RODE Microphones NT 3 User manual

(EMC, LVD)
NT3
Instruction Manual
www.rodemic.com

- 2 -
Introduction
Thank you for investing in the NT3 studio
condenser microphone.
Stylish and modern, the NT3 is a studio and location
workhorse. With both P48 phantom power and
internal 9V battery operation, this condenser
microphone is at home anywhere.
Intended for studio, stage and location work, this
versatile handheld or stand mounted microphone
incorporates a true externally polarized condenser
(hyper-cardioid polar response) transducer with an
internal capsule shock mounting system, and an ultra-
low noise electronic circuit that has a high immunity to
R.F. interference.
Please take the time to visit www.rodemic.com and
register your microphone for a full ten year warranty.
While there you can view studio tips and techniques, as
well as browse the comprehensive range of accessories
for the NT3 and other microphones.
Peter Freedman
Microphones
Sydney, Australia

- 3 -
Specifications
Acoustic
Principle:
Externally polarised 19mm (¾”)
condenser
Active
Electronics:
JFET impedance converter
with bipolar output buffer
Directional
Pattern:
Cardioid
(see graph)
Frequency
Range:
20Hz ~ 20,000Hz
(see graph)
Output
Impedence:
200Ω
Sensitivity: -39dB re 1V/Pa @ 1kHz
(12mV/Pa @ 94dB SPL)
±2dB @ 1kHz
Equivalent Noise: <16dBA SPL
(per IEC651)
Maximum
Output:
+9.5dBu
(@ 1kHz, 1% THD into 1kΩ)
Dynamic Range: >123dB (per IEC 6 51)
Maximum SPL: >14 0 d B
(@ 1kHz, 1% THD into 1kΩ)
Signal/Noise: >77dB SPL
(@ 1kHz, rel 1Pa per IEC651)
Power
Requirement:
8mA @ P48 (20-60v)
7mA @ P24 (12-30v)
1.4mA @ P12 (11026v)
1.2mA @ 9V (battery)
Output
Connection:
3-pin XLR
Net Weight: 371g
Dimensions: 270 x 130 x 50mm

- 4 -
Specifications
Frequency Response
Polar Response
Accessories
`ÊÀiÊ£Ê6É*>
ÊÓä
棊
Êä
Ê £ä
Ê Óä
Ê Îä
ÊÓäâÊ £ääÊ £äääÊ £äÊäääÊ ÓäÊäää
äÂ
ä ÓÇ
ä
£näÂ
Ó°ä
Óä°ä
Ê£ä°äÊÊ
ä°ä
Ó°ä
{°ä
È°ä
n°ä
£ä°ä
£Ó°ä
£{°ä
£È°ä
£n°ä
Óä°ä
ÓÓ°ä
Ó{°ä Óx°ä
`ÊÀi°Ê£6É*>
³x°ä
ÀiµÕiVÞ\
Ê xääÊâ\
£äääÊâ\
{äääÊâ\
–
–
–
Wind shield
Stand mount
with 3/8” - 5/8” thread adaptor
Zip pouch

- 5 -
Features
• True condenser externally biased ¾” capsule
• Dual power operation
• Cast metal body with durable satin-nickel finish
• Transformerless output
• Internal capsule shock mounting
• Internal shock mounting system
• High level of RF rejection
• Designed & manufactured in Australia
• Full 10 year warranty*
Powering the NT3
• The NT3 can be powered by either phantom power
or 9 volt battery (see specifications).
• Most professional mixing consoles include a 48v
phantom power supply, however in the case that
one does not a separate power supply may be
used.
• If phantom power is not available on your
equipment and you do not have a power supply,
you will need to use battery power. A 9 Volt (PP3)
battery should be fitted into the cavity within the
microphone body ensuring correct polarity (+ to +
and - to -).
• We recommend that you use a high quality alkaline
battery. Tests have shown a life expectancy for
a high quality alkaline battery used in the NT3
to be in excess of 400 hours. This is roughly the
equivalent of 8 hours usage per week for a year.
*Online product registration required.

- 6 -
• The NT3 features a handy power indicator light to
help notify you when the battery is running low.
L.E.D. SINGLE FLASH – When
the L.E.D. flashes (illuminates
for around one second), the
battery power is ‘good’. This
indicates that the microphone
has just been powered.
L.E.D. STAYS ON – When
the L.E.D. light illuminates
continuously the battery power
is getting low. Please replace
the battery as soon as possible,
as the microphone’s sensitivity
is reduced when operated with
a low battery.
• When using NT3 on battery power, it is a good
idea to keep the microphone in the off position
when not in use. This will save battery power and
increase the battery life. We recommend that
during long periods of non-use the battery should
be removed, as it may leak and potentially damage
the microphone.
• If phantom power is available the NT3 will not draw
any power from the 9v battery.

