TRAM TR50 User manual

TRAM
®
TR50 Lavalier Microphone
When it was introduced, the TRAM
®
TR50 miniature microphone revolutionized the
industry- it has become the standard in eature ilm, television production and other areas o
the entertainment industry. In addition to its diminutive size and superior sound quality, the
TR-50 o ers a combination o eatures that are simply not o ered by any other microphone.
The TRAM
®
TR50 miniature pro essional lavalier microphone answers the needs o even the
most demanding sound recording engineer. It has been designed with the latest electret
development and electronics technology, to provide high sound quality with little or no
visibility. Its small size and unique design permit a variety o uses and astening options, that
make it ideal or unobtrusive appearance and hidden mic use. The tiny omni-directional
capsule eatures minimum sound coloration and is there ore easily combined with boom mics
during post production. A variety o accessories makes mounting the mic on or under clothing
easy, with reliable results.
The extended requency response range and omni-directional characteristics have been
designed to satis y the most stringent requirements in all pro essional audio ields, particularly
ilm and TV production.
The TR50 is available with a variety o connectors (Micro-Mini, Lemo (4, 6 or 8pin), Mini
Switchcra t (3, 4 or 5pin), Sony, Sennheiser, etc.) For direct attachment to any wireless

microphone transmitter. In addition to its use with wireless transmitters, the TR-50 can be
used as a low impedance hard-wired microphone with the TR-79 power supply. 12/48v
phantom powering (in addition to internal powering) is available on all TR-50*PS
microphones and TR-79+ positive bias power supplies.
The TR79 power supply provides a balanced trans ormer output to an XLR connector and
uses an Eveready 357 battery. The battery compartment is designed to permit only one
insertion direction, so the polarity cannot be reversed. This compartment is accessible by
turning the black plastic end cap counter clockwise and pulling irmly. The battery is removed
by pushing it out with a sharp object through the hole provided in the bottom o the
compartment.
TR50 Lavalier Mic
• TR50 Lavalier Mic Features:
o Miniature Electret Condenser Microphone
o Minimum sound coloration or universal use
o Easily combined with boom microphones
o Tiny, lightweight and compact; easily concealed
o Extensive range o mounting accessories
o Wide requency response
o Very low rubbing noise
o Internal battery or 12-48V phantom power* (*with positive bias version only)
o Detachable 250 Q power supply
o Available in 4 colors: black, gray, white, tan
o Large range o connectors or direct use on a wireless transmitter
o Strong, durable and reliable
o One-year warranty
• TR50 Specifications:
o Size: .18" x .300" x .55"
o Type: Omni-directional electret condenser
o Freq. Response: 40 - 16,000 Hz
o Noise Level: 26dB equivalent SPL
o Maximum SPL: 134dB
o Output Level: -57dB
o Nominal Impedance: 3,000Ω (TR-79 Power Supply - 250Ω)
o Operating Voltage: 1.5V
o Current Drain: 20-30 microamps (TR-79: 80-100 microamps)
o Battery: 357 (SR44W/313)
o Isolated Mic Element: To reduce rubbing noise
o Bias: Negative and Positive
o Cable: Sturdy, Flexible (TR-50BPS -9 t. long)
o Available mic colors: Black, Gray, Tan, or White

• TR50 Standard Accessories included with microphone (replace with color):
o Cable Holder with Vampire Pins (*CH)
o Clip on Holder with Vampire Pins (*COH)
o Tie Bar with Alligator Clip (*TB)
o Tie Tac (*TT)
o Windscreen (*WS)
o Tape Down (*TD)
o Carrying Case (*CC)
o Cable Reel (*CR) - PS versions only
When using the Clip On and Tape Down Holders under clothing, mount the mic with the back
out ( acing clothing), as the back o the microphone housing has less rubbing noise than the
ront grid. There will be no reduction in audio sensitivity. These accessories are available in
Black, Gray, Tan or white.
• TR50 Optional Accessories:
o Boundary Layer Tape Down (BLTD)
o Double Tie Bar (BDTB)
o Mic Cage with Plain Back (MC1)
o Mic Cage with Vampire Pin Back (MC2)
TR79 Power Supply
Provides powering and balanced XLR output to the TR50
miniature microphone. Available in two powering
con igurations (microphone bias must match power
supply bias.):
TR79
Negative bias, operates on internal battery only
TR79+
Positive bias, operates on internal battery or external 12-
TR79ML Detachable Power Supply With
TB5M Connector For U e With TRAM TR50
Mic Wired For Lectro onic

