Sound Fish ASF-1 MKII - Microphone Ambient - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL Sound Fish ASF-1 MKII Ambient

Close-up of a mechanical component with black and white parts, no visible text or symbols

ASF-G

Table of contents page

1. Introduction 1
2. Package Contents 3
   ASF-G 3
   ASF-G XLR 3
   ASF-G Epic 3
3. Safety Instructions 3
4. Powering / Electrolysis 5
5. Unit Description 6
6. Mains Hum 7

7. Underwater Acoustics 7

8. Acoustic Specifications 8

9. Physical Specifications 8

10. Cable Wiring 9

ASFG35DC 9

ASFGPH 10

ASFGEPIC 10

1. Available Accessories 11

ASFG35DC 11

ASFGPH 11

ASFGEPIC 11

1. Warranty & Approvals 12

1. Introduction

• Nearly 400 million square kilometers of our planet are covered with water
• Only 1% of the habitat water is explored
- About 1000 species underwater communicate in an acoustic way
- Listen to a new World

Since 2005 Sonar Surround set the goal to make this unknown world audible in high-quality.

With new award-winning and patent registered techniques they were able to record the first underwater surround recordings ever.

With the 15th of August 2010 Sonar Surround became a part of Ambient Recording GmbH. Since the fusion, Ambient continuously developed new underwater products to be able to offer a complete underwater workflow.

» The professional Ambient enclosure underwater microphone«

With the ASF-G we use parts of the ASF-1 technology to create an affordable, easy to use, great sounding hydrophone to be used directly on camera enclosures. With approximately 60dB better signal-to-noise ratio than any enclosure hydrophone we found on the market, the ASF-G sets new standards.

»Crystal clear, low noise audio«

With a frequency range of 70Hz-20kHz we designed a underwater microphone able to capture the whole spectrum of sounds while effectively avoiding low frequency noise created by camera handling.

»Compatible with most professional housings«

The hydrophone is compatible with most professional camera housings, thanks to its M14 thread, and easily mounted on standard bulkhead ports. Due to its compact size, the ASF-G only adds 4 cm to the housing. The ASF-G is made out of high quality Aluminum, anodized and can easily withstand the water pressure of 100m depth.

» The ASF-G is available in 3 different kits«

ASF-G

experience quality.

2. Package Contents

• ASF-G
  • Hydrophone cable (depending on the kit)
• Manual

ASF-G

Purchased parts package

• ASF-G: Enclosure hydrophone (M14)
- Cable: ASFG35DC

ASF-G XLR

Purchased parts package

• ASF-G: Enclosure hydrophone (M14)
- Cable: ASFG35DC

Cable: ASFGPH

ASF-G Epic

Purchased parts package

• ASF-G: Enclosure hydrophone (M14)
- Cable: ASFG35DC
- Cable: ASFGEPIC

3. Safety Instructions

For your own safety and trouble-free use of the Ambient Sound Fish please carefully read the instructions below. Always keep a copy of these instructions and hand them out with the unit to other users.

ATTENTION!

Highly sensitive sensor! Protect from any kind of shock! DO NOT BEND!

This unit is intended for use in water on a professional underwater housing with M14 bulkhead. When screwed on correctly and locked tight, it is sealed to be waterproof down to a depth of up to 100m. Anyway, always long-term test the sealing in shallow water and replace damaged sealing gaskets before actual field usage. Always make sure that the receptacles are kept dry and clean. It is recommended to use a small amount of silicone based lubricant on the thread to ensure waterproofness. Note that the lubricant needs to be removed thoroughly after each unscrewing. Switch off the Phantom Power before disconnecting the hydrophone.

Seawater is a very aggressive medium. Even though the ASF-G is only manufactured with materials offering a good seawater resistance, the unit has to be cleaned immediately after use in sea or chlorine water with plenty of fresh water to avoid irrevocable damage. Sea water could cause superficial corrosion that might change the color of the anodized aluminum housing. This is a natural process which won't damage the unit nor affect the usability. If the corrosion is starting to dissolve the metal, stop using the ASF-G immediately and check if the housing is connected to any ground. (More info in "4. Powering")

Never use the hydrophone within acids or bases. Never bend the acoustic sensitive membrane in any way. Keep out of hot environments and never expose to direct sunlight. Do not throw the hydrophone or expose to mechanical impact. Do not expose to hard vibrations.

