TacT Audio Amplifiers User Manual

Installation and Operation Manual

Due to the dynamic nature of product design, the information contained in this
document is subject to change without notice. Broadcast Tools, Inc., assumes no
responsibility for errors and/or omissions contained in this document. Revisions
of this information or new editions may be issued to incorporate such changes.

Broadcast To ols® is a registered t rademark of Broadcast Tools, Inc.

Copyright, 1989 - 2013 by Broadcast Tools, Inc. All rights reserved.

No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without permission.

Visit www.broadcasttools.com for important product update information.

Manual Update: 06/25/2013

FlexPhones Master

INC

®

e-mail:

[e-mail]

voice:

360.854.9559

fax:

866.783.1742

FlexPhones Master Installation and Operation Manual

Table of Contents

Section Title Page #

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Who to Contact for Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Product Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Additional Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Functional Diagram. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appendix

Schematic and Component Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appendix

Jumper Layout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appendix

Installation Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appendix

WEBSITE:

Visit our web site for
product updates and
additional information.

2

CONTENTS

e-mail:

[e-mail]

voice:

360.854.9559

fax:

866.783.1742

3

FlexPhones Master Installation and Operation Manual

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for your purchase of a Broadcast Tools® FlexPhones Master multi-user
headphone system (referred to as the FlexPhones Master or Master throughout this
manual). We’re confident that this product will give you many years of dependable
service. This manual is intended to give you all the information needed to install and
operate the Broadcast Tools® FlexPhones Master.

SAFETY INFORMATION

Only qualified personnel should install Broadcast Tools® products. Incorrect or
inappropriate use and/or installation could result in a hazardous condition.

Broadcast Tools, Inc., is unable to support NON-Broadcast Tools software, hardware or
NON-Broadcast Tools computer/hardware/software problems. If you experience these
problems, please research your hardware/software instruction manuals or contact the man­ufacturers technical support department.

WHO TO CONTACT FOR HELP

If you have any questions regarding your product or you need assistance, please con­tact your distributor from whom you purchased this equipment.

If you would like more information about Broadcast Tools® products, you may
reach us at:

Broadcast Tools, Inc.

131 State Street
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284-1540 USA
Voice: 360 . 854 . 9559
Fax: 866 . 783 . 1742
Internet Home Page: www.broadcasttools.com
E-mail: [e-mail]

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING

BROADCAST TOOLS® BRAND PRODUCTS!

CAUTION!

Broadcast Tools®

Products, as with any
electronic device, can
fail without warning.
Do not use this product
in applications where a
life threatening condition
could result due to failure.

NOTE:

This manual should be
read thoroughly before
installation and operation.

WEBSITE:

Visit our web site for
product updates and
additional information.

e-mail:

[e-mail]

voice:

360.854.9559

fax:

866.783.1742

4

FlexPhones Master Installation and Operation Manual

DESCRIPTION

Product Description:

The FlexPhones Master is a professional Broadcast/Studio six channel dis­tributed headphone system with independent talkback capabilities. Each of the six
channels provides stereo program monitoring and selective talkback with intercon­nection via CAT5 cable to multiple Active Headphone Remotes (AHR-1) and/or the
Monitor Selector Interface (MSI). Multiple masters may be cascaded to form larg­er systems. The FlexPhones Master is equipped with inputs for stereo program and
talkback audio. Rear panel program and talkback trimmers are provided to pre-set
maximum input levels. The microphone/line level talkback input is available via a
rear panel plug-in euroblock connector, while the front panel XLR connector facili­tates the use of a user provided gooseneck microphone or headset. The front panel
is equipped with a level control for local headphones with both 1/4” and 1/8” stereo
headphone jacks. The six front panel talkback switches allow the user to independ­ently communicate with each AHR-1 listener and can be configured to insert talk­back audio into only the left or both ears and dim either or both program channels.
Any combination of switches may be pressed, while the “All-Call” interrupts all lis­teners. The Talkback function can be remotely controlled. Six RJ45 jacks are pro­vided to distribute audio and power via CAT5 cable to the AHR-1’s, and/or MSI’s
that conform to the StudioHub+ wiring format. Low-Z balanced audio distribution
is used to preclude audio degradation with long cable runs.

Additional features include:

Front panel power and talkback LED indicators, surge protected internal bi­polar 24/15-vdc-power supply affording superior headroom and high definition
audio. The optional Monitor Selector Interface (MSI) provides transparent audio
switching of the program and talkback functions into a studio’s monitor system. The
MSI is inserted between a studio’s air or console’s monitor feed and monitor ampli­fier. The MSI may be connected to the FlexPhones Master or AHR-1. All audio
connections are balanced and supplied on plug-in euroblock screw terminals.

The FlexPhones Master half rack profile, allows the unit to be set on a desk­top, mounted on a wall or the RA-1, Rack-Able mounting shelf. The AHR-1 may
be desktop mounted, under counter or with the optional HR-1/MP or HR-1/MP-XLR
mounting plates, which may be turret mounted.

