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Genther MPAII Installation And Operation Manual

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  • Page 1 MPAII Installation and Operations Manual...

  • Page 2: Mpaii Installation And Operations Manual

    Gentner Communications Corporation. Printed in the United States of America. Original version, 3/95. Gentner Communications Corporation reserves specification privileges. Information in this manual is subject to change without notice. MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Gentner Part No. 800-111-001 (Rev. 2.00) January 1997...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Page iii Contents Introduction Warranty Registration Unpacking Features and Benefits Applications Audioconferencing and Videoconferencing Courtrooms and Public Meetings Distance Learning Hotels and Government Meetings Houses of Worship Talk Shows Product Description MPAII Front-Panel Controls Back-Panel Connectors...
  • Page 4 Figure 11. MPAII COM port connector Figure 12. MPAII logic output DB15 connector Figure 13. MPAII speaker connectors Figure 14. MPAII PA Input female XLR connector Figure 15. MPAII PA Output/Master Output connector Figure 16. MPAII back-panel connectors Figure 17. MPAII Microphone male XLR connector Figure 18.

  • Page 5: Introduction

    This manual explains how to install, set up and operate your MPAII. It also provides instructions on how to improve room acoustics and resolve minor technical problems, should any arise.

  • Page 6: Features And Benefits

    The MPAII’s design makes the equipment particularly useful in audioconferencing and videoconferencing applications where quality audio is a must. With the logic output, it is possible to connect the MPAII to cameras, electronic signs, and other equipment that can be controlled electronically.

  • Page 7: Houses Of Worship

    The gain (mixing level) of each microphone is automatically adjusted based on audio levels. The MPAII monitors the audio levels at each microphone and reduces the mixing level for microphones not in use. By lowering the level of the microphones not in use, ambient room noise, reverberation level and total system gain are reduced.

  • Page 8: Front-Panel Controls

    9. Program B Button. This button, when held down, selects a program. When this button is pressed, MIC LEDs [1] momentarily cycle on, one at a time, to indicate the MPAII is ready to select a new program. Complete instructions begin on Page 14.

  • Page 9: Back-Panel Connectors

    240V. 3. Baud Rate Select. The correct baud rate must be set to interface your MPAII with your PC for programming. Proper selection of the baud rate is required for correct communication between the MPAII and the PC. 4. COM Port. Connect this RS232 port to your PC or other programming device.

  • Page 10: Before You Install

    Figure 3a, below.) to the mixer. Connect this input to the Auxiliary output of another MPAII for expansion, or to input audio from a tape player or other audio source. This audio is combined with the audio from the eight microphones.

  • Page 11: Figure 4. Room Acoustics Diagram

    MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Page 7 Figure 4. Room acoustics diagram reflections from walls, ceiling, floor, furniture and occupants in a room. Reverberation dissipates over a fixed period of time determined by the room’s environment. Acoustic Echo. Acoustic echo is the sudden return of sound (rather than a smooth decay) caused primarily by a delay in the network or environment.

  • Page 12: Microphone Selection

    Continued Figure 5 (below) is a block diagram of a basic audioconferencing installation using the MPAII. The MPAII mixes microphone audio and directs it to a transmission medium, typically a telephone interface and echo canceller, where it is ultimately delivered to the remote conference room. At the remote conference room, audio is routed to the MPAII to be amplified and sent to the speaker(s).

  • Page 13: Power Requirements

    Equipment Placement The MPAII is designed for mounting in a 19" equipment rack. Do not block any of the ventilation holes. Environmental Requirements The MPAII can be safely operated in a room with varying temperatures between 32°...

  • Page 14: Installation

    Figure 7. Completed MPAII installation Step 1 — Voltage Input Selection Your MPAII was shipped to you ready to use with a 120Vac 50/60Hz power source. If this suits your MPAII application, go to Step 2 — PA Connections (next page). If your application requires a different voltage input, follow the procedure below, while referring to Figure 8 (below): Figure 8.

  • Page 15: Step 2 - Back-Panel Connections

    BAUD RATE NOTE: Figure 11. MPAII COM port connector The MPAII’s baud rate as shipped from the factory is 9,600 baud. This is the correct setting for most applications. However, if your application requires a different baud rate, refer to Step 5 — Baud Rate on Page 13 to change this setting.

