APART MDS User manual

MDS Microphone Discussion System
Instruction manual

Instruction manualMDS
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MDS Microphone Discussion System

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Microphone Discussion System
Safety First!
• Please check the carton box for any kind of damage on
reception of the goods. In case of a damaged carton, please
contact your dealer before opening the carton.
• !!!! Danger !!!! Exposure to high sound levels may cause a
permanent hearing loss. Individuals vary considerably to sound
pressure level induced hearing loss but nearly everyone will
lose some hearing if exposed to high sound pressure levels for
a sufficient amount of time. Therefore it is recommended that
all persons exposed to equipment capable of producing high
sound pressure levels be protected by hearing protection while
installing or operating this unit.
• Read all documentation before operating your equipment.
• Keep all documentation for future reference.
• Save the carton and packing material even if the equipment has
arrived in good condition.
• Should you ever need to ship the unit, use only the original
factory packing.
• Do not spill water or other liquids into or on the unit.
• Make sure power outlets conform to the power requirements
listed on the back of the unit.
• Do not use the unit if the electrical power cord is frayed or
broken.
• Always operate the unit with the AC ground wire connected to
the electrical system ground.

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• Set level controls on amplifiers all the way down during power-
up to prevent speaker damage if there are high signal levels at
the inputs.
• Power down & disconnect units from mains voltage before
making connections.
• Do not use the unit near stoves, heat registers, radiators, or
other heat producing devices.
• Do not operate equipment on a surface or in an environment
which may distort the normal flow of air around the unit. If the
unit is used in an extremely dusty or smoky environment, the
unit should be periodically “blown free” of dust.
• In case of mal-function this device should be serviced by
qualified service personnel only.

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Microphone Discussion System
Features
The Apart MDS microphone discussion system is a highly flexible
small to medium size tabletop discussion system using a unique
circuit loop design: easy to set up, using standard CAT5 cables
for linking up to 20 units in a daisy chain. The system accepts
one chairman unit, and up to 19 delegate units. The MDS.INT
connection interface is located at the end of the microphone chain.
The power supply unit can be connected anywhere in the chain,
preferably in the middle of the system when more than 10 units
are connected. The chairman and power supply unit can be located
anywhere in the system. The microphones are equipped with easily
identifiable leds on the base unit and on the flexible gooseneck
microphone.
The delegate unit MDS.DEL is equipped with a talk button. When
the microphone is active, the led indicator above the talk button
and the colored led ring on the microphone is lit. Press the talk
button to activate the microphone, press again to deactivate.
The chairman unit is equipped with a talk and mute button. When
the mute button is pressed, only the chairman unit will be active. All
delegate microphones will be muted and deactivated. The led on
the chairman unit will blink when the mute function is active. It will
light up steady when the talk button is pressed (equivalent to the
delegate unit).
The interconnection cable is a CAT 5 standard straight cable,
according to EIA-568-B. Maximum cable length is determined
by the number of units in use. In a system with 20 units, the
recommended maximum length between each unit is 5 meters.
The CAT5 cables are inserted at the rear of the MDS units. Every
unit has an IN and OUT connector, however, both connectors are
equivalent. It doesn’t matter where you connect the CAT5 cable.

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Example: for a system with 9 delegate microphones and 1 chairman
unit, you need:
NOTES:
• 1 x MDS.INT connection interface with power supply
• 1 x MDS.CHAIR chairman unit
• 9 x MDS.DEL delegate units
• 10 x standard straight CAT5 cables (not supplied with
the MDS units)
• It is not necessary to have a chairman unit in a system.
Only one chairman unit can be used in a system.
• Do not speak loudly into the microphone from a short
distance. The ideal distance to the microphone is 15
to 50 cm.
• Only use the power supply supplied with the MDS.INT
unit.
• Do not connect the CAT5 cables from the MDS system
to a computer network, router or network switch.
• To prevent feedback noise, turn down the gain levels
of all units before operating the system.
• Maximum system cable length: 100 m (10 x 10 m -
20 x 5 m)

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Microphone Discussion System
Parts and functions of the MDS.CHAIR unit
1. Chairman mute button: press this button to mute all delegate
units. The led on the base unit (2) and on the gooseneck
microphone (9) will blink. Press again to exit mute.
2. Led indicator: lights up steady when the talk button (3) is
pressed.
9
1
2
3
4 6 8
5 7

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3. Talk button: push to talk. The led indicator on the base unit and
the gooseneck microphone will light up steady. Press again to
stop.
4. RJ45 out connector: connect the CAT5 cable here. Connector 4
and 5 have the same function.
5. RJ45 in connector: connect the CAT5 cable here. Connector 4
and 5 have the same function.
6. Power supply connector: connect the power supply supplied
with the MDS.INT unit here. Only one supply connection is
required for the entire system.
7. Power led: green led lights up when the unit is powered.
8. Gain adjustment: adjust the gain (level) from the unit to match
with the level of other units in the system.
9. Led indicator: lights up steady when the talk button is pressed.
Blinks when the mute button is pressed.
NOTE: When the mute button on the chairman unit is pressed, all
delegate units will be muted and deactivated. The chairman
unit remains active until the mute button is pressed again.

