Shure ADX2 User manual

ADX2
Handheld Transmitter
User guide for the ADX2 Axient Digital transmitter
Version: 10.3 (2023-J)

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Table of Contents
ADX2 Handheld Transmitter 4
ADX2 Handheld Transmitter 4
Features 4
Performance 4
Design 4
Power 4
Included Components 4
Choice of (1) of the following Shure microphone car
tridges: 5
Optional Accessories 5
Optional Shure microphone cartridges: 5
ADX2 Transmitter Overview 6
Transmitter Controls 7
Home Screen Display 7
Locking the Interface 8
Shure Rechargeable Batteries 8
Checking Battery Info 9
Important Tips for Care and Storage of Shure Recharge
able Batteries 9
Battery Installation 10
ADX2 SB920A Battery Runtime 10
Installing the Battery Contact Cover 10
Menu Parameters 10
Tips for Editing Menu Parameters 11
Menu Map 11
Menu Parameter Descriptions 11
Radio Menu 12
Audio Menu 12
Utilities Menu 12
IR Sync 13
Setting the Frequency Manually 14
RF Mute 14
Safe Start 15
Input Overload 15
Tone Generator 15
Matching Audio Levels with Mic Offset 16
ShowLink Test 16
Updating Firmware 17
Firmware Versions 17
Updating the Transmitter 17
Troubleshooting 17
Power 18
Gain 18
Cables 18
Interface Locks 18
Encryption Mismatch 18
Firmware Mismatch 18
Tx Battery Hot 18
Radio Frequency (RF) 18
Clean Battery Contacts 20
Specifications 20
Frequency Range and Transmitter Output Level 21
WARNING 24

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Australia Warning for Wireless 24
Certifications 25
LICENSING INFORMATION 25
Information to the user 25

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ADX2
Handheld Transmitter
ADX2 Handheld Transmitter
ADX series transmitters deliver impeccable audio quality and RF performance, and are equipped with ShowLink remote con
trol for real-time parameter adjustments and interference avoidance. This transmitter features wide tuning, High Density (HD)
mode, encryption, and advanced rechargeability in a streamlined design. Light-weight aluminum construction and SB920A
rechargeable power options (with dockable charging).
Features
Performance
184 MHz tuning range
20 Hz to 20 kHz range with flat frequency response
Automatic input staging optimizes gain setting
Diversity ShowLink-enabled for remote transmitter control and automatic interference avoidance
AES 256-bit encryption-enabled for secure transmission
>120 dB, A-weighted, System Gain @ +10
Digital output: >125dB, A-weighted (Dante, AES3, AES67)
100 meter (300 feet) line-of-sight operating range
Selectable modulation modes optimize performance for spectral efficiency or audio quality:
Standard – optimal coverage, low latency
High density – dramatic increase in max system channel count
Switchable Power Levels = 2/10/40 mW (region dependent)
Built-in tone generator and RF markers to facilitate range-testing
Design
Interchangeable Shure microphone cartridges
Backlit LCD with easy to navigate menu and controls
Rugged metal construction
Menu and power lockout
Power
Shure SB920A rechargeable batteries for up to 9 hours of runtime, precision metering, and zero memory effect
External charging contacts for docked charging
®

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Included Components
Component Part number
SB920A Shure Rechargeable Battery 95A46272
Zipper Bag 95B2313
Threaded Adapter 31B1856
Swivel Adapter, black 90F4046
Choice of (1) of the following Shure microphone cartridges:
SM58 (RPW112)
BETA 58A (RPW 118)
BETA 87A (RPW120)
BETA 87C (RPW122)
KSM8 Nickel (RPW170)
KSM8 Black (RPW174)
KSM9HS Black (RPW186)
KSM9 Black (RPW184)
KSM9 Nickel (RPW188)
KSM9HS Nickel (RPW190)
KSM11 Black (RPW192)
KSM11 Nickel (RPW194)
Optional Accessories
Accessory Part number
SB920A Shure rechargeable battery 95A46272
Battery contact cover (part number varies by frequency range) WA619-A (470-636 MHz), WA619-B
(606-810 MHz), WA619-C (750-960 MHz)
AD651B Talk Switch Button (black) 90A37347B
Microphone stand adapter WA371
Shure Networked Docking Charger 2-Up SBC240
Optional Shure microphone cartridges:
SM58 (RPW112)
SM86 (RPW114)
SM87A (RPW116)
BETA 58A (RPW118)
BETA 87A (RPW120)
BETA 87C (RPW122)
VP68 (RPW124)

