Samson Airline 77 User manual

UHF WIRELESS SYSTEM
• AL1 Presentation Transmitter
• AX1 Handheld Transmitter
• CR77 Receiver
OWNERS MANUAL
PRESENTATION
TRANSMITTER
HANDHELD TRANSMITTER

If you’ve had some prior experience using wireless systems, these QuickStart instructions will get you up and running with your AirLine sys-
tem in a matter of minutes! Detailed instructions for setting up and using your AirLine system can be found on page 17 of this manual, and
the “Guided Tour” sections on pages 6 - 16 provide full descriptions of all AirLine component controls and displays.
1. Make sure that the supplied receiver and AX1 or AL1 transmitter are factory preset to the same channel.
2. Physically place the receiver where it will be used and extend its antenna(s) vertically.
3. Set the power switch to your transmitter to the “off” position (away from the arrow) and place a fresh battery in it. Then turn the trans-
mitter back on momentarily; its LED will flash once and then go off if the battery is sufficiently strong. Once battery strength is verified, turn
the transmitter off.
4. If you are using an AX1, plug its XLR connector into a wired dynamic microphone; make a good tight connection, using the supplied
rubber gasket if necessary. If you are using the AL1 with an external lavalier microphone, make the physical connection between its input
connector and the microphone.
5. Turn your audio system off and make the physical cable connection between the receiver’s balanced or unbalanced output jack (if nec-
essary, both can be used simultaneously) and a mic level audio input of your amplifier or mixer. If your system contains a CR77 or UM1
receiver, be sure to set its Audio Output Level switch correctly.
6. Turn the Volume, Level or AF Level knob on the receiver completely counterclockwise. Connect the supplied AC adapter to the receiver
and plug it in (or place a fresh battery in the UM1 receiver), but leave its power off for the moment.
7. Turn on the receiver. If your system contains a CR77 receiver, its “Power” LED will light steadily red. (Note: the UM1 receiver has no such
LED.)
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Samson AirLine QuickStart
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8. Turn on your transmitter. If your system contains either a CR77 or UM1 receiver, one of the “A/B Receiver” LEDs will be lit, showing you
whether the (left) “A” or (right) “B” receiver is currently being used. The CR77 / UM1 meter will also indicate the strength of the incoming
RF signal.
9. Turn on your connected amplifier and/or mixer but keep its volume all the way down. If your system contains an AL1 transmitter, make
sure it is unmuted. Set the Volume, Level or AF Level knob on the receiver fully clockwise; this is unity gain.
10. Speak or sing into your mic at a normal performance level while slowly raising the audio input control of your amplifier or mixer until
the desired level is reached. If necessary, use the supplied plastic screwdriver to adjust the transmitter’s Gain trimpot in order to increase or
decrease its signal level. If you are using an AL1 transmitter with the built-in microphone, correct placement is critical to sound quality. It
should be unobstructed by clothing and either clipped to a shirt pocket or lapel, or worn around the neck on the supplied lanyard.
11. Do a walkaround through the intended area of coverage while observing the receiver’s “Power/RF” LED or RF Meter; it should indicate
sufficient RF reception in all areas of coverage . Reposition it (or its antenna) as necessary. If extended range coverage is required, a Samson
CR77 or UM1 true diversity receiver (set to the same channel as the transmitter) should be used
12. If you hear any spurious noise from the receiver output when the transmitter is turned off, use the supplied plastic screwdriver to adjust
the receiver Squelch level control, slowly turning it clockwise to the point at which the noise disappears.
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1: Antennas (A and B) - The anten-
na mountings allow full rotation
for optimum placement. In normal
operation, both Antenna A (the
antenna on the left) and Antenna
B (the antenna on the right) should
be placed in a vertical position.
Both antennas can be folded inward
for convenience when transporting
the CR77. See the “Setting Up and
Using the AirLine System” section on
page 17 in this manual for informa-
tion about antenna installation and
positioning.
2: Volume control - This knob sets the level of the audio signal being output through both the balanced and unbalanced output jacks on
the rear panel (see #2 and #4 on page 8 in this manual). Reference level is obtained when the knob is turned fully clockwise (to its “10” set-
ting).
3: Audio Meter - - This “ladder” display (similar to the VU bar meter used on audio devices) indicates the strength of the incoming audio
signal. When the “0” segment is lit, the incoming signal is optimized at unity gain; when the “+6” segment is lit, the signal is overloading.