WEBSITE:

Visit our web site for
product updates and
additional information.

e-mail:

[e-mail]

voice:

360.854.9559

fax:

866.783.1742

5

FlexPhones Master Installation and Operation Manual

INSTALLATION

Installation:

Please examine your FlexPhones Master and/or AHR-1 carefully for any
damage that may have been sustained during shipping. If any is noted, please noti­fy the shipper immediately and retain the packaging for inspection by the shipper.
The package should contain the FlexPhones Master, 16vac@600ma wall power
transformer, two CAT5 cables and this manual.

Installation of the FlexPhones Master in high RF environments should be
performed with care. Shielded cable is suggested for all audio connections.

All shields should be tied to the EGND terminals. The station ground should
be connected to the chassis ground screw located on the far right side of the
FlexPhones Master as viewed from the rear. It is recommended that all cables con­nected to the FlexPhones Master be looped through ferrite cores to suppress RF.
Surge protection with RF filtering is also suggested for the wall transformer. The
purchase of an inexpensive UPS will provide back up in case of power outages.

Connections are via plug-in euroblock connectors and RJ45 connectors.
Remove the connector from the header; remove about 1/8” of insulation from each
wire. Insert the wire into the desired terminal and then tighten the screw. Be sure
no bare wires are exposed. Reinstall the connectors.

Stereo Program Input

Normal program audio should be connected to the + and - inputs for balanced oper­ation, or to the + input and grounding the - side for unbalanced input operation on
TB1 (bottom). Audio levels should be between -15 and +4dBu.

Talkback Audio Input

Mic or line level audio should be connected to the + and - inputs for balanced oper­ation, or to the + input and grounding the - side for unbalanced input operation on
either TB1 (top) or the front panel XLR connector. Audio levels should be between
–60 and –30dBu in MIC position or –15 and +4dBu in LINE position. JP1 and JP2
are used to set the talkback input for either MIC or LINE levels. Follow the jumper
layout in the appendix to set these two jumpers to the desired position. The factory
default is set to MIC.

Talkback Audio Output

The unbalanced output can be used to feed additional FlexPhones Master
talkback inputs. Connections to TB1 (top) can be made to the + output and ground
for unbalanced output operation.

NOTE:

For proper installation,
follow the silkscreen
labels on the rear
panel.

WEBSITE:

Visit our web site for
product updates and
additional information.

e-mail:

[e-mail]

voice:

360.854.9559

fax:

866.783.1742

6

FlexPhones Master Installation and Operation Manual

INSTALLATION

DIM jumper configuration

Removing either or both of the Dim jumpers mutes the program audio dur­ing a talkback session, while inserting either or both will dim the program audio
approximately 20db below normal program levels. Use the table below along with
the jumper layout sheet in the appendix to properly configure. Factory defaults have
these jumpers installed.

Right ear talkback enable jumper:

In a talkback session, talkback audio is always feed into the left ear. Placing
a jumper over the desired header will enable talkback audio in the right ear. Use the
table below along with the jumper layout sheet in the appendix to properly config­ure. Factory default has these jumpers installed.

Function Chnl 1 Chnl 2 Chnl 3 Chnl 4 Chnl 5 Chnl 6

LT Dim JP5 JP8 JP11 JP14 JP17 JP20
RT Dim JP6 JP9 JP12 JP15 JP18 JP21
RT T/B Enable JP7 JP10 JP13 JP16 JP19 JP22

Auxiliary Remote/Local jumper set-up

We provide the wire attached to pin 5 of each RJ45 for use by the
user. The wire terminates on a three-position header. The header is labeled JPxx.
The factory default is set to Remote. Use the table below along with the jumper lay­out sheet in the appendix to properly configure.

Function RMT 1 RMT 2 RMT 3 RMT 4 RMT 5 RMT 6

JP24 JP26 JP28 JP30 JP32 JP34

Remote 1 & 2 1 & 2 1 & 2 1 & 2 1 & 2 1 & 2
Local 2 & 3 2 & 3 2 & 3 2 & 3 2 & 3 2 & 3

Remote Control input jumper set-up

Each optically isolated input is equipped with a four-position header.
The header is labeled JPxx. The factory default is set for a DRY (5 vdc source) input
(switch, contact, open collector) with a jumper between 1 & 2 and another jumper
over 3 & 4. To change the input to WET (user supplied voltage between 5 and
24vdc), remove both jumpers and place ONE jumper over pins 2 & 3. Use the table
below along with the jumper layout sheet in the appendix to properly configure.

! NOTE: Refer to the schematic diagram for the proper polarity when attaching
equipment to each input.

Function RMT 1 RMT 2 RMT 3 RMT 4 RMT 5 RMT 6 All-Call

JP23 JP25 JP27 JP29 JP31 JP33 JP35
Wet

A = Anode A = Anode A = Anode A = Anode A = Anode A = Anode A = Anode

2 & 3 B = Cath B = Cath B = Cath B = Cath B = Cath B = Cath B = Cath

Dry A = Gnd A = Gnd A = Gnd A = Gnd A = Gnd A = Gnd A = Gnd

1 & 2 / 3 & 4 B = Cath B = Cath B = Cath B = Cath B = Cath B = Cath B = Cath

WEBSITE:

Visit our web site for
product updates and
additional information.