Samson VLX User manual

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WIRELESS SYSTEM
OWNER ’ S MANUAL
Samson cares about the environment
SAMSON
THE WIRELESS FUTURE"
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Produced by On The Right Wavelength for Samson Technologies Coq>
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Copyright 996, Samson Technologies Corp.
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Printed April, 996
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Wiring Guide nd Ch rt 27
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Samson Technologies Corp.
575 Underhill Blvd.
P.O. Box 903
Syosset, NY 79 -903
Phone: -800-3-SAMSON ( -800-372-6766)
Fax: [phone]
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ix C: About
D: R ck-Mounting
Appendix E: Not All B tteries
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Gloss ry of Terms 34
Specific tions 36
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Frequency Conversion
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Introduction
Introduction
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* VLX TD systems purchased with the VT2G instrument belt-pack
transmitter include a VR22 receiver; all other VLX TD systems include
a VR22X receiver; these two models differ only in that the VR22X
provides a rear-panel balanced XLR output ack.
SPECIAL NOTE: Should your unit ever require servicing a Return
Authorization number (RA) is necessary. Without this number the unit
will not be accepted. Please call Samson at 1-800-372-6766 for a
Return Authorization number prior to shipping your unit. Please retain
the original packing materials and if possible return the unit in its
original carton and packing materials.
In this manual you ’ ll find a more detailed description of the features of
your VLX / VLX TD system as well as a guided tour through all compo 
nents step-by-step instructions for setting up and using your system
information about Samson Noise Suppression trouble-shooting tips a
frequency conversion chart a technical description of True Diversity
rack-mounting instructions a glossary of terms and full specifications.
You ’ ll also find a warranty card enclosed — don ’ t forget to fill it out and
mail it in! This will enable you to receive online technical support and
will allow us to send you updated information about these and other
Samson products in the future.
The VLX and VLX TD VHF Wireless Systems differ in that the VR2
receiver provided in the VLX system utilizes non-diversity technology
incorporating a single antenna for ease of use while the VR22 and
VR22X receivers* provided in the VLX TD system utilize a system called
“ Microprocessor True Diversity ” (patent-pending). In this system a
single chassis (the VR22/22X) houses two antennas (called “ Antenna A ”
and “ Antenna B ” ) and one receiver circuit. A built-in computer chip con 
tinuously scans RF signals from the two antennas and determines which
one has the clearest and strongest reception automatically (and silently)
switching that signal to the receiver. This allows you to maintain the
wireless communication link over a broader range than would be
allowed by a receiver utilizing a single antenna and also reduces inter 
ference and phase cancellation problems. In addition special sample-
and-hold linking circuitry ensures that correct phase correlation is main 
tained at all times with no noise or pops during antenna switching. Both
systems utilize the Samson Noise Suppression system and both provide
excellent performance and the highest quality audio fidelity.
Congratulations on purchasing the Samson VLX / VLX TD VHF Wireless
System! Although this product is designed for easy operation we sug 
gest you first take some time to go through these pages so you can fully
understand how we ’ ve implemented a number of unique features.
Every wireless system consists of at least two components — a transmit 
ter and a receiver both of which must be tuned to the same channel
(that is the same radio frequency) in order to operate correctly.* The
Samson VLX / VLX TD system you have purchased contains either a
VR2 VR22 or VR22X receiver and either a VT2L microphone belt-pack
transmitter (for lavalier microphone and headset applications) a VT2G
guitar belt-pack transmitter (for instrument applications) or a VH2 hand 
held microphone transmitter. Here ’ s an illustration that shows an
overview of our system design:
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* Your receiver and transmitter have been factory preset to utilize the
same channel. A listing of the thirteen available channels and their cor 
responding VHF frequencies can be found on page 26 of this manual.
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System Features
System Features
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* We recommend the use of the Samson RM22 adapter for this
purpose; see page 31 of this manual for rack-mounting instructions.
• The VR22/22X receiver includes a pair of tuned antennas, specially
designed to maximize the effective range of the ireless link..
• The VLX system incorporates non-diversity technology for simple,
reliable operation. The VLX TD system incorporates
Microprocessor True Diversity technology, hich extends the effec
tive range of the system and also reduces potential interference,
noise, pops, and phase cancellation problems.
