ICON M4 icon_m4.pdf

Studio condenser microphone (5V & 48V)

User manual

Important Safety Instructions

1. Read this manual thoroughly before using this unit.

2. Keep this manual for future reference.

3. Take notice of and comply with all warnings included in the user's manual or indicated on the
appliance.

4. Follow all instructions included in this manual.

5. Do not expose this unit to rain or moisture. Avoid having water or other liquids spilled on this
unit.

6. When cleaning the cabinet or other parts of this appliance, use only a dry or slightly damp soft
cloth.

7. Do not block any ventilation openings or interfere with the proper ventilation of this unit. Install
in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

8. Do not use or store near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other heat­ producing appliances.

9. Do not interfere with the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug
has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third
grounding prong. These are designated for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your
outlet, consult an electrician.

10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or otherwise damaged by items placed on or
against them. Particular attention should be given to the plugs, receptacles, and the point where
the cord exits the appliance.

11. To avoid the risk of electrical shock, do not touch any exposed wiring while the unit is in
operation.

12. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.

13. Unplug this unit and all connected electrical equipment during lightning storms or when left
unused a long period of time.

14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the appliance has
been damaged in any way or fails to operate normally.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this unit to rain or moisture

Contents

Introduction ...............................................................................................4

What’s in the package? ............................................................................4

Register your ICON ProAudio product to your personal account ........... 5

Features ...................................................................................................6

Operating the M4 .....................................................................................7

Specications ...........................................................................................9

Services ..................................................................................................10

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the ICON ProAudio M4 Studio condenser microphone..
We sincerely trust this product will provide years of satisfactory service, but if
anything is not to your complete satisfaction, we will endeavor to make things right.

In these pages, you'll nd a detailed description of the features of the M4 Studio

condenser microphone, step-by-step instructions for their setup and use, and full

specications.

Please register the product on our website at the below link
www. iconproaudio.com/registration:

Please follow the step by step procedures. Start by inputing the device’s serial
number as well as your personal information, etc. By registering your product online,
you will be entitled to service and after-sales support at our Help Center by visiting
our website at www.iconproaudio.com. Also, all the registered products under your

account will be listed on your personal product page where you will nd updated
information such as rmware/driver upgrades, software bundles, user manual

downloads, etc. for your device.

As with most electronic devices, we strongly recommend you retain the original
packaging. In the unlikely event the product must be returned for servicing, the
original packaging (or reasonable equivalent) is required.

With proper care , your M4 Studio condenser microphone will operate without any
trouble for many years.

What’s in the package?

● M4 Studio condenser microphone

● Shock Mount

● Wooden case

● Hallow foam Windscreen

4

Register your ICON ProAudio product to your personal account

1. Check serial number of your device

 Please go to http:// iconproaudio.com/registration or scan the QR code

below.



 Input your device’s serial number and the other information on the screen. Click

“Submit”.


 A message will pop up showing your device information such as model name

and its serial number - Click “Register this device to my account” or if you see
any other message, please contact our after-sales service team



2. Log in to your personal account page for existing user or
sign up for new user

 Existing user: Please log into your personal user page by inputing your

user name and password.


 New user: Please click “Sign Up” and ll in all the information.


3. Download all useful materials

 All your registered devices under your account will show on the page. Each

product will be listed along with all its available les such as drivers, rmware,

user manual in different languages and bundled software etc. for download.

Please make sure you have download the necessary les such as driver before

you begin device installation.

5

Features

● Large 25mm diaphragm condenser microphone specially tuned for present, clear,

powerful vocals

● Cardioid pickup pattern for outstanding sound source separation and feedback

rejection

● Equipped with 5V or 48V phantom power selection switch for operation

● Heavy-duty suspension mount and wooden transport case included

● Ultra-rugged construction with metal die-cast body

6

Operating the M4

Powering the M4 (5V or 48V)

The M4 is a condenser microphone and therefore needs to be operated by
connecting a phantom power supply. Phantom power is standard on most quality
mixers, outboard MIC-pres and hard disk recorders. If necessary an external
phantom power supply can also be used. The M4 receives the phantom power
directly from a MIC cable when connected to a mixer or other microphone input
that includes a phantom supply. The power is actually sent OUT of the microphone
INPUT, riding silently along with the audio signal. Most mixers have a switch to
engage the phantom power so be sure to check that the phantom power is on

Setting up the signal level

When connecting the M4 to a mixer or recorder input, be sure that the input is of
microphone level. Also, be sure that the 5V or 48V phantom power is engaged as
explained at the previous section “Powering the M4”. Most mixers and recorders of
reasonable quality will offer a microphone input with MIC trim (usually called Trim or
Gain) control. The purpose of the MIC trim control is to optimize the amount of good
signal to any noise associated with the mixers electronics. A good MIC pre with trim
also will have a Peak or Clip LED. To set a good level on the MIC, set the M4 up in
front of the desired sound source and slowly raise the MIC trim control until you see
the Peak LED light up. Then, turn the mix trim control down until the LED does not
light any more. On most mixers, the ideal setting is that the trim control is turned up
as much as possible without lighting the Peak LED.

