Earthworks Audio SR40V User manual

For more information, please visit
www.earthworksaudio.com or call 1-603-654-2433.
HANDHELD CONDENSER VOCAL MICROPHONE
SR40V

1 SR40V Microphone
1 Microphone Clip
1 Protective Fabric Bag
YOUR PURCHASE INCLUDES
Thank you for purchasing the
Earthworks SR40V Handheld Vocal Microphone!
SPECIFICATIONS SR40V
Frequency Response 20Hz - 40kHz
Polar Pattern Cardioid
Sensitivity 10mV/Pa (-40dBV/Pa)
Power requirements 24-48V Phantom, 10mA
Peak acoustic input 145dB SPL
Output XLR-3M
Minimum output load 600Ω, balanced between pins 2 & 3
Noise 20dB SPL (A weighted)
Dimensions Length: 7.25 in. (184mm)
Max dia: 1.95 in. (55.3mm)
Min dia: .97 in. (27.5mm)
Weight .80lb (363g)
37 Wilton Rd. Milford, NH 03055
[phone]
[e-mail]
earthworksaudio.com
© 2020 Earthworks, Inc
Before setting up the microphone, pull back all existing settings and EQ. By doing this, you will have a
baseline understanding of how our microphones sound, and will then be able to adjust accordingly.
Begin by removing all included components from the packaging. Make sure to mute any incoming
signal to speakers or headphones to avoid any loud “pops” when connecting.
Connect the microphone to an audio interface supplying 24-48V phantom power using a standard
XLR cable. Because of the microphone’s larger capsule size, please allow one minute for the
microphone to settle. (Plugging in the microphone while phantom power is turned on will not damage
the microphone, and will actually settle the microphone faster.)
To guarantee your microphone provides years of performance, follow these guidelines:
• Avoid extreme heat and condensing humidity.
• Rough handling may damage the microphone even if no markings are visible.
• When not in use, keep the microphone in its case.
GETTING STARTED
If you encounter issues while using your Earthworks Audio microphone, please make sure that:
• Your microphone is connected to an active power supply.
• Phantom power is being supplied to the microphone.
• Your microphone and XLR cable are well connected.
• The microphone is positioned at an appropriate distance from the sound source.
• External noise in your recording environment is kept to a minimum.
• Your recording space is at room temperature and free of dust.
If your issue persists after checking, please contact us via our website.
TROUBLESHOOTING
PROPER MAINTENANCE
WARRANTY All Earthworks® products carry a limited warranty (parts and labor). Please register your warranty at:
earthworksaudio.com/register. If you have any problems with your Earthworks products, please contact our
warranty/repair department by email at: [e-mail].
NOTE: This warranty only applies to Earthworks microphones purchased brand new. For microphones purchased/
received second-hand, please contact us via our website.

In contrast, if one were asked to spread their arms to indicate the width of the pick-up pattern of an
Earthworks cardioid microphone, they would indicate something like shown in Figure 3a. The actual polar
response of an Earthworks cardioid microphone is illustrated in Figure 3b. Again, notice that the shaded
areas in Figures 3a and 3b are virtually the same. Notice on the Earthworks microphone (Figure 3b) that even
outside the shaded area there is a very minimal change or loss in the level of high frequency information.
Referring to Figure 2b, notice how narrow the pick-up pattern is on a conventional cardioid
microphone. In comparison, notice how much wider the pickup pattern is on the Earthworks cardioid
microphone (Figure 3b). Keep in mind that the shaded areas in these gures indicate the area where
you can obtain the full frequency response of the microphone without a signicant loss of high
frequencies.
Conventional microphones (Figure 2b) only provide a narrow window (or area) in which they can pick up
sounds with full frequency response. Figure 4 below, shows an 80-voice choir miked with conventional
microphones. It takes 6 conventional microphones, placed 6 feet in front of the choir, to adequately cover the
choir with the full frequency response of the microphones.
FEWER MICROPHONES
REQUIRED
Figure 3a. Typical pick-up area (with full frequency response) of
an Earthworks cardioid microphone indicated by extending arms
Figure 4. An 80-voice choir miked with 6 conventional microphones at 6 feet
Figure 3b. Typical polar pattern (with full frequency response) of
an Earthworks cardioid microphone
There are several ways near-perfect polar response can benefit you.
1. Use of fewer microphones
2. Ability to place microphones closer to the sound source for more gain before feedback.
3. No spotlighting or highlighting
4. More rejection of sounds from the rear of the microphone
5. Singers on the sides of the microphone enjoy the same quality as those in front of the
microphone.
HOW EARTHWORKS
NEARPERFECT
POLAR RESPONSE
CAN BENEFIT YOU

