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Version 1, November 25th, 2008
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Congratulations on your purchase of the innovative Earthworks High
Definition Microphone™ FlexWand™ System. We know you will be
thrilled with the results you achieve using the FlexWand™ System for
both live performance and recording.
Items Enclosed with your New Earthworks FlexWand™ System:
FlexWand™ System Models FW730 & FW730/HC
1 – FlexWand™ stand/wand section *
1 – Microphone windscreen *
1 – Base for stand/wand section *
1 – User’s Manual for FlexWand™ System
1 – High Definition Microphones™ Demo CD
(If you purchased a matched pair of FlexWands, you will receive two each of the items
indicated above with an asterisk.)
THE FLEXWAND™ SYSTEM
You have just purchased an Earthworks High Definition Microphone™ that
is incorporated in the FlexWand™System. The FlexWand™ System is a totally new concept in microphones. It is a combination of a High Definition
Microphone™ and a low profile microphone stand and boom as a single unit.
It allows the microphone head to be positioned as high as 7 feet and as low as
1.5 feet from the floor or anywhere in between. Best of all there are no visible
wires or cables above floor level. Visually it is low profile, smooth, sleek and
clean. The FlexWand™ is the ideal solution for applications where the utmost
in sound quality and a low profile is required.
The FlexWand™ is ideal for miking a variety of applications such as large
choir, small vocal ensembles and vocal solos. Now you don’t have to
find a microphone, attach the mic clip to the stand and then dress the ca
ble around the stand. Just pick up the FlexWand™, position it and plug the
mic cable into the base. You are done! Best of all it is neat and clean visu
ally with no unsightly microphone cable wrapped around the stand and boom.
And, it sounds spectacular!
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Version 1, November 25th, 2008
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IDENTIFICATION OF THE FLEXWAND™ ELEMENTS
In this manual we will refer to the various elements of the FlexWand™ System.
In Figure 1 all of the elements of the FlexWand™ System are identified.
Please review this information so you are familiar with the various elements
and terminology associated with the FlexWand™.
USING THE FLEXWAND™ AT MAXIMUM HEIGHT
When using the FlexWand™ for large
choirs or vocal groups,
you would probably want the FlexWand™ at its maximum
height of 7 feet.
This is easily achieved by pointing the wand straight up and
then loosen the clutch and slide the sleeve up until it mates into
the “sleeve mating coupler.” Make sure it is all the way up and
firmly seated over the mating coupler (see Figure 2). This will
insure that the FlexWand™ is perfectly straight up and down
from all directions. Then position the microphone head to any
position that you
desire with the
mini-flex at the
end of the wand
(see Figure 3).
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Figure 4. Miking a Large Choir with
the FlexWands at Maximum Height
Figure 3.
Positioning
the Microphone Head
with the FlexWand at
Maximum Height
Figure 2. Seating the Sleeve
over the Mating Coupler
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Figure 1.
The FlexWand™ Elements
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Patent Pending
30kHz
Microphone head
Mini-Flex
Sleeve
Clutch
Wand
0.25” in
Diameter
Sleeve
Mating
Coupler
Large
Flex
Stand
0.75” in
Diameter
Microphone
Electronics
Section
XLR
Connector
Base
12 lb.
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USING THE FLEXWAND™ AS A BOOM
In the “boom mode” the FlexWand™ can mike anything just like a conventional microphone on a boom stand. This can be used when you want the FlexWand microphone lower for such applications as small vocal groups, vocal
solos or musical instruments (see Figures 5, 6, 9, 10 & 11).
When using the “boom mode,” the clutch should be loosened and the sleeve
should be slid down so it only covers about half of the large flex, then tighten
the clutch. By doing this, the flex section will be much more rigid than if the
sleeve were slid all the way down.
You might want to experience this for yourself by
first loosening the clutch and sliding the sleeve
all the way down (tighten the clutch) and then
position the wand at a 45 degree angle (see Figure 8a). Now position the wand at several angles
greater and less than 45 degrees and see how it
feels (see figure 7).
Then loosen the clutch again and cover only half
of the large flex then tighten the clutch (see Figure 8b). Now position the wand at several angles
at greater and less than 45 degrees to see how
much more rigid the large flex is (see Figure 9).
The large flex can be made even more rigid by
sliding the sleeve up to cover three-fourths of
the large flex (see Figure 8c). These adjustments
are ideal when you want to position the wand in
any position from straight up to 90 degrees. If
you want to go more than 90 degrees, you will
need to re-position the sleeve to uncover more
of the large flex.
