Issue Preliminary 1, February 2022 Model 203 User Guide
Page 6 Studio Technologies, Inc.
Model 203
ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE
The user is presented with two pushbutton switch-
es and two push-in/push-out rotary potentiometers
(“pots”). This makes it easy to control the status of
the main and talkback outputs as well as adjusting
the level of the talent cue audio signals as they are
sent to the headphone output channels.
Ethernet Data and PoE
The Model 203 connects to a local area network (LAN)
by way of a standard 100 Mb/s twisted-pair Ethernet
interface. The physical 100BASE-TX interconnection
is made by way of a Neutrik
®
etherCON RJ45 jack.
While compatible with standard RJ45 plugs, ether-
CON allows a ruggedized and locking interconnection
for harsh or high-reliability environments.
The Model 203’s operating power is provided
by way of the Ethernet interface using the 802.3af
Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) standard. This allows
fast and ecient interconnection with the associated
data network. To support PoE power management,
the Model 203’s PoE interface enumerates (reports)
to the power sourcing equipment (PSE) that it’s a
class 2 (low power) device.
Dante Audio-over-Ethernet
Audio data is sent to and received from the Model 203
using the Dante audio-over-Ethernet media network-
ing technology. The Model 203’s two Dante transmitter
(output) and two Dante receiver (input) audio channels
can be assigned to other devices (routed) using the
Dante Controller software application. The Dante
transmitter (output) and receiver (input) channels are
limited to supporting four Dante ows, two in each
direction. The digital audio’s bit depth is up to 24 with
supported sample rates of 44.1, 48, 88.2, or 96 kHz.
Two bi-color LEDs provide an indication of the Dante
connection status.
The Model 203 is compatible with the AES67 inter-
operability standard. In this mode, the two transmitter
(output) channels will function in multicast; unicast
is not supported. In addition, the unit is compatible
with the Dante Domain Manager (DDM) software
application.
Audio Quality
The Model 203’s performance is completely
“pro,” making it appropriate for use in a wide range
of applications. A low-noise, wide dynamic-range
microphone preamplifier and associated voltage-
controlled-amplifier (VCA) dynamics controller
(“compressor”) circuit ensures that mic input audio
quality is preserved while minimizing the chance
of signal overload. A configuration choice allows
selection of the signal source utilized by the Dante
main output channel. The choices are either the out-
put of the microphone preamplier or the output of
the compressor circuit. These choices are referred
to as “pre-compressor” or “post-compressor.” The
analog-to-digital (ADC) conversion section utilizes
a high-performance integrated circuit that supports
sample rates of 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz with a
bit depth of up to 24. The audio signal, once in the
digital domain, routes through a 32-bit microcontroller
integrated circuit and on to the Dante interface section
where it is packetized and prepared for transport over
Ethernet.
Audio input signals arrive via the Dante receiver
(input) channels and pass into the Model 203’s micro-
processor. As with the Dante audio output channels,
the sample rate can be 44.1, 48, 88.2, or 96 kHz with
a bit depth of up to 24. Channel routing, sidetone
creation, and headphone level control are performed
in the digital domain. This provides exibility, allows
precise control, and keeps the two rotary controls
(pots) from having to directly handle analog audio
signals. The audio signals destined for the headphone
output channels are sent to a high-performance
digital-to-analog converter (DAC) integrated circuit
and then on to robust driver circuitry. High signal levels
can be provided to a variety of headsets, headphones,
and earpieces.
Conguration Flexibility
The Model 203 can be configured to meet the
needs of specic applications and user preferences.
All configuration tasks are performed using the
STcontroller personal computer software application
which is available free of charge on the Studio Tech-
nologies’ website. (Versions of STcontroller that are
compatible with the Windows
®
and macOS
®
operating
systems can be downloaded.) In the Model 203 there
are no mechanical switch settings or button-press
sequences required to congure how the unit func-
tions. Selectable parameters include microphone
preamplier gain, P48 phantom power on/o, head-
phone output performance, sidetone operation, button
operation, and main output audio source.