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Microphone Discussion System
Parts and functions of the MDS.DEL unit
1. Talk button: push to talk. The led indicator (2) on the base unit
and the gooseneck microphone (8) will light up. Press again to
stop.
2. Led indicator: lights up steady when the talk button (1) is
pressed.
8
1
2
3 5 7
4 6

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3. RJ45 out connector: connect the CAT5 cable here. Connector 3
and 4 have the same function.
4. RJ45 in connector: connect the CAT5 cable here. Connector 3
and 4 have the same function.
5. Power supply connector: connect the power supply supplied
with the MDS.INT unit here. Only one supply connection is
required for the entire system.
6. Power led: green led lights up when the unit is powered.
7. Gain adjustment: adjust the gain (level) from the unit to match
with the level of other units in the system.
8. Led indicator: lights up steady when the talk button is pressed.
NOTE: Except under chairman priority mode, the delegate unit(s)
will shut off after approximately 5 minutes idle (no sound).

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Microphone Discussion System
Parts and functions of the MDS.INT unit
1. Audio in RJ45 connector: connect the CAT5 cable from the last
unit in the chain here.
2. Power led: lights up when the system is powered.
3. Audio out: 6.3 mm unbalanced jack connector: connect the
audio cable here. The nominal output level is 100 mV/1 k-ohm
output impedance. This line level signal will normally be
connected to an amplifier or a pre-amp/mixer.
2
1
3

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Accessories supplied with MDS.INT
System power supply and 6.3 mm unbalanced jack cable:
NOTE: the power supply can power up to 20 units in a daisy chain.
Output voltage is 15VDC/4.3A. The on/off switch.

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Microphone Discussion System
Connection examples
Small size microphone discussion system with 1 chairman unit and
up to 9 delegate units: the power supply can be located at the end
of the chain, where the MDS.INT is located. The chairman unit can
be located anywhere in the chain.
NOTE: maximum 1 chairman unit (MDS.CHAIR) is allowed per
system. The unbalanced audio output signal will normally be
connected to an amplifier or a pre-amp/mixer.

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Medium size microphone discussion system with 1 chairman unit
and up to 19 delegate units: the power supply should be located
near the middle of the chain. The MDS.INT unit will be located at
the end. The chairman unit can be located anywhere in the chain.
NOTE: maximum 1 chairman unit (MDS.CHAIR) is allowed per
system. The unbalanced audio output signal will normally be
connected to an amplifier or a pre-amp/mixer.

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Microphone Discussion System
Specifications
MDS.CHAIR – MDS.DEL microphone units
Microphone type Unidirectional condenser type
Frequency response 80 Hz – 16 kHz
System interconnection RJ45 – CAT5 cables, straight,
according to EIA-568-B
Maximum SPL MDS.CHAIR/DEL 100 dB for 1% THD
Dimensions H x W x D 54 (494 with mic) x 110 x 165 mm
Net weight 730 g
Packing dimensions 120 x 195 x 455 mm
Gross weight 950 g
Accessories supplied manual, microphone foam cap
MDS.INT interface unit
Nominal output level 100 mV
Output Impedance < 1 kohm
THD <0.5%
Signal to noise ratio >60 dB
System signal output MDS.INT Unbalanced jack connector 6.3 mm
Power supply in 100 – 240 VAC/47-53Hz/1.4A max
Power supply out 15 VDC/4.3A switching mode
power supply
Dimensions MDS.INT (h x w x d) 24 x 49 x 49 mm
Net weight MDS.INT 36 g
Dimensions power supply
(h x w x d)
38 x 53 x115 mm (excl. cables)

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Net weight power supply 300 g
Packing dimensions 52 x 115 x 224 mm
Gross weight 600 g
Accessories supplied power supply & cable, 1.5 m 6.3
mm jack cable (unbalanced)

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Microphone Discussion System
Note

developed
by
Audioprof nv
Industriepark Brechtsebaan 8 bus 1
2900 Schoten - Belgium
Company names, product names and trademarks are property of their
respective owners.
Apart-Audio specifications are subject to change without notice.