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KSM9 Nickel (RPW188)
KSM9HS Nickel (RPW190)
KSM9 Black (RPW184)
KSM9HS Black (RPW186)
KSM11 Black (RPW192)
KSM11 Nickel (RPW194)
ADX2 Transmitter Overview
①Microphone Cartridge
See Optional Accessories for a list of compatible cartridges.
②Display
View menu screens and settings. Press any control button to activate the backlight.
③Infrared (IR) Port
Align with the receiver IR port during an IR Sync for automated transmitter programming.
④Control Buttons
Use to navigate through parameter menus and change values.
⑤Battery Compartment
Requires Shure rechargeable battery.
⑥On/Off Switch
Powers the unit on or off.
⑦Handle
Unscrew to access controls and batteries.
⑧Battery Charging Contacts
Charging contacts for use with docking battery chargers.

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Transmitter Controls
Use to navigate through parameter menus and change values.
Control Description
XActs as a 'back' button to return to previous menus or parameters without confirming a value change
OEnters menu screens and confirms parameter changes
∨∧ Use to scroll through menu screens and to change parameter values
Tip: Use the following shortcuts for quick setup:
Hold the ∧button while powering on to lock or unlock the transmitter controls.
Hold the X button while powering on to enter the safe start menu.
Home Screen Display
The home screen shows transmitter information and status.

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There are four pieces of information that you can choose to see on the home screen. Use the arrow buttons to select one of
the following choices:
Name
Frequency Setting
Group (G) and Channel (C)
Device ID
The following icons indicate transmitter settings:
Icon Setting
Battery runtime in hours and minutes or bar display
Key: Displayed when encryption is enabled
Lock: Displayed when controls are locked. Icon will flash if
access is attempted to a locked control (power or menu).
ShowLink signal strength displays 0 to 5 bars
STD: Standard Transmission Mode
HD: High Density Transmission Mode
RF Mute Engaged: Displayed when RF output is muted
Locking the Interface
Lock transmitter interface controls to prevent accidental or unauthorized changes to parameters. The lock icon appears on the
home screen when the interface lock is enabled.
From the Utilities menu, navigate to Locks and select one of the following lock options:
None: The controls are unlocked
Power: The power switch is locked
Menu: The menu parameters are locked
All: The power switch and menu parameters are locked
Press O to save.
To quickly unlock a transmitter: Press O twice, select None, and press O.
Shure Rechargeable Batteries
Shure lithium-ion batteries offer a rechargeable option for powering the transmitters. Batteries quickly charge to 50% capacity
in one hour and reach full charge within three hours.

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Single chargers and multiple bay chargers are available to recharge the Shure batteries.
Caution: Only charge Shure rechargeable batteries with a Shure battery charger.
Checking Battery Info
When using a Shure rechargeable battery, the receiver and transmitter home screens display the number of hours and minutes
remaining.
Detailed information for the battery is displayed Battery menu of the transmitter: Utilities > Battery
Battery: The chemistry type of for the installed battery (Shure, Alkaline, Lithium, NiMH)
Bars: Indicates the number of bars displayed
Time: Battery runtime
Charge: Percentage of charge capacity
Health: Percentage of current battery health
Cycle Count: Total of the number of charging cycles for the installed battery
Temperature: Battery temperature reported in Celsius and Fahrenheit
Important Tips for Care and Storage of Shure Rechargeable Batteries
Proper care and storage of Shure batteries results in reliable performance and ensures a long lifetime.
Always store batteries and transmitters at room temperature
Ideally, batteries should be charged to approximately 40% of capacity for long-term storage
Regularly clean the battery contacts (at least every 6 months) with an electrical contact cleaner designed for gold contacts
and safe on plastics
During storage, check batteries every 6 months and recharge to 40% of capacity as needed
For additional rechargeable battery information, visit www.shure.com.

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Battery Installation
①Accessing the Battery Compartment
Unscrew and remove the handle as shown.
②Inserting the Battery
Insert the battery, contracts first into the battery compartment. Press down on the tab to fully seat the battery, and then rein
stall the handle.
Tip: To remove the battery, pull up on the tab on the bottom of the battery.
ADX2 SB920A Battery Runtime
Note: Higher RF power levels decrease battery runtime. Battery runtime varies with battery age and environmental conditions.
2 mW 10 mW 40 mW
11.0 to 12.0 hours 9.0 to 11.0 hours 6.0 to 8.0 hours
Note: A Battery Hot warning indicates that transmitter battery needs to cool off. Otherwise, the transmitter will shut down. Let
the device cool down and then consider swapping the transmitter battery to continue operation.
Identify any possible external heat sources to the transmitter and operate the transmitter away from those external heat
sources.
All batteries should be stored and operated away from external heat sources in reasonable temperature conditions for best
performance.
Installing the Battery Contact Cover
Use battery contact covers to prevent reflections from the battery contacts during broadcasts or live performances.

