HELP with designing a translator console please

[sonolink]

Hello

Not long ago, with the help of members of Groupdiy I was able to build a headphones distribution system for a friend, to be used for direct translation. This part of the system was targeted at the people listening to the translation.

I would like now to complete his system with the part concerning the translators: a device to be used by 2 translators, consisting of 2 mic preamp inputs, each with gain control and mute button, switchable to 2 discrete outputs. It would also need a line input split into 2 headphone minijack outputs.
The mic preamp circuits and the headphones are NOT connected. They're independent.

I was wondering if anyone knows some ready made circuits I could use for this project to keep costs down.

I've made a diagram:




All help is sincerely appreciated.
Thanks
Sono

 

[JohnRoberts]

A small budget stereo mixer could easily accommodate 2 outputs and more than 2 mic inputs.

I don't know about two headphone feeds?

JR

 

[OneRoomStudio]

You could use an INA163 for the preamp (see datasheet here), and then you could use something like the TPA1620A2 for the headphone amp (datasheet here). Cheap(ish) and easy.

 

[kags]

I know you might want to build your own unit, but I have used these types of rackmount zone mixers for conference setups that provide two or more independent feeds from 2 or more sources. They are a few hundred dollars and work very well.

Tascam: https://www.amazon.com/Tascam-MZ-123BT-Commercial-Grade-Multi-Zone-Audio/dp/B081TLD9N5
or

Rolls: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/RM85--rolls-rm85-two-zone-mic-line-mixer
or

ART https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/656891-REG/ART_MX225_MX225_Zone_Distribution.html
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1257551-REG/art_mx624_6_channel_stereo.html

Something like the Mackie Big Knob or Presonus monitor station will definitely provide what you need, but maybe too many other features
https://mackie.com/en/products/studio-monitoring/big-knob-series/big_knob_studio.html
other option:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/HP60--presonus-hp60-6-ch-headphone-amplifier

Or look at the offerings from Radio Design Labs or Studio Technologies for more sophisticated (and expensive) options.

 

[sonolink]

Thanks a lot for all your answers.

I know you might want to build your own unit, but I have used these types of rackmount zone mixers for conference setups that provide two or more independent feeds from 2 or more sources. They are a few hundred dollars and work very well.

Thanks for your suggestions, but rackmount is not really suitable for this purpose. The idea is to have a simple and easy to setup console like device, and 2 people should be able to operate it independently (so independent mutes and volumes per mic input are necessary, as well as being able to switch between mic inputs. In any case, thanks for your help

You could use an INA163 for the preamp (see datasheet here), and then you could use something like the TPA1620A2 for the headphone amp (datasheet here). Cheap(ish) and easy.

I'll try to find some circuits or ready made units with those components, thanks

 

[sonolink]

How about this for the mic preamps part? What do you guys reckon?

https://www.electronics-lab.com/pro...-preamplifier-low-noise-professional-quality/

Cheers
Sono

 

[sonolink]

Or alternatively how about this?

https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005...ene:pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller|query_from:

 

[kags]

I think you mean something like this:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256...=scene:pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller|query_from:

 

[sonolink]

I think you mean something like this:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805031625672.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller.5.7481ESYJESYJzd&gps-id=pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller&scm=1007.40050.354490.0&scm_id=1007.40050.354490.0&scm-url=1007.40050.354490.0&pvid=e089d553-3c1e-45ea-b3ae-e0dae8319792&_t=gps-idcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller,scm-url:1007.40050.354490.0,pvid:e089d553-3c1e-45ea-b3ae-e0dae8319792,tpp_buckets:668#2846#8113#1998&pdp_npi=4@dis!USD!3.08!1.48!!!3.08!1.48!@2101fb1517109616861867367e5043!12000032225793603!rec!US!!AB&utparam-url=scenecDetailTopMoreOtherSeller|query_from:

Ooooops my bad! For some reason in my language that comes up like a condenser mic preamp and I assumed it was correct.

But your link doesn't have phantom power does it? Or is that supposed to be added?

Thanks for your time and help
Cheers
Sono

 

[Voyager10]

If I'm understanding your diagram correctly, is there a situation where both mic inputs might be switched to the same output channel, and mixed together?

I'm wondering whether each operator could have their own (very simple, very cheap) mixer, which provides a mic preamp and a headphone amp, each with their own controls. The pan pot for the mic channel would then act as the output channel selector. We'd then just need to combine the outputs from each mixer to drive the A and B channels.

 

[sonolink]

If I'm understanding your diagram correctly, is there a situation where both mic inputs might be switched to the same output channel, and mixed together?

Hi Voyager10

Yes. It is seldom used but both operrators should be able to switch to the same output.

I'm wondering whether each operator could have their own (very simple, very cheap) mixer, which provides a mic preamp and a headphone amp, each with their own controls. The pan pot for the mic channel would then act as the output channel selector. We'd then just need to combine the outputs from each mixer to drive the A and B channels.

That's a very good idea actually. I can see 2 cons though: the mute button needs to be momentary and maybe a mixer even a small is going to be "too scary" for the operator. I'm going to ask my friend what he thinks. Thanks a lot for the brilliant idea!

Cheers
Sono

 

[Voyager10]

Yes, good point. And yet ... eBay is full of 2nd-hand little mixers which have so much of the right bits for a few 10's of £/$, with all the tedious stuff like power supplies already sorted.

