Audio Technica UniPoint AT853a, UniPoint AT853Wa Product Information

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.

Architects and Engineers Specifications

The microphone shall be a fixed-charge
condenser with a cardioid polar pattern and a
frequency response of 30 Hz to 20,000 Hz. It
shall be capable of accepting optional
interchangeable elements for additional polar
patterns. It shall operate from an external 9V
to 52V DC phantom power source or,
alternatively, from a 1.5V AA/UM3 battery.
Nominal open-circuit output voltage shall be

6.3 mV (phantom) or 5.6 mV (battery) at 1
kHz, 1 Pascal. Output shall be low imped­ance balanced (200 ohms-phantom, 270
ohms-battery).

The microphone shall have a permanently­attached 25' (7.6 m) miniature cable,
terminating in a TA3F output connector. The
output connector shall connect to a TB3M
jack on a power module. The included power
module shall house the battery, and contain
an off/on/low-roll-off switch. The power
module shall terminate in a 3-pin XLRM-type
connector.

The microphone shall be mountable in an
included steel hanger that allows permanent
overhead installation for pickup of dialogue,
orchestras, choirs, and other large groups.
The microphone shall be 1.39" (35.2 mm)
long with a head diameter of 0.47" (12.0
mm). The microphone weight shall be 0.4 oz
(10 grams) without cable. The microphone
case, cable and steel hanger shall be black
[white].

The Audio-Technica AT853a [AT853Wa]
is specified.

Description

The AT853a is a wide-range miniature
condenser microphone with a cardioid
(unidirectional) polar pattern. It has been
designed for use in high-quality sound
reinforcement, professional recording, televi­sion, and other demanding sound pickup
applications. The AT853a is furnished with a
vinyl-coated steel hanger that allows it to be
positioned inconspicuously over a choir,
orchestra, stage, etc., for very low-profile
situations.

Supplied as a cardioid, the AT853a easily
accepts interchangeable elements to permit
selection of angle of acceptance from 100

° to

360°. The following optional elements are
available from an authorized Audio-Technica
dealer or the A-T service department:
AT853H-ELE hypercardioid, AT853O-ELE
omnidirectional, AT853SC-ELE subcardioid.

The microphone features a 25' (7.6 m)
permanently-attached miniature cable with a
3-pin TA3F output connector, which mates
with a 3-pin TB3M connector on the AT8531
power module provided. It can be powered
from an external 9V to 52V DC phantom
power supply or from a 1.5V AA battery.
Current demands are so low that a premium
battery will provide about 1200 hours of
continuous use. A built-in 3-position switch
on the power module allows selection of off,
on/flat response or on/low-roll-off.

The microphone element is enclosed in a
rugged housing with a low-reflectance black
finish. The microphone is also available in
white as the AT853Wa, with a white-finished
microphone housing, cable and steel hanger,
for applications where the microphone must
be hung against a light background.

Installation and Operation

The combination of small size and excellent
response makes the AT853a ideal for
suspension over choirs, instrumental groups
or theater stages. A uniform 120° angle of
acceptance provides well-balanced audio
pickup. The microphone should be located
forward of the front-most source, above the
rear-most source, and “aimed” between
them (Fig. 1). Increasing the height of the mic
above the sources will tend to equalize sound
levels between them, but may also increase
background/reverberant sound pickup.
Whenever possible, the distance from the mic
to the rear-most pickup should be no more
than twice the distance to the front source, to
maintain front-to-rear balance (Fig. 1).

Width of pickup is approximately three times
the distance to the closest performer. If
additional mics are needed for wide sources,
they should not be closer together laterally
than three times the distance to the front
source, to avoid phase cancellation (Fig. 2).

To orient in the proper direction, twist the
microphone housing slightly in its wire holder
(clockwise rotation moves the microphone to
the right; counterclockwise rotation moves it
to the left).

The foam windscreen slips over the head of
the microphone, effectively reducing noise
from wind or ventilation air currents.

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.

To install the battery, remove the cap from
the top of the power module. Insert the
battery, being certain to observe battery
polarity as marked (+ end toward the cap
release button). For longest battery life, the
switch should remain off except when the
microphone is in use. While standard carbon­zinc AA batteries will operate the microphone
satisfactorily, alkaline or mercury cells are
preferred for longer service life. Only
“leakproof” batteries should be used. The
battery does not have to be in place to use in
phantom power mode. Phantom power
requires 9V to 52V DC.

AT853a
AT853Wa

MINIATURE
CARDIOID
CONDENSER
MICROPHONES

Frequency Response

Figure 1.
Vertical positioning.

Figure 2.
Horizontal spacing.

