Vortex SoundStation VTX 1000 Application Note

Application Note

Polycom Installed Voice Business Group

September 2004

Rev. F

Interfacing to the SoundStation VTX 1000TM

with Vortex

Devices

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS......................................................................................................................... 2

INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................... 6

SUMMARY............................................................................................................................................ 7

SYSTEM OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................... 8

Voice (Narrowband and Wideband) ..............................................................................................................................8

Voice (Narrowband and Wideband) and Video.............................................................................................................9

Narrowband Voice via Vortex Hybrid and Wideband Voice through SoundStation VTX 1000 ..................................10

SYSTEM SETUP DIRECTIONS......................................................................................................... 11

1.) CONNECTING A MICROPHONE TO A VORTEX DEVICE........................................................ 12

Overview Drawing ........................................................................................................................................ 12

Physical Connections .................................................................................................................................... 13

Using Wired Microphones ............................................................................................................................ 13

Using Wireless Microphones ....................................................................................................................... 14

2.) CONNECTING A LOUDSPEAKER TO A VORTEX DEVICE ...................................................... 15

External Amplifier ......................................................................................................................................... 16

External Amplifier Inputs.............................................................................................................................................16

Internal Amplifier Overview Drawing ........................................................................................................... 17

3.) CONNECTING THE SOUNDSTATION VTX 1000 TO A VORTEX DEVICE ............................. 18

Wiring ........................................................................................................................................................... 18

Input to Interface Module from Output of Vortex device............................................................................................19

Output of Interface Module to Input of Vortex device................................................................................................19

4.) CONNECTING A SUBWOOFER TO A VORTEX DEVICE.......................................................... 19

Wiring ........................................................................................................................................................... 20

5.) CONNECTING THE TELEPHONE LINE TO THE SOUNDSTATION VTX 1000 AND A VORTEX DEVICE

................................................................................................................................................. 20

6.) VERIFYING THE PROPER FIRMWARE IN THE SOUNDSTATION VTX 1000 AND THE VORTEX DEVICE

................................................................................................................................................. 22

7.) CONFIGURING THE SOUNDSTATION VTX 1000..................................................................... 22

8.) CONNECTING OTHER SOURCES TO A VORTEX DEVICE ...................................................... 25

Vortex Input Wiring....................................................................................................................................... 25

Balanced Input.............................................................................................................................................................25

Unbalanced Input.........................................................................................................................................................25

Vortex Output Wiring.................................................................................................................................... 26

Balanced Input.............................................................................................................................................................26

Unbalanced Input.........................................................................................................................................................26

9.) SETTING THE GAIN OF THE VORTEX DEVICE......................................................................... 26

Microphone Levels........................................................................................................................................ 27

Gain Structure for External Amplifiers and Other Sources........................................................................... 27

10.) ENABLE VTX MODE IN THE VORTEX DEVICE....................................................................... 28

11.) MAKING A TEST CALL WITH SOUNDSTATION VTX 1000.................................................. 30

VORTEX EF2280 EXAMPLES ............................................................................................................ 31

8 Mics, 4 Loudspeakers ................................................................................................................................32

Introduction / Room Layout.........................................................................................................................................32

System Layout .............................................................................................................................................................34

Conference Composer Layout......................................................................................................................................36

Mic/Line Inputs ............................................................................................................................................................................36

Matrix Mixer.................................................................................................................................................................................37

Output Filters................................................................................................................................................................................ 38

Outputs.........................................................................................................................................................................................40

Presets.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 41

12 Mics, 8 Loudspeakers, 4 Zones Sound Reinforcement............................................................................ 42

Introduction / Room Layout.........................................................................................................................................43

System Layout .............................................................................................................................................................45

Conference Composer Layout Vortex EF2241 .............................................................................................................47

Options .........................................................................................................................................................................................47

Mic/Line Inputs ............................................................................................................................................................................47

Automixer .....................................................................................................................................................................................48

EFBus ............................................................................................................................................................................................49

Matrix Mixer.................................................................................................................................................................................51

Output Filters................................................................................................................................................................................ 53

Outputs.........................................................................................................................................................................................53

Presets.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 54

Conference Composer Layout Vortex EF2280 .............................................................................................................55

Automixer .....................................................................................................................................................................................56

