Shure KCX User manual

KCX
Wireless System
Online user guide for KCX wireless system.
Version: 3.1 (2020-H)

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Table of Contents
KCX Wireless System 3
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 3
Quick Setup 3
Shure KCX Wireless 4
Receiver 4
Transmitter 7
System Components 7
All Systems 7
Handheld Transmitter 7
Bodypack Transmitter 7
Power 8
Connecting to a Sound System 8
Channel 8
Bodypack Gain 8
RF Level 8
Squelch 8
Color ID Rings 9
Getting Good Sound 9
Correct Microphone Placement 10
Wearing the Headworn Microphone 10
Wearing the Bodypack Transmitter 11
Wireless Tips to Improve System Performance 11
Troubleshooting 11
Specifications 12
Optional Accessories and Replacement Parts 15
Optional Accessories 15
Replacement Parts 15
Frequency Range and Transmitter Output Level 15

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KCX 
Wireless System
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Thepossibleresultsofincorrectusearemarkedbyoneofthetwosymbols—"WARNING"and"CAUTION"—dependingonthe
imminence of the danger and the severity of the damage.
WARNING: Ignoring these warnings may cause severe injury or death as a result of incorrect operation.
CAUTION:Ignoringthesecautionsmaycausemoderateinjuryorpropertydamageasaresultofincor
rect operation.
WARNING
If water or other foreign objects enter the inside of the device, fire or electric shock may result.
Do not attempt to modify this product. Doing so could result in personal injury and/or product failure.
CAUTION
Never disassemble or modify the device, as failures may result.
Do not subject to extreme force and do not pull on the cable or failures may result.
Keep the microphone dry and avoid exposure to extreme temperatures and humidity.

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Quick Setup
Shure KCX Wireless
Congratulations on purchasing your KCX Wireless system from Shure. Shure professional audio products deliver legendary
sound quality, stage-proven durability and hassle-free setup. The KCX Wireless System comes with your choice of microphone
complete with all the accessories you need. For performers that manage their own sound and desire the freedom of wireless,
nothingcouldbemoreversatileoreasytooperate.Affordablereplacementpartsandaruggedhousingmakethisanidealin
vestment for years of confident performance.

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Receiver
KCX4

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KCX88
①Power LED light
②Audio Frequency LED light
③Radio Frequency Diversity lights
④Balanced output (XLR connector)
⑤Unbalanced output (6.35mm connector)
⑥Audio output level (line/mic) switch
⑦Channel selection dial

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⑧Squelch dial
⑨Power adapter input
⑩Antennas
Transmitter
①Power button
②Channel selection dial
③Audio input level (line/mic) switch
④Battery compartment
⑤Transmitter gain dial
⑥Belt clip
⑦Mic input (CVL lavalier or PGA31 Headworn)
⑧Radio Frequency (RF) level switch
⑨Antenna
⑩Color ID rings
⑪Anti-roll ring (PG28 only)
⑫Power LED light
System Components
All Systems
KCX4 Receiver
Channel Selector Tool
Handheld Transmitter
KCX2 Handheld Microphone Transmitter
Bodypack Transmitter
KCX1 Bodypack Transmitter

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Microphone
PG185 Lavalier microphone OR
PG30 Headworn microphone
Power
Plug in the power adapter to turn on the receiver. There is no power switch.
Insert 2 AA batteries into the transmitter. Hold the power button for two seconds to turn on.
Connecting to a Sound System
Connect the balanced XLR output on the receiver to a MIC or LINE input. Set the LINE MIC switch accordingly.
If there is no XLR input, connect the unbalanced 6.35 mm (1/4 inch) receiver output to a LINE input. Set the LINE MIC switch to
LINE.
Channel
Set the transmitter and the receiver to the same frequency using the channel dial.
Note: If using a dual system (or more than one single system), assign each input to a different channel within the same group (channels 1-4 or channels A-D).
For the JB1 band, there are three groups: channels 1-3, 4-6, and 7-8. This ensures the best signal quality.
Bodypack Gain
The gain dial controls the audio volume sent to the receiver.
Turn down the gain if the audio signal sounds distorted.
Turn up the gain if the AF LED light is faint or the audio is too low.
RF Level
This switch sets the RF level of the handheld transmitter. It does not affect the audio volume.
Set to LO to avoid interfering with other receivers when in a building with multiple systems.
Set to HI for transmitting over a greater distance when using a single system.

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Squelch
Squelch controls the amount of RF signal that the receiver picks up.
Turn up the squelch dial (clockwise) to remove ambient noise from unwanted RF sources.
Turn down the squelch dial (counterclockwise) if the microphone is not transmitting clearly to the receiver.
Color ID Rings
Slide these color rings over the handle of the microphone to identify them. (Sold in a package of six as an optional accessory.)

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Getting Good Sound
Correct Microphone Placement
Holdthemicrophonewithin12inchesfromthesoundsource.Forawarmersoundwithincreasedbasspresence,move
the microphone closer.
Do not cover grille with hand.
Wearing the Headworn Microphone
Positiontheheadwornmicrophone13mm(1/2in.)fromthecornerofyourmouth.
Positionlavalierandheadwornmicrophonessothatclothing,jewelry,orotheritemsdonotbumporrubagainstthemicro
phone.

