Lectrosonics L series User manual

Quick
Start
Guide
Fill in for your records:
Serial Number:
Purchase Date:
This guide is intended to assist with
initial setup and operation of your
Lectrosonics product.
For a detailed user manual, down-
load the most current
version at:
www.lectrosonics.com
L-Series
Wireless
Microphone
System
LR Receiver
LMb Transmitter
LT Transmitter
Digital Hybrid Wireless®Technology
U.S. Patent 7,225,135
26 Mar 2015

LECTROSONICS, INC.2
FCCID:DBZLMBC1
Lectrosonics, Inc.
Made in U.S.A.
IC: 8024A-LMBC1
614.4 - 691.1 MHz
Model: LMBC1
S/N XXXXX
IR
5
623.400
-40 -20 0
A
IR
PORT
-20
-10
BAT
PWR/FUNC
-10
-20
AUDIO
5
623.400
-40 -20 0
A
Controls and Features

www.lectrosonics.com 3
IR PORT AUDIO
OUT
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules.
Operation is subject to the condition that this device
does not cause harmful interference.
CAN RSS-Gen/CNR-Gen
CAN ICES-3 (B)/NMB-3(B)
Model: LR-XX Made in the USA
Serial No. XXXXX
Frequency block XXX (XXX.X - XXX.X MHz)
Battery Doors
LT and LR models LMb model

LECTROSONICS, INC.4
Keypad and LCD Interface
5
623.400
-40 -20 0
A
RF LINK LED
Glows blue when a valid RF signal is being received.
BATT LED
Glows green when the batteries are good. As the batteries are drained, the
LED will turn to a steady red at a mid-point during their life, then begin to blink
red when only a few minutes of operation remain.
MENU/SEL Button
Pressing this button enters the menu and selects menu items to enter the
setup screens.
BACK Button
Pressing this button returns to the previous menu or screen.
Power Button
Turns the unit off and on and enters the power menu.
Arrow Buttons
Used to navigate the menus.
Navigating the Menus
Menu setup items are arranged in a vertical list on the LCD. Press MENU/SEL
to enter the menu, then navigate with the UP and DOWN arrows to highlight
the desired setup item. Press MENU/SEL to enter the setup screen for that
item.

www.lectrosonics.com 5
Smart Tune
Frequency
IR Sync
Tx Block B1
B1 NA
23 NA
21
22
23
SEL
BACK
Use arrow keys
to select desired
scanning range
SEL IR Sync
Press
SEL
BACK
Frequency Block 21 B1
555.300 MHz
Press SEL to
select desired
adjustment step
B1 Use arrow keys
to select desired
frequency
IR Sync
Press
SEL
BACK
Press UP arrow
to start transfer
RF Scan SEL
BACK
Press SEL to stop scanning,
select WideView, ZoomView
or resume scanning
Clear Scan SEL
BACK
scan data
CLEARED
Audio Level SEL
BACK
SEL
BACK
SEL
BACK
SEL
BACK
SEL
BACK
SEL
BACK
SEL
BACK
SEL
BACK
SEL
BACK
SEL
BACK
SEL
BACK
BACK
Use arrow keys to scroll
cursor; SEL + arrow for
fine steps
Keep scan freq?
(select option)
Audio Level
+05 dBu
Use arrow keys
to select desired
audio output level
SEL + Toggles 1k tone
output
Step Size
Tx Battery
Rx Battery
Compat.Mode
Polarity
Smart NR
Sq. Bypass
Backlight
LCD Mode
Default
Step Size Use arrow keys to
select step size
100 kHz
25 kHz
Squelch Bypass
Backlight Time
Retore Factory
default settings
Tx Battery Select from
listings
Use arrow keys to
select battery type
Rx Battery Select from
listings
Use arrow keys to
select battery type
Compat.Mode Select from
listings
Use arrow keys to select
compatibility mode
Use arrow keys to select
audio output polarity
Normal
Inverted
Polarity
Smart NR Off
Normal
Full
Use arrow keys to select
noise reduction preference
Normal
Bypass
Use arrow keys to enable or
disable squelch (audio mute)
Always On
30 Seconds
5 Minutes
Use arrow keys to select
LCD backlight duration
Wht on Blk
Blk on Wht
LCD Mode Use arrow keys to select
LCD backlight mode
No
Yes
Use arrow keys to accept or reject
restoration of default settings
wait
for
scan
NOTE: The transmitter battery timer is
included in the Tx Battery setup screen
The LCD menu map of the LR receiver shown here is typical of the menu
structure in all three L-Series models. Obviously, the specific items in the
menus will vary by model, the method of navigating is the same for all models.

