Milab DC-196 User manual

Operating instructions
DC-196

Milab Microphones AB
Norra Strandgatan 4
P.O. Box 1342
S-251 13 Helsingborg
SWEDEN
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.milabmic.com
Milab Microphones is a trademark of Milab Microphones, Sweden.
Trademarks of other companies mentioned in this documentation, appear for identification purposes only
and are the property of their respective companies.
Copyright © 1997-2005 Milab Microphones, Sweden. All rights reserved.
Errors excepted, subject to changes.

Table of Contents
3. DC-196 Condenser
Microphone Art.No 1133
2. The following items will be
included in the delivery:
1. Welcome
2. Included in the delivery
3. DC-196 Condenser Microphone
4. Connection
5. Guidelines
6. Frequency response
7. Polar diagram
8. Specifications DC-196
9. Declaration of Conformity (CE)
10. Service & Cleaning
11. Lifetime Warranty
1. Welcome to Milab Microphones
Thank You for choosing a Milab
Microphone!
Milab Microphones has more than 60 years
of experience of developing and
manufacturing professional microphones
for studio and stage. The microphones are
well-known and frequently used by
conscious and accurate audio professionals
all over the world. Milab Microphones are
known for the unique sound and design. All
microphones are handmade and
individually tested with full documentation
before shipping. We put an extra effort in
high quality and best performance! All
microphones are delivered with a lifetime
warranty.
•1 pcs of Milab DC-196 with
individually plotted frequency curve
•1 pcs of stand holder
•1 pcs of windscreen
•1 pcs of manual
The DC-196 microphone is designed for
professional vocal and instrumental work,
both on stage and in studio. The
microphone has the rectangular large
membrane capsule, which has made Milab
studio microphones famous. It has a
variable polar pattern, easily adjusted with a
knob into 3 positions; Omni, Cardioid and
Figure-of-eight. It is also equipped with a
-12dB pre-attenuation, which makes the
microphone able to take sound pressure
levels (SPL) more than 144dB. The body is
made of solid brass and it is connected
with a standard XLR-contact. The
microphones gives a fullbodied,
exceptionally clean sound with natural
brightness.
Features:
•Variable pattern; Omni, Cardioid,
Figure-of-eight
•Rectangular large dual membrane
capsule
•Very efficient built-in POP-protection
•Shock absorbing rubber fitted capsule
•48 V phantom
•-12dB pre-attenuation
3

4
5. Guidelines for Microphone use
•The DC-196 microphone should be
aimed with the milab logo towards
the sound source. See polar patterns.
•The DC-196 microphone must be
placed in a microphone stand
holder (enclosed) or in a shock-
mount. This microphone is not
intended to be used as a handheld.
•When using the microphone close to
vocals or other sound source, the
proximity effect appear. Proximity
effect is experienced like a more
powerful bass.
•When using, do not cover the
microphone grill with your hand.
•When the microphone is used outdoors,
it may be advisable to use the wind-
screen to minimize wind noise.
•Protect the microphone from dust
and dirt which may affect the
membrane.
•The DC-196 is equipped with a pre-
attenuation switch. When risk for more
than 132 dB SPL (Sound Pressure
Level), set the switch in the -12dB
position. It will then take a few minutes
(2-5) to stabilize it´s settings.
•The microphone should be placed as
close to the sound source as possible.
Used in vocal applications, unwanted
“pop” –sounds can appear. If so, use
the windscreen (enclosed) as an
external pop-filter.
•Protect the microphone from water,
extreme heat and humidity.
•The DC-196 is a multi-purpose
microphone with a variable polar
pattern. Depending om what type of
pattern is suitable for the situation, one
of three patterns can be choosed.
Firmly turn the knob to set the
microphone polar pattern in Cardioid,
Omni or Figure-of-eight position.
4. Connection
The DC-196 can be connected to any mic
input, mixer/amplifier, or mic preamp using
a standard microphone cable.
The microphone is designed for phantom
powering at 48 V (P12, P24, P48, IEC
1938) with positive voltage on the audio
lines versus the cable shield.
Microphone connection:
1 Ground (shield)
2 Hot (+ phase)
3 Cold (- phase)
When the input device do not have phan-
tom powering, an external power supply has
to be connected between the microphone
and the input. Be sure that the extra phan-
tom power has a DC-free output against the
mixer (like Milab phantom power supply
Connecting the microphone to an
unbalanced input.
Connecting the microphone to an
unbalanced input without any transformer.
Pin 2 is the “hot phase“ and should be
connected to the input, and pin 3 should be
left open.
Art No: 1300), otherwise a RC network has
to be incorporated to block the 48 Vdc.

