Shure VP88 User manual

VP88
Stereo Condenser Microphone
Online user guide VP88 stereo condenser microphone.
Version: 2.2 (2022-J)

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Table of Contents
VP88 Stereo Condenser Microphone 3
General Description 3
Features 3
Mounting 3
Power 4
Battery Power 4
Installing and Replacing the Battery 4
Connections 4
Using an Additional Microphone 5
Monitoring 5
Minimizing Wind and Breath Noise 5
Low-Frequency Rolloff 5
Output Mode 5
Stereo Output Mode 6
External Matrixes 7
Specifications 8
Frequency Response and Polar Patterns 10
Accessories 12
Furnished Accessories 12
Optional Accessories 12
Certifications 12

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VP88 
Stereo Condenser Microphone
General Description
The Shure Model VP88 is a stereo microphone equally effective in studio broadcasting applications as in the field for electronic
news gathering (ENGL).
Thisstereomicrophonecombinestwocondensercartridgesinasinglehousing,inamid-side(M-S)microphonecartridgecon-
figuration.Onecartridge(Mid)facesforwardtocaptureon-axissoundinacardioidpattern.Theothercartridge(Side)isbi-di-
rectional, capturing sound from either side.
Containing three settings for different degrees of stereo image separation, the VP88 contains an internal M-S matrix that can
be bypassed if an external matrix is used, or if stereo imaging is done in post-production. External switches control output
mode, stereo imaging, low-frequency roll off settings, and battery on/off.
When the VP88 is set for stereo mode operation (H, M, or L), the left and right signals should remain fully separated and kept
at equal levels to maintain a balanced stereo effect.
Features
Time-coherent, Mid-Side (M-S) design for optimal stereo imaging
Built-in stereo matrix for direct control of the stereo spread; direct M-S outputs provided
40 to 20,000 Hz frequency response
Low noise and distortion, wide dynamic range
Switch-selectable,low-frequencyroll-off(12dB/octavebelow80Hz)forreducedpickupofambientnoiseandstandvibra-
tion
Phantom power or 6V camera battery with LED power indicator
Internal shock mount for reduced stand vibration and handling noise
Impact resistant, durable construction
Integrated heavy-duty "pop" screen
Windscreen, swivel mount adapter, and Y-cable included
Mounting
The VP88 can be mounted on a standard microphone floor stand, fishpole or boom. Make sure the front of the grille faces the
sound source and the top of the microphone faces up, so that the resulting stereo image matches the left and right components
of the sound source.

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Microphone Orientation
Power
Phantom Power The VP88 can operate on an internal 6V battery or phantom power from any microphone mixer or console
providing 9 to 52 Vdc, or by a phantom power supply such as the Shure PS1A. Each balanced audio cable pair (pins 2 and 3:
Mid/Left;pins4and5:Side/Right)carriesthesupplycurrenttothemicrophone,andthecableshield(pin1)isthegroundre-
turn. The Mid or Side output can be used individually with either phantom or battery power. When operating in the Stereo mode
without battery, both Mid/Left and Side/Right outputs must be phantom powered.
Battery Power
If phantom power is not available, move the Battery switch to the Batt On position. The adjacent LED will flash indicating at
least five hours of useful battery life, and if no flashing is observed the battery should be replaced. The battery does not drain
when phantom power is applied.
Installing and Replacing the Battery
TheVP88usesa6Vcylindricalbatterycommonlyusedincameras.Averagebatterylifedependsonthetypeofbattery:typi-
cally 70 hours for silver oxide/lithium and 40 hours for alkaline.
SPEC. AGENCY/ MANU
FACTURER SILVER OXIDE LITHIUM MANGANESE ALKA LINE
NEDA 1406SOP 500SL 1414A
IEC 4SR44 2CR1/3N 4LR44
Duracell PX28 PX28L
Eveready 544 L544 A544
Kodak KS28
Panasonic 4G13 4LR44
Radio Shack 26-469
Varta V28PX V28PXL V4304PX
To install or replace the battery, proceed as follows:
Disconnect the microphone cable and unscrew the VP88 lower handle.
Carefully slide the lower handle away from the grille, exposing the battery compartment. If necessary, remove the old
battery.
Insert the new battery, observing the polarity marking in the battery compartment.
Slide the lower handle back into position and tighten.

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Connections
UsethesuppliedY-splittercabletoconnecttheVP88totwoinputsofamixerorconsole.Theredconnector,marked“M”and
“L”,carriestheMidsignal(inMSmode)orleftsignal(instereomode).Thegreenconnector,marked“S”and“R”,carriesthe
Side signal (in MS mode) or right signal (in stereo mode). For stereo mode operation, connect the left (L) splitter connector to
the Channel 1 input and the right (R) splitter connector to the Channel 2 input of the mixer or console. Set the Channel 1 pan
pot to full left and the Channel 2 pan pot to full right.
Use the Shure C110 Extension Cable (available as an accessory) for extended cable runs between the VP88 and a mixer or console.
Using an Additional Microphone
A second (mono) microphone can be used for interviewing or close miking. Turn its channel pan pot to the center position and
set its level independently.
Monitoring
To check the balance for the mono listener, monitor sound in mono mode as well as stereo. Since the side signal is cancelled
in mono, the mono output will be equal to the cardioid Mid cartridge signal only, regardless of the side level control setting.
Minimizing Wind and Breath Noise
The integrated pop filter provides reduction of breath and wind sound. Use the removable foam windscreen for high intensity
wind and speaking conditions.
Low-Frequency Rolloff
A low-frequency rolloff (12 dB per octave cut below 80 Hz) rolloff reduces pickup of low-frequency noise and vibration. Set the
upper control switch on the VP88 to either of the two low-frequency rolloff positions, depending on whether phantom or battery
power is being used.
Rolloff Selection Switch

