Sennheiser EM 500 G3 - 02-09 User manual

SKM 500
Instruction manual

1
Contents
Contents
Important safety instructions ............................................... 2
The SKM 500 G3 radio microphone family ......................... 3
The frequency bank system ............................................. 3
Areas of application ............................................................ 4
Delivery includes ....................................................................... 5
Product overview ...................................................................... 6
Overview of the SKM 500 G3 radio microphone ........... 6
Overview of the displays ................................................... 7
Putting the radio microphone into operation .................... 8
Inserting the batteries/accupack ..................................... 8
Charging the accupack ....................................................... 9
Changing the microphone head ....................................... 9
Changing the color-coded protection ring .................. 11
Using the radio microphone ................................................ 12
Switching the radio microphone on/off ..................... 12
Deactivating the lock mode temporarily ..................... 14
Deactivating the RF signal .............................................. 14
Selecting a standard display ......................................... 15
Using the operating menu ................................................... 16
The buttons ...................................................................... 16
Overview of the operating menu ................................. 17
Working with the operating menu .............................. 18
Adjusting settings via the operating menu .................... 20
The main menu “Menu” .................................................. 20
The extended menu “Advanced Menu” ....................... 22
Synchronizing the radio microphone with a receiver ... 26
Synchronizing the radio microphone
with the receiver – individual operation ..................... 26
Synchronizing radio microphones
with receivers – multi-channel operation ................... 26
Cleaning the radio microphone .......................................... 27
Recommendations and tips ............................................... 28
If a problem occurs ... ........................................................... 29
Accessories and spare parts ................................................ 30
Specifications .......................................................................... 31
Polar diagrams and frequency response curves
of the microphone heads ................................................ 32
Manufacturer Declarations .................................................. 34
Index ......................................................................................... 36
An animated instruction manual can be viewed
on the SKM 500 G3 product page on our
website at www.sennheiser.com.

2
Important safety instructions
Important safety instructions
• Read this instruction manual.
• Keep this instruction manual. Always include this
instruction manual when passing the product on to third
parties.
• Heed all warnings and follow all instructions in this
instruction manual.
• Use only a cloth for cleaning the product.
• Do not place the product near any heat sources such as
radiators, stoves, or other devices (including amplifiers)
that produce heat.
• Only use attachments/accessories specified by
Sennheiser.
• Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
Servicing is required if the product has been damaged in
any way, liquid has been spilled, objects have fallen
inside, the product has been exposed to rain or mois-
ture, does not operate properly or has been dropped.
• WARNING: To reduce the risk of short circuits, do not use
the product near water and do not expose it to rain or
moisture.
Replacement parts
When replacement parts are required, be sure the service
technician uses replacement parts specified by Sennheiser
or those having the same characteristics as the original
part. Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire, electric
shock, or other hazards.
Intended use
Intended use of the ew 500 G3 series products includes:
• having read these instructions especially the chapter
“Important safety instructions”,
• using the products within the operating conditions and
limitations described in this instruction manual.
“Improper use” means using the products other than as
described in this instruction manual, or under operating
conditions which differ from those described herein.

3
The SKM 500 G3 radio microphone family
The SKM 500 G3
radio microphone family
This radio microphone is part of the evolution wireless
series generation 3 (ew G3). With this series, Sennheiser
offers high-quality state-of-the-art RF transmission
systems with a high level of operational reliability and ease
of use. Transmitters and receivers permit wireless transmis-
sion with studio-quality sound.
Features of the evolution wireless 500 G3 series:
• Optimized PLL synthesizer and microprocessor
technology
•HDX noise reduction system
• Pilot tone squelch control
• True diversity technology
• Switching bandwidth of 42 MHz
• Increased immunity to intermodulation and
interferences in multi-channel operation
• Interchangeable microphone heads, allowing the use of
different pick-up patterns and sensitivities
The frequency bank system
The radio microphone is available in 6 UHF frequency
ranges with 1,680 transmission frequencies per frequency
range:
Each frequency range (A–E, G) offers 26 frequency banks
with up to 32 channels each:
Each of the channels in the frequency banks “1” to “20” has
been factory-preset to a fixed frequency (frequency
preset).
The factory-preset frequencies within one frequency bank
are intermodulation-free. These frequencies cannot be
changed.
516 – 558 566 – 608 626 – 668 734 – 776 780 – 822 823 – 865
Range A: Range G: Range B: Range C: Range D: Range E:
Frequency bank 1... 20
Frequency bank U1 ... U6
Channel 32 – frequency preset
Channel 1– frequency preset
Channel 2– frequency preset
Channel 32 – freely selectable frequency
Channel 1– freely selectable frequency
Channel 2– freely selectable frequency