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Menu Parameters
The Main menu organizes the available transmitter parameters into three categories:
Radio
Audio
Utilities
Tips for Editing Menu Parameters
To access the menu options from the home screen, press O . Use the arrow buttons to access additional menus and para
meters.
A menu parameter will blink when editing is enabled
To increase, decrease or change a parameter, use the arrow buttons
To save a menu change, press O
To exit a menu without saving a change, press X
Menu Map

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Menu Parameter Descriptions
Radio Menu
Freq
Press the enter button to enable editing of a group (G:) channel (C:) or frequency (MHz). Use the arrow buttons to adjust
the values. To edit the frequency, press the O button once to edit the first 3 digits, or twice to edit the second 3 digits.
Power
Higher RF power settings can extend the range of the transmitter.
Note: Higher RF power settings decrease battery runtime.
Output
Sets the RF output to On or Mute.
On: RF signal is active
Mute: RF signal is inactive
Audio Menu
Offset
Adjust Offset level to balance mic levels when using two transmitters for frequency diversity or when assigning multiple
transmitters to receiver slots. Adjustment range: -12 dB to +21 dB.
Mute
When enabled, the power switch is configured as a mute switch for the audio:
Power switch on: audio signal on
Power switch off: audio signal muted
Tone Gen
Transmitter will generate a continuous test tone:
Freq: The tone can be set to 400 Hz or 1000 Hz.
Level: Allows for adjustment of the output level of the test tone.
Utilities Menu
Device ID
Assign a device ID of up to 9 letters or numbers.
Locks
Locks the transmitter controls and power switch.
None: The controls are unlocked
Power: The power switch is locked
Menu: The menu parameters are locked
All: The power switch and menu parameters are locked

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Link Info
Displays the following information about the link between a transmitter and receiver:
Not Linked: The transmitter is not linked to a receiver
Linked: The transmitter is linked to a receiver. Select Unlink? to free the transmitter from the receiver link.
Unlinked: The transmitter is not linked to a receiver
SL Test
ShowLink test tool to measure the boundaries of ShowLink coverage.
Marker
When enabled, press the enter button to drop a marker in Wireless Workbench.
Battery
Displays battery information:
Battery Life: Runtime reported in bar display and time (hours:minutes)
Charge: Percentage of charge capacity
Health: Percentage of current battery health
Cycle Count: Total of the number of charging cycles for the installed battery
Temperature: Battery temperature reported in Celsius and Fahrenheit
Talk Sw
Press ENTER to add control from a talk switch. Press the button on the talk switch twice to complete the link.
Identify
When enabled, Identify flashes the transmitter icon in Wireless Workbench Inventory or Monitor tabs.
About
Displays the following transmitter information:
Model: Displays the model number
Band: Displays the tuning band of the transmitter
FW Version: Installed firmware
HW Version: Hardware version
Serial Num: Serial number
Reset All
Restores all transmitter parameters to factory settings.
IR Sync
Use IR Sync to form an audio channel between the transmitter and receiver.
Note: The receiver band must match the band of the transmitter.
Select a receiver channel.
Tune the channel to an available frequency using group scan or manually turn to an open frequency.
Power on the transmitter.

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Press the SYNC button on the receiver.
Align the IR windows between the transmitter and the receiver so that the IR LED illuminates red. When complete,
Sync Success! appears. The transmitter and receiver are now tuned to the same frequency.
Note:
Any change to the encryption status on the receiver (enabling/disabling encryption) requires a sync to send the settings to the
transmitter. New encryption keys for the transmitter and receiver channel are generated on every IR sync, so to request a new
key for a transmitter, perform an IR sync with the desired receiver channel.
Setting the Frequency Manually
The transmitter can be manually tuned to a specific group, channel, or frequency.
Navigate to the Radio menu and select Freq.
Scroll to select G: and C: to edit the group and channel, or select the frequency parameter (MHz). When editing the fre
quency, press O once to edit the first 3 digits, or twice to edit the last 3 digits.
Use the ∧∨ buttons to adjust the group, channel, or frequency.
Press O to save, and then press X when finished.
RF Mute
RF mute prevents transmission of the audio by suppressing the RF signal. The home screen displays RF MUTED in this mode.
From the Radio menu, navigate to Output.