EFBus ............................................................................................................................................................................................56

Matrix Mixer.................................................................................................................................................................................57

Output Filters................................................................................................................................................................................ 60

Presets.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 61

16 Mics, 8 Loudspeakers, 2 Zones Sound Reinforcement............................................................................ 62

Introduction / Room Layout.........................................................................................................................................62

System Layout .............................................................................................................................................................64

Conference Composer Layout Vortex EF2280 ID 00....................................................................................................66

Mic/Line Inputs ............................................................................................................................................................................66

Automixer .....................................................................................................................................................................................67

EFBus ............................................................................................................................................................................................67

Matrix Mixer.................................................................................................................................................................................69

Output Filters................................................................................................................................................................................ 72

Outputs.........................................................................................................................................................................................74

Presets.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 75

Conference Composer Layout Vortex EF2280 ID 01....................................................................................................75

Automixer .....................................................................................................................................................................................76

Matrix Mixer.................................................................................................................................................................................76

Presets.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 77

Conference Composer Layout Vortex EF2201 .............................................................................................................78

Options .........................................................................................................................................................................................79

EFBus ............................................................................................................................................................................................79

Matrix Mixer.................................................................................................................................................................................81

Presets.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 82

VORTEX EF2241 EXAMPLES ............................................................................................................ 84

12 Mics, 8 Loudspeakers, 4 Zones Sound Reinforcement............................................................................ 84

4 Mics, 2 Loudspeakers ................................................................................................................................84

Introduction / Room Layout.........................................................................................................................................84

System Layout .............................................................................................................................................................86

Conference Composer Layout......................................................................................................................................88

Options .........................................................................................................................................................................................88

Mic/Line Inputs ............................................................................................................................................................................89

Matrix Mixer.................................................................................................................................................................................89

Output Filters................................................................................................................................................................................ 90

Outputs.........................................................................................................................................................................................92

Presets.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 93

APPENDIX A: INTERFACE MODULE ............................................................................................. 94

Overview ....................................................................................................................................................... 95

Wiring Recommendations / Limitations ....................................................................................................... 95

APPENDIX B: SOUNDSTATION VTX 1000 USER CONTROLS / LCD LAYOUT ........................ 98

APPENDIX C: VORTEX INPUT WIRING ........................................................................................ 99

Cable Drawing 1: Wired Microphone Connection .....................................................................................................99

Cable Drawing 2: Balanced Output to Vortex Input Connection................................................................................99

Cable Drawing 3: Unbalanced Output to Vortex Input Connection............................................................................99

APPENDIX D: VORTEX OUTPUT WIRING .................................................................................. 100

Cable Drawing 1: Vortex Output to Balanced Input.................................................................................................100

Cable Drawing 2: Vortex Output to Unbalanced Input.............................................................................................100

APPENDIX E: VORTEX INTERNAL AMPLIFIER WIRING.......................................................... 101

Two 8 ohm Loudspeakers Connected in Parallel ........................................................................................ 101

Three 8 ohm Loudspeakers Connected in Parallel...................................................................................... 102

TECHNICAL SUPPORT.................................................................................................................... 103

INTRODUCTION

This application note explores how to configure the SoundStation VTX 1000 a Vortex• EF2280, EF2241, EF2210, or EF2211 device. The SoundStation VTX 1000 is the first voice conferencing phone to offer wideband capability over the public switched telephone network. The SoundStation VTX 1000 is capable of sending up to 7 kHz signal over a telephone line. The SoundStation VTX 1000 also has one input and one output that allows for the SoundStation VTX 1000 to be connected to a Vortex device such as the Vortex EF2280, EF2241, EF2210, or EF2211.

This application note only applies to the SoundStation VTX 1000 and the Vortex product line. You cannot interface a Vortex device to any other non-SoundStation VTX product such as the SoundStation

In order for the SoundStation VTX 1000 to work correctly with Vortex devices, the firmware must be upgraded to Version 1.22 (August 26, 2003) or higher. Please refer to the SoundStation VTX 1000 User's Guide / Administrator's Guide for the proper instructions. Also, the Vortex device firmware must be 2.5.0 or higher.

•

EX , SoundStation Premier •, or VoiceStation

to send and receive audio to

100.

