RODE Microphones Classic II Manual

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The Classic II
Instruction Guide
RØDE STUDIO CONDENSER MICROPHONES

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THE CLASSIC II
Serial No. _______________
Checked by: _____________
Date: ____________________
Thank you for investing in your Classic II condenser microphone.
We know that it will serve you well for many years and provide you with a
Performance you will be proud of. The Classic II was developed from
the original RØDE Classic, which has itself become the ‘preferred’ valve
microphone of many professional engineers and musicians. The character of
the original Classic has been retained, but by utilizing the new edge-
terminated diaphragm, and further refining the electronic circuitry, a new
level of performance has been achieved.
Please take a few moments to read this information and then enjoy the
results of several years of RØDE Research and Development.

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FEATURES:
•Valve Preamplifier using the 6072 Twin Triode
•New 1” Capsule with Edge-Terminated Gold sputtered Diaphragm
•Custom designed JENSENTM Transformer
•-10dB and –20dB Pads (Switched from Power Supply)
•2 Position High-Pass-Filter (Switched from Power Supply)
•9 Polar Patterns (Switched from Power Supply)
•Low Loss Oxygen-Free Copper Multicore Cable with custom-designed heavy duty
plugs and sockets.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Capsule: 1’ Dual Pressure Sensitivity: 13 mV/Pa
Gradient Transducer Max Spl:130 dB
Frequency Response: 20 Hz-20 KHz Output Impedance: 250 ohms
Noise:<22dBA
POLAR RESPONSES:
Cardioid Omni Fig. 8
100
1000
10000
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
10
20
Classic II Cardioid Flat
Classic II Cardioid HPF
Response (dB)
Frequency (Hz)
100
1000
10000
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
10
20
Classic II Omni Flat
Classic II Omni HPF
Response (dB)
Frequency (Hz)

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ACCESSORIES:
Power Supply
Mains Power Cable
10m (30’) Multicore Cable
SM2 Shock Mount Suspension
M2 Stand Adaptor
Custom Aluminium Flight Case
CLASSIC Microphone
s
Power Supply
(SACLII-PS)
Stand Adaptor
(
SACLll-SA)
Flight Case
(ZPK014)
SM2
(SACLII-SM)
Multicore
(
SACLll-MC)
Power Cable
(
SACLll-PL)

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NOTE: There are NO user-serviceable parts inside the
Classic II supply, but there ARE potentially lethal voltages.
If the supply does not work correctly, you should consult either the
dealer you purchased the microphone from, or a qualified electronic
technician.
DO NOT under any circumstances open the unit yourself.
ACTUNG: Das Classic II Netztell enthlät keine Teile, die vom
Benutzer repariert werden können. Gefahr: Das Gerät enthält
spannungführende Bauteile! Für Reparaturen suchen Sie bitte
Ihren Händler oder einen qualifizierten Fachbetrieb auf.
Auf keinen Fall dürfen Sie selbst das Gehäuse offnen!
NOTA: All’interno dell’alimentatore del Classic ll NON ci sono parti
riparabili dall’utente ma ci sono invece tensioni pericolose! Se
l’alimentatore non funziona correttamente dovete consultare il rivenditore
presso il quale avete acquistato il microfono oppure un tecnico
elettronico qualificato.
NON APRITE in ogni caso l’unità in quanto pericoloso!
AVERTISSEMENT: N’enlevez pas le capot de l’alimentation, sous
risque d’éléctrocution. Si l’alimentation ne fonctionne pas
correctement, consultez votre revendeur, ou un technicien qualifié.
Vous ne devez sous aucun prétexte ouvrir l’alimenation vous-
même.
NOTA: NO MANIPULE INTERNAMENTE LA FUENTE DE
ALIMENTACION DEL RODE CLASSIC ll, PUESTO QUE EL ALTO
VOLTAJE PUEDE SER PERJUDICIAL EN CASO DE SUFRIR UNA
DESCARGA. SI SE APRECIARA UN FUNCIONAMIENTO
INCORRECTO DE LA FUENTE DE ALIMENTACION, DEBERA
CONSULTARLO EN EL ESTABLECIMIENTO DONDE ADQUIRIO LA
UNIDAD, SOLO PUEDE SER MANIPULADO POR UN SERVICO
TECNICO CUALIFICADO, BAJO NINGUNA CIRCUNSTANCIA ABRA
VD. LA UNIDAD.

