Whirlwind QBOX Audio Line Tester Cable Test Tone Generator Microphone XLR NEW

$ 219.00

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WHIRLWIND QBOXGenerate into or monitor from your analog sound system at ANY point with this one indispensible tool.Since its introduction in 1997 the Qbox has become one of Whirlwind's most...

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WHIRLWIND QBOX

Generate into or monitor from your analog sound system at ANY point with this one indispensible tool.

Since its introduction in 1997 the Qbox has become one of Whirlwind's most successful "Black Boxes" ever.

The Qbox is the all-in-one audio line tester ideal for applications such as live sound, maintenance, installation work - anywhere audio runs down a cable. The Qbox includes a microphone, a speaker, a test tone generator, outputs for standard headphones, a 1/4" jack for line-in or a 2k Ohm (telephone) earpiece out. A handy clip attaches the Qbox to your belt or equipment rack.

Simply generate into or listen to audio at any point in your system from the mics to the power amps to quickly confirm which sections are working and which ones aren't. The Qbox can quick-check dynamic mics and cables without firing up the entire system. Use the built in mic or tone generator at three different levels for activating a signal path or identifying a specific cable in a pile of cable ends. Powered by a single standard 9V alkaline battery and housed in rugged ABS, the Qbox is light yet able to withstand the wear and tear of fieldwork.

For an instant hands-free intercom, just plug in headphones and hook up one Qbox on each end of a line and use the built-in microphone.

Use it to monitor a standard 3-wire intercom feed - LEDs confirm the presence of intercom or phantom power.

Use it as a squawk box to the stage from the main audio console during set-up. Works in a pinch as a handy, portable, powered monitor too.

The SOURCE section of the Qbox lets you send a tone or the signal from the built-in condenser mic at mic or line levels.

The SPEAKER volume control lets you confirm incoming signals at mic or line level.

A handy MONITOR switch allows the user to listen to a balanced signal or to two separate unbalanced signals on pin 2 or 3 (referenced to pin 1), such as a two-channel intercom.

A SPLIT switch disconnects the two XLRs from each other so tone or internal mic can be sent out of one XLR while you listen to what's coming back on the other. Or connect the XLRs together and "loop-through" or daisy-chain units.

Oscillator Output level of the Qbox

The Qbox 440 Hertz tone oscillator is intended to be used in pass/fail situations and is not designed to be used as a precise calibration tool. The specification of the tone oscillator's output is: +/- 2 dB at +4 dBm, with a 2000 ohm load connected between pins 2 and 3 of an XLR connector. The output impedance of the Qbox was designed to be relatively high so the intercom function could be achieved with multiple units chained together. The byproduct of this higher output impedance is that the level of the tone oscillator will be greater (typically 6 dBm) than +4dBm when measured into a 100k Ohm terminating impedance (typical of most dB meters), or less than 4 dBm when connected to input impedances less than 2000 Ohm (typically 0 dBm into 600 Ohm impedances ). If adjustment of the output level of the oscillator is desired, this can be accomplished providing the change in level required is less than 4 dBm. To increase the oscillator level, lower the value of R6 by adding a resistor in parallel on the trace side of the circuit board. Adding an 820k Ohm resistor increases the level approximately 2 dBm. To decrease the level of the oscillator, increase the value of R6 by replacing it with a larger value. Using 44.2 k Ohm 1% resistor decreases the level approximately 2 dBm.

How to Use the Whirlwind QBOX

The Qbox is a multipurpose testing device used for checking audio lines. The Qbox can send or receive audio signals at either mlc or 11ne levels, as well as detecting the presence of phantom or intercom voltage on the line.

The Whirlwind Ql)ox is a dual function testing device that combines an audio signal source with a monitor amplifier. Connections to both sections of the Qbox are made through a set of male and female XLR jacks which are parallel wired and electronically balanced. A TT jack is wired in parallel with the female XLR. Pin 2 is tip and pin 3 is ring. An XLR split switch will break the parallel connectionfroviding independent source and speaker sections. separate Tip/Sleeve jack is also included with a DC blocking cap, wired to pin 2 and pin 1 of the XLRs. This jack typically Is for passively monitoring line level with TV IFB type high impedance monoearpieces (2 Kohms).

The source section of the Qbox provides two options for sending a test signal down an audio line; tone or mic. One three position switch selects the balanced output of either a 440Hz sine wave oscillator or an internal electret condenser mic and also turns on the power to the unit. A second three position switch sets the output level at full +4dBm balanced or attenuated to -20dBm or-50dBm.

The internal mic is an omnidirectional electret condenser mic and can pick up most sounds within 1 0 feet of the Qbox. It is not necessary to talk directly into the INT MIC hole. Electret mics can easily be damaged by water, therefore if using the Qbox in rainy conditions, cover the INT MIC hole with tape. Should the element need to be replaced, it is available from Whirlwind.

The speaker section of the Qbox allows the user to listen to audio signals through either the internal speaker or stereo headphones. The input is balanced and will accept mic or line level signals up to +14dBm. A three position monitor switch allows the selection of the balanced Input or unbalanced pin 2 or pin 3 to be monitored through the speaker section.

Due to an input impedance of 40K Ohms, looping through the Qbox will not affect audio quality. The speaker volume control turns on the power and acts like an attenuator. The amplifier circuit provides up to 60dB of gain and only draws significant power when audio is present. Using the speaker at full volume continuously will draw 100mA DC from the battery and wear it down quickly (1/2 hour). When troubleshooting, turning the volume up with no audio present will not wear down the battery. The speaker used in the Qbox is a 2.25" 8 Ohm 1/2 Watt type with a ~per cone which can be damaged in severely wet cond1tions. A replacement is available from Whirlwind. The 3.5mm TRS headphone monitor jack turns off the speaker when utilized. The headphone driver is mono and drives both earpieces on headphones with 8 to 600 Ohm impedances. To use mono Tip/Sleeve earpieces with this jack, an internal jumper must be changed, which disconnects the ring to prevent shorting of the driver. The small black header jumper is located on the front corner of the circuit board and Is easily accessible by removing the back of the enclosure (see diagram).

The Qbox also featues green and yellow LEOs which detect the presence of positive DC voltages from 9 to 48 Volts relative to pin 1 of the XLR jacks. The green LED monitors pin 2 and the yellow LED monitors pin 3. A red power LED illuminates when either the source or speaker section Is turned on.

Since the Qbox has both a mic and a speaker, it i~ possible to turn both of them on and get feedback. The Qbox was configured this way so 2 units can be used as a 2 way intercom. Headphones must be plugged into the headphone jack so that the internal speakers are off. A 9V 100mA battery eliminator with battery clip connector can be used to power the Qbox. Do not use a power source greater than 9 Volts, as it will damage the speaker driver circuit.


QBOX
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