4
The SKM 500 G3 radio microphone family
For an overview of the frequency presets, please refer to the
supplied frequency information sheet. Updated versions of
the frequency information sheet can be downloaded from
the SKM 500 G3 product page on our website at
www.sennheiser.com.
The frequency banks “U1” to “U6” allow you to freely select
and store frequencies. It might be that these frequencies
are not intermodulation-free.
Areas of application
The radio microphone can be combined with the EM 500 G3
rack-mount receiver.
The EM 500 G3 rack-mount receiver is available in the same
UHF frequency ranges and is equipped with the same
frequency bank system with factory-preset frequencies.
This has the advantage that
• a transmission system is ready for immediate use after
switch-on,
• several transmission systems can be operated simulta-
neously on the preset frequencies without causing
intermodulation interference.
Overview of the microphone heads:
The name and pick-up pattern of the microphone head are
printed on the sound inlet basket of the radio microphone.
Radio microphone
Interchange-
ablemicrophone
heads Receiver
SKM 500-935 G3*
SKM 500-945 G3*
SKM 500-965 G3*
* The name of the radio microphone is a combination of the
name of the transmitter and the name of the microphone
head:
Transmitter + microphone head = Name of radio
microphone
SKM 500 + MMD 935-1 = SKM 500-935
MMD 935-1
MMD 945-1
MMK 965-1
EM 500 G3
Microphone
head
Microphone
type Pick-up pattern
MMD 935-1 dynamic – cardioid
MMD 945-1 dynamic – super-cardioid
MMK 965-1 condenser – cardioid/
super-cardioid,
switchable
542.625
ew500 G3
B.Ch: 20.30
PEAK
MUTE
EQ
+ 12dB
-10
040
30
20
10
-20
-30
-40
AF
RF
MHz
SKM500
P

5
Delivery includes
Delivery includes
The packaging contains the following items:
1 SKM 500 G3 radio microphone incl. microphone head
2 AA size batteries, 1.5 V
1microphoneclamp
1 instruction manual
1 frequency information sheet
1 RF licensing information sheet
1 HHP 2 pouch

6
Product overview
Product overview
Overview of the SKM 500 G3 radio
microphone
쐃Microphone head (interchangeable)
쐇Name and pick-up pattern of the microphone head
(not visible here, see page 4)
쐋Body of radio microphone
쐏Battery compartment (not visible from outside)
쐄Display panel, backlit in orange
쐂Infra-red interface
쐆Antenna
쐊Color-coded protection ring;
available in different colors
쐎Operation and battery status indicator, red LED
(lit = ON/flashing = LOW BATTERY)
쐅Charging contacts
쐈Multi-function switch:
(DOWN),  (UP) and (SET)
쐉ON/OFF button
with ESC function (cancel)
쐊
쐋
쐏
쐂쐆
쐉
쐅
쐅
쐎
쐅
쐊
쐈
쐄
쐇


7
Product overview
Overview of the displays
After switch-on, the radio microphone displays the
standard display “Frequency/Name”. For further illustra-
tions and examples of the different standard displays, refer
to page 15.
The display backlighting is automatically reduced after
approx. 20 seconds.
Display Meaning
햲Audio level “AF”Modulation of the radio micro-
phone with peak hold function
햳Frequency Current transmission frequency
햴Name Freely selectable name of the
transmitter
햵Transmission icon RF signal is being transmitted
햶Lock mode icon Lock mode is activated
햷“P”(pilot tone) Pilot tone transmission is
activated
햸“MUTE”Audio signal is muted
햹Battery status Charge status:
approx. 100%
approx. 70%
approx. 30%
charge status is
critical
, the red
LOW BATTERY LED 쐎
is flashing:
MHz
542.625
ew500 G3
MUTE
P
AF
햳 햴햲
햶
햵
햹햸햷
쐎

8
Putting the radio microphone into operation
Putting the radio microphone
into operation
Inserting the batteries/accupack
For powering the radio microphone, you can either use two
1.5 V AA size batteries or the rechargeable Sennheiser
BA 2015 accupack (see “Accessories and spare parts” on
page 30).
Unscrew the lower part of the radio microphone from
the radio microphone’s body 쐋by turning it counter-
clockwise.
Slide back the lower part of the radio microphone as far
as it will go.
Open the battery compartment cover 씈.
Insert the batteries or the BA 2015 accupack as shown
on the battery compartment cover. Observe correct
polarity when inserting the batteries/accupack.
When unscrewing the radio microphone during
operation, the muting function is automatically
activated. “MUTE” appears on the display panel.
When screwing the lower part of the radio micro-
phone back to the radio microphone’s body, the
muting is canceled. “MUTE” disappears from the
display panel.
쐋
씈