• The VH2 hand-held microphone transmitter is available in a
selection of popular mic capsules, including:
• The VT2L, VT2G and VH2 transmitters all utilize internal antennas
instead of the bulky external antennas used by many competing
systems. All three transmitters provide extended 18 hour battery life
and po er supplies that aren ’ t fussy, accepting standard 9-volt
alkaline batteries.
• Built-in Samson Noise Suppression circuitry in both the transmitter
and receiver. This ensures clear, transparent sound ith an
absolute minimum of background noise and hiss.
• Thirteen different available channels, designed for simultaneous
use. This means that you can use multiple VLX / VLX TD systems
(each tuned to a different channel) in the same location ithout
interference.
• The VT2L and VT2G belt-pack transmitter is extremely light eight
(less than 4 ounces ith a 9-volt battery installed). The VT2G
comes pre ired ith permanent connection to a standard 1/4" jack
(for use ith instruments such as electric guitar or bass), hile the
VT2L provides a S itchcraft P3 mini-XLR jack for connection to a
variety of popular headsets and lavalier microphones, including:
Electro Voice ND 757A N/DYM Dynamic
Electro Voice ND 857 N/DYM Dynamic
Samson S11 Dynamic
Shure SM58 Dynamic
Shure SM85 Condenser
Shure SM87 Condenser
• The VR22/22X is a half-rack unit that can be used freestanding or
can be mounted in any standard 19" rack,* making it easy to
integrate into any traveling or fixed installation audio system.
• All components have rugged construction that ensures reliable
operation in even the most demanding performance environments.
• The VT2L, VT2G and VH2 transmitters all provide “ popless ”
muting — their mute function turns off the audio signal hile leaving
the carrier signal on.
The Samson VLX / VLX TD VHF Wireless System utilizes the latest
advancements in ireless communications. Here are some of its main
features:
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* Optimized for aerobics orkouts, this headset is recommended for
usage in high-humidity environments such as physical fitness centers.
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AKG C-410 headset
AKG C-409 horn microphone
Audio-Technica ATM-75 headset
Audio-Technica MT-350 lavalier
Audio-Technica Pro-8HE headset*
Audio-Technica 831 H-7 lavalier
Countryman IsoMax headset
Cro n CM-311 / CM-312 headset
Samson ECM-40 lavalier
Sennheiser MKE-2 lavalier
Sony ECM-44 lavalier
Sony ECM-55 lavalier
Sony ECM-77 lavalier
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Guided Tour - VR2 Front Panel
Guided Tour - VR2 Front Panel
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OUTPUT
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VOLUME
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2: Power LED - This is lit whe ever the VR2 is powered o .
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5: Volume control - This k ob determi es the level of the audio sig al
se t from the VR2 output jack (see #6 below).
3: TX On LED - Whe carrier sig al of sufficie t stre gth is bei g
received by the VR2, this LED is lit.
4: Peak LED - This LED lights whe output sig al from the VR2 is at
the o set of clippi g (that is, whe it is o the verge of bei g distorted).
If you see this light duri g operatio , move the micropho e further away
or lower the output level of your i strume t or tra smitter. For more
i formatio , see the sectio i this ma ual e titled “ Setti g Up a d
Usi g the VLX / VLX TD System ” o page 16.
1 : Antenna - Duri g ormal operatio , this should be fully exte ded a d
i a vertical positio . Do not substitute a third-party receiver a te a.
See the sectio i this ma ual e titled “ Setti g Up a d Usi g the VLX /
VLX TD System ” o page 16 for i formatio about a te a positio i g.
: Output jack - Use this u bala ced (-10 dB) high impeda ce (5K
Ohm) 1/4" jack to co ect the VR2 to your audio equipme t. Wiri g is
as follows:
+ SIGNAL
GROUND
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Channel 13

Guided Tour - VR2 Rear Panel
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2: Power LED - This is lit whenever the VR22/22X is powered on.
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2: DC input - Connect the supplied Sa son AC300R adapter here.
WARNING: Do not substitute any other kind of power adapter; doing so
can cause severe da age to the unit and will void your warranty.
1: Antennas A and - During nor al operation, these should be fully
extended and in a vertical position. Do not substitute third-party receiv
er antennas. See the section in this anual entitled “ Setting Up and
Using the VLX / VLX TD Syste ” on page 16 for infor ation about
antenna positioning.
