6      Operation
Transmitters and receivers of the Sennheiser evolution wireless series ew 500
              have been factory-preset to allow immediate use after switch-on        "5 Pre-
              paring the devices for use"). Please note, however, that the transmitter
              sensitivity is dependent on the application. To avoid overmodulation and
              distortion, please first check whether the preset sensitivity is suitable for
              your particular application     "Adjusting the sensitivity").
              Operating controls
     ON/OFF   Press the ON/OFF button or the POWER button (EM 500 receiver only) to
     POWER    switch the transmitters and receivers on or off.
      MUTE Use the MUTE switch (transmitters only) to noiselessly mute the audio signal
           without switching off the transmitter.
        SET   Press the SET button
              - to select a menu,
              - to change to the next menu,
              - to change to the next segment when entering a name,
              - to return to the top menu level.
              Press the UP button
              - to adjust the setting of a menu,
              - to change a single character when entering a name.
              Press the DOWN button
              - to adjust the setting of a menu,
              - to change a single character when entering a name.
70
LC display panel
EM 500 receiver
        8-step level display for incoming RF signal
        8-step level display for incoming AF signal, with "PEAK" warning
        (this display can alternatively indicate the incoming RF signal from
        the EM 500's 2nd receiver section)
        6-segment alphanumeric main display
        "LOW BATT" warning (indicates transmitter battery status)
        Display for the "Frequency" menu. (This display can be the
        receiver's standard display which always appears after switch-on).
0       Display for the " C h a n n e l " menu. (This display can be the receiver's
        standard display which always appears after switch-on).
        Display for the "Name" menu. (This display can be the receiver's
        standard display which always appears after switch-on).
        Squelch active ("MUTE")
        Diversity display (antenna I or antenna II active)
           "11 Diversity reception")
EK 500 receiver and SK 500, SKP 500, SKM 500 transmitters
        8-step level display for incoming RF signal (EK 500 only)
        Alphanumeric main display
        3-step display for battery status (SK 500, SKP 500, SKM 500)
        8-step level display for incoming AF signal (EK 500 only)
Note:
If the operating steps for adjusting the settings via the menu are similar for
all devices, only the main display of the EM 500 receiver is depicted.
                                                                                 71
     Basic functions of the Sennheiser operating menu
     A special feature of the Sennheiser evolution wireless series ew 500 is the
     similar operation of transmitters and receivers. In stressfull situations, for
     example on stage or during a live show or presentation, it is important that
     the devices are easy to operate and that adjustments to the settings can be
     made quickly and "without looking". Therefore, the necessary operating steps
     for each device are similar.
            Important:
            With the       buttons you can directly switch between the factory-
            preset fixed frequency memories (presets). The display starts Hashing.
            Your selection becomes effective immediately.
            Press the SET button to enter the top menu level:
            By briefly pressing SET again, you can change to the next menu.
            After approx. one second, the selected menu appears on the display
            and then the current setting of the menu is indicated.
     0      Press the      buttons to adjust the settings of the selected menu:
            The new setting starts flashing on the display. If you return to the
            previous setting, the flashing stops.
            Important:
            New settings become effective immediately and will be re-
            tained in memory on switch-off!
            N.B.: When changing transmitter frequencies, care should be
            taken to avoid causing interference to other channels/users.
            In the "TUNE", "CH NO" and "NAME" menu, the            buttons feature a
            "fast search" function. By briefly pressing the A buttons, the display
           jumps either forwards or backwards to the next setting. If you hold
            down a button, the cycling of the display is continously accelerted. If
           you release the button and start over again, the cycling of the display
           restarts at normal speed. The "fast search" function allows you to get
           fast and easily to your desired setting.
           Press the SET button to return to the top menu level:
            Have you finished your entries? Press the SET button to return to the
            top menu level. The display then switches back to the standard setting.
72
Overview of menus
To ensure that transmitters and receivers of the Sennheiser evolution wireless
Series ew 500 are easy to operate, the operating menus have been largely
standardised:
                                                                           73
              Selecting a frequency memory-selecting the frequency,
              channel number, name (EM 500 only)
                     With the A./V buttons you can directly switch between the factory-
                     preset fixed frequency memories (presets). The display starts flashing.
                     Your selection becomes effective immediately.
