Assembly and Operating Instructions for HiViz Kits
Operating Instructions for the Amplified Sound Trigger (AST)
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| Amplifier | Microphone | ||||
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RCA coupler |
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RCA-to-3.5mm coupler |
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| Output cable | Couplers |
The Amplified Sound Trigger consists of an amplifier, a microphone, and an output trigger cable. Two cable couplers are also provided. The microphone is connected to the microphone jack on the side of the amplifier. The 3.5mm jack on the output cable plugs into the external speaker jack on the side of the amplifier. The other end of the cable can be connected to a flash unit, to the external input on a Multi-Trigger 2, or to a breadboard. When connected to a flash unit, the flash is triggered with essentially no delay other than the amount of time it takes sound to travel from the source of the sound to the microphone. When connected to the external input of a Multi-Trigger, the delay can be increased using the coarse and fine delay controls on the Multi-Trigger. The connection to a breadboard is described at the end of this manual.
The Amplified Sound Trigger can also be used to actuate a camera shutter. This is described later.
The Mini-Amplifier is powered with a 9-V battery (not included). The unit also has a jack for a 9-V AC/DC adapter; however, we haven't been able to find an adapter that will work with it.
The device can trigger on a normal, speaking voice or just by blowing past the microphone. It will even trigger on the sound of a drop of water hitting a solid surface, although it won't trigger on a drop falling into a pool of liquid. (In any case, for drops and splashes, we recommend that you use a photogate-delay combination rather than a sound trigger.) If you find the trigger too sensitive, turn down the volume control on the Mini-Amplifier.
Connecting the sound trigger output cable to a flash trigger cable using an RCA coupler |
Connecting the Sound Trigger to a Flash Unit
You'll need a cable such as one of the three shown below to connect to a flash unit. This cable is not supplied with the Amplified Sound Trigger. Click here for cable kit options.
In order to connect the sound trigger output cable to any of the three cables above, use the RCA coupler as shown to the left. The coupler is provided with the Amplified Sound Trigger. |
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Using the RCA-to-3.5mm coupler
Sound trigger connected to a Multi-Trigger |
Connecting the Sound Trigger to a Multi-Trigger 2 (MT2) or Multi-Trigger PCB (MT-PCB3)
The sound trigger can be connected to the external input of a Multi-Trigger--either the enclosure (MT2) or bare PCB (MT-PCB3) version--in order to make use of the delay unit of the Multi-Trigger. In order to make the connection, use the RCA-to-3.5mm coupler shown to the left.
The lower left photo shows a sound trigger connected to the external input of a Multi-Trigger enclosure. A flash unit is connected to the delayed output of the Multi-Trigger. A camera may also be controlled with this method. |
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Female RCA to bare wire coupler |
Connecting the Sound Trigger to a Breadboard Delay Unit
You can connect the sound trigger to the input of a delay unit on a HiViz breadboard circuit. You may need to prepare a coupler like the one shown to the left. The female RCA will connect to the output cable of the sound trigger, and the bare wires will connect to the delay unit input. Connect the black wire of the breadboard jumper to the negative (ground) column of the breadboard, and connect the red wire to the input of the delay unit. This is 13F for the Multi-Trigger (MT) and 18F for other trigger-delay combination circuits.
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