9
Putting the radio microphone into operation
Close the battery compartment cover 씈.
Push the battery compartment into the radio micro-
phone’s body.
Screw the lower part of the radio microphone back to
the radio microphone’s body 쐋.
Charging the accupack
To charge the radio microphone with the BA 2015 accupack
(see “Accessories and spare parts” on page 30) installed:
Insert the radio microphone into the LA 2 charging
adapter (see “Accessories and spare parts” on page 30)
until it locks into place.
Plug the LA 2 charging adapter with the inserted radio
microphone into the L 2015 charger (see “Accessories
and spare parts” on page 30).
Changing the microphone head
The microphone head 쐃is easy to change.
Unscrew the microphone head 쐃.
The LA 2 charging adapter and L 2015 charger can
only charge the radio microphone with the BA 2015
accupack installed. Standard batteries (primary
cells) or individual rechargeable battery cells cannot
be charged in this way.
씈
L 2015
LA 2
쐃

10
Putting the radio microphone into operation
Screw the desired microphone head to the radio micro-
phone.
The radio microphone is operational again.
Do not touch the contacts of the radio microphone
nor the contacts of the microphone head 쐃. The
contacts can become dirty or damaged if touched.
When unscrewing the microphone head 쐃during
operation, the muting function is automatically acti-
vated. “MUTE” appears on the display panel.
When screwing the microphone head 쐃back to the
radio microphone, the muting is canceled. “MUTE”
disappears from the display panel.

11
Putting the radio microphone into operation
Changing the color-coded protection ring
The color-coded protection ring 쐊prevents the multi-
function switch from accidental operation.
Protection rings 쐊in different colors are available as acces-
sories (see “Accessories and spare parts” on page 30).
The protection rings allow you to clearly identify each radio
microphone.
Remove the color-coded protection ring 쐊as shown.
Put on a new protection ring 쐊as shown.
쐊 쐊
쐊 쐊

12
Using the radio microphone
Using the radio microphone
To establish a transmission link, proceed as follows:
1. Switch the receiver on
(see the instruction manual of the receiver).
2. Switch the radio microphone on (see next section).
The transmission link is established and the display
backlighting of the receiver changes from red to orange.
If you cannot establish a transmission link between radio
microphone and receiver, refer to the chapter “Synchro-
nizing the radio microphone with a receiver” on page 26.
Switching the radio microphone on/off
To switch the radio microphone on (online operation):
CAUTION! Reduced transmission range
If you touch the antenna 쐆of the radio micro-
phone, the transmission range will be consid-
erably reduced!
Only hold the radio microphone by its
body.
It is vital to observe the notes on frequency
selection on page 26.
Briefly press the ON/OFF button 쐉.
The radio microphone transmits an RF signal.
The red ON LED 쐎lights up. The standard
display “Frequency/Name” appears on the
display panel. The transmission icon 햵is
displayed.
쐆
쐉
쐎
햵
ON/OFF

13
Using the radio microphone
To switch the radio microphone off:
If necessary, deactivate the lock mode (see page 14).
To switch the radio microphone on and to deactivate the
RF signal on switch-on (offline operation):
To activate the RF signal:
You can switch the radio microphone on and deacti-
vate the RF signal on switch-on. For more informa-
tion, see next section.
Keep the ON/OFF button 쐉pressed until “OFF”
appears on the display panel. The red ON LED 쐎
goes off and the display panel turns off.
When in the operating menu, pressing the ON/
OFF button 쐉will cancel your entry (ESC function)
and return you to the current standard display.
Keep the ON/OFF button pressed until “RF Mute
On?” appears on the display panel.
Press the multi-function switch.
The transmission frequency is displayed but the
radio microphone does not transmit an RF signal.
The transmission icon 햵is not displayed. When
the pilot tone function is activated on both radio
microphone and receiver, “RF Mute” appears on
the receiver’s display panel.
Use this function to save battery power or to
prepare a radio microphone for use during live oper-
ation without causing interference to existing trans-
mission links.
Briefly press the ON/OFF button.
“RF Mute Off?” appears on the display panel.
Press the multi-function switch.
The transmission icon 햵is displayed again.
ON/OFF
ON/OFF
MHz
542.625
ew500 G3
MUTE
P
AF
햵
ON/OFF

14
Using the radio microphone
Deactivating the lock mode temporarily
You can activate or deactivate the automatic lock mode via
the “Auto Lock” menu item (see page 22).
If the lock mode is activated, you have to temporarily deac-
tivate it In order to be able to operate the radio microphone:
The lock mode icon 햶flashes prior to the lock mode being
activated again.
Deactivating the RF signal
Deactivating the RF signal on switch-on
For information on deactivating the RF signal on switch-on,
refer to the chapter “Switching the radio microphone on/
off” on page 13.
Deactivating the RF signal during operation
Proceed as described under “Switching the radio micro-
phone on/off” on page 12.
Press the multi-function switch.
“Locked“ appears on the display panel.
Move the multi-function switch.
“Unlock?” appears on the display panel.
Press the multi-function switch again.
The lock mode is temporarily deactivated.
How you are using the radio microphone deter-
mines how long the lock mode remains deacti-
vated:
When one of the standard displays is shown
on the display panel, briefly press the ON/
OFF button.
“RX Mute On?” appears on the display panel.
When you are in the operating menu
The lock mode remains deactivated until you
exit the operating menu.
When one of the standard displays is shown
The lock mode is automatically activated after
10 seconds.
MHz
542.625
ew500 G3
MUTE
P
AF
햶
ON/OFF

