" TRUE CONDENSER MULTI-PATTERN STUDIO MICROPHONE PURE SOUND FROM EVERY PERSPECTIVE // LCT 441 FLEX USER MANUAL 1
// Index 1. Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 11. Specs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 2. Box contents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1. Introduction Thank you for choosing a LEWITT product! In this operating manual, you can learn more about your LEWITT microphone and its proper usage. We have put all our knowledge and passion for audio technology into building microphones for people, whose standards for work and performance are as high as our own. The LCT 441 FLEX is a multi-pattern studio microphone, which features high-end capsule technology in a sleek and sturdy casing.
. User interface // Polar pattern Push the button to change the polar pattern; right button to go clockwise, left button to go counter clockwise. // Available polar patterns Omni, wide cardioid, cardioid, supercardioid, figure-8, reverse wide cardioid, reverse cardioid, reverse supercardioid. // Key-lock Press and hold any button for 2 seconds to make the buttons inactive and prevent accidental changes. Repeat to unlock.
. About condenser microphones 5.1. 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. This diaphragm is electrically conductive. // The lower the mass of the diaphragm, the more sensitive it is to changes in sound pressure. In an audible frequency range, we can perceive these changes of sound pressure, and commonly refer to them as sound.
5.2. 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.
// Omnidirectional The omni pattern has the same sensitivity to sound pressure coming from any direction. An omni pattern provides the best bass response, flattest frequency response, and is the least sensitive to handling or wind noise in comparison to all other polar patterns. It will shine in good sounding rooms and timebased stereo recordings.
5.4. Important specs of a condenser microphone // Sensitivity LCT 441 FLEX - Sensitivity: 17.2 mV/Pa, -35.3 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. “17.
6. Before you start Before you can start recording, you should check if you have all the necessary equipment. A microphone alone is not able to complete this task - not even ours. // If you are planning to record vocals or spoken word, make sure to use the supplied LCT 50 PSx magnetic pop filter. The pop filter prevents plosive sounds that are overloading the signal. Plosive sounds are occurring when pronouncing aspirated plosives, which are sounds that are accompanied by a strong burst of breath, e.g.
8. 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.
9. 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. 9.1. Vocals // Start by attaching the LCT 50 PSx magnetic pop filter to the LCT 40 SH shock mount.
9.4. Drums 9.5. 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.
10. Tech graphs 0° 330° 30° 0 20 dB 300° 60° -10 10 dB 270° 90° 0 dB -10 dB 240° 120° -20 dB 210° 20 Hz 50 100 200 500 1k 2k 5k 10k 20k 150° 180° Figure 10.1 - Frequency response of the LCT 441 FLEX Cardioid Figure-8 Supercardioid Wide cardioid Omnidirectional Figure 10.
10. Tech graphs 0° 330° 30° 0 20 dB 300° 60° -10 10 dB 270° 90° 0 dB -10 dB 240° 120° -20 dB 210° 20 Hz 50 100 200 500 1k 2k 5k 10k 20k 150° 180° Figure 10.3 - Frequency response of the LCT 441 FLEX Cardioid Figure-8 Supercardioid Wide cardioid Omnidirectional Figure 10.
10. Tech graphs 0° 330° 30° 0 20 dB 300° 60° -10 10 dB 270° 90° 0 dB -10 dB 240° 120° -20 dB 210° 20 Hz 50 100 200 500 1k 2k 5k 10k 20k 150° 180° Figure 10.5 - Frequency response of the LCT 441 FLEX Cardioid Figure-8 Supercardioid Wide cardioid Omnidirectional Figure 10.
10. Tech graphs 0° 330° 30° 0 20 dB 300° 60° -10 10 dB 270° 90° 0 dB -10 dB 240° 120° -20 dB 210° 20 Hz 50 100 200 500 1k 2k 5k 10k 20k 150° 180° Figure 10.7 - Frequency response of the LCT 441 FLEX Cardioid Figure-8 Supercardioid Wide cardioid Omnidirectional Figure 10.
10. Tech graphs 0° 330° 30° 0 20 dB 300° 60° -10 10 dB 270° 90° 0 dB -10 dB 240° 120° -20 dB 210° 20 Hz 50 100 200 500 1k 2k 5k 10k 20k 150° 180° Figure 10.9 - Frequency response of the LCT 441 FLEX Cardioid Figure-8 Supercardioid Wide cardioid Omnidirectional Figure 10.
11. Specifications 12. Accessories Type Condenser, externally polarized Acoustical operating principle Pressure gradient transducer Diaphragm 3 micron gold sputtered Mylar Transducer Ø 25.4 mm, 1 in // LCT 40 SH - shock mount A shock mount is recommended for most recording applications as it reduces unwanted structure-borne noise. The open front of the shock mount allows you to position the microphone as close as you like to the source.
13. Troubleshooting I cannot hear anything! // Check if phantom power (P48) is switched on. A condenser microphone always needs to be supplied with 48V phantom power to work. // Check your whole signal chain one by one and check if all connected equipment is supplied with sufficient electrical power. // Check if your audio interface, mic-preamp, or other subsequent equipment receives an input signal. // Check if all cables are well connected and functional.
14. 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.
15. Regulatory information 16. 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.
