Lectrosonics HMa 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/manuals
HMa
Plug-On Transmitter
13 August 2018
Digital Hybrid Wireless®
U.S. Patent 7,225,135

LECTROSONICS, INC.2
LCD Screen
Backlit for easy viewing in bright or dimly lit conditions.
Pwr (power) LED
Indicates power status and battery strength.
XLR Input Jack
Standard 3‑pin Switchcraft XLR type. Coupler is spring‑loaded to maintain a
snug fit and to prevent noise.
Modulation LEDs
Provides a visual indication of the audio input signal level ‑ either red or green
to indicate modulation levels.
AUDIO Button
Used to display the view and adjust the audio gain setting (0 dB to 44 dB).
FREQ Button
Used to set the operating frequency and toggle the LCD between the operating
frequency in MHz and a two‑digit hexadecimal frequency code.
UP/DOWN Arrows
Used to view and select parameters and values during setup and operation.
Battery Compartment Cover
Hinged to housing to prevent loss.
Controls and Functions
Battery
Compartment
Cover
XLR Input
Jack
AUDIO Button
LCD
Input
Coupler
FREQ Button
Modulation
LEDs
PWR LED
UP Arrow
DOWN Arrow

www.lectrosonics.com 3
The transmitter is powered by two AA batteries.
Note: Standard zinc‑carbon batteries marked “heavy-duty” or “long-
lasting” are not adequate.
To install new batteries:
1. Slide open the Battery Cover and remove any old batteries.
2. Insert the new batteries into the housing. One battery goes in positive
(+) end first, the other negative (‑) end first. Look into the battery com‑
partment to determine which end goes in which side. The side with the
plastic ring is the side which accepts the positive end of the battery.
Note: It is possible to install the batteries backward and close the
battery door, but the batteries will not make contact and the unit will not
work.
3. Slide the Battery Cover until it snaps securely shut.
Battery Installation
Battery
Compartment
Battery
Cover
positive (+)
terminal
negative (–)
terminal

LECTROSONICS, INC.4
Operating Instructions
Powering On in Operating Mode
1) Ensure that good batteries are installed.
2) Simultaneously press and hold the AUDIO
and FREQ buttons as the timer counts from 1
to 3 (about 3 seconds).
Powering Off in Operating Mode
1) Simultaneously press and hold the AUDIO
and FREQ buttons while observing that the
word OFF and the counter in the LCD.
2) When the counter reaches 0, the unit turns
off.
Note: If the AUDIO and FREQ buttons are released before the end of
the countdown, the unit will not turn off.
Powering On/Off in Standby Mode
From the OFF position, quickly press and release
both the AUDIO and FREQ buttons simultaneously
to enter and exit this mode. Adjustments and set‑
tings can be checked or changed, but the unit will
not be transmitting to avoid interfering with other
systems in the vicinity.
Up Button Menu
Hold the UP button wihile powering up the unit. Then press the
AUDIO button repeatedly to scroll through the following settings. Use the UP
and DOWN arrow to select the available options under each setting.
Selecting the Compatibility Mode (Up Button Menu)
CP (Compatibility Mode); press the UP and DOWN
arrows to select one of the following:
Note: RF transmission is prevented while
selecting Compatibility Modes.
• 400 ‑ For Digital Hybrid Wireless®receivers.
• 3 ‑ (Mode 3) For non‑Lectrosonics analog receivers. Contact the
factory for details.
• 200 ‑ For Lectrosonics 200 Series receivers.
• 100 ‑ For Lectrosonics 100 receivers.
• 7 ‑ (Mode 7) For non‑Lectrosonics analog receivers. Contact the
factory for details.
• 6 ‑ (Mode 6) For non‑Lectrosonics analog receivers. Contact the
factory for details.
• IFB ‑ For Lectrosonics IFB receivers.
Initial Power On
Timer Screen
Initial Power Off
Timer Screen
Standby Screen

www.lectrosonics.com 5
RF Power Output (Up Button Menu)
Pr (RF Power output) may be selected as either 100 or 50.
Selecting the Audio Polarity (Up Button Menu)
Pin 2
(+)
Pin 2
(–)
The input to the transmitter can be set for
XLR Pin 2 as positive (+) or negative (–) to
match the polarity of other mics being used.
Selecting Step Size Mode (Up Button Menu)
The frequency increments can be set at either 25 kHz or 100 kHz.
DOWN Button Menu
Hold the DOWN button while powering up the unit. Then press the
AUDIO button repeatedly to scroll through the following settings. Use the UP
and DOWN arrow to select the available options under each setting.
Enable Remote Control
rc on and rc OFF enable and disable remote control functions. See page 7.
Power Back On (DOWN Button Menu)
PbAc (Power back on after power loss) allows the unit to either (1) turn back
on after power loss or (0) remain off.
LCD Backlight Setting (DOWN Button Menu)
The LCD backlight can be set to stay on continuously or turn off after either 5
minutes or 30 seconds
.

