AKG PCC170 User Manual

PCC-170

–20
–25
–30
–35

20 100 1K

+15
+10

+5

dB 0

–5
–10
–15

10K

BOOST

FLAT

CUT

135°

BOOST

CUT

PCC-170W

he Crown PCC-170 is a surface-mounted
supercardioid microphone of professional
quality. This handsomely styled unit is

T

appropriate for use on the most elegant
boardroom table or lectern. Other applications
include churches, courtrooms and council cham­bers.

Because of its highly directional pickup pattern,
the PCC-170 minimizes background noise and
feedback. The microphone reproduces the voice
with a clean, clear and natural sound.

Since the microphone capsule is placed on a
boundary or surface, direct and reflected sounds
arrive at the diaphragm in-phase. This coherent
addition of direct and reflected waves increases
sensitivity 6 dB and prevents phase cancellations.
The mic capsule is small enough to ensure phase
coherency up to the highest frequencies in the
audible spectrum, resulting in a wide, smooth
frequency response free of phase interference.
Clarity and reach are also enhanced.

Self-contained electronics eliminate the need for
an in-line preamp. Powered by 12-48V phantom
power, the PCC-170 has a low-impedance
balanced output which permits long cable runs
without hum pickup or high-frequency loss.
Although the standard connector option is a
Switchcraft TB3M, the microphone can be
special-ordered with a 1¦4" stereo phone plug on
the bottom of the base plate as the PCC-170/SPP.

The PCC-170W is finished in off-white to blend
with church altars and other surroundings where
the lighter color is appropriate.

RFI suppression is included. Self-noise is low
and sensitivity is very high. A bass-tilt switch
allows the user to tailor the low-end response for
particular applications.

How to Set the Bass Tilt Switch

On the bottom of the microphone is a BASS-TILT
switch with three positions: FLAT, CUT, and
BOOST. It adjusts the low-frequency response as
shown in Fig. 1.

• The FLAT position provides a flat low-frequency
response, which is normal usage. The PCC-170 is
shipped from the factory in flat position.

• The CUT position rolls off the bass, useful in
noisy or boomy surroundings.

• The BOOST position boosts the bass for a more
natural sound when the mic is used on a small
surface such as a lectern.

How to Adjust the High-Frequency Response

The microphone is factory-set for flat response at
high frequencies. You can raise or lower the
high-frequency response for special applications.
Please follow this procedure:

1. On the bottom of the microphone, find the
hole labeled HF ADJ. This trim pot adjusts the
high-frequency response as shown in Fig. 1.

@crown

PHASE COHERENT
CARDIOID® MICROPHONE

®

®

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

30°

0°

Fig. 3

300°

270°

240°

Frequency Response

Frequency in Hz

Vertical-Plane Polar Response

60° 90° 120°

FRONT

-10

-0

+

5

-20

-15

-5

Horizontal-Plane Polar Response

330°

210°

0°

FRONT

REAR

200 Hz - 4 kHz

150°

REAR

180°

30°

-0

dB

-5

-10

-15

-20

300 Hz-4 kHz

150°180°

60°

90°

120°

Specifications

Type: Phase Coherent Cardioid®.
Element: Electret condenser.
Frequency response (typical): 50 Hz to 20,000 Hz

at 30 degrees incidence to surface (see Fig. 1).

Polar pattern: Half-supercardioid (supercardioid in

the hemisphere above the primary boundary).
See Figs. 2 and 3.

Impedance: 150 ohms, balanced (recommended

load impedance 1000 ohms or greater).

Open circuit sensitivity (typical): 22 mV/Pa* (-33

dB re 1 volt/Pa).

Power sensitivity: -30.5 dB re 1 mW/Pa*. EIA

rating -125 dBm.

Equivalent noise level (self-noise): 22 dB SPL

typical (0 dB = .0002 dyne/cm2), A-weighted.

S/N ratio: 72 dB at 94 dB SPL.
Maximum SPL: 120 dB SPL produces 3% THD.
Polarity: Positive pressure on the diaphragm

produces positive voltage on pin 2 with respect
to pin 3.

Operating voltage: Phantom power, 12 to 48 volts

DC on pins 2 and 3 with respect to pin 1.
Current drain: 4 mA nominal.
Connector: Switchcraft TB3M in model PCC-170.

Bottom-mounted 1¦4" stereo phone plug in model

PCC-170/SPP. See Fig. 7.
Cable: 15-foot, black, two-conductor shielded cable

with Switchcraft TA3F and A3M connectors. No

cable supplied with SPP option.
Materials: High-impact molded plastic and steel

mesh grille.
Finish: PCC-170: black. PCC-170W: off-white.

Net weight: 6 oz. (170 g).
Dimensions: See Figs. 4 and 7.
Optional accessories: Crown PH-1A phantom

power supply (single channel, battery or AC

adapter powered), Crown PH-4B phantom power

supply (4 channels, AC powered).

*1 pascal = 10 dynes/cm2 = 10 microbars = 94 dB SPL.

