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Volume 4

Number 4

AUTOMATIC MIXERS & SYSTEMS

AMS UPDATE Applications of the SCM810lAMSIFP41O

A Farewell to the "AMS Update" - and a Welcome to "Sound Connections"

After more than 15 years of providing de­tailed coverage of automatic mixer system config­urations and unique solutions to challenging audio problems, the AMS Update comes to a close with this issue.

The AMS Update was created in 1983 to inform and educate readers on the use and benefits of automatic microphone systems. It began by focusing exclusively on installation solutions using the Shure Automatic Microphone System. As products and markets evolved, in 1997 the AMS Update (Automatic Microphone System Update) became a new and improved AMS Update - the Automatic Mixers & Systems Update-€xpanded to encompass new models of Shure automatic mixers utilized in installed sound applications.

The AMS Update achieved its success and longevity by highlighting interesting installations around the world, featuring how-to articles ac­companied by charts and diagrams, and by providing general tips and hints to assist our readers achieve optimum performance in their installations.

Look for these new products to be featured in the new Sound Connections

AMS 8100

After 34 issues of the AMS Update, and after more than a quarter million channels of Shure automatic mixing installed since 1983, the AMS Update has reached its original goal of establish­ing automatic mixing as an indispensable audio tool. But don't think this is the end!

We are pleased to inform you that the culmination of the AMS Update is simply open­ing the door for a new publication that will reach an even broader audience--Sound Connections. Sound Connections has been especially tailored for the sound contracting market and will feature products such as automatic mixers, installed sound microphones, and digital signal processing products. In Sound Connections you'll find prod­uct information, audio tips, close-up articles on installations and applications, and much more.

And last, but not least, we would like to thank all of our loyal readers and customers who have provided valuable input to the AMS Update. The success of the AMS Update was undoubtedly achieved with the help of your interest and contributions. We look forward to your continued support with Sound Connections.

DFR11 EQ Version 4

MX412D

Shure Brothers Incorporated, 222 Hartrey Ave., Evanston, IL 60202-3696 (847) 866-2200

AUTOMATIC MIXERS & SYSTEMS

Shure Introduces New Addition to the AMS Line Shure's new AMS 8100 automa­

tic mixer is a welcome addition to the AMS line. Replacing the AMS8000 and AMS4000 mixers, the AMS8100's patented Direc­tional IntelliMix@l activation technology only allows an AMS microphone to activate only if a sound source is within a 120° win­dow of acceptance, and the new MaxBus circuit allows only one microphone per sound source to activate.

Like the AMS8000, and AMS4000, the AMS8100 is de-

signed specifically for use with Shure AMS microphones. How­ever, the AMS8100 shares many of the same operational features of the Shure SCM810 automatic mixer. For example, the AMS8100 includes adjustable two band EQ per channel, a selectable output limiter, Last Microphone Lock On, complete TTL logic control of input channels, and the capability to I ink with the SCM81O, FP41O, and SCM800 mixers.

The AMS8100 automatic mixer is ideal for "fixed-seated" installa-

tions such as boardrooms, legisla­tive chambers, conference rooms, courtrooms, teleconferencing sites, and distance learning class­rooms.

And best of all, the AMS8100 is priced the same as the Shure SCM810 automatic mixer. Now you have the option of two out­standing automatic mIxing technologies from Shure: Direc­tional IntelliMix@l with the AMS8100 and IntelliMix@lwith the SCM810 and FP41O.

A Comparison between AMS8100 and AMS8000/AMS4000

AMS8100 AMS8000/ AMS4000

Aux-input linking: Aux inputs from all linked Aux inputs do not link to other mixers. mixers appear at outputs of all mixers. Defeatable internally.

Gate outputs can sink up to 500 mA of current. Gate outputs can sink up to 100 mA of current.

Direct outputs modifiable to gated outputs (without Many extra parts needed to modify the direct outs to affecting main mix bus) with no additional parts. gated outputs OR direct outs can be modified, but the

main mix bus is lost.

Active balanced output: Quiet, transformer-emulating Transformer balanced output. output maintains same output level for balanced or unbalanced connections.

Output levels selectable between +4 (line), -10 (aux), Output levels selectable between line and mic. and mic.

No aux output connector. Front- and rear-panel aux out connectors.

Peak output limiter with selectable threshold levels. No limiter.

Mute In completely mutes microphone. Mute In brings mic to off-attenuation level.

