Schoeps MSTC 64 Ug User Manual download pdf (Page 16)

later stage would not solve the problem.

A condenser microphone represents two cir-

cuit stages: the capsule and the amplifier. In

practice, capsules are rarely overloaded except

by explosions or very strong wind; the only

sound pressure levels that could overload a

SCHOEPS capsule are so extreme – ca. 150 dB

SPL – that they would quickly damage human

hearing. A properly powered SCHOEPS MSTC

64 can normally handle 130+ dB sound pres-

sure levels, depending on the capsule type.

Such levels rarely occur in unamplified sound,

though their equivalents can be caused by wind

when directional capsules are used, just as with

the MSTC 64. In addition, proper powering

should not be taken for granted; insufficient

or incorrect microphone powering has proved

to be the cause of many otherwise mysterious

“overload” problems.

If wind and powering can be excluded as

possible issues, however, overload is far more

likely to occur in the input circuitry of mixers,

preamps or recorders than in the microphone.

This is true particularly with consumer audio

equipment, though even today some profes-

sional equipment is still designed primarily for

use with dynamic micro phones or with earlier,

less sensitive condenser microphones. If an

input sensitivity control is available, it should

be set low enough to avoid input overload,

but not so low as to cause excess noise –

though a few dB of extra hiss is preferable to

the risk of hard clipping. Level meters and

overload indicators don’t generally detect

input overload even in fully professional

equipment; they operate only at later stages

of the circuitry.

If overload occurs where powering, high

sound pressure levels and wind are not the

problem and an input sensitivity control can-

not be turned down, the next logical step is

to plug in a balanced resistive ”pad” (attenu-

ator) such as the SCHOEPS MDZ 10 or MDZ 20

at the preamp input. If the sound quality

improves, leave the pad in place; as long as a

microphone isn’t being overloaded, it is always

better to pad the preamp input than the micro-

phone.

Low-frequency disturbances such as wind

and solid-borne vibration may not be directly

audible as such, but infrasonic noise can still

cause overload in some stage of the signal

chain. A windscreen then becomes the first

line of defense. But low-frequency noise can

also be effectively suppressed the active low-

cut filters LC 60 or LC 120 which can be

placed at the input of a phantom-powered

preamp.

Overload which does not otherwise seem

to make sense may actually be a symptom of

incorrect or inadequate microphone powering.

Powering systems and their requirements are

discussed near the beginning of this manual

on page 5.

The least expensive, most helpful trouble -

shooting tools are:

– a known good microphone cable

– a simple pop screen such as the SCHOEPS

B 5 (or for outdoor recording, a wind

screen such as the SCHOEPS W 5)

– a balanced, in-line resistive attenuator (”pad”)

such as the SCHOEPS MDZ 10 or MDZ 20

– an ordinary multimeter or the SCHOEPS

PHS 48 phantom power tester

Care and Maintenance

Please take care to avoid placing the micro-

phone in a dusty environment. Keep it in its

case (e.g. the wood carrying case it comes

with) when not in use, since any dust that

gets inside the capsules can adversely affect

their functioning. Dust can affect the micro-

phone in the following way: In combination

with humid ity it can lead to condensation and

thus popping and crackling noises (often

described as ”frying sounds”).

What to do if …

the microphone is noisy (clicks and pops) in high

humidity?

– If the microphone is brought from the cold

outdoors into a warm environment, snap-

ping or clicking noises can result from the

condensation of moisture. In such a case the

SCHOEPS GmbH · Spitalstr. 20 · D-76227 Karlsruhe (Durlach) · Tel: +49 721 943 20-0 · Fax: +49 721 943 2050

www.schoeps.de · [email protected]

Care and Maintenance

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