Seasoned sound engineers know that placing a microphone closer to the sound source will result in
additional gain before feedback. Figure 6 below, shows the same 80-voice choir miked with 3 Earthworks
cardioid microphones, however, notice that the microphones are placed 3 feet in front of the choir rather than
at 6 feet as indicated in Figures 4 and 5.
In contrast, Figure 7 shows the same choir miked with 6 conventional cardioid microphones placed 3
feet in front of the choir. Notice the blank coverage spots in the pick-up area. This illustrates that placing
conventional microphones 3 feet in front of the choir would require even more microphones to adequately
cover the choir.
CLOSER MIKING
PROVIDES ADDITIONAL
GAIN BEFORE FEEDBACK
Figure 5. An 80-voice choir miked with 3 Earthworks microphones at 6 feet
Figure 5. An 80-voice choir miked with 3 Earthworks microphones at 6 feet
Figure 7. An 80-voice choir miked with 6 conventional microphones at 3 feet
In contrast, the near-perfect polar response of Earthworks cardioid microphones provide a wider pickup
pattern (or area) where you can obtain the full frequency response of the microphones. Figure 5 on the
following page, is the same 80-voice choir is covered using only 3 Earthworks cardioid microphones.

Figure 8 below, shows that it would actually take 12 conventional cardioid mi-crophones to provide the same
coverage as 3 Earthworks cardioid microphones, when placed 3 feet in front of the choir.
Three characteristics of Earthworks microphones will provide more gain before feedback: (1) Smooth off-axis
response, (2) picking up far less sound from the rear of the microphone and (3) wider usable polar-response
that allows microphones to be placed closer to the source. Each of these characteristics will provide more
gain before feedback, however, when you have all 3 it is somewhat remarkable.
The near-perfect polar response provides a smooth off-axis response in addition to a much wider pick-up
pattern with the full frequency response of the microphone. With a wider pick-up pattern, the microphone
can be moved closer to the source (in this case singers) and obtain even more gain before feedback.
Conventional microphones typically have problems with highlighting or spotlight-ing when used on choirs.
This is caused by the signicant changes in frequency response of sounds that are picked up off-axis. This
phenomenon will cause singers in a given frequency range to sound louder than others not in that frequency
range. This causes certain singers to stick out above the rest making it difcult to achieve a good balance
between all of the voices in the choir. In contrast, the uniform off-axis response of Earthworks microphones
greatly reduces this phenomenon allowing a uniform balance of choir voices to be achieved much easier.
A textbook perfect cardioid microphone will pick up sounds uniformly at the front and sides of the
microphone. However, the level (in dB) on the sides of the mi-crophone will be slightly less (as much as 6dB).
Even though the level at the sides of the microphone may be lower, the frequency response should remain
uniform (i.e. no loss of high frequencies). The textbook perfect cardioid microphone is very dead at the rear of
the microphone. The polar response of a perfect cardioid microphone is shown in Figure 9a. Notice that at
180 degrees the level is down 30 dB or more.
This is what provides the directional characteristics of a cardioid microphone, in that it will pick up at the front
and the sides and picks up far less at the rear, therefore making the microphone directional. However, this is
textbook theory. This is much different in practice with real (imperfect) microphones used in the real world.
REJECTION OF
SOUNDS BEHIND THE
MICROPHONE
SPOTLIGHTING
Figure 8. An 80-voice choir miked with 12 conventional microphones at 3 feet
(9b) Conventional Cardioid Microphone
Figure 9. Differences in the Rear Polar Response Between a Perfect, Conventional and an Earthworks Cardioid Microphone
(9c) Earthworks Cardioid Microphone (9a) Textbook Perfect Cardioid Microphone

