Earlier this year, Audio-Technica introduced the System 10 Pro—the newest member of the company's digital wireless microphone line. With several innovative—even unique—features, the new System 10 Pro offers a simple user interface backed by a powerful suite of RF transmission methodologies that operate “behind the scenes.” Operating in the 2.4 GHz band, even a relatively inexperienced user can achieve stable and virtually trouble-free wireless experience with great audio quality by following a few easy-to-understand instructions.
The System 10 Pro consists of a half-rack-sized receiver chassis with front-panel bays for two receiver modules, handheld and/or bodypack transmitters, and a set of rack-mounting and other accessories. Two receiver chassis can be mounted together to offer four channels of wireless in 1RU, and up to 10 channels of wireless will operate together. More on A-T's interesting receiver-mounting options later in the article. But first, the basics: Transmission is digital, operating at 24-bit/48-kHz, and the receiver output is analog via XLR and unbalanced quarter-inch connectors—complete with an audio level control and a ground-lift switch for each channel.
System 10 Specifics
System 10 Pro seems to fit into the space between semi-Pro wireless and the high-end, Pro touring units. The latter systems feature a multitude of adjustable parameters, sophisticated methods for selecting frequencies, digital networking and monitoring/control, the ability to use many channels together given sufficient spectrum resources, and more—and they typically operate within the crowded UHF spectrum, sharing space with powerful TV and other RF signals. With this new system, the RF frequency selection and coordination is automated, so those adjustable parameters and control systems are unneeded for the maximum of ten channels that can be used together.
The Receiver
The half-rack receiver unit is solidly assembled, with a metal chassis and a high-impact molded front panel. It has some heft, and appears to be roadworthy either by itself or when rack-mounted. The receiver chassis's backlit display provides information for both receiver channels, including the “system ID number” for each channel, transmitter-on and audio-level indicators, and RF and battery-level indicators.
Receiver modules can be inserted or removed from the chassis, and spring-loaded doors cover the bays when a module is removed. Recessed buttons to release the receiver modules are located on the chassis front panel, just below each receiver. The buttons are mounted flat to the panel surface, and must be pushed in with a finger tip a bit more than 1/8-inch to uncouple the receiver, making accidental disconnection unlikely.
The System 10 Pro is designed so that it can be used with the receivers mounted in the chassis or remotely located, or any required combination of both states. RJ45 connectors on the rear panel are used to connect any remote receivers. The rear panel also features RJ12 In and Out connectors for linking, so that up to five receiver chassis—10 simultaneous channels of wireless—can communicate together, to better coordinate each channel's frequency and time-slot allocations.
The Transmitters
The handheld and bodypack transmitters are well put together, with simple, well-placed controls. The transmitters function smoothly with the system. Both include a low-battery indicator, and allow the user to mute the audio—with the ability to lock the control to avoid accidental muting. An internal level control optimizes the sensitivity to the particular audio source or user, and a small screwdriver is provided for that purpose and secured in the battery compartment near the control. The 10 mW RF output power for both transmitters gives a 100-foot (30-meter) typical operating range, and in my tests I found that the system exceeded that range in a near line-of-sight environment.
The ATW-T1002 handheld transmitter is hefty and durably built, yet with a nice appearance. The only external control is the on/off/mute button on the bottom of the handle, cleverly disguised as the recessed end plate bearing the A-T logo. It is easy to turn on or mute the mic with a touch of the finger on the hand not holding the mic. A significant benefit is that accidental muting or turnoff is unlikely with the mic hand.
With the System 10 Pro, A-T has offered a very useful digital wireless system, with an innovative and, in some cases, unique feature set.
The ATW-T1001 “UniPak” bodypack transmitter is sleek and has a solid, substantial feel while being fairly light in weight. Its only external control is an on/off/mute button situated on the top surface between the antenna and the mic connector. A-T uses the Hirose-type connector that is easy to use by just rotating it until it slides into place, and then the spring-loaded outer collar secures it.
The lavalier systems come with an MT830cW lav mic (one for each bodypack transmitter). Bodypack systems without the lav mic are also available for purchase, and to complete the system any A-T Wireless Essential mic or cable can be used. These include lavalier, headworn, boundary, gooseneck and clip-on instrument microphones and guitar/instrument cables.
The transmitters reportedly run on two AA batteries for more than seven hours, with a 10 mW RF output. A battery level meter is present on the receiver, and the transmitter power LED will flash when the battery is close to needing replacement.