LECTROSONICS, INC.6
Audio Screen Menu
The Audio Screen is used to adjust input gain and
low frequency roll‑off, and to turn phantom power
on and off. Repeatedly pressing the AUDIO button
selects the setting. Press and hold the AUDIO
button and use the UP and DOWN arrows to
adjust the value.
Adjusting the Input Gain (Audio Screen Menu)
The control panel Modulation LEDs indicate the modulation level and limiter
activity. This gain adjustment matches the transmitter gain with the micro‑
phone’s output level, the user’s voice level and the position of the microphone.
Once set, the transmitter’s audio level setting should not be used to control
the volume of your sound system or recorder levels. The audio input level can
be set with the unit in Standby Mode or while powered up in normal operation.
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: Voice levels vary significantly between different people. If several
different people will be using the transmitter and there is not time to
make the adjustment for each individual, adjust it for the loudest voice.
1) With the HMa powered off, insert the microphone plug into the XLR Input
Jack, aligning the pins and ensuring that the connector locks.
2) Place the transmitter in the Standby Mode, or if the unit is to be powered
up and adjusted, mute the main sound system prior to powering up the
transmitter.
3) Position the microphone in the location where it will be used in actual
operation.
4) Observe the audio level LEDs while speaking or singing into the micro‑
phone at the same voice level that will be used during use. While holding
the AUDIO button, press the UP or DOWN arrows until both the ‑20 and
‑10 LEDs glow green, with the ‑20 LED flickering red on louder peaks.
This will optimize the signal to noise ratio of the system with full modula‑
tion and adequate headroom to prevent overload and audible compres‑
sion of signal peaks.
Note: Setting the audio level too high reduces the dynamic range of the
audio signal. Setting the audio level too low may cause hiss and noise
in the audio.

www.lectrosonics.com 7
5) If the unit was set up in Standby Mode, it will be necessary to turn the
transmitter off, then power it up again in normal operation so the RF
output will be on. Then the other components in the sound or recording
system can be adjusted.
Adjusting the Low Frequency Roll-Off (Audio Screen Menu)
Repeatedly press the AUDIO button until the LF
roll‑off adjustment screen appears. Then press
and hold the AUDIO button while selecting the
desired roll‑off frequency with the UP and DOWN
arrows.
Selecting the Phantom Power Supply (Audio Screen Menu)
The transmitter input jack can provide phantom power for the attached micro‑
phone if needed, with voltages at 5, 15, or 48. Phantom power will consume a
slight amount of battery power, so it can also be turned off. With the transmit‑
ter powered on and in the normal or standby mode, press and hold the audio
button and observe the LCD. Release the button and press and hold it again.
Repeat this process until the display indicates the PH.
Once you get to the PH setting, keep the AUDIO button pressed, then use the
UP and DOWN arrow keys to cycle through the available settings (off, 5, 15,
48 volts) until the desired setting is displayed.
When you release the AUDIO button, the setting will be stored to the value
you selected.
Remote Control Functions (dweedle tones)
Settings can be adjusted with the LectroRM phone app. LectroRM is a
mobile application for iOS and Android operating systems. Its purpose is to
remotely control Lectrosonics transmitters. The available functions are:
• Input Gain
• Lock/Unlock
• Tx power output
• Frequency
• LEDs on/off
• Audio LF roll‑off
The app was released by New Endian, LLC in September 2011. The app is
available for download and sells for $20 on the Apple App Store and Google
Play Store.

LECTROSONICS, INC.8
Setting Transmitter Operating Frequency
1) If the LCD is displaying something other than the Frequency Screen, press
the FREQ button on the Control Panel to enter this screen.
Note: The default display is in MHz. Pressing the FREQ button again
displays the operating frequency as a two‑digit hexadecimal number
that corresponds to legacy Lectrosonics products that used two
16‑position switches to set the frequency.
2) While holding the FREQ button, use the UP or DOWN arrow buttons to
move the operating frequency up or down.
Note: The operating frequency displayed on the LCD wraps as it
reaches the upper or lower end of its range. Thus, if you intend to move
the operating frequency from the lower end of the range to the upper
end, it may be faster to do this by using the DOWN arrow until the
frequency wraps to the upper end.
Set Up in 100 kHz Mode
Frequency displayed
in MHz
Frequency displayed as
two-digit hexadecimal
number
The operating frequency can be displayed either in
MHz or as a two‑digit hexadecimal number. The
example of the two‑digit display shown here
indicates CH (channel) and 2C as the frequency.
The frequency can be set with the unit in standby
mode or when powered up for normal operation.
Set Up in 25kHz Mode
The hexidecimal display in the 25 kHz mode will appear with a decimal suffix
to indicate the 25 kHz steps.
475.875 MHz
490.225 MHz
487.650 MHz
509.200 MHz

www.lectrosonics.com 9
Lock/Unlock Screen
Simultaneously pressing and holding both the UP and DOWN arrow buttons
during normal operation starts the Lock timer. The timer starts at three and
counts down to zero. When the timer reaches zero, the keypad controls are
locked.
The LCD will display the locked condition as long
as the arrow buttons are held, then revert back to
the previous screen when either button is
released.
With the controls locked, the AUDIO and FREQ
buttons can still be used to display current set‑
tings. Any attempt to change a setting by press‑
ing either the UP or DOWN arrow button will
result in an on‑screen Loc reminder that the controls are locked. Remove the
batteries to unlock the control panel.
Important: Once the transmitter is locked, it cannot be unlocked
or powered off using the buttons. The only way to unlock a locked
transmitter is to remove the batteries.

LECTROSONICS, INC.10
Special Purpose Barrel Adapters
Mic adapter for Earthworks M30 microphone with HM, HMa and UH400a/TM
transmitters.
This polarity reversing adapter may be needed to correct for asymmetrical
current draw in some P48 powered condenser microphones, including older
Neumann 100 Series, Rode NTG3 and others. If you microphone does not
power on correctly when used with these transmitters, insert the adapter
between the transmitter and microphone.
P/N 21750
Polarity Reversing
Barrel Adapter
MCA-M30
This adapter may be needed if you are experiencing noise or distortion with
measurement microphones, particularly the Earthworks M30. The adapter has
a common mode choke for suppressing RF noise. If your microphone signal
exhibits the problems listed above when connected to a UH400, HM or HMa
transmitter, insert the adapter between the microphone and the transmitter.
Insert the adapter between the transmitter and microphone to alleviate the
problems listed above.
Barrel Adapter
Earthworks M30