1 : Mute control - This control deter ines the axi u range of the
VR2 before audio signal dropout. It should nor ally be left at its factory
setting. For ore infor ation, see the “ Setting Up and Using the VLX /
VLX TD Syste ” section on page 16.
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Guided Tour - VR22/22X
Front Panel
3: Peak LED - This LED lights when output signal fro the VR22X is
clipping (distorted). If you see this light during operation, ove the
icrophone further away or lower the output level of your instru ent or
trans itter. For ore infor ation, see the section in this anual
entitled “ Setting Up and Using the VLX I VLX TD Syste ” on page 16.
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MICROPROCESSOR TRUE DIVERSITY
(Channel 13)
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1 : DC input - Connect the s pplied Samson AC300R adapter here.
WARNING: Do not s bstit te any other kind of power adapter; doing so
can ca se severe damage to the nit and will void yo r warranty.
* If your VLX TD system has a VR22X receiver, both the front panel
1/4" unbalance an rear panel XLR balance outputs can be use
simultaneously if necessary.
6: Output jack* - Use this nbalanced (-10 dB) high impedance
(5K Ohm) 1/4" jack to connect the VR22/22X to yo r a dio eq ipment.
Wiring is as follows:
3: XLR Output jack (VR22X only) - Use this electronically balanced low
impedance (600 Ohm) XLR jack to connect the VR22X to professional
(+4 dBv or -30 dBm) a dio eq ipment.* Pin wiring is as follows:
2: M te control - This control determines the maxim m range of the
VR22X before a dio signal dropo t. It sho ld normally be left at its
factory setting. For more information, see the “ Setting Up and Using the
VLX / VLX TD System ” section on page 16.
* If your VLX TD system has a VR22X receiver, both the rear panel XLR
balance an front panel 1/4" unbalance outputs can be use simulta 
neously if necessary.
: LEDs - When signal is being received, one of these LEDs
will be lit, showing yo whether signal from either the “ A ” or “ B ” antenna
is c rrently being sed. A comp ter chip inside the VR22/22X constantly
scans the two and a tomatically selects whichever is receiving the
strongest, clearest signal. This “ Microprocessor Tr e Diversity ”
switching is completely ina dible, and it effectively increases overall
range while red cing potential interference and phase cancellation
problems. For more information, see Appendix C ( “ Abo t Tr e
Diversity ” ) on page 28 in this man al.
Guided Tour - VR22/22X
Rear Panel
5: Volume control - This knob determines the level of the a dio signal
sent from the VR22/22X o tp t jack(s) (see #6 below and #3 on the next
page).
+ SIGNAL ~cn^~ J] □ an}
GROUND
Guided Tour - VR22/22X
Front Panel
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Guided Tour - VT2L / VT2G
Guided Tour - VT2L / VT2G
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(Channel 13)
(Channel 13)
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2: Battery LED - This LED is an indicator of batter strength. When
the VT2L I VT2G is first powered on, this LED will light for about two-
tenths of a second (if the batter is sufficientl strong), and will then go
off. When batter voltage is low, this LED lights steadil , indicating that
the batter needs to be replaced.
3: ower on-off switch - Use this to turn the VT2L I VT2G on or off
(to conserve batter power, be sure to leave it off when not in use).
WARNING: Be sure to mute the audio signal at our external mixer or
amplifier before turning the VT2L / VT2G power on or off, or an audible
pop ma result.
4: Input connector - The input device is connected here. The VT2L is
supplied with either a lavalier or headset microphone (connected via a
Switchcraft mini-XLR jack, as shown in the illustration above), while the
VT2G is supplied with a permanentl connected 1/4" jack cable.
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7: lastic screwdriver - Speciall designed for use in adjusting the
VT2L / VT2G Level control (see #8 on the next page) and/or VR2 or
VR22/22X receiver Mute control (see the “ Guided Tour: VR2 [or
VR22/22X] Rear Panel ” and “ Setting Up and Using the VLX / VLX TD
S stem ” sections on pages 7, 10 and 16 for more information).
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1: Mute on-off switch - When set to the “ Off ” position, audio signal is
transmitted. When set to the “ On ” position, the audio signal is muted.
The advanced circuitr in the VLX / VLX TD s stem ensures that no
“ pop ” or “ thud ” will be heard during muting. Note that turning this on
does not turn off the VT2L / VT2G power — it is simpl a wa to tem 
poraril mute the transmission of audio signal. If ou don ’ t plan on
using the VT2L I VT2G for extended periods, turn off its power b using
the power on-off switch (see #3 below).
