RODE Microphones K2 Manual

All RODE products are warranted for one year from date of purchase and the
warranty card or website registration facility should be used to register your
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 reqarding your RODE
microphone, first, contact the dealer who sold it to you. If the microphone requires
factory-authorised service, that dealer will organise return. 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 or contact your local distributor.
International
RODE Microphones, ABN: 91 000 576 483
Unit 2, 107 Carnarvon Street, Silverwater NSW 2128 Australia
Ph: 61 2 9648 5855, Fax: [phone]
USA
P.O. Box 3279
Torrance, CA 90510-3278
Ph: 877 328 7456 (Toll Free Within the U.S.) Ph: 310 328 7456, Fax: [phone]
Technical Support
For information and technical support questions contact: [email protected]
In the United States and Puerto Rico, contact:
[email protected]
Ph: 877 328 7456 toll free or Ph: 310 328 7456
In Australia, contact:
[email protected]
Ph: 02 9648 5855
Anywhere except Australia, the United States and Puerto Rico, contact:
[email protected]
Australia: Ph: 61 2 9648 5855
11
WARRANTY SERVICE
37043 RODE K2 Instruction Man 12/12/03 5:14 PM Page 2

RØDE STUDIO CONDENSER MICROPHONES
The K2 Instruction Guide
The K2 Instruction Guide
37043 RODE K2 Instruction Man 12/12/03 5:14 PM Page 3

THE K2 VALVE CONDENSER MICROPHONE
Serial Number: ……………………………………………
Checked by: ……………………………………………
Date: ……………………………………………
We at Rode would like to thank you and congratulate you on purchasing the Rode K2.
This valve microphone represents the finest studio microphone technology currently
available. The K2 is a valve condenser design in the tradition of the classic studio
microphones. The character of the K2 sound will become immediately obvious the
first time you record with it. While we have captured the subtlety of the legendary
valve microphones, we have also made sure the noise specification and reliability is
equal to current professional recording standards.
Please take a little time to read this short manual as it will help you get the most
from you microphone.
We welcome feedback from our customers so why not drop us a line and tell us
your story.
Again, thank you for your purchase.
Peter Freedman
RODE MICROPHONES
Sydney Australia
1
37043 RODE K2 Instruction Man 12/12/03 5:14 PM Page 4

2
SPECIFICATIONS
Acoustic Principle: Externally polarized 25 mm (1") condenser
Active Electronics: Valve impedance converter with bipolar output buffer.
Pickup Pattern: Multi pattern (see graph)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz ~ 20 kHz (see graph)
Output Impedance: 200
Sensitivity: -36 dB re 1Volt/Pascal (16 mV @ 94dB SPL) +/- 2dB
Equivalent Noise: 10 dB-A SPL (per IEC651, IEC268-15)
Maximum Output: > +30 dBu (@ 1% THD into 1k )
Dynamic Range: 150 dB (per IEC651, IEC268-15)
Maximum SPL: 162 dB (@ 1% THD into 1k )
Signal/Noise: > 81 dB (1kHz relative to 1 Pa; per IEC651, IEC268-15)
Power Requirements: Dedicated Power Supply (110 ~ 120V/220 ~ 240V, 50/60Hz)
Frequency Responses
37043 RODE K2 Instruction Man 12/12/03 5:14 PM Page 5

3
FEATURES
• New large capsule with gold-sputtered diaphragm.
• Ultra low noise.
• Wide dynamic range.
• Class ‘A’ valve circuitry.
• Hand-selected and graded 6922 twin-triode valve.
• Dedicated Power Supply.
• High strength welded and heat-treated steel mesh head.
• Durable satin nickel finish.
• Internal capsule shock mounting.
• High level of RF rejection.
• Supplied complete with SM2 Shock Mount and RC2 Custom Carry Case.
• Designed and manufactured in Sydney, Australia.
• Continuously variable polar patterns. From omni, through cardioid to figure of
eight, controlled at the power supply.
Polar Responses
37043 RODE K2 Instruction Man 12/12/03 5:14 PM Page 6

4
ACCESSORIES
K2 Power Supply
RC2 Custom Carry Case SM2 Shock Mount
K2 Cable
37043 RODE K2 Instruction Man 12/12/03 5:14 PM Page 7

