Toa AM-821 Specifications

TOA SPECIALTY ELECTRONICS

SPOT ANNOUNCING MACHINE

AM-821

DESCRIPTION

The TOA Model AM-821 is a fully automatic spot
announcing machine for initiating recorded messages at
specific time intervals or on command during background/
foreground music play. Instant live announcements may
also be made. The biggest advantage of the AM-821 is that

it accepts any standard audio cassette tape, for recording
and playback of messages, however long. Unrecorded
sections needed for automatic playback can easily be
taped. The built-in AGC aids provides constant output

levels, for user-made message tapes. Unneeded

message(s) from #1 to #9 may be skipped. Time intervals

may be set by the built-in timer or by an external one. The

microphone serves for recording and paging. The AGC

keeps the paging level constant. An input is provided for

background music. Announcements have priority over

music. Optional mounting kits allow mounting in a standard

EIA 19" rack. An RM-820 optional remote microphone can

be used either for recording messages for playback on the
AM-821, or for direct live announcements.

FEATURES

1. Accepts any standard audio cassette tape.

2. Accepts any message, long or short.

3. Priority function overrides BGM/FGM program.

4. Message omit selectors.

5. Built-in interval timer.

6. Built-in AGC circuit.

7. Balanced, transformer-isolated output.

8. Rack mountable with optional bracket.

9. Optional RM-820 remote microphone either for
recording messages, or for direct live announcements.

SPECIFICATIONS

Power Requirements
Outputs

Inputs

Frequency Response

Distortion

S/N Ratio

Usable Tape
Wow and Flutter
Control Terminals

Interval Timer
Omissible Message
Message Number

Indication

Dimensions (W x H x D)

Weight
Color

Optional Accessories

Notes:

1. Cassette mechanism needs regular maintenance in order to ensure continuing optimum
performance. We suggest that the maximum interval between deck servicing is 1,000
operational hours.

2. Please do not use C-120 cassette tape.

AC mains, 50/60Hz
LINE: +2dBm600 ohms balanced

PHONE: Stereo or monaural headphone
MIC: -58dBm 600 ohms balanced

REMOTE MIC: -58dBm 600 ohms unbalanced,
BGM: +2dBm 600 ohms balanced

MIC: 100Hz to 15kHz,±3dB
TAPE: 100Hz to 7kHz, ±3dB

MIC: Less than 2% at 1kHz

TAPE: Less than 3% at 1kHz
MIC: Better than 55dB

TAPE: Better than 50dB
Standard audio cassette tape
Less than 0.3% WRMS

lnput jack for external timer–accepts
make-contact with no voltage.
Output for Muting–Make-contact with
no voltage

2, 5, 10, 15, 20 minutes and OFF (switchable)
Message No. 1 through No. 9

1 through 99

17.1 x 5.5 x 13.2inches

433.5 x 140 x 336mm

14.3lbs. (6.5kg)
Black
RM-820 Remote Microphone

8-pin DIN plug

BLOCK DIAGRAM

APPEARANCE AND DIMENSIONAL DIAGRAM

17.1"(433.5mm)

0.6" (15mm)

12.6" (319.5mm)

13.2" (336.3mm)

RM-820
Compatible Microphone for AM-821

FEATURES

1. Electret microphone element for
enhanced intelligibility.

2. OFF switch acts as REC SPACE switch
when recording messages.

3. Output level is -66dB (unbalanced).

4. 6V DC power via a feed from the AM-821.

5. 2m long connection cable with DIN plug.

ARCHITECT’S AND ENGINEER’S
SPECIFICATIONS

The automatic spot announcing machine shall be designed to allow
messages of any length to be recorded and played back, depending
only on the length of the tape. The machine shall have a built-in timer for
distributing messages at intervals of 2, 5, 10, 15 or 20 minutes. An external
timer shall be used for playing the message tape at other specified
intervals. The machine shall have an input terminal for background/
foreground music, as well as input jacks for a low impedance microphone
or optional remote microphone. The microphone shall be used for either
recording or for instant live announcements. Announcements shall take
precedence. Unrecorded sound segments necessary for automatic
playback shall be easily placed onto the tape. The machine shall also
include message omit switches which permit skipping of unnecessary
message(s) between the first and ninth message. The recording and
announcing sound levels shall be kept constant with a built-in AGC circuit.
With optional mounting kits, the AM-821 shall be mountable in a standard
EIA 19" rack. The automatic spot announcing machine shall be a TOA
Model AM-821.

The RM-820 can be used either for recording messages for
play back on the AM-821, or for direct live announcements.
An electret microphone element ensures that all recorded
messages or live announcements will have an optimally
high degree of intelligibility. When the AM-821 is in the
recording mode, the RM-820 starts the tape moving when it
is turned on. At the end of recording, switching off the
microphone makes the tape continue to run for a few
seconds without any signal being recorded. After this
non-signal segment is inserted on the tape, it stops
automatically.

SPECIFICATIONS

Output Level

Power Source
Connections
Dimensions

Weight

Color

-66dBv (unbalanced)
6VDC (fed from the AM-821)
2m long cable with 8-pin DIN plug
Base: 6.1 (W) x 1.5 (H) x 3.7 (D) inches

155 (W) x 38 (H) x 95 (D) mm

Length of Gooseneck: 10.7 inches (273mm)

1.9 Ibs. (850g) (with cable)

Metallic gold

*Specifications are subject to change without notice.

TOA Corporation

Printed in Japan 833-62-088-60