What we have reviewed so far is technical information shown on charts and graphs. Now let’s look at what
happens in the actual use and application of these two types of cardioid microphones. If you were to take
the typical conventional cardioid microphone in your hand and talk into the front of the mic and while you
are talk-ing, rotate the microphone 180 degrees and talk into the rear of the microphone, you would notice
some reduction in the audible level of your voice. In contrast, if you were to do the same exercise with an
Earthworks cardioid microphone, when you started talking into the rear of the microphone your voice would
be nearly inaudible. This practical demonstration shows how dead the Earthworks cardioid microphones are
at the rear. As a general guideline, you can consider the coverage area from 90º, 180º to 270º the dead zone of
an Earthworks cardioid microphone as illustrated in Figure 10.
When miking choirs with an
orchestra or band in front of the
choir, the rear rejec-tion of sounds
from an Earthworks cardioid
can be a real benet. When
positioning the Earthworks
microphone, make sure that the
rear of the capsule is facing the
direction of the orchestra or band
as shown in Figure 11.
Installation and Positioning of
the ChoirMics™
Figure 12. Improper Positioning of an
Earthworks Cardioid Microphone
with an Orchestra or Band behind the
Microphone
CLOSER MIKING
PROVIDES ADDITIONAL
GAIN BEFORE FEEDBACK
Figure 10. Rear Polar Response of an
Earthworks Cardioid Microphone
Figure 11. Proper Positioning of an
Earthworks Cardioid Microphone
with an Orchestra or Band behind the
Microphone
Incorrect - microphone head at an angle
to oor causes poor isolation from the
orchestra or band

The majority of conventional hanging choir microphones suffer from several similar design aws. Some
have the microphone electronics installed in the ceiling with unbalanced microphone cable going to the
microphone. Such designs are often susceptible to radio frequency interference (RFI) or picking up hum
from nearby electrical lines. Another common aw is the use of small, lightweight microphone housings that
do not have enough weight to pull the cable straight when suspended from the ceiling. These lightweight
microphone housings sometimes move due to the air blowing on them from the air conditioning system.
Another problem is the use of cables that will move or rotate due to temperature or humidity changes. These
microphones may be perfectly positioned, then a few days later may be pointed a different direction as the
cable has rotated due to temperature or humidity changes.
The Earthworks ChoirMic is larger in size than most conventional choir microphones, however, all of the
electronics are housed inside the microphone body and the output is low impedance and balanced. This
greatly reduces the likelihood of RFI problems. In addition, high quality Canare™ Star Quad™ microphone
cable is used which provides greater insurance against RFI. This premium microphone cable is also
guaranteed not to rotate or move due to temperature or humidity changes. The heavy microphone body also
provides enough weight to pull the microphone cable straight down for a good cosmetic appearance.
Installers will love the mini-gooseneck on the ChoirMic, as it allows easy positioning of the microphone
head. Many conventional choir microphones require a wire spring type element on the cable to position the
microphone. Not much fun for an installer on top of a tall step ladder. These types of microphones usually
require many trips up and down the ladder to position each microphone. Installers will quickly appreciate the
simplicity and ease of positioning of the Earthworks ChoirMic which hangs straight and stable, and can be
easily positioned with the mini-ex gooseneck.
Other important design features of the ChoirMics is their high SPL handling up to 145dB SPL. Their
extended high frequency response to 30kHz will improve intelligibility and sound quality. The very
short diaphragm settling time of the ChoirMic will allow the listeners to hear detail never before
possible (which is masked by conventional microphones). The use of high current, Class A, low
distortion electronics maintain the quality and integrity of the sound and allow high frequency
information to be sent easily through long lengths of cable without loss of high frequency content.
The ChoirMic™ microphone cable is eld replaceable in the event that a microphone cable becomes
damaged, or the use of a longer cable becomes necessary. To replace the cable, loosen the set screw
on the cap at the cable end of the microphone with an Allen wrench. With the set screw loosened,
hold the microphone body in one hand and rotate the top cap with the other hand to remove the top
cap. With the top cap removed, pull on the microphone cable and the connector will come out. This
connector is a Neutrik model NC3FX-SPEC with gold contacts. You can solder it like a standard XLR-3
microphone connector.
To replace the top cap, rst replace the locking push-button under the rubber grommet then push
the reassembled connector back into the microphone body, mating the connectors. Then hold down
the locking push-button and slide the top cap over it and screw the top cap back on. Once the top cap
is screwed on, the locking push-button will lock the connector into place. If you have any difculty in
replacing the microphone cable, please contact the Earthworks factory for assistance.
MICROPHONE CABLE IS
FIELD REPLACEABLE
CHOIRMIC™ DESIGN
PHILOSOPHY
Earthworks ChoirMics with a mini-ex gooseneck can be
positioned quite easily
Conventional Choir microphones with wire clips are extremely
difcult to position