6. Frequency response at 1m distance
7. Polar diagram
The frequency response may vary within ± 2,5 dB of the published
graph. Before delivery, each microphone is measured and accompanied
with it’s own graph.
Cardioid
Omni
Eight
5

6
10. Service & Cleaning
All service and repair of the microphone should be performed by authorized service personnel.
After frequent use in different environments and by different hands, all metal surfaces may be
safely cleaned from time to time with alcohol or methylated spirits.
CAUTION! Protect the membrane when cleaning.
11. Lifetime Warranty
9. Declaration of Conformity CE
Milab Microphones AB, declares as it´s sole responsibility that the above named product is in
compliance with the EMC Directive 89/336/EEC, 92/31/EOF and conform to the
requirements of the Harmonized Products Standards EN 55013, EN 55020, IEC 803-1.
The aforementioned products may only be used for audio purposes, and in configurations
approved by Milab Microphones AB
Milab introduced a lifetime warranty for all microphones manufactured in 1997 and later.
Your microphone is covered by our lifetime warranty. If your microphone breaks down, contact
the place where you purchased it, either they will repair it or send it to our service department in
Sweden. We will immediately start a fault detecting and a guarantee inspection. Not valid for
2:nd hand purchased products.
The warranty does not cover carelessness as physical negligence or electrical overload etc.
Users of this product must accept the following disclaimer of warranty.
8. Specifications DC-196
Frequency response ( see graph ) 20 - 20 000 Hz
Polar pattern Cardioid, Omni, Figure-of-eight
Pre-attenuation (switchable) -12 dB
Max. SPL ( 1 % THD at 1 kHz) 132/144 dB
Sensitivity at 1kHz 21,5 mV / Pa ± 1 dB
A-weighted noise level ( IEC 179-A) 12 dB
Power supply 48 V ± 4 V phantom
Current consumption 4,2 mA
Output impedance < 200 Ω
Minimum load impedance 1 kΩ
Connection 3-pin XLR
pin 1: ground ( Shield )
pin 2: plus ( Hot )
pin 3: minus ( Cold )
Net weight 240 g
Length 145 mm
Diameter 30 mm

This product is supplied "as is." Milab Microphones disclaims all warranties, expressed or
implied, including --without limitation-- the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any
purpose. Milab Microphones and the user are aware that functional defects in the products
cannot be totally ruled out, in the present state of technical knowledge, even if the very greatest
care is taken. Milab Microphones assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential,
which may result from the use of the supplied product.
Under no circumstances and under no legal theory, tort, contract, or otherwise, shall Milab
Microphones be held liable to you or any other person for any indirect, special, incidental, or
consequential damages of any kind, including, without limitation, damages for loss of goodwill,
work stoppage, computer or equipment failure or malfunction, or any and all other commercial
damages or losses. This limitation of liability shall not apply to liability for death or personal
injury to the extent applicable law prohibits such limitation. Furthermore, some jurisdictions do
not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so this limitation
and exclusion may not apply to you.
This User Agreement shall be exclusively subject to the laws of Sweden.
This is the entire agreement between you and Milab Microphones, which supersedes any prior
agreement or understanding, whether written or oral, relating to the subject matter of this
product. If a fault of the microphone is referred to the Lifetime Warranty, please fill in the form
below and send it with the microphone to your service- or repair shop.
Type of microphone: ........................................................................................................................
Serial number: ........................................................................................................................
Date of purchase: ........................................................................................................................
Purchased from: ........................................................................................................................
(Shop/Dealer/Distributor)
Fault description: ........................................................................................................................
Your Name: ........................................................................................................................
Company (i.e.): ........................................................................................................................
Address: ........................................................................................................................
City: ........................................................................................................................
Country: ........................................................................................................................
Telephone: ........................................................................................................................
Fax: ........................................................................................................................
Mail address: ........................................................................................................................
7

Phantom Power
Supply
art.no: 1300
Stand holder
art.no: 3127
Shockmount
art.no: 3227
Pop shield
art.no: 3500
Mahogany case
art.no: 1004
Windscreen
art.no: 3403
accessories DC-196