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Before using the CLASSIC II:
•Ensure the classic II has been set to the correct voltage as used in
your country. (This will be indicated by the attached label).
•The back panel of the CLASSIC II Power5 Supply has a Mains Input
Socket which includes a Switch, a Fuse and a Voltage Selector
(see below).
•The classic II can be used with mains supply voltages of either
100-120V 50/60Hz or 220-240V 50/60Hz.
•To select 100-120V use, set the Voltage Selector to 120V and use a
250 mA slow blow fuse
•To select 220-240V use, set the Voltage Selector to 240V and use
a 160 mA slow blow fuse.
Now that you have ensured the Power Supply is set to the
correct voltage, you can begin to connect the
Classic II microphone to its supply.
Main Switch Fuse & Voltage Selector
Mains Input Socket

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1. Take the Classic II Mulitcore Cable and plug it into the female socket
on the back of the Power Supply. Having the white dot on the male
plug facing upwards will assist in aligning the pins correctly (see 1).
2. The Classic II can be mounted either in the Shock Mount or the Stand
Adaptor. Your choice of Mount should be screwed firmly onto a stable
microphone stand. Now place the base of the microphone into the
mounts’ centre hole, and while
aligning the white dot on the
Multicore plug with the gold dot
on the microphone, connect the
plug firmly and securely to the
microphone socket (see2).
You will see that by screwing the
threaded locking nut of the cable to
the threaded base of the microphone,
the microphone is now seated firmly
in its mount.
The use of the Shock Mount will
reduce the risk of floor-borne
vibrations being picked up and is the
suggested ‘set-up’ when critical
recordings are
being made.
2
1.

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3. Now you will need to connect a microphone cable between the
Classic II Power Supply and your pre-amp. We strongly suggest you
use a high quality cable with gold-plated contacts. The cable should be
as short as it can be practically be as long cables may adversely affect
sound quality.
4. Connect the Mains Lead from the Power Supply socket to your mains
power.
5. You can now activate the Mains Power Switch, but you should allow
several minutes for the Classic II to ‘warm up’ and stabilize before you
begin recording. This slow ‘warm up’ will extend the life of the valve.
The God Dot indicates the front of the microphone.
There are 9 Polar Patterns available on the ClassicII and these are
remotely controlled from the Power Supply. There are NO controls on
the microphone; even the Hi-Pass Filter and the Pad are activated
from the Power Supply.
6. Select the preferred Polar Pattern (commonly Cardioid for regular
vocal recording). Experiment with the microphone; listen to the
various patterns, pad and filter settings and decide what suits your
current application best. Remember there are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’
settings; the Classic II offers you the flexibility to find ‘your sound’.
We suggest you use a ‘pop-stopper’ wind screen when recording
vocals; this will help reduce high-level plosives.

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There is an Earth Lift switch on the back of the Classic II Power Supply.
(see 3.)
This switch enables you to remove an Earth Loop should one occur.
An earth loop shows itself as a mains frequency hum when two devices
whose signal earths are linked are connected together.
Earth Lift Switch
3.

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NEVER REMOVE THE MAINS EARTH
Doing so can have lethal consequences
ACTUNG: LEBBENSGEFAHR!
ENTFERNE NIEMALS DEN
SCHUTZLEITER
NON SCOLLEGATE IL FILO DI TERRA
Potrebbe essere molto pericoloso per il
rischio di scosse elettriche
RELIEZ IMPERATIVEMENT
L’ALIMENTATION A LA PRISE TERRE
sous risque mortel d’électrocution
NUNCA MANIPULE LA TOMA DE TIERRA,
ESTA ACCION PUEDE TENER GRAVES
CONSECUENCIAS

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Warranty Service
All RØDE products are warranted for one year from date
of purchase and the warranty card should be used to
register that purchase.
The warranty covers parts and labour that may be
required to repair the microphone during the warranty
period. The warranty excludes defects caused by normal
wear and tear, modification, shipping damage, or failure
to use the microphone as per the instruction guide.
If you experience any problems, or have any questions
regarding your RØDE microphone, first, contact the
Dealer who sold it to you. If the microphone requires
Factory authorised service, return will be organised by
that Dealer. We have an extensive Distributor/Dealer
network, but if you have difficulty getting the advice or
assistance you require, do not hesitate to contact us
directly.
InternationalTel: 61 -2 8765 9333
Fax: [phone]
AustraliaTel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
USA: Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
e-mail information: [email protected]
www.rodemicrophones.com
or contact your local RØDE Distributor