Pro Co Sound iFace User manual
iFace
Portable Audio Player Interface
Features:
• Properly interfaces consumer-grade portable audio
players and laptop computers to professional sound
systems
• Stereo mini (1/8
”
)
input jack and individual RCA left
and right input jacks provided
• Transformer-isolated XLR male output jacks provided
• Stereo/mono switch sums inputs to create a true
stereo output or a mono audio output feed from
either XLR connector
• Rugged “Uni-Box” construction provides protection
and EMI/RMI shielding
Description
The Pro Co iFace Portable Audio Player
Interface is a roadworthy aluminum-
housed device that allows simple and
reliable connection of stereo -10dBV
audio devices such as MP3 players,
Apple iPods, laptop computers and
consumer-type CD and DVD players
to the balanced microphone inputs of
professional audio mixing consoles.
The iFace provides both a 3.5 mm
(1/8”) and recessed left/right RCA inputs
for easy connection with standard
patch cables and a stereo/mono switch
to provide passive summing to a dual
mono feed where required.
The outputs are isolated
via audiophile-grade Pro Co MBT-1
Microphone Bridging Transformers and
appear on standard 3-pin XLR male
connectors. The transformers off er wide
bandwidth and low distortion and phase
shift, and are magnetically shielded in
mu-metal cans and electrostatically
isolated with dual Faraday shields. The
result is near-ideal rejection of common-
mode signals from all sources of RFI
and EMI, including radio pickup, SCR
dimmers and 60 Hz hum.
The ruggedly constructed
“Uni-Box” enclosure is formed of
extruded aluminum side channels and
16-gauge steel top, bottom and end
plates, designed to protect switches
and connectors from accidental
damage while also providing magnetic
shielding for the circuitry. Industrial-
grade connectors and switches provide
trouble-free reliability even in abusive
situations such as remote broadcast and
recording operations.
Controls:
STEREO INPUT:
3.5mm (1/8”) phone jack
accepts signals from unbalanced stereo
sources including desktop and notebook
computers and MP3 and DVD players
with nominal -10 dBV outputs.
INPUT IMPEDANCE:
Approximately
1.0 kohm.
LEFT/RIGHT INPUTS:
Recessed RCA jacks
wired in parallel to the STEREO mini
input.
STEREO/MONO SWITCH
: Provides
resistive mixing to combine stereo
sources for mono output for applications
where stereo operation is not required.
LEFT/RIGHT OUTPUTS:
Male 3-pin
XLR-type output jacks for connection
to standard balanced microphone
inputs of professional audio mixers.
Recommended input impedance:
1.0 kohm minimum.
PRO CO ™ PROFESSIONAL AUDIO INTERFACE TOOLS
Pro Co Sound, Inc • 225 Parsons Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 USA • Tel: 800 - 253 - 7360 • Fax: 269-388-9681 • www.procosound.com
Typical Performance:
VOLTAGE LOSS (@ 1.0 kHz):
1.0 dB
INPUT IMPEDANCE:
1050 ohm @ 1.0 kHz
SECONDARY SOURCE IMPEDANCE;
270 ohm @ 1.0 kHz
TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION:
< .1% 30 Hz-20 kHz @ -15 dBv output
FREQUENCY RESPONSE (Re:1.0 kHz);
+.2dB @ 20 Hz
- .6dB @ 20 kHz
- 4dB @ 65 kHz
INSULATION:
> 600V winding/shield/winding
PRO CO ™ • iFace •
Portable Audio Player Interface
Pro Co Sound, Inc • 225 Parsons Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 USA • Tel: 800 - 253 - 7360 • Fax: 269-388-9681 • www.procosound.com
Engineering Specifi cations:
The portable audio impedance-matching unit shall be suitable for
interfacing one (1) stereo unbalanced -10dBV line-level source to one (1) or
two (2) balanced or fl oating low-impedance (1.0 kohm nominal) microphone
preamplifi er inputs. There shall be one (1) 3.5mm stereo input jack, wired in
parallel to two (2) recessed RCA-type jacks. These inputs shall be provided
with a miniature rocker-type switch and resistive summing network to provide
signal combining for monaural operation as required. There shall be two (2)
Pro Co MBT-1 Microphone Bridging Transformers. The magnetic shield of the
transformer shall be connected to the enclosure. The primary electrostatic
shields of the transformers shall be connected to the unbalanced input
connectors and to the enclosure. The secondary electrostatic shields shall be
connected to pin 1 of the appropriate XLR-type output connector.
The enclosure shall be constructed in the Pro Co ”Uni-Box” design with
16-gauge steel black zinc fi nish top and bottom plates, 16-gauge black
texture powder-coated steel end plates and black anodized aluminum side
channels. Control functions shall be identifi ed by a printed Lexan top panel
overlay. Switches shall be of the miniature “rocker” type and shall be recessed.
The enclosure shall be provided with two (2) miniature handles at front and
back and four (4) non-conductive feet. The dimensions of the unit shall be
4.875” D x 4.375” W x 1.75” H (123.8mm D x 111.1 mm W x 44.4mm H).
The portable audio player impedance-matching unit shall be a Pro Co iFace.
Pro Co Model MBT-1 Transformer
The MBT-1 is a carefully designed, custom-built 1:1 microphone bridging
transformer whose characteristics are optimized for use with balanced low-
impedance microphones or similar sources.
Special winding techniques and a high-permeability (80% nickel) core
lamination preserve full frequency response while minimizing signal losses
and other “loading” eff ects. Separate electrostatic shields for primary (input)
and secondary (output) windings reduce capacitive coupling of ground-
borne electrical noise between main and stage monitor or recording mixers,
eliminating annoying 60-Hz hum and buzz. The source impedance of the
MBT-1 is very similar to that of a low-impedance microphone to ensure proper
matching to the input circuitry of the mixer. The result is clean transient
response (no overshoot or ringing) and low distortion even at low frequencies
and high input levels.
0107
PRO CO MODEL: iFace
DIMENSIONS
WEIGHT
..........
1.25 lb
.55 kg
SHIPPING
WEIGHT
..........
2.00 lb
.91 kg
