Sennheiser e965 User Manual

965

Bedienungsanleitung

Instruction Manual

Notice d‘emploi

Istruzioni per l‘uso

Instrucciones de uso

Gebruiksaanwijzing

Produktname

Contents

Thank you for choosing Sennheiser!

We have designed this product to give you reliable operation over
many years. Over 60 years of accumuleted expertise in the design
and manufacture of high-quality electro-acoustic equipment
have made Sennheiser a world-leading company in this field.
Please take a few moments to read these instructions carefully, as
we want you to enjoy your new Sennheiser products quickly and
to the fullest.

Safety information ................................................................................. 2

Delivery includes..................................................................................... 3

The 965 microphone .......................................................................... 4

Connecting the microphone .......................................................... 6

Using the microphone............................................................................ 7

Unscrewing the sound inlet basket ............................................. 7

Adjusting the pick-up pattern (cardioid/super-cardioid) ....... 8

Adjusting the sensitivity ............................................................... 9

Switching the low-cut filter on/off ............................................10

Positioning the microphone ........................................................11

Overview of microphone applications .......................................12

Care and maintenance .........................................................................14

Specifications.........................................................................................15

Polar diagrams and frequency response curves .....................16

Manufacturer Declarations ..........................................................18

1

Safety information

왘 Please read this instruction manual carefully and completely

before using the microphone.

왘 Make this instruction manual easily accessible to all users at all

times.

왘 Always include this instruction manual when passing the

microphone on to third parties.

Intended use of the microphone

Intended use includes:

• having read and understood this instruction manual,
especially the chapter “Safety information”,

• using the microphone within the operating conditions and
limitations described in this instruction manual.

• using the microphone with care and storing it in a clean, dust­free environment.

• not exposing the microphone to extreme temperatures.

• protecting the microphone from humidity. Water entering the
housing of the microphone can cause a short-circuit and
damage the electronics. Use only a slightly damp cloth to clean
the microphone.

Never opening the microphone. If devices are opened by
customers in breach of this instruction, the warranty becomes null
and void.

“Improper use” means using the microphone other than as
described in these instructions, or under operating conditions
which differ from those described herein.

2

Delivery includes

1965 microphone
1 MZQ 800 microphone clamp
1Pouch
1 Instruction manual
1 Warranty certificate

3

The 965 microphone

The 965 is a fully professional true condenser vocal microphone
utilising the very best in condenser microphone technology to
achieve new standards of quality and sound. An extended
dynamic range and a super-smooth frequency response deliver an
outstanding signal quality with excellent vocal projection and the
lowest possible distortion. The switchable pick-up pattern pro­vides excellent flexibility and enables the 965 to handle the
highest vocal levels without feedback.

The rugged metal construction protects the microphone in the
most rigorous conditions while the shock-mounted microphone
capsule provides optimum suppression of handling noise.

Features

• True condenser vocal microphone

• Large diaphragm capsule in true condenser design

• Very detailed, yet warm and full sound

• Excellent feedback rejection

• Switchable pick-up pattern (cardioid/super-cardioid)
due to dual diaphragm transducer

• Low-cut filter switch

• Switchable preattenuation (–10 dB)

• Shock-mounted capsule provides optimum suppression of
handling noise

• Highly effective, integral pop and windshield

• Extremely rugged design for rough stage use

4

Product overview





쐋





 Sound inlet basket

 XLR-3M connector

 Directivity switch

 Sensitivity switch

 Bass roll-off switch

5

Connecting the microphone

12

3

1

2

3

+

+

1

2

3

XLR 6,3 mm

+

+

12

3

XLR

+

XLR

symmetrisch

XLR

+

왘 Use a microphone cable with XLR-3 female connector to

connect the microphone’s XLR-3 male connector  to the
microphone preamplifier. The microphone preamplifier must
provide 48 V phantom powering.

Pin assignment of the XLR-3 connector

6

Using the microphone

CAUTION! Danger of damage to the microphone!

The switches on the microphone can be damaged if
you try to operate them using tools.

왘 Only operate the switches on the microphone

using your fingers.

Unscrewing the sound inlet basket

Unscrew the sound inlet basket in order to have access to the
following moisture-protected switches:

• Directivity switch 

• Sensitivity switch 

• Bass roll-off switch 

7

Adjusting the pick-up pattern

쐋

(cardioid/super-cardioid)

The 965 offers the possibility to adjust the pick-up pattern to fit
the application.

Cardioid is the most commonly used pick-up pattern for live PA
applications. It provides good on-stage freedom and also picks up
sound from the sides. The “dead” side is at the rear. This pattern
is good for picking up several vocalists at once, e.g. a choir or
ensemble.

Super-cardioid is particularly sensitive to sound coming from the
front and reduces pickup from the sides. This pattern is therefore
best for picking up an individual sound source in a noisy
environment. Crosstalk from other instruments on stage is
drastically reduced. Select the super-cardioid pick-up pattern to
ensure maximum vocal projection even with very loud on-stage
levels.

