M5 - Microphone Røde - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL M5 Røde

ENGLISHINSTRUCTION MANUAL Compact 1/2” Cardioid Condenser Microphones M5_multilingual_manual.indb 1M5_multilingual_manual.indb 1 2/09/2013 6:59:47 PM2/09/2013 6:59:47 PM2 The M5 is a studio quality half-inch condenser microphone, designed for highly detailed sound reproduction. It features a cardioid polar pattern and end address design, meaning that it will pick up sound directed into the end of the microphone, and reject sound from the rear of the mic. This pickup pattern allows for recording of the desired sound source while reducing the level of other surrounding instruments, noises or sound sources. The M5 is not only ideal for recording music, but is a fantastic microphone for environmental recordings and indoor dialogue on fi lm sets. The enclosed pair has been hand-picked by RØDE’s audio engineering team to be acoustically matched to ensure perfect compatibility when used in stereo confi gurations. Introduction M5_multilingual_manual.indb 2M5_multilingual_manual.indb 2 2/09/2013 7:00:05 PM2/09/2013 7:00:05 PM3 Features

• ½” capsule with gold-plated membrane

• State-of-the-art surface mount electronics

• Heavy-duty matte black fi nish

• Gold plated output connectors

• Designed & manufactured in Australia

• Free 10 year extended warranty when you register online at www.rodemic.com/warranty M5_multilingual_manual.indb 3M5_multilingual_manual.indb 3 2/09/2013 7:00:05 PM2/09/2013 7:00:05 PM4 The M5 is covered by a limited warranty for one (1) year from the date of purchase. This can be extended free of charge to a full ten (10) year warranty by registering your microphone online at visiting our website as below. Warranty Register your M5 pair now and validate your free 10 year warranty. Scan the QR code with a smartphone, or visit www.rodemic.com/warranty M5_multilingual_manual.indb 4M5_multilingual_manual.indb 4 2/09/2013 7:00:05 PM2/09/2013 7:00:05 PM5 Specifi cations Polar Response Frequency Response

-2.0 -4.0 -6.0 -8.0 -10.0-12.0-14.0-16.0-18.0-20.0-22.0-24.0-25.0dB rel. 1V/Pa +5.0 Frequency: 500 Hz: 1000 Hz: 4000 Hz: M5_multilingual_manual.indb 5M5_multilingual_manual.indb 5 2/09/2013 7:00:05 PM2/09/2013 7:00:05 PM6 Acoustic Principle Pressure Gradient Active Electronics JFET impedance converter with bipolar output buffer Directional Pattern Cardioid Frequency Range 20Hz ~ 20kHz Output Impedence 200Ω Equivalent Noise 19 dBA SPL (as per IEC651) Maximum Output +13.5 dBu (1KHz, 1% THD into 1K Ω load) Sensitivity -34 dB re 1V/Pa (10.46mV @ 94dB SPL) ± 2dB @ 1kHz Dynamic Range 121 dB SPL Specifi cations M5_multilingual_manual.indb 6M5_multilingual_manual.indb 6 2/09/2013 7:00:05 PM2/09/2013 7:00:05 PM7 Maximum SPL 140 dB SPL Signal / Noise 75 dBA SPL (as per IEC651) Power Requirements 24V phantom power 48V phantom power Output Connection 3 Pin XLR Balanced output between pin 2 (+), pin 3 (-) and pin 1 (ground) Net Weight 80g Accessories RM5 mic clip (x2) WS5 windshield (x2) M5_multilingual_manual.indb 7M5_multilingual_manual.indb 7 2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM8 Powering the M5 Connect all cables before supplying phantom power to the microphone(s) and never remove the microphone cable while the power is connected. The M5 requires 48V DC (P48) or 24V DC (P24) phantom power. If the mixer or preamp does not contain this phantom power requirement, then an external phantom power supply is needed. Some phantom power supplies do not supply the voltage at which they are rated. If the required voltage is not supplied, the dynamic range and general performance of the microphone will be reduced. We strongly suggest the use of a reputable high quality power supply. Damage caused by a faulty power supply is not covered under warranty. M5_multilingual_manual.indb 8M5_multilingual_manual.indb 8 2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM2/09/2013 7:00:06 PMWhat is Phantom Power? All condenser microphones require a power source to operate the internal circuitry of the microphone. Phantom power is a DC voltage, supplied to the microphone through the XLR cable, providing the microphone circuit with the power it requires to operate, without the need for an external microphone power supply. Most mixing desks, audio interfaces, and preamp units have a phantom power switch inbuilt. If your equipment doesn’t have a phantom power supply, an external one can be purchased and used in-line between the preamp and the M5. Be sure to check that your phantom power supply is either P48 (48V DC) or P24 (24V DC) to operate the correctly. M5_multilingual_manual.indb 9M5_multilingual_manual.indb 9 2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM10 Mounting the M5 The M5 matched pair is supplied with a pair of RM5 stand mounts. These feature a standard 5/8” thread in the base and a 3/8” thread adaptor is supplied to provide even greater versatility in mounting. To mount the M5 in the RM5 place the base of the microphone at the back of the mount and fi rmly push down towards the front until the microphone clicks into the mount. The tension of the RM5 can be adjusted using the lever on the side of the mount. M5_multilingual_manual.indb 10M5_multilingual_manual.indb 10 2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM11 The M5 is an ‘end-address’ microphone, and so the mesh head should always be facing towards the sound source that you wish to record. When recording any sound source, whether it be vocals, instruments or anything else, always spend time experimenting with mic placement to ensure you are picking up the best possible sound. Adjust the microphone position as many times as you need to achieve this, rather than attempting to compensate with EQ and other processing tools later on. If you are recording through an interface, channel strip or mixing desk with an inbuilt EQ section, always begin by setting the EQ fl at (no cut or boost) or turn it off if possible. Once the preferred sound has been achieved through mic placement, any processing such as EQ, compression, reverb and other effects can be added to enhance the sound of your recording. EQ is always best used sparingly, and when attempting to change the sound of a recording in any way you should always start by ‘cutting’ any unwanted frequencies, rather than boosting the other frequencies. General Operation M5_multilingual_manual.indb 11M5_multilingual_manual.indb 11 2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM12 General Operation As with other aspects of the recording process, fi nding the right sound is always a matter of experimentation, and you should always go with whatever sounds best to you. Listen with your ears, not with your eyes! M5_multilingual_manual.indb 12M5_multilingual_manual.indb 12 2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM13 Whether using them as a single microphone or stereo pair, there are no set rules when it comes to placement for your M5 microphones, but the tips below are a great starting point to achieve great results in most scenarios. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your own mic placements to produce the sound that you’d like to pick up with your M5. Microphone Placement Scan the code with your smartphone or visit rockro.de/m5stereo to watch a video showing stereo applications for the M5 M5_multilingual_manual.indb 13M5_multilingual_manual.indb 13 2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM14 Stereo spaced pair To mount your M5 microphones in a spaced pair confi guration, you’ll need to place your microphones on two separate microphone stands. It is best to experiment with the exact positioning and direction of the microphones while listening to the signal, to ensure phase compatibility. The Spaced pair is ideal for recording sound sources or instruments that cover a wider area, or require more than one point-source to pick up a true representation of the sound. It will generally produce a very wide stereo image, and is great for recording sound sources such as choirs and ensembles, but can also produce incredible results on individual instruments when used correctly. Microphone Placement M5_multilingual_manual.indb 14M5_multilingual_manual.indb 14 2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM15 Sound Source M5_multilingual_manual.indb 15M5_multilingual_manual.indb 15 2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM16 Stereo X-Y To mount your M5 pair in X/Y confi guration, place the microphones either on a stereo bar, or on two separate microphone stands. The microphones should be placed at 90º to one another (right angle) with the capsules stacked above each other vertically. X/Y confi guration is a coincident stereo technique that can be used to pick up sound sources in stereo with maximum phase coherency, meaning that the sounds you record will not only sound great in stereo, but they will also sound great when played back in mono. This is achieved by having the capsules placed right above one another, as close as possible on the vertical axis, so that sound reaches both capsules at the same time. While X/Y confi guration is great for mono compatibility and ease of use, the stereo image will not be as wide as other techniques such as ORTF or a spaced pair confi guration. Microphone Placement M5_multilingual_manual.indb 16M5_multilingual_manual.indb 16 2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM17 90° Sound Source M5_multilingual_manual.indb 17M5_multilingual_manual.indb 17 2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM18 Stereo ORTF To mount your M5 pair in ORTF confi guration, place the microphones either on a stereo bar, or on two separate microphone stands. The microphones should be placed at 110º to one another with the capsules 17cm apart and facing outward. The ORTF technique was devised around 1960 by a French broadcast station, the Offi ce de Radiodiffusion Télévision Française, and was originally designed to mimic the response of human hearing. The increased distance between the capsules will produce a wider stereo image than coincident stereo miking techniques like X/Y or Mid-side. Microphone Placement M5_multilingual_manual.indb 18M5_multilingual_manual.indb 18 2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM19 17cm 110° Sound Source M5_multilingual_manual.indb 19M5_multilingual_manual.indb 19 2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM20 After use the M5(s) should be removed from its mount, wiped with a dry, soft cloth and placed into storage. Be sure to place the moisture-absorbent crystals (supplied) at the head of the microphone when in storage, so as to absorb any moisture present. Eventually this pack of crystals will need to be dried. This is indicated by the crystals turning pink in colour. They can easily be re-used by placing them in an oven at 100 – 150 degrees Celsius for approximately ten minutes. The crystals will operate effectively again once they have turned blue. Safety and maintenance M5_multilingual_manual.indb 20M5_multilingual_manual.indb 20 2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM21 If you experience any problem, or have any questions regarding your RØDE microphone, fi rst contact the dealer who sold it to you. If the microphone requires a factory authorised service, return will be organised by that dealer. We have an extensive distributor/dealer network, but if you have diffi culty getting the advice or assistance you require, please do not hesitate to contact us directly. Alternatively please visit www.rodemic.com/support for contact details and a list of Frequently Asked Questions. Importers & distributors For a full list of international importers and distributors, visit our website at www.rodemic.com/distributors. Support M5_multilingual_manual.indb 21M5_multilingual_manual.indb 21 2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM22 Contact International 107 Carnarvon Street Silverwater NSW 2128 Australia USA 2745 N Raymond Ave Signal Hill CA 90755 USA PO Box 91028 Long Beach CA 90809-1028 USA M5_multilingual_manual.indb 22M5_multilingual_manual.indb 22 2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM2/09/2013 7:00:06 PM23 www.rodemic.com/m5