Studio Technologies Model 205 Announcer Console with Two Dante Talkback Output

The Model 205 Announcer's Console offers a unique combination of analog and digital audio resources for use in broadcast sports, eSports, live event, entertainment, and streaming broadcast applications. The unit is housed in a compact, rugged steel enclosure that's intended for tabletop use. Calling the Model 205 "cute" or "cool" would be accurate; its nicely proportioned but diminutive size makes it ideal for use in space-constrained locations.

The Model 205 supports Dante audio-over-Ethernet digital media technology with AES67 compatibility for integration into contemporary applications. The unit is extremely simple to deploy, is "pro" quality throughout, and provides an intuitive user experience. The Model 205's audio quality is excellent, with low distortion, low noise, and ample headroom. Careful circuit design and rugged components ensure long, reliable operation.

The Model 205 integrates directly into both Dante audio-over-Ethernet and standard analog audio environments. With just a Power over Ethernet (PoE) connection, a microphone, and a pair of headphones or an earpiece, a complete broadcast on-air position can be created. And by using the Model 205's microphone output a direct connection to an analog microphone-level input on an associated camera, remote I/O interface, or audio console can be supported. Two remote control inputs allow external switches or contact closures to activate the main and talkback button functions. One of the inputs can also be configured to provide a low-voltage DC "tally" output that follows the state of the main output.

Model 205 operating features are configured using the STcontroller software application. An extensive set of parameters allows the unit's functions to be tailored to meet the needs of many applications. STcontroller is a fast and simple means of confirming and revising the unit's operating parameters.

Applications
The Model 205 on its own can provide an "all-Dante" solution for one on-air talent location. A wide range of applications can be supported, including sports and entertainment TV and radio events, streaming broadcasts, corporate and government AV installations, and post-production facilities. The unit's small size makes it ideal for live-sports applications, such as basketball, where physical space for personnel is very limited. Four Dante receiver (input) audio channels supply the user with their talent cue (IFB) signals.

Should the cue signal be "mix-minus" an integrated sidetone function can provide the user with a microphone confidence signal. Three Dante transmitter (output) audio channels, one designated as main and two as talkback, are routed via an associated local-area network (LAN) to inputs on Dante-compatible devices. Three pushbutton switches, main and two talkback, provide the user with direct control over audio routing. The audio switching is performed in the digital domain and is virtually "click-free."

By providing the main audio signal in two forms, Dante digital audio and analog microphone level, the Model 205 makes integration into a wide range of on-air environments easy to accomplish. And with two talkback audio channels available as Dante transmitter (output) channels routing to inputs on a variety of devices, such as matrix intercom systems, audio consoles, and monitor loudspeaker systems, is simple and flexible.

Some applications may benefit from not utilizing the Model 205's Dante main output channel. This typically won't be an issue of inadequate audio quality but rather a need to match work-flow requirements. For example, for lip-sync or transmission purposes it may be optimal to have the on-air audio transported as an embedded signal along with the associated camera video.

Alternately, all on-air audio sources may need to connect to inputs on an audio console or console-related I/O unit. Supporting these scenarios is not a problem as the Model 205 supplies a microphone output connection that's specifically intended for this purpose. Simply connect the unit's microphone output connection to the desired analog input, such as the mic/line input on an ENG-style camera-that's it!

The circuitry associated with the Model 205's analog microphone output is very simple, essentially a passive path that routes a signal connected to the microphone input connector directly to the microphone output connector.

A solid-state circuit, in series with the mic in-to-mic out path, allows muting of the signal on the microphone output connector whenever the Dante main output channel is muted. Having both the Dante main output and the microphone outputs work in tandem can be a valuable resource, allowing one to serve as the primary on-air signal source while the other serves as the backup.

Setup and Operation
Set up, configuration, and operation of the Model 205 is simple. An etherCON RJ45 jack is used to interconnect with a standard twisted-pair Ethernet port associated with a PoE-enabled network switch. This connection provides both power and bidirectional digital audio. A broadcast headset or handheld ("stick") microphone can be directly connected to the unit's 3-pin XLR mic input connector.

The input is compatible with dynamic or condenser microphones. The integrated P48 phantom power source provides support for a wide range of condenser microphones. A 3-pin XLR microphone output connector provides a "direct mic out" function for integration with microphone inputs on related devices. Stereo headphones, the headphone connections from a stereo or monaural headset, or even a monaural earpiece can be connected to the phones output jack.

External switches or contact closures can be connected to the Model 205's remote control inputs to allow activation of the main and talkback button functions. For units with serial numbers 00501 and later, a low-voltage/low-current DC output can also be implemented providing a Main Out Tally function.

The STcontroller software application is used to configure the wide range of Model 205 operating parameters. This allows the unit's performance to be optimized to meet the needs of specific applications.

The user is presented with three pushbutton switches and three push-in/push-out rotary level potentiometers. This makes it easy to control the status of the main and talkback outputs as well as adjusting the signals that are sent to the headphone channels.

Ethernet Data and PoE
The Model 205 connects to a local area network (LAN) by way of a standard 100 Mb/s twisted-pair Ethernet interface. The physical 100BASE-TX interconnection is made by way of a Neutrik etherCON RJ45 connector. While compatible with standard RJ45 plugs, etherCON allows a ruggedized and locking interconnection for harsh or high-reliability environments.

The Model 205's operating power is provided by way of the Ethernet interface using the 802.3af Power over Ethernet (PoE) standard. This allows fast and efficient interconnection with the associated data network. To support PoE power management, the Model 205's PoE interface enumerates (reports) to the power sourcing equipment (PSE) that it's a class 2 (low power) device.

Dante Audio-over-Ethernet
Audio data is sent to and received from the Model 205 using the Dante audio-over-Ethernet media networking technology. As a Dante-compliant device, the Model 205's three Dante transmitter (output) channels and four Dante receiver (input) channels can be assigned (routed or "subscribed") to other devices using the Dante Controller software application.

The Dante transmitter (output) and receiver (input) channels are limited to supporting four Dante flows, two in each direction. The digital audio's bit depth is up to 24 with a sampling rate of 44.1 or 48 kHz. Two bi-color LEDs provide an indication of the Dante connection status. An additional LED displays the status of the associated Ethernet connection.

The Model 205 is compatible with the AES67 interoperability standard. In this mode, the two transmitter (output) channels will function in multicast; unicast is not supported. In addition, the unit is compatible with the Dante Domain Manager (DDM) software application.

Audio Quality
The Model 205's audio performance is completely "pro." A low-noise, wide dynamic-range microphone preamplifier and associated voltage-controlled-amplifier (VCA) dynamics controller (compressor) ensures that mic input audio quality is preserved while minimizing the chance of signal overload.

The output of the microphone preamp and compressor is routed to an analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) section that supports sampling rates of 44.1 and 48 kHz with a bit depth of up to 24. The audio signal, now in the digital domain, routes through a 32-bit microprocessor and on to the Dante interface section where it is packetized and prepared for transport over Ethernet.

Audio signals arrive via the four Dante receiver (input) channels and pass into the Model 205's microprocessor. The supported sampling rates are 44.1 and 48 kHz with a bit depth of up to 24. Channel routing, headphone level control, and sidetone creation are performed within the digital domain.

This provides flexibility, allows precise control, and keeps the three level potentiometers from having to directly handle analog audio signals. The audio channels destined for the phones outputs are sent to a high-performance digital-to-analog converter and then on to robust driver circuitry. High signal levels can be provided to a variety of headsets, headphones, and earpieces.