Electro-Voice PC Desktop-5, PC Desktop-12, PC Desktop-18, PolarChoice Desktop-5, PolarChoice Desktop-12, PolarChoice Desktop-18 Technical Specifications
cardioid, supercardioid or hypercardioid to easily
adapt to any situation.
•Consistent microphone voicing across all four
patterns.
•Switch can be programmed to operate as either
latching on/off or momentary push-to-mute/pushto-talk.
•Disassembly of the mic isn’t required to change
switch functions.
•Compatible with echo cancellation for conference
applications.
•High visibility blue LED clearly displays mic
status to the user.
•Exceptional sound quality with EV’s proven
PolarChoice design.
•Available in three gooseneck lengths: 18", 12" or
5".
PolarChoice Desktop
PC Desktop-18
Multi-Pattern Desk Microphone
with Automatic Mixer Logic
General Description:
The PolarChoice Desktop is a high quality desk microphone that can be used with both standard and automatic
mixers.
The PC Desktop features the exclusive EV PolarChoice miniature multi-pattern gooseneck microphone. The
multi-pattern versatility of the PolarChoice microphone makes it a true problem solver. With one nondirectional and 3 directional polar patterns available, the PolarChoice microphone is ideal for virtually any
installation. The PC Desktop also includes a switchable high pass filter that helps reduce any vibration induced
noise pickup.
The PC Desktop features a large push button mute switch that has a much better feel than membrane
switches. The mute button can be configured for push-on / push-off, push-to-talk, or push-to-mute function.
Switch programming is easily accomplished without disassembling the microphone. A switch on the bottom
quickly converts the PC Desktop to automatic mixer mode. In this mode, audio is always on.
Applications:
The PolarChoice Desktop is acoustically designed for high-quality sound reinforcement and broadcast
applications. The frequency response is tailored for wide-range sound reproduction with very natural sound pickup for either distant or close-up use. The PC Desktop can be used on lecterns, podiums, desks, table-tops, or
other applications. To maximize gain-before-feedback, the PolarChoices three directional polar patterns allow
the user to pick the directional polar pattern for optimum effect. For those applications where gain-beforefeedback is not a problem, an omnidirectional pattern is included. Applications requiring speaking close to the
microphone at podiums, lecterns, or pulpits normally require a windscreen (included) to control breath noise
and P-popping or, in some cases, wind noise from circulating air.
Page 2
PolarChoice PC Desktop-5/ PC Desktop-12/ PC Desktop-18 Microphones
Microphone Setup:
Cardioid
Supercardioid
Hypercardioid
Omnidirectional
Figure 1: PC Desktop
Controls
Bottom View
Refer to Figure 1 for the following switch function descriptions-
Switch A - Select High-Pass switch position. Start with this
switch set to the left (flat response). If the mic is in a
location where low frequency rumble or wind noise is a
encountered, moving this switch to the right will help by
reducing low frequency sensitivity.
Flat ( ): Normal response.
High Pass ( ): minimum 5 dB reduction in
sensitivity at 100 Hz.
Switch B - Select preferred polar pattern. The cardioid polar
pattern works well for most installations. If feedback from
a sound system occurs, switching to the supercardioid or
hypercardioid pattern will usually allow increased mic gain
before feedback. The omnidirectional pattern is best
suited for situations where there is no sound
reinforcement system present, such as for recording.
Switch C and D - Controls action of push-button switch on
the top of the PC Desktop microphone.
Momentary modes - When switch C is set to the left, the
push-button (mute) switch action is momentary.
In addition, If switch D is in the left hand position, the
mic will be in push-to-mute mode.
Alternately, If switch D is in the right hand position,
the mic will be in push-to-talk mode.
Toggle Modes - When switch C is in the right hand
position, the push-button (mute) switch will be in
toggle (push-on/push-off) mode.
With switch C in the right hand position, the setting
of switch D determines if the mic audio should be
muted when power is first applied.
If switch D is in the left hand position, the mic
audio will be muted when power is first applied.
Figure 2:
Figure 3:
PC Board Detail
Switch E (Logic Mode Select) - When switch E is set in the
left hand position, the PC Desktop operates as a normal
desk microphone. Mic muting and operation of the LED is
controlled by the push-button on the top of the mic.
With switch E in the right hand position, the mic will be in
automatic mixer mode, and the following will apply:
1) Mic audio is always on.
2) The automatic mixer controls LED operation and mic
muting.
Wiring - For non-automatic mixer applications, the PC Desktop
comes equipped with a standard XLR style 3-pin male
connector. For automatic mixer applications, remove the
XLR connector and service the cable as needed.
Cable Connections -
Red Balanced Audio High
Black Balanced Audio Low
Shield Audio Ground
Green Logic Ground (Common to shield unless R45 is
removed. See Figure 3.)
White Switch Logic
Orange LED Control
Logic Signals - If the PC desktop mic is in momentary mode
(see above section on the mute switch), the logic level on
the white wire will normally be high, and go low when
the push-button is pressed. If the mute switch is set for
toggle mode, the logic will toggle from high to low, or from
low to high, each time the button is pressed. (If desired, a
pc board change can be done to force the logic to always
be momentary, regardless of switch settings. See Figure
3).