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Choose one of the following options:
On: RF signal is active
Mute: RF signal is disabled
Press O to save.
When a transmitter is in RF mute mode, the RF will remain muted when the power is cycled and when the battery is replaced. To restore the RF signal, return
to the Output menu and select On.
Safe Start
Power on in Safe Start mode to prevent interference with other devices. Hold the X button while powering on your device until
the Safe Start menu appears.
Safe Start menu options:
RF: Mute or On
Locks: None, Pwr, Menu, All
Use the navigation buttons to make changes.
To exit the Safe Start menu, cycle the power or momentarily remove the battery.
Previous settings for locks and RF will be retained when the transmitter is powered on in Safe Start.
Input Overload
The OVERLOAD message appears when the audio input experiences a highlevel signal. The power LED turns red as an addi
tional indicator of an overload. Reduce the input signal or enable the input pad to remove the overload condition.
Tip: To enable the input pad, navigate to Audio > Pad and select 12 dB.

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Tone Generator
The transmitter contains an internal tone generator that produces a continuous audio signal. The tone is helpful when conduct
ing a sound check or for troubleshooting the audio signal chain. The level of the tone is adjustable from -60 dB to 0 dB and the
frequency can be set to 400 Hz or 1000 Hz.
Always start with the level set to -60 dB to avoid overloading speakers or headphones.
From the Audio menu select Tone Gen.
Set the frequency to 400 Hz or 1000 Hz.
Select Level and use the arrow buttons adjust the value between -60 dB and 0 dB.
Turn off the tone by selecting Off from the menu or by cycling the transmitter power.
Matching Audio Levels with Mic Offset
When linking two or more transmitters to a receiver, there may be a difference in volume levels between microphones or instru
ments. If this occurs, use the Offset function to match the audio levels and eliminate audible volume differences between trans
mitters. If using a single transmitter, set Offset to 0 dB.
Turn on the first transmitter and perform a sound check to test the audio level. Turn off the transmitter when finished.
Turn on the second transmitter and perform a sound check to test the audio level. Repeat for any additional transmit
ters.
If there is an audible difference in the sound level between the transmitters, navigate to the Offset menu (Audio >
Offset) in the transmitter to increase or decrease the Offset in realtime to match the audio levels.
ShowLink Test
The ShowLink Test is a tool to find the boundaries of the ShowLink coverage area. When the ShowLink test is activated, a five-
bar display indicating the link quality is shown on the screen. As the transmitter moves away from the access point, the number
of bars will decrease. ShowLink control is maintained as long as 1 bar is displayed.
If the transmitter is beyond the coverage range, ShowLink control will not be possible. However, the audio signal will not be af
fected or interrupted as long as the transmitter is within range of the RF signal.
To improve coverage, adjust the location of your access points or place additional access points to extend coverage.

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To activate the ShowLink Test:
From the Utilities menu, navigate to SL Test.
Press the O button to start the test and walk the transmitter around the coverage area. Monitor the number of bars dis
played and the state of the ShowLink icon. Coverage boundaries are indicated by 0 bars displayed or the ShowLink
icon is empty.
Press the X button to exit the ShowLink test.
Tip: During a ShowLink test, press O (enter) to drop a marker in Wireless Workbench.
Updating Firmware
Firmware is embedded software in each component that controls functionality. Periodically, new versions of firmware are devel
oped to incorporate additional features and enhancements. To take advantage of design improvements, you can upload and in
stall new versions of the firmware by using the Shure Update Utility, available on the Shure Update Utility page.
Firmware Versions
When performing an update, first download firmware to the receiver, and then update transmitters to the same firmware version
to ensure consistent operation.
The firmware numbering for Shure devices uses the following format: MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH (e.g., 1.2.14). At a minimum, all
devices on the network (including transmitters), must have the same MAJOR and MINOR firmware version numbers (e.g.,
1.2.x).
Updating the Transmitter
Download the firmware to the receiver.
Access the following menu from the receiver: Device Configuration > Tx Firmware Update.
Align the IR ports between the transmitter and the receiver. IR ports must be aligned for the entire download, which can
take 50 seconds or longer.
Tip: The red alignment LED will turn on when the alignment is correct.
Press ENTER on the receiver to begin the download to the transmitter. The receiver will display the progress of the up
date as a percentage.
Troubleshooting
Issue See Solution...
No sound Power, Cables, Radio Frequency, or Encryp
tion Mismatch
Faint sound or distortion Gain, Cables
Lack of range, unwanted noise bursts, or dropouts Radio Frequency (RF)
Cannot turn transmitter off or change frequency settings, or can't pro
gram receiver Interface Locks