Mic clip level = 132 dB SPL (AMS26 mic). Mic clip level = 128 dB SPL (AMS26 mic).

+ 24 dBu Line Output clip level. + 18 dBu Line output clip level.

Global/Local linking for basic mix-minus applications. No Local/Global operation.

Stylin' Retrograde styling.

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AUTOMATIC MIXERS & SYSTEMS

A Comparison between AMS8100 and AMS8000/ AMS4000

AMS8100 AMS8000/ AMS4000

Maxbus - Turns on only one microphone per talker, No Maxbus. while allowing several mics on for several talkers.

"Phoenix" connectors - Output and all microphone XLR connectors. inputs use screw-type, removable block connectors for quick connections.

Last mic lock on circuit maintains ambient signal No built-in last mic lock circuit. after talker stops talking.

EQ per mic channel - Sweepable low-cut and shelving NoEQ high-frequency controls are screwdriver adjustable.

Clip LED per channel - Channel LED is bi-color: red No clip LED. = 6 dB below clipping; green = channel gated on.

9 segment Output meter - peak responding bargraph 2 segment Output meter. indicates output level.

Headphone level control. None.

DB-25 Logic connector for entire mixer. "Phoenix" connectors per channel.

Mini-DIN link connector - This 8 pin cable (included) 1/4" jack linking. allows the AMS8100 to be linked to more AMS8100s or SCM810s or FP410s.

Aux level direct outs, internally modifiable to mic- Mic level direct outs. level.

1 rack space height. 2 rack space height.

Off-attenuation: selectable between 15 dB and Variable off-attenuation. infinite. Internally modifiable to other levels.

Differences between AMS8100 and SCM810

AMS8100 SCM810

Direction Intellimix: 120 degree acceptance angle Intellimix: Noise-adaptive threshold gating, Maxbus, microphone gating, Maxbus, NOMA, Last Mic Lock NOMA, Last Mic Lock On. On.

AMS microphones only. Any professional balanced microphone.

Aux/Direct Out/Direct Out switch: behind ehannel AuxiDirect Out/Direct Out switch: behind Output 8's microphone connector. connector.

Operation down to 90 Vac for Japanese market. Operation down to 105 Vac.

Output level selectable: +4 dBu (line), -10 dBV (aux), Output level: Line, internally modifiable to mic. or mic.

Output level switch: behind the Output connector. None.

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AUTOMATIC MIXERS & SYSTEMS

Feeding Different Mixes to Different Zones Some sound reinforcement sys­

tems require multiple output mixes to feed groups of loudspeakers in different locations. In a courtroom, for example, the judge may need to hear the attorneys and the wit­ness; the gallery may need to hear the judge, attorneys, and witness; and the tape recording system may require all of these sources plus an ambiance microphone. For these applications, multiple output mixes can be created using multi­ple SCM810 automatic mixers. The level of each microphone sent to each zone can be adjusted indi­vidually without affecting the sig­nal from that microphone that is heard in other zones. The master output level sent to each zone can be adjusted as well.

Let's look at the signal path for just one microphone for now. Here's how it works:

• The judge's microphone is con­nected to input #1 of SCM810 au­tomatic mixer #1. The level of the

SCM810 #1

SCM810 #2

SCM810 #3

judge's microphone heard in the gallery is controlled by the input level control, while the overall level sent to the gallery is control­led by the master output control on mixer #1. The Direct Output from input channel #1 is split with a Y-cable; one end of the "Y" is connected to input #1 on mix~r #2, and. the other end is con­nected to input #1 on mixer #3. (The Direct Outputs are pre-gate and pre-fader. Because the Direct Outputs are Aux level, the input on mixers #2 and #3 should be set for Line level.)

• The input knob on mixer #2 controls how much of the judge's microphone is sent to the PA speakers above the attorneys. The master output control of mixer #2 controls the overall level sent to the attorneys.

• The input knob on mixer #3 controls how much of the judge's microphone is sent to the tape re­corder; the master output of mixer

#3 controls the overall level sent to tape. If desired, an ambiance microphone could be connected to mixer #3 only, with that chan­nel forced on to provide a constant signal on the tape, even when the speech microphones are gated off.

A benefit to using this approach is that each mixer (and therefore each zone) can have a separate set of logic functions. For example, when the attorneys approach the judge's bench for a conversation, the judge could push a button that mutes his microphone to the PA system, but maintains its feed to the tape recorder.

