User Manual for the Optogate Model PB-06
No time for manuals? No problem, this will take only 3 minutes of your time
to read it and you will have more fun and success with your new Optogate
device. The Optogates were designed for professional applications and to be
used by experienced sound engineers and technicians only.
The PB-06 comes in an abs plastic housing that can be fixed with Velcro tape
under a Table, Podium or Lectern. The PB-06 works with 48V phantom
power. Just switch on the 48V on the console and the Optogate is active. The
phantom power passes through the Optogate to the microphone. If you use
dynamic mics you can "remote control" the unit with the phantom power
switch. When you turn off the phantom power the PB-06 passes the audio
signal uninterrupted. Before turning on or off the phantom power please
mute the channel in order to prevent switching noise.
There are three led’s on the front, the middle led is a red status LED. It
indicates if somebody is in front of the unit and that the microphone is
switched on. If that red led is not on, the unit is gating the audio. The outer
LED’s are the infrared transmitter and the receiver. The transmitter will send
16 pulses per second if the phantom power is switched on. The Optogate will
switch the mic on if there is any signal reflected from a surface back to the
receiver.
The distance from the mic to the performer in which the unit opens and
closes is adjustable with the help of a potentiometer inside. The distance will
increase by turning the pot to the right for a distance of about 2 inches to 4
feet. Decrease the distance by turning the pot to the left. Please be aware
that some black materials are not able to reflect infrared signals back
very well, which in turn decreases the distance. Please experiment with
the potentiometer to fine-tune the distance together with the performer or
speaker before using live. It also would be helpful to have your performance
lighting active while adjusting.
The width of the sensor is about 15 degrees wide from the unit. The mic will
be switched off if the artist moves out of this angle. If you turn the
potentiometer clockwise (right) out of the useable area, the mic will
be switched on completely. If this happens, just turn the pot slightly
to the left until the Optogate works again.
We suggest that the engineer works with each performer to explain the
operation of the unit and then set the range of the Optogate to fit his or her
mic technique and stage set-up. As a rule the closer the performer is to the
mic, the better the results will be due to eliminating the ambient lighting
variables.