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Issue See Solution...
Encryption Mismatch message Encryption Mismatch
Firmware Mismatch message Firmware Mismatch
Transmitter Battery Hot message Tx Battery Hot
Antenna Fault Red LED RF
Handheld transmitter shuts down during use Clean Battery Contacts
Power
Make sure that the receiver and transmitter are receiving sufficient voltage. Check the battery indicators and replace the trans
mitter batteries if necessary.
Gain
Adjust the system gain on the front of the receiver. Ensure the output level on the back of the receiver corresponds to the mic/
line input setting of the mixing console, amplifier, or DSP.
Cables
Check that all cables and connectors are working correctly.
Interface Locks
The transmitter and the receiver can be locked to prevent accidental or unauthorized changes. A locked feature or button will
produce the Locked screen on the LCD panel or the lock icon will flash on a transmitter.
Encryption Mismatch
Re-sync all receivers and transmitters after enabling or disabling encryption.
Firmware Mismatch
Paired transmitters and receivers must have the same firmware version installed to ensure consistent operation. See Firmware
topic for firmware update procedure.
Tx Battery Hot
If the transmitter battery does not cool off, the transmitter will shut down. Let the device cool down and then consider swapping
the transmitter battery to continue operation.
Identify any possible external heat sources to the transmitter and operate the transmitter away from those external heat
sources.
All batteries should be stored and operated away from external heat sources in reasonable temperature conditions for best
performance.
Radio Frequency (RF)
RF LEDs
If neither blue RF Diversity LED is illuminated, then the receiver is not detecting the presence of a transmitter.

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The orange RF Signal Strength LEDs indicate the amount of RF power being received. This signal could be from the transmit
ter, or it could be from an interfering source, such as a television broadcast. If more than two of the orange RF LEDs are
still illuminated while the transmitter is off, then that channel may be experiencing interference, and you should try a different
channel.
The red RF LED indicates RF overload. Overloads have the potential to cause interference in multiple system installations. If
you are experiencing an overload, turn off the receiver to see if it is causing interference with other components.
The numerical channel select button also turns red to indicate interference.
Dim red = Channel is not selected, experiencing interference
Bright red = Channel is selected, experiencing interference
Compatibility
Perform a Scan and Sync to ensure the transmitter and receiver are set to the same group and channel.
Look at the band label on the transmitter and make sure the receiver is set to the same band.
Reducing Interference
Perform a group or channel scan to find the best open frequency. Perform a sync to transfer the setting to the transmitter.
For multiple systems, check that all systems are set to channels in the same group (systems in different bands do not
need to be set to the same group).
Maintain a line of sight between transmitter and receiver antennas.
Move or point receiver antennas away from metal objects or other sources of RF interference (such as LED walls, comput
ers, digital effects, network switches, network cables and Personal Stereo Monitor (PSM) wireless systems).
Eliminate RF overload (see below).
Increasing Range
If the transmitter is more than 6 to 60 m (20 to 200 ft) from the receiver antenna, you may be able to increase range by doing
one of the following:
Reduce interference (see above).
Increase transmitter RF power level.
Use Normal mode instead of High Density mode.
Use an active directional antenna, antenna distribution system, or other antenna accessory to increase RF range.
Eliminating RF Overload
If you see the red RF LED on a receiver, try the following:
Reduce the transmitter RF power level
Move the transmitter further away from the receiver—at least 6 m (20 ft)
If you are using active antennas, reduce antenna or amplifier gain.
Use omnidirectional antennas
Antenna Faults
The Antenna Fault red LED indicates a short circuit condition or excessive load at an antenna port.
Check antennas and cables for damage
Ensure that antenna ports are not overloaded

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•Check antenna bias voltage setting. Turn off voltage if using passive antennas.
Clean Battery Contacts
Clean the battery contacts with an electrical contact cleaner designed for gold contacts and safe on plastics.
Specifications
Mic Offset Range
12 to 21 dB (In 1 dB steps)
Battery Type
Shure SB920A Rechargeable Li-Ion
Battery Runtime
@ 10 mW
Shure SB920A up to 9 hours
See Battery Runtime Chart
Dimensions
254 mm x 51 mm (10.0 in. x 2.0 in.) L x Dia.
Weight
338 g (11.9 oz.), Without Battery
Housing
Cast Aluminum
Operating Temperature Range
-18°C (0°F) to 50°C (122°F)
Note: Battery characteristics may limit this range.
Storage Temperature Range
-29°C (-20°F) to 74°C (165°F)
Note: Battery characteristics may limit this range.
Audio Input
Configuration
Unbalanced
Maximum Input Level
1 kHz at 1% THD
145 dB SPL (SM58), typical