AKG PZM185 Users Manual

PZM-185

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he PZM®-185 is a Pressure Zone Micro­phone

T

applications such as conferences, group
discussions, interviews, broadcast, home video
production, lectures, and recordings. The mic
can be placed on a large surface such as a
table, floor, wall, or lectern.

The PZM-185 is powered either by an internal
AAA 1.5V battery or 12-48 volt phantom power.
The boundary “paddle” can be detached so the
mic will fit in your pocket. Attached to the mic is
an 8-foot (2.438-m) cable leading to a tubular
power module.

The microphone’s low-profile design reduces
“mic fright” and minimizes clutter. It is nearly
invisible on camera. The PZM-185 minimizes
pick up of vibration and handling noise.

Its electret condenser capsule provides a wide,
smooth frequency response from 50 Hz to 16
kHz. The mic’s hemispherical polar pattern al­lows clear pickup of everyone surrounding the
microphone.

The PZM-185 is protected against static and
RFI. The output is balanced, low impedance,
which allows long cable runs without hum
pickup or high-frequency loss.

Like other Pressure Zone Microphones, the
PZM-185 uses a miniature mic capsule
mounted very near a sound-reflecting plate or
boundary in the Pressure Zone. In this zone,
direct sound from the sound source combines
in phase at all frequencies with reflected sound
off the boundary. The benefits are many: 6 dB
more sensitivity, 6 dB less noise, a wide smooth
frequency response free of phase interference,
excellent clarity and “reach,” and consistent
pickup anywhere around the microphone.

Operating Instructions

You can power the PZM-185 either by 12-48
volt phantom power or battery power. To use
phantom power, plug the mic connector into a
phantom power supply or into a mic input that
provides 12-48 volt phantom power.

To use battery power, open the cover (see Fig.

3) and insert a AAA 1.5V battery. Please note
the correct orientation of the battery.

If you’re using the microphone on a hard sur­face, such as a table top, the boundary “paddle”
is not necessary. If you’re using the mic on a
carpet or other sound-absorbing surface, attach
the boundary “paddle” for best results.

®

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for general-purpose use. Ideal for

PRESSURE
ZONE
MICROPHONE

Specifications

Element: Electret condenser.
Frequency response (typical): 50 Hz to 16 kHz (see

Fig. 1.

Polar pattern: Hemispherical (half-omni) on a large

surface.

Impedance: 150 ohms, balanced. Recommended load

impedance 1000 ohms.

Open circuit sensitivity (1.5V battery power):

0.8mV/Pa (–62 dB re 1 volt/Pa*).

Power sensitivity (1.5V battery power): –59.5 dBm.

EIA sensitivity –154 dBm.

Open-circuit sensitivity (phantom power):

3.2 mV/Pa* (–50 dB re 1V/Pa).

Power sensitivity (phantom power): –47.5 dBm. EIA

sensitivity –142 dBm.

Equivalent noise level (self-noise): 21 dB SPL typical,

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

S/N ratio: 73 dB at 94 dB SPL.
Maximum SPL: 120 dB SPL produces 3% distortion

with phantom power.

Polarity: Positive pressure on the diaphragm produces

positive voltage on pin 2 with respect to pin 3 of the
output connector.

Cable: 8 foot (2.438m), 2-conductor shielded, perma-

nently attached. No other cable supplied; use 2­conductor shielded mic cable.

Output connector: 3-pin XLR-type pro audio connector.
Operating voltage: One 1.5-volt size AAA alkaline

battery (Duracell MN2400 or equivalent) or 12 to
48V phantom power (positive voltage on pins 2 and
3 with respect to pin 1).

Battery life: Approximately 45 days.
Current drain: 0.5 mA.
Materials: High-impact plastic housing and steel

power module.

Finish: Satin black.
Dimensions: See Fig. 2.
Weight: 4 ounces (115 grams).
Included accessories: 1.5V AAA battery.

®

Optional accessories: Crown PH-4B phantom power

supply (4 channels, AC powered). Crown PH-1A
phantom power supply (1 channel, battery or AC
powered).

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

Fig. 1

Frequency Response

Frequency in Hz

Fig. 2

3.409"

(8.7 CM)

3.129"

(7.9 CM)

5.90"

(15.0 CM)

.579"

(1.5 CM)

.732"

1.86 cm

.607"

(1.5 cm)

®

(1)

PZM-185

Fig. 3

(3)

Grab Cover

Here and Lift

Mic Holder

Battery

(2)

Hinge

Remove Boundary “Paddle”

Grab

Tab

Suggestions for Use

Place the microphone near the sound source as
described following:

Conferences, group discussions, seated inter-

Lay the microphone on the table. Use

views—

one microphone in the middle of every 4 to 6
people. Ideally, no person should be more than
3 feet (0.9144 m) from the nearest microphone.
For maximum clarity, hold the conference in an
acoustically “dead” room with carpeting, acous­tic-tile ceiling, and drapes.

Lectures

—Place the microphone on top of the
lectern, near the edge of the lectern farthest
from the person speaking.

Video or movies

—Lay the microphone on a

table or on the floor near the action.

Music

—Place the microphone near the sound
source, on the floor, on a wall, or on a large
hard-surfaced panel. For grand piano, tape the
microphone to the center of the underside of
the raised lid.

For spaced-pair stereo recording, place two
microphones three to ten feet (.914 to 3.05m)
apart on a wall or on the floor about five to
twenty feet (1.52 to 6.10m) from the musical
ensemble. For near-coincident stereo recording,
mount them on a microphone stand using a
“stereo bar” or “stereo microphone adapter.”

Architects’ and Engineers’ Specifications

The microphone shall be a Crown PZM-185 or
equivalent. It shall be a Pressure Zone Micro­phone powered by 12 to 48V phantom power or
a AAA 1.5V battery. The microphone shall have
a permanently attached cable leading to a power
module with an XLR-type connector. An integral
boundary paddle shall be removable. Frequency
response shall be uniform from 50 Hz to 16,000
Hz. Open-circuit sensitivity shall be 3.2 mV/Pa
with phantom power. Maximum SPL for 3%
THD shall be 120 dB with 48V phantom power.
Self-noise shall be 21 dB SPL A-weighted. Im­pedance shall be 150 ohms balanced. The
Crown PZM-185 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 statement for more detail.

Service

If the microphone fails to work, replace or repair
the mic cables, replace the battery or check the
power supply. If service is required, return the
microphone in its original packaging to:

Factory Service, Plant 2 SW, 1718 West
Mishawaka Road, Elkhart, IN 46517. For further
assistance or technical support call 800-342-6939.

Crown

PZM-185 Schematic

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

©

Specifications subject to change without prior notice.
Crown
registered trademarks of Crown International, Inc.
Pressure Recording Process
Long Associates.

11/99 126801-2

Internet: http://www.crownaudio.com

1999 Crown International, Inc.

®

, PZM® and Pressure Zone Microphone® are

™

is a trademark of E. M.