CCW) steps.

There are two ways to initiate display of the approximate
position of a rotary encoder. One is to press and hold a

rotary encoder knob. While the knob is pressed LEDs in

the multi-purpose display will light orange. If the main rotary

encoders are congured to allow full mute then LED 1 (on
the display’s far left) can ash orange. If the main rotary
encoders are congured for –30 dB or –40 dB minimum

If either or both of the two main rotary encoders have been

congured to allow muting, momentarily pressing (tapping)

a rotary encoder knob will cause the associated audio chan-

nels to mute. An encoder’s knob will light purple to indicate

that its associated function has been muted. To unmute the
signals simply requires that the associated rotary encoder
knob again be pressed and released (tapped). If the main

input rotary encoders have been congured to not allow

then LED 1 will never ash. (This is because the rotary

encoders associated with the main inputs are not allowed
to be set to full mute.) If a rotary encoder is moved fully
clockwise (CW) to reach its full (maximum) level then the

multi-purpose display’s LEDs 1 through 7 will light orange
and LED 8 (on the far right) will ash orange. The indication
of the rotary encoder’s level will continue until its knob is

no longer pressed.

muting, momentarily pressing (tapping) a rotary encoder

Issue 7, January 2023 Model 236 User Guide
Page 24 Studio Technologies, Inc.

Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

The second method of displaying a rotary encoder level
setting is to rotate the encoder knob at least one step
in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
The multi-purpose display will light orange to indicate
the approximate level, maintaining that indication for
approximately one second after the last rotary encoder
change has been made.

Talkback Receiver Rotary Encoders

Each talkback channel has a Dante receiver (input) chan­nel associated with it along with a related rotary encoder.

Depending on the unit’s conguration the encoder’s knob

can light in response to the level present on its associ-

ated input channel. Another conguration choice allows
pressing the rotary encoder’s knob to mute or unmute the

associated audio input signal. If a talkback channel has
been congured to allow mute operation, to enable or dis­able the mute function on a talkback input simply requires
that its associated rotary encoder knob be pressed and
released (tapped). A knob that is lit purple indicates that
its associated input has been muted. Whenever mute is

active any changes to a rotary encoder’s position will not
be recognized. If the encoder has been congured to not

allow mute to be enabled, pressing the knob will result in

a set of purple ashes that indicate that the button press
has been recognized but no change is being made to the

audio performance.

The minimum encoder level can also be congured. This

directly impacts the functionality of the six rotary encoders
that support the talkback listen functions. If the congura­tion is selected for Full Mute then turning one of the rotary
encoders in their counterclockwise (CCW) direction will
eventually cause its associated input signal to fully mute.

If the conguration is selected for one of the attenuation

values (choices are –30 dB or –40 dB) then turning a rotary
encoder CCW will eventually attenuate its associated audio

input channel by the selected value. But an input won’t fully

mute, ensuring that audio signals can always be sent to the
headphone output channels. This is provided for broadcast
applications where users, typically on-air talent, must be
able to hear support audio at all times. This will help to

ensure that users can’t accidentally mute their headphone
output channels and cut o󰀨 their audio “link” to production

personnel.

As previously mentioned, 32 encoder steps (1 and 1/3
rotation of a rotary encoder knob) are required to move

between the function’s minimum and maximum levels.
For user assistance, the eight LEDs associated with the

multi-purpose display on the front of the Model 236 can
indicate the approximate position of the rotary encoder. To

display the rotary encoder’s level setting simply requires

that the encoder knob be rotated at least one step in either
the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The multi-

purpose display will light orange to indicate the approximate
level, maintaining that indication for approximately one sec­ond after the last rotary encoder change has been made.

Each LED on the multi-purpose display will light or ash

orange in response to a rotary encoder being within a group
of four steps. Encoder step 1 is considered to be the full-

mute state and will cause the display’s LED 1, located on
the far left, to ash orange. LED 1 will light orange when
a rotary encoder has been set to steps 2-4. The display’s
LEDs 1 and 2 will light when a rotary encoder has been

set to steps 5-8, etc. Step 32 is the maximum level and

causes the display’s LEDs 1 through 7 to light orange and
LED 8 to ash orange.

An alternate method is available to cause the level of a
rotary encoder to be displayed. This involves pressing

and holding the rotary encoder’s knob. While the knob is
pressed the LEDs in the multi-purpose display will light

orange as described previously. The indication of the ro-

tary encoder’s level will continue until its knob is no longer

pressed.

Talkback Impact on Main Output

An STcontroller conguration setting allows the relationship

between the six talkback functions and the main output
function to be selected. Each talkback function can be

congured from two choices. In most cases the Model 236

will be used on-air and the default mode, Mutes, will be
appropriate. When this mode is selected, activating a talk­back channel will cause the main output function, if active,
to become inactive and mute the Dante Main transmitter
(output) channel. (It will also cause the analog microphone

output to mute if it’s congured to follow the status of the

Dante Main transmitter (output) channel.) This setting would
be correct in traditional broadcast applications where a

user’s microphone audio signal needs to be o󰀨-air when
communicating (“talking back”) to a producer, director, or

other production support personnel. For other applications
the None conguration setting could prove useful. It allows
a talkback function to become active while having no
impact on the main output function. In this way, the main
and talkback functions can operate independently.

