Pretorian Smooth Talker with Levels User manual

Pack Contents
Carefully check the contents
of the box, which are:
SMOOTH TALKER
with LEVELS unit.
Charging cable
Toy cable
These instructions
INSTRUCTIONS
Smooth Talker with Levels
Product Description
With a modern and stylish design, SMOOTH
TALKER with LEVELS is the most versatile
multi-message communicator on the market.
SMOOTH TALKER with LEVELS has a huge 8
minutes of recording time, superior digital
sound quality from twin speakers and a
low switch profile angled towards the user
for easy activation. SMOOTH TALKER with
LEVELS is unique in providing Random,
Random (No Repeats), Choice, Choice
Progression, Auditory Prompt, Converse
and Q&A messaging modes in a single unit,
avoiding the need for multiple AAC devices
and saving you money. The unit comes fitted
with a rechargeable lithium battery which
gives hours of use between charges and saves
you even more money. It may be charged
from any USB port and the unit can still be
used while charging. SMOOTH TALKER with
LEVELS incorporates five independent record
and playback Levels and has a sophisticated
memory management system which allocates
recording time as it’s used, allowing you to
have Levels of differing lengths.

Charging the Battery
To charge the battery, plug the supplied charging cable into the USB-mini socket [12] on the rear of
the unit and then plug into any full-sized USB socket, for example on a computer or phone charger.
Whilst charging, LED number 10 lights green and once fully charged, the LED is extinguished. Charging
takes approximately 3 hours if the battery is completely flat and the unit may be used as normal while
charging. If the charging LED should flash red, it’s time to recharge.
Features
• A huge eight minutes of recording and playback time.
• Five adaptive Levels.
• Digital amplifier with twin speakers for superior sound quality.
• Built in rechargeable lithium battery- charge from a USB socket.
Can be used while charging.
• Sequential, Random, Random (no Repeats), Choice, Choice Progression, Converse,
Auditory Prompt and Question/Answer modes.
• Input socket for attaching a wired, external switch, or alternatively use a
SimplyWorks wireless switch.
• Wireless toy activation using SimplyWorks toy controllers, or use the 3.5mm toy jack.
• Configurable to activate a mains-powered appliance in conjunction with
Energise or iClick mains controllers.
• Built-in symbol holder.
• Large (125mm), low profile switch activation area.
• Switch top cannot be removed by user - prevents distraction
(coloured tops can be changed only with tools).
Smooth Talker with Levels

RECORD
OFF
VOLUME
SWITCH APPL.
2
12
1
3 4 5
9
7
11
6
10
8
6
MODE / LEVEL
ERASE / PAIR
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10

Recording Messages
Choosing a Level
SMOOTH TALKER with LEVELS has five independent Levels, allowing you to store sets of related
messages on each. Most AAC devices allocate an equal amount of recording time to each Level, but
SMOOTH TALKER with LEVELS allocates memory as it’s used, meaning that you can have different
recording times on each Level according to your needs, up to a maximum of 8 minutes across all Levels.
Uniquely, SMOOTH TALKER with LEVELS allows the playback mode to be set independently for each
Level so that you can quickly change between Levels and the playback mode is automatically set
appropriately for the messages you have recorded on that Level. The next section of these instructions
explains this feature in more detail.
To choose a Level for recording and playback, simply press and hold the Mode/Level button [7] and some
or all of LEDs 1-5 will light, showing the current Level*. If LEDs 1-4 are lit, this indicates Level 4. To make
a change to the Level, repeatedly press Mode/ Level until the correct Level is shown by the LEDs. After
a few seconds the LEDs will be extinguished, the settings are saved and the unit plays a confirmation
message, stating the new Level and its associated Playback Mode.
The current Level is stored in non-volatile memory and is retained even if the battery becomes flat.
* When setting the Level, the LEDs blink to help differentiate between setting the Level and setting the Mode.
Choosing the Playback Mode
SMOOTH TALKER with LEVELS has eight playback modes to give maximum flexibility. The playback
mode associated with each Level may be set independently, allowing it to be set up at recording time
to be appropriate for the messages that are being recorded. For example, if the unit is to be used as a
speaking dice, record messages ‘1’ to ‘6’ and then set the playback mode for that Level to Random. If,
on another Level, the recordings form a two-way conversation, set the playback mode for that Level to
Converse. In this way, simply changing Level makes the playback mode setting correct for the messages
already recorded. By default, each Level is set to Sequential playback mode.
To change the playback mode on the current Level, press Mode/Level [7] briefly and one of LEDs 1-8 will
light to show the current setting. To make a change to the setting, press Mode/Level again repeatedly
while the LEDs are lit until the chosen mode LED is lit, by reference to the list on the inside of the flap.
After a few seconds the LEDs will be extinguished, the settings saved and the unit will play a confirmation
message, stating the new playback mode. The setting is stored in non-volatile memory and is retained
even if the battery becomes flat.
To change the playback mode on a different Level, first select the Level as described in the previous
section and then change the playback mode.
1. First choose the Level you wish to record
messages onto using the instructions above.
2. Press and hold the Record button [1] until
the Record LED [2] illuminates.
3. Next decide whether you would like to append
more messages to the ones that are already
recorded, or start afresh. If you want to
re-record from scratch, you will first need to
Erase any existing messages on this Level.
With the Record LED lit, press Erase/Pair [9]
briefly. The unit plays a message telling you
that it is erasing the current Level and will
confirm when it has completed. If, on the other
hand, you wish to append more messages,
simply proceed to the next step.
4. Press and hold down the main switch [6].
Begin recording the first message after
you hear a beep by speaking clearly into the
microphone [11]. Release the switch when you

Message Playback
Unless in Record mode, the unit plays back messages whenever the main switch [6] is pressed. Precisely
which message is played is dictated by both the current Level setting and the playback mode for that
Level. The next section of these instructions provides more details on the various playback modes.
You may change Level at any time during playback using the method as described on previous page.
Equally, you may also change the playback mode at any time. Both Level and playback mode are saved in
non-volatile memory whenever changes are made. Changes to the playback mode are associated with the
current Level only, meaning that the playback mode for other Levels will remain unchanged.
Some playback modes require the use of two switches, the second switch being either a wired switch
plugged into the external switch socket [4], a wireless switch paired as described below, or even both if
you need multiple users to be able to instigate messages.
Playback volume may be adjusted at any time using the volume control [3].
Using Messaging Modes
SMOOTH TALKER with LEVELS has 8 playback modes which have been carefully designed to achieve the
best possible development of the users. To view the current mode setting, press the Mode/Level button
briefly [7]. The adjacent LEDs 1-8 illuminate to show the current Mode setting, without any changes being
made. If you wish to change to a different mode, press the Mode button repeatedly until the appropriate
LED lights, by reference to the list on the inside of the flap. The Mode LEDs are extinguished after a few
seconds and the unit announces the playback mode for the current Level.
The following sections describe the messaging modes:
SEQUENTIAL
Plays the messages on the current Level in the
same order they were recorded, beginning with
the first. Once the last message is reached, the
sequence starts again from the first message.
RANDOM
Randomly plays a message from any of the
recorded sequence of messages on the current
Level. For example, record the numbers one to six
and SMOOTH TALKER with LEVELS becomes a
speaking dice. Or record messages appropriate to
a selection of items and then use SMOOTH TALKER
with LEVELS for ‘show and tell’.
It is not necessary to leave Record mode to change Level. Simply select the Level as described above with
the Record LED still lit. Erase (if required) always acts upon the currently selected Level.
† SMOOTH TALKER with LEVELS deliberately cuts about 0.5 seconds off the end of each recording to prevent
the mechanical noise of switch release being picked up by the microphone, so please ensure that a gap of at
least this amount is allowed at the end of each message before the switch is released.
have finished recording the message. Repeat
the procedure for additional messages in the
sequence. Note that it is best to hold down the
switch for at least half a second after you have
finished speaking to ensure that the message
is not cut short†.
5. When you have finished recording all the
messages press the Record button briefly to
exit recording mode. SMOOTH TALKER with
LEVELS is now back in playback mode.
During recording the Record LED flashes
slowly. When only 20 seconds of recording time
remains the Record LED will flash rapidly. If
all the recording time is consumed, SMOOTH
TALKER with LEVELS automatically drops out of
recording mode and a message is played stating
that the unit’s memory is full.
The maximum number of messages on each
level is 64. An attempt to record a 65th message
results in the unit dropping out of Record mode
with a message stating that the message limit has
been reached.

RANDOM (NO REPEATS)
Similar to Random mode but each time a message
is played, it is eliminated from the list of
potential messages, ensuring that they cannot be
repeated. This continues until every message has
been played once, after which the process starts
again with different randomisation. This mode
is ideal for choosing who goes next in a group
activity. Simply record the names of each child
and use SMOOTH TALKER with LEVELS to choose
who goes next. Nobody gets two goes and nobody
is left out!
A sequence may be re-started at any time by
briefly pressing the Record button [1]. All messages
are re-engaged and elimination begins again.
CHOICE
Choice mode allows users to exercise a choice
between two messages. The main switch always
plays message 1 on the current Level and the
external switch (whether wired or wireless)
plays message 2. If more than two messages are
recorded, the third and any subsequent ones are
ignored. For example, you could record ‘Yes’ as
the first message and ‘No’ as the second. Or try
‘Please’ and ‘Thank you’.
CHOICE PROGRESSION
Similar to Choice mode but allows a progression
through several choices. Record messages as
pairs and then for each pair, the main switch plays
choice 1 (the first message) and the external one
plays choice 2 (the second message). This mode is
ideal for choosing menu items- for example if you
were to record the following:
Messages 1/2 Pizza Hamburger
Messages 3/4 Ice Cream Doughnut
Messages 5/6 Lemonade Juice
This example allows the user to choose between
pizza and burger, then ice cream or a doughnut
and finally lemonade or juice. The exercise may be
augmented with the provision of paired images,
perhaps as a flip chart.
A progression sequence may be re-started from
messages 1 and 2 by briefly pressing the Record
button [1] at any time.
CONVERSE (TURN-TAKING)
This unique mode allows a conversation to
take place between two users in a strict back-
and-forth order no matter how the buttons
are pressed. It is very useful in teaching turn-
taking and in teaching the users the skill of
conversation. There is no possibility of the
conversation getting out of sequence. First,
record a number of messages in the normal way.
Odd messages form one half of the conversation
and even messages form the other half. For
example:
Message 1 (James) “Hello, my name is James”
Message 2 (Catherine) “Hi James, I’m Catherine”
Message 3 (James) “What is your favourite food?”
Message 4 (Catherine) “I like pizza”.
For added realism you could use different voices
for each half of the conversation.
Once recording is complete, the main switch
[6] plays odd messages and the external switch
(wired or wireless) plays even messages. In other
words James, in the example above, uses the main
switch and Catherine uses the external switch
Because James has the main switch, he must
initiate the conversation by pressing his switch.
Catherine’s switch does nothing until the first
message is complete. Once the first message has
ended Catherine may press her switch and play
the second message, meanwhile James’s switch
does nothing, so he can’t interrupt, and so on.
Once all the messages have been played through,
James can start the conversation again. There is
no requirement for there to be an even number
of messages. The only requirement is that the
main switch initiates the conversation. To re-start
the conversation from the beginning, press the
record button [1] briefly at any time.
AUDITORY PROMPT
This mode is used to allow a teacher/care giver/
therapist to discreetly set up the correct message
more easily for a particular situation, while still
allowing the user to communicate.
To select the particular message to be played,
the carer repeatedly presses either an external
switch, or the Record button, to step through
the messages. These are played back at reduced
volume. There is no need to listen to each
message in full- you can step on to the next
message at any time. Note that the toy outputs
are disabled while stepping through messages
Once the required message is arrived at, SMOOTH
TALKER with LEVELS plays the message at
normal volume whenever the main switch is
pressed. Repeated presses of the main switch
repeat the same message.

For example, the carer and user are making an
excursion to a fast food restaurant. The carer pre-
records the following messages:
Message 1: “Hamburger”
Message 2: “Pizza”
Message 3: “Ice Cream”
Message 4: “Hot dog”
On arrival at the restaurant, the user decides
she would like a hot dog. The carer discreetly
steps through to message 4 and then the user
approaches the cashier and presses the main
switch. The message “Hot dog” is played back at
normal volume levels.
QUESTION & ANSWER
Record your messages as Question and Answer
pairs and then this mode allows the question
and answer to be repeated multiple times
before moving on, allowing reiteration and
reinforcement. For example, suppose the
following messages are recorded:
Messages 1/2:
What is your favourite colour?
Blue
Messages 3/4:
Do you have a pet?
Yes, I have a dog
Messages 5/6:
Do you have any brothers or sisters?
Yes, I have a sister.
Press the external switch to hear message 1 (the
first question) and in case it needs reiteration, it
may be repeated any number of times. Pressing
the main switch will then play the second
message (the corresponding answer) and in
case it needs reinforcement, it may be repeated
any number of times. To move on to the next
question and answer pair once the first question
and answer have been heard, press the external
switch to hear the second question. Once all the
question and answer pairs have been played, the
sequence starts again from the beginning.
To re-start the question and answer sequence
from the beginning, press the record button [1]
briefly at any time.
Stopping a Message
Other than in Prompt mode, playback of a message may be ended early by briefly pressing the Record
button [1]. Playback continues with the next message when the relevant switch is next pressed.
Playing Messages from an External Wired Switch
Attach any wired switch with a 3.5mm plug into the switch input socket [4]. For sequential, random and
random (no repeats) modes, the external switch behaves in the same way as the main switch. In all other
modes, the external switch is required as a second switch.
Re-starting a sequence
Other than in Prompt mode, the unit may be made to start the playback sequence over again by briefly
pressing the Record button [1]. The outcomes in each playback mode are as follows:
Sequential: Sequence begins again starting at message 1.
Random: No effect
Random (no Repeats): All messages are re-engaged and elimination begins again.
Choice: No effect
Choice Progression: Sequence begins again with messages 1/2.
Converse: Sequence begins again with message 1 (1st user).
Q & A: Sequence begins again with messages 1/2.

Playing Messages from a SimplyWorks Switch
1. Place a SimplyWorks wireless switch close to SMOOTH TALKER with LEVELS.
2. Ensure the SMOOTH TALKER with LEVELS is not in Record Mode.
3. Press and hold the Pair Button [9] on SMOOTH TALKER until LED 6 flashes slowly.
4. Immediately press the Pair Button on the SimplyWorks switch. The Pair LED on
SMOOTH TALKER with LEVELS continues to flash slowly until pairing is complete,
at which point the Pair LED lights steadily for 5 seconds.
The SimplyWorks wireless switch can be almost any SimplyWorks transmitter. As well as SWITCH
125 and SWITCH 75, SimplyWorks SEND can be used to make any switch wireless. Even SimplyWorks
JOYSTICK can be used - as a wobble switch!
Note that wired and wireless switches can co-exist and perform the same function.
Controlling Battery Operated Toys/Appliances
To enhance the user experience and provide positive reinforcement, SMOOTH TALKER with LEVELS can
activate battery operated toys and appliances. Plug any switch adapted toy or appliance into the toy/
appliance socket [5]. To assign a message to the toy/appliance press the Record Button [1] briefly during
message recording. Every time this message is played the toy/appliance will activate for the duration
of the message. If the message is brief, consider adding a period of silence or even add some music so
the toy or appliance can perform for the required period. Any (or all) messages may have toy output
assigned.
Alternatively, for wireless activation of the toy/appliance, SMOOTH TALKER with LEVELS must be
paired with a SimplyWorks toy controller:
1. Connect the toy/appliance to any toy controller e.g. CONTROL LITE, CONTROL or
CONTROL PRO.
2. Press the Pair Button on the toy controller and the Pair LED will begin to flash slowly.
3. Now press the Pair Button [9] briefly on SMOOTH TALKER with LEVELS. The Pair
LED on the toy controller will continue to flash slowly until pairing is complete at
which point the Pair LED will light steadily for 5 seconds.
4. Assign a message following the above procedure.
Note that wired and wireless toys can co-exist and will be turned on and off simultaneously.
Controlling Software During Message Playback
SMOOTH TALKER with LEVELS may also be paired with SimplyWorks RECEIVE to allow software to be
controlled by messages
which are assigned to toy/appliance control.
1. Briefly press the Pair Button on RECEIVE and the Pair LED will begin to flash slowly.
2. Now press the Pair Button [9] briefly on SMOOTH TALKER. The Pair LED on RECEIVE
will continue to flash slowly until pairing is complete at which point the Pair LED
will light steadily for 5 seconds.
Whenever a message is played which has toy/appliance control assigned, RECEIVE sends the Enter
character to the computer via the USB lead for the duration of the message. This allows software which
uses Enter to be used alongside SMOOTH TALKER with LEVELS.

Controlling Mains Powered Devices During Message Playback
Electrical appliances can also be controlled wirelessly using an ENERGISE or iCLICK mains appliance
controller. Plug the ENERGISE/iCLICK power cable into an electrical socket and the electrical appliance
into socket number one. Briefly press Pair Button 1 on ENERGISE/iCLICK and the Pair LED will begin to
flash slowly. Briefly press the Pair Button [9] on SMOOTH TALKER. The Pair LED on ENERGISE/iCLICK
will continue to flash slowly until pairing is complete at which point the Pair LED will light steadily for 5
seconds. Assign a message using the above procedure.
Optimising the Battery Life
To conserve battery life SMOOTH TALKER with LEVELS automatically enters a power saving mode after
20 minutes without use. The Simply Works wireless transmitter/receiver is shut down, which saves
power but also prevents reception of switch activation information from external wireless switches. To
wake up SMOOTH TALKER with LEVELS from power saving, simply press any button or the main switch.
If you are not going to use SMOOTH TALKER with LEVELS for more than a few minutes it is best to turn
it off completely using the volume control [3]. This also prevents accidental presses of the main switch
from playing messages during transportation.
Inserting Prompt Cards
A picture card may be inserted into the open lid of SMOOTH TALKER with LEVELS to act as a visual
prompt. The card should be 75mm wide, and 35mm or more in height. Should the array of LEDs and
buttons distract users when the lid is open, the Card may be made around 75mm high to obscure the
LEDs and buttons, as shown here:
Low Battery Warning
If a message is cut short during playback and/or LED 10 flashes red, this is an indication that the battery
is exhausted and should be recharged. Turning the volume down will prevent messages being cut short
and extend battery life a little. Please note that the unit can continue to be used normally while charging.

Maintenance
SMOOTH TALKER with LEVELS has no user serviceable parts. If repair is necessary the unit should be
returned to Pretorian Technologies or an authorised Distributor.
Low Level Erase
It is possible to erase all of the messages on all five Levels using the Low Level Erase feature. This will
also set the playback modes on all Levels back to Sequential. To perform a Low Level Erase, first put
the unit into Record Mode by pressing and holding the Record button [1]. Once the Record LED [2] is lit,
press and hold the Erase/Pair button [9] until you hear the ‘Press again to confirm’ announcement. If you
wish to proceed, release the button and press it briefly once again. All messages and settings will then
be erased and a further announcement will advise when it is complete. Erasing a full memory can take
several seconds.
Replacement Charging Cable
If you should misplace the charging cable which is shipped with your SMOOTH TALKER with LEVELS,
replacements can be purchased from most technology retailers. The cable is the same as a camera cable
and may, in most cases, be ordered as such. An alternative description is: USB type A plug to mini-USB
plug cable.
Warranty
SMOOTH TALKER with LEVELS is warranted against defects in manufacture or component failure
for a period of 24 months. The unit is designed for use in domestic and educational applications. Use
outside these areas will invalidate the warranty. Unauthorised repair or modification, mechanical abuse,
immersion in any liquid or connection to incompatible equipment will invalidate the warranty.

Troubleshooting
Symptom Possible Cause
No playback. • No messages
recorded!
• Volume control
turned right down.
• Battery flat.
• In Q&A mode, first
question must
be played using
external switch
before answer can
be played on main
switch.
Remedy
• Record some messages!
• Turn volume up.
• Recharge battery.
• Play first question using
external switch before
answer may be heard on
main switch.
Old messages still
present after
re-recording.
• Erase not pressed
prior to recording. • Press Erase before recording if you want to
remove old messages.
Playback stops part way
through a message. • Battery flat. • Recharge battery (short term
fix- turn volume down)
Toy doesn’t turn on with
message • Toy not assigned to
this message
• Toy lead broken
• SimplyWorks receiver
not paired
• Re-record and press Record
to assign
• Test and replace if necessary
• Pair up receiver
External switch does not
play message • Wired switch broken
• SimplyWorks switch
not paired
• Not your turn in
Converse mode
• Test with Pretorian Test-IT
and replace if necessary
• Pair up transmitter
• Wait until it’s your turn
Mechanical noises on
recording • Unit was held in hand
whilst recording • Place on a firm surface when recording

www.pretorianuk.com
Unit 37 Corringham Road Industrial Estate
Gainsborough Lincolnshire DN21 1QB UK
Tel [phone] Fax [phone]
SimplyWorks®is a registered
trademark of Pretorian Technologies Ltd
S040135