4
English
Positioning the Microphone
The front of the KSM44 is marked by the logo and the polar-pattern
selection switch. See Figure 1. Position this side of the microphone toward the
sound source to be recorded. The rear of the microphone is marked by the logo,
the low-frequency filter switch and the 15dB attenuation switch.
Selecting a Polar Pattern
The three position switch on the front of the KSM44 sets the polar response pattern
of the microphone. The sensitivity of the microphone to sounds coming from
different angles varies according to this switch’s setting.
Cardioid. Picks up sounds directly in front of the microphone and is least
sensitive to those in back. Cardioid is the most commonly used pattern in studio
recording and live-sound applications. See Figure 5.
Omnidirectional. Picks up sound equally from all directions. This pattern is
best for picking up room ambience and miking several sources at once, such as a
choir or ensemble. Omnidirectional patterns do not exhibit proximity effect. See
Figure 7.
Bidirectional. Picks up equally from the front and back of the microphone while
rejecting sounds from the sides. Bidirectional is often for stereo recording (such as
mid-side and Blumlein techniques). See Figure 9.
NOTE: As with all bidirectional microphones, sounds picked up from the front will
be in polarity with the source and those picked up from the back will be out of polarity
with the source.
Selecting Low-Frequency Response
A three-position switch on the back of the KSM44 allows you to adjust the
low-frequency response of the microphone, as shown in Figure 2. The low-frequency
filter settings can be used to reduce wind noise, room noise or proximity effect.
Flat response. Use this setting when you desire the most natural reproduction
of the source.
Low-frequency cutoff. Provides an
18 dB-per-octave cutoff at 80 Hz. Helps
eliminate stage rumble or low-frequency
room noise from heating, ventilation, or
cooling systems. May also be used to
compensate for proximity effect or to
reduce low frequencies that make an
instrument sound dull or muddy.