Tone Detect Function

The Model 236 can be congured to respond to a high-
frequency tone signal that is present in a Dante Talkback
receiver (input) channel. A continuous signal of approxi-

mately 15 kHz or greater that’s in-band (part of the audio

content in a channel) will be detected as an active tone
signal. An STcontroller configuration choice allows the
tone detect function for each talkback channel to be inde-

pendently selected from two quite di󰀨erent actions as well

as being disabled. When set for Call Light the associated

talkback channel’s rotary encoder knob will ash orange

Model 236 User Guide Issue 7, January 2023
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 25

Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

when a tone is detected. The multi-purpose display will also

ash orange. By design the multi-purpose display will ash
a maximum of ve times; the rotary encoder knob will ash

as long as a call tone is detected. This is provided so that

the Model 236 can be utilized in intercom environments

where call light signals are present. For example, many

products from Studio Technologies utilize high-frequency

tones for call light signaling.

The IFB (Dims Main Phones Audio) mode allows talent
cue (IFB) functionality to be created directly within a Model

236. This can be extremely useful in REMI/At-Home appli­cations. When this mode is selected and a high-frequency
tone is detected the level of the audio signals coming from
the Dante Main receiver (input) channels and routed to the
headphone output channels will be attenuated (dimmed) by
15 dB. In this way, audio arriving on a Dante Talkback input
channel will be sent to the headphone outputs at a normal
level while signals from the Dante Main input channels
will be momentarily dimmed. Details on this function are
provided in the Technical Notes section.

Additional Capabilities

An installer may have implemented additional Model 236
capabilities. A competent technician can easily add several
functions, such as supporting remote control inputs, provid-

ing a tally output, or adding a multi-pin XLR connector for

headset use. From the factory the Model 236 includes two

unused connector locations on the enclosure’s back panel.
Internally, the Model 236 includes a number of 3-pin “head­er” connectors which provide access to various points in the
unit’s circuitry. These resources allow the simple installation
of application-specic connectors and associated wiring.

Connections can be made to the four remote control inputs

which are typically interfaced using a 5-pin XLR connector.

The remote control inputs are voltage, current, and ESD
protected, allowing direct connection to external devices
such foot switches or contact closures. Conguration selec­tions in STcontroller allow these inputs to mimic the actions
of the main and talkback pushbutton switches.

One remote control input can also be congured to provide

a low-voltage, low-current DC output that is active when­ever the Model 236’s main function is active. This is in­tended to serve as an on-air tally output to directly light an

LED or activate an input on another piece of equipment.

A 6- or 7-conductor XLR connector may have been added

to allow the direct connection of a broadcast-type head­set that integrates both stereo headphones as well as a
high-performance microphone.

Technical Notes

IP Address Assignment

By default, the Model 236’s Ethernet interface will attempt

to automatically obtain an IP address and associated
settings using DHCP (Dynamic Host Conguration Proto­col). If a DHCP server is not detected an IP address will
automatically be assigned using the link-local protocol.
This protocol is known in the Microsoft® world as Auto­matic Private IP Addressing (APIPA). It is also sometimes

referred to as auto-IP (PIPPA). Link-local will randomly

assign a unique IP address in the IPv4 range of 169.254.0.1
to 169.254.255.254. In this way, multiple Dante-enabled
devices can be connected together and automatically
function, whether or not a DHCP server is active on the

LAN. Even two Dante-enabled devices that are directly

interconnected using an RJ45 patch cord and receiving
power should correctly acquire IP addresses and be able
to communicate with each other.

As previously discussed, the Model 236’s Dante IP address

and related network parameters can be manually set for a

xed (static) conguration using the Dante Controller soft­ware application. In the unfortunate event that a specic
Model 236’s IP address is “lost” there are several tech­niques that may prove useful. It’s possible that the Address

Resolution Protocol (ARP) networking command can be

used to “probe” devices on a network for this information.

For example, in Windows OS the arp –a command can be

used to display a list of LAN information that includes MAC

addresses and corresponding IP addresses. (Within this list

should be the Model 236’s statically assigned Dante IP ad­dress.) This method is most e󰀨ective with a LAN that uses
unmanaged Ethernet switches. Contemporary LANs that
utilize managed switches may limit the ARP command’s
e󰀨ectiveness.

In general, the simplest means of identifying an unknown

IP address is to create a “mini” LAN with an unmanaged

Ethernet switch. Then by using the appropriate ARP com-

mand the required “clues” can be obtained. It’s possible to

make a direct connection between a personal computer
and a Model 236. The only additional piece of equipment
necessary would be a 12 volt DC power supply for providing
power to the Model 236.