48V phantom power.
Connection between the TR50 and TR79 is through a
connector o choice ( rom an extensive list), matching the
connector used by an accompanying wireless transmitter
i required.
• TR79 Features:
o Tube-style power supply or TR50 mic
o Single Mallory RM675 or equivalent
battery
o Balanced output on XLR connector
o 18mm x 85mm
o Output impedance 250Ω
TR79 Power Supply Hard-Wired To
TRAM TR50B Lavalier Mic
FAQ
Positive Bias or Negative Bias? What's the Difference?
This is an extremely popular question. Click Here or the answer.
Repairs
There are are generally 3 types o repairs with TRAM
®
microphones:
• Connector
o Cable is intermittent at the
connector end o the mic (or
where the cable enters the
power supply on a hard-wired
mic). This is by ar the most
common problem. The solution
is to cut the cable back about 1
inch rom the connector and re-
install connector. We provide
this service or $41 plus
shipping with a turn-a-round o
a couple o days ($50 plus
shipping or hard-wired mics to rebutt the cable where it enters the power
supply). We can also replace the connector i it is damaged at that time-
connector costs vary rom connector to connector. To send us the mic or
repair, please complete our Repair Form.
• Head
o Cable is intermittent (or rayed or pulled out) where it enters the mic head (mic
element). This can not be fixed. Any problem with or near the mic head (mic
element) can not be repaired. The housing is assembled by a machine at the
actory and there ore is not serviceable. Your only solution is to purchase a
new mic. We o er the mic only with no case and no clips, and with or without

a connector at a lower cost. For mics that are hard wired into the power
supply, we can install a new mic head/cable assembly onto your old power
supply (the approximate cost to replace a hardwired mic with a new head/cable
assembly is ~$225 and you can send it to us using our Repair Form).
• Power Supply
o Power Supply is dead. First make sure you test the power supply with another
known "good" mic. Second, make sure the bias o the microphone is the same
as the power supply (See FAQs above about Bias). Third, make sure you are
using a "good" battery. It is very rare that we see a bad power supply and
the cause o the ault is generally one o the items just listed. I you have tried
all three o those things and the power supply still doesn't work, then your only
recourse is to purchase a new power supply as it is a non-serviceable item.
o Cable is intermittent or rayed where it enters the power supply on a hard-
wired mic. This is repairable, see "Connector" type repairs above.
I you are still lost and have no idea whether it can be ixed or not or what component is at
ault, you can send us everything and we can igure it out or you!
Send in a Repair: To send us your TRAM
®
microphone or or an out-o -warranty repair,
please complete a Repair Form. The address to ship to is on the orm. The average repair
cost is approximately $45 plus shipping. We suggest you pre-authorize $55, in case we need
a ew additional parts (new connector, etc.). Please Note that a $22.00 service charge, plus
return shipping (i you want it back) will apply to all re used repair estimates.
General
Manufacture Warranty
TRAM
®
microphones are warranted to the original purchaser to be ree rom de ects in
material and workmanship under normal use or a period o one year rom date o purchase.
During this one year period, and upon proo o purchase, your microphone will be repaired or
replaced, at the manu acture's option, without charge or either parts or labor, provided the
microphone is sent prepaid to the manu acture. This warranty will not apply i the microphone
has been misused, abused, incorrectly wired or altered. Warranty repair/replacement does not
extend this warranty. For warranty repairs, please contact the manu acture directly or
contact the dealer you purchased it rom. TramMicrophones.com is not the manu acture, we
are only an authorized distributor and there ore only handle warranty repairs on microphones
that we have sold.