Assembly and Operating Instructions for HiViz Kits
Operating Instructions for the Amplified Sound Trigger (AST)
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Front view |
Side view |
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RCA coupler |
RCA-to-3.5mm coupler |
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| Amplifier | Microphone | 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 Enclosure, 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. |
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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.
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 Enclosure
The sound trigger can be connected to the external input of a Multi-Trigger enclosure 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. A flash unit is connected to the delayed output of the Multi-Trigger. |
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Female RCA to bare wire coupler |
Connecting the Sound Trigger to a Breadboard Delay Unit
You can also 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 and 18F for other trigger-delay combination circuits.
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Opto-Switch trigger cable
Using the RCA-to-3.5mm coupler |
Actuating a Camera Shutter with the Amplified Sound Trigger
Method 1. Connect the sound trigger output cable to the input of the delay unit of a breadboard circuit as described above. Then connect the trigger cable of the Opto-Switch to the breadboard at the connection points given here for the delay unit.
Method 2. Connect the sound trigger output cable to the external input of a Multi-Trigger Enclosure as described above. Then connect the trigger cable of the Opto-Switch to either of the INSTANT or DELAYED CAM outputs of the Multi-Trigger Enclosure.
Method 3. Connect the output of the mini-amplifier directly to an Opto-Switch. Don't use the output cable of the sound trigger for this. Instead, connect a cable from the earphone jack of the amplifier to the TRIG input of the Opto-Switch. You can use the trigger cable (shown to the left) for the Opto-Switch together with the RCA-to-3.5mm adapter. You may find that the sound trigger isn't as sensitive used in this way, so you'll need to turn up the amplifier volume. |