Optimizing Network Performance

For best Dante audio-over-Ethernet performance a network
that supports VoIP QoS (voice-over-Internet-protocol quali­ty of service) capability is recommended. This can typically
be implemented on virtually all contemporary managed

Ethernet switches. There are even specialized switches that
are optimized for entertainment-associated applications.

Refer to the Audinate website (audinate.com) for details on

how to optimize a network for Dante applications.

Issue 7, January 2023 Model 236 User Guide
Page 26 Studio Technologies, Inc.

Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

Talkback and Hot Mic Output Level

A level anomaly can occur with the Model 236’s Dante Aux

and Talkback transmitter (output) channels. This condition

will only occur if two conguration conditions are met. The
rst is that the analog microphone input must be selected

as the microphone source. The second is that the analog

microphone output must be congured to mute whenever
the main output function is also muted. If these two cong­urations are in e󰀨ect then in some conditions a 400-ohm

load will be applied to the analog microphone input. (This

400-ohm load is part of the analog microphone output’s

hardware muting circuit.) Adding 400 ohms across the con­nected analog microphone will typically reduce its output
level by 1 to 3 dB. Not surprisingly, this reduction in signal

level will result in the post-analog preamplier level also

being 1 to 3 dB lower. The exact amount of attenuation

will depend on the specic microphone that is connected
to the unit’s analog microphone input. The impact of an

additional load of 400 ohms will have will depend on the
characteristics of the microphone. Typically, the lower its
source impedance the less an impact the additional load
of 400 ohms will have on it.

The level on the Dante Main transmitter (output) channel
will never be impacted because the additional 400-ohm
load will never be placed on the analog microphone input
when the main function is active. This can be considered

as the Model 236’s Dante reference output level. However,
if the Dante Aux output function has been congured for

Hot Mic operation an odd condition can occur. In this case,
whenever the main output is active the signal on the Dante
Aux transmitter (output) channel will be at the same level as
the Dante reference level. (The main and hot mic outputs
will be at the same level.) But whenever the main output
function is not active, the analog microphone output will be
placed in its muted state and the level on the Dante Aux
transmitter (output) channel will drop due to the additional
400-ohm load being placed on the analog microphone. The

hot mic output’s level will change by 1 to 3 dB in real-time

as the analog muting circuit changes from inactive to active

or vice-versa. This could prevent e󰀨ective use of the hot

mic function.

The level on the Dante Talkback transmitter (output)
channels can also be impacted by the analog microphone
muting circuit. If the analog microphone output has been
configured for Switched then the analog microphone
signal level will always be impacted by the additional 400
ohms being applied whenever the main output function is
not active. This will typically happen whenever a talkback
function is active. In this case, the output level on a Dante
Talkback transmitter (output) channel would always be 1

to 3 dB less than the Model 236’s Dante reference level.
This wouldn’t typically be an issue but could cause some

confusion should precise system level testing be per-

formed. (The main output will be 1 to 3 dB “hotter” than the

talkback output channels.)

Is there a way to have this not become an issue? Yes.
Unless absolutely necessary, ensure that the analog mi­crophone output is congured for its Always On mode. This
will prevent the analog muting circuit from ever becoming

active and ensure that the additional 400-ohm load won’t be

placed on the connected analog microphone. If the analog

microphone output does need to be congured for Switched
then ensure that its ramications are understood. In this
case, the hot mic function shouldn’t be utilized. And a slight

level reduction in the talkback outputs should be expected.

Button Labeling

The Model 236 provides pushbutton switches that are
associated with the main and talkback functions. The button
covers are clear with a white translucent lens underneath.

As of the time of writing this guide the factory doesn’t

have a recommended method as to how to install custom
labels underneath the button caps. We have observed
units where this has been successfully implemented but

exactly how it was executed is not known. It’s possible that

a button cap can be removed using a gentle prying force
on its bottom edge using a straight-blade screwdriver. An
Xcelite® “greenie” screwdriver, ubiquitous to the audio and
broadcast industry, might be appropriate. Once a cap is
removed a custom label could be inserted between it and

the translucent lens. Then the cap could be “snapped” back

onto the body of the switch.

Additional Connector Locations

Two spare connector locations, labeled A and B, are provid-

ed on the Model 236’s back panel. From the factory each

contains a blank plate that can be removed and replaced

with a variety of XLR connectors. The spare connector lo­cations are included so that a Model 236 can be customized
to meet the many specic needs that arise in broadcast

and related audio applications. Expected uses for these
locations include adding support for the remote control

inputs, the tally output, or incorporating a 6- or 7-pin XLR

connector to allow direct connection of a broadcast head­set. A number of connector and interface cable assemblies,
along with some special function kits, are available from
Studio Technologies. Please refer to the website for details
on what is available.

