User Manual for the Optogate Models PB-05 / PB-07
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.
The Optogates work with 48V phantom power. Just switch on the 48V on the
console and the Optogate is active. The phantom power passes through the
Optogate and to the microphone. If you use dynamic mics you can "remote
control" the unit with the phantom power switch. The microphone is switched
on when the phantom power is switched off. Before turning on or off the
phantom power please mute the channel in order to prevent switching noise.
The PB-05 M and D models have a small bypass button on the top of the
unit which when pressed will pass audio uninterrupted. It is like a panic
button for the Artist. Make sure you switch it back when mute function is
desired. Or the Monitor engineer with out having to go on stage can switch
the phantom power off to that channel and then on again which will restore
the units function. The PB-05E however can not power condenser mics, only
dynamic mics and do not have a switch but they can be bypassed by turning
off phantom power to that channel.
You have already found 3 LED devices on one side, depending on what model
you choose. The middle device is a red status LED. It indicates if somebody is
in front of the unit and the microphone is switched on. 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 receiver uses a small code in order to reduce false triggering from
random infrared signals on the stage like par cans, moving lights etc.
The distance from the mic to the performer in which the unit opens and
closes is adjustable with the help of a 12-turn spindle potentiometer inside.
On all units the distance will increase by turning the pot to the Right for a
maximum distance of about 4 feet and will decrease the distance by turning
the pot to the Left for a minimum of 2 inches. Please be aware that some
dark materials are not able to reflect infrared signals back very well, which in
turn might decrease the distance. Please experiment with the potentiometer
to fine-tune the distance together with the performer before using live. It
also would be helpful to have your show 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.