In some situations a particular mix does not need to be a voice­activated mix, such as for the tape recorder. In that case a. non­automatic SCM800 mixer could be used to feed the tape recorder instead of an automatic SCM810. Because the SCM810's Direct Out­puts are Au~ level, they can be "split" multiple times to feed the inputs of multiple mixers.

~ Judge's Mic

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o TO

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o

o

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GALLERY

TO ATTORNEYS

TO TAPE

AUTOMATIC MIXERS & SYSTEMS

AMS UPDATE INDEX Volumes I, II, III, IV

Board Rooms Accreditation of Hospitals V1 #7 American College of Surgeons V2#10 Army War College V1 #5 Bell Canada V1 #1 Bank of Tokyo V4#2 British Boradcasting Co. V1 #3 British Petroleum V1 #3 Centro Bancomer, Mexico V3#5 Coopers & Lybrand V3#6 Dana Corporation V3#9 Ernst and Whinney V1 #10 Helene Curtis Inc. V1 #6 Hitachi Ltd. japan V1 #8 Kaiser Permanente HMO V3#3 Mitsubishi, japan V1 #8 Morgan Stanley Bank V2#5 National Geographic V1 #6 National Institutes of Health V2#5 New York City Public Development V2#7 New York Power Authority V2#7 Norwegian Prime Minister V2#8 PBS Headquarters V3#2, V3#6 Port Authority of Long Beach V3#9 Public Employees Retirement V2#8 Secretaria de Gobernacion, Mexico V3#5

Briefing Rooms/Conference Centers Adelaide Festival Centre V4#1 AT&T World Headquarters V1 #10 Bank of Canton V2#2 Bank Hapoalim, Israel V3#4 Broadmoor Hotel V3#1 Centre 200, Canada V2#3 Defense Department Facility V4#1 East-West Center V1 #3, V2#5 EEOC, Washington D.C. V2#7 Emory University, GA V3#4 England Air Force Base V2#6 Fort Monmouth CECOM V3#4 Fujitsu Ltd. World Headquarters V1 #8 Gallo Winery V2#2 Haus der Technik, Germany V3#4 Hewitt Associates V2#4 Hilton Videoconferencing V1 #9 IBM japan V1 #8 Israel Electric V3#4 Mayo Clinic V2#1 Mercantile Stores University V3#8 Midwest Air Command V1 #10 Muramoto Kensetsu Headquarters V1 #8

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NASA Johnson Space CenterV2#7 NASNLangley AFB V1 #6 Nippon Telephone & Telepgraph V1 #8 Nomura Bank of London V3#3 NYC Teachers Insurance V3#4 PACE V1#10 Pentagon V1 #1 Portland General Electric V2#7 PTT Labs, Netherlands V2#5 Public Staff Relations Board, Canada V3#5 Reagan Presidential Library V3#3 Rockwell International V1 #6 Sanwa Headquarters, Japan V1 #8 SAS Hotel, Oslo V3#2 Scott Air Force Base V3#1O Sheraton Hotel Iselin, NJ V2#5 Tokyo Government Buildings V2#1O Towa Engineering, japan V1 #8 Trojan Nuclear Plant V2#7 U.S. Army Mobile Command V1 #7 U.S. Chamber of Commerce V2#5 World Conference Center V1 #6, V1 #7

BruadcastiVideo Production ABC News V1 #2 Allstate Insurance V1 #8 Audio Film Services V1 #6 'Bowman Gray School V2#5 Cal State University V2#5 KKBN Radio, CA V3#4 Lighthouse Productions V1 #4 Marquardt Productions V4#3 Museum of TV & Radio, New York V3#4 NAB Convention V3#6 RTL Paris V1 #4 WBZ V2#2 WCLR V1#5 WGBH Boston V2#5 WICC V2#4 WMAQ Chicago V2#6 WNVC Governors Conference V1 #5 WTTW Chicago V1 #2

Churches Domkirke, Oslo V3#2 Pope's Visit to U.S. V2#2 St. Charles, Illinois V4#2 St. James', Chicago V2#6 St. Luke'S, Minneapolis V2#9 St. Paul's, Minneapolis V1 #7 St. Peter's, Ohio V2#2