The spare connector locations are compatible with the Neu-

trik DL-series of connectors. For exibility XLR versions are

available from Neutrik that provide from three to seven con­tacts. For example, a compatible 3-pin female connector

would be Neutrik part number NC3FD-L-1. Another female

connector with the unique Switchcraft® 6-pin arrangement,

Model 236 User Guide Issue 7, January 2023
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 27

Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

the NC6FDS-L-1, is often used to support headsets. Other

connectors, such as the etherCON protected RJ45 and
3-conductor ¼-inch jack, can be also be installed. The 4-40
thread pitch hardware that secures the blank plates to the

Model 236’s back panel are also intended to be used to

secure the selected connectors.

The Model 236’s enclosure must be disassembled prior to

installing a connector in a spare location. Ensure that pow­er is removed from the Model 236 prior to disassembling

the enclosure. Six 4-40 athead machine screws, one on

each side of the enclosure, two on the bottom front of the
enclosure, and two on the back panel, must be removed.
(The four machine screws associated with the microphone
input and microphone output connectors should not be
removed.) These 4-40 screws are best removed using a
#1 Phillips-head screwdriver. Once the six screws are re­moved the cover can then be carefully separated from the
chassis. The cover will remain tethered to the chassis by

means of a exible cable assembly. This “ex-cable” links

the motherboard (main printed circuit board assembly) with
the button and rotary encoder board assembly. Ensure

that the ex cable is not damaged while the Model 236 is
being customized.

If one or two connectors are installed in the Model 236’s

spare connector locations labeling them can be helpful.
For a good look it is recommended that a Brother® P-Touch
¼-inch (6 mm) label be created. Tape material that prints

white text on a black background would be e󰀨ective for use

with the Model 236. The Brother label cassette number
TX-3151, white on black, is appropriate for use with many
of their printers.

3-Position Headers

As previously discussed, provision has been made to
allow competent technicians to implement additional Model
236 functionality. This can be accomplished by interfacing

with male “header” connectors located on the Model 236’s

main and analog circuit boards. These 3-position, 0.1-inch

center, headers allow “no solder” solutions which makes
customizing Model 236 units a relatively simple process.

The headers are Molex® part number 22-23-2031. They
mate with Molex housing number 22-01-3037. To make
the interconnection, separate crimp terminals are attached

to three loose wires and then “snapped” into the housing.
Molex part number 08-50-0114 species crimp terminals

that are appropriate for 22 to 30 gauge wires. These termi-

nals are available worldwide from sources such as Digi-Key

(digikey.com).

To make the process of connecting to the Model 236’s
headers an easy task an interface cable kit, Studio Tech-

nologies’ part number 31087, is available. Each kit includes

five cable assemblies and a length of heat-shrinkable

tubing. Each cable assembly consists of a mating connector
with three color-coded wires attached. These wires, approx­imately 12 inches in length, allow convenient soldering to
a connector selected to be installed in a spare location on

the Model 236’s back panel. For reference, the wire color

for pin 1 is gray, pin 2 is yellow, and pin 3 is blue. The
heat-shrinkable tubing is provided so that the connector

terminals or “solder cups” can be insulated from each other.

It will also provide some strain relief to the solder joints.
Be certain to slip the desired length of tubing over the wire
prior to soldering a connection!

For details on each header’s reference designator and

functionality please refer to Appendix B.

Creating IFB within a Model 236

In STcontroller selecting IFB (Dims Main Phones Audio)

as the conguration choice for a talkback channel’s Tone

Detect Function allows a broadcast type talent cue (IFB)

function to be created inside a Model 236. IFB “feeds” are
typically created in a xed or mobile broadcast facility, most

often in a sophisticated matrix intercom system. IFB signals
can also be created using stand-alone IFB controllers or de-

vices such as the Studio Technologies’ Model 5422A Dante

Intercom Audio Engine. These IFB signals would then be
routed, either locally or via a long-distance transmission

path, to inputs on an announcer’s console. The user of the
announcer’s console would then listen to the IFB signals

by way of headphones or a broadcast-type headset. This
works well but can be challenging to implement in REMI/
At-Home applications where there may not be a central
location with IFB generation capability. But resources in the

Model 236 were specically included to make IFB creation
directly at the on-air talent’s location a simple matter. Using
the Model 236’s tone detect function in the IFB (Dims Main

Phones Audio) mode, a production control or separate pro­ducer or director location that provides interrupt audio along

with an in-band high-frequency “pilot” or activation tone will

allow a broadcast-standard IFB signal to be created. And
the audio quality will be excellent with no clicks, pops, or
other audio artifacts.

The actual action that creates an IFB “feed” within the
Model 236 is very simple. If a tone is detected on the audio
signal arriving on a Dante Talkback receiver (input) the
tone detect function will respond by attenuating (dimming
or reducing in level) the audio associated with the Dante
Main inputs in the headphone channel or channels that the
interrupt audio has been assigned to. The interrupt audio

with high-frequency tone present will rst pass through a
low-pass lter to remove the high-frequency tone and then

be routed to the selected headphone output channel(s)
at normal level. In this way, a program-with-interrupt IFB
channel is created.