Operating ambient temperature: -5^ to +50^ ( 23^ to 122^ )

Only use genuine accessories (such as cables) supplied by an authorized dealer. Always check integrity and proper compatibility with all units connected to. Never open the unit. Inappropriate and unauthorized access will void the warranty and imply possible risks of harm to the user.

Follow the legal requirements for recycling electronic equipment when disposing the unit.

4. Powering / Electrolysis

The ASF-G can be powered by various ways, depending on the cables used:

ASF-G

With ASF-G the kit the hydrophone includes a Y-cable from Binder to TRS for audio, and to a 9V battery connector (ASFG35DC). The ASF-G can be powered with a DC supply between 3V-12V. If, for any reasons it becomes necessary to use a battery different to 9V, avoid connecting with wrong polarity.

ASF-G XLR

With the ASF-G XLR kit the hydrophone comes with a Binder to active XLR cable (ASFGDC) so it can be used directly with 48V phantom power supplied on the XLR of professional cameras or recorders.

ASF-G EPIC

With the ASF-G EPIC kit the hydrophone comes with an active Binder to 3.5mm TRS cable (ASFGEPIC) so it can be fed from the 48V phantom power supplied on the 3.5mm TRS connector of RED cameras.

Electrolysis

Electrolysis is a tough problem while working with electrical equipment in a wet environment. To avoid any kind of electrolysis, the metal parts of the ASF-G are not and should not be connected to the audio ground of the unit.

5. Unit Description

Diagram showing six labeled parts of a device with connectors and cable, including a black USB connector and connected audio devices.

① Hydrophone cable with 3-pin male Binder connector
② Anodized aluminum hydrophone body
③ Acoustic sensor with special formulated NBR membrane
④ ASFG35DC, cable
⑤ ASFGPH, female Binder 3-pin to active XLR3m
⑥ ASFGEPIC, female Binder 3-pin to active TRS 3.5 mm

6. Mains Hum

When using the ASF-G indoor, some general details have to be considered:

• The ASF-G is working with highly sensitive piezo sensors and therefore also sensitive to electromagnetic and electrostatic fields.
• Water picks up electrostatic radiation. Therefore, electronic devices known for electromagnetic radiation should be kept away from the water to be recorded in. (witching power supplies, fluorescent lamps, CRT displays or TV sets, etc.)
• To avoid the hydrophone from picking up hums, the water you are recording in should be grounded.
• Often, the easiest way is to connect the audio ground of your mixer / recorder with the water.

7. Underwater Acoustics

The acoustic underwater differs in many ways from the airborne sound we are used to. The sound velocity underwater is varying between 1450 and 1550 m/sec depending on temperature, salinity and depth. This results in 4 to 4.5 times bigger wave lengths as well as in a special sound phenomenon called the SOFAR, also known as Underwater Sound Channel. Horizontally sound can travel over huge distances whereas vertical propagation is strongly attenuated. Here are some useful advices:

• Sound Channels (USC, SSC,...) can be avoided by knowing their local depth
- To avoid the noise from braking waves on the boat carcass, take long enough cables to go down deep enough or prepare to record in greater distance to the vessel.
- Take time for detailed micro-phasing when recording in pools or artificial environments as bigger wave lengths underwater lead to greater distances between sound maxima and minima.
- Never forget how far low frequencies can spread underwater. Therefore, avoid touristic areas for documentary shots.
- Water owns a reflection factor close to 1. Thus airborne sound virtually can't couple directly into water. This phenomenon can be used. If barriers reach close to the water surface (reefs, wave-breakers, e.g.) you can use them as acoustic barriers, independent of the current depth. This way you may find acoustic cover in a pool with 1m depth behind an 80 cm wooden block, even though the wavelength underwater wouldn't suggest this.

8. Acoustic Specifications

• Frequency response: 70Hz-20kHz (-3dB)
• THD: 0,1% (70Hz-20kHz)
• Horizontal Polar Pattern at 20 kHz (omni directional)

9. Physical Specifications

Dimensions (L / W / H): 47 x 30 x 30 mm incl. thread 39.5 x 30 x 30 mm visible

Weight: 50 g

Power consumption: 1,2 mA (3 Volts, typical)

Max depth: 100 m

Housing material: anodized aluminum

Encapsulating material: Special formulated NBR

10. Cable Wiring

3-pin Binder

Binder 3-pin

Binder plug pin 1: ground pin 2: audio out pin 3: + V 2 3

ASFG35DC

ASF-G adaptor with 3.5 mm right angle plug and 9 V battery connector for unpowered camera inputs

