Crown PZM-185 User manual

POLAR
PATTERN
PRESSURE ZONE
MICROPHONE
PZM®-185
The Crown®PZM®-185 Pressure Zone
Microphone®is a microphone designed for
general-purpose use. Ideal for applications
such as conferences, group discussions, inter-
views,broadcast,homevideoproduction,lectures,
and recordings. The mic can be placed on a large
surface such as a table, floor, wall, or lectern.
The PZM-185 is powered either by an internal
AAA 1.5V battery or 12-48V phantom power. The
boundary “paddle” can be detached so the mic
will fit in your pocket. Attached to the mic is an
8-foot (2.438-m) cable leading to a tubular power
module.
The microphone’s low-profile design reduces “mic
fright” and minimizes clutter. It is nearly invisible
on camera. The PZM-185 minimizes pickup of
vibration and handling noise.
Its electret condenser capsule provides a wide,
smooth frequency response from 50 Hz to 16 kHz.
The mic’s hemispherical polar pattern allows clear
pickup of everyone surrounding the microphone.
The PZM-185 is protected against static and RFI.
The output is balanced, low impedance, which
allows long cable runs without hum pickup or
high-frequency loss.
Like other Pressure Zone Microphones, the PZM-
185usesaminiaturemiccapsule mountedvery near
asound-reflecting plate or boundaryin the Pressure
Zone. In this zone, direct sound from the sound
source combines in phase at all frequencies with
reflected sound off the boundary. The benefits are
many: 6dB more sensitivity,6 dB lessnoise, a wide
smooth frequency response free of phase interfer-
ence, excellent clarity and “reach,” and consistent
pickup anywhere around the microphone.
Operating Instructions
You can power the PZM-185 either by 12-48V
phantom power or battery power. To use phantom
power, plug the mic connector into a phantom
power supply or into a mic input that provides
12-48V phantom power.
To use battery power, open the cover (Fig. 3) and
insert a AAA 1.5V battery. Please note the correct
orientation of the battery.
If you’re using the microphone on a hard surface,
such as a table top, the boundary “paddle” is not
necessary. If you’re using the mic on a carpet or
other sound-absorbing surface, attach the bound-
ary “paddle” for best results.
Specifications
Element: Electret condenser.
Frequency response (typical): 50 Hz to 16 kHz (Fig. 1).
Polar pattern: Hemispherical (half-omni) on a large
surface.
Impedance: 150 ohms, balanced. Recommended mini-
mum load impedance 1000 ohms.
Open circuit sensitivity (1.5V battery power):
0.8mV/Pa (–62 dB re 1 volt/Pa*).
Power sensitivity (1.5V battery power): –59.5 dBm.
EIA sensitivity –154 dBm.
Open-circuit sensitivity (phantom power):
3.2 mV/Pa* (–50 dB re 1V/Pa).
Power sensitivity (phantom power): –47.5 dBm.
EIA sensitivity –142 dBm.
Equivalent noise level (self-noise): 21 dB SPLtypical,
A-weighted (0 dB = .0002 dyne/cm2).
S/N ratio: 73 dB at 94 dB SPL.
Maximum SPL: 120 dB SPL produces 3% distortion
with phantom power.
Polarity: Positive pressure on the diaphragm produces
positive voltage on pin 2 with respect to pin 3 of the
output connector.
Cable: 8-foot (2.438-m), 2-conductor shielded, perma-
nently attached cable. No other cable supplied; use
2-conductor shielded mic cable.
Output connector: 3-pin XLR-type pro audio connector.
Operating voltage: One 1.5V size AAA alkaline battery
(Duracell MN2400 or equivalent) or 12 to 48V phantom
power (positive voltage on pins 2 and 3 with respect to
pin 1).
Battery life: Approximately 45 days.
Current drain: 0.5 mA.
Materials: High-impact plastic housing and steel power
module.
Finish: Satin black.
Dimensions: Fig. 2.
Weight: 4 ounces (115 grams).
Included accessories: 1.5V AAA battery.
Fig. 2
.579 in.
(1.5 cm)
3.129 in.
(7.9 cm)
3.409 in.
(8.7 cm)
5.90 in.
(15.0 cm)
–20
–25
–30
–3520 100 1K
+15
+10
+5
dB 0
–5
–10
–15
10K 20K
Frequency in Hz
Frequency Response
Fig. 1
Optional accessories: Crown PH-1A phantom power
supply (1 channel, battery or AC adapter powered).
*1 pascal = 10 dynes/cm2= 10 microbars = 94 dB SPL.
.607 in.
(1.5 cm)
.732 in.
(1.86 cm)
Features
Ideal for table-top or on-floor
recordings: conference, group discus-
sions, interviews, broadcast, home video,
lectures, music
Works on internal AAA battery or phantom
power
Low-impedance XLR-type output
Boundary “paddle” can be detached
Clear, bright sound quality with excellent
bass
Dimensions

Crown International, Inc.
1718 W. Mishawaka Rd.
Elkhart, IN 46517-9439
TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]FAX
www.crownaudio.com
Suggestions for Use
Place the microphone near the sound source as
described following:
Conferences, group discussions, seated inter-
views—Lay the microphone on the table. Use
one microphone in the middle of every 4 to 6
people. Ideally, no person should be more than
3 feet (0.9144 m) from the nearest microphone.
For maximum clarity, hold the conference in an
acoustically “dead” room with carpeting, acous-
tic-tile ceiling, and drapes.
Lectures—Place the microphone on top of the
lectern, near the edge of the lectern farthest
from the person speaking.
Video or movies—Lay the microphone on a
table or on the floor near the action.
Fig. 3
Music—Place the microphone near the sound
source, on the floor, on a wall, or on a large
hard-surfaced panel. For grand piano, tape the
microphone to the center of the underside of
the raised lid.
For spaced-pair stereo recording, place two
microphones three to ten feet (.914 to 3.05m)
apart on a wall or on the floor about five to
twenty feet (1.52 to 6.10m) from the musical
ensemble. For near-coincident stereo recording,
mount them on a microphone stand using a
stereo bar or stereo microphone adapter.
Architects’ and Engineers’ Specifications
The microphone shall be a Crown PZM-185.
The PZM-185 Pressure Zone Microphone shall
be powered by 12 to 48V phantom power or a
AAA 1.5V battery. The microphone shall have
a permanently attached cable leading to a
power module with an XLR-type connector. An
integral boundary paddle shall be removable.
Frequency response shall be uniform from 50
Hz to 16,000 Hz. Open-circuit sensitivity shall
be 3.2 mV/Pa with phantom power. Maximum
SPL for 3% THD shall be 120 dB with 48V
phantom power. Self-noise shall be 21 dB SPL
A-weighted. Impedance shall be 150 ohms bal-
anced. The Crown PZM-185 is specified.
Warranty
Crown professional microphones are guaran-
teed against malfunction for a period of three
years from date of original purchase. Please
refer to the enclosed full warranty statement
for more detail.
Service
If the microphone fails to work, replace or
repair the mic cables, replace the battery or
check the power supply. If service is required,
return the microphone in its original packag-
ing to: Crown Factory Service, 1718 West
Mishawaka Road, Elkhart, IN 46517-9439.
For further assistance or technical support call
800-342-6939.
PZM-185
3Grab cover
here and lift
2Grab tab
1Remove boundary “paddle”
Mic Holder
– Battery +
Hinge
©2005 Crown Audio®, Inc. Specifications subject to change
without prior notice. Latest information available at www.
crownaudio.com. Crown, Crown Audio, PZM and Pres-
sure Zone Microphone are registered trademarks of Crown
International.
7/05 126801-7A