                     Press the SET button to acknowledge your selection. The display stops
                     flashing. (If the SET button is not pressed, the receiver will store the
                     new frequency automatically on switch-off).
                     Note:
                     You can choose the content of the standard display i.e. whether the
                     frequency, the channel number or a name is displayed (the latter option
                     is only possible with the EM 500 receiver)      "Selecting the content
                     of the standard display"). The receiver is factory-preset to show the
                     frequency setting as standard.
     SenSit   Adjusting the sensitvity (transmitters only)
              Close talking distances, speakers with loud voices or loud music sequences
              may cause overmodulation in the transmission link, resulting in distortion.
              In this case, the "PEAK" warning of the EM 500's AF level display (as well as
              the SK 500 transmitter's yellow audio peak indication LED) will light up. If,
              on the other hand, the sensitivity is adjusted too low, the transmission link
              will be undermodulated, which would result in a signal with high background
              noise.
              The sensitivity has to be adjusted such that the "PEAK" warning of the
              receiver's AF level display only lights up during the loudest passages.
              The following figures are a guide to the best settings:
              Loud music/vocals:            -30 / -20 dB
              Presentations:                -20 / -10 dB
              Interviews:                     -10 / 0 dB
                     Select the "SEnSit" menu by pressing the SET button until "SEnSit"
                     appears on the display; after a short pause the current input sensitivity
                     setting is displayed.
                     With the V buttons you can now select a different setting. The
                     sensitivity can be adjusted in 10-dB steps from 0 to -30 dB. The new
                     setting starts flashing on the display and becomes effective immediately.
                     Press the SET button to return to the top menu level. The display
                     then switches back to the standard display.
74
SQELCH   Adjusting the squelch threshold (receivers only)
SqELCH   The Sennheiser evolution wireless series ew 500 receivers are equipped with
         an adjustable squelch which eliminates annoying noise when the transmitters
         are switched off. It also suppresses sudden noise when a transmitter leaves
         the reception area and there is no longer sufficient transmitter power received
         by the receiver.
                Select the "SQELCH" menu by pressing the SET button until "SQELCH"
                appears on the display; after a short pause the current squelch setting
                is displayed.
                With the         buttons you can now select a different setting. The
                squelch can be switched off (0 dB) or adjusted in 5-dB steps from
                5 dB to 40 dB. Selecting a smaller value reduces the squelch threshold,
                selecting a higher value increases the squelch threshold. The new
                setting starts flashing on the display. Set the squelch threshold - with
                the transmitter switched off - to the lowest possible value that
                suppresses hissing noise. If the squelch threshold is set too high, the
                transmission range will be reduced.
                Note:
                With the transmitter switched off and the squelch threshold set to
                "0 dB" hissing noise will occur. With the EM 500 receiver, the "PEAK"
                warning ofAF level bargraph will light up.
         >      Press the SET button to return to the top menu level. The display
                then switches back to the standard display.
Att      Selecting the sensitivity range (SKP 500 only)
         Condenser microphones require a different sensitivity range than dynamic
         microphones. With the SKP 500 plug-on transmitter, you can switch the
         sensitivity range by 20 dB.
                Select the "Att" menu by pressing the SET button until "Att" appears
                on the display; after a short pause the current setting - i.e. "Att off" or
                "Att on" - is displayed.
                With the A/V buttons you can now switch between two different
                sensitivity ranges.
                   Sensitivity range 1 for dynamic microphones
                   - "Att off" flashes on the display
                   Sensitivity range 2 for condenser microphones
                   - "Att on" flashes on the display
               Press the SET button to return to the top menu level. The display
               then switches back to the standard display.
                Note:
               For recording of quieter signals (e.g. wildlife) with a condenser
               microphone, you may find it better to set the sensitivity to "Att off".
                                                                                        75
     SCM   Doing the soundcheck (EM 500 only)
           By doing a soundcheck you can check the reception area for field strength
           gaps ("dropouts") which cannot be compensated for by the EM 500's diversity
           circuitry. The EM 500 enables you to do the soundcheck without the help of
           another person.
                 Make sure that the corresponding transmitter is switched off.
                 Switch the receiver on.
                 Choose the setting "RF/AF" in the "BARS" menu and set the squelch
                 threshold to at least "5" (dB).
