Selecting an audio source
Choose different audio sources for a channel using the Admin panel .
Select your audio sources from connected video source, as well as from the dedicated analog audio input ports. The USB port on the rear panel accepts a USB microphone (UAC).
Stereo pairs
XLR and TRS combo jacks are configured as left/right stereo pairs by default, see Configure audio ports for stereo or mono. The 3.5 mm audio ports and the RCA audio ports are linked.
see Assign audio sources to an input to configure Pearl Nano to use both or just one audio source.
Linked ports
- On Pearl Nano, the XLR audio ports and the RCA audio ports are linked.
Audio gain guidelines
This table offers some guidelines for adjusting the gain of the audio input ports for common types of audio devices. You should add the suggested gain to the audio input to get an average signal to register at a nominal level in the VU meter (i.e. where the green bars change to yellow). The actual amount of gain needed depends on the strength of the original audio signal.
To connect microphones to the pro line level XLR inputs on Pearl-2 and Pearl Nano, you must use an external preamp to boost the microphone signal enough to provide the proper line level signal at the XLR input port, see Connecting microphones to the XLR line level inputs.
Audio gain guidelines for different audio devices
| Audio source | Input port | Gain |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamic microphone | XLR |
Pearl Mini and Pearl Nexus: Add +50 to +60 dB gain to the audio input port. Pearl-2 and Pearl Nano: Not recommended. See note above table. |
| Electret microphone | XLR |
Pearl Mini and Pearl Nexus: Add +18 to +40 dB gain to the audio input port. Pearl-2 and Pearl Nano: Not recommended. See note above table. |
| 3.5 mm (Pearl Mini only) |
Pearl Mini and Pearl Nexus: Add +6 to +12 dB gain to the audio input port. |
|
| Wireless microphone receiver | XLR |
Pearl Mini and Pearl Nexus: Add +18 to +40 dB gain to the audio input port. Pearl-2 and Pearl Nano: Not recommended. See note above table. |
| 3.5 mm |
Pearl Mini and Pearl Nexus: Add +6 to +12 dB gain to the audio input port. Pearl-2 and Pearl Nano: Not supported. |
|
| Condenser microphone with phantom power (Pearl Mini only) | XLR |
Pearl Mini and Pearl Nexus: Add +40 to +60 dB gain to the audio input port. |
| Mobile phone or other consumer line level device | XLR |
Pearl-2 and Pearl Nano: Add +6 to +12 dB gain to the audio input port. |
| TRS (Pearl Mini and Pearl Nexus only) | Add +6 to +12 dB gain to the audio input port. | |
| RCA1 | Nominal | |
| Professional mixer | XLR | Nominal |
| TRS (Pearl Mini and Pearl Nexus only) | Nominal | |
| RCA1 | Not recommended. | |
| USB microphone | USB | Nominal |
1 To avoid unwanted signal noise on the RCA ports, we recommend adding no more than 12dB of gain to the RCA port or when XLR B/RCA is used
Connecting devices that are not designed for phantom power when phantom power is enabled for the two XLR ports can seriously damage those devices. Always check the phantom power LED before connecting devices to the XLR ports.
Selecting an audio device for the channel:
- Using a web browser on the admin computer, go to the IP address of your Pearl device and log in, see Connect to the Admin panel.
- From the Channels menu, select your channel (i.e. HDMI-A or HDMI-B) and click Layouts. The custom channel layout editor page opens.
- Check the audio source that you want to use for the layout and click Save.
- (Optional) Adjust the gain for an audio input source, select the input port from the Inputs menu and adjust the amount of gain on the configuration page for the audio input port. Click Save when you're done. For more details, see Adjust audio gain and delay.
