Charles Interpreter's Box

The Charles is a single user interpreter's box designed to connect across Dante/AES67 audio networks.

The interpreter connects their headphone or headset directly with the Charles and they can monitor a floor input, plus two additional inputs/languages for interpretation. There are two independent outputs for routing of the users interpreted audio.

A single network cable carries audio and PoE power or the unit can be powered using external DC or internal AC mains.

Mic & Headphones Connections
The headphone amplifier delivers high intelligibility on a variety of headhones and headsets.

Headphones between 32-1000 ohm are automatically balanced to give a consistent output level across the range of the volume control. Stereo and mono earpieces can also be used.

A broadcast headset can be connected to the Charles with a 3 pin XLR mic input and a 6.35mm headphone connection.

A separate microphone can be connected via the XLR input and separate headphones can be connected using the 6.35mm or 3.5mm connection. The 3.5mm headphone connection will allow the interpreter to use in ear headphones or earpieces.

A gooseneck microphone can be used via a separate XLR input on the top panel.

Monitoring
There are 3 inputs to the Charles from the network that are available for monitoring:

1. Floor
2. Input A
3. Input B

Each input has a separate level adjust so that all of the inputs can be balanced at the same level in the headphones.

Only a single input can be monitored at a time. Pressing any source to monitor will automatically de-select the previous source. This makes switching between monitored sources a simple one button exercise.

There is a full size pot for adjusting the overall ouput level going to the headphones/headset. Full sized pots are also provided for a two band EQ to the headphones. This allows the audio to be interpreted to be equalised for maximum clarity in the headphones.

Mic Input
The mic on/off button is on a large, bright LED lit, square button. Input type and gain adjust are on the rear of the unit. A 4 segment LED is used to check the appropriate gain level and also provides the user confidence that the microphone is on.

The operation of the mic button can be configured according to preference:

1. Cough Button
   Mic permanently on and muted when button held down
2.  Latching
   Pressing the button turns the mic on or off
3.  Momentary
   Mic is active only while button is held down

Outputs
There are also two further illuminated pushbuttons that route the microphone to either output A or output B. Only one output can be selected at a time, so selecting an output will deselect the previous output. In this way it is a simple single button exercise to switch between outputs.

Output A & B each have three permanent outputs available from the network.  These are selected by just using the relevant channel when when using Dante Controller as they are all available on separate outputs:

1.  Interpreter mic only
2. Interpreter mic with input mix in at -40dB
   Allows you to hear the interpreted audio with the low level original audio in the background.
3. Interpreter mic with input mix and an automatic voiceover
   Similar to the one above but rather than the incoming audio being constantly at -40dB, it is only ducked when the interpreter is speaking.  This is an automatic ducking system.