LECTROSONICS DBu/E01 Digital Belt Pack Transmitter User Guide
- June 6, 2024
- LECTROSONICS
Table of Contents
LECTROSONICS DBu/E01 Digital Belt Pack Transmitter
DBu, DBu/E01 Features and Functions
Programmable Switch
The transmitter can also be configured as a “one button” device by locking the
ability to make changes with the keypad, and configuring the top panel switch
as either power on/off or a mute function.
Modulation Indicator LEDs
When the transmitter is set to MUTE, the -10 Modulation Indicators LED will glow solid red. Otherwise, the -10 Modulation Indicators LED will glow solid green when transmitter is on.
Belt Clips
The wire belt clip may be removed by pulling the ends out of the holes in the sides of the case. Be sure to have a firm grip to avoid scratching the surface of the housing. An optional spring-loaded, hinged belt clip (model number BCSLEBN) is also available. This clip is attached by removing the plastic hole cap on the back of the housing and mounting the clip with the supplied screw.
IR (infrared) Port
The IR port is available on the top of the transmitter for quick setup using a
receiver with this function available. IR Sync will transfer the settings for
frequency from the receiver to the transmitter.
Battery Installation
The transmitter is powered by two AA batteries. We recommend using alkaline,
lithium, or rechargeable batteries for longest life. The battery status
circuitry compensates for the difference in voltage drop between alkaline and
lithium batteries across their usable life, so it’s important to select the
correct battery type in the menu. Because rechargeable batteries run down
quite abruptly, using the Power LED to verify battery status will not be
reliable. However, it is possible to track battery status using the battery
timer function available in the receiver. Push outward on the battery
compartment door and lift it to open.
Insert the batteries according to the markings on the back of the housing. If
the batteries are inserted incorrectly, the door will close but the unit will
not operate. The battery contacts can be cleaned with alcohol and a cotton
swab, or a clean pencil eraser. Be sure not to leave any remnants of the
cotton swab or eraser crumbs inside the compartment.
Battery Status LED Indicator
Alkaline, lithium or rechargeable batteries can be used to power the transmitter. The type of batteries in use are selectable in a menu on the LCD. When alkaline or lithium batteries are being used, the LED labeled BATT on the keypad glows green when the batteries are good. The color changes to red when the they are nearing the end of life. When the LED begins to blink red, there will be only a few minutes remaining. The Power/Function LED on the top panel will mirror the keypad LED unless the programmable switch is set to Mute, and the switch is turned on. The exact point at which the LEDs turn red will vary with battery brand and condition, temperature and power consumption. The LEDs are intended to simply catch your attention, not to be an exact indicator of remaining time.
A weak battery will sometimes cause the Power LED to glow green immediately
after the transmitter is turned on, but it will soon discharge to the point
where it will turn red or the unit will turn off completely. Rechargeable
batteries give little or no warning when they are depleted. If you wish to use
these batteries in the transmitter, the most accurate way to determine runtime
status is by testing the time provided by a particular battery brand and type,
then using the BatTime function to determine remaining runtime.
NOTE: Refer to the Main Menu and Setup Section for BatTime details.
Operating Instructions
Powering On in Operating Mode
Press and hold the Power Button until a status bar on the LCD is
completed.
When you release the button, the unit will be operational with the RF output turned on and the Main Window displayed.
Powering On in Standby Mode
A brief press of the Power Button , and releasing it before status bar has
completed, will turn the unit on with the RF output turned off. In this
Standby Mode the menus can be browsed to make settings and adjustments without
the risk of interfering with other wireless systems nearby 
After settings and adjustments are made, press the power button again to turn the unit off.
Powering Off
From any screen, power can be turned off by selecting Pwr Off in the power
menu, holding the Power Button in and waiting for the status bar to complete,
or with the programmable switch (if it is configured for this function). If
the power button is released, or the top panel switch is turned back on again
before the status bar is completed, the unit will remain turned on and the LCD
will return to the same screen or menu that was displayed previously.
