Audio-Technica U853PM - Manual

unipoint

®

microphones

Cardioid Condenser Hanging Microphones

U853PM & U853PMW

Features

• Wall/ceiling plate power module permits permanent installation

in standard, single-gang electrical box

• Uniform cardioid polar pattern with 120º acceptance angle

• Low-profile design with low-reflectance finish for minimum

visibility

• Superior off-axis rejection for maximum gain before feedback

• UniGuard

®

RFI-shielding technology offers outstanding rejection

of radio frequency interference (RFI)

• UniSteep

®

filter provides a steep low-frequency attenuation to

minimize pickup of undesired ambient noise

• Available interchangeable elements permit angle of acceptance

from 90º to 360º

• Steel hanger positions microphone over choirs, instrumental

groups and theater stages

• Available in two colors: black (U853PM) and white (U853PMW)

Description

The U853PM is a wide-range miniature condenser microphone with a cardioid

polar pattern. It is designed for quality sound reinforcement, professional

recording, television and other demanding sound pickup applications. The

combination of small size and excellent response makes the microphone ideal

for suspension over choirs, instrumental groups or theater stages.

The microphone requires 11V to 52V phantom power for operation.

The microphone is equipped with UniGuard

®

RFI-shielding technology, which

offers outstanding rejection of radio frequency interference (RFI).

The microphone's cardioid polar pattern provides a 120° angle of acceptance.

Additional interchangeable elements with omnidirectional (360°), hypercardioid

(100°) and UniLine

®

(90°) pickup patterns are available.

The microphone includes a 7.6 m (25') permanently attached miniature cable.

Its free end connects to the provided AT8534 wall/ceiling plate power module

via a special TA3F-type connector designed to optimize RFI immunity. The

power module features a white-finished standard electrical cover plate for

easy, secure installation. Output connections on the power module are screw

terminals.

Switches in the power module permit a +10 dB gain setting for extra sensitive

pickup as well as a choice of flat response or low-frequency roll-off (via integral

80 Hz high-pass UniSteep

®

filter) to help control undesired ambient noise.

The microphone comes equipped with a wall/ceiling plate power module,

a vinyl-coated steel hanger for positioning over a choir/orchestra/stage, a

two-stage foam windscreen, and a

5

/

8

"-27 stand adapter. The microphone is

enclosed in a rugged housing with a low-reflectance black finish. It is also

available with white housing, cable, hanger and windscreen as the U853PMW.

Installation and Operation

The U853PM requires 11V to 52V phantom power for operation.

A uniform 120° angle of acceptance provides well-balanced audio pickup. The

microphone should be located forward of the front-most source, above the

rear-most source, and “aimed” between them (Fig.1). Increasing the height of

the mic above the sources will tend to equalize sound levels between them,

but may also increase background/reverberant sound pickup. When possible,

the distance from the mic to the rear-most source should be no more than

twice the distance to the front source, to maintain front-to-rear balance (Fig. 1).

Width of pickup is approximately three times the distance to the closest

performer. If additional mics are needed for wide sources, they should be

positioned apart laterally at least three times the distance to the front source,

to avoid phase cancellation (Fig. 2). To orient the microphone in the proper

direction, twist the housing slightly in its wire holder. (Clockwise rotation

moves the microphone to the right; counterclockwise rotation moves it to the

left.)

The provided two-stage foam windscreen simply slips over the head of the

microphone, effectively reducing noise from wind or ventilation air currents.

An integral 80 Hz high-pass UniSteep

®

filter provides easy switching from a

flat frequency response to a low-end roll-off. The roll-off position reduces the

pickup of low-frequency ambient noise (such as traffic, air-handling systems,

etc.), room reverberation and mechanically coupled vibrations. To engage the

UniSteep

®

filter, slide the switch toward the “bent” line. A 10 dB gain switch

is provided for situations that demand extra sensitive pickup. The +10 position

increases the microphone's overall output by 10 dB. To engage the 10 dB gain,

slide the switch toward the +10 position.

The AT8534 wall/ceiling plate power module is designed to be mounted

in a standard metal U.S. single-gang electrical box. For safety and best

performance, use the electrical box only for the AT8534; do not include any AC

power conductors. (Also route the mic cable as far away from AC power cables

as possible.)

Screw-terminal output connections of the AT8534 are the same as those

of an XLR-type plug: shield to Terminal 1, balanced signal and phantom

power to Terminals 2 and 3. Output is phased so that positive acoustic

pressure produces positive voltage at Terminal 2, in accordance with industry

convention.

Do not connect the output cable shield to the box.

Double-

check to make certain that all input and output leads have no bare wires or

loose strands that could touch each other, the circuit board or the electrical box.

Then attach the power module plate to the electrical box.

v+

SIG

GND

3
2
1

Terminal screws

RED/ RED

YEL / YEL

SHIELD

INPUT

AUDIO -

AUDIO +

SHIELD
OUTPUT

Shield strands,

fully twisted

Yellow-Yellow

Red-Red

1

/

8

" strip reds

and yellows

1

/

2

"

1"

LESS THAN 2 TIMES “X”

DIS

TA

NC

E “X

”

120

°

ANGLE OF

ACCEPTANCE

MIC A

MIC B

3 TIMES

DISTANCE “X”

120

°

120

°

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4