LED Control - When the mic is in automatic mixer mode, a low
logic signal on the orange LED control wire will cause the
LED to light.
Logic Ground Lift - If necessary, the logic and audio grounds
can be separated. This requires removing a resistor from
the pc board. See Figure 3.
If switch D is in the right hand position, mic audio
will be on when power is first applied.)
Top mounted momentary push-button
Configuration switches - See Page 2
5.6mV/Pascal
>135 dB SPL
<26 dB SPL A weighted
(0 dB=20 micropascals)
Dynamic Range: >109 dB
200 ohms
12-52 VDC
<8 mA with P12 supply
Pin 2 positive, referenced to pin 3,
with positive pressure on the diaphragm
10-foot, 5-conductor (2-conductor shielded) black cable,
terminated with a professional 3-pin male XLR style
connector with gold plated pins.
Standard TTL levels for switch out and LED Control
5 Volts = Logic High
0 Volts = Logic Low
Length: 175 mm (6.9 in.)
Width: 117 mm (4.6 in.)
Height: 56 mm (2.2 in.)
PC Desktop-5: 175 mm (6.9 in.)
PC Desktop-12: 318 mm (12.5 in.)
PC Desktop-18: 470 mm (18.5 in.)
14.6 mm (0.58 in.)
PC Desktop-5, 12, & 18: 6.4 mm (0.25 in.)
PC Desktop-12, & 18 (lower section): 7.9 mm (0.31 in.)
Windscreen
Nonreflecting black
Relative Humidity 0-50%:
-29° to 74°C (-20° to 165°F)
Relative Humidity 0 to 95%:
-29° to 57°C (-20° to 135°F)
PC Desktop-5: 703 grams (24.8 oz)
PC Desktop-12: 712 grams (25.1 oz)
PC Desktop-18: 730 grams (25.8 oz)
EV Multi-Port Windscreen:
All PolarChoice microphones come with the exclusive EV
Multi-Port Windscreen. This unique one-piece ported design
offers greatly improved resistance to P-popping noise by
creating a two-stage filter that has an air space between the
stages. This makes the multi-port windscreen as effective
as much larger traditional designs.
Dimension Drawings:
Shipping Weight:
PC Desktop-5: 1080 grams (38.1 oz)
PC Desktop-12: 1102 grams (38.9 oz)
PC Desktop-18: 1111 grams (39.2 oz)
Page 4
Frequency Response:Polar Response:
Architectural & Engineering Specs:
PolarChoice Desktop: PC Desktop-5, PC Desktop-12, PC Desktop-18
The microphone shall be a freestanding, tabletop microphone. The base will have a 10-foot integral 5-conductor (2-conductor shielded)
cable terminated in a 3-pin XLRM connector. The microphone shall have four selectable polar patterns: omnidirectional, cardioid,
supercardioid, and hypercardioid. The mic will use a pair of back-electret condenser elements with a frequency response of 50 Hz to 20
kHz. The microphone shall have a nominal, balanced output impedance of 200 ohms. The microphone will have a switchable high-pass filter
to roll off low frequencies. The microphone shall have an output level of 5.6 mV/Pascal and outputs shall not be appreciably affected by the
following temperature and humidity extremes: -29° to 74° C (-20° to 165°F) when the relative humidity is 0-50%; -29° to 57°C (-20° to 135°F)
when the relative humidity is 0-95%. Dimensions shall be 231 mm (9.1 in.) long (PC Desktop-5), 373 mm (14.7 in.) long (PC Desktop-12), and
526 mm (20.7 in.) long (PC Desktop-18) with a maximum head diameter of 14.6 mm (0.58 in). The PC Desktop-5 microphone shall include a 175
mm (6.9 in.) gooseneck. The PC Desktop-12 microphone shall include a 318 mm (12.5 in.) gooseneck. The PC Desktop-18 microphone shall
include a 470 mm (18.5 in.) gooseneck. The gooseneck will be attached to a base that has a top mounted push-button and a status LED that
lights when audio is active. The push-button will be configurable to operate in either momentary or toggle mode. When the microphone is set
in momentary mode, the push-button can be programmed to operate in either push-to-mute or push-to-talk mode. When the microphone is set
in toggle mode and power is initially applied, the status of the microphone can be programmed to be either on or muted. The microphone will
be capable of operation with automatic mixers by means of a configuration switch located on the bottom of the microphone. When the
microphone is in automatic mixer mode, normal LED and top push button functions are disabled. In automatic mixer mode, audio will always be
on, the top push button will only change the logic level on the microphone’s white wire, and a logic low level on the microphone’s orange
wire will cause the LED to illuminate. All controls except for the push button shall be accessible from the bottom of the microphone base. The
microphone base shall be of metal construction. The microphone will include an external windscreen. The microphone shall have a
nonreflecting black finish. The Electro-Voice PolarChoice™ PC Desktop-5, PC Desktop-12, or PC Desktop-18 is specified.