Audio-Technica U891RC - Manual

unipoint

®

microphones

Cardioid Condenser Boundary Microphone with Local or Remote Switching

U

891RC

Features

• Electronic switch can be set to any of three operating modes:

“touch-on/touch-off,” “touch-to-talk” and “touch-to-mute”

• External contact closure capability permits control of remote

devices from microphone switch

• External LED control allows for accurate depiction of the live

status of the microphone

• PivotPoint

®

rotating output connector allows cable to exit from

either the rear or the bottom of the microphone

• UniGuard

®

RFI-shielding technology offers outstanding rejection

of radio frequency interference (RFI)

• UniSteep

®

filter provides a steep low-frequency attenuation to

improve sound pickup without affecting voice quality

• Available interchangeable elements permit angle of acceptance

from 100° to 360°

• Heavy die-cast case and non-slip silicon foam bottom pads

minimize coupling of surface vibration to the microphone

Description

The U891RC is a wide-range condenser microphone with a cardioid

polar pattern. It is designed for surface-mount applications such as high-

quality sound reinforcement, conferencing, distance learning and other

demanding sound pickup applications.

The microphone features an ultra-quiet electronic touch switch,

programmable external contact closure and LED indicator. The electronic

touch switch can be set to any of three operating modes: "touch-on/touch-

off," "touch-to-talk" and "touch-to-mute." The microphone's external contact

closure capability permits control of remote devices. The contact closure

can also be configured to operate independently of the microphone

element for applications that require a constant signal from the

microphone element. A switch on the bottom of the microphone allows

selection of local or remote operation. (In remote operation, the LED and

electronic touch switch operate independently of the microphone.)

A third position on this switch enables the LED to be controlled from an

external source.

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 (cardioid in hemisphere above mounting surface). Additional

interchangeable elements with omnidirectional (360°) and hypercardioid

(100°) pickup patterns are available.

The microphone includes a 7.6 m (25’) output cable terminating in a

special TA5F-type connector at the microphone end. The equipment

end is stripped and tinned for connection to an electronic device. The

microphone is equipped with Audio-Technica’s unique PivotPoint

®

rotating

output connector.

A switch permits 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’s heavy die-cast case and non-slip silicon foam bottom

pads minimize coupling of surface vibration to the microphone. The

microphone includes a soft protective pouch and features a low-

reflectance black finish.

Installation and Operation

The U891RC requires 11V to 52V phantom power for operation.

The electronics in the microphone take up to 30 seconds to stabilize after

power is applied; during this start-up period, some sonic disturbances may

be heard upon switching if the system is “live.”

The microphone should be placed on a flat,

unobstructed mounting surface, with the front

of the microphone facing the sound source.

The sound source should not be below,

or higher than 60° above, the plane of the

mounting surface.

The microphone features a touch-sensitive on/off switch, indicator

LED and external contact closure ability for controlling remote devices.

The microphone offers three choices of switching modes. The SW.

FUNCTION switch located on the bottom of the microphone selects the

desired mode. TOUCH ON/OFF: Touch the on/off switch once to turn

the microphone on; touch again to turn off. MOM. ON (momentary

on): Microphone is on only while the switch is being touched (“press

to talk”). MOM. OFF (momentary off): Microphone is off only while the

switch is being touched (“press to mute”). The indicator LED and external

contact closure follow the operation of the touch switch when in the local

mode. For applications that require the microphone to remain active or

always “on”, regardless of the touch switch setting, a “Local/Remote/ LED

Remote” control function is provided.

• When the CONTROL switch (located on the bottom of the microphone)

is in the “Local” position, the touch switch controls the microphone's

audio output, LED status and contact closure internally.

• When the CONTROL switch is in the “Remote” position, the

microphone's audio output remains active or “on” all the time. The touch

switch controls only the LED and contact closure.

• When the CONTROL switch is in the “LED remote” position, it allows

remote control of the LED, for accurate depiction of the microphone's live

status. The LED will remain “on” when driven logic high or open, and “off”

when driven logic low or connected to ground. The microphone's audio

output remains active or “on” all the time, and the contact closure follows

the configuration of the touch switch.

*Refer to the table for switch/LED/closure states.

Output is low impedance balanced. The signal appears across the red and

yellow wires; audio ground is the shield connection. Output is phased so

that positive acoustic pressure produces positive voltage on the yellow

wire. The small-diameter black and blue wires are the contact closure. The

white wire is the external LED control.

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.

The microphone’s PivotPoint

®

rotating output connector allows the cable

to exit from either the rear or the bottom of the microphone without the

need for tools or disassembly.

Avoid leaving the microphone in the open sun or in areas where

temperatures exceed 110° F (43° C) for extended periods. Extremely high

humidity should also be avoided.

60°

IDEAL

WORKING

ANGLE