AUTOMATIC MIXERS & SYSTEMS

AMS UPDATE INDEX Volumes I, II, III, IV

Court RoomslTrials Alameda County Superior Courts V3#3 Alberta Provincial Courts V1 #1 Arizona Supreme Court V3#4 California Supreme Court V3#1 Chicago-Kent Law College V3#9 Courtroom Design V2 Appendix Deposition Recording V2#3 Federal Correction Institutions V3#8 Hawaii Federal Courts V3#4 Louisiana Courts V4#2 New South Wales V1 #8 Peoria County, IL V2#1O Pepperdine University V3#4 Phelan, Pope, & john V2#8 Pinellas County, FL V2#4 Rommey Court, VA V1 #5 Tampa, FL V3#2 Thibodaux, LA V3#8 U.S. District - Omaha, NE V2#5 U.S. Supreme Court V3#8 Vermilion County, IL V2#5 Video Arraignment V2#4,V2#9,V3#2

Distance Learning Bell Atlantic System V4#3 IBM Learning Center V2#1O Kansas Schools V3#2 Microelectronics Center of North Carolina V2#9,V4#2 New Mexico Network V3#1 North Dakota System V3#3 Oregon Graduate Center V1 #9 Panhandle State University V3#4 St. Cloud Technical, MN V2#6 Stanford University, CA V3#4 Univ. of Colorado, Boulder V2#4 Univ. of South Carolina V2#7 Various institutions using AMS V2#6

Financial Institutions First Inerstate Bank V1 #10 Oppenheimer & Co. V1 #3 Sydney Futures Exchange V1 #5

Legislative Bodies Akoh, japan V1 #8 Amador County, CA V2#5 American Fork, UT V3#3 Auburn Hills, MI V2#3 Avalon, CA V2#5

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Barcelona, Spain V3#6 Benicia, CA V3#3 Beverly Hills, CA V2#5 Beverly Hills, CA V2#5 Board of Regents, UCLA V2#5 Burbank, CA V2#6 California State Senate V2#8 Carver County Center, MN V3#9 Champaign, IL V2#7 City Council Design V2 Appendix Counseil General, France V3#4 Cupertino, CA V2#8 Fremont, CA V2#8 Fujimi, japan V1 #8 Gilroy, CA V2#1O Green Acres, FL V3#2 Howell, MI V3#9 Indianapolis Public Schools V2#1 Isle of Man Parliament V4#1 Kentucky House of Representatives V2#1O Kentucky Senate V2#4 Kyoto, japan V1 #8 Lee County, FL V3#4 Massachusetts State House V2#5, V3#4 Minnesota Capitol Hearing Rooms V1 #7 Minnesota Senate Chambers V2#9 Modesto Irrigation District V2#8 Monrovia, CA V3#4 Monterey County, CA V2#1O Monterey Park CA V2#6 Morgan, CA V2#1O Mt. Prospect, IL V3#1 Newport News, VA V3#4 New York City Hall V1 #7 Northbrook, IL V3#4 Orange County Commission, FL V2#3 Palm Beach County, FL V2#5 Pleasant Hill, CA V4#1 Rancho Cucamonga, CA V2#10 Sacramento, CA V2#8 San jose, CA V3#10 Spokane, WA V3#4 Springfield, IL V2#5 State of jersey Parliament V2#3 Stoke-on-Trent, England V2#3 Texas Statehouse V4#2 University of Wisconsin Board of Regents V3#9 U.S. Chamber of Commerce V2#5 Utah Legislature V3#1 Vaughn, Ontario V2#8 Virginia, MN V3#10

AUTOMATIC MIXERS & SYSTEMS

AMS UPDATE INDEX Volumes I, II, III, IV

Legislative Bodies Wellington, New Zealand V3#8 West Virginia Capitol Vl #9 Wisconsin State Assembly V3#1, V3#6

