P120 - Microphone AKG - Free user manual and instructions

Product type	2/3" back electret pressure gradient condenser microphone
Brand	AKG
Model	P120
Polar pattern	Cardioid
Frequency response	20 Hz to 20 kHz
Sensitivity	24 mV/Pa (-32.5 dBV)
Electrical impedance	≤ 200 ohms
Recommended load impedance	≥ 1000 ohms
Equivalent noise level	19 dB(A) per IEC 60268-4
Signal-to-noise ratio	75 dB(A) at 1 Pa
Maximum sound pressure level (0.5% THD)	130 / 150 dB SPL (0 / -20 dB pad)
Power supply	48 V ±4 V phantom power per IEC 61938
Current consumption	≤ 3 mA
Connector	3-pin male XLR (pin 2 hot)
Low-cut filter	300 Hz, 6 dB/octave
Switchable pad	-20 dB
Dimensions (diameter)	54 mm
Dimensions (length)	165 mm
Net weight	455 g
Temperature range	-10 °C to +60 °C
Body material	Metal, robust front grill
Included accessories	Microphone, stand adapter
Maintenance and cleaning	Slightly damp cloth, avoid excessive moisture
Safety	Ensure that the connected device has a safety ground

Frequently Asked Questions - P120 AKG

How to connect the AKG P120 microphone?

Use an XLR cable to connect the microphone to a balanced input with 48V phantom power. Enable phantom power on the mixer or audio interface.

What is the polar pattern of the P120?

The P120 has a cardioid polar pattern, mainly sensitive to sounds from the front and attenuating sounds from the sides and rear.

How to use the low-cut filter?

Switch 1 on the front activates a low-cut filter at 300 Hz with a slope of 6 dB/octave. It reduces foot noise, wind, and proximity effect for recordings closer than 10 cm.

What is the pad used for?

Switch 2 activates a -20 dB pad to increase headroom before clipping. Useful for recording very loud sources (brass, kick drum) up to 150 dB SPL.

How to clean the microphone?

Use a slightly damp cloth. Never use a wet cloth to avoid damaging the capsule. Protect the microphone from excessive moisture.

Does the microphone need power?

Yes, it is a condenser microphone requiring 48V phantom power compliant with IEC 61938.

What accessories are available?

Optional accessories: pop filter PF80, stand ST305, and windscreen W4000.

What to do if there is no sound?

Check that the mixer is powered, that the channel and master are not at zero, that the cable is properly connected and not defective, and that phantom power is enabled.

How to avoid crackling in humid weather?

Place the microphone in a warm, dry room to remove excess moisture. Use a windscreen outdoors.

Is the P120 suitable for stage use?

Yes, its robust metal construction and high headroom (up to 150 dB SPL) make it suitable for stage and live recording.

USER MANUAL P120 AKG

Please read the manual before using the equipment!

MODE D'EMPLOI 22

1 Safety and the environment. 13

Environment 13

2 Description 14

Introduction 14

Contents 14

Optional Accessories 14

Short description 14

Features. 15

3 Connecting to Audio Equipment 16

General 16

Pinout 16

Connecting the Microphone 16

4 Operation 17

Operating instructions 17

5 Cleaning 18

Microphone 18

6 Troubleshooting 19

7 Technical data 20

P120 20

P220 21

1 Safety and the environment

Risk of damage
Please make sure that the piece of equipment your microphone will be connected to fulfills the safety regulations in force in your country and is fitted with a ground lead.

Environment

• At the end of the lifetime of the product, disconnect the housing, electronics and cable from each other and discard all components according to applicable disposal regulations.
• The packaging is recyclable. Dispose of the packaging via an appropriate collection system provided for this purpose.