                 Select the "SCM" menu by pressing the SET button until "Sound Check
                 Mode, Repeat, END" appear running across the display and the
                 soundcheck starts.
                 Switch the transmitter on and walk up and down the transmission
                 area.
                 You can now check the results of the soundcheck on the receiver. If
                 the "MUTE" display is lit up, "dropouts" have occured. The bargraph
                 displays will indicate the lowest RF and the highest AF level. The
                 displays "I" and "II" indicate that both receiver sections are active.
                 If "dropouts" have occured, you now have to find out where exactly
                 the reception is subject to interference.
                 If only one receiver section is indicated, check the antenna connections.
                 You must then repeat the soundcheck for smaller sections of the area.
                 To do so, press the button. "REPEAT" appears on the display. Repo-
                 sition the antennas and press the SET button. The soundcheck starts
                 over again and the previously measured data are then deleted.
                 To terminate the soundcheck, press the      button. "END" appears on
                 the display.
                 Press the SET button to return to the top menu level. The display
                 then switches back to the standard display.
76
PHAnto   Switching the phantom powering on/off (SKP 500 only)
         The SKP 500 transmitter can supply condenser microphones with 48 V
         phantom powering (P 48). Please note: Dynamic microphones can be operated
         in phantom powering mode without harm. However, if no condenser
         microphone module is being used, you should switch off the phantom
         powering. With the phantom powering switched on, the operating time of
         the battery will be reduced to approx. 5 hours.
         The phantom powering can be switched on or off via the operating menu:
               Select the "PHAnto" menu by pressing the SET button until "PHAnto"
               appears on the display; after a short pause the current setting is
               displayed.
               Press the button to switch the phantom powering on - if you press
               the button, the phantom powering is switched off. The new setting
               - i.e. "ON" or "OFF" - starts flashing on the display.
               Press the SET button to return to the top menu level. The display
               then switches back to the standard display.
                                                                               77
     BARS   Selecting the function of the bargraph displays (EM 500 only)
            Generally, the EM 500's two bargraph displays are programmed such that
            the upper bargraph indicates the RF level, while the AF level is indicated by
            the lower bar. You can, however, program the bargraph displays so that they
            indicate the RF levels of the two receiver sections.
                   Select the "BARS" menu by pressing the SET button until "BARS"
                   appears on the display; after a short pause the current setting is
                   displayed.
                   With the     buttons you can now change the function of the bargraph
                   displays:
                          RF level of both receiver sections -
                          "RF 1/11" appears on the alphanumeric main display
                          RF and AF level -
                          "RF/AF" appears on the alphanumeric main display
                   Press the SET button to return to the top menu level.
                   If the bargraphs indicate the RF levels of the two receiver sections,
                   the displays RF, I and II on the left of the bargraphs light up.
                   If the bargraphs indicate the RF and AF level, the displays RF and AF
                   on the left of the bargraphs light up.
                  The display then switches back to the standard display.
     Ltd    Limiting the volume at the headphone output (EK 500 only)
            In the "Ltd" menu, you can choose the standard volume at the EK 500's
            headphone output. With the limiter switched on, the maximum volume at
            the headphone output will be reduced by approx. 15 dB.
                  Select the "Ltd" menu by pressing the SET button until "Ltd" appears
                  on the display; after a short pause the current setting is displayed.
                  Press the A button to switch the limiter on - if you press the button,
                  the limiter is switched off. The new setting - i.e. "Ltd on" or "Ltd OFF"
                  - starts flashing on the display.
                  Press the SET button to return to the top menu level. The display
                  then switches back to the standard display.
                  Note:
                  The limiter setting has no effect on the LINE output.
78
DISPL   Selecting the content of the standard display
DiSPL   With all transmitters and receivers you can choose the content of the standard
        display i.e. whether the frequency, the channel number or a name is displayed
        (the latter option is only possible with the EM 500 receiver).
               Select the "DISPL" menu by pressing the SET button until "DISPL"
               appears on the display; after a short pause the current setting is
               displayed.
               With the      buttons you can now choose between:
               Name (EM 500 only):                      "NAME"
               Frequency:                               "FREQU"
               Channel number:                          "CHANNL"
               The new setting for the standard display starts flashing on the display.
               Press the SET button to return to the top menu level. The display
               then switches to the new standard display.