BEFORE USING THE K2
• Ensure that your K2 has been set to the correct voltage as used in your country.
• The back panel of the K2 power supply has a mains input socket, a signal
ground (earth) lift, a mic input socket, a voltage selector, and a mains power
socket which also incorporates a fuse.
• The front panel of the power supply has the mains power on/off switch, and a
blue LED (light-emitting diode) to indicate power status. It also houses the rotary
control for operation of the totally variable polar patterns. (See ‘NOTE’ below).
• The K2 can be used with mains supply voltages of between either 110-120V
50/60Hz, and 220-240V 50/60Hz with the correct switch settings.
• To select for 100-110V use, set the Voltage Selector to 115V.
• To select for 220-240V use, set the Voltage Selector to 230V.
• Note: On either voltage selection the mains fuse (inside the mains socket) must
always be a T500mA slow blow fuse.
NOTE: NEVER OPEN THE POWER SUPPLY, THERE ARE NO USER SERVICABLE
PARTS INSIDE AND LEATHAL VOLTAGES PRESENT!
FOR ALL SERVICE PLEASE SEND THE UNIT TO AN AUTHORSIED RODE
SERVICE AGENT OR CONTACT RODE AT WWW[email protected]
Having ensured that the power supply is now set to the correct voltage, you can
begin to connect the K2 to its supply.
5
NEVER REMOVE THE MAINS EARTH Doing so can have lethal consequences
ACHTUNG: LEBENSGEFAHR! 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
37043 RODE K2 Instruction Man 12/12/03 5:14 PM Page 8

6
• Take the K2 Cable
(supplied) and connect the
male 7pin plug to the 7pin
input socket on the back
panel of the power supply.
• Connect the other end of
the cable (female 7pin plug)
to the microphone. (See
Picture). Ensure that both
these plugs are correctly
aligned and pushed firmly
into their respective sockets.
• Now connect a microphone
cable to the output socket
of the power supply taking that output into your mixer/pre-amplifier. We suggest
you use a high quality microphone cable preferably with gold-plated contacts. Use
as short a cable as is reasonable, as long cables can adversely affect sound quality.
• Ensure that the K2 is fixed securely (using the SM2 shock mount) to a stable
microphone stand. The K2 condenser microphone is a precision instrument, and
should not be dropped, banged or knocked. Take care.
• Connect the power supply to the mains supply, and you are ready to switch on
and begin using the K2.
• When you switch on the unit, the blue LED on the power supply will glow. It is
wise to allow a minute or two to ensure that the K2 is stabilised and ready for use.
• For vocal use, we recommend the use of a ‘Pop-Stopper’ wind screen, which
will help to reduce high-level plosives which are evident when ‘B’ and ‘P’
sounds are emitted within close proximity to the microphone.
• If an Earth Loop is present, (a mains frequency hum), there is a Ground Lift
switch on the back panel of the power supply which should be raised to the ‘lift’
position. This earth loop can appear when two devices which are both earthed
are connected together.
37043 RODE K2 Instruction Man 12/12/03 5:14 PM Page 9

NOTE: Continuously Variable Polar Pattern
Your K2 can be adjusted to any Polar Pattern from omni, through cardioid to figure
of eight. This flexibility allows recording of most instruments and/or voices with
absolute control.
Select the preferred Polar Pattern. This is done with the circular dial (knob) on the
front of the K2’s Power Supply. (The most commonly used pattern for vocal
recording is Cardioid – dial in the 12o’clock position).
When the cardioid position is selected, the microphone picks up sound from in
front of the microphone, and rejects sound from the rear.
When in the omni position (fully anti-clockwise), the microphone picks up sound
from all around the microphone and there is less proximity effect than in cardioid
mode. (Proximity Effect is an increase in lower (bass) frequencies when the sound
source is ‘close’ to the microphone).The omni pattern is commonly used for room
(ambient) mic’ing or to record a more natural sound when close mic’ing instruments.
When in the Figure 8 position (fully clockwise), the microphone picks up sound from in
front and behind, and rejects sound from the other two sides. This pattern is commonly
used for interviews (2 people with the microphone between them) or in conjunction
with a cardioid microphone to use the MS (mid-side) stereo recording technique.
You are able to select any position between these three main settings.
For example, if you choose a setting about halfway between the omni and cardioid
positions, you will notice ‘some’ sound being picked up from the rear of the
microphone, instead of being almost completely rejected (in cardioid). This can be
particularly useful when you do in fact wish for ‘some’ sound from the rear, but not
so much as when in omni mode.
Experiment with the K2; listen to the various patterns, and decide what suits your
current application best.
7
37043 RODE K2 Instruction Man 12/12/03 5:14 PM Page 10