Issue 7, January 2023 Model 236 User Guide
Page 28 Studio Technologies, Inc.

Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

An example of using the Model 236’s IFB capabilities for an

on-air sports application will be detailed in this paragraph. A

2-channel IFB “feed” will typically have program audio with

interrupt audio in its left channel and program-only audio in
its right channel. Program audio would enter the Model 236
by way of two of the Dante receiver (input) channels: Main
1 L and Main 2 R. This would route the program audio to
both the left and right channels of the headphone output,
each with independent level control using the Main 1 and
Main 2 rotary encoders. The interrupt audio source would
enter the Model 236 by way of the designated Dante Talk­back receiver (input) channel. This interrupt audio source
would include both voice (the actual interrupt content
destined for the on-air talent) and a high-frequency tone,
both of which should only be present when IFB (interrupt)
action is desired. Using STcontroller the interrupt audio
source from the Dante talkback receiver (input) would be

assigned to the left headphone channel. And nally, again

in STcontroller, the Tone Detect Function for the applicable

talkback channel would be congured for IFB (Dims Main
Phones Audio).

Now whenever the interrupt signal (voice and high-frequen­cy tone) is present on the talkback input an IFB (interrupt)
condition will be detected and the following actions will
take place: the program audio source being routed to the

left headphone channel will attenuate (“dim”) by 15 dB,

and interrupt audio will be routed to the left headphone
channel. The user would hear the interrupt audio (at a
level controlled by its associated talkback rotary encoder)
along with program audio that has been attenuated by 15
dB. Once the high-frequency tone is no longer present
in the interrupt source the IFB (interrupt) condition would
end; interrupt audio would no longer be sent to the left
headphone channel and the program audio being sent to
the left headphone channel would return to its normal (non­dimmed) level. Whatever the status of the IFB function, the
level of the program audio being sent to the right channel
of the headphone output would remain constant.

Limiter Function

A limiter function can be enabled to control the maximum
level of the output of the microphone preamplier. This ap­plies only to a signal that has been connected to the analog
microphone input connector on the back panel. The design

intent of the limiter function is to prevent digital “clipping”

of the signal as it is presented on a Dante output channel.

It’s very possible that an audio professional, or even a
“listener”, will be able to detect when the limiter function
is active. That shouldn’t prove to be an operational issue,

the limiter should prevent the horrible sound that a clipped

audio signal would make. The remedy that will minimize

the chance that a Model 236 will have its limiter function

frequently active is to revise the microphone preamplier

gain conguration using the STcontroller software appli-

cation. Reducing the amount of gain should reduce the
need for the limiter function to become active. Shaping the

“dynamics” characteristics of the audio signal associated
with the Model 236’s microphone input should be performed

by a device further on in the audio signal chain, not within

the Model 236. That’s an artistic choice that the Model 236

is not intended to be involved with.

The limiter function is created using digital control of the

microphone preamplier integrated circuit. When enabled,

the limiter function will become active when the signal level
reaches a threshold of –8 dBFS, which equates to being
within 8 dB of the 0 dBFS maximum as measured on a
Dante transmitter (output) channel. (This is the same as
describing the threshold as 12 dB above the –20 dBFS
nominal). When the signal level is detected as reaching the

threshold the gain of the microphone preamplier will be

reduced in one or two dB steps. The maximum amount of

gain reduction is related to the microphone preamplier’s
gain conguration. When the gain has been congured to

be 36 dB or greater the maximum gain reduction will be

16 dB. With the preamplier gain is congured for 20 dB

there will be no gain reduction. Between 21 and 35 dB

of microphone preamplier gain the maximum reduction

will correspond to 1 to 15 dB. (So, for example, gain that

is congured for 28 dB will allow a maximum limiter gain

reduction of 8 dB.)

The performance of the limiter has been optimized for voice

signals. The parameters are not adjustable. The speed at

which the limiter becomes active (the “attack” time) has

been made as fast as the circuitry allows. The speed at

which the limiter is no longer active (the “release time”)

is much longer. The gain reduction will be maintained for
a minimum of 30 milliseconds. The only indication that
the limiter function is active is by observing the icon in

the Model 236 conguration page within the STcontroller

software application.

Application Firmware and Version
Display

The Model 236 has three rmware (embedded software)
components. These are the main rmware, the secondary
rmware, and the FPGA rmware. The main rmware is

used by the main microcontroller integrated circuit (locat­ed on the motherboard) to implement most of the Model

236’s general operating actions. The secondary rmware

is used by a second, less-sophisticated microcontroller
integrated circuit that controls and reports on the actions
of the rotary encoders, the pushbutton switches, and the

LEDs associated with them. The FPGA rmware is used by
the eld-programmable-gate-array integrated circuit (also

located on the motherboard) in which all audio processing
is performed.

