Unika Stage Series, ISO-2 User Manual

Stage Series

Made in Taiwan

Index

USER GUIDE

ISO-2

Overview

Features

Audio Connection

Various System Connection

Eliminating Hum and Buzz and the
Ground Loop

Specications

Measurement

Unika Electronic Co., Ltd.

www.unikapro.com

6F, No.168, Xin-Hu 2nd Rd.
Nei-Hu District, Taipei City. 11494.
Taiwan, R.O.C.

[phone]

[phone]

[e-mail]

UNiKA ISO-2

User Guide

OVERVIEW

The ISO-2 is a passive audio isolator designed to be inserted into the signal

chain to block hum and buzz caused by ground loops. The ISO-2 accepts

unbalanced or balanced signals and is equally suitable for consumer

electronics and professional line-level devices.

The ISO-2 can be operated as a dual input and outputs, and since the circuit

is passive, no power is required. Whether an unbalanced or balanced signal

is connected, the ISO-2 will automatically convert the signal depending on

the type of cable and connector plugged in.

[e-mail]

If you still need further clarification, please send email to us and we will

do our very best to reply you in short order.

FEATURES

The ISO-2 is a simple passive device, designed to electronically-isolate

connected line-level audio equipment without degrading the audio quality.

On the ISO-2 there are 2 inputs and 2 outputs which block DC voltage and

prevent buzz and hum from ground loops. Both outputs feature individual

ground lift switches to help further reduce ground loop noise.

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UNiKA ISO-2 User Guide

① ② ③ ④ ⑤

⑥ ⑦

①

Ch-1 input: transformer balanced XLR-1/4” TRS Combo Connector.

②

Ground Lift switch for Ch-1: disconnects pin-1 on output-1 XLR connector.

③

Phase reverse switch: Swaps pin-2 and pin-3 on Ch-2 when REV is selected.

④

Ground Lift switch for Ch-2: disconnects pin-1 on output-2 XLR connector.

⑤

Ch-2 input: transformer balanced XLR-1/4” TRS Combo Connector.

⑥

Output-2: transformer balanced XLR output.

⑦

Output-1: transformer balanced XLR output.

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UNiKA ISO-2

User Guide

AUDIO CONNECTION

Before connection:

As with all audio gear, always ensure audio system levels are turned down

or equipment turned off before making connections. This will avoid plug-

in or turn-on transients from damaging more sensitive components such as

tweeters.

Connect ISO-2 to system:

The ISO-2 has two combination XLR/TRS input connectors, wired to the

AES standard pin-1 ground, pin-2 hot (+), pin-3 cold (-).

Balanced or unbalanced output signal can be connected to the input of ISO-

2; the isolated outputs will always be balanced signals.

The balanced output of the ISO-2 is line level, meaning that it should be

connected to the line input of a mixing console.

Suggestions about distance cable running:

Unbalanced cables are much more susceptible to noise than their balanced

counterparts, keeping unbalanced cables under 8 meters (25’) in length is

good practice while balanced cables can easily extend to 100 meters (300’).

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UNiKA ISO-2 User Guide

Female Male

XLR-TRS Combo input

2 1

1

3 3

Fig-1: XLR Plugs Balanced

connection:

1-Ground
2-Signal Hot (+)
3-Signal Cold (-)

2

3-Signal Cold -

Fig-2: XLR-¼"TRS Combo

socket for direct input

1-Ground2-Signal Hot +

For Unbalanced connection, pin-3 should be connected to Ground with pin-1.

Tip-Signal (+)

Sleeve-Ground

Tip-Signal Hot (+)

Ring-Signal Cold(-)

Sleeve-Ground

Fig-3: ¼"TS Unbalanced connection Fig-4: ¼"TRS Balanced connection

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UNiKA ISO-2

User Guide

VARIOUS SYSTEM CONNECTION

Mobile device FOH System Mixer

Fig-5: Mobile device to mixing console

FOH System Mixer

Fig-6: Mixing console to devices with different power source

Computer playback

Fig-7: Computer playback to powered speakers

Outside Broadcast Truck

Digital Audio Work Station

Powered speakers

ELIMINATING HUM AND BUZZ AND THE GROUND LOOP

The ISO-2 is equipped with output isolation transformers to eliminate hum and
buzz caused by stray DC voltage and ground loops.

Computers, CD players and other consumer equipment can be noisy - this
is particularly true when incorporating audio with a projector - so isolation
transformers can be very useful when combating system noise.

The independent Ground Lift switches on the outputs takes this one step further
by lifting pin-1 on the XLRs. Computers are often the source for noise problems
in audio systems, so greater care is certainly needed to keep things quiet.

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UNiKA ISO-2 User Guide

Specications are subject to change without notice.

SPECIFICATIONS

Circuit design

Input connectors 2 Balance combo jack

Input impedance 47KΩ

Max. input level before clipping +26dBv

Output device 2 XLR w/balance transformer isolated

Output impedance 600Ω nominal, Transformer balance

Output level +26dBv

Frequency resonponse 20Hz to 20KHz +0.2 / 0 dB

Dynamic range >130dB

(

( Pin-2 hot, Pin-3 cold, Pin-1 ground )

)

S/N ratio~ un-weight 20Hz to
20KHz

T.H.D~ 1KHz, 0dBV output < 0.001%

Ground / Lift switch Lift pin-1 on XLR outputs, separate

Reverse switch Channel 2 input

Construction 1.6 / 1.2mm steel cabinet & chassis

Surface finished Durable powder coating

Dimension (WxDxH) 124 x 78 x 46 mm

Weight 0.5Kg

Shipping weight 0.6Kg

Packing per carton 20pcs / 13Kgs

Shipping dimension per carton 350 x 310 x 207mm

-136dB

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UNiKA ISO-2

MEASUREMENT

User Guide

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UNiKA ISO-2 User Guide

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UNiKA ISO-2

MEASUREMENT

User Guide

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UNiKA ISO-2 User Guide

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