SUMMARY

If you are already familiar with Vortex devices, you may not need to read the entire application note. Here is a quick overview of the entire process:

1. Connect the microphones to the Vortex device(s). Make sure phantom power is enabled for microphones that require it. For wireless microphones, phantom power is not needed.

2. Connect the loudspeakers to the Vortex device(s). If you are connecting non-70V loudspeakers directly to the amplifier output of the Vortex EF2241, EF2210, or EF2211, make sure that the total load of the loudspeakers is between 4 and 8 ohms. You may also use an external amplifier to power the loudspeakers via an output of a Vortex device.

3. Connect the SoundStation VTX 1000 phone to a Vortex device. Connect the Auxiliary Output of the SoundStation VTX 1000 Interface Module to a line level input. Connect an output of the Vortex device to the Auxiliary Input of the Interface Module.

4. Connect the Subwoofer to the Vortex device. Use an output of the Vortex device to connect to the Subwoofer. This is optional.

5. Connect the Telephone line to the SoundStation VTX 1000 and Vortex device. If you have a Vortex EF2241, EF2201, or EF2211 and would like to make narrowband calls through the Vortex device, connect the telephone wall jack to the L telephone jack of the SoundStation VTX 1000.

6. Verify the Proper Firmware in both the SoundStation VTX and Vortex device. The SoundStation VTX 1000 firmware should be at least 1.22 or higher. The Vortex device firmware should be at least

2.5.0.

7. Configure Vortex Mode in the SoundStation VTX 1000. Press the M SETUP. Once you are in the ADMIN SETUP sub-menu, select PHONE SYSTEM and then select VORTEX MODE.. To enable the VORTEX MODE, select ON and then select SAVE.

8. Connect any other sources to the Vortex device(s). These sources would include video codecs, recorders, CD players, and DVD players.

9. Set the gain of all input and output sources that are connected to the Vortex device(s) based upon the nominal send and receive levels of the Vortex device(s). Unbalanced sources need an input gain of +10 dB and an output gain of -10 dB.

10. Enable the VTX Mode in the Vortex device. Go to the O click the VTX Mode button on the output of the Vortex device that is connected to the SoundStation VTX 1000. Enable the VTX Mode on the I the Polycom Instant

Designer

(included with Conference Composer) to create a configuration file that configures the VTX Mode on the inputs and outputs when the file is uploaded to the Vortex device. For more information, see the Polycom InstantDesigner application note.

11. Make a test call via the SoundStation VTX 1000.

INE jack of the Vortex device. Connect the PHONE jack to the

ENU key and the select ADMIN

UTPUTS page of Conference Composer

NPUTS page of Conference Composer. You can also use

and

SYSTEM OVERVIEW

Below are three system examples that illustrate the signal flow between a Vortex device and a SoundStation VTX 1000.

VOICE (NARROWBAND AND WIDEBAND)

Here, a local talker uses a Vortex device and a SoundStation VTX 1000 to send audio, both narrowband and wideband, to a remote person via the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). We will assume that the Remote Talker has a SoundStation VTX 1000 and can receive wideband calls. The Vortex device receives audio from a microphone in the local room and sends the remote speech to a loudspeaker also in the local room.

VOICE (NARROWBAND AND WIDEBAND) AND VIDEO

Here, a local talker uses a Vortex device, a SoundStation VTX 1000, and a video codec to send audio to two remote people. We will assume that Remote Talker 1 has a SoundStation VTX 1000 and can receive wideband telephone calls. The Vortex device receives audio from a microphone in the local room and sends the remote speech from both sources to a loudspeaker also in the local room. The Vortex device also mixes the local speech and Remote Talker 1 speech so that the mix can be sent to Remote Talker 2. Likewise, the Vortex device mixes the local speech and Remote Talker 2 speech so that the mix can be sent to Remote Talker 1.