Model 236 User Guide Issue 7, January 2023
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 29

Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

To observe the rmware version numbers, begin by con­necting the Model 236 unit to local area network (LAN). A

source of 12 volts DC is required if a PoE Ethernet connec­tion has not been made. Once power is applied the unit will
go through a boot-up (start-up) sequence and then begin

to function. Using STcontroller review the list of identied
devices and select the specic Model 236 from which you
want to determine its application rmware versions. Then

select Version and Information under the Device tab.
A dialog will then display that will provide a host of useful

information. This will include the rmware versions as well
as details on the Dante interface rmware.

Application Firmware Update Procedure

It’s possible that updated versions of the three rmware
(embedded software) les that are utilized by the Model
236’s two microcontroller and one FPGA (eld-program-

mable-gate-array) integrated circuit will be released to add

features or correct issues. Refer to the Studio Technologies’
website for the latest rmware les. The unit has the ability
to load revised les into non-volatile memory by way of a
standard USB ash drive. The Model 236 implements a

USB host function and provides access by way of a type
A receptacle located on the back panel. The Model 236

updates its rmware using les named M236.bin for the
main rmware, M23Xsec.bin for the secondary rmware,

and BWY.bit for the FPGA rmware.

The update process begins by preparing a USB flash
drive. The ash drive doesn’t have to be empty (blank) but
must be in the personal-computer-standard FAT32 format.

One, two, or all three of the rmware les can be automati­cally loaded into a Model 236 at the same time. In the ash
drive’s root folder, save the desired new rmware le(s)
ensuring that the required name or names are specied.
For the main rmware the le name must be M236.bin.

For the secondary firmware the file name must be

M23Xsec.bin. And for the FPGA rmware the le name
must be BWY.bit. Studio Technologies will supply each

rmware le inside a .zip archive le. While the rmware le
inside of the zip le will adhere to the naming convention
required by the Model 236, the name of the zip le itself
will include the le’s version number. For example, a le

named M236v3r05MCU.zip would indicate that version

3.05 of the main MCU rmware (M236.bin) is contained
within this zip le.

Once the USB ash drive is inserted into the USB interface,
located on the Model 236’s back panel, the unit must be
powered o󰀨 and again powered on. At this point the le(s)

will automatically load. The precise steps required will be
highlighted in the next paragraphs.

To install one, two, or all three rmware les follow these

steps:

1. Remove power from the Model 236. This will entail
either removing the Ethernet connection from the
RJ45 jack labeled Primary-PoE or removing the
external source of 12 volts DC. (Both must be discon­nected if for some reason dual-powering has been
implemented.)

2. Locate the USB connector on the Model 236’s back

panel labeled Firmware. Directly below the USB
connector is a small hole that provides visual access

to a green LED indicator.

3. Insert the prepared USB flash drive into the USB
connector.

4. Apply power to the Model 236. Power can be provided
by either Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) associated with
an Ethernet signal connected to Primary-PoE jack or
from a 12 volts DC source.

5. After a few seconds the Model 236 will run a “boot
loader” program that will automatically load and save
the new rmware le(s) that are present on the USB
ash drive. The time required by the update process

can range from approximately 15 seconds to approx­imately 45 seconds, depending on which combination

of the three les are going to be updated. While les
are being loaded the green LED, located below the
USB connector, will ash slowly. It’s also possible that

the knobs associated with the rotary encoders will light
red to indicate that normal activity is not taking place.
Once the entire loading process has completed the

Model 236 will restart using the newly saved rmware.

6. At this time the Model 236 will be functioning with the

newly loaded rmware and the USB ash drive can be

removed. But to be conservative, remove the power

source rst and then remove the USB ash drive.

7. Conrm that the desired rmware has been loaded
and that the version numbers of the Model 236’s
three rmware les are as expected. This is easily

accomplished using STcontroller. (Use the Version
and Information selection under the Device tab.)

Note that upon power being applied to the Model 236 if

the USB ash drive doesn’t have the correct le(s) in its

root folder no harm will occur. Upon power up the green

LED, located below the USB connector, will ash on and o󰀨
rapidly for a few seconds to indicate that a valid le has not

been found. Then normal operation will commence using

the unit’s existing rmware les.

Issue 7, January 2023 Model 236 User Guide
Page 30 Studio Technologies, Inc.

Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

Broadway Firmware Update

As previously discussed, the Model 236 implements Dante
connectivity using the Broadway integrated circuit from
Audinate. The Dante Controller software application can
be used to determine the version of the rmware (embed­ded software) that resides in Broadway. STcontroller can

also be used to identify the Dante rmware version. (Use

the Version selection under the Device tab.) The Dante
Firmware Update Manager (FUM) application program
has traditionally been used to update the Broadway rm­ware. Recent versions of the Dante Controller software
application also include an automated method of updating

Broadway rmware. Both applications are available, free of

charge, on the Audinate website (audinate.com).

