RODE Microphones NT4 Manual

NT4
Instruction Guide
(EMC, LVD)
✔
STUDIO CONDENSER MICROPHONES
30368_RØDE NT4 booklet 18/6/02 12:00 PM Page 1

Peter Freedman
Microphones
This stereo condenser microphone has been
proudly designed and manufactured by
Microphones in Sydney, Australia.
We at thank you for investing in our
product and with the appropriate care, it will serve
you well for many years to come.
Please take the time to read the following
information which will help you to achieve the
best possible performance from your NT4.
Serial Number:..........................................
Checked by:..............................................
Date:..........................................................
NT4
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SPECIFICATIONS:
• Capsule: 2 x 1/2” (13mm) externally
polarised condenser
transducers in stereo XY
placement.
• Active Electronics: J-FET Impedence convertor
with bipolar output buffer.
• Pickup Pattern: Cardioid per capsule (see
graph).
• Output Impedence: 200 Ohms
• Frequency Response:20Hz – 20kHz (see graph)
• Sensitivity: -38dB re 1v/Pa +/-2dB
equivalent to 12mV/Pa where
1Pa = 94dBSPL
• Equivalent Noise: <16dB SPL (A-Weighted per
IEC268-15).
• Maximum Output: +13.9dBu @ 1% THD into 1k
• Dynamic Range: >128dB
• Maximum SPL: 143dB @ 1% THD into 1k
• Signal / Noise Ratio: 78dB
• Power Requirements: P48, P24, P12 phantom or 9V
Battery
• Packed Weight: 2.3Kg (Microphone only 480g)
• Dimensions: Diameter: 32mm
Length: 232mm
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
POLAR PATTERN
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FEATURES:
• Stereo XY condenser microphone.
• 2 x Externally biased 1/2” Capsules with gold sputtered
diaphragm.
• Capsules closely matched with full frequency
response.
• Phantom power or 9V battery operation.
• Durable satin-nickel finish.
• Custom stereo cables (included) dual XLR and mini
Stereo Jack.
• Custom WS4 twin-head Wind Shield.
• Surface-mount transformerless circuitry.
• Complete with Custom Carry Case and Stand Mount.
ACCESSORIES INCLUDED:
• WS4 Wind Shield
• Custom Carry Case
• RM3 Stand Mount plus 3/8” – 5/8” Thread Adaptor
• Custom Stereo Cables
(dual XLR and mini stereo jack)
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The NT4 is an easy to use, precision stereo
condenser microphone. Choirs, orchestras, drum
over-heads, solo or ensemble instruments, may
all be recorded with the ‘ ambience’ and ‘ space’
only a true stereo microphone like the NT4 can
capture.
The two capsules used in the NT4 measure 1/2”in
diameter and have a cardioid polar pattern. The
cardioid patterns pick-up sound from in front of
the microphone and reject sound from the rear.
This helps with reducing unwanted sound such
as reverberation and audience sound from the
rear of the capsules. It is crucial when stereo
recording to have the capsules closely matched,
as in the NT4. The polar frequency response of
each capsule must be matched because much of
the sound in an XY stereo arrangement is picked
up off-axis by each capsule. The tone can be
varied by rotating the NT4 on its axis, so that the
capsules are pointing towards different areas of
the sound source. It is recommended that you
experiment with subtle position changes to help
you achieve your desired results. The matched
capsules of the NT4 allow for an accurate
response when recording a wide variety of
sources in various locations.
Some of the (many) potential applications of the
NT4 might be:
As an XY stereo overhead for the recording of
drum kits.Simply positioned at the rear of the kit,
in the centre behind the drummer and angled
down towards the drums, the NT4 produces a
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‘real’ sounding kit. This method is very quick and
easy. There is no need to worry about the angles
of two individual microphones, or testing to see if
they are two of the same model which sound a
little different to each other.
Miking groups of vocalists in the studio or live
on stage. Placement can be in front of the
vocalists with the microphone pointing towards
the middle of the group.The distance between the
vocalists and the microphone depends on the
acoustics of the environment, level of the
vocalists and the sound that you are trying to
achieve. More bass frequencies are evident when
the microphone and vocalists are closer together.
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Placed strategically above a grand piano, the
NT4 easily and clearly produces the true, stereo
image of that instrument.