When only the left-most “-20” segment is lit, the incoming signal is at just 10% of optimum strength. If no segments are lit, little or no signal
is being received. See the “Setting Up and the AirLine System” section on page 16 in this manual for more information.
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Samson AirLine Guided Tour - CR77 Receiver / Front Panel
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1
2
34
55
1
7
6
ANT. A ANT. B
VOLUME
POWER
RF METERAUDIO METER dB
0 10 25 50 75 1000 +3 +6-5-10-20
ANT. A ANT. B
SQUELCH
MIN
CR77 UHF TRUE DIVERSITY RECEIVER
MAX

4: Squelch control - This control determines the maximum range of the CR77 before audio signal dropout. Although it can be adjusted
using the supplied plastic screwdriver, it should normally be left at its factory setting. See the “Setting Up and Using the AirLine System”
section on page 17 in this manual for more information.
5: A/B Receiver LEDs - When signal is being received, one of these will be lit green, showing you whether the (left) “A” or (right) “B” receiver
is currently being used. The CR77 constantly scans its two antennas and automatically selects whichever is receiving the strongest, clearest
signal. This True Diversity switching is completely inaudible, but it effectively increases overall range while virtually eliminating potential
interference and phase cancellation problems.
6: RF (Radio Frequency) Level meter - This “ladder” display (similar to the VU bar meter used on audio devices) indicates the strength of
the incoming radio signal. When the “100%” segment is lit, the incoming RF signal is fully modulated and at optimum strength. When only
the second most left-most “10%” segment is lit, the incoming signal is at just 10% of optimum strength. If no segments are lit, little or no
signal is being received. See the “Setting Up and Using the AirLine System” section on page 17 in this manual for more information.
8: Power switch - Use this to turn the CR77 power on and off. When the receiver is on, the internal Power LED is lit.
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Samson AirLineGuided Tour - CR77 Receiver / Front Panel
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1: DC input - Connect the supplied 12
volt 160 mA power adapter here, using
the strain relief as shown in the illustra-
tion below. WARNING: Do not substi-
tute any other kind of power adapter;
doing so can cause severe damage to
the CR77 and will void your warranty.
2: Unbalanced output* - Use this
unbalanced high impedance (5K Ohm)
1/4" jack when connecting the CR77
to consumer (-10) audio equipment.
Wiring is as follows: tip hot, sleeve
ground.
3: Audio Output Level switch - Sets
the audio output level attenuation of
the balanced output (see #4 below) to
-20 dBm (line level) or -40 dBm (mic
level). See “Setting Up and Using the
AirLine System” on page 17.
4: Balanced output* - Use this elec-
tronically balanced low impedance (600 Ohm) XLR jack when connecting the CR77 to professional (+4) audio equipment. Pin wiring is as
follows: Pin 1 ground, Pin 2 high (hot), and Pin 3 low (cold).
* If required, both the unbalanced and balanced outputs can be used simultaneously.
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Samson AirLine Guided Tour - CR77 Receiver / Rear Panel
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1234
-
Using the strain relief: Gather up a loop of wire and pass it through the strain relief,
then pass the adapter plug through the loop in order to create a knot.

1: A/B Receiver LEDs - When signal is being received, one of these will be lit orange,
showing you whether the (left) “A” or (right) “B” receiver is currently being used. The
UM1 constantly scans its two antennas and automatically selects whichever is receiving
the strongest, clearest signal. This True Diversity switching is completely inaudible, but
it effectively increases overall range while virtually eliminating potential interference
and phase cancellation problems.
2: Meter - This set of three multicolor LEDs acts as a meter, indicating either battery
power or the strength of the incoming RF signal. This meter can also be disabled alto-
gether to conserve battery power. See #15 on page 11 for more information.
3: Peak LED - This LED lights red when output signal from the UM1 is at the onset of
clipping (that is, when it is on the verge of being distorted). If you see this light during
operation, move the microphone further away or lower the output level of your instru-
ment or transmitter. For more information, see the section entitled “Setting Up and
Using the AirLine System” on page 17 in this manual.
4: Power switch - Use this to turn the UM1 power on and off.
5: SQ (Squelch) Level control - This control determines the maximum range of the
UM1 before audio signal dropout. Although it can be adjusted using the supplied
plastic screwdriver, it should normally be left at its factory setting. See the “Setting Up
and Using the AirLine System” section on page 17 in this manual for more information.