2 Description

Introduction	Thank you for your decision to buy an AKG product. Please read the user instructions carefully before using the unit and keep them in a safe place so that you can refer to them in the future at any time. We wish you a lot of fun and success!
Contents	P120: • Microphone • Stand adapter
	P220: • Microphone • Spider shock mount • Carrying case
	Check that the packaging contains all of the items listed for your system. If anything is missing, please contact your AKG dealer.
Optional Accessories	• PF80 pop filter • ST305 table stand • W4000 external windscreen
Short description	The P120 and P220 are heavy-duty, rugged condenser microphones built to the same strict quality standards as all other AKG products. The P120 uses a 2/3" back electret diaphragm, while the P220 is a true condenser microphone with a 1" large diaphragm. Designed on the basis of AKG's decades of knowhow and feedback from sound engineers around the world using AKG studio microphones every day, these general-purpose microphones bring AKG studio quality to the worlds of recording, live sound, and broadcasting.

Features

The P120 and P220 share the following features:

• Cardioid polar pattern: The microphone is most sensitive to sounds arriving from in front of it while picking up much less of sounds arriving from the sides or rear (from monitor speakers or neighboring instruments). This makes the microphone equally suited for recording and onstage use.

• Gold-sputtered diaphragm: The diaphragm is made of a plastic foil that is gold-sputtered on one side only to prevent shorting to the back electrode even at extremely high sound pressure levels.

• All-metal body: The all-metal body adds to the rejection of RF interference so you can use the microphone near transmitter stations and along with wireless microphones or other communications equipment. The extremely rugged, heavy body and sturdy front grill protect the microphone from damage from tough handling on stage.

• High headroom, minimum distortion: Capable of handling sound pressure levels up to 150 dB (P120) or 155 dB (P220) without introducing perceptible distortion and built to resist high temperatures and humidity, the microphone will give excellent results in a wide range of applications.

• Bass cut filter: Selector 1 on the microphone front further reduces low-end distortion caused by footfall or wind noise, etc. The filter also minimizes the proximity effect that close-in miking from less than 4 inches causes in any unidirectional microphone. The filter rolls off at 6 dB/octave

Figure 1: Bass cut and preattenuation switches on microphone front

(P120) or at 12 dB/octave (P220) from 300Hz downward.

• Switchable preattenuation pad: Selector 2 on the microphone front lets you increase the headroom by 20dB for distortionfree close-in recording. The preattenuation pad prevents the microphone's output level, particularly at low frequencies, from overloading the miniature transformers used in many mixer input stages, etc.

3 Connecting to Audio Equipment

General

The microphone uses a condenser transducer designed for 48-volt phantom powering to IEC 61938 and needs an external power supply.

Pinout

The microphone provides a balanced output on a 3-pin male XLR connector:

Pin 1: ground

Pin 2: hot

Pin 3: cold

Figure 2: Connecting to a balanced input with phantom power

Connecting the Microphone

1) Use an XLR cable to connect the microphone to a balanced XLR input with phantom power.
2) Switch the phantom power on. (Refer to the user manual of the unit to which you connected your microphone.)

4 Operation

Operating instructions

The P120 and P220 are general-purpose cardioid microphones for recording, broadcast, and onstage use.

Every instrument radiates its sound in a specific way. Therefore, to get the best sound it is crucial to experiment with microphone placement.

The following hints apply to both the P120 and the P220.

The front of the microphone is the side of the body with the AKG logo on it.

Therefore, always aim the logo at the sound source you are going to record!

Being a unidirectional (cardioid) microphone, the P120/P220 will pick up very little sound from the rear.

• When recording wind instruments or vocals, make sure not to blow or sing directly into the microphone.

Figure 3: Microphone front

To avoid unwanted wind and pop noise or moisture problems, place an optional PF80 pop screen from AKG between the microphone and vocalist/instrument.

• Keep the microphone dry. Moisture from blowing or singing directly at the capsule from a short distance, or extremely high humidity may cause the microphone to start crackling or go very quiet due to partial short circuits in the polarization voltage.
  If you use the microphone in the open air, use an optional AKG W4000 windscreen to protect the microphone from moisture and reduce wind noise.
• High volume instruments: You can use this microphone for close-in recording of very loud instruments (brass instruments, kick drum, etc.). Just switch the preattenuation pad in to increase the microphone's capability of handling sound pressure levels up to 150 dB (P120) or 155 dB (P220).
• Low-frequency noise: To suppress low-frequency noise such as air conditioning rumble, footfall noise, or traffic sounds, switch the bass cut filter in.