Simultaneous Translation World Conference Center Vl #6, Vl #7

TEC;HNICAL NOTES 24-Volt Relays Vl #4 A24QG Adapter V2#8 Acoustical Environment & AMS Mics V3#5 AMS Concept Vl #10 AMS Mic into Two Inputs V4#2 AMS Operation, Description V2#10 AMS22, Subsurface V2#9 AMS26, Security Vl #3, V2#1 AMS880 Vl #4, V2#7 AMS880 with SCM810 V4#2 Architectural Acoustics textbook V2#5 Arraignment, Video Interactive V2#9 Attenuator for AMS Mics V2#2 Automatic Gain Control V2#7 Bi-directional Gating V2#3 Cable with Extra Pair V2#8 Ceiling Mounted Mics, problems V2#1 Channel Expansion Vl #5 Church Applications Vl #3, Vl #5 City Council Design V2 Appendix City Council Control System V4#3 Computer Terminal Noise V2#5 Courtroom Design V2 Appendix Critical Distance and AMS Vl #4 Custom Metal Panels V3#3 Demo Hints Vl #3, Vl #4 Digital Proportional Amplifier V2#1 Direct Gated Outputs Vl #3, V2#6, V3#5 Direct Outputs, Off-Attenuation V4#3 Direct Outputs, In Parallel V3#1 Equalization of System V3#4 Fiber Optic Interface V3#5 Filibuster Mode, Modified V2#1, V2#2, V3#3 Gain Reduction V2#7 Gating Problems Vl #3, Vl #6, V2#1 Gooseneck vs. Surface Mics Vl #6 Grounding Vl #2 Last Mic Lock On Vl #1 LED Indicators V2#4, V2#6, V2#7 Line Level Sources with RKC 190 V2#6 Link Jacks V3#3 Linking Remote SCM810 Mixers V4#1

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TECHNICAL NOTES Logic Control Lines V3#4 Logic Terminals, Disconnectable V3# 1 Loudspeaker Attenuation V2#6, V3#2 Manual/Automatic AMS VI #8, VI #9 Microphone Connectors VI #3 Microphone with Logic Control V4#3 Mix-Minus PA Systems V2#7, V3#6 Mute Switches VI #2, V2#6, V3#6 Non-AMS Mics, Using VI#9, V2#I, V2#1O Number of Open Mics (NOM) VI #6 Number of Open Mics, Selectable V2#2 Phasing, Cable VI #2 Relays for use with Gate Out V3#2 Remote Volume Controls V2#8, V3#5 RKCI90 V2#6 Robotic Cameras V2#1 Room Noise Modulation VI#I, VI#5 RS232 & AMS Logic V3#5 Simultaneous Gating VI #9 Wireless Microphones VI#I, VI#5, V2#6, V3#6 Wiring Techniques V3#4

Access to some AMS Updates is available on the Shure Website at www.shure.com

Back Issues of AMS Update Available

If you missed previous issues of AMS Update, they may be obtained by contacting Max Buchanan at Shure and requesting the issues you want. If in Europe, you can con­tact: SHURE BROTHERS EUROPE Wannenacker Str. 28 74078 Heilbronn Germany Telefon: 49-7131-72140 Fax: 49-7131-721414 AL936-Volume 1 Compendium AL 1130-Volume 2 Compendium AL 1255-Volume 3 Compendium AL 1263-Volume 4 No.1 AL 1282-Volume 4 No.2 AL 1289-Volume 4 No.3

AMS POTPOURRI Here is a list of some recent interesting AMS/SCM81O installations:

• California Bar Association - 40 channels of AMS; designed and installed by Acromedia

• Germany's "House of Technics" Conference Center - 120 channels of AMS with central computer control; designed and installed by Siemens of Germany

• Government of Romania - 32 channels of AMS for the president's cabinet meetings; designed and installed by Electro Vox of Romania

• Government of Thailand - 420 channels of AMS for Ministry of the Interior conference center

AUTOMATIC MIXERS & SYSTEMS

• Graham Foundation of Chicago - 8 channels of SCM810; designed and installed by RC Communications

• Motorola University - Arizona; 112 channels of AMS; designed by Paoletti Associates; installed by AVR of Phoenix

• National Defense University-40 channels of SCM810; designed by Integrex; installed by Design & Integration

• New Mexico State University Board of Regents - 16 channels of AMS employed in a portable sound system; designed by NMSU Center for Educational Development

• Pacific Stock Exchange -SCM810 mixers used for "hoot and holler" trading systems linking Los Angeles to San Francisco; designed and installed by Southland Sound

The Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in Fine Arts - Chicago

Main Stair Case

Printed in U.S.A. 8

• Rockefeller Chapel at the University of Chicago - 8 channels of SCM810; designed and installed by RC Commun ications

• St. Elizabeth Seaton Church, Naperville IL - 8 channels of SCM810; designed and installed by Audio Electronics

• St. Mary of the Angels Church, Chicago - 16 channels of SCM81O; designed and installed by RC Communications

• State of Montana Capitol - 56 channels of SCM810; designed by RLS Acoustics; installed by Black Box design

• State of Nevada Capitol - 80 channels of SCM810 in Assembly and Senate chambers; 96 channels of SCM810 in adjunct committee rooms; designed and installed by Automation Concepts

AL 1359