NOTE : If the programmable switch is in the OFF position, power can still
be turned on with the power button. If the programmable switch is then turned
on, a brief message will appear on the LCD.
Power Menu Options
Entering the Power Menu
With the unit turned on, press the power button once briefly from any menu or screen and a menu will appear with several options. Use the and arrow buttons to highlight menu items. Then press MENU/SEL to execute the item or enter a setup screen. The following options are available:
- Resume – returns to the previous mode and screen
- Pwr Off – turns the unit off irrevocably
- Rf On? – enters a screen to enable the operating or standby modes
- AutoOn? – allows the unit to automatically turn back on after a power failure or when fresh batteries are installed (works in the operating mode only)
- Backlit – adjusts the duration of the LCD back light to 5 seconds or 30 seconds, or to remain on
- About – displays model number and firmware version.
Main Menu and Setup Screen Details
Entering the Main Menu
The LCD and keypad interface makes it easy to browse the menus and make the
selections for the setup you need. When the unit is powered up in either the
operating or the standby mode, press MENU/SEL on the keypad to enter a menu
structure on the LCD. Use the and arrow buttons to select the menu item. Then
press the MENU/SEL button to enter the setup screen.
Main Window Indicators
The Main Window displays programmable switch function, Standby or Operating
mode, operating frequency, audio level and battery status.
Connecting the Signal Source
Microphones, line level audio sources and instruments can be used with the transmitter. Refer to the section entitled Input Jack Wiring for Different Sources for details on the correct wiring for line level sources and microphones to take full advantage of the Servo Bias circuitry.
Adjusting the Input Gain
The two bicolor Modulation LEDs on the top panel provide a visual indication
of the audio signal level entering the transmitter. The LEDs will glow either
red or green to indicate modulation levels as shown in the following
table.
NOTE : Full modulation is achieved at 0 dB, when the “-20” LED first turns red. The limiter can cleanly handle peaks up to 30 dB above this point.
It is best to go through the following procedure with the transmitter in the standby mode so that no audio will enter the sound system or recorder during adjustment.
- With fresh batteries in the transmitter, power the unit on in the standby mode (see previous section Powering On in Standby Mode).
- Navigate to the Gain setup screen.
- Prepare the signal source. Position a microphone the way it will be used in actual operation and have the user speak or sing at the loudest level that occur during use, or set the output level of the instrument or audio device to the maximum level that will be used.
- Use the and arrow buttons to adjust the gain until the –10 dB glows green and the –20 dB LED starts to flicker red during the loudest peaks in the audio.
- Once the audio gain has been set, the signal can be sent through the sound system for overall level adjustments, monitor settings, etc.
- If the audio output level of the receiver is too high or low, use only the controls on the receiver to make adjustments. Always leave the transmitter gain adjustment set according to these instructions, and do not change it to adjust the audio output level of the receiver.
Selecting Frequency
The setup screen for frequency selection offers two ways to browse the
available frequencies. Frequency groups are also able to be received via IR
(Inrared) port sync. The group options are set by the receiver, and will show
at the bottom of the screen as No Grp, Grp x, Grp w, Grp v, or Grp u. Use the
MENU/SEL button to toggle between options and UP and DOWN arrows to
adjust.
Selecting Programmable Switch Functions
The programmable switch on the top panel can be configured using the menu to provide several functions:
- (none) – disables the switch
- Mute – mutes the audio when switched on; LCD will blink a message and -10 LED will glow solid red.
- Power – turns the power on and off
- TalkBk – switches the audio output on the receiver to a different channel for communication with the production crew. Requires a receiver with this function enabled.
NOTE : The programmable switch will continue to operate whether or not keypad changes are locked.
Selecting the Low Frequency Roll-off
The low frequency audio roll-off is adjustable to optimize performance for ambient noise conditions or personal preference. Low frequency audio content may be desirable or distracting, so the point at which the roll-off takes place can be set to 20, 35, 50, 70, 100, 120 or 150 Hz.