LECTROSONICS, INC.6
System Setup Procedures
Summary of Steps
1) Install receiver batteries and select the battery type in the setup screen
or connect power.
2) Select frequency step size in the receiver.
3) Select the compatibility mode in the receiver.
4) Find a clear operating frequency (two methods).
5) Set up transmitter to matching frequency and compatibility mode.
6) Adjust transmitter input gain.
7) Adjust receiver audio output level to match recorder, camera, mixer, etc.
1) Install Receiver Batteries
Install the batteries according to the polarity marked on the back of the hous-
ing and select the correct battery type in the menu. Check the BATT LED on
the control panel to verify adequate power is present - the LED should glow
green. Select the type of batteries being used in the RX Battery setup screen.
2) Select Frequency Step Size
Navigate to Step Size in the LCD menu and select 100 kHz or 25 kHz as
needed to match the associated transmitter.
3) Select Receiver Compatibility Mode
Navigate to Compat.Mode on the menu and press MENU/SEL to enter the
setup screen. The optional modes will appear one at a time. Use the UP and
DOWN arrow buttons to scroll through the list. When the desired mode ap-
pears in the screen, press MENU/SEL or BACK to select the mode and return
to the previous menu. Press BACK to return to the Main Window.
Transmitter Models LCD menu item
US Digital Hybrid
Wireless®
NA Dig. Hybrid
Mode 3* Mode 3
200 Series 200 Series
100 Series 100 Series
Euro Digital Hy-
brid Wireless®
EU Dig. Hybrid
300 Series: 300 Series
Mode 7* Mode 7
Mode 6* Mode 6
IFB Series IFB
NA Dig. Hybrid is the best mode to use when both transmitter and receiver
are Digital Hybrid Wireless models. This compandor-free, wide deviation
mode produces the best audio quality.

www.lectrosonics.com 7
Mode 3 is a special compatibility mode for use with another brand of wireless.
Contact the factory for details.
200 Series works with legacy Lectrosonics models such as all UM200,
UH200 and UT200 Series transmitters.
100 Series works with Lectrosonics UM100 transmitters.
EU Dig. Hybrid works with Lectrosonics European Digital Hybrid transmitters
with model numbers that end in “/E01.” For example, the SMDB/E01 transmit-
ter is in this group.
300 Series works with legacy Lectrosonics transmitters that were sold in
Europe, such as the UM300B and UT300.
Mode 7 is a special compatibility mode for use with another brand of wireless.
Contact the factory for details.
Mode 6 is a special compatibility mode for use with another brand of wireless.
Contact the factory for details.
IFB works with Lectrosonics models such legacy analog models bearing “IFB”
in the model number, or Digital Hybrid Wireless models that offer the IFB com-
patibility mode.
4) Find a Clear Frequency with Smart TuneTM
Optimum range will be realized if the system is set to a frequency where few
or no other RF signals are present (a “clear” frequency). The receiver can
select a clear frequency automatically with Smart TuneTM.
Navigate to Smart Tune in the LCD menu and press MENU/SEL to start the
process. Select the desired range to be scanned, then press MENU/SEL to
start the scan.
Entire tuning range
Individual
blocks
(NA) North American
versions
NOTE: “NA” next to the block numbers indicates the North American
version which excludes the radio astronomy band from 608 to 614
MHz.