®

Fig. 4

3.4"

8.6 cm

4.84"

12.3 cm

.900"

2.3 cm

Fig. 5

Dimensions are to outside of plastic housing.

.900"

PHASE COHERENT CARDIOID

BOOST
FLAT
CUT

MADE IN USA

®

PCC® 170

+

2.3 cm

®

2.200"

5.58 cm

.480"

1.21 cm

HF ADJ

+

BASS TILT

CUT OUT FOR
PERMANENT

INSTALLATION

1718 W. Mishawaaka Road, Elkhart, IN 46517
[phone]

MICROPHONE FRONT

2. Using the supplied small screwdriver, turn the
pot clockwise for high-frequency boost (a
brighter sound); turn the pot counter-clockwise
for high-frequency rolloff (a duller sound).

Installation

Typical placement for each microphone is at
arm’s length from the user. Either place one
microphone in front of each person or one be­tween every two people. The front of the micro­phone is indicated by an arrow on the bottom of
the base plate.

If the microphone is used on a lectern, place it on
an open surface, not in a cavity. Otherwise the
frequency response and polar pattern will be
degraded.

Connect the far end of each mic cable to the input
of a phantom-power supply such as a Crown PH­4B. For each channel of the phantom-power
supply, connect the output to a mixer mic input.

Or if your mixer has phantom power built in,
connect each mic cable directly to a mixer mic
input.

The PCC includes two keyhole slots in its base to
accept mounting screws. To screw the PCC to a
table top, follow this procedure:

1. Punch out the keyholes marked on the label
underneath the base plate (use a razor blade,
small screwdriver, etc.).

2. Using the template (Fig. 6), mark the location
of two holes in the table where you want to
mount the mic. These holes are 1.6" apart, cen­ter-to-center. They are 2.2" from the rear of the
mic. See Fig. 5.

Fig. 6

1.6"

3. Screw two #8 woodscrews (.270" dia. head)
into the table at the locations you marked.

4. Loosen the screws enough to receive the mic
and to hold it with a friction fit.

If your model is the SPP type install 1¦4" phone
jacks in your table. Fig. 7 shows the optimum
jack wiper locations.

Fig. 7

.330

.750

.975

Jack contacts should be close to these dimensions.

Architects’ and Engineers’ Specifications

The microphone shall be the Crown Model
PCC-170 (black) or PCC-170W (off-white) or
equivalent. The microphone shall be a half­supercardioid electret condenser type, utilizing a
subminiature transducer of rugged construction.

The microphone shall employ the principle of
phase coherency achieved by mounting a small­diameter element very near a boundary, thus

Shield
Audio Return

Audio Hot

®

PCC-170

®

PCC-170W

eliminating comb filtering in the audible spec­trum. The microphone will exhibit excellent off­axis response and gain-before-feedback.

A 15-foot (4.6m), two-conductor shielded cable
with TA3F and A3M connectors shall be supplied
with the microphone. As an option, the micro­phone may be obtained with a bottom-mounted

1

¦4" stereo phone plug (model PCC-170SPP, no

cable provided).
Nominal sensitivity shall be 22 mV/Pa. Maximum

SPL shall be 120 dB SPL for 3% THD. Equivalent
noise shall be 22 dBA nominal. Frequency re­sponse shall be 50 Hz to 20,000 Hz with a uni­form off-axis response, over 20 dB down at the
rear nulls.

The Crown Model PCC-170 is specified.

Warranty

Crown professional microphones are guaranteed
unconditionally against malfunction from any
cause for a period of three years from date of
original purchase. Please refer to the enclosed
full warranty sheet for more detail.

Service

If the microphone does not function properly,
check that it is aimed correctly and is configured
and connected as described in this data sheet.
Double check the DIP-switch settings. If there is
hum or no signal, first repair or replace the cable.
If the microphone capsule is defective, order a
replacement PCC-170 mic capsule from Crown
(part no. M43197-9) or return the microphone in
its original packaging to Crown’s Service Depart-

ment, Plant 2 SW, 1718 W. Mishawaka Road,
Elkhart, IN 46517. For further assistance or

technical support call 800- 342-6939.

MICROPHONE

CAPSULE

WP1

WP2

2.2K

VCC

3

8

+

0.01

150K

VCC

+

100K

0.47
50V

100K

1

SW3J

2

_

10

4

9

SW3I

470K

20K

3000pF

100K

5

+

7

6

_

11
12

4700pF

20K

ELECTRONICS

75

VCC

+

100
16V

20K

75

PCC-170 Schematic

10
50V

100K

3

2
1

7
6

5

82K 100K

+

2.2
50V

Q1

6.8K

+

W3

500K

RED

0.022

BLK

0.022

GRN

SWITCHCRAFT

2

1

3

JI

TB3M

©

Specifications subject to change without prior notice.
Crown®, PCC® and Phase Coherent Cardioid® are
registered trademarks of Crown International, Inc.

W4

W5

Crown International, Inc.
P.O. Box 1000
Elkhart, IN 4651 5-1000
TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]FAX

1996 Crown International, Inc.

.22

+

10

50V

10/96 K80776-6