NARROWBAND VOICE VIA VORTEX HYBRID AND WIDEBAND VOICE THROUGH SOUNDSTATION VTX 1000

Here, a local talker uses a Vortex device, a Vortex Phone Hybrid, and a SoundStation VTX 1000 to send audio to two remote people. We will assume that Remote Talker 1 has a SoundStation VTX 1000 and can receive wideband telephone calls. We will also assume that Remote Talker 2 has a non-SoundStation VTX1000 (i.e. SoundStation narrowband calls, so the SoundStation VTX 1000 will only be used for wideband calls. The Vortex device receives audio from a microphone in the local room and sends the remote speech from both sources to a loudspeaker also in the local room. The Vortex device also mixes the local speech and Remote Talker 1 speech so that the mix can be sent to Remote Talker 2. Likewise, the Vortex device mixes the local speech and Remote Talker 2 speech so that the mix can be sent to Remote Talker 1.

•

EX) that only receives narrowband calls. The Vortex Phone Hybrid can only make

SYSTEM SETUP DIRECTIONS

Here is a step-by-step list of directions that one should follow in setting up a conference room to work with a SoundStation VTX 1000 and a Vortex device:

1. Connect the microphones to the Vortex device(s).

2. Connect the loudspeakers to the Vortex device(s).

3. Connect the SoundStation VTX 1000 phone to a Vortex device.

4. Optionally connect a subwoofer to the Vortex device.

5. Connect the telephone line to the SoundStation VTX 1000 and Vortex device.

6. Verify the proper firmware in both the SoundStation VTX and Vortex device

7. Configure Vortex Mode in the SoundStation VTX 1000.

8. Connect any other sources to the Vortex device(s). These sources would include video codecs, recorders, CD players, and DVD players.

9. Set the gain of all input and output sources that are connected to the Vortex device(s) based upon the nominal send and receive levels of the Vortex device(s).

10. Enable the VTX Mode in the Vortex device.

11. Make a test call via the SoundStation VTX 1000.

1.) CONNECTING A MICROPHONE TO A VORTEX DEVICE

OVERVIEW DRAWING

This drawing illustrates 1 tabletop microphone that is connected to Mic / Line Input 1 of a Vortex EF2280:

PHYSICAL CONNECTIONS

We use terminal blocks to make the audio connections to the printed circuit board. We use 3.5 mm pitch plugs. Looking left to right, the conductors are positive, negative, shield (where shield is connected to chassis ground of the Vortex device):

SING WIRED MICROPHONES

Most wired microphones will have a male XLR connector on the end of its cable. As a result, you will need to make a XLR to Phoenix converter cable. Connect the Positive conductor of the Vortex device to Pin 2 of the XLR connector, the Negative conductor of the Vortex device to Pin 3 of the XLR connector, and the Shield of the Vortex device to the Pin 1 of the XLR connector. Refer to Cable Drawing 1 in the Vortex Input Wiring section of the Appendix.

If the cable that comes with the microphone is long enough to reach the Vortex device, you may cut off the male XLR connector and use wire strippers to remove the outer sheath and any shielding of the conductors. This will allow you to connect the wire directly to one of the provided Phoenix connectors.

USING WIRELESS MICROPHONES

All wireless microphones will require the use of a receiver to demodulate the signal. In this case, the receiver will typically have one of two types of output connectors: XLR or RCA:

An XLR connector uses two conductors (positive and negative) and a ground line to transfer signal from one device to another device. This is referred to as "balanced". Pin 1 is shield, Pin 2 is positive, and Pin 3 is negative. An RCA connector only uses one conductor and one ground line and is referred to as "unbalanced". The signal conducting part of the connector is called "tip" and the ground line is called "shield".

If the output of the wireless receiver has a balanced output, connect the Positive conductor of the Vortex device to Pin 2 of the XLR connector, the Negative conductor of the Vortex device to Pin 3 of the XLR connector, and the Shield of the cable to the only to the Vortex device. Refer to Cable Drawing 2 in the Vortex Input Wiring section of the Appendix.

If the output of the wireless receiver has an unbalanced output, connect the Positive conductor of the Vortex device to the Tip of the RCA connector and the Negative conductor of the Vortex device to Shield of the RCA connector. The shield of the cable is not connected at the unbalanced end of the cable. Refer to Cable Drawing 3 in the Vortex Input Wiring section of the Appendix.

2.) CONNECTING A LOUDSPEAKER TO A VORTEX DEVICE

There are two ways to connect a loudspeaker (or multiple loudspeakers) to a Vortex device: Via an amplifier or via the loudspeaker output of a Vortex EF2241, EF2210, or EF2211. If your loudspeaker has a 70V transformer on it, you will need an external amplifier to power the loudspeaker. If your loudspeaker impedance is 4-8 ohms, you may use the loudspeaker output of a Vortex EF2241, EF2210, or EF2211 to directly power the loudspeaker without the need for an external amplifier.

