Audio-Technica AT898 User Manual

AT898

Subminiature Cardioid Condenser Lavalier Microphone

Wireless Models Description

The microphone is also available in a variety of wireless models, including the AT898cW. The AT898cW includes a 1.4 m (55") permanently attached miniature cable terminated with a locking 4-pin connector for use with Audio-Technica UniPak® body-pack transmitters. Models are also available in a variety of terminations for use with many other manufacturers’ wireless systems. No power module or battery is included (or required) with the wireless models. The wireless models’ dimensions, polar pattern and included accessories are otherwise identical to those of the AT898.

The AT898cW is also available unterminated as the AT898c.

Cable Terminations

AT898cW Terminated with locking 4-pin connector for use with Audio-Technica® UniPak body-pack transmitters

Features

• Maximum intelligibility and clean, accurate reproduction for vocalists, lecturers, stage and television talent, and houses of worship

• Low-prole design (a mere 5 mm in diameter) is ideal for applications requiring minimum visibility

• Cardioid polar pattern reduces pickup of sounds from the sides and rear, improving isolation of desired sound source

• Offers the convenience of battery or phantom power operation

• Rugged design and construction for reliable performance

• Switchable 80 Hz high-pass lter minimizes pickup of undesired low-frequency sounds

• Also available in wireless models (without power module) terminated for use with all Audio-Technica UniPak® wireless systems and many other manufacturers' wireless systems

Description

The AT898 is a subminiature clip-on/lavalier condenser microphone with a cardioid polar pattern. It is designed to provide accurate reproduction for vocalists, lecturers, stage and television talent, and houses of worship.

The microphone is intended to be worn on the clothing or hidden in props for excellent yet unobtrusive sound pickup. The wide-range capability of the microphone ensures clean, accurate reproduction with high intelligibility for speakers, presenters and other performers. Its small size makes it ideal for use in applications where minimum visibility is required.

AT898cL4 Terminated for Sennheiser® wireless systems using Lemo connector AT898cT4 Terminated for Shure® wireless systems using TA4F-type connector AT898cT5 Terminated for Lectrosonics® wireless systems using TA5F-type connector AT898c Unterminated

Audio-Technica® is a registered trademark of Audio-Technica. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or service marks of their respective owners.

Operation and Maintenance

The AT898 requires 11V to 52V phantom power or a 1.5V AA battery for operation. A battery need not be in place for phantom power operation.

To install the battery, unscrew the base of the power supply unit and insert one AA battery into the battery compartment, being certain to observe battery polarity as marked. Then simply screw the base shut. Alkaline batteries are recommended for longest life. Remove the battery during long-term storage.

Output is low impedance (Lo-Z) balanced. The signal appears across Pins 2 and 3; Pin 1 is ground (shield). Output phase is “Pin 2 hot”— positive acoustic pressure produces positive voltage at Pin 2.

broadcast & production microphones

The microphone requires 11V to 52V phantom power or a 1.5V AA battery for operation. A battery need not be in place for phantom power operation.

The microphone's cardioid polar pattern provides a 120° angle of acceptance.

The microphone includes a 3 m (9.8') permanently attached miniature cable. Its free end connects to the provided AT8537 power module via TA3F-type connector. The output of the power module is a 3-pin XLRMtype connector.

A recessed switch in the power module permits choice of at response or low-frequency roll-off (via integral 80 Hz high-pass lter) to help control undesired ambient noise.

The microphone comes equipped with a power module, a cable clip, a clothing clip base, a viper clip base, a magnet clip base and plate with lanyard, three single mic holders, two double mic holders, two windscreens and a battery. A protective carrying case is also included. The microphone has a low-reectance black nish.

An integral 80 Hz high-pass lter provides easy switching from a at frequency response to a low-end roll-off. The roll-off position reduces the microphone’s sensitivity to popping in close vocal use. It also reduces the pickup of low-frequency ambient noise (such as trafc, air-handling systems, etc.), room reverberation and mechanically coupled vibrations. To engage the high-pass lter, use the end tip of a paperclip or other small pointed instrument to slide the switch toward the “bent” line.

For use as a lavalier, attach the microphone about six inches below the chin. Anticipate movements that may cause the microphone to rub against or be covered by clothing, and position the microphone to avoid it.

The included single and double mic holders are interchangeable with the included bases. To change the holders, simply remove original holder and snap in the desired one. When using the microphone in extremely close situations, slip the included open-pore foam windscreen over the mic to reduce wind noise or popping.

CAUTION! To avoid possible injury, use caution when afxing the microphone viper clip to clothing. The pins are sharp and may puncture

401

AT898

skin. For best results, ensure that pin ends rest on outside of clothing.

Avoid leaving the microphone in the open sun or in areas where temperatures exceed 110° F (43° C) for extended periods. Extremely high humidity should also be avoided.

Architect’s and Engineer’s Specications

The microphone shall be a xed-charge condenser. It shall have a cardioid polar pattern with a uniform 120° angle of acceptance and a frequency response of 200 Hz to 15,000 Hz. The microphone shall operate from an external 11V to 52V DC phantom power source or, alternatively, from a 1.5V AA/UM3 battery. It shall be capable of handling sound input levels up to 131 dB (phantom) or 115 dB (battery) with a dynamic range of 100 dB (phantom) or 84 dB (battery). Nominal opencircuit output voltage shall be 7.0 mV (phantom) or 5.0 mV (battery) at 1 V, 1 Pascal. Output shall be low impedance balanced (200 ohms – phantom, 250 ohms – battery).

The microphone shall have a 3 m (9.8') permanently attached miniature cable terminating in a TA3F-type output connector. The output connector shall connect to a TB3M-type jack on the included power module. The power module shall contain a recessed switch to permit choice of at response or 80 Hz low-frequency roll-off. The output of the power module shall be a 3-pin XLRM-type connector.

The microphone shall be 23.0 mm (0.91") long and have a diameter of 5.3 mm (0.21"). Weight shall be 0.9 grams (0.03 oz). The microphone shall include a power module, a cable clip, a clothing clip base, a viper clip base, a magnet clip base and plate with lanyard, three single mic holders, two double mic holders, two windscreens, a battery and a protective carrying case. Finish shall be low-reectance black.

The microphone shall also be available with a 1.4 m (55") permanently attached miniature cable terminated for use with Audio-Technica UniPak® body-pack transmitters and a variety of other manufacturers’ wireless systems. The wireless models’ dimensions, polar pattern and included accessories (excluding power module and battery) shall be identical to those of the wired model. The microphone shall also be available unterminated.

The Audio-Technica AT898 is specied.

The Audio-Technica [AT898cW]; [AT898cL4]; [AT898cT4]; [AT898cT5] (wireless version) is specied.

The Audio-Technica AT898c (unterminated) is specied.

Specications

Element

Polar pattern

Frequency response

Low frequency roll-off

Open circuit sensitivity

Impedance

Maximum input sound level

Dynamic range (typical)

Signal-to-noise ratio

Phantom power requirements

Battery type

Battery current / life

Switch Weight

Dimensions

Output connector

Cable

Audio-Technica case style

Accessories furnished

In the inter est of standards devel opment, A.T.U.S.

offers full details on its test me thods to other industr y

1 Pascal = 1 0 dynes/cm

Typical, A-weighted, using Audio Precision System One.

Specication s are subject to chang e without notice.

professional s on request.

= 10 microb ars = 94 dB SPL

frequency response: 200 –15,000 Hz

10 dB

100

12" or more on axis Roll-off

330˚

200

Frequency in Hertz

0˚

180˚

500

30˚

150˚

60˚

120˚

10k

20k

90˚

LEGEND

200 Hz

1 kHz 5 kHz 8 kHz

LEGEND

polar pattern

300˚

270˚

240˚

210˚

SCALE IS 5 DECIBELS PER DIVISION

Fixed-charge back plate, permanently polarized condenser Cardioid 200-15,000 Hz 80 Hz, 12 dB/octave Phantom: –43 dB (7.0 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa Battery: –46 dB (5.0 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa Phantom: 200 ohms Battery: 250 ohms Phantom: 131 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D. Battery: 115 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D. Phantom: 100 dB, 1 kHz at Max SPL Battery: 84 dB, 1 kHz at Max SPL 63 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa 11-52V DC, 2 mA typical

1.5V AA/UM3

0.4 mA / 1200 hours typical (alkaline) Flat, roll-off Microphone: 0.9 g (0.03 oz) Power module: 102 g (3.6 oz) Microphone: 23.0 mm (0.91") long,

5.3 mm (0.21") diameter Power module: 145.0 mm (5.71") long,

21.0 mm (0.83") diameter Power module: Integral 3-pin XLRM-type

3.0 m (9.8') long (permanently attached to microphone), 2.0 mm (0.08") diameter, 2-conductor, shielded cable with TA3Ftype output connector that mates with TB3M-type jack on power module M30 AT8537 power module; AT8439 cable clip; clothing clip base; viper clip base; magnet clip base and plate with lanyard; three single mic holders; two double mic holders; two windscreens; battery; protective carrying case

Response in dB