“ TRUE CONDENSER MICROPHONE FOR ULTRA-DETAILED RECORDINGS REDISCOVER SOUND BRING IT TO PERFECTION // LCT 540 S USER MANUAL 1
// Index 11. Accessories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 1. Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 12. Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 2.
1. Introduction With the LCT 540 S, LEWITT introduces a cutting-edge microphone for ultradetailed sound images. Get involved with tone and sound in ways unheard and bring your recordings to perfection by capturing all the fine-grained characteristics that constitute each moment of your performance. Rediscover your instrument and voice on a whole new level of musical detail. 2.
. Control elements - User interface // Status indicator 1 Illuminated white: standard operation Flashing red: clipping occurs Not illuminated: key-lock active Illuminated red: Automatic Attenuation active Flashing red/white or green/white: Clipping History active // Low-cut indicator 2 Use left pushbutton to change the low-cut settings. Low-cut filters eliminate unwanted low-frequency sounds, compensate the proximity effect and reduce structure-borne noise.
. Setting up your LCT 540 S // Attach the included shock mount to a stable and sturdy microphone stand. A shock mount isolates the microphone from structure-borne noise. Place the LCT 540 S in the shock mount and secure it by fastening the threaded nut turning it counter-clockwise. 6. About condenser microphones 6.1. The basic principle of a condenser capsule // A condenser capsule consists of a diaphragm, that is positioned in close proximity to a solid metal plate hence forming a capacitor.
.2. Phantom power explained // All condenser microphones require an external power source called “Phantom Power” to generate polarization voltage for the capsule and to power the circuitry. Without phantom power, a condenser microphone will not work. // How to read a polar pattern diagram First of all, you have to be able to read a polar pattern diagram properly. It contains all necessary information you need to foresee the result during recording.
6.4. Important specs of a condenser microphone // Sensitivity LCT 540 S - Sensitivity: 41 mV/Pa, -28 dBV/Pa You can often read that a condenser microphone has a “high” sensitivity. What does that mean in practical terms? In short, it means that a more sensitive microphone is “hotter” – i.e. it requires less gain (amplification) to achieve a certain output level. You can specify a microphone’s sensitivity in two ways: in mV/Pa or dBV/Pa.
7. Recording tips In the following chapters we will provide you with some basic tips about recording. Take this as a rough guide, not as hard rules. Take your time to experiment and don’t be afraid to try different things. Always listen to your ears! In a very simplified analogy, you can think of the mic as a flashlight. Whatever your “beam of light” illuminates, will be in the focus of your recording. // Room sound Try different rooms if you have the possibility, every location sounds different.
8. Applications A condenser microphone is a classic go-to microphone for studio work, as it can capture every subtle nuance of the sound source, therefore delivering natural and detailed sound. Of course, it can also be used for many stage applications, for example cymbals, amplifiers, overheads, background vocals, acoustic instruments, and more. 8.1. Vocals // Start by attaching the LCT 50 PSx magnetic pop filter to the LCT 40 SH shock mount.
8.4. Drums 8.5. Stage use // Although you often see drums being miked with lots of microphones, you can achieve good results using a single large-diaphragm condenser microphone. Especially for pre-production, or demo-recordings, it is an uncomplicated way to record your ideas or song-structures. The front-of-kit position is recommended for those scenarios; it records all parts of the kit, but it also delivers a punchy sound coming from the kick.
00 0˚ 9. Tech graphs 330˚ 30˚ 20 dB 0 300˚ -10 10 dB 0° 330° 30° 0 20 dB 270˚ 0 dB 300° 60° -10 10 dB -10 dB 0 dB 270° 90° 240˚ -10 dB 240° -20 dB 120° 210˚ -20 dB 20 Hz 50 20 Hz Low cut 500 100 50 200 1 .000 500 100 2k 1k 200 2k 5k 5k 500 10k 10k 20k 1 .000 20k Figure 9.1 - Frequency response of the LCT 540 S 2k 150˚ 210° 180° 5k 180˚ 150° 10k Polar graph frequency linear 125 Hz 2 .000 Hz 80 Hz 250 Hz 4 .000 Hz 160 Hz 500 Hz 8 .000 Hz 1 .
10. Specifications 11. Accessories // LCT 40 SH - shock mount A shock mount is recommended for most recording applications as it reduces unwanted structure-borne noise. The front of the microphone is indicated by the Lewitt logo. The open front of the shock mount allows you to position the microphone as close as you like to the source. Type Condenser, externally polarized Acoustical operating principle Pressure gradient transducer Diaphragm 3 micron gold sputtered Mylar Transducer Ø 25.
12. Troubleshooting My recording sounds muffled! I cannot hear anything! // Make sure the user interface is facing the sound source during recording. // Check if phantom power (P48) is switched on. A condenser microphone always needs to be supplied with 48V phantom power to work. // To record with full sensitivity do not cover any part of the wire mesh. // Check your whole signal chain one by one and check if all connected equipment is supplied with sufficient electrical power.
13. Safety guidelines Lewitt GmbH shall not be liable for consequences of an inappropriate use of the product not complying with the technical allowance in the user manual such as handling errors, mechanical spoiling, false voltage and using other than the recommended correspondence devices.
14. Regulatory information 15. Warranty This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. All products manufactured by LEWITT GmbH feature a limited two-year warranty. This two-year warranty is specific to the date of purchase as shown on your purchase receipt.