  • Page 16: Step 3 - Phantom Power Configuration

    MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Installation Continued Figure 16. MPAII back-panel connectors Microphones Connect the MPAII’s MIC 1–8 INPUT [9] (See Figure 16, above; Figure 17, left.) female XLR connectors to the microphones. Auxiliary Equipment Figure 17. MPAII Microphone male XLR connector Single MPAII.

  • Page 17: Step 4 - Auto Mix Switches

    Step 5 — Baud Rate Figure 21. MPAII auto-mix switches The MPAII is shipped from the factory set at a baud rate of 9,600. If you are using the supplied setup software with a PC, most PCs operate at a baud rate of 9,600.

  • Page 18: Program Setup

    MIC 1–8 LEDs [1] will momentarily light up, one at a time, indicating that the MPAII is ready to accept a new program; the LEDs will stop on the currently selected program, which will be be displayed Technical or Setup Assistance Telephone: 800.945.7730 (USA) or 801.975.7200 (worldwide) •...

  • Page 19: Default Program Description

    When the desired program appears, release the PROGRAM ENABLE button to load the program. PROGRAM NOTE: If the MPAII is turned off or loses power, the program that was selected when power was lost will automatically load when the power is restored. Default Program Description Below are brief descriptions of each of the green (default) programs.

  • Page 20: Table 1. Default Program Parameters

    Page 16 MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Program Setup Green 5 Continued This program is designed for harsh conferencing environments. The Last- On Mode is OFF, which causes all the microphones to gate off when no one is speaking. Off attenutation is set at the relatively high level of 20. This makes it more difficult for voice as well as other sounds to gate on a microphone.

  • Page 21: Custom Programming

    MPAII directory on that drive so the MPAII II files will not get lost among the other files in your root directory. Refer to the documentation that came with your PC’s operating system for information on creating a directory and copying files to it.

  • Page 22: Understanding The Main Screen

    Understanding the Main Screen The MPAII uses two types of data files: configuration files and program files. A configuration file is made up of six program files. The six program files are listed in columns beneath the headings Red 1 through Red 6.

  • Page 23: Programming Functions

    Press <F2> to bring up the program-selection screen. This allows you to select which program will be active on the MPAII. To choose one of the 12 configuration programs, use the up and down keys to select a program and press <ENTER>.
  • Page 24 <F6>. This loads the selected program file. Send to MPAII <F7> Press <F7> to send all six programs to the MPAII through the serial COM port. After completing editing/programming procedures, the new parameters need to be sent to the MPAII. All six user-configuration programs are sent to the MPAII at one time.

  • Page 25: Program Parameters

    The adaptive ambient mode can be turned on and off (Figure 27, below). We recommend that you keep it ON. If the ambient noise in the room is constantly changing and the MPAII is unable to track properly, turn this mode OFF and set the ambient level manually using ambient level.

  • Page 26: Figure 28. Decay Rate Diagram

    Constant Gain Mode Constant gain corrects for increased output level when more than one microphone is gated on. As microphones gate on, the MPAII reduces the level according to the number of active microphones. This mode can be turned on/off. It is recommended that you leave this mode turned ON.

  • Page 27: Figure 29. Hold Time Diagram

    MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Page 23 Figure 29. Hold time diagram Last-On Mode When last-on mode is active, the last microphone gated on stays on until another microphone gates on. We recommend leaving this mode ON, since it makes smoother transitions between microphones as they gate on/off.

  • Page 28: Specifications

    PA Adaptive Mode Continued When the PA adaptive mode is active, the MPAII recognizes how much speaker audio is picked up by the microphones (Figure 31, below). The mixer uses this level as the ambient level when audio is present at the power amplifier.
  • Page 29 MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Page 25 SPEAKER: Spring-loaded wire clamps PA INPUT: 3-pin female XLR; +4dBm nominal, adjustable; 20Kohms, balanced; bridging PA OUTPUT: 3-pin male XLR; +4dBm nominal, 600ohms, balanced Power Requirements 100/120/220/240Vac switchable; 50/60Hz Audio Performance: Mic Mixer...

  • Page 30: Warranty

    Page 26 MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Warranty Gentner Communications Corporation (Manufacturer) warrants that this product is free of defects in both materials and workmanship. Should any part of this equipment be defective, the Manufacturer agrees, at its option, to: A.