Restoring Factory Defaults

A command in STcontroller allows the Model 236’s congu­ration selections to be reset to their factory default values.
From within STcontroller select the specific Model 236
unit for which you want to restore its defaults. Select the
Device tab and then select the Factory Defaults feature.
Then click on the OK box. Refer to Appendix A for a list of
the factory default values.

Model 236 User Guide Issue 7, January 2023
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 31

Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

Specications

Network Audio Technology:
Type: Dante audio-over-Ethernet

AES67-2018 Support: yes, selectable on/o󰀨

Dante Domain Manager (DDM) Support: yes

Ethernet Interface Conguration: Switched or
Redundant

Bit Depth: 16, 24, or 32

Sample Rate: 48 or 96 kHz

Pull-Up/Down Support: no

Dante Transmitter (Output) Channels: 10

Dante Receiver (Input) Channels: 11

Dante Audio Flows: 32; 16 transmitter, 16 receiver

Internal Digital Audio Processing: 32-bit, xed

Input-to-Output Audio Processing Latency:

<200 uSec

Nominal Dante Receiver (Input) and Transmitter
(Output) Level: –20 dBFS

Network Interfaces: 2, Primary-PoE and Secondary
Type: 1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) per

IEEE® 802.3ab (10 and 100 Mb/s not supported)

Power-over-Ethernet (PoE): per IEEE 802.3af
(applicable to the Primary-PoE network connection only)

Analog Microphone Input:
Compatibility: dynamic or phantom-powered micro-

phones

Type: balanced, capacitive coupled

Impedance: 3.6 k ohms, nominal

Gain: 20 to 65 dB in 1-dB steps

Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 22 kHz, +0/–1 dB

Distortion (THD+N): <0.0004%, 1 kHz, –4 dBFS output,

20 dB gain, 22 kHz BW

Dynamic Range: 120 dB, ref 0 dBFS output, 20 dB gain,
A-weighted

Phantom Power: P48 per IEC 61938 standard, on/o󰀨
selectable with status LED

Limiter Function:
Type: digitally controlled analog

Application: applies only to analog microphone input,

selectable on/o󰀨

Threshold: 12 dB above nominal level (–8 dBFS)

Minimum On Time: 30 milliseconds

Maximum Attenuation: 16 dB at 36 dB or greater

microphone preamplier gain

Analog Microphone Output:
Type: passive via two 200 ohm resistors from micro-

phone input (will pass phantom power in either direction)

Muting: solid-state relay contacts, 60 dB attenuation

@ 1 kHz

Headphone Output:
Type: analog 2-channel (stereo)

Compatibility: stereo (dual-channel) or monaural

(single-channel) headphones, headsets, or earpieces
with nominal impedance of 50 ohms or greater

Maximum Output Voltage: 3.0 Vrms, 1 kHz, 150 ohm

load

Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0/–1 dB

Dynamic Range: >102 dB, A-weighted

Distortion (THD+N): <0.025%, measured at 1 kHz,

0 dBu output

Talkback Input Low-Pass Filter (LPF):
Function: active only when specic talkback channel

has tone detect function enabled

Type: digital, 8-pole Butterworth (48 dB/octave)

Cuto󰀨: –3 dB at 12 kHz

18 kHz and 20 kHz Tone Outputs:

Type: sine wave

Level: –20 dBFS

Frequency Accuracy: <10 ppm

Distortion: <0.0001%

Tone Detect Function:

Receive Frequency: ≥15 kHz nominal to upper end of

frequency response, within audio channel

Receive Level: –27 dBFS minimum

Send Frequency: 20 kHz

Send Level: –20 dBFS

IFB (Dims Main Phones Audio) Function:
Activation: in-band tone detection per Tone Detect

function

Attenuation (Dim): 15 dB, xed

Call Light Function:
Activation: in-band tone detection per Tone Detect

function

Issue 7, January 2023 Model 236 User Guide
Page 32 Studio Technologies, Inc.

Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

Remote Control Inputs: 4
Function: congurable, can mimic the action of the main

and talkback button functions

Type: active low, 1 mA maximum, input pulled up to

3.3 volts DC via 3.4 k ohm resistors

Limitation: Remote Control Input 2 shares hardware pin
with Tally Output (only one function can be congured at
a time)

Tally Output:
Functions: follows the status of the main output

Type: active high, 3.3 volts DC in series with 130 ohm

resistor (25 mA maximum)

Limitation: tally output shares hardware pin with
Remote Control Input 2 (only one function can be

congured at a time)

Connectors:
Analog Microphone Input: 3-pin female XLR

Analog Microphone Output: 3-pin male XLR

Headphone Output: 3-conductor ¼-inch jack

Ethernet: 2, Neutrik NE8FBH etherCON RJ45

receptacles

DC Input: 4-pin male XLR (pin 1 negative, pin 4 positive)

USB: type A receptacle (used only for updating rmware)

Remote Control Inputs / Tally Output: 2, 3-pin headers

located on the main circuit board

Headphone Output: 3-pin header located on the main
circuit board

DC Output: 3-pin header located on the main circuit
board

Analog Microphone Input: 3-pin header located on the
analog circuit board

Spare Connector Locations: 2

Allows a Studio Technologies’ cable assembly or option

module to be installed. Also compatible with Neutrik

NC*D-L-1 connectors (*=3F, 3M, 5M, 6F, 6FS, etc.).