Microphone Placement

In order to maximize the sound quality, you must pay careful attention to the
placement of your M4 and how it is positioned for the instrument or vocalist that
you are miking. All microphones, especially unidirectional or cardioids microphones,
exhibit a phenomenon know as the “proximity effect”. Very simply put, proximity
effect is a resulting change in the frequency response of a microphone based on the

position of the MIC capsule relative to the sound source. Specically, when you point

a cardioid MIC directly at the sound source (on-axis) you will get the best frequency
response, however, when you start pointing the microphone slightly away (off-axis)
you will notice the low frequency dropping off and the microphone will start to sound
thinner.

For most vocal applications you’ll want to position the microphone directly in front
of the artist. The same may be true for miking instruments. However, you can make
some pretty amazing equalization adjustments by slightly changing the angle of the

7

capsule to the sound source. This can be a very useful technique in capturing the
optimum sound of drum set, acoustic guitar, piano or other instruments in a live room
or sound stage. Experimentation and experience are the best teachers in getting
good sounds, so plug in!

P-Poping

P-Poping is that annoying pop that you can get when the microphone diaphragm
gets a blast of air from a vocalist pronouncing words with the letter “P” included.

There are a few ways to deal with the problem including using an external pop lter.

Some famous engineers have relied on an old nylon stocking over a bent clothes
hanger, which actually works very well. For a cleaner solution, try ICON ProAudio

PF-01 pop lter. You can also try placing the microphone slightly off axis (on a slight

angle) from the vocalist. This can often solve the problem without using an external

pop lter.

Mounting the M4

Mount your M4 into the provided
suspension mount as the diagrams
illustrated below.

8

2

1

Specications

Transducer type..........................................................................electrostatic

Operating principle.....................................................................presure gradient

The diaphragms active diameter................................................25 mm

Frequency range........................................................................20 Hz to 20 kHz

Polar pattern...............................................................................unidirectional,cardioid

Output impedance......................................................................50 Ω

Rated load impedance...............................................................600 Ω

Suggested load impedance........................................................>500 Ω

Maximum SPL for 0,5% THD at 1000 Ω load.............................130 dB

S/N Ratio DIN/IEC 651 A-weighten............................................80 dB

Equivalent noise level DIN/IEC A-weighten................................7 dB

Dynamic range of the microphone preamplier..........................123 dB

A.Phantom powering voltage on pin 2&3 of XLR ......................+48V (+/-4V)

B.Phantom powering voltage on pin 2 of XLR .........................+5V (+/-2V)

Current consumption ...............................................................≤5 mA

Output connector.......................................................................3-pin XLR male

Dimension.................................................................................44mmX44mmX161mm

Weight.......................................................................................0.253 kg

9

Services

If your M4 needs servicing, follow these instructions.

Check our online Help Center at http://support.iconproaudio.com/hc/en-us, for
information, knowledge, and downloads such as:

1. FAQ

2. Download

3. Learn More

4. Forum

Very often you will nd solutions on these pages. If you don’t nd a solution, create

a support ticket at our online Help Center at the link below, and our technical support
team will assist you as soon as we can.
Navigate to http://support.iconproaudio.com/hc/en-us and then sign in to submit
a ticket.
As soon as you have submitted an inquiry ticket, our support team will assist you to
resolve the problem with your ICON ProAudio device as soon as possible.

To send defective products for service:

1. Ensure the problem is not related to operation error or external system devices.

2. Keep this owner's manual. We don't need it to repair the unit.

3. Pack the unit in its original packaging including end card and box. This is very
important. If you have lost the packaging, please make sure you have packed
the unit properly. ICON is not responsible for any damage that occurs due to
non-factory packing.

4. Ship to the ICON tech support center or the local return authorization. See our
service centers and distributor service points at the link below:


 If you are located in US
 Send the product to:

 North America
 Mixware, LLC – U.S. Distributor
 11070 Fleetwood Street – Unit F.
 Sun Valley, CA 91352; USA
 Tel.: [phone]

 Contact: www.mixware.net/help


 If you are located in Europe

 Send the product to:
 Sound Service

 GmbHEuropean
 HeadquarterMoriz-Seeler-Straße
 3D-12489 Berlin
 Telephone: [phone]
 Fax: [phone]
 E-Mail: [e-mail]



5. For additional update information please visit our website at:

 www.iconproaudio.com

10

 If you are located in Hong Kong
 Send the product to:

 ASIA OFFICE:
 Unit F, 15/F., Fu Cheung Centre,
 No. 5-7 Wong Chuk Yueng

Street, Fotan,

 Sha Tin, N.T., Hong Kong.
 Tel: [phone]
 Fax: [phone]
 Email: info.asia@icon-global.

com

11