Lewitt LCT 840 User manual

www.lewitt-audio.com
LCT 840
EMPHASIZE
THE
IN
YOUR
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GENUINE
SOUND

LCT 840 Introduction
Thank you that you have opted for a LEWITT product. In this operating manual you will learn more about your LEWITT microphone, its handling
and its proper usage.
With the LCT Authentica Series, LEWITT introduces a new generation of highly versatile wired condenser microphones that all aim for setting
new benchmarks of technology, sound quality and user-friendliness in both professional studio recording and onstage use.
The microphones of the LCT Authentica Series stand for unaltered sound and innovative features: llluminated Settings, Noiseless Push
Buttons, Automatic Attenuation with Clip Detection and History all ensure error-free sonic perfection and peerless ease of use for today’s
demanding recording artists and engineers.
Day after day, be it for live acts, in home studios or in professional studio productions.
LEWITT wishes you a lot of fun and success with this product!
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LCT 840 The product
LEWITT’s LCT 840 is a premium-class externally polarized dual-diaphragm tube microphone designed to excel in a
variety of demanding applications. Equipped with a precision-engineered 1-inch capsule, the LCT 840 stands for
exceptionally warm and classic, solid vintage sound. Perfectly suited for miking vocals and instruments, this rugged
multi-purpose microphone allows for highly nuanced and authentic sound reproduction in the studio and even on
stage. Five switchable polar patterns – omni-directional, cardioid, figure-8, wide-cardioid and super-cardioid –
make the LCT 840 a highly versatile tool for professional audio engineers and performers looking for true and
authentic tube sound.
Like all LEWITT mics, the LCT 840 stands out for its extremely low self-noise of 9 dB and effective rejection of off-axis
sounds. The microphone features three levels of attenuation and three switchable high-pass filters, LEDs and
pushbuttons for noiseless handling on the power supply unit (PSU).
Apart from user-friendly operating controls and advanced technological features so essential to memorable
recordings, the LCT 840 also makes an eye-catching design statement: The microphone is equipped with a
plexiglass inspection window on the front side of the body, so the illuminated tube itself is fully exposed. The inside
window surface is coated with a highly conductive, yet transparent film preventing electromagnetic interference.
In short: The unique combination of innovative design, high-end technology and tube-typical sound quality ensures
magic takes.

LCT 840 Features / Top applications
Features
Ultra-thin 1-inch externally biased, gold-layered low-mass diaphragms combined with a dual
triode tube ensures accurate transient response while providing smooth, warm and airy tube
sound
Five consistent directional characteristics – cardioid, omnidirectional, figure-8, broad cardioid
and supercardioid – offer maximum flexibility
Superior dynamic range of 130 dB-A (Tube) and extremely low self-noise of 9 dB-A for
ear-catching realism and distortion-free sonic depth
3-position switchable pre-attenuation pad (0 dB, 10 dB, and 20 dB) for handling extremely high
sound pressure levels and 3-position high-pass filter
Illuminated user interface and jog dials for easy handling even in dark environments
Noiseless pushbuttons for quick and easy attenuation and HPF selection
Unique features like clipping history and automatic attenuation provide error-free studio recording
and unparalleled ease of use
Solid die-cast metal body with a stylish, oversized tube inspection window specially coated for
maximum protection against electromagnetic interference
Custom PSU 840 power supply unit with sturdy full-metal housing and brushed, anodized black
aluminum front
Extra-large hexagonal ruthenium-galvanized steel mesh grille provides an open acoustic environment
and prevents unwanted internal reflections
Corrosion-resistant gold-plated 3-pin XLR output connector
Comes in a black case; includes PSU 840 power supply unit, LCT 40 SHxx shock mount, LCT 40 Tr audio
cable with gold-plated 11-pin XLR connectors and LCT 40 Wxx windscreen
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Top applications
Lead and background vocals
Acoustic instruments // piano, guitar,
drums, percussion, strings...
Wind instruments // brass and
woodwinds...
Demanding studio applications
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User-interface
② On / Off switch
③ Status indicator
④ Polar pattern selection, jog-dial
① Mains voltage selection switch ⑤ High-pass filter indications
⑥ Noiseless high-pass filter
push button
⑦ Pre-attenuation indications
⑧ Noiseless pre-attenuation push button
⑨ 3-pin XLR socket
⑩ 11-pol. XLR-Stecker
Mains socket
Fuse
11-pin audio cable
Getting started
■Make sure that the Mains voltage selection ① switch is set
to the correct position.
■Use the 11-pin audio cable to connect the microphone with
the 11-pin XLR socket on the backside of the PSU.
■Use the 3-pin audio cable to connect your mixer with the
3-pin XLR socket ⑩ on the backside of the PSU.
■Put the LCT 840 into operation by activating the On / Off
switch ② on the backside of the PSU.
LCT 840 Using the mic
⑦
③
⑧
④
⑥
⑤
①
②
⑩
⑨