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Output Mode
The lower control sets the VP88 to either MS Mode, or one of three Stereo modes. (L, M, or H).
Output Mode Selection Switch
Stereo Output Mode
In Stereo Mode, the VP88 uses its internal matrix to mix the Mid and Side signals and provide Left and Right stereo outputs.
The three settings (H, M, and L), determine the strength or width of the stereo effect, as described below. Nominal Left and
Right pickup patterns are shown in the following series.
The mono sum (Left + Right) in any Stereo position is always equal to the Mid signal, ensuring mono compatibility.
L (Low): Sidelevel6.0dBlowerthanMidlevel.Thestereoimagespreadofthestereoimagesissmall.Usethissettingfordis-
tantmiking,orinsituationswherethemicrophonedirectionalitycannotbewellcontrolled,suchashand-helduse.IntheLposi-
tion, the microphone also picks up the least amount of ambient sound from the side, and can be used to reduce high ambient
noise or reverberation. The L setting can be useful if the area being miked is already very wide. However, the degree of stereo
effect may be compromised in narrow performing areas.
M (Medium): Side level is 1.9 dB lower than Mid level. The increased side ambience pickup and stereo spread make the M
setting ideal for most applications.
H (High): Side level is1.6 dB higher than Mid level. The H position provides the most side ambience pickup and the greatest
amount of stereo spread. This setting is only appropriate if a high degree of ambience pickup is acceptable and the performing
area is not excessively wide.
MS Output Mode: InMSmode,theVP88’sinternalstereomatrixisbypassed.Thesignalfromthemidcartridgeissenttothe
redconnectorontheY-splittercable(M)andthesidecartridgeoutputissenttothegreenconnector(S).TheSideon-axissen-
sitivity(90°fromthefrontaxisofthemicrophone)is1.6dBhigherthantheon-axissensitivityoftheMidoutput.Thesensitivi-
ties of the Mid and Side outputs are equal at 45° off the front axis of the microphone. The polarity of the left lobe of the Side
output matches the polarity of the Mid output. The right lobe of the Side output is opposite polarity.
Low Stereo (L)

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Medium Stereo (M)
High Stereo (H)
MS Output Mode
External Matrixes
When using an external stereo matrix, such as a matrix transformer or active matrix circuitry, set the VP88 to MS mode. The
MidandSideoutputscanbeprocessedthroughasum-and-differencematrixtoproduceLeftandRightstereosignalsasfol-
lows:
Left = Mid + Side
Right = Mid - Side
An1:1ratioofMidtoSideproducesstereosignalsidenticaltothoseobtainedwithStereoOutputswitchsettoHigh(H).Re-
sults similar to the Medium (M) and Low (L) settings can be obtained by attenuating the side signal before matrixing.

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An external matrix can be useful when recording, because decisions on stereo imaging are deferred to the post-production stage.
Specifications
Type
Single-point stereo (MS configuration) condenser
Polar Pattern
Mid Cartridge Cardioid
Side Cartridge Bidirectional
Frequency Response
40to20,000Hz
Output Impedance
EIAratedat150Ω(100Ωactual)
Sensitivity
open circuit voltage, @ 1 kHz, MS Mode
-66dB[1](0.5mV)
Maximum SPL
800 Ω load 129dB
150 Ω load 119dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio[3]
70dB
Dynamic Range
105dBMaximumSPL,A-weighted
Clipping Level
@ 1 kHz, 1% THD
800 Ω load
Mid Cartridge -12dBV(0.25V)
Side Cartridge -10dBV(0.30V)
150 Ω load
Mid Cartridge -25dBV(0.06V)
Side Cartridge -19dBV(0.11V)
Self Noise
equivalent SPL
24dBA-weighted,28dBtypical
Hum Pickup
-4dBequivalentSPLina1millioerstedfield(60XXXXXXXXXXXX)

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Operating Temperature Range
-18°C (0°F) to 57°C (135°F)
Storage Temperature Range
-29°C (-20°F) to 74°C (165°F)
Operating Relative Humidity
0 to 90%
Polarity
Positive pressure applied from any direction to the Mid cartridge or from the left to the Side cartridge in the
MS mode, or applied from the front in the Stereo mode produces positive voltage on pin 2 relative to pin 3
(Mid/Left) and pin 4 relative to pin 5 (Side/Right).
Housing
Brass and nickel-plated aluminum construction with stainless steel grille. Finished in satin black vinyl
enamel
Power Requirements
9–52VDC[4]phantompower(IEC-61938),1.3mAoutput,2.6mAtotal
Battery
Type 6Vcylindrical
Life 70hours
Current Drain 2.4mAtotal
Overvoltage Protection
Maximum External Voltage applied to Pins 2 through 5 with respect to Pin 1: ± 75 Vdc
Net Weight
417g(14.7oz.)
[1] 1 Pa=94 dB SPL
[3]S/N ratio is the difference between 94 dB SPL and equivalent SPL of self noise, A-weighted
[4]All specifications measured with a 48 Vdc phantom power supply. The microphone operates at lower
voltages, but with slightly decreased headroom and sensitivity.

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Frequency Response and Polar Patterns
Typical Frequency Response of Middle Cartridge
Typical Frequency Response of Side Cartridge
Typical Middle Cartridge Polar Pattern