AKG P420 User manual

BEDIENUNGSANLEITUNG ................................. 2
Bitte vor Inbetriebnahme des Gerätes lesen!
USER INSTRUCTIONS..................................... 14
Please read the manual before using the equipment!
MODE D’EMPLOI............................................ 26
Veuillez lire cette notice avant d’utiliser le système!
MODO DE EMPLEO......................................... 38
¡Sirvase leer el manual antes de utilizar el equipo!
P420

14 P420
Table of Contents
1Safety and the environment .............................................................15
Environment.......................................................................................15
2Description .......................................................................................16
Introduction........................................................................................16
Contents ............................................................................................16
Optional Accessories........................................................................... 16
Short description ................................................................................16
Features.............................................................................................17
3Connecting to Audio Equipment .......................................................18
General..............................................................................................18
Pinout................................................................................................18
Connecting the Microphone.................................................................18
4Operation..........................................................................................19
Operating instructions.........................................................................19
Selecting Polar Patterns ......................................................................20
5Cleaning ...........................................................................................21
Microphone........................................................................................21
6Troubleshooting................................................................................22
7Technical data..................................................................................23
Table of Contents

P420 15
Safety and the environmen
t
ATTENTION
R
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.
xAt 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.
xThe packaging is recyclable. Dispose of the packaging via an appropriate
collection system provided for this purpose.
1Safety and the environment
Environment

16 P420
Description
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!
xMicrophone
xSpider shock mount
xCarrying case
Check that the packaging contains all of the items listed for your system. If
anything is missing, please contact your AKG dealer.
xPF80 pop filter
xST305 table stand
xW4000 external windscreen
The P420 is a heavy-duty, rugged true condenser microphone built to the same
strict quality standards as all other AKG products.
Designed on the basis of AKG’s decades of knowhow and feedback from sound
engineers around the world using AKG studio microphones every day, this
general-purpose 1" dual large-diaphragm microphone brings AKG studio quality
to the worlds of recording, live sound, and broadcasting.
2Description
Introduction
Contents
Optional Accessories
Short description

P420 17
Description
xSelectable polar patterns: The microphone's transducer uses a dual
diaphragm. This sophisticated technology allows you to select the optimum
polar pattern (cardioid, omnidirectional, or figure eight) for every
application.
xGold-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.
xAll-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.
xHigh headroom, minimum distortion: Capable of handling sound
pressure levels up to 155 dB without introducing perceptible distortion and
built to resist high temperatures and humidity, the microphone will give
excellent results in a wide range of applications.
Figure 1: Polar pattern selector on P420 front, preattenuation and bass cut
switches on rear
xPolar pattern selector: Selector 1 on the microphone front sets the
microphone polar pattern to cardioid, omnidirectional, or figure eight.
xSwitchable preattenuation pad: Selector 2 on the microphone rear lets
you increase the headroom by 20 dB 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.
xBass cut filter: Selector 3 on the microphone rear 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 12 dB/octave from 300 Hz
downward.
Features

18 P420
Connecting to Audio Equipment
The microphone uses a condenser transducer designed for 48-volt phantom
powering to IEC 61938 and needs an external power supply.
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
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.)
3Connecting to Audio Equipment
General
Pinout
Connecting the
Microphone

P420 19
Operation
The P420 is a general-purpose multi-pattern microphone 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.
xWhichever polar pattern you selected, it
may be good to know which way the
transducer axis is facing: the front of the
microphone is the side of the body with
the AKG logo and polar pattern selector
(1) on it.
xWhen recording wind instruments or
vocals, make sure not to blow or sing
directly into the microphone.
To avoid unwanted wind and pop noise or
moisture problems, place an optional
PF80 pop screen from AKG between the
microphone and vocalist/instrument.
xKeep 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.
xIf you use the microphone in the open
air, use an optional AKG W4000 windscreen to protect the microphone
from moisture and reduce wind noise.
xHigh 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 to 155 dB.
xLow-frequency noise: To suppress low-frequency noise such as air
conditioning rumble, footfall noise, or traffic sounds, switch the bass cut
filter in.
4Operation
Operating instructions
Figure 3: Microphone front

20 P420
Operation
Each of the P420's selectable polar patterns is virtually frequency independent
so that reflected sound, too will be reproduced accurately and uncolored.
xCardioid (center setting): This is a standard setting for recording and gives
excellent results on all kinds of voices and a wide range of instruments.
Remember to aim the microphone front at the sound source.
xFigure eight (left-hand setting): The microphone will pick up sounds
arriving from the front and rear with equal sensitivity. Use this mode to mic
up the side signal in M/S stereo recording or to record two sound sources
(talkers, instruments) facing each other. It is also a good choice for cymbal
overhead miking.
xOmnidirectional (right-hand setting): This is the preferred setting for "all
around the mic" recording, high quality ambience (audience sound) miking,
or far-field recording in exceptionally good-sounding large or small
recording rooms, etc.
Selecting Polar Patterns

P420 21
Cleaning
xUse a soft cloth moistened with water to clean the surface of the
microphone body.
5Cleaning
Microphone

22 P420
Troubleshooting
P
Problem Possible Cause
Remedy
No sound Power to mixer and/or amplifier 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.
Microphone too close to sound
source.
Move microphone further away from
sound source.
Microphone sensitivity set too high. Switch preattenuation pad in.
Crackling noises or low outpu
t
Partial short circuits due to
excessive humidity.
Place microphone in warm, dry room
and allow to dry.
6Troubleshooting