SE-1200 Audio Workflow Guide
Also covers SE-700, HS-1200, and HS-1300

The SE-650, SE-1200, HS-1200, and HS-1300 switchers allow you to either embed analog audio via the XLR inputs or output a single source of embedded audio. Newer SE-700's also support this feature. Please e-mail [email protected] to check if your unit is compatible

Below is the basic workflow:

 
Analog Mixer  Mixer Line Outputs Switcher XLR Inputs 
Switcher Outputs w/ Embedded Audio

SDI Source Embedded Audio 
Switcher Outputs w/ Embedded Audio

 
Please note that the SE-700 and SE-1200 support embedded audio sources with firmware version 1.3.0.8 or later.

SE-1200 Network Connection Guide (Also SE-650, HS-1300, SE-3200)
 
If you experience that your switcher's menu is missing the below audio settings, among other features, double check in the setup menu that the menu mode is set to Advanced instead of Basic.

 
SETUP MENU MODE ADVANCED
 
This applies to the SE-650, SE-700,
SEB-1200 (SE-1200MU + RMC-260), HS-1200, and HS-1300
 

ANALOG SOURCE AUDIO

This workflow allows you to embed the line level signal from your analog audio mixer to your video outputs.

For example, with two XLR inputs on your switcher, you can send your main mix to your switcher and embed it to the output.

In this workflow, an audio mixer would be used alongside the SE-700. A Datavideo AM-100 or AD-200 are suited for this and fit in a rack.
 

EMBEDDED SOURCE AUDIO

This workflow allows you to pass through embedded audio from one of your sources to your video outputs. This allows you to use the audio output of a single camera, or whichever camera or media player is on the Program bus.
 

ACTIVATING OUTPUTS
& SETTING AUDIO SOURCE

The audio menu options for the SDI and HDMI outputs allow you to individually enable embedded audio output for SDI1-out, SDI2-out and HDMI-out.

Mode (Off/On): Allows you to enable or disable audio on the switcher.

Level (EBU/SMPTE/AUTO): There are also two different audio standards available for selection. The user can either select the EBU or SMPTE standard. By selecting AUTO allows the device to automatically detect the audio standard.

Src (External, Follow, Input): Short for source, Src allows you to select whether the audio source is:

External: For analog XLR sources
Follow: For the active source on the PGM Program Bus
Input : For setting a fixed switcher channel  to be the audio source, for workflows where all of the audio is fed to a single camera or embedded signal

Please note that you cannot combine modes.

The same options are available in the SE Controller software.

ABOUT AUDIO LEVELS

The analog XLR inputs are designed to accept a +4dBu line level signal.
 
To calibrate with an audio mixer, turn off or mute any speakers and send a +4dBu line level test tone (1 kHz sine wave) through the line level input on your mixer with the fader at unity (or 0). Note the level on your switcher's multi-view audio meter. You should see a level of -20dBFS (U.S. SMPTE reference standard). If not, first adjust your analog mixers output level until you reach -20dBFS. Note the output level of your mixer, you do not want to adjust it further.
 
Once calibrated, if your overall audio level seems too low, especially when using microphones with a reasonable amount of preamp gain, install a hardware audio limiter in-line--between the mixer and switcher--to increase your overall audio level without clipping. Simply increasing the analog mixer output without a limiter may cause clipping as microphones and audio sources often have a wide dynamic range. A limiter will efficiently increase your overall audio level. This can also be achieved with a compressor by turning the ratio all the way up, if it supports it.
 
This often happens if you have a PA system that requires headroom in your audio levels for your power amp, so a limiter in this case should resolve your issue. A lot of digital mixers include plug-ins, so you can assign a compressor or limiter to that output to get the optimal level for your video production.