Diversity Times Three
With the System 10 Pro, Audio-Technica has engineered an effective RF transmission scheme that combines frequency, time, and space diversity. The handheld and beltpack transmitters convert the analog mic signal to a digital format, and simultaneously send out that signal on two different frequencies. The receiver selects the one with the best signal-to-noise ratio for Processing. The receiver selects the specific frequencies when it is turned on and has surveyed the RF environment, and it also chooses several other backup frequencies at the same time. This is different than with most other wireless systems, which will use the same frequencies each time until the user changes them.
The two selected frequencies are communicated to the paired transmitter as soon as it is turned on. If one of the frequencies is encountering significant interference, the receiver will automatically select another clear one and relay that information to the transmitter. When several System 10 Pro systems are operating in the same location, the systems coordinate together so that that the frequency choices remain compatible among all of them.
Time diversity is used to counter potential multipath Problems. Audio information digitized into “data packets” is transmitted in slightly different time slots, so that the same information is received twice and the packet without errors is decoded to audio in the receiver. As with most wireless systems, the System 10 Pro uses space diversity, where each receiver has a pair of independent antennas separated in space. The added twist is in the transmitters, which also have a pair of antennas set apart from each other and both transmitting a signal.
System Pairing
A-T uses a process of “pairing” a transmitter with a receiver, so that they communicate bi-directionally and function as a unit. After selecting a channel ID number 0 through 9, the user presses the pairing button on the receiver and subsequently activates the button in the transmitter's battery compartment to sync them together. The transmitter's display now shows the same ID number, and the system is ready to use.
The system number shown in the display is solely for identification of the paired systems, and has no relationship to the frequencies the unit is transmitting on. In fact, all of the systems being used together could have the same displayed ID number and would still function as a coordinated installation.
The pairing method is quick to learn, and can be used to switch between a handheld and bodypack using the same receiver, or to add a new transmitter to the system. I attempted to pair a transmitter with two receivers to see if redundancy is possible, but only a one-to-one relationship is permitted. To use an already paired transmitter for another purpose, all that is needed is to go through the pairing procedure with another receiver.
Pairing Multiple Transmitters to a Receiver
The System 10 Pro allows up to ten transmitters to be paired with a single receiver. This feature can be useful for a guitarist switching instruments during a set, or when more than one presenter will be taking turns speaking and each can be set up with a beltpack or handheld transmitter. Each pairing with the receiver uses a different ID number, so that the first transmitter paired with Receiver A might be designated “3” and the next one “4.” This could be potentially confusing if another transmitter/receiver pair already is using one of the numbers, so when possible (in settings that use 10 or fewer transmitters) it would be best to use the numerals 0 through 9 only once.
When more that one transmitter is paired with a receiver, the first one that is turned on will capture the receiver and its audio will be heard. Even if the second transmitter paired with that receiver is turned on, nothing untoward will happen, and no interference will occur. Even though A-T suggests turning off the first transmitter before turning on the second when switching, I experimented with having both on and then turning off the one that was presently connected to the receiver. The system switched silently and virtually immediately to the other transmitter, so it can be used for rapid changes among presenters—as long as they remember to turn their transmitters on and off properly.
The receiver channel's display also behaves differently when multiple transmitters are paired with it. For example, if three transmitters are paired with Receiver A using ID numbers “5,” “6,” and “7,” the display will scroll rapidly between those three system ID numbers when all of the transmitters are off. When one is turned on, its number locks solidly on the display.
Remote-mounting the Receiver
Rather than placing antennas remotely, and having to be careful about RF signal loss through the connecting cables, A-T's innovative solution is to remotely mount the receiver modules themselves nearer to the performance area in situations where the distance between the transmitter and the receiver unit is farther than a reliable signal can reach.
When the receiver is removed from the receiver chassis, it can be slipped into the provided protective holder to aid in remote mounting, which has holes for mounting on a wall or other surface. The receiver has a pair of removable, articulating antennas with SMA connectors on its front, a small LED on the rear to indicate its operating status, an RJ45 connector, and a 1/4-inch-20 mounting socket to place it on a stand, tripod, or other location.
Via CAT 5/6 cable, a receiver module may be placed remotely up to 328 feet away—and powered via the connection. I didn't have the cable length to test at this distance, but I found that the receivers functioned just as if they were in the chassis through the cable connection.
Innovation
With the System 10 Pro, A-T has offered a very useful digital wireless system, with an innovative and in some cases unique feature set. It is simple to operate, yet the system has the capability to remote the receivers to the stage to minimize the possibility of dropped signals, is durable enough for rack mounting and portable use, and provides good, transparent audio quality. The system is a good choice to supplement an existing system of UHF wireless, for a new installation when up to ten channels are needed, when remotely mounting receivers is indicated, and when multiple transmitters per channel are desired.