The loudspeaker output of the Vortex EF2241, EF2210, or EF2211 supports a total loudspeaker load of 4 - 8 ohms. The built-in amplifier can provide a maximum of 10 Watts of power to the loudspeaker. Below are several examples to illustrate proper and improper loudspeaker configurations:

EXTERNAL AMPLIFIER

Here, one of the line-level outputs of a Vortex EF2241 is sent to an amplifier to power a group of loudspeakers.

XTERNAL AMPLIFIER INPUTS

All amplifiers will have one of two types of connectors: XLR or RCA:

"unbalanced". The signal conducting part of the connector is called "tip" and the ground line is called "shield".

If the input of the amplifier has a balanced input, connect the Positive conductor of the Vortex device to Pin 2 of the XLR connector, the Negative conductor of the Vortex device to Pin 3 of the XLR connector, and the Shield of the Vortex device to the Pin 1 of the XLR connector. Refer to Cable Drawing 1 in the Vortex Output Wiring section of the Appendix.

If the input of the amplifier has a unbalanced input, connect the Positive conductor of the Vortex device to the Tip of the RCA connector and the Negative conductor of the Vortex device to Shield of the RCA connector. The shield of the cable is not connected at the unbalanced end. Refer to Cable Drawing 2 in the Vortex Output Wiring section of the Appendix.

INTERNAL AMPLIFIER OVERVIEW DRAWING

This drawing illustrates 1 loudspeaker that is connected to the Speaker Output terminals of a Vortex EF2241.

Refer to the Vortex Internal Amplifier Wiring section of the Appendix for several examples to illustrate proper and improper loudspeaker configurations.

3.) CONNECTING THE SOUNDSTATION VTX 1000

In order to send and receive audio to the SoundStation VTX 1000 Interface Module, you need to observe the following wiring procedure:

1.) Connect the Auxiliary Output of the Interface Module to a line level input of a Vortex device.

2.) Connect Output B the Vortex device to the Auxiliary Input of the Interface Module. By default,

The drawing below illustrates the use Input B and Output B of a Vortex EF2280 to connect to the Interface Module.

If you are using the Polycom Instant the Instant

TO A VORTEX DEVICE

Outputs A, B, and C of the Vortex device is a mix-minus version of the Input B signal.

Designer™ software, connect the Vortex inputs and outputs selected by

Designer to the SoundStation VTX 1000 interface Module.

WIRING

INPUT TO INTERFACE MODULE FROM OUTPUT OF VORTEX DEVICE

Refer to Cable Drawing 2 in the Vortex Output Wiring section of the Appendix.

OUTPUT OF INTERFACE MODULE TO INPUT OF VORTEX DEVICE

Refer to Cable Drawing 3 in the Vortex Output Wiring section of the Appendix.

4.) CONNECTING A SUBWOOFER TO A VORTEX DEVICE

A subwoofer can be used with the SoundStation VTX 1000 to enhance the low frequency response when connected to another party via wideband mode. The use of the subwoofer is optional when using the Vortex as there may be other loudspeakers in the room that you may wish to use.

If you do want to use a subwoofer, you can connect an output of the Vortex directly to the subwoofer as a subwoofer typically accepts a line level input. You will need to set the output gain of the Vortex to -30 dB because if the Vortex output is set higher than -30 dB, the subwoofer voice coil may "bottom out" on high amplitude transient sounds. This can be destructive because when a loudspeaker "bottoms out", the voice coil moves beyond its designed physical limits. If this happens enough, the voice coil may be damaged, and then the subwoofer would not work properly. A setting of -30 dB should give you enough headroom so that if the subwoofer voice coil does bottom out, it should only be during brief, high-volume signals which would probably only occur during playback of program audio.