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Samson AirLineGuided Tour - UM1 Receiver
MAX
MIN
POWER ON
SQ LEVEL
UHF MICRO DIVERSITY RECEIVER
B
A
LOW MID HIGH PEAK 800 MHz
2 3 1
5
7
4
6
1
+
-
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6: Battery holder - Insert a standard 9-volt alkaline battery here, being sure to
observe the plus and minus polarity markings shown. We recommend the Duracell
MN 1604 type battery. Although rechargeable Ni-Cad batteries can be used, they do
not supply adequate current for more than four hours.
WARNING: Do not insert the battery backwards; doing so can cause severe damage
to the UM1 and will void your warranty.
7: Plastic screwdriver - Specially designed for use in adjusting the UM1 Squelch
Level control (see #4 on the previous page). See the “Setting Up and Using the
AirLine System” section on page 17 in this manual for more information.
8: Antennas (A and B) - The antenna mountings allow full rotation for optimum placement. In normal operation, both antennas should
be placed in a vertical position. Both antennas can be folded inward for convenience when transporting the UM1. See the “Setting Up and
Using the AirLine” section on page 17 in this manual for more information.
9: DC input - This jack will accept a DC input voltage of 6 - 13 volts (inner connection [tip] positive, outer connection [sleeve] ground) from
your video camera, if available. Connect an optional Samson AC300R adapter here to charge a rechargeable 9-volt Ni-Cad battery.
10: Unbalanced output* - Use this unbalanced (1K Ohm max.) 1/8" (3.5 mm) mini-phone jack when connecting the UM1 to consumer (-10)
audio equipment. Wiring is as follows: tip hot, sleeve ground. If your video camera has stereo audio inputs, you’ll need to use a Y-adapter
that has a 1/8" (3.5 mm) mini-phone plug at one end and dual male RCA-type plugs at the other end.
11: Audio Output Level switch - Sets the audio output level of both the balanced and unbalanced outputs (see #10 above and #14 on the
following page) to -30 dBm (mic level), -20 dBm, or -10 dBm (line level). See the “Setting Up and Using the AirLine System” section on page
17 in this manual for more information.
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Samson AirLine Guided Tour - UM1 Receiver
30 20 10
LEVELOUT UNBAL
DC INPUT
109 118
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12: Level control - This knob sets the level of the audio signal being sent to the
headphones output (see #13 below).
13: Headphones output - Connect a stereo headphone to this standard 1/8" (3.5
mm) mini-phone jack in order to monitor the signal being output by the UM1. We
recommend the use of 30 ohm headphones. The level of the headphone signal can
be set by adjusting the Level control (see #12 above). Maximum output is 240 mW @
30 ohms).
14: Balanced output* - Use this electronically balanced low impedance (600 Ohm) mini-XLR jack when connecting the UM1 to professional
(+4) audio equipment. Pin wiring is as follows: Pin 1 ground, Pin 2 high (hot), and Pin 3 low (cold).
15: Meter switch - This three-position switch determines the function of the front-panel UM1 meter (see page #2 on page 9). In the left “RF”
position, the meter indicates the strength of the incoming RF signal. In the center “BATTERY” position, the meter indicates relative battery
power, showing whether the installed battery is at low (red), mid (yellow) or high (green) strength. (Note: When the red “low” indicator lights,
performance is degraded and the battery needs to be replaced). In the right “OFF” position, the meter is disabled altogether, thus conserv-
ing battery power.
* If required, both the unbalanced and balanced outputs can be used simultaneously.
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Samson AirLineGuided Tour - UM1 Receiver
PHONES LEVEL
O
U
T
P
U
T
B
A
L
A
N
C
E
D
METER
RF OFF
12
13
14
15
BATT.
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1: XLR connector - Connect this standard female XLR connector
into any standard wired dynamic microphone in order to make it a
wireless mic.
2: Rubber gasket - If necessary, use this provided rubber gasket in
order to make a solid connection between the AX1 XLR connec-
tor and your microphone (note that not all microphones require its
use).
3: Power on-off switch - Move this switch in the direction of the
arrow to turn power to the AX1 on; move it away from the arrow
to turn power off. (to conserve battery power, be sure to turn the
AX1 off when not in use). Be sure to
mute the audio signal at your exter-
nal mixer or amplifier before turn-
ing the AX1 power on or off, or an
audible pop may result.
4: Power / Battery LED - This
LED flashes once when the AX1 is
first turned on and lights steadily red
when there is less than 2 hours of
battery power remaining, indicating
that the battery needs to be changed.
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Samson AirLine Guided Tour - AX1 Handheld Transmitter
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