  • Page 31: Safety Information

    Appendix A: Glossary In order to gain a better understanding of the MPAII and how it operates, you should be familiar with several terms associated with automatic microphone mixers: Adaptive Ambient This portion of the mixer monitors the varying ambient noise level in the room and changes the threshold level at which a microphone gates on.

  • Page 32: Appendix B: Connector Pinouts

    Page 28 MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Appendix A: Continued Non-Gating Microphone Mixers Non-gating microphone mixers are the simplest of the three types of mixers. All mixing levels are manually set and all microphones stay on at all times. Mixing levels do not automatically adjust to compensate for low audio levels.

  • Page 33: Appendix C: Programming Tutorial

    Programs and Configurations: Overall Concepts The MPAII programming software can be run from floppy disk or your PC’s hard drive (1MB free hard-disk space recommended). Running the MPAII programming software is detailed in Program Setup (Page 14). The MPAII has 12 programs built into it: six factory default programs that cannot be changed (Green 1–6) and six customizable programs (Red 1–6).

  • Page 34: Figure 32. Programming Screen

    Page 30 MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Appendix C: file can be loaded, saving time and resources. Continued Scenario 2 Application: Distance learning Action: Discover that the LGPANEL.MPA program (already configured for hotel panel discussions) is ideal; save LGPANEL.MPA into a second configuration, DISTLRN.CFG.

  • Page 35: Figure 33. Configuration Programming Screen

    MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Page 31 Step 4. Now save the changes to TUTOR by pressing <F5> again. You will be prompted as to whether you would like to overwrite the old program. Press the <Y> key to save the new parameters under the TUTOR program name.

  • Page 36: Figure 33A.configuration Programming Screen

    Page 32 MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Appendix C: Step 1. Move the cursor to highlight the existing configuration name (most Continued likely DEFAULT; Figure 33a, below). Figure 33a. Configuration programming screen Step 2. Type TUTORIAL over the existing configuration name.
  • Page 37 <F7> key. The configuration shown on the screen is then sent to the MPAII. This process takes a few seconds and the front lights on the MPAII will flash during the process. The MPAII will operate normally during the download process.
  • Page 38 Fine Tuning With Your PC Using the PC to fine tune your MPAII is fast, effective and simple. Step 1 Load the configuration you want to start with (most likely DEFAULT).

  • Page 39: Appendix D: Applications

    Executives at all levels appreciate the carefree ease of use that the MPAII provides for electronic meetings. The benefit derived by using the MPAII in teleconferencing is its ability to use multiple, gating microphones. This keeps unused microphones closed, preventing extra noise, reverberation, echo, etc.

  • Page 40: Figure 35. Mpaii Talk Show Application Block Diagram

    Sometimes, talk shows are conducted at two or more locations and linked together by telephone. However you do it, the MPAII will handle the microphone portion of the show. Other Gentner products such as the TI7200 Telephone Interface,...

  • Page 41: Figure 36. Mpaii Distance-Learning Block Diagram

    Courtrooms and Public Meeting Rooms Sophisticated courtrooms use microphones at the attorney stands or desks, the judicial bench and the witness stand. The MPAII can be used successfully in this and other types of forums and public meeting rooms where multiple microphones are used for audience and panel participation.

  • Page 42: Figure 37. Mpaii Courtroom Application Block Diagram

    This type of meeting requires a different setup than that of a business meeting or distance-learning application. The MPAII, in this application, provides up to eight microphones with the power and amplification necessary to conduct a successful meeting. The automatic microphone gating helps control and minimize unnecessary room and microphone noise.

  • Page 43: Figure 39. Mpaii House Of Worship Block Diagram

    Figure 39 (below) illustrates a typical installation and details the acoustical solutions that were presented and solved with use of the MPAII. Figure 39. MPAII house of worship application block diagram Technical or Setup Assistance Telephone: 800.945.7730 (USA) or 801.975.7200 (worldwide) •...

  • Page 44: Appendix E: Mpaii Block Diagram

    Page 40 MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Appendix E: MPAII Block Diagram Technical or Setup Assistance Telephone: 800.945.7730 (USA) or 801.975.7200 (worldwide) • Worldwide Web @ http://www.gentner.com...