Selecting Audio Polarity (Phase)
Audio polarity can be inverted at the transmitter so the audio can be mixed
with other microphones without comb filtering. The polarity can also be
inverted at the receiver outputs.
Selecting Battery Type
The voltage drop over the life of different batteries varies by type and
brand. Be sure to set the correct battery type for accurate indications and
warnings. The menu offers alkaline or lithium types.
If you are using rechargeable batteries, it is better to use the timer function on the receiver to monitor the battery life rather than the indicators on the transmitter. Rechargeable batteries maintain a fairly constant voltage across the operating time on each charge and stop working abruptly, so you will have little or no warning as they reach the end of operation.
Setting Transmitter Output Power
The output power can be set to 25 mW or 50 mW.
Remote
Remote control “dweedle” tones from a smart phone can be used to control the
transmitter.
Locking/Unlocking Changes to Settings
Changes to the settings can be locked to prevent inadvertent changes being
made.
When changes are locked, several controls and actions can still be used:
- Settings can still be unlocked
- Menus can still be browsed
- Programmable switch still works (Mute and On/Off)
- Power can still be turned off by using the power menu or removing the batteries.
Restoring Default Settings
This is used to restore the factory settings.
KeyType
The DBu, DBu/E01 receives an encryption via the IR port from a key generating receiver. Begin by selecting a key type in the receiver and generating a new key (key type is labeled KEY POLICY in the DSQD receiver). Set the matching KEY TYPE in the DBu, DBu/E01 and transfer the key from the receiver (SYNC KEY) to the DBu, DBu/E01 via the IR ports. A confirmation message will display on the receiver display if the transfer is successful. The transmitted audio will then be encrypted and can only be listened to if the receiver has the matching encryption key. The DBu, DBu/E01 has three options for encryption keys:
• Shared : There are an unlimited number of shared keys available. Once
generated by a receiver and transferred to the DBu, DBu/E01, the encryption
key is available to be shared (synced) by the DBu, DBu/E01 with other
transmitters/receivers via the IR port. When a transmitter is set to this key
type, a menu item named SEND KEY is available to transfer the key to another
device.
• Universal : This is the most convenient encryption option available. All
encryption-capable Lectrosonics transmitters and receivers contain the
Universal Key. The key does not have to be generated by a receiver. Simply set
the DBu, DBu/E01 and a Lecrosonics receiver to Universal, and the encryption
is in place. This allows for convenient encryption amongst multiple
transmitters and receivers, but not as secure as creating a unique key.
WipeKey
This menu item is only available if Key Type is set to Standard or Shared. Select Yes to wipe the current key and enable the DBu, DBu/E01 to receive a new key.
SendKey
Whip Antennas
Because the transmitter tunes across such a broad frequency range, it is best to use the appropriate antenna for maximum operation. Three antennas are included with the transmitter, and are shipped from the factory pre-cut and fully assembled. Each antenna covers three blocks. Use the chart below to determine which antenna best fits your needs.
| Frequency| Cap| |
---|---|---|---|---
Block| Range MHz| Color| Antenna|
470| 470.100 – 495.600| Black| AMM19
19| 486.400 – 511.900| Black| AMM19
20| 512.000 – 537.500| Black| AMM19
21| 537.600 – 563.100| Red| AMM22
22| 563.200 – 588.700| Red| AMM22
23| 588.800 – 614.300| Red| AMM22
Encryption Key and Settings Transfer
A cable between the receiver and the micro USB port on the side of the transmitter is used to transfer the encryption key from the receiver to the transmitter. This connection can also be used to send the transmitter settings stored in the receiver to the transmitter. The interface cable, P/N DRKEYCABLE, is used to make this connection.
NOTE : Reference the DSW System Instruction Manual for instructions on Encryption Key settings and software.
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