Online Warranty Registration
You can perform the warranty registration for your Earthworks microphones online by visiting the
Earthworks website at www.earthworksaudio.com/register.
Simply complete this form with the required information. You can also register multiple microphones
on the same online registration form.
Warranty Repair
Each Earthworks High Denition Microphone™ is expertly designed and hand made by members
of our highly trained staff. We make every effort to design out any potential problems we can foresee
when our microphones are used in the eld. In addition only the very best of components are utilized
in making these outstanding premium quality microphones. Earthworks microphones have been
utilized by audio professionals for over a decade. Our very low number of repairs indicates that you will
have years of dependable and trouble free use of your Earthworks microphone or microphones.
If your microphone develops a problem, please contact the Earthworks
warranty repair department by phone at [phone], Ext. 119 or by email
at:[e-mail].
WARRANTY & REPAIR
The ChoirMics™ use Canare™ Star Quad™ microphone cable which has two twisted pairs and a shield.
Solder the shield to pin 1, the white twisted pair (i.e. both white wires) to pin 2. and the blue twisted pair
(i.e. both blue wires) to pin 3.
SPECIFICATIONS
PIN CONNECTION
INFORMATION FOR
INSTALLING THE XLR
C30C
Frequency Response 20Hz – 30kHz
Polar Pattern Cardioid
Sensitivity 20mV/Pa (-34 dBV/Pa)
Power requirements 24-48V Phantom,10mA
Peak acoustic input 145dB SPL
Output XLR (PIN 2+)
Minimum output
load
600Ω, balanced
between pins 2&3
Noise 20dB SPL (A weighted)
Dimensions L x D 12.75 x .860 inches
(324mm x 22mm)
Attached Cable 30’ (9.14m)
Canare Star Quad™
Weight (microphone only) .22lb (100g)
(mic with 30’ cable) 1.2lb
(544.3g)
C30/HC
Frequency Response 20Hz – 30kHz
Polar Pattern Cardioid
Sensitivity 20mV/Pa (-34 dBV/Pa)
Power requirements 24-48V Phantom,10mA
Peak acoustic input 139dB SPL
Output XLR (PIN 2+)
Minimum output
load
600Ω, balanced
between pins 2&3
Noise 20dB SPL (A weighted)
Dimensions L x D 12.75 x .860 inches
(324mm x 22mm)
Attached Cable 30’ (9.14m)
Canare Star Quad™
Weight (microphone only) .22lb (100g)
(mic with 30’ cable) 1.2lb
(544.3g)

Earthworks near-perfect polar response may require some elements of your mike placement to be
done differently. Please read the manual to gain a full understanding of the pick-up characteristics of
Earthworks cardioid microphones.
GUIDELINES
FOR POSITIONING
CHOIRMICS
Near-perfect polar response will allow placing the microphones closer to
the choir (as close as 3 feet). The height of the microphone should be in line
with the head of the highest singer in the choir.
When miking choirs with an
orchestra or band in front of
the choir, the microphone
head should be perpendicular
to the oor to provide the
greatest amount of isolation
from the orchestra or band.
Figure 3 shows the way “not
to” position the microphones.
Figure 4 shows the
correct way to position the
microphones.
If you do not have an
orchestra or band, positioning
the microphones as shown
in Figure 4 will also provide
greater isolation from
loudspeakers located behind
the microphone as well as
reduce pick-up of unwanted
sounds from the audience.
Figure 3 - Incorrect - poor isolation from
the orchestra
Figure 4 - Correct - maximum isolation
from the orchestra
Microphone Placement Distance and Height
Place microphones as close as 3 feet in front of choir and no lower than the heads of the highest singers.
Figure 1 - Microphone head positioned
perpendicular to the oor
Figure 2 - Microphone head posi-tioned
at an angle to the oor

37 Wilton Rd. Milford, NH 03055
[phone]
[e-mail]
earthworksaudio.com
© 2020 Earthworks, Inc