  • Page 45: Appendix F: Schematics

    MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Page 41 Appendix F: MPAII Schematics Technical or Setup Assistance Telephone: 800.945.7730 (USA) or 801.975.7200 (worldwide) • Worldwide Web @ http://www.gentner.com...
  • Page 46 Page 42 MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Appendix F: Continued Technical or Setup Assistance Telephone: 800.945.7730 (USA) or 801.975.7200 (worldwide) • Worldwide Web @ http://www.gentner.com...
  • Page 47 MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Page 43 Technical or Setup Assistance Telephone: 800.945.7730 (USA) or 801.975.7200 (worldwide) • Worldwide Web @ http://www.gentner.com...
  • Page 48 Page 44 MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Appendix F: Continued Technical or Setup Assistance Telephone: 800.945.7730 (USA) or 801.975.7200 (worldwide) • Worldwide Web @ http://www.gentner.com...
  • Page 49 MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Page 45 Technical or Setup Assistance Telephone: 800.945.7730 (USA) or 801.975.7200 (worldwide) • Worldwide Web @ http://www.gentner.com...
  • Page 50 Page 46 MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Appendix F: Continued Technical or Setup Assistance Telephone: 800.945.7730 (USA) or 801.975.7200 (worldwide) • Worldwide Web @ http://www.gentner.com...
  • Page 51 MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Page 47 Technical or Setup Assistance Telephone: 800.945.7730 (USA) or 801.975.7200 (worldwide) • Worldwide Web @ http://www.gentner.com...
  • Page 52 Page 48 MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Appendix F: Continued Technical or Setup Assistance Telephone: 800.945.7730 (USA) or 801.975.7200 (worldwide) • Worldwide Web @ http://www.gentner.com...
  • Page 53 MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Page 49 Technical or Setup Assistance Telephone: 800.945.7730 (USA) or 801.975.7200 (worldwide) • Worldwide Web @ http://www.gentner.com...
  • Page 54 Page 50 MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Appendix F: Continued Technical or Setup Assistance Telephone: 800.945.7730 (USA) or 801.975.7200 (worldwide) • Worldwide Web @ http://www.gentner.com...
  • Page 55 MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Page 51 Technical or Setup Assistance Telephone: 800.945.7730 (USA) or 801.975.7200 (worldwide) • Worldwide Web @ http://www.gentner.com...
  • Page 56 Page 52 MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Appendix F: Continued Technical or Setup Assistance Telephone: 800.945.7730 (USA) or 801.975.7200 (worldwide) • Worldwide Web @ http://www.gentner.com...
  • Page 57 MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Page 53 Technical or Setup Assistance Telephone: 800.945.7730 (USA) or 801.975.7200 (worldwide) • Worldwide Web @ http://www.gentner.com...
  • Page 58 Page 54 MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Appendix F: Continued Technical or Setup Assistance Telephone: 800.945.7730 (USA) or 801.975.7200 (worldwide) • Worldwide Web @ http://www.gentner.com...
  • Page 59 MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Page 55 Technical or Setup Assistance Telephone: 800.945.7730 (USA) or 801.975.7200 (worldwide) • Worldwide Web @ http://www.gentner.com...
  • Page 60 Page 56 MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Appendix F: Continued Technical or Setup Assistance Telephone: 800.945.7730 (USA) or 801.975.7200 (worldwide) • Worldwide Web @ http://www.gentner.com...
  • Page 61 MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Page 57 Technical or Setup Assistance Telephone: 800.945.7730 (USA) or 801.975.7200 (worldwide) • Worldwide Web @ http://www.gentner.com...
  • Page 62 Page 58 MPAII Installation and Operations Manual Appendix F: Continued Technical or Setup Assistance Telephone: 800.945.7730 (USA) or 801.975.7200 (worldwide) • Worldwide Web @ http://www.gentner.com...
  • Page 63 “Our vision is to provide our customers with the total audio solution for conferencing.”...
  • Page 64 ENTNER OMMUNICATIONS ORPORATION Sales and Technical Assistance 1825 Research Way Salt Lake City, Utah 84119 Toll Free 800-945-7730 Telephone 801-975-7200 FAX 801-977-0087 FAX-On-Demand 800-695-8110 Worldwide Web Page @ http:\\www.gentner.com Gentner Part No. 800-111-001 (Rev. 2.00)

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