SX80 & How to amplify microphones

[stefano.moletto1]

Hi All,

I'm going to install a Cisco SX80 in a large room.
I will connect 2 active speaker to the codec and I'm going to connect 1 wireless mic to the codec.
I was wondering if the voice that comes from the wireless microphone (connected to the codec) can be amplified in the room through the codec, or a separate amplifier is needed?

Thanks for your precious help.
Stefano

[Patrick Sparkman]

Microphone inputs going into the codec will not be transmitted through the codec speakers, only to the far-end.  If you want to use the wireless microphone in a video conference as well as in the room, for example, a classroom lecture etc, you'll need to use an audio DSP and ampliphier to split the microphone audio between the codec and the room speakers.  We have a similar setup we use with our classrooms.

[stefano.moletto1]

Thank you so much Patrick for your prompt reply :)

Do you know if there is documentation on how connect correctly the codec with the amplifier?

[Patrick Sparkman]

For our classrooms, we have our microphones and various audio sources connected to a Clearone DSP, which mixes and routes the incoming audio to things such as the codec or amplifier for the speakers.

[stefano.moletto1]

Ok...I've tried to make a diagram (in attachment) based on your suggestion.

What do you think about it?

[Patrick Sparkman]

Looks good.  We use ClearOne for our DSP to manipulate and route the audio where needed, can use others such as Extron or another company that meet your needs.

[stefano.moletto1]

Could you tell me the DSP model that you use? Just to check the hardware details...one more thing, is the echo cancellation provided by the SX80 or should I use a DSP with the echo cancellation function? In my understanding the codec should provide this feature

[Patrick Sparkman]

ClearOne Converge Pro

Echo cancellation is done in the DSP, and turned off on the codec.

[stefano.moletto1]

Ah ok...the echo cancellation is provided only on the 8 microphone ports on the SX80, correct?

[Patrick Sparkman]

Correct.

Also, part of the reason we use a DSP is because in our case, we have C40s, which has limited audio inputs, and we have more microphones than we have inputs on the codec.  So having the DSP do the echo cancellation is a must for us, might not be in your case, but up to you.  Some just prefer to have the DSP handle all the audio as that is what they're made to do, and sometime more robust in their options to do so.

[stefano.moletto1]

Actually, the only reason why I'm going to use a DSP is because my need is to split the microphone audio between the codec and the room speakers.