SCALE IS 5 DECIBELS PER DIVISION
Polar Pattern
200 Hz
LEGEND
5 kHz
1 kHz
8 kHz
240
180
210
270
300
330
0
150
120
90
30
60
12" or more on axis (flat)
100
50 200
LEGEND
Roll-off
10k
5k
1k
500 2k 20k
Frequency in Hertz
Frequency Response
Response in dB
10 dB
• Designed for video production and broadcast (ENG/EFP) audio
acquisition
• Short length (11") ensures mic stays out of the shot – even when
used with compact digital cameras
• Smooth, natural-sounding on-axis audio quality
• Provides the narrow acceptance angle desirable for long-distance
sound pickup
• Excellent sound rejection from the sides and rear of mic
• Switchable low-frequency roll-off
• Operates on battery or phantom power
The AT897 requires 11V to 52V DC phantom power or a 1.5V AA
battery for operation. A battery need not be in place for phantom
power operation.
Battery installation: Unscrew the lower section of the microphone
body, just below the nameplate. Insert a fresh 1.5V AA battery
in the handle compartment (“+” end up), then reassemble the
microphone. Alkaline batteries are recommended for longest life.
Remove the battery during long-term storage.
Output from the microphone’s XLRM-type connector is low
impedance (Lo-Z) balanced. The signal appears across Pins 2 and
3; Pin 1 is ground (shield). Output phase is “Pin 2 hot” –
positive acoustic pressure produces positive voltage at Pin 2.
To avoid phase cancellation and poor sound, all mic cables must
be wired consistently: Pin 1-to-Pin 1, etc.
An integral 80 Hz high-pass filter provides easy switching from a
flat frequency response to a low-end roll-off. The roll-off position
reduces pickup of low-frequency ambient noise (such
as traffic, air-handling systems, etc.), room reverberation and
mechanically coupled vibrations.
The microphone is RoHS compliant–free from all substances
specified in the EU directive on hazardous substances.
Avoid leaving the microphone in the open sun or in areas where
temperatures exceed 43° C (110° F) for extended periods.
Extremely high humidity should also be avoided.
AT897 SPECIFICATIONS†
ELEMENT Fixed-charge back plate
permanently polarized
condenser
POLAR PATTERN Line + gradient
FREQUENCY RESPONSE 20-20,000 Hz
LOW FREQUENCY ROLL-OFF 80 Hz, 12 dB/octave
OPEN CIRCUIT SENSITIVITY –40 dB (10.0 mV) /
(Phantom / Battery) –41 dB (8.9 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa*
IMPEDANCE (Phantom / Battery) 200 ohms / 300 ohms
MAXIMUM INPUT SOUND LEVEL 129 dB / 115 dB SPL,
(Phantom / Battery) 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D.
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO177 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa*
DYNAMIC RANGE (typical) 112 dB / 98 dB,
(Phantom / Battery) 1 kHz at Max SPL
PHANTOM POWER 11-52V DC, 2 mA typical
REQUIREMENTS
BATTERY TYPE 1.5V AA/UM3
BATTERY CURRENT / LIFE 0.4 mA / 1200 hours typical
(alkaline)
SWITCH Flat, roll-off (recessed)
WEIGHT (less accessories) 145 g (5.1 oz)
DIMENSIONS 279.0 mm (10.98") long,
21.0 mm (0.83") diameter
OUTPUT CONNECTOR Integral 3-pin XLRM-type
ACCESSORIES FURNISHED AT8405a stand clamp for 5/8"-27
threaded stands; AT8134
windscreen; battery; 5/8"-27 to
3/8"-16 threaded adapter;
protective carrying case
†In the interest of standards development, A.T.U.S. offers full details on its test
methods to other industry professionals on request.
*1 Pascal = 10 dynes/cm2= 10 microbars = 94 dB SPL
1Typical, A-weighted, using Audio Precision System One.
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Audio-Technica U.S., Inc., 1221 Commerce Drive, Stow, Ohio 44224
Audio-Technica Limited, Old Lane, Leeds LS11 8AG England
www.audio-technica.com
P51973 ©2007 Audio-Technica U.S., Inc. Printed in Japan
AT897 LINE + GRADIENT CONDENSER MICROPHONE