Using the mic
LCT 840
Status indicator ③
■The microphone is in normal working mode if the status indicator is illuminated in white.
■The microphone is in key-lock mode if the status indicator is not illuminated.
■The microphone experiences clipping due to high SPL if the status indicator flashes in red.
■The microphone is in automatic attenuation mode if the status indicator is illuminated in red
■he microphone indicates the clipping history if the status indicator flashes red and white in an alternating sequence.
Polar pattern selection ④
■The currently active polar pattern is illuminated in white.
■Select up to five different directivity characteristics by briefly turning the jog-dial to the right or left.
High pass filter indications ⑤
■The currently active high-pass filter setting is illuminated in white.
Setting a high-pass filter ⑥
■High-pass filters can be set by briefly pressing the noiseless high-pass filter push button ⑥.
Settings are: linear, 12 dB / octave at 40 Hz and 6 dB / octave at 300 Hz.
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LCT 840 Using the mic
Pre-attenuation indications
The currently active pre-attenuation setting is illuminated in white.
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Setting a pre-attenuation level
⑧
■⑨0 dB,
Pre-attenuation levels can be set by briefly pressing the noiseless pre-attenuationpush button . Settings are: -10 dB
and 20 dB. Pre-attenuation is used in extremely high SPL environments in order to prevent clipping of the microphone, mixer
and other audio equipment
The microphone will automatically adjust to the next higher attenuation level if it experiences clipping due to a high SPL. The microphone
enters and leaves the automatic attenuation mode by constantly pressing the pre-attenaution push button ⑧ for more than 2 seconds. The
microphone is set to automatic attenuation mode if the status indicator ③ is illuminated in red. Please note that the microphone will need
one second to adjust to the new attenuation level in the event of too high sound pressure levels.
Automatic attenuation function

Using the mic
Key-lock function
The noiseless push buttons and as well as the polar pattern jog dial can be locked by pressing the jog dial
knob for more than 2 seconds.
■⑥ ⑧ ④
④
Clipping history
Checking the clipping history lets you know if the microphone had experienced clipping in the past. The microphone displays
the clipping history after constantly pressing the high-pass push button for more than two seconds. When in clipping history
mode the status indicator flashes red and white in an alternating sequence, the polar pattern indications as well as the high-pass
indications are not illuminated. Clipping history mode provides information and works according to the rules listed below:
⑥
②
⑤
LCT 840
■The last manually set attenuation level is indicated by a constantly illuminated attenuation LED. If clipping has occurred in the past this
LED will flash.
■The clipping history information can only be accessed once. Clipping information will be deleted after leaving this mode by constantly
pressing the high-pass filter push button ⑥ for more than two seconds.
■Clipping history information will be deleted once you access the automatic attenuation mode.
■Clipping history information will not be deleted when unplugging the microphone.
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LCT 840 Tech graph
Tech graph
Figure 8-
Super-Cardioid
3 / dB unit
3 / dB unit
16kHz
16kHz
dB 1 V / Pa ref.
dB 1 V / Pa ref.

Broad Cardioid-
Omni Directional-
Cardioid
3 dB unit /
3 dB unit /
3 / dB unit
16kHz
16kHz
LCT 840 Tech graph
16kHz
10
dB 1 V / Pa ref.
dB 1 V / Pa ref.
dB 1 V / Pa ref.

