Radial Studio-Q Talkback Interface with Built-In Mic User Guide
- June 3, 2024
- Radial
Table of Contents
Radial Studio-Q Talkback Interface with Built-In Mic
Instructions
Thank you for your purchase of the Studio-Q™ talkback box and cue system
controller. The Studio-Q™ is a ruggedly built device designed to make
communication easier in the recording studio by adding a talkback microphone
into the cue system that feeds the artist’s headphones.
Even though the Studio-Q™ is simple and easy to use, the best way to utilize
its full functionality is to take a few minutes to review the manual and get
to know the various features that are built into the unit before making your
audio connections.
This will save time when you first setup the Studio-Q™ and provide a hassle-
free experience.
If you happen to have a question that is not answered in this manual, please
visit the Radial website and navigate to the
Studio-Q™ FAQ page. This is where we post the latest updates on the Studio-Q™
as well as questions from other users that may be similar to your own. If you
do not find the answer to your question on our website, please feel free to
contact us via email at info@radialeng.com and we
will do our best to respond to you in short order.
Now get ready to vastly improve the communication in your studio with this
powerful, yet simple device.
OVERVIEW
The Studio-Q is a clever box that is designed to provide a basic talkback
system for those that have a recording studio but may not have a large console
with built-in talkback in the control room. It easily integrates with
recording workstations by connecting to an available mono or stereo output.
Once connected it allows the engineer to speak on top of the program material
to the artist using either the internal mic or an external one. The mic may be
turned on using the main switch or activated remotely with a footswitch for
hands-free operation. Once in use you will ask yourself how you ever managed
without it!
FEATURES
- DIM: Used to lower the program volume to the desired level when the talkback mic is active.
- INT-MIC: Trim control used to adjust the internal capacitive microphone.
- EXT-MIC: Trim control used to adjust the external producer mic input.
- MIC: Internal omni-directional capacitive microphone.
- REMOTE ON BOTH: Engaged – Pressing either the talkback button or an external footswitch will activate both the internal and external mic’s. Disengaged – The talkback button will only activate the internal microphone and an external footswtich will only activate the external mic.
- MIC: Is the master output level for the two microphones.
- TALKBACK: Engages both the internal and external microphone (if connected) and dims the program level.
- PROGRAM: Used to set the level of the incoming pre-recorded tracks to the headphone system.
- DRY CONTACT/PWR: Sets the function of the remote output as a dry contact relay or to send power to a beacon.
- EXT MIC: XLR connection for the external producer microphone.
- PROGRAM INPUTS: ¼” TRS input for program material; L input may also be used in mono.
- OUTPUTS: ¼” TRS connections carry program material mixed with the talkback mic.
- REMOTE OUT: Dry contact output to control external relay or to send power to a beacon.
- REMOTE IN: Connection for Radial JR1-M™ momentary footswitch.
- CABLE LOCK: Prevents accidental disconnection from the power supply.
- POWER DC: Connection for 15V power supply
MAKING CONNECTIONS
As always turn off your audio equipment or turn down all volume controls
before making connections. This will help you avoid plugin and turn-on
transients that can damage more sensitive components like tweeters. There is
no power switch on the Studio-Q;
simply connecting the power cable from the 15VDC supply will automatically
turn it on. Check for power by depressing the MIC switch. The LED above will
illuminate. A handy cable clamp is provided to lock the cable and prevent
accidental disconnection.
Connect the output from your recording system to the Studio-Q using either
balanced ¼” TRS or unbalanced ¼” TS cables. A balanced connection will
typically yield about 6db more gain. From the Studio-Q connect the program
output to your headphone amplifier.
Testing the audio
We suggest you set the Studio-Q controls to the start position as follows:
- Set the recessed DIM control to 12 o’clock
- Set recessed INT-MIC trim control to 3 o’clock
- Set the master MIC level to 7 o’clock (off)
- Set the PROGRAM level to 7 o’clock (off)
Connect a headphone amp to the output and set a track to play and slowly
increase the master PROGRAM volume on the Studio-Q until a comfortable setting
is found. Depress the TALKBACK switch, talk at a normal level and slowly turn
up the master MIC level until you can hear your own voice comfortably over the
music. You can also adjust the
DIM control so that when the talkback mic is on the program material is
reduced to a comfortable background level or even off.
Adding an external mic
The Studio-Q is equipped with a second mic input that will also feed the
headphone system, allowing a producer or band member to speak to artists. This
is designed for a standard dynamic microphone. Turning on the producer mic can
be done via a remote footswitch like the JR1-M. To use the talkback button to
activate an external mic, engage the REMOTE ON BOTH
MICS recessed switch on the right side of the Studio-Q To test, follow the
same procedure as above. Then set the recessed EXT-MIC level to 7 o’clock
(off) . Press the TALKBACK switch and speak into the external microphone while
slowly bringing up the EXT-MIC level. You will now want to compare the output
between the INT and EXT (internal and external) microphones to make sure they
are reasonably well balanced.
You will then use the master MIC volume control to set the final gain. If you
wish to only hear the output of the external microphone, simply turn the INT-
MIC control fully counter-clockwise to mute it completely.
USING THE REMOTE CONTROL
Radial makes a footswitch called the JR1-M™. This momentary footswitch is able
to control the Studio-Q remotely by connecting a simple ¼” TS cable. The JR1-M
can be set up in two modes, one with LED and one without. For use with the
Studio-Q, you must set the footswitch to operate without LEDs as they will not
receive power from the Studio-Q. There are two reasons to have a remote
footswitch. The first is that for some studio engineers they prefer to switch
the talkback mic on or off using a footswitch as this allows them to be
twisting knobs and pushing a mouse around while talking.
The other is for the producer. He may be sitting at the back of the room
talking into an external mic where he cannot reach the Studio-Q and being able
to turn on the mic using a footswitch makes this easy. In both cases, the
footswitch input improves productivity!
Using a footswitch with the Studio-Q is as simple as plugging it into the
REMOTE IN ¼” connector on the back of the unit. In normal operation the
footswitch will only activate the external microphone, allowing a producer at
the back of the room control over their microphone only. When the REMOTE ON
BOTH MICS recessed switch on the side of the Studio-Q is activated then any
connected footswitch will activate both microphones simultaneously.
USING THE REMOTE OUTPUT
The REMOTE OUT connection on the Studio-Q™ allows an external device to
receive a switching signal when the TALKBACK switch is pressed so that a relay
or beacon can be used to attract attention when needed.
There are two ways to set up the dry contact output:
- Switch set to OUT position – When the Talkback switch is pressed, this provides 12VDC at the remote out jack to operate a small light or to trigger a relay. The maximum current available at the output is 200mA. This output is NOT isolated from the internal circuitry of the Studio-Q™. Be careful as grounding either conductor anywhere may cause a ground loop.
- Switch set to IN position – When the Talkback switch is pressed, this provides a dry contact closure that is totally isolated from the internal circuitry of the Studio-Q. The line coming from this output may be exposed to a maximum peak voltage of 30V with a maximum current load of 500mA.
BLOCK DIAGRAM
Note: Subject to change without notice.
SPECIFICATIONS*
- Audio Circuit Type: ……………………………………………………………………………………………..Active with Opto FET dim circuits
- Frequency Response – Program: ………………………………………………………………………………………… 20Hz-20kHz +/-0.5dB
- Noise Floor: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………-86dBu
- Dynamic Range: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 106dB
- Maximum Input – Program: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… +14dBu
- Intermodulation Distortion:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. <0.005%
- Total Harmonic Distortion: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. <0.007%
- Input Impedance – Program:………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 20k Ohms
- Input Impedance – EXT Mic …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2k Ohms
- Clip Level – 1/4” Outputs:………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… +20dBu
- Output Impedance – 1/4” Outputs: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………225 Ohms
- Maximum Gain – EXT Mic Input:………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… +45dB
- Dim Attenuation: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… -6dB to -80dB
- Power: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………15VDC 400mA, Center Pole Positive
- Construction: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Steel Enclosure
- Warranty: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Radial 3-year, transferable
RADIAL ENGINEERING
3 YEAR TRANSFERABLE WARRANTY
RADIAL ENGINEERING LTD. (“Radial”) warrants this product to be free from
defects in material and workmanship and will remedy any such defects free of
charge according to the terms of this warranty. Radial will repair or replace
(at its option) any defective component(s) of this product (excluding finish
and wear and tear on components under normal use) for a period of three (3)
years from the original date of purchase. In the event that a particular
product is no longer available, Radial reserves the right to replace the
product with a similar product of equal or greater value. In the unlikely
event that a defect is uncovered, please call
604-942-1001 or email
service@radialeng.com to obtain an RA number
(Return Authorization number) before the 3 year warranty period expires.
The product must be returned prepaid in the original shipping container (or
equivalent) to Radial or to an authorized Radial repair center and you must
assume the risk of loss or damage. A copy of the original invoice showing date
of purchase and the dealer name must accompany any request for work to be
performed under this limited and transferable warranty. This warranty shall
not apply if the product has been damaged due to abuse, misuse,
misapplication, accident or as a result of service or modification by any
other than an authorized Radial repair center.
THERE ARE NO EXPRESSED WARRANTIES OTHER THAN THOSE ON THE FACE HEREOF AND
DESCRIBED ABOVE. NO WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE SHALL EXTEND BEYOND THE RESPECTIVE WARRANTY PERIOD
DESCRIBED ABOVE OF THREE YEARS. RADIAL SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR
ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOSS ARISING FROM THE USE
OF THIS PRODUCT. THIS WARRANTY GIVES
YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS, WHICH MAY VARY
DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE AND WHERE THE PRODUCT WAS PURCHASED.
Radial Engineering Ltd.
1845 Kingsway Ave. Port Coquitlam BC V3C 1S9 Canada
Tel: 604-942-1001
Fax: 604-942-1010
Email: info@radialeng.com
Radial Studio-Q™ User Guide – Part #: R870-1021-00 / 07-2021 / V2. Copyright © 2017 All rights reserved. Appearance and specifications subject to change without notice.
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>