Vocals
We strongly suggest the use of a ‘pop-
filter’ for ALL vocal recording. Plosives
(‘P’s, ‘B’s and ‘C’s) can produce a sudden
jet of air which can cause the capsule to
‘bottom out’ (overload) and produce a
‘popping’ sound. Pop filters help to
prevent the effects of plosives. Moisture
on the capsule can cause problems for
condenser microphones but the use of a
pop filter reduces that risk.
Placement of the microphone and pop filter are important and depend on the
volume and style of the vocalist. The best position will be determined only by
experiment but the graphic above may be considered a reasonable starting position.
The Proximity effect is experienced when close to the microphone, and that is
evident with an apparent increase in the lower (bass) frequencies. Proper
microphone technique can enable good use to be made of this effect.
E.g. Intimate or low-volume phrases can be recorded ‘within proximity’ (closer to
the microphone), and louder sections of the performance will be presented from a
greater distance. This ‘microphone control’ is of utmost importance when wishing
to give expression to a vocal recording.
Piano
To record a piano using a single
microphone that microphone should be
placed approximately 60cm (or 2’) above
the centre of the sound-board, aimed
slightly towards the front of the piano.
8
Single
microphone
technique
37043 RODE K2 Instruction Man 12/12/03 5:14 PM Page 11

9
To record the piano using X/Y Stereo technique, two K2’s should be angled at 90-
110 degrees to each other, over the hammers with one mic aimed towards the
lower strings and the other towards the high strings.
The gold dots should be directed down, towards the piano.
An effective stereo ambience can be achieved by recording the lower keys on the
left and the high keys on the right, placing the middle keys around the centre of
the sound spectrum.
Drums
There are various ways to record drum kits.
Single microphone ‘overhead’, two microphones overhead (eg X/Y or spaced
Multiple microphones used close to individual drums & cymbals. (i.e. Close mic’ing).
To record a kit with a single microphone, we suggest that you begin by placing the
mic’ above the centre of the kit at the same height as the kit is wide, with the
front of the microphone facing down.
To record the kit with TWO overhead microphones, they should be used at a
similar height (as above) and depending on the size of the kit, between 1-2m apart.
The mic’s would probably be equi-distant from the snare drum.
To record a kit using the X/Y stereo
technique, two K2’s should be placed
(as above in the single microphone
position) with the front of each
microphone pointing down, and each
at 90-110 degrees to each other.
K2 facing down towards drum kit
37043 RODE K2 Instruction Man 12/12/03 5:14 PM Page 12

10
Acoustic Guitar
A common (single) microphone position when
recording acoustic guitar, is between 20 and 30cm
away from the front of the instrument where the
neck and body meet. Adjust the distance and
position to ‘finely’ tune the desired response. This
desired response will depend on the instrument,
the style of playing, and the sound aspired to.
Electric Guitar / Bass
To mic-up a guitar or bass amplifier (as opposed
to Direct Injection of that instrument) a
microphone may be placed close to the
loudspeaker of the amplifier, directed slightly to
the side (off axis) of that speaker. In the absence
of a Pad, it may be necessary to move the
microphone further from the speaker to avoid
distortion when loud volume is used. We hope
that the above information is of assistance to
newcomers to the art of music recording.
There are many sources of further information on recording and microphone
technique which are too extensive to detail here, and we hope that you will
investigate those techniques with your RODE microphones. We wish you success
and thank you for choosing RODE.
WARNING: NEVER REMOVE THE MAINS EARTH. DOING SO CAN HAVE
LETHAL CONSEQUENCES.
NOTE: There are no user-serviceable parts inside the K2 power 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 circumstance open the unit yourself.
37043 RODE K2 Instruction Man 12/12/03 5:14 PM Page 13