We also recommend creating a low pass filter in the Vortex to filter any signal that will be sent to the subwoofer. We recommend using a low pass or a Linkwitz-Riley low pass at 250 Hz. This is recommended in order to remove the high frequency energy to the subwoofer since it cannot reproduce mid and high frequencies. You may also want to place a high pass filter on the output(s) of the Vortex that drive other loudspeakers (other than the subwoofer). The reason for this filter is to remove the low frequency energy from these loudspeakers that may not be able to properly reproduce signals below 250 Hz. This is the purpose of the subwoofer.

WIRING

Refer to Cable Drawing 2 in the Vortex Output Wiring section of the Appendix.

5.) CONNECTING THE TELEPHONE LINE TO THE SOUNDSTATION VTX 1000 AND A VORTEX DEVICE

There are 2 ways to connect the RJ-11 telephone line to a system:

1.) Connect the wall jack to the L

EF2201 or Vortex EF2211). Connect the P VTX Interface Module.

This method will be required if you want to control the narrowband telephone calls with a control system (AMX or Crestron). If the telephone portion of the Vortex EF2241 is active, the P the Vortex EF2241 is disabled until the Vortex EF2241 is placed on-hook. When wideband calls are desired, the telephone portion of the Vortex EF2241 will not be active and the Vortex EF2241 will pass any signals at the LINE jack to the PHONE jack. The user interface will be the keypad of the SoundStation VTX 1000 since the SoundStation VTX 1000 does not offer the capability of external control.

INE jack connection on the back of the Vortex EF2241 (or Vortex

HONE jack of the Vortex EF2241 to the phone jack on the

HONE jack of

2.) Connect the wall jack directly to the phone jack of the VTX Interface Module and do not use the

telephone capabilities of the Vortex EF2241.

This method places the control of both narrowband and wideband telephone calls to the keypad of the SoundStation VTX 1000. There can still be external control of the Vortex EF2241 via a control system (volume control, muting, etc.), but the control system will not be interfaced for dialing purposes.

6.) V

ERIFYING THE PROPER FIRMWARE IN THE

SOUNDSTATION VTX 1000 AND THE VORTEX DEVICE

To upgrade the firmware in the Vortex device, please consult the C Instructions that are located in the C

OMMON OPERATIONS folder of each device type.

ONFERENCE COMPOSER HELP FILE.

7.) C

ONFIGURING THE SOUNDSTATION VTX

1000

Both the Vortex device and the SoundStation VTX 1000 must be setup properly to input and output audio

signals to the Vortex as well as to make wideband audio calls. The default settings for the SoundStation VTX 1000 will not allow one to send and receive audio from the VTX into the Vortex. We will discuss how to setup the Vortex device in Step 10.

You must perform this step; otherwise, you will not be able to operate the SoundStation VTX 1000 properly.

Enable Vortex Mode in the SoundStation VTX 1000. Press the M you are in the A V

ORTEX MODE, select ON and then select SAVE.

DMIN SETUP sub-menu, select PHONE SYSTEM and then select VORTEX MODE. To enable the

ENU key and the select ADMIN SETUP. Once

8.) CONNECTING OTHER SOURCES TO A VORTEX DEVICE

All Vortex devices (except the Vortex EF2201) have line level inputs and outputs that may be used to bring in other sources into the system. These are sources such as video codecs, laptop computers, CD players, DVD players, VCR's, and audio recorders.

There are specific wiring methods that we recommend for connecting balanced and unbalanced sources to all Vortex devices. We will assume that balanced inputs and outputs use XLR connectors. Unbalanced inputs and outputs will be assumed to use RCA connectors.

VORTEX INPUT WIRING

BALANCED INPUT

Connect the Positive conductor of the Vortex device to Pin 2 of the XLR connector, the Negative conductor of the Vortex device to Pin 3 of the XLR connector, and the Shield of the cable to the only to the Vortex device. Refer to Cable Drawing 2 in the Vortex Input Wiring section of the Appendix.

UNBALANCED INPUT

Connect the Positive conductor of the Vortex device to the Tip of the RCA connector and the Negative conductor of the Vortex device to Shield of the RCA connector. The shield of the cable is not connected at the unbalanced end. Refer to Cable Drawing 3 in the Vortex Output Wiring section of the Appendix.

VORTEX OUTPUT WIRING

BALANCED INPUT

Connect the Positive conductor of the Vortex device to Pin 2 of the XLR connector, the Negative conductor of the Vortex device to Pin 3 of the XLR connector, and the Shield of the cable to the only to the Vortex device. Refer to Cable Drawing 1 in the Vortex Output Wiring section of the Appendix.