Figure 10-a. Sleeve all the way down
10-b, Sleeve half-way up
10-c
Sleeve three-fourths of the way up
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8-a 8-b 8-c
Figure 6.
Soloist shot
Need to
schedule
Figure 5.
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Figure 11. Using the
Wand as a boom.
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Figure 8.
Figure 9.
Figure 7.
The highly versatile FlexWand™ High
Definition Microphone System is a
uniquely creative tool that will provide
outstanding sonic results for virtually
any recording or live sound application. It’s low profile with no visible
wires above floor level provides a clean
sleek look that will not visually impair
or detract from the musical or theatri
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cal performance. The quality construc
tion of the FlexWand™ will provide
you with years of exceptional service.
If you have any questions, please con
tact Earthworks Customer Service De
partment at 603-654-6427, ext. 20.
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ABOUT HIGH DEFINITION MICROPHONES™
During the last decade it has become commonplace for sound recording and
broadcast equipment to accommodate extended frequency responses up to
and beyond 100kHz. With few exceptions, even the very best of conventional
professional microphones do not offer frequency responses above 20kHz.
However, making a High Definition Microphone™ involves far more than
extending the frequency response. Impulse response, diaphragm settling time
and pristine low distortion high current electronics are also key elements.
Earthworks’ founder David Blackmer foresaw the need for higher quality
microphones. Earthworks has been offering High Definition Microphones™,
with extended frequency response beyond 40kHz, since 1996. Earthworks
High Definition Microphones™ have an extremely clean, natural on-axis
pickup, and smooth, uncolored off-axis response due to their near-perfect
polar patterns. Cardioid models of High Definition Microphones provide
high front-to-back rejection that makes them superb for a wide range of ap
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plications including sound reinforcement, broadcast in addition to recording
of voice and musical instruments. You will hear exceptional sound quality
that is extremely accurate, detailed, open and crystal clear even on 16 bit,
44.1kHz recording systems as well as analog or digital sound systems that are
limited to a 15kHz or 20kHz bandwidth. You will hear a remarkable improve
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ment in sound quality on nearly all audio systems when using Earthworks
High Definition Microphones™.
EXTENDED FREQUENCY RESPONSE
The Choir FlexWand™ System incorporates a High Definition Microphone™
with a 30kHz high frequency response that enables it to pick up high frequency
overtones that conventional microphones miss. In addition, it’s extremely fast
impulse response that allows it to pick up transients far more accurately. The
exceptionally short diaphragm settling time will enable you to hear subtle de
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tails that conventional microphones mask. The audible difference between an
Earthworks High Definition Microphone™ and conventional microphones is as
dramatic as the difference you see when comparing conventional video and highdefinition video. It is most impressive and you can experience this for yourself
by listening to the Free High Definition Microphone Demo CD which is en
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closed along with your Choir FlexWand™ System users manual.
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FW730 & FW730/HC (Cardioid & Hypercardioid)
Frequency Response: 30Hz to 30kHz ±2dB @ 6 inches
Polar Pattern: Cardioid or Hypercardioid
Sensitivity: 10mV/Pa (-40dBV/Pa)
Power requirements: 48V Phantom, 10mA
Max Acoustic Input: 145dB SPL
Output Connector: Female XLR-3 (pin 2+)
Min Output Load: 600 ohms between pins 2 & 3
Noise: 22dB SPL equivalent (A weighted)
Positioning Range: From 1.5 ft to 7 ft above floor level
Dimensions: Stand 7’ 2” long (2.18m), Base 12” (30.48cm) in diameter, (2.7cm) high
Color: Stand, flex & wand - black, base - dark gray
Unit Weights: Stand 2 lbs (.9 kg), Base 12.6 lbs (5.7kg)
FW730
Polar Pattern
FW730/HC
Polar Pattern
FW730, FW730/HC Impulse Chart
F L E X WA N D ™ S P E C I F I C AT I O N S
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WARRANTY
All Earthworks® products carry a two-year limited warranty (parts and labor).
If you have any problems with your Earthworks products, please contact our
warranty/repair department by email at: returns@earthworksaudio.com or by
telephone at (603) 654-6427, ext 20.
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Patent Pending • Made in U.S.A.
Earthworks, Inc.
37 Wilton Rd.
Milford, NH 03055
603-654-6427, ext. 14
www.earthworksaudio.com
Printed in U.S.A.
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