Acoustic guitar performances (duo or
ensembles) are captured in true spatial stereo
simply by positioning the NT4 centrally between
or among them, and finely adjusting the position
for the ultimately desired responses. A solo
acoustic guitar will also benefit from the ambient
sound captured by the NT4. (The closer the
microphone is to the instrument, the less
ambience and more guitar. For more ambience,
gradually move the microphone away from the
guitar).
Bands: like most applications, adjustments and
trials of the microphones’ position will quickly and
easily show that most effective position.
1. You may use either phantom power (see
Specifications) or 9V battery to operate your
NT4.
2. Most professional mixing consoles include a
48-volt phantom power supply; if yours does
not, a separate one may of course be used.
Ensure that whichever power supply you use,
it is a professional unit and is working
correctly.
3. If you choose 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.To
fit the battery, simply un-screw the lower
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section of the body and insert the battery into
the cavity (terminals first). Secure the battery
in place with the flexible spring clip and re-
assemble the body, screwing the sections
firmly together.
4. The ON/OFF switch turns the microphone ON
or OFF when powered by either phantom or
battery. When using battery power, the switch
should be switched to OFF when the
microphone is not in use. If left ON, the
battery power will be unnecessarily depleted.
We recommend that during long periods of
non-use, the battery should be removed, as it
may leak, and that could damage your NT4.
When the NT4 is switched ON, the red battery
status L.E.D. (light-emitting-diode) gives an
indication of battery power and should always
be carefully observed. When the L.E.D.
flashes (illuminates for about 1 second), the
battery power is ‘ good’ . If the L.E.D. remains
illuminated significantly longer, the battery
should be replaced. Tests have shown a life
expectancy for a high quality alkaline battery
used in the NT4 to be in excess of 400 hours.
5. The NT4 may be connected directly to 2
channels of a mixer using the twin XLR cable
(marked L and R) supplied, with each channel
panned left and right as required. Battery
power will only be necessary if the mixer does
not have an in-built phantom P48 supply.
Connection may also be made direct to a
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portable DAT or other recording devices to
enable field/location operation using the 9V
battery supply.
6. A stand mount clip (RM-3) is included with
your NT4, and should be used to connect the
NT4 firmly and safely to a stable microphone
stand unless of course you choose hand-held
operation which should only be used when it
is not possible to stand mount the NT4.
7. The NT4 is supplied with both a dual XLR
cable, and a stereo mini-jack cable. The
stereo mini-jack cable and battery option
allow for maximum portability and connection
to most recording devices. Whether you are
using a mixer, DAT player or Mini-disc player
(with or without phantom power), the
connections and power options allow for
maximum flexibility.
We recommend that all connections made to
the mixer or recorder are made with the
attenuation (gain) set to OFF.
8. When first switching the mixer ON and
phantom power is applied to the NT4, or when
the microphone battery power is switched
ON, several seconds should be allowed for
the microphone to stabilize.
Note: When using phantom power, a battery
may be in or out; it is ineffective in that
situation.
9. To ensure the lowest noise/distortion, your
mixer input gain control should be set so that
the Peak Program Indicator (P.P.I.) L.E.D
flashes ON during peaks (high levels) of the
program source (Voice/Instrument). If there is
no P.P.I., adjust the input gain while listening
for distortion of the sound. As distortion is
heard, reduce the gain gradually until the
sound is undistorted (clean).
10.Sound quality is of course subjective and
‘your sound’ will be achieved by you with
experimentation. We suggest that you begin
with EQ set FLAT/OFF (no boost or cut).
Remember that EQ cannot change the
acoustic properties of a room. In a studio-
recording situation, you should try placing
absorbent or reflective panels/material in
various positions within the vicinity of the
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sound source and microphone. The
positioning of the microphone also has
dramatic effect on the sound quality.
When using the NT4 outdoors, care must be
taken to avoid excessive handling noise and
wind noise. As with all condenser
microphones, the NT4 is sensitive to strong
gusts of wind and so should be adequately
shielded. The supplied wind shield (WS-4) is
designed for vocal applications and in-doors
only. The WS-4 is not effective enough
outdoors in high wind conditions.For this work
a heavier foam type or a ‘Rycote’
(www.rycote.com) style wind cover should be
used. We also suggest the NT4 be used with
the supplied holder (RM-3) and a quality
microphone stand. This will avoid any
handling vibration noise.
The best way to assess your recording
environment, is to listen to the ‘unplugged’
sound you wish to record (use your ears).
Remember that no amount of EQ can correct
a ‘bad’ sounding instrument, voice or
recording environment. Any further desired
modification of sound can then be undertaken
with the EQ.
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