LESS THAN 2 TIMES “X”

DISTANCE “X”

120°
ANGLE OF
ACCEPTANCE

MIC A MIC B

3 TIMES

DISTANCE “X”

120°120°

50

LEGEND

500

200100

Frequency in Hertz

12" or more on axis (flat)
Roll-off

2k

1k

10k

20k

5k

10 dB

Response in dB

200 Hz

1 kHz
5 kHz
8 kHz

LEGEND

SCALE IS 5 DECIBELS PER DIVISION

90

60

120

30

150

210

240

270

300

330

180

0

AT853a
AT853Wa

Polar Pattern

Dimensions

AT853a/AT853Wa SPECIFICATIONS

†

ELEMENT Fixed-charge back plate

permanently polarized condenser

POLAR PATTERN Cardioid (Unidirectional)
FREQUENCY RESPONSE 30-20,000 Hz
LOW-FREQUENCY ROLL-OFF 80 Hz, 18 dB/octave
OPEN CIRCUIT SENSITIVITY PHANTOM –44 dB (6.3 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa*

BATTERY –45 dB (5.6 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa*

IMPEDANCE PHANTOM 200 ohms

BATTERY 270 ohms

MAXIMUM INPUT SOUND LEVEL PHANTOM 135 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D.

BATTERY 121 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D.

DYNAMIC RANGE (TYPICAL) PHANTOM 108 dB, 1 kHz at Max SPL

BATTERY 94 dB, 1 kHz at Max SPL

SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO

1

67 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa*

SWITCH Off, on-flat, on-roll-off
BATTERY TYPE Use only “leakproof” AA/UM3 1.5V battery
BATTERY CURRENT 0.4 mA typical
BATTERY LIFE 1200 hours (alkaline battery)
PHANTOM POWER REQUIREMENTS 9-52V DC, 2 mA typical
WEIGHT

MICROPHONE 0.4 oz (10 grams) less cable
POWER MODULE 5.2 oz (147 grams)

DIMENSIONS

MICROPHONE 1.39" (35.2 mm) long

0.47" (12.0 mm) head diameter

POWER MODULE 3.27" (83.0 mm) H x 2.48" (63.0 mm) W x

0.87" (22.0 mm) D

OUTPUT CONNECTOR (POWER MODULE) Integral 3-pin XLRM-type
CABLE 25' (7.6 m) long (permanently attached to

microphone), 0.13" (3.2 mm) diameter,
2-conductor, shielded cable with TA3F output
connector that mates with TB3M jack on
power module

ACCESSORIES FURNISHED (AT853a) AT8102 two-stage foam windscreen;

AT8451 steel hanger;

(AT853Wa) AT8102WH foam windscreen;

AT8451WH steel hanger

(BOTH) AT8531 power module; battery

OPTIONAL INTERCHANGEABLE ELEMENTS AT853H-ELE hypercardioid (100°)

AT853O-ELE omnidirectional (360°)
AT853SC-ELE subcardioid (170°)

†

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

2

= 10 microbars = 94 dB SPL

1

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

Optional Accessories:

• AT8202 adjustable in-line attenuator for use
with low-impedance microphones.

• AT8314 2-conductor, shielded, vinyl-jacketed,
broadcast-type cable with XLRF-type
connector at microphone end, XLRM-type
connector at equipment end. Available in
10', 20', 25', 30', 50' & 100' lengths.

• AT8438 stand adapter.

• CP8201 line matching transformer
(Lo-Z to 50,000 ohms).

• CP8506 four-channel 48V phantom power
supply (AC powered).

• AT8801 single-channel 48V phantom power
supply (AC powered).

POWER MODULE

AT8531

audio-technica

MADE IN JAPAN

OFF

PUSH

3.27"

83.0 mm

2.48"

63.0 mm

22.0 mm

0.87"

SWITCH

Roll-off

Flat

Off

Push Button

To Release Cap

AT8531 Power Module

One-Year Limited Warranty

Audio-Technica microphones and accessories purchased in the U.S.A. are warranted for one year from date of purchase by
Audio-Technica U.S., Inc. (A.T.U.S.) to be free of defects in materials and workmanship. In event of such defect, product will
be repaired promptly without charge or, at our option, replaced with a new product of equal or superior value if delivered to
A.T.U.S. or an Authorized Service Center, prepaid, together with the sales slip or other proof of purchase date.

Prior approval from A.T.U.S. is required for return.

This warranty excludes defects due to normal wear, abuse, shipping
damage, or failure to use product in accordance with instructions. This warranty is void in the event of unauthorized repair
or modification.

For return approval and shipping information,

contact the Service Department, Audio-Technica U.S., Inc.,

1221 Commerce Drive, Stow, Ohio 44224.
Except to the extent precluded by applicable state law,

A.T.U.S. will have no liability for any consequential, incidental,
or special damages; any warranty of merchantability or fitness for particular purpose expires when this warranty
expires.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights which vary from state to state.

Outside the U.S.A., please contact your local dealer for warranty details.

0.42"

10.5 mm

25.0

7.6 m

35.2 mm

1.39"

12.0 mm

0.47"

0.13"

3.2 mm

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

Form No. 0310-0791-08-B/W P50873-01 © 1999 Audio-Technica U.S., Inc. Printed in U.S.A.