No Phantom power required

Unbalanced audio wiring

Length approx. 20 cm

Weight approx. 12 g

Binder plug 1 ○ shield 2 ○ white 3 ○ white/brown 3.5mm plug right angle white red 9V battery connector

ASFGPH

ASF-G adaptor with 3-pin XLR

Active cable for 48 V Phantom powering

Binder 3-pin to 3-pin XLR male

Length approx. 40 cm

Weight approx. 34 g

XLR cap: blue

graph TD
    A["Binderbuchse"] --> B["GND 1"]
    A --> C["OUT 2"]
    A --> D["V+ 3"]
    B --> E["grün"]
    C --> F["rot"]
    D --> G["Schirm"]
    H["XLR-M"] --> I["J1"]
    H --> J["R1"]
    H --> K["R2"]
    H --> L["J2"]
    H --> M["R3"]
    H --> N["J3"]
    H --> O["R4"]
    H --> P["R9"]
    Q["GND"] --> R["J7"]
    S["Gehäuse"] --> T["1"]
    U["OUT -"] --> V["J5"]
    W["OUT +"] --> X["J6"]
    Y["- R1 brück"] --> Z["Pin mit 0 Ohm Widerstand brücken"]

ASFGEPIC

ASF-G adaptor with 3.5 mm right angle plug for Red Epic cameras

Balanced audio wiring

Active cable for 48 V Phantom powering

Binder 3-pin to 3.5 mm right with EMP voltage converter

Length approx. 35 cm

Binderbuchse 10cm O Ohm Brücke GND 1 OUT 2 V+ 3 grün Schirm R1 R2 J1 J2 J3 J4 J9 R3 R4 - R1 brücken GND 17 Schirm 30cm OUT - J5 weiss OUT + J6 rot AK3.5

11. Available Accessories

ASFG35DC

Hydrophone cable for ASF-G to 3,5mm stereo mini jack

Binder 3pin female to 1/8" jack and 9v battery DC terminal

ASFGPH

Hydrophone cable for ASF-G to XLR jack

ASF-G active cable; Binder 3pin female to XLR 3 pin male PH 48V microphone input

Two black cables with attached electronic components, one labeled 'R 3 pin' (no other text or symbols visible)

ASFGEPIC

Hydrophone cable for ASF-G to 3,5mm with 48V PH

ASF-G active cable; Binder 3 pin female to TRS 3.5mm mini jack

Close-up of a black audio cable with attached connector and gold connector (no text or symbols visible)

12. Warranty & Approvals

Warranty

Ambient Recording GmbH warrants the ASF-G hydrophone against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of ONE (1) year from date of original retail purchase. This is a non-transferable warranty that extends only to the original purchaser. Ambient Recording GmbH will repair or replace the product at its discretion at no charge. Warranty claims due to severe service conditions will be addressed on an individual basis. THE WARRANTY AND REMEDIES SET FORTH ABOVE ARE EXCLUSIVE. AMBIENT RECORDING GMBH DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. AMBIENT RECORDING GMBH IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY BREACH OF WARRANTY OR UNDER ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY. Because some jurisdictions do not permit the exclusion or limitations set forth above, they may not apply in all cases.

For all service, including warranty repair, please send the ASF-G, along with proof of purchase date to your retailer, or, if not applicable, to:

DE - 80797 Muenchen, Germany

Please obtain a return authorization through the contact form on our website before sending in a unit.

ASF-G

experience quality.

Approvals

CE Conformity Statement:

Declaration of Conformity

According to ISO/IEC Guide 22

Manufacturer's Name: Ambient Recording GmbH

Manufacturer's Address: Schleissheimer Str. 181 C

DE - 80797 Muenchen, Germany

declares that the product:

ASF-G

is in conformity with:

• EN 60950-1:2006 + A11:2009+A1:2010+A12:2011+AC:2011 + A2:2013
• EMC Directive: 2004 / 108 / EC

2014 / 30 / EC

- The unit described in this Conformity Statement fulfills the specifications of the directive 2011/65/EU of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union from 8th of July in 2011 for the limited usage of certain dangerous substances in electronic devices.

Updated May 2015

Sebastian Fell

Highly sensitive sensor! Protect from any kind of shock! DO NOT BEND!

MADE IN GERMANY