I wonder how practical it would be to re-house the insides of one in a new box with just the relevant controls brought to the front panel. So replacing a pan pot with a toggle switch, or putting a mute switch in line with volume pot, is pretty easy if the mechanical aspects can be addressed.

 

[sonolink]

I'll give that a spin and look around to see what I can find. That's also a very good idea Voyager10

Cheers
Sono

 

[sodderboy]

Maybe the thing to do is make very simple remote control/indication boxes, and have them interface with a main brain that no one sees- is it a 1604? RDL? INAwhatever? The users won't care about what's behind the curtain if it satisfies their needs. When you get in to industrial switches you can have all sizes of switches and indication. There are really sexy console-ish boxes, plastic or metal, from ciggies to cigar box sizes.
I am from the kags school, I really like the ROLLS pre with compression and limiting. I build remote comm systems with that as a building block.
The main thing to remember is that it must disappear to the users.
Mike

 

[sonolink]

Maybe the thing to do is make very simple remote control/indication boxes, and have them interface with a main brain that no one sees- is it a 1604? RDL? INAwhatever? The users won't care about what's behind the curtain if it satisfies their needs. When you get in to industrial switches you can have all sizes of switches and indication. There are really sexy console-ish boxes, plastic or metal, from ciggies to cigar box sizes.

Thanks for your reply Mike,
Where would you recommend looking for such boxes?

Cheers
Sono

 

[nsalis]

I would like to point out that professional interpreters expect working conditions that comply with standards. Homemade microphone consoles are not included. As a basis, see the standard DIN EN ISO 20109

https://www.iso.org/standard/67063.html

This lists the other standards that are relevant. In short, I am of the opinion that it is not worth designing a system yourself. There are enough manufacturers on the market who offer standard-compliant systems at a reasonable price.

The AIIC

https://aiic.org/

represents the interpreters. Their website gives a lot of information about what you should and shouldn't do.
https://aiic.org/site/world/about/profession/standards

Nick Salis

 

[sonolink]

Thanks for your input. Could you please point out exactly what part of the setup I was asked to build doesn't comply with standards and proper working conditions?

Cheers
Sono

 

[MidnightArrakis]

Where would you recommend looking for such boxes?

Here's a possible start on various styles and types of boxes and enclosures:

https://www.budind.com/general-use-...0&material-development=0&material-hand-held=0

https://www.budind.com/series/gener...side_width_group=0&clear_inside_depth_group=0

https://www.budind.com/series/gener...rnal_dimensions_group=0&internal_dimensions=0

https://www.hammfg.com/electronics/small-case

https://www.okwenclosures.com/en/Products/Plastic-enclosures.htm

https://www.okwenclosures.com/en/Products/Aluminum-enclosures.htm

https://www.phoenixmecano.com/product-category/elegant-pult-608/

https://www.phoenixmecano.com/product-category/futura-bopult-619/



https://www.takachi-el.co.jp/products/WSC

>> Also.....keep in mind that these manufacturers of chassis/enclosures/housings all offer 3D CAD-models of their products!!! What this means is.....once you find and select an enclosure that meets your needs for your project and you write-down its -- Model & Part Number -- and send it off to me, I can then download its 3D CAD-model into my mechanical design program. Then.....once you have determined what all of your connectors, LED's, switches, PCB's and whatever else are, I would be able to modify the enclosure CAD-model with all of the electro-mechanical component hole cutouts and send the updated 3D CAD-model file back to you. From there, once you are ready to purchase however many enclosures that you will need and you send the updated CAD-model file back to the manufacturer, they then will be able to easily create an enclosure that will perfectly be what you are looking for while also meeting your requirements!!!

Sound like a plan???

/

 

[sonolink]

Here's a possible start on various styles and types of boxes and enclosures:

https://www.budind.com/general-use-...0&material-development=0&material-hand-held=0

https://www.budind.com/series/gener...side_width_group=0&clear_inside_depth_group=0

https://www.budind.com/series/gener...rnal_dimensions_group=0&internal_dimensions=0

https://www.hammfg.com/electronics/small-case

https://www.okwenclosures.com/en/Products/Plastic-enclosures.htm

https://www.okwenclosures.com/en/Products/Aluminum-enclosures.htm

https://www.phoenixmecano.com/product-category/elegant-pult-608/

https://www.phoenixmecano.com/product-category/futura-bopult-619/

View attachment 125894

https://www.takachi-el.co.jp/products/WSC

>> Also.....keep in mind that these manufacturers of chassis/enclosures/housings all offer 3D CAD-models of their products!!! What this means is.....once you find and select an enclosure that meets your needs for your project and you write-down its -- Model & Part Number -- and send it off to me, that I can then download its 3D CAD-model into my mechanical design program. Then.....once you have determined what all of your connectors, LED's, switches, PCB's and whatever else are, I can then modify the enclosure CAD-model with all of the electro-mechanical component hole cutouts and send the updated 3D CAD-model file back to you. From there, once you are ready to purchase however many enclosures that you will need and you send the updated CAD-model file back to the manufacturer, they then will be able to easily create an enclosure that will perfectly be what you are looking for while also meeting your requirements!!!

Sound like a plan???

/

Thanks a lot MA!!

 

[MidnightArrakis]

Thanks a lot MA!!

>> I AM -- NOT -- YOUR MOM!!!

/