UNBALANCED INPUT

Connect the Positive conductor of the Vortex device to the Tip of the RCA connector and the Negative conductor of the Vortex device to Shield of the RCA connector. The shield of the cable is not connected at the unbalanced end. Refer to Cable Drawing 2 in the Vortex Output Wiring section of the Appendix.

9.) SETTING THE GAIN OF THE VORTEX DEVICE

MICROPHONE LEVELS

For wired microphones, the input gain is dependant on the sensitivity of the microphone as well as the typical distance from the talker to the microphone.

Type of Microphone Average Level Tabletop Mic Mode, 15 dB Ceiling Mic Mode, 25 dB Podium Mic Mode, 10 dB Gooseneck Mic Mode, 5 dB Wireless Depends on the receiver*

*Some wireless receivers transmit audio at line level (approximately 0 to -10 dB) and others transmit at mic level (approximately -30 dB). Based on the transmit level, you may need to apply gain in the Vortex device. For example, if a wireless receiver's nominal transmit level is -10 dB, you will need to apply +10 dB on the input of the Vortex device to achieve unity (0 dB) gain.

In order to set the gain appropriately, we recommend leaving all processing enabled and having someone talk into the microphone. Have another person watch the levels in Conference Composer or via the front panel of the Vortex device. You want the speech to light up the first yellow LED (0 dBu) and flicker the second yellow LED (+3 dB). This level indicates that the Vortex device has a good level for processing while still retaining about 20 dB of headroom.

GAIN STRUCTURE FOR EXTERNAL AMPLIFIERS AND OTHER SOURCES

Once the external devices have been wired to the Vortex device, the Input and/or Output gain of the Vortex device needs to be set to match the nominal level of the external devices. Here is a table that references the types of connectors to the proper input / output level:

Connector Type Input Gain Output Gain RCA +10 dB -10 dB

1/8 inch +10 dB -10 dB XLR 0 dB 0 dB Phoenix / Terminal Block 0 dB 0 dB

The issue of nominal levels is important because it will affect the gain structure of the Vortex device. devices that have RCA and 1/8 inch style connectors are normally designed to operate with a nominal level of .3 Vrms. The Vortex device is designed to operate with a nominal input and output level of .775 Vrms. This equates to a difference of 8.24 dB between the two nominal levels. For simplicity, you may round that value to 10 dB. Therefore, the inputs of the Vortex that receive consumer level outputs need to be set to +10 dB in order to achieve a unity gain. The outputs of the Vortex will be about 10 dB too high for the consumer level equipment and, in turn, need to be set to -10 dB to avoid clipping and to maintain enough headroom in the consumer level devices.

The Input gain of a Vortex device that is connected to a SoundStation VTX 1000 should be set to +10 dB. The Output gain of a Vortex device that is connected to a SoundStation VTX 1000 should be set to -10 dB.

10.) E

You must perform this step; otherwise, you will not be able to operate the SoundStation VTX 1000 properly.

NABLE VTX MODE IN THE VORTEX DEVICE

1. Enable SoundStation VTX 1000 Mode for the appropriate input of the Vortex device. This can be done from Conference Composer or via the front panel of the unit. In Conference Composer, go to the Inputs page and click the SoundStation VTX 1000 Mode button:

From the front panel, go to the V input, use the D

P, and then ENTER to enable VTX Mode.

OWN or UP buttons to scroll the menu items until you see VTX MODE. Press ENTER,

ORTEX INPUT SETTINGS menu item, press ENTER, select the appropriate

2. Enable SoundStation VTX 1000 Mode for the appropriate Output of the Vortex device. This can be done from Conference Composer of via the front panel of the unit. In Conference Composer, go to the Outputs page and click the SoundStation VTX 1000 Mode button:

From the front panel, go to the V appropriate input, use the D Press E

NTER, UP, and then ENTER to enable VTX Mode.

ORTEX OUTPUT SETTINGS menu item, press ENTER, select the

OWN or UP buttons to scroll the menu items until you see VTX MODE.

11.) MAKING A TEST CALL WITH

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Vortex SoundStation VTX 1000 Application Note

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual