Shure PE85 User manual

PROFESSIONAL ENTERTAINER
MODEL PE85 UNIDIRECTIONAL
PE85L-LC: Supplied with A25B
Swivel Adapter
Take an acoustic design that approaches the theoretical
ideal and couple it with a very effective pop and wind filter in
an extremely rugged ball-type grille. Then add a lockable
magnetic-reed on-off switch that eliminates mechanical
noise. Now you have a complete microphone system that is
theprofessional's choicefor everyoccasion andevery applica-
tion.
H Unusually effective and uniform unidirectional (cardioid)
pickup pattern minimizes feedback in live performance
H Very wide frequency response, ideally shaped for both
voice and instruments
H Ball-type pop-filter grille reduces "p-popping" and breath
noise
H Very effective internal shock mount minimizes handling
noise
H Positive-action swivel adapter adjusts from vertical to
horizontal. mounts on YE"-27stand thread
H High-outputlow-impedancecartridge
H Silent, magnetic-reedOn-Off switch with lockplate
H Nonreflective dark gray finish for professional appearance
onstage
H Extremely rugged and reliable
H Backed by the Shure guarantee
SPECIFICATIONS
TYPe
Dynamic
Frequency Response
50 to 15,000 Hz (see Figure 1)
TYPICAL FREQUENCY RESPONSE
FIGURE
1
Polar Pattern
Cardioid (unidirectional) (See Figure 2)
TYPICAL POLAR PATTERNS
FIGURE
2
Impedance
Low (150 ohms rating)
Output Level (at 1,000
Hz)
Open Circuit Voltage* ........................ -77.5 dB
*O dB = lVlpbar (0.13 mV)
Power Level** .............................. -57.5 dB
**0 dB = 1 mWI10pbar
Phasing
Positive pressure on diaphragm produces positive voltage
on pin 2 of audio connectors
3-PIN PROFESSIONAL AUDIO CONNECTORS
ON
- OFF CARTRIDGE
SWITCH COOED
YELLOW
BLUE
FIGURE 3
Switch
Built-inmagnetic-reedOn-Off switch with lockplate. To lock
switch On, removescrew and turn lockplate 180°. Reassem-
ble and tighten screw.
Cartridge Shock Mount
Internal rubber vibration isolator
Case
Dark gray with dark gray spherical screen
Net Weight (less cable)
298 grams (101/2 oz)
Swivel Adapter
Noiseless, positive action, adjustable from vertical to
horizontal, for mounting on 5/8"-27 thread
FURNISHED ACCESSORIES
Swivel Adapter
.................................. A256
PaddedGigBag ................................ 26A13
OPTIONALACCESSORIES
Windscreen
............................. A58WS Series
FloorStand(Weightedbase)
.................... MS-1OC
FloorStand(Tripodbase) ......................... .S15
Baby Boom ................................... .BE-44
Cable (7.6m-25 ft) ............................. .C25B
Line Matching Transformer .................. A95 Series
REPLACEMENTPARTS
Cartridge
...................................... R120
Switch
..................................... 9001725
ScreenandGrille
............................. RK225G
222 HARTREYAVENUE, EVANSTON,ILLINOIS60202-3696U.S.A.
Copyright 1989, Shure Brothers Inc.
27A2321 (IJ)
Printed in U.S.A.

SHURE-QUALITY IS OUR FIRST CONSIDERATION
Congratulations on the purchase of your new Shure microphone. It
will serve you faithfully even in the most difficult circumstances.
Becausemorethan 50 years of experience with microphones has taught
us one thing: they are not always used under ideal conditions. Far
from it!So Shure develops, designs, builds, and tests them for the worst
conditions we can imagine.
We know they'll be flung into equipment boxes after performances.
We know they'll becalledupon tofunction at humidity levels near 100%.
We know they'll be left in the direct rays of the midday sun for hours,
waiting for outdoor concerts to begin. Professional vocalists depend
upon their microphones much as musicians depend upon their in-
struments, but many don't hesitate to throw their Shure microphones
across the stage and down on the floor-violently-as part of their per-
formance. They never give it a second thought. They know that Shure
microphones shrug off abuse that would make others fail.
Shure reliability begins during the design stage. Shure has a staff of
specialists whose sole function is to uncover any weaknesses before
Shure microphones are put into quantity production. Duringthe testing
process, microphones are:
Heated at temperatures up to 85OC (185OF) often for entire days
Frozendown to -46OC(-50°F) for half-hourperiods during the heat
test
Shaken from side to side, back and forth, and up and down,
simultaneously and violently
Subjected to steamy humidities-up to 100% at room temperature
and 93% at 38OC (lOO°F)
Subjected to ultraviolet rays, salt sprays, alcohol, sand, and water
And for good measure, dropped repeatedly 2 meters (6 ft) onto hard-
wood floors.
That isour
standard test procedure. All during production, units chosen
at random are put through these same tests. Failure of any one
microphone brings production to a halt until the original design re-
quirements are again met.
That's why atShure we say, quality isour first consideration. The pur-
chasers of the millions of microphones bearing the name Shure during
past years, and those now buying their first Shure microphone can rely
on us to continue to follow the philosophy and policiesthat keep Shure
microphones working dependably -year after year after year.
Quality is our first consideration!
BASIC MICROPHONETECHNIQUE
Good microphone technique will add to your effectiveness as a per-
former. Keepthe following points in mindwhen usingyour Shure Profes-
sional Entertainer Microphone.
1. Maintainthe proper distance from the microphone.When you want a
warm, full sound, get close to the microphone and lower your voice.
For a wide open, driving sound, raise your voice and back away from
the microphone to avoid overdriving the amplifier into distortion.
2. Don't change your distance from the microphone needlessly as this
will affect the level of sound coming from the loudspeakers.
3. Your Shure PE Microphone isyour link to the audience. Consider the
microphone an instrument and develop your technique through
practice.
FEEDBACK AND UNIDIRECTIONALMICROPHONES
A performer'sworst enemy inusing a microphone is"feedback". This
is a harsh hum, howl, or squeal that occurs when the microphone picks
up sound from the loudspeakers, reamplifies and rebroadcasts it over
and over again. This vicious circle results in feedback.
A unidirectional microphone aids in preventing feedback because it
rejects sound that originates from the sides and rear. Sound pickup
from the sides is reduced by about one half, and pickupfrom the rear is
reduced by about nine tenths. You can demonstrate this reduction in
pickupby repeating "Test one, two" or some other convenient phrase as
you rotate the microphone from front to back.
Using unidirectional microphones close to the performer or instru-
ment ensures that the direct sound will be much louder than the
feedback-producingamplified sound. Becausethe amplifier gaincan be
turned up less to achieve the desired overall loudness, the amplified
sound will likely remain below the volume that triggers feedback.
Other helps in preventingfeedback are: keep the loudspeaker as far
to the sides as possible; be sure that the microphones point toward the
performers and away from the loudspeakers; and make certain that any
stage monitor speakers are positioned in front of the performers and
face the insensitive rear of the microphone.
UNIDIRECTIONALMICROPHONES, OMNIDIRECTIONAL
MICROPHONES,AND PROXIMITY EFFECT
Because of their usefulness in reducing the likelihood of feedback,
unidirectional microphones are best in sound reinforcement and public
address; while omnidirectional microphones are best in recording
where feedback problems do not arise, or for close-miking instruments
and amplifiers.
When unidirectional microphones are used close to a vocalist or
musical instrument,there is an increase in bass (low-frequency)output
called proximity effect. At a distance of about 6mm
(l/4 in.) a typical in-
crease is shown on the curve below.
Proximity effect can be used to improve your sound.
1. With vocalists, it increases warmth, giving a fuller quality to the
voice.
2. With instruments, it provides a flat or boosted bass output without
tone controls, simply by changing the distance between source and
microphone; and close miking provides natural isolation by minimiz-
ing bass pickup of other instruments.
Most Shure unidirectional microphones are designed with a bass
response that provides control at low frequencies yet still allows prox-
imity effect to be used advantageously when desired. To employ prox-
imity effect, you need to hear the amplified result. Just as you practice
your instrument, youwill want to practiceyour microphone technique to
get the precisesound you want. (A good way to hearthe actual result of
proximity effect is to use monitor speakers or headphones if they are
available.)
Omnidirectional microphones do not exhibit proximity effect when
used closeup. Because the response does not change with angle or
distance from the performer,an omnidirectional microphone isvaluable
when the sound must stay the same for several performers positioned
around the microphone, or for a performer who moves from place to
placeduringa playor interview. But beawareof feedback problems that
may occur if omnidirectional microphones are used when sound
amplification is present.
CHOOSING A MICROPHONE EXTENSION CABLE
Low-impedancemicrophones can be used with practically unlimited
lengths of cable with no added noise or high-frequencyloss. Any Shure
2-conductor balanced cables (e.g., C25E or C25F TRIPLE-FLEXm,or
C25J, C50J, or C100J HI-FLEX) can be used as extension cables for
Shure low-impedance microphones. These cables can also be used in
any required lengths or combinations between a low-impedance
microphone and an A95UF Low-to-High-Impedance Matching Trans-
former.
High-impedancemicrophone cables are usually limited to 6.lm(20 ft)
to avoid high-frequency loss or possible noise pickup. If longer cables
are needed with high-impedance microphones, use such Shure
low-
impedance cables as the C25B, C25E, C25F or C20H to reach the re-
quired distance. Then add the C20B or C15A high-impedancecable to
plug into the equipment. Adjust the treble control on the equipment to
compensate for the high-frequency rolloff caused by the extra length of
cable.