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LCT 840
Tech data
Acoustical operating principle:
Transducer Ø:
Directional pattern:
Frequency range:
Sensitivity:
Signal / noise ratio :
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pressure gradient transducer,
externally polarized
25,4 mm
1 inch
omni
broad-cardioid
cardioid
super-cardioid
figure-8
selectable on remote control
20 ... 20.000 Hz
23 mV / Pa (-33 dBV), cardioid
20 mV / Pa (-34 dBV), omni
23 mV / Pa (-33 dBV), figure-8
85 dB-A
Equivalent noise level
(IEC 61672-1) :
Dynamic range of mic. amp.:
Max. SPL for 0,5 % THD:
Pre-attenuation pad:
Bass cut filter slope:
Rated impedance:
Rated load impedance:
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9 dB-A, cardioid
10 dB-A, omni (IEC 61672-1)
9 dB-A, figure-8 (IEC 61672-1)
130 dB-A
139 dB, 0 dB pre-attenuation
149 dB, 10 dB pre-attenuation
159 dB, 20 dB pre-attenuation
10 dB
20 dB
selectable on remote control
12 dB / octave at 40 Hz
6 dB / octave at 300 Hz
< 200 ohms
> 1.000 ohms
Tech data

Tech data
Supply voltage:
Current consumption:
Connector:
Cable:
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custom power supply unit
230 V, 50 Hz
110 V, 60 Hz
170 mA
gold plated 11-pin XLR
8 m (26 ft)
11-pin audio cable
oxygen-free copper
Dimensions (Mic):
Dimensions (PSU):
Net weight (Mic):
Net weight (PSU):
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192 x 60 x 46 mm
7,5 x 2,4 x 1,8 inch
250 x 150 x 70 mm
9,8 x 5,9 x 2,8 inch
662 g
23,3 oz
1894 g
66,8 oz
LCT 840
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LCT 840 Accessories
Accessories
LCT 40 x Wx LCT 40 SHxx LCT 40 Trs

Cautions
LCT 840
Cautions
To ensure high sensitivity and best sound reproduction of the microphone, avoid exposing it to moisture, dust or extreme temperatures.
Keep this product out of the reach of children.
Do not use force on the switch or cable of the microphone.
When disconnecting the microphone cable, grasp the connector and do not pull the cable.
Do not attempt to modify or fix it. Contact qualified service personnel in case any service is needed. Please do not disassemble or modify
the microphone for any reasons as this will void users warranty.
The casing of the microphone can be cleaned easily using a wet cloth, never use alcohol or another solvent for cleaning. If necessary the
foam wind stopper can be washed with soap water. Please wait till it is dry before using it again.
Also please refer to the owner’s manual of the component to be connected to the microphone.
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The capsule is a sensitive, high precision component. Make sure you do not drop it from high heights and avoid strong mechanical stress
and force.
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LCT 840 Warranty
Warranty
All products manufactured by LEWITT GmbH feature a limited two-year warranty. This two-year warranty is specific to the date of purchase as
shown on your purchase receipt.
LEWITT GmbH shall satisfy the warranty obligations by remedying any material or manufacturing faults free of charge at LEWITT’s discretion
either by repair or by exchanging individual parts or the entire appliance. Any defective parts removed from a product during the course of a
warranty claim shall become the property of LEWITT GmbH.
While under warranty period, defective products may be returned to the authorized LEWITT dealer together with original proof of purchase. To
avoid any damages in transit, please use the original packaging if available. Please do not send your product to LEWITT GmbH directly as it will
not be serviced. Freight charges have to be covered by the owner of the product.
For further information please visit www.lewitt-audio.com or check your warranty card.

Regulatory information
LCT 840
LEWITT GmbH declares under its sole responsibility that LCT 840 complies
with the European directive 2004/108/EC and 2006/95/EC. The product has
been tested according to harmonized European standards:
EN 55022: 2010
EN 55024: 2010
EN 61000-3-2: 2006 + A2: 2009
EN 61000-3-3: 2008
EN 60950-1:2006 + A11:2009 + A1:2010 + A12:2011
Product testing was carried out by SEM. Test Compliance Service Co., Ltd.
notified body number SEM11124587 / SEM11126875.
LEWITT GmbH hereby declares under its sole responsibility that LCT 840
has been tested and conforms to the following FCC and ANSI standards:
FCC Part 15B Section 15.205, 15.107 and 15.109
ANSI C63.4-2009
Product testing was carried out by SEM. Test Compliance Service Co., Ltd.
WEEE note: Electronic waste has to be collected separately. Please bring
this device to a local recycling center at the end of its life time.
Manufacturers signature:
Date: 18th November 2010 DI Roman Perschon
Place: Vienna, AUSTRIA CEO – Lewitt GmbH
Declaration of conformity can be downloaded at www.lewitt-audio.com or
obtained from [e-mail].
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Mooslackengasse 17
1190 Vienna
AUSTRIA
[e-mail]
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