LECTROSONICS, INC.8
Cursor scrolls
across screen
during scanning
When the scan is complete a screen will appear briefly to display the frequen-
cy chosen by Smart Tune, and then it will change to IR Sync. If you are using
a Lectrosonics transmitter that has an IR ports, the settings can be transferred
from the receiver to the transmitter in a few seconds with a single button.
As shown below, IR Sync will prompt you to place the receiver and transmitter
IR ports facing one another within two feet or so apart and press the UP arrow
button to complete the procedure.
If you are not using a Lectrosonics transmitter with an IR port, simply return to
the Main Window and observe the frequency that was chosen by Smart Tune.
Then set this frequency on the transmitter.
4a) Find a Clear Frequency Manually
A manual scan will create a graphical display on the LCD showing the pres-
ence and strength of RF signals entering the receiver. Sections of the tuning
range with clear frequencies that have little or no RF energy (clear spectrum)
are easy to identify.
Navigate to RF Scan on the menu and press MENU/SEL to start the scan-
ning. The LCD will display a marker that travels across the screen as a
graphical image of the RF energy appears. The marker will wrap back to the
beginning and continue to repeat.
Clear
spectrum
Strong RF
energy
Use arrow buttons to scroll marker
Press MENU/SEL to increase
the resolution in scrolling.
Press the MENU/SEL button to
pause the scan. Use the UP and
DOWN buttons to scroll the marker
through the graphical image. Hold
MENU/SEL to increase the resolu-
tion in scrolling.

www.lectrosonics.com 9
Press MENU/SEL to zoom in on the image. Scroll using the buttons as de-
scribed above.
RF energy Clear spectrum
After scrolling the marker to a spot in the clear spectrum in the display, press
BACK open a menu with three options.
Use the arrow keys to select the option, then press MENU/SEL to store the
setting and return to the Main Window.
• Keep stores the new frequency and returns to
the Main Window.
• Keep + IRSync stores the frequency, then moves
to the IR Sync screen. Copy the frequency to the
transmitter and then press BACK to return to the
Main Window.
• Revert discards the new frequency and returns
to the Main Window.
4b) Set Up Transmitter to Matching Frequency
and Compatibility Mode
If you have not already set the frequency on the transmitter in the previous
procedures, use IR Sync or complete the settings manually.
Lectrosonics transmitters with IR Sync:
On the LR receiver, navigate to IR Sync on the menu and press the MENU/
SEL button. Hold the transmitter and receiver fairly close to each other (within
two feet or so) and position them so the IR ports are facing one another.
Press the UP arrow on the receiver to initiate the transfer of settings. The
receiver will display a message when the settings have been received.
Other transmitters:
Frequency, input gain, etc, are set with the controls on the transmitter. Use the
receiver to discover a clear operating frequency, then set the transmitter to
match the receiver. The correct compatibility mode must also be selected on
the receiver.

LECTROSONICS, INC.10
5) Adjust Transmitter Input Gain
NOTE: This adjustment is very important, since it will determine the
signal to noise ratio and dynamic range that the system will deliver.
Lectrosonics L-Series Transmitters:
The two bicolor Modulation LEDs on the transmitter control 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. 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.
Signal Level -20 LED -10 LED
Less than -20 dB Off Off
-20 dB to -10 dB Green Off
-10 dB to +0 dB Green Green
+0 dB to +10 dB Red Green
Greater than +10 dB Red Red
NOTE: 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.
1) With fresh batteries in the transmitter and power the unit on in the standby
mode (a brief press on the power switch with L-Series transmitters).
2) Navigate to the Gain setup screen.
Gain
Freq.
ProgSw
Compat -40 -20 0
Gain
25
LMb menu shown
3) 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 will occur during use, or set the output level of the instrument or
audio device to the maximum level that will be used.
4) 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.
5) Once the transmitter input gain has been set, the signal can be sent to
the sound system or recorder for level adjustments, monitor settings, etc.
6) 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.
Other Transmitters:
Earlier Lectrosonics transmitters provided LEDs to accurately indicate full
modulation, with continuously variable gain controls for a precise adjustment.
The LEDs operate in the same manner as those shown here for the L-Series
transmitters.