- 7 -
To fit the battery:
1. Unscrew the lower section of the body to reveal the
battery cavity.
Unscrewing NT3 body
2. Flip open the battery clip so that it doesn’t
interfere with loading the battery.
3. Insert the battery into the cavity, inserting the
bottom first. Take note of the plus and minus
symbol on the floor of the battery cavity to ensure
the battery is positioned the correct way.
Inserting the battery
4. Push the battery into place so that it is parallel with
the top of the cavity. Secure the battery in place by
flipping the battery clip over so that it sits on the
battery.
5. Reassemble the body, screwing lower section
firmly together with the upper section.

- 8 -
• A stand mount clip (RM3) is included with your
NT3, and should be used to connect the NT3 firmly
and safely to a stable microphone stand.
• Always use a high quality microphone cable and
ensure that it is wired Pin 1 screen, Pin 2 (+), Pin 3 (-).
You may of course use XLR-XLR, XLR-jack or XLR-
mini-jack depending on your input socket.
• We recommend that any connections made to the
mixer or recorder are made with the attenuation
(gain) set to OFF.
• When first switching the mixer on and phantom
power has been applied to the NT3, or when the
battery power has just been switched on, you
should allow several seconds for the microphone to
stabilize.
• To ensure the lowest noise/distortion your mixer
input gain control should be set so that the Peak
Program Indicator (PPI) LED flashes ON during
peaks of the source (voice/instrument).
If there is no PPI, adjust the input gain while
listening for distortion of the sound. If distortion is
heard, gradually reduce the gain until it is no longer
present.
• Microphone technique, or how to get the sound
you want, requires experimentation.
We suggest that you start with the channel EQ
set to ‘OFF’ or ‘FLAT’ (no boost or cut). Try to get
the sound you want by placing either reflective or
absorbent panels at various angles adjacent to the
source being recorded.
Using the NT3

- 9 -
• Changing the acoustic properties of the space
around the microphone is our recommended initial
approach for obtaining best sound quality.
Remember you cannot change a room’s acoustic
properties with EQ.
When the preferred sound has been achieved
(as above) then EQ and effects such as reverb
or indeed any signal processing can be used for
enhancement, but should be used sparingly.
• When used as a vocal mic, the NT3 will be
potentially subject to moisture, which should be
avoided when using condenser microphones. We
recommend the use of the included windshield
to minimise any moisture build up. This will also
minimise plosive sounds (hard ‘p’, ‘b’, ‘k’ and ‘t’
sounds) that can bottom-out the capsule causing a
popping sound.
• As a live vocal mic the NT3 offers studio-quality
sound in a stage environment, superior to
the sound quality achieved from a dynamic
microphone.

- 10 -
• The low frequency of the NT3 extends to below
20Hz which is an attractive quality for most
recording situations, however in a live situation you
may wish to reduce these frequencies when using
it as a vocal mic. If you have a high pass filter/bass
roll-off then switch it in.
Alternatively try moving the microphone away from
the sound source (out of the proximity effect). This
basic microphone control/technique should be
practiced to ensure that the best possible results
are achieved.

- 11 -
• After use the NT3 should be removed from its
shock mount, wiped with a dry, soft cloth and
placed in its protective zip pouch with the supplied
moisture-absorbent crystals.
• Be sure to place the moisture-absorbent crystals
(supplied) at the head of the microphone(s), so as
to absorb any moisture present.
Eventually this pack of crystals will need to be
dried. This is indicated by the crystals turning pink
in colour.
They can easily be re-used by placing them in an
oven at 100 - 150 degrees celsius for approximately
ten minutes. The crystals will operate effectively
again once they have turned blue.
Storage

- 12 -
Warranty
All microphones are warranted for one year
from date of purchase. You can extend that to a full
ten years if you register the microphone online at
www.rodemic.com.
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 problem, or have any questions
regarding your microphone, first contact the
dealer who sold it to you. If the microphone requires a
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.
Microphones
International
107 Carnarvon Street
Silverwater NSW 2128 Australia
Ph: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
USA
P.O. Box 4189
Santa Barbara, CA 93140-4189
Ph: 805 566 7777
Fax: [phone]
Technical Support
For information and technical support questions contact:
[e-mail]
In the Unites States and Puerto Rico, contact
[e-mail] or call 805 566 7777
In Australia, contact [e-mail] or call [phone]
Anywhere except Australia, the United States and Puerto Rico,
contact [e-mail] or call [phone]