15
Using the radio microphone
Selecting a standard display
Move the multi-function switch to select a
standard display.
Contents of the display Selectable standard display
“Frequency/Name”
“Frequency bank/Channel/
Frequency”
“Name/Frequency bank/
Channel”
ew500 G3
MHz
542.625
MUTE
P
AF
MHz
542.625
B.Ch: 20.30
MUTE
P
AF
B.Ch: 20.30
MUTE
P
AF
ew500 G3

16
Using the operating menu
Using the operating menu
A special feature of the Sennheiser ew G3 series is the
consistent, intuitive menu structure of transmitters and
receivers. As a result, adjustments to the settings can be
made quickly – even in stressful situations, for example on
stage or during a live show or presentation.
The buttons
Make use of the possibility to adjust settings via the
operating menu of the receiver and to transfer these
settings to the radio microphone.
For more information on how to transfer settings
to the radio microphone, refer to the instruction
manual of your receiver. The relevant information is
marked with the sync icon.
Button Function of the button
Press the
ON/OFF
button
• Switches the radio microphone on
and off
• Cancels the entry and returns to the
current standard display (ESC func-
tion)
• Activates/deactivates the RF signal
(special function, see page 13)
Press the
multi-function
switch
• Changes from the current standard
display to the operating menu
• Calls up a menu item
• Enters a submenu
• Stores the settings and returns to the
operating menu
Move the
multi-function
switch
• Selects a standard display
• Changes to the next/previous menu
item
• Changes the setting of a menu item
ON/OFF

17
Using the operating menu
Overview of the operating menu
Display Function of the menu item
Main menu “Menu”
Sensitivity Adjusts the sensitivity “AF”
(see page 20)
Frequency Preset Sets the frequency bank and the
channel (see page 21)
Name Enters a freely selectable name
(see page 21)
Auto Lock Activates/deactivates the lock mode
(see page 22)
Advanced Calls up the extended menu
“Advanced Menu” (see page 22)
Exit Exits the operating menu and returns
to the current standard display
Extended menu “Advanced Menu”
Tune Sets the transmission frequencies for
the frequency banks “U1” to “U6”
(see page 22)
Sets the frequency bank, the channel
and the transmission frequency
(frequency banks “U1” to “U6”)
(see page 23)
RF Power Adjusts the transmission power
(see page 24)
Pilot Tone Activates/deactivates the pilot tone
transmission (see page 24)
LCD Contrast Adjusts the contrast of the display
panel (see page 24)
Reset Resets the settings made in the
operating menu (see page 25)
Software Revision Displays the current software revision
(see page 25)
Exit Exits the extended menu “Advanced
Menu” and returns to the main menu
Main menu
“Menu”
Sensitivity
Frequency Preset
Name
Auto Lock
Advanced
Exit
Tune
RF Power
Pilot Tone
LCD Contrast
Reset
Software Revision
Exit
Extended menu
“Advanced Menu”

18
Using the operating menu
Working with the operating menu
By way of example of the “Sensitivity” menu, this section
describes how to use the operating menu.
Changing from a standard display to the operating menu
Selecting a menu item
Changing and storing settings
Canceling an entry
To subsequently return to the last edited menu item:
If the lock mode is activated, you have to deactivate
it In order to be able to work with the operating
menu (see page 14).
Press the multi-function switch.
The current standard display is replaced by the
main menu.
The last selected menu item is displayed.
Move the multi-function switch to change to the
“Sensitivity” menu item.
The current setting of the menu item is
displayed:
Press the multi-function switch to call up the
menu item.
Move the multi-function switch to adjust the
input sensitivity.
Press the multi-function switch to store the
setting.
Press the ON/OFF button to cancel the entry.
The current standard display appears on the
display panel.
Press the multi-function switch repeatedly until
the last edited menu item appears.
Menu
Sensitivity
–12 dB
Menu
–12 dB
Sensitivity
–12 dB
Sensitivity
–36 dB
Sensitivity
“Stored”
Call up
“Sensitivity”
Select the desired
setting
Store the setting
ON/OFF

19
Using the operating menu
Exiting a menu item
To directly return to the current standard display:
Change to the “Exit” menu item.
Confirm your selection.
You return to the next higher menu level.
Press the ON/OFF button.
Menu
Exit
ON/OFF