Miniature Microphone Application Guide
6 7
ne of the most varied applications is as a speaker’s microphone
on a table. Usually the microphone should be placed so that it is incon-
spicuous or even invisible, especially in television, while delivering op-
timum signal quality. Moreover, body noise and wind noise should be
suppressed effectively. For this reason, many variants are offered de-
pending on the optical and acoustical requirements and budget.
The preferred capsule for speech applications is the AK 40 cardioid,
or, in rooms with strong reflections, loud environments, or strong table
reflections, the AK 50 hypercardioid. With the latter, it is also a ques-
tion of whether the specific geometry (incident angle) of the table re-
flections is such that the hypercardoid offers the best cancellation
(± 120°).
The AK 45 “speech cardioid” is the right choice for extremely close
distances (< 10 cm). This mic capsule has a frequency response that
has been optimized to deliver balanced response even at extremely close
distances.
To pick up several speakers at the same time, for example, in the con-
text of a round-table discussion, the AK 43 wide-angle cardioid can be
used to cover a wider angle or the AK 30 omnidirectional can be used
to cover an omnidirectional field. If there are only two speakers, then
occasionally the bidirectional AK 20 with figure-eight characteristic,
which completely suppresses sounds coming from the side, is set up
between the two speakers.
If the microphone is positioned very close to the speaker, then wind-
screens and pop filters should be used (see “Pop Screens and Wind-
screens”).
Small Setups
A typical example for use of small setups is miking a television news
anchor. The mic should be inconspicuous, and yet its directional pat-
tern should reject noise and possible table reflections.
The Smallest Variant
The simplest and most cost effective variant is to use the included
SG 21/17 mt clamp to mount the entire microphone on a table stand,
for example, the MF 3 table stand.
KM ... + SG 21/17 mt + MF 3
The Simplest Variant
The smallest of all solutions is embodied by the MF-AK table stand.
The active capsule screws right onto the swiveling headpiece, is align-
able in the horizontal and vertical planes, and connects to the KM 100
output stage via the permanently attached cable. The cable exits at the
side or below, making it possible to run the cable through the table where
it is hidden by the stand itself.
The microphone stand rests on a soft cellular rub-
ber disk that dampens body noise.
AK ... + MF-AK
The following combination, in which the active
capsule with extension cable LC 3 KA is attached
to the SGE 100 stand mount, is not much big-
ger. The MF 2 table stand has the same small
diameter as the MF-AK and also rests on a shock-
absorbing cellular rubber pad. Moreover, it incor-
porates rubber mount for additional suppression
of body noise.
AK ... + SGE 100 + LC 3 KA + MF 2
The Flexible Variant
If a short gooseneck is desired in order to keep
the capsule away from table reflections while still
permitting a large range of angle adjustments, the
SMK 100 KA gooseneck can be used. The cable
runs through the inside of the gooseneck to
the base, where it exits from the side
above the MF 2 table stand.
AK ... + SMK 100 KA + MF 2
The Failsafe Variants
If two microphones are needed in the same
place or one is to serve as a “reserve”, it is some-
times desirable to double microphones. Special
mounts are also available for this.
The DS 21 mt double mount makes it possible
to mount two complete microphones on one ta-
ble stand, for example, the MF 3. The MF 3 ta-
ble stand also rests on a shock-absorbing cellular
rubber pad.
2x KM ... + DS 21 mt + MF 3
The SMK 100-2 KA double gooseneck is of-
fered for most flexible solutions.
2x AK ... + SMK 100-2 KA + MF 2
With the capsules aligned accordingly, this set-
up can even be used for speakers who are seated
opposite one another.
TABLETOP APPLICATION