Shure manual Model FP410 User Guide, Features

Shure Brothers Incorporated

222 Hartrey Avenue

Evanston IL 60202-3696 U.S.A.

Model FP410 User Guide

The Shure Model FP410E is an automatic microphone mixer de- signed for use in a wide variety of multi±microphone speech pickup applications. Shure IntelliMix is the remarkable new operational concept behind the FP410E. It delivers flawless automatic mixing by combining three unique functions:

•Noise±Adaptive Threshold,

•MaxBus, and

•Last Mic Lock±On.

Noise±Adaptive Threshold distinguishes between constant background noise (such as air conditioning) and rapidly changing sound (such as speech).This function continuously adjusts the ac- tivation threshold so that only speech levels louder than the back- ground sound will activate an FP410E channel.

MaxBus eliminates the poor audio quality that results when a talker is picked up by more than one microphone. It does this by controlling the number of microphones that may activate for a single sound source. With MaxBus, one talker will activate only one FP410E channel, even if multiple microphones are ªhearingº that talker.

Last Mic Lock±On maintains a seamless audio mix by keeping the most recently activated microphone open until a newly acti- vated microphone takes its place. Without Last Mic Lock±On, a long pause in conversation may allow all microphones to turn off, and it may sound as if the audio signal has been lost. Last Mic Lock±On ensures that background ambience will always be pres- ent.

Multiple miking situationsÐwith a number of talkers participa- tingÐhave always presented problems for the audio technician. If too few mics are used, the coverage of each talker may vary, with one talker (nearest the mic) being louder and clearer than the next. Talkers farthest from the mics will sound ªechoeyº andreverberant, as very little of the direct sound from their mouths reaches the mi- crophones. If too many mics are used, there's more background noise and reverberation pickup, as well as less gain before feed- back if a sound reinforcement (PA) system is used.

It's somewhat like having multiple video cameras all focused on the same subject. If these camera signals are combined, the result is a blurred image. When multiple microphones are open for a single talker, the result is a blurred audio signal. But it's often not practical for someone to turn mics on when they are needed and off when they are not. The answer is the FP410E automatic micro- phone mixer.

The FP410E automatically attenuates (turns down) any micro- phone not being used, greatly reducing the excess reverberation and feedback problems associated with the use of conventional

multiple microphone and mixer techniques. When a new talker starts to speak, the FP410E immediately selects and silently acti- vates the most appropriate microphone. Shure IntelliMix electronic signal processing enables the FP410E to provide clear, natural voice pickup. The FP410E significantly reduces the problems of ªboomyº or ªmuddyº sound, insufficient sound level (because of feedback or ªhowlingº), and operator errors. In fact, operator errors are virtually eliminated because the FP410E needs no operator or technician for continual adjustmentÐonce set up, it is completely self±sufficient.

The FP410E has numerous applications in video production and audio recording, broadcasting, and sound reinforcement. In any speech pickup application where multiple microphones are re- quired, the FP410E dramatically improves audio quality. Switching from manual to automatic operation allows an individual talker's voice to rise above the background noise and reverberation to be- come clearer and more intelligible.

Each FP410E handles up to four microphones or line±level sig- nals. Any high quality, low±impedance, balanced microphone us- ing a dynamic or condenser* transducer (including wireless and shotgun types) can be used. Additional FP410E mixers can be in- terconnected using the rear±panel link jacks. Complete manual op- eration is also available using a front±panel selector switch..

The FP410E is supplied with optional bumpers (feet) for use on horizontal surfaces, a short cable for linking two FP410E mixers, and a rack±mounting kit for installation in a standard 483 mm (19±inch) audio equipment rack..

The FP410E is supplied for 230 Vac operation (line fuse 0.05 A) and its line cord is terminated by a Schuko ac plug.

*Self±powered or operable on 14 or 48 Vdc phantom power.

Features

•Reliable, quick±acting, noise±free microphone selection±±auto- matically adjusts to changes in background room noise

•Front±panel channel gain and master controls operate as in con- ventional mixers

•Selectable hold time keeps microphones on during short pauses in speech

•Selectable Off±Attenuation control for seamless operation

•Automatic gain adjustment as additional microphones are acti- vated

•Defeatable ªLast Mic Lock±Onº circuit keeps at least onemicro- phone on at all timesÐmaintains acoustic ambiance and pre- vents confusing background sound changes

1996, Shure Brothers Inc.	Printed in U.S.A
27A8319 (PK)