                                                                                    79
            Configuring a frequency memory
            Transmitters and receivers of the Sennheiser evolution wireless series ew 500
            have 16 switchable frequency memories (presets) respectively to store up to
            16 transmission/receiving frequencies with their respective channel numbers
            (from 0 to 255). With the EM 500 receiver, each frequency memory can
            additionally be assigned a name.
                          1                 2                 3                  16
            You can directly switch between the fixed frequency memories (presets)
               "Selecting a frequency memory - selecting the frequency, channel number,
            name (EM 500 only)").
            Setting the transmission/receiving frequency
     TUNE
     tune   Transmission and receiving frequencies are tunable in 25-kHz steps within a
            switching bandwidth of 32 MHz max.
            Special notes on multi-channel operation
            Several devices of the Sennheiser evolution wireless series ew 500 can be used
            simultaneously on different frequencies. The factory-preset frequencies are
            intermodulation-free. Before you program new frequency combinations, please
            refer to the information on the correct frequency choice given in the planning
            brochure "Practical Applications in RF Technology" which your local
            Sennheiser agent has in stock or will be pleased to order for you from
            Sennheiser.
                   Select the frequency memory for which you wish to set a frequency
                   - "Selecting a frequency memory").
                   Select the "TUNE" menu by pressing the SET button until "TUNE"
                   appears on the display; after a short pause the currently set frequency
                   is displayed.
                   With the      buttons you can now select a different frequency. The
                   frequencies are tunable in 25-kHz steps. The new frequency starts
                   flashing on the display and becomes effective immediately.
                   Press the SET button to return to the top menu level. The display
                   then switches back to the standard display.
80
CHNO   Assigning a channel number
Chno   You now have to assign the frequency memory a channel number (from 0 to
       255). With larger systems, we recommend using the same channel numbers
       for both transmitters and receivers in order to provide for simpler monitoring
       of the system.
              Select the frequency memory for which you wish to assign a channel
              number       "Selecting a frequency memory").
              Select the "CH NO" menu by pressing the SET button until "CH NO"
              appears on the display; after a short pause the currently assigned
              channel number is displayed.
              With the     buttons you can now select a different channel number.
              The new channel number starts flashing on the display and becomes
              effective immediately.
              Note:
              Channel numbers which have already been assigned to a fixed
              frequency memory are skipped.
              Press the SET button to return to the top menu level. The display
              then switches back to the standard display.
NAME   Assigning a name to a frequency memory (EM 500 only)
       With the EM 500 receiver, each frequency memory can be assigned a name
       in addition to the receiving frequency and channel number. The name can
       consist of up to six characters such as:
             letters (without pronounciation marks),
             numbers from 1 to 0,
             special characters e.g. () - I _ and spaces.
       You can, for example, enter the name of the musician for whom the adjust-
       ments have been made.
             Select the frequency memory for which you wish to enter a name
             "Selecting a frequency memory"),
             Select the "NAME" menu by pressing the SET button until "NAME"
             appears on the display; after a short pause the name entered for the
             selected frequency memory is displayed.
             Press the     buttons to start with your entry. The first segment starts
             flashing on the display.
             With the       buttons you can now choose a character.
             Press the SET button to change to the next segment and choose the
             next character.
             Have you entered the name completely? Press the SET button to return
             to the top menu level. The display then switches back to the standard
             display.
                                                                                  81
     LOCK   Activating/deactivating the lock-mode function
     Loc    You can lock the   buttons and the ON/OFF button to prevent accidental
            programming or switching off during operation.
            Activating the lock-mode function
                  Select the "LOCK" menu by pressing the SET button. The current setting
                  is indicated on the display.
                  Press the A button to activate the lock-mode function. "LOC ON" starts
                  flashing on the display.
                  Press the SET button to return to the top menu level.
                  Note:
                  If you press the     buttons or the ON/OFF button, "LOCK" appears
                  on the display and the buttons are now locked.
            Deactivating the lock-mode function
            >     Select the "LOCK" menu by pressing the SET button. "LOC ON" appears
                  on the display.
            >     Press the button to deactivate the lock-mode function. "LOC OFF"
                  begins to flash on the display.
            ^     Press the SET button to return to the top menu level. The display
                  switches back to the standard display and the buttons can now be
                  operated as usual.
82