Operating The M1; Powering The M1; Setting Up The Signal Level; Microphone Placement - ICON ProAudio M1 Manuel D'utilisation

Operating the M1

Powering the M1

The M1 is a large diaphragm condenser microphone and therefore needs to be operated
by connecting a phantom power supply. Phantom power is standard on most quality
mixers, outboard MIC-pres and hard disk recorders. If necessary an external phantom
power supply can also be used. The M1 receives the phantom power directly from a
MIC cable when connected to a mixer or other microphone input that includes a
phantom supply. The power is actually sent OUT of the microphone INPUT, riding silently
along with the audio signal. Most mixers have a switch to engage the phantom power
so be sure to check that the phantom power is on.

Setting up the signal level

When connecting the M1 to a mixer or recorder input, be sure that the input is of
microphone level. Also, be sure that the phantom power is engaged as explained at the
previous section "Powering the M1". Most mixers and recorders of reasonable quality
will offer a microphone input with MIC trim (usually called Trim or Gain) control. The
purpose of the MIC trim control is to optimize the amount of good signal to any noise
associated with the mixers electronics. A good MIC pre with trim also will have a Peak
or Clip LED. To set a good level on the MIC, set the M1 up in front of the desired sound
source and slowly raise the MIC trim control until you see the Peak LED light up. Then,
turn the mix trim control down until the LED does not light any more. On most mixers,
the ideal setting is that the trim control is turned up as much as possible without lighting
the Peak LED.

Microphone Placement

In order to maximize the sound quality, you must pay careful attention to the placement
of your M1 and how it is positioned for the instrument or vocalist that you are miking.
All microphones, especially unidirectional or cardioid microphones, exhibit a phenomenon
know as the "proximity effect". Very simply put, proximity effect is a resulting change in
the frequency response of a microphone based on the position of the MIC capsule relative
to the sound source. Specifically, when you point a cardioid MIC directly at the sound
source (on-axis) you will get the best frequency response, however, when you start
pointing the microphone slightly away (off-axis) you will notice the low frequency
dropping off and the microphone will start to sound thinner.
For most vocal applications you'll want to position the microphone directly in front of
the artist. The same may be true for miking instruments. However, you can make some
pretty amazing equalization adjustments by slightly changing the angle of the capsule
to the sound source. This can be a very useful technique in capturing the optimum
sound of drum set, acoustic guitar, piano or other instruments in a live room or sound
stage. Experimentation and experience are the best teachers in getting good sounds,
so plug in!
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