왘 Use the directivity switch 

to select the desired setting:

: cardioid

: super-cardioid

Notes:

In order to prevent feedback and crosstalk, postion your
monitor loudspeakers in the angle area of the highest
cancellation of the microphone (cardioid: 180°; super-cardioid:
135°).

8

Select the pick-up pattern according to the number and

Cardioid Super-cardioid



position of your monitor loudspeakers.

Adjusting the sensitivity

When very high signal levels cause distortion in the microphone or
in the subsequent microphone preamplifier, you can reduce the
microphone sensitivity. The sensitivity can be reduced by 10 dB.

왘 Use the sensitivity switch 

to select the desired setting:

0: normal sensitivity

–10 dB: sensitivity reduced

by 10 dB

9

Switching the low-cut filter on/off



In order to effectively reduce low-frequency pop or wind noise,
you can switch in the low-cut filter (bass roll-off).

왘 Use the low-cut filter switch 

to select the desired setting:

: low-cut filter off

: low-cut filter on

10

Positioning the microphone

Position Resulting sound Comment

• High proximity effect
(large bass boost)

• Powerful, direct sound

Very little
crosstalk from
other sound
sources

• Less proximity effect
(less bass boost)

• Some room ambience,
natural, balanced sound

• Very little proximity
effect (minimal bass
boost)

•More room ambience,
indirect sound

If sibilance or “popping” occurs, position the microphone slightly
to the side and not directly in front of the mouth.

More crosstalk
from other
sound sources

Higher crosstalk
from other
sound sources

11

Overview of microphone applications

Variant

Application

Vocals
Choirs
Studio, acoustic

instruments
Orchestra
Trumpet,

trombone
Saxophone
Acoustic guitar
Acoustic bass
Guitar amplifiers
Bass amplifiers
Leslie
Piano,

grand piano
Kick drums
Snare drums
Rack toms
Floor toms
Congas

e901

e902

e904

e905

e906

x x x

x x x

x xx

x
x
xxx

x

x

x

x xx x
x xxx x

xxxx x

x x x x

e908B

e908B ew

e908D

e908T ew

e912

x x

x x

e912 S

x

x
x

e914

e935/e945

x x

e965

12

Variant

Application

Cymbals
Percussion
Overheads
Conference

table, altar
Lectern xx
Theater stage xx

e901

e902

e904

e905

e906

e908B

e908B ew

e908D

x xxx x x

e908T ew

xx

e912

e912 S

e914

x

e935/e945

e965

13

Care and maintenance

CAUTION! Liquids can damage the electronics of the

microphone!

Liquids entering the housing of the microphone can
cause a short-circuit and damage the electronics.

왘 Use a soft, slightly damp cloth to clean the

microphone. Do not use any solvents or cleansing
agents.

To clean the microphone’s sound inlet basket from time to time,
proceed as follows:

왘 Unscrew the sound inlet basket 

from the microphone (see “Unscrewing
the sound inlet basket” on page 7).

왘 Remove the foam insert from the sound inlet basket .
왘 Use a slightly damp cloth to clean the sound inlet basket from

the inside and ouside.

왘 Reinsert the foam insert into the sound inlet basket .
왘 Replace the sound inlet basket  on the microphone and

screw it tight.

14

Specifications

Transducer principle externally polarized dual diaphragm

AF condenser microphone
Diameter of diaphragm 25.4 mm/1"
Frequency response 40 to 20,000 Hz
Pick-up pattern cardioid/super-cardioid, switchable
Sensitivity (free field,

no load)(1 kHz)
with preattenuation

Nominal impedance approx. 50 Ω
Min. terminating impedance 1 kΩ
Max. SPL at 1 kHz
with preattenuation
Equivalent noise level

A-weighted (DIN IEC 651) 21 dB
Phantom powering 48 V/3.5 mA
Connector XLR-3M
Temperature range 0 °C to +40 °C
Weight 396 g
Dimensions

7 mV/Pa

2.3 mV/Pa

142 dB

152 dB

∅ 48 x 199 mm

15

Polar diagrams and frequency response curves

Hz

100 1.000 10.000

dBV

-30

-40

-50

-60

-70

-80

50 100 200 500 1k 2k 5k 10k 20k

Low Cut PAD

Cardioid polar diagram

Cardioid frequency response curve

16

Hz

100 1.000 10.000

dBV

Low Cut

-30

-40

-50

-60

-70

-80
50 100 200 500 1k 2k 5k 10k 20k

PAD

Super-cardioid polar diagram

Super-cardioid frequency response curve

17

Manufacturer Declarations

Warranty

2 years

CE Declaration of Conformity

Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG declare that this
device is in compliance with the applicable CE standards
and regulations.

Before putting the device into operation, please observe the
respective countryspecific regulations!

WEEE Declaration

Please dispose of this product at the end of its
operational lifetime by taking it to your local collection
point or recycling centre for such equipment.

18

Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG
Am Labor 1
30900 Wedemark, Germany

Phone [phone] Printed in Germany
Fax [phone] Publ. 04/08
www.sennheiser.com 524141/A01