5 Cleaning

Microphone

• Use a soft cloth moistened with water to clean the surface of the microphone body.

6 Troubleshooting

Problem Possible Cause		Remedy
No sound Power to mixer and/or amplifier	plifier is off.	Switch power to mixer or amplifier on.
	Channel or master fader on mixer, or volume control on amplifier is at zero.	Set channel or master fader on mixer or volume control on amplifier to desired level.
	Microphone is not connected to mixer or amplifier.	Connect microphone to mixer or amplifier.
	Cable connectors are seated loosely.	Check cable connectors for secure seat.
	Cable is defective.	Check cable and replace if damaged.
	No supply voltage	Switch phantom power on. Phantom power supply: connect to power outlet or insert battery (batteries). Check cable and replace if necessary.
Distortion Channel gain control on mixer set too high.		Turn gain control down CCW.
		Move microphone further away from sound source. Switch preattenuation pad in.
Crackling noises or low output	Partial short circuits due to excessive humidity.	Place microphone in warm, dry room and allow to dry.

7 Technical data

P120

Type:	2/3" back electret condenser pressure-gradient microphone
Polar pattern: cardioid
Sensitivity:	24 mV/Pa (-32.5 dBV)
Frequency response:	20 Hz to 20 kHz (see frequency response trace)
Electrical impedance:	≤ 200 ohms
Recommended load impedance:	≥ 1000 ohms
Equivalent noise level to IEC 60268-4:	19 dB(A)
Signal to noise:	75 dB(A) re 1 Pa
Max. SPL for 0.5% THD:	130 / 150 dB SPL (0 / -20 dB)
Temperature range:	-10 °C to +60 °C (14 °F - 140 °F)
Phantom powering:	48 V ±4 V to IEC 61938
Current consumption:	≤ 3 mA
Connector: 3-pin XLR (pin 2 hot)
Diameter:	54 mm (2.13 in.)
Length:	165 mm (6.5 in.)
Net weight:	455 g (16 oz.)
Bass cut pad:	300 Hz, 6 dB/octave
Preattenuation pad:	-20 dB

Frequency
Response

P220

Type:	1" large-diaphragm, true condenser pressure-gradient microphone
Polar pattern: cardioid
Sensitivity:	20 mV/Pa (-34 dBV)
Frequency response:	20 Hz to 20 kHz (see frequency response trace)
Electrical impedance:	≤ 200 ohms
Recommended load impedance:	≥ 1000 ohms
Equivalent noise level to IEC 60268-4:	16 dB(A)
Signal to noise:	78 dB(A) re 1 Pa
Max. SPL for 0.5% THD:	135 / 155 dB SPL (0 / -20 dB)
Temperature range:	-10 °C to +60 °C (14 °F - 140 °F)
Phantom powering:	48 V ±4 V to IEC 61938
Current consumption:	≤ 3 mA
Connector: 3-pin XLR (pin 2 hot)
Diameter:	54 mm (2.13 in.)
Length:	165 mm (6.5 in.)
Net weight:	530 g (18.7 oz.)
Bass cut pad:	300 Hz, 12 dB/octave
Preattenuation pad:	-20 dB

Frequency
Response

This product corresponds to the standards stated in the Declaration of Conformity. You can request the Declaration of Conformity by e-mail from [e-mail].

Sommaire

For other products and distributors worldwide visit www.akg.com

ROHS OK

Technische Änderungen vorbehalten. Specifications subject to change without notice. Ces caractéristiques sont susceptibles de modifications. Ci riserviamo il diritto di effettuare modifiche tecniche. Nos reservamos el derecho de introducir modificaciones Tecnicas. Especificações sujeitas a mudanças sem aviso prévio.

Printed in China (P.R.C.) 03/14/5042913