5: Battery door - Opening the VT2L / VT2G batter door must be done
with care. See the “ Setting Up and Using the VLX / VLX TD S stem ”
section on page 16 for more information.
6: Battery holder - Insert a standard 9-volt alkaline batter here, being
sure to observe the plus and minus polarit markings shown. We
recommend the Duracell MN 1604 t pe batter . Although rechargeable
Ni-Cad batteries can be used, the do not suppl adequate current for
more than four hours. WARNING: Do not insert the batter backwards;
doing so can cause severe damage to the VT2L / VT2G and will void
our warrant .
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Guided Tour - VH2
Guided Tour - VT2L / VT2G
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8: Audio Input Level control (trimpot) - This input sensitivity control
has been factory preset to provide optimum level for the particular
lavalier or headset model being used in the case of the VT2G, it is
preset for optimum instrument level) and so we recommend that this not
be adjusted manually. If necessary, however, you can use the supplied
plastic screwdriver to raise or lower the VT2L / VT2G input level. See
the “ Setting Up and Using the VLX I VLX TD System ” section on page
16 for more information.
1 : Audio on-off s itch - When set to the “ On ” position, audio signal is
transmitted. When set to the “ Off ” position, the audio signal is muted.
The advanced circuitry in the VLX / VLX TD system ensures that no
“ pop ” or “ thud ” will be heard during muting. Note that turning this off
does not turn off the VH2 power — it is simply a way to temporarily mute
the transmission of audio signal. If you don ’ t plan on using the VH2 for
extended periods, turn off its power by using the power on-off switch
see #3 on the next page).
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Guided Tour - VH2
CHANNEL NUMBER
I TRUE DIVERSITY
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16
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VHF FM RE CEIVER
The basic procedure for setti g up a d usi g your VLX / VLX TD VHF
Wireless System takes o ly a few mi utes:
2: Battery LED - This LED is a i dicator of battery stre gth. Whe the
VH2 is first powered o , this LED will light for about two-te ths of a
seco d (if the battery is sufficie tly stro g), a d will the go off. Whe
battery voltage is low, this LED lights steadily, i dicati g that the battery
eeds to be replaced.
3. Make sure the Power o -off switch i your VT2L / VT2G beltpack or
VH2 ha dheld tra smitter is set to “ Off. ”
5: Battery holder - I sert a sta dard 9-volt alkali e battery here, bei g
sure to observe the plus a d mi us polarity marki gs show . We
recomme d the Duracell MN 1604 type battery. Although rechargeable
Ni-Cad batteries ca be used, they do ot supply adequate curre t for
more tha four hours.
ARNING: Do ot i sert the battery backwards; doi g so ca cause
severe damage to the VH2 a d will void your warra ty.
4: Microphone Input Level control (trimpot) - This i put se sitivity
co trol has bee factory preset to provide optimum level for the
particular micropho e capsule provided with your VLX / VLX TD system
a d so we recomme d that this ot be adjusted ma ually. If ecessary,
however, you ca use the supplied plastic screwdriver to raise or lower
the i put level. See the “ Setti g Up a d Usi g the VLX / VLX TD
System ” sectio o page 16 for more i formatio .
3: Power on-off switch - Use this to tur the VH2 o or off (to
co serve battery power, be sure to leave it off whe ot i use).
ARNING: Be sure to mute the audio sig al at your exter al mixer or
amplifier before tur i g the VH2 power o or off, or a audible pop may
result.
1. For the VLX I VLX TD system to work correctly, both the receiver a d
tra smitter must be set to the same cha el. Remove all packi g
materials (save them i case of eed for future service) a d check to
make sure that the supplied VR2, VR22 or VR22X receiver a d VT2L,
VT2G or VH2 tra smitter are set to the same cha el (this is listed o
the top of the VR2 or VR22/22X, o the belt clip of the VT2L / VT2G, a d
o the bottom of the VH2, as show i the illustratio below).
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2. O the VR2, exte d the a te a a d place it i a vertical positio .
O the VR22/22X, fully exte d both “ A ” a d “ B ” a te as a d place both
i a vertical positio .
If these cha els do ot match, co tact Samso Tech ical Support at
1-800-372-6766.
Setting Up and Using the
VLX / VLX TD System
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