www.lectrosonics.com 11
Input gain
control
Some transmitters from brands other than Lectrosonics can also be used
if the appropriate compatibility mode set is set in the receiver. Observe the
audio level meter on the LR receiver LCD as you adjust the input gain on the
transmitter to see the modulation level. Some models may have limiters on the
input to suppress overload distortion, and others may not. Monitor the audio,
preferably with headphones, as you adjust the input gain to find the maximum
level that can be set without audible limiting or overload distortion.
6) Set Receiver Audio Output Level
The audio output can be adjusted from -50 dBu (mic level) to +5 dBu (line
level) in 1 dB steps. The signal to noise ratio of the audio output does not
change across the range of adjustment. Therefore, it is best to use an output
level high enough to drive the connected device to full level without the need
for additional gain. If the receiver is set to full output and the level is still not
sufficient to drive the connected device to full level, then some gain will need
to be applied by the connected device.
A built-in tone generator makes matching the output level to the connected
device easy and accurate.
1) Navigate to Audio Level in the LR receiver menu and press MENU/
SEL to enter the setup screen. Use the arrow keys to reduce the level to
minimum (-50 dBu).
2) Turn on the 1k tone (MENU/SEL + UP arrow) in the Audio Level setup
screen.
3) On the connected device, set the input to “line level” if available. Turn the
input gain control (e.g. record level) all the way down.
4) Gradually increase the output level on the receiver while observing the
input level meter on the connected device. Increase the level until a full
scale reading is indicated on the input level meter.
5) If a full scale reading cannot be achieved, increase the input gain control
on the connected device gradually until a full scale reading is achieved.
Once this level match has been set, leave these settings alone and make
adjustments from one event to another with the input gain control on the
transmitter.
NOTE: If your camera or recorder does not provide limiting on the
input, set the level as described above a few dB below a full scale
reading (3 or 4 dB is usually enough).
The UM400A transmitter shown here is typical of
many legacy Lectrosonics models.
LECTROSONICS
UM400a
OFF ON
AUDIO
LEVEL
–10
–20
ANTENNA
Modulation
level LEDs

LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY
The equipment is warranted for one year from date of purchase against defects in
materials or workmanship provided it was purchased from an authorized dealer. This
warranty does not cover equipment which has been abused or damaged by careless
handling or shipping. This warranty does not apply to used or demonstrator equipment.
Should any defect develop, Lectrosonics, Inc. will, at our option, repair or replace any
defective parts without charge for either parts or labor. If Lectrosonics, Inc. cannot
correct the defect in your equipment, it will be replaced at no charge with a similar new
item. Lectrosonics, Inc. will pay for the cost of returning your equipment to you.
This warranty applies only to items returned to Lectrosonics, Inc. or an authorized
dealer, shipping costs prepaid, within one year from the date of purchase.
This Limited Warranty is governed by the laws of the State of New Mexico. It states the
entire liablility of Lectrosonics Inc. and the entire remedy of the purchaser for any
breach of warranty as outlined above. NEITHER LECTROSONICS, INC. NOR
ANYONE INVOLVED IN THE PRODUCTION OR DELIVERY OF THE EQUIPMENT
SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL,
OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE
THIS EQUIPMENT EVEN IF LECTROSONICS, INC. HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE LIABILITY OF
LECTROSONICS, INC. EXCEED THE PURCHASE PRICE OF ANY DEFECTIVE
EQUIPMENT.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may have additional legal rights which
vary from state to state.