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Wearing the Bodypack Transmitter
Clip the transmitter to a belt or pocket.
For best results, the belt should be pressed against the base of the clip.
Wireless Tips to Improve System Performance
If you encounter wireless interference or dropouts, try the following suggestions:
Replace the transmitter batteries
Choose a different frequency channel
Reposition the antennas so there is nothing obstructing a line of sight to the transmitter (including the audience)
Avoid placing transmitter and receiver where metal or other dense materials may be present
Move the receiver to the top of the equipment rack
Remove nearby sources of wireless interference, such as cell phones, two-way radios, computers, media players, and
digital signal processors
Keep transmitters more than two meters (6 feet) apart
Keep the transmitter and receiver more than 5 meters (16 feet) apart
Keep them away from large metal objects
During sound check, mark trouble spots and ask presenters or performers to avoid those areas
Troubleshooting
Problem Solution

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No sound
Check the power supply of the microphone and receiver.
Ensure that the batteries are inserted correctly.
Set the transmitter and receiver to the same channel.
Check that the receiver is connected to the input on the audio mixer or amplifier.
Check that the transmitter is not too far away from the receiver.
Decrease (counterclockwise) the squelch.
Set the bodypack audio input switch to MIC.
Make sure that the receiver has a clear, line-of-sight path to the transmitter.
Keep the receiver away from metal objects.
Noise from RF
interference
Replace the transmitter batteries.
Checkthereceiverantennalocation.Makesurethereisaclearpathbetweenthereceiverandthetrans
mitter.
Whenusingtwoormoresystemssimultaneously,chosedifferentchannelswithinthesamegroup(chan
nels 1-4 or channels A-D). For the JB1 band, there are three groups: channels 1-3, 4-6, and 7-8.
Turnofforrelocatepossiblesourcesofinterferencesuchascellphones,radios,orotherelectronicde
vices.
Increase squelch (clockwise) to restrict the receiver from picking up ambient noise.
Unplug any unused receivers
Audio distor
tion
Adjust levels on the mixer board or sound system.
Make sure all cables are securely connected from the receiver to the sound system.
If using a bodypack transmitter, lower the gain settings.
Specifications
Working Range
HI power mode 75m (250ft) (Line of Sight)
LO power mode 18m (60ft) (Line of Sight)
Audio Frequency Response
50–15000Hz
Total Harmonic Distortion
<0.5%
Dynamic Range
90dB, A-weighted, typical
Operating Temperature Range
-10° C (0° F) to 50° C (122° F)

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Transmitter Audio Polarity
Positive pressure on microphone diaphragm produces positive voltage on pin 2 (with respect to pin 3 of
XLR output) and the tip of the 6.35 mm (1/4-inch) output.
Actual range depends on RF signal absorption, reflection and interference Dependent on microphone type Ref. ±48 kHz
deviation with 1 kHz tone Battery characteristics may limit this range
KCX1
Maximum Audio Input Level
MIC setting -15 to -7dBV
LINE setting 1 to 9dBV
Gain Adjustment Range
8dB
Input Impedance
MIC setting 16kΩ
LINE setting 120kΩ
RF Output Power
10mW (dependent on applicable country regulations)
Dimensions
108mm x 64mm x 19mm (H x W x D)
Weight
90g (without batteries)
Housing
Molded ABS
Power Requirements
2 "AA" size alkaline or rechargeable batteries
Battery Life
up to 10hours
KCX2
Maximum Audio Input Level
-20dBV
Input Impedance
22kΩ
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RF Output Power (dependent on applicable country regulations)
HI power mode 10mW maximum
LO power mode 1mW maximum
Dimensions
254mm x 51mm dia. (10 x 2in.)
Weight
270g (10.2oz.) (without batteries)
Housing
Molded ABS
Power Requirements
2 "AA" size alkaline or rechargeable batteries
Battery Life
up to 10hours (alkaline)
Dimensions
KCX4 32mm x 168mm x 104.5mm (H x W x D)
KCX88 32mm x 256mm x 104.5mm (H x W x D)
Weight
KCX4 245g (8.5oz.)
KCX88 381g 13.5oz.)
Housing
Molded ABS
Audio Output Level
into 100 kΩ load
XLR connector -16dBV
6.35 mm (1/4") connector -22dBV
Output Impedance
XLR connector 600Ω
6.35 mm (1/4") connector 600Ω
Sensitivity
-105dBm for 12 dB SINAD, typical
Power Requirements
KCX4 12-18 V DC @ 130mA

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KCX88 12-18 V DC @ 220mA
supplied by external power supply
Optional Accessories and Replacement Parts
Optional Accessories
Color Rings (6) WACR
Single Channel Rack Mount Kit WASRM
Dual Channel Rack Mount Kit WADRM
Replacement Parts
Channel Key 53A14226
Microphone Stand Adapter 95A14227
PS24 Power Supply 95A14220
See your local Shure distributor for assistance
Frequency Range and Transmitter Output Level
Band Range ( MHz)
P12 698–710
P14 710–726
P16 726–742
Q16 742–758
Q18 758–774
R23 774–787
R25 794–806
JB1 806–810
X7 925–937.5
X9 925–932
J9 558–570
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NOTE: ThisRadioequipmentisintendedforuseinmusicalprofessionalentertainmentandsimilarapplications.ThisRadioapparatusmaybecapableofoper
ating on some frequencies not authorized in your region. Please contact your national authority to obtain information on authorized frequencies and RF power
levels for wireless microphone products.