Audio Technica ES943C Operation And Maintenance

ES943C

CARDIOID CONDENSER
CLIP-ON/LAVALIER MICROPHONE

DESCRIPTION

The ES943C is a wide-range
condenser clip-on/lavalier microphone
with a cardioid polar pattern. It is
designed for quality sound reinforce­ment, professional recording,
television and other demanding
sound pickup applications.

The microphone's cardioid polar
pattern provides a 120° angle of
acceptance. Additional interchange­able elements with hypercardioid
(100°) and omnidirectional (360°)
pickup patterns are available.

The ES943C is intended to be worn on the clothing for excellent
yet unobtrusive sound pickup. The wide-range capability of
the microphone ensures clean, accurate reproduction with high
intelligibility for speakers, singers and other performers. The
cardioid pickup pattern helps reject undesired off-axis sounds. Its
small size makes it ideal for use in applications where minimum
visibility is required.

®

The ES943C is equipped with UniGuard
which offers outstanding rejection of radio frequency interference
(RFI). The microphone is RoHS compliant – free from all
substances specified in the EU directive on hazardous substances.

The microphone features a 55" (1.4 m) permanently attached
miniature cable. Its free end connects to the provided AT8538
power module via TA3F-type connector. It can be powered from
any external 11V to 52V DC phantom power supply. A recessed
switch in the power module permits choice of flat response or low­frequency roll-off (via integral 80 Hz high-pass UniSteep
help control undesired ambient noise.

RFI-shielding technology,

®

filter) to

The microphone shall offer outstanding rejection of radio frequency
interference (RFI). The microphone shall be RoHS compliant.

The microphone shall have a permanently attached 55" (1.4 m)
miniature low-noise cable. Its free end shall connect to a provided
power module via TA3F-type connector. An optional crimping tool
shall permit shortening of the cable without loss of RFI immunity.
The power module shall include a recessed switch for low­frequency roll-off and shall terminate in a 3-pin XLRM-type output
connector. The microphone shall be 1.08" (27.5 mm) long with
a head diameter of 0.33" (8.4 mm). Weight shall be 0.2 oz
(5.5 grams) without cable. Finish shall be low-reflectance black.

Two slip-on foam windscreens, a detachable clothing clip and a
power module belt clip shall be included.

The Audio-Technica ES943C is specified.

The microphone is enclosed in a rugged housing with a low­reflectance black finish. A foam windscreen and an AT8460 clothing
clip are included, as well as a snap-on belt clip for the power module.

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

The microphone can be easily attached to a tie, lapel, dress or
other clothing using the included clip.

The provided foam windscreen simply slips over the head of the
microphone, effectively reducing wind noise and “popping.”

Output is low impedance balanced. The output connector of
the power module mates with XLRF-type cable connectors. The
balanced signal appears across Pins 2 and 3, while the ground
(shield) connection is Pin 1. Output is phased so that positive
acoustic pressure produces positive voltage at Pin 2, in
accordance with industry convention.

While a modern condenser microphone is not unduly sensitive
to the environment, temperature extremes can be harmful.
Avoid leaving the microphone in the open sun or in areas where
temperatures exceed 110° F (43° C) for long periods of time.
Extremely high humidity should also be avoided.

NOTE: Audio-Technica has developed a special RFI-shielding
mechanism that is an integral part of the connectors in the
Engineered Sound line. If you remove or incorrectly replace the
connector, you may adversely affect the unit's RFI immunity.
Audio-Technica offers a crimp tool (ATCT) and RFI shields for
TA3F-type, TA5F-type and XLRM-type connectors that enable you
to shorten the cable and correctly reinstall the connector while
maintaining the highest level of RFI immunity.

ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS SPECIFICATIONS

The microphone shall be a fixed-charge condenser with a
frequency response of 30 Hz to 20,000 Hz and a cardioid polar
pattern with uniform 120° angle of acceptance. It shall be capable
of accepting optional interchangeable elements for additional polar
patterns. It shall operate from an external 11V to 52V DC phantom
power source. It shall be capable of handling sound input
levels up to 138 dB with a dynamic range of 109 dB. Nominal open
circuit output voltage shall be 10.0 mV at 1 kHz, 1 Pascal. Output
shall be low impedance balanced (250 ohms).

ES943C SPECIFICATIONS

8 kHz

Polar Pattern

SCALE IS 5 DECIBELS PER DIVISION

LEGEND

200 Hz

1 kHz
5 kHz

Frequency in Hertz

LEGEND

12" or more on axis

Frequency Response

Response in dB

Roll-off

0.74"

18.9 mm

3.66"

92.9 mm

0.09"

2.2 mm

55"

1.4M

1.08"

27.5 mm

0.48"

12.3 mm

0.33"

8.4 mm

†

ELEMENT Fixed-charge back plate

permanently polarized condenser

POLAR PATTERN Cardioid

FREQUENCY RESPONSE 30-20,000 Hz

LOW-FREQUENCY ROLL-OFF 80 Hz, 18 dB/octave

OPEN CIRCUIT SENSITIVITY –40 dB (10.0 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa*

IMPEDANCE 250 ohms

MAXIMUM INPUT SOUND LEVEL 138 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D.

DYNAMIC RANGE (typical) 109 dB, 1 kHz at Max SPL

SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO

1

65 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa*

SWITCH Flat, roll-off

PHANTOM POWER 11-52V DC, 2 mA typical
REQUIREMENTS

WEIGHT

MICROPHONE

5.5 g (0.2 oz)

POWER MODULE 81 g (2.9 oz)

DIMENSIONS

MICROPHONE

27.5 mm (1.08") long,

8.4 mm (0.33") head diameter

POWER MODULE 92.9 mm (3.66") long,

18.9 mm (0.74") diameter

OUTPUT CONNECTOR Integral 3-pin XLRM-type
(power module)

CABLE 1.4 m (55") long (permanently

attached to microphone), 2.2 mm

(0.09") diameter, 2-conductor
shielded cable, terminated with
TA3F-type connector

OPTIONAL INTERCHANGEABLE ESE-O omnidirectional (360°);
ELEMENTS ESE-H hypercardioid (100°)

ACCESSORIES FURNISHED AT8110 foam windscreen;

AT8460 clothing clip;
AT8538 power module; belt clip

†In the interest of standards development, A.T.U.S. offers full details on its test

methods to other industry professionals on request.

*1 Pascal = 10 dynes/cm

1

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

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

2

= 10 microbars = 94 dB SPL

Audio-Technica U.S., Inc., 1221 Commerce Drive, Stow, Ohio 44224
Audio-Technica Limited, Old Lane, Leeds LS11 8AG England

www.audio-technica.com

P51937 ©2007 Audio-Technica U.S., Inc. Printed in U.S.A.