Conguration: requires Studio Technologies’
STcontroller software application

Power Sources:
Power-over-Ethernet (PoE): class 3 (mid power,

≤12.95 watts) per IEEE 802.3af

DC Input: 10 to 18 volts DC, 0.55 A maximum at 12 volts
DC (can be powered by optional PS-DC-02)

Environmental:
Operating Temperature: 0 to 50 degrees C (32 to

122 degrees F)

Storage Temperature: –30 to 70 degrees C (–22 to
158 degrees F)

Humidity: 25 to 85%, non-condensing

Altitude: not characterized

Dimensions (Overall):

6.5 inches wide (16.5 cm)

2.9 inches high (7.4 cm)

4.9 inches deep (12.5 cm)

Deployment: intended for tabletop applications

Weight: 2.1 pounds (0.95 kg)

Specications and information contained in this
User Guide subject to change without notice.

Model 236 User Guide Issue 7, January 2023
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 33

Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

Appendix A: STcontroller Default Conguration Values

General Menu Page:

Microphone Input – Analog Mic In P48: O󰀨

Microphone Input – Analog Mic In Limiter: O󰀨

Microphone Input – Source: Analog Mic In

Microphone Input – Analog Gain: 50 dB

Microphone Input – Dante Trim: 0 dB

System – Mic Level Display: Always On

System – Signal Present Display: All Inputs

System – LED Intensity and Action: High

System – Dante Aux Output: O󰀨

System – Analog Mic Output: Always On

System – Encoder Minimum Level: Full Mute

System – Sidetone Mode: Talkback Buttons

System – Sidetone Routing: Left and Right

System – Remote Control In 1: O󰀨

System – Remote Control In 2 / Tally Out: O󰀨

System – Remote Control In 3: O󰀨

System – Remote Control In 4: O󰀨

Main – Button Mode: Push to Mute

Main – Encoder 1 Tap to Mute: Enabled

Main – Encoder 2 Tap to Mute: Enabled

Talkback Channels Menu Page (parameters identical for all Talkback channels):

Phones Routing: Left and Right

Listen Mode: Always

Encoder Tap to Mute: Enabled

Button Mode: Hybrid

Button Function: Talk

Impact on Main Output: Mutes

Tone Detect Function: None

Issue 7, January 2023 Model 236 User Guide
Page 34 Studio Technologies, Inc.

Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

Appendix B: 3-Pin Header Connector Details

The following list provides details on the 3-pin header connectors located on the Model 236’s printed

circuit boards. Shown are both reference numbers and associated functions.

I. Header on the Analog Board:

P4: Analog Microphone Input

Pin 1: Common / Shield
Pin 2: High (+)
Pin 3: Low (–)
Note: These pins are electrically in parallel with pins 1, 2, and 3 respectively of the back panel 3-pin

female XLR analog mic in connector.

II. Headers on the Main (“Broadway”) Board:

P4: Headphone Output

Pin 1: Common (–)
Pin 2: Left Channel (Tip)
Pin 3: Right Channel (Ring)
Note: These pins are electrically in parallel with the Sleeve, Tip, and Ring connections respectively
of the back-panel 3-conductor ¼-inch connector.

P7: Remote In 1, Remote In 2 / Main Tally Out
Pin 1: Common (–)
Pin 2: Remote In 1 (+)
Pin 3: Remote In 2 / Main Tally Out (+)
Note: Inputs pulled up to 3.3 volts DC via 3.4 k ohm resistors. Output active high, 3.3 volts DC in series
with 130 ohm resistor (25 mA maximum).

P9: Remote In 3, Remote In 4
Pin 1: Common (–)
Pin 2: Remote In 3 (+)
Pin 3: Remote In 4 (+)
Note: Inputs pulled up to 3.3 volts DC Inputs via 3.4 k ohm resistors.

P8: DC Output
Pin 1: Common (–)
Pin 2: +12 volts DC Nominal; range 10-18 volts DC
Pin 3: Not Used
Note: Output not current limited – be careful!

Model 236 User Guide Issue 7, January 2023
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 35

Model 236

ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE

Appendix C: Block Diagram

The following block diagram shows a simplied version of the microphone input and microphone output

circuitry.

Issue 7, January 2023 Model 236 User Guide
Page 36 Studio Technologies, Inc.