Shure 556 User Guide
SHURE BROTHERS
Microphones and Acoustic Devices
225 WEST HURON STREET :: CHICAGO 10, ILLINOIS
PHONE Delaware 7-4550 :: CABLE: SHUREMICRO
INCORPORATED
"556" Multi-Impedance Broadcast "Unidyne" Microphone
(Super-Cardioid Uni-directional Moving-Coil
General: Model 556 is a Super-Cardioid type uni-
directional moving-coil dynamic microphone providing
wide-range high quality reproduction of sound. The true
unidirectional characteristic of the "Unidyne", obtained
by the "uniphase" principle* provides highly satisfactory
operation under adverse acoustic conditions where a conventional microphone would be practically useless. (See
"Acoustic Considerations").
The microphone has a New Acousto-Mechanical circuit containing a moving-coil element, which operating in
conjunction with a high flux magnet provides high
efficiency and smooth peak free response from 40 to
15,000 cycles. The rear response is down approximately
15 db due to the "uniphase" unidirectional acoustic
network.
The new moving-coil unit is provided with a double
wind-screen to permit quiet out-door operation. As a precaution against mechanical vibration pickup, the unit is
spring-suspended inside the microphone case, which is in
turn floated in live rubber in the stand connector.
The case is modern in design with attractive streamlining and grille treatment, and is provided with a swivel
that allows the microphone to be aimed at the source of
sound for best pickup. A seven foot length of two
conductor shielded cable is provided for attachment of
any type plug the user may desire. This cable is held by
screw terminals in the base of the isolation unit, and may
be easily replaced by longer lengths.
Applications:
and tested to meet the requirements of the broadcast
studio, and is held within close tolerances in frequency
response. and directivity. It may also be used for highquality recording, public address, and similar applications.
The true unidirectional characteristic of the "Unidyne"
provides an easy solution to the feedback problem in
reverberant locations, facilitates orchestral placement,
permits best utilization of space in small broadcast
studios, and allows. practically complete exclusion of unwanted noises. The swivel allows the head to be tilted
through an angle of 90° permitting the microphone to be
aimed at the source of sound.
The instrument is unusually rugged and is practically
immune to the effects of moisture, temperature and
mechanical vibration.
Installation:
5/8"-27 thread and may be mounted on any Shure desk,
banquet, or floor stand. When long lines are used, care
should be taken that the cable does not parallel A.C.
power lines for long distances to avoid A.C. hum
induction.
Connections:
multi-impedance type. Model 556 may be worked directly
into a 30-50 ohm line, a 150-250 ohm line, or a high im-
pedance input. Selection of these impedances is accom-
Copyright, 1948, Shure Brothers, Inc.
*Patented by Shure Brothers, Inc.
Model 556 is especially constructed
All microphones have the standard
The Model 556 Microphone is of the
DATA SHEET
DATE: FEBRUARY, 1947
SUBJECT:
plished by changing the position of the switch at the rear
of the microphone. The switch positions are marked "L"
for low impedance (30-50 ohms), "M" for medium impedance (150-250 ohms), and "H" for high impedance
(35,000 ohms).
The low and medium impedance positions of the
Model 556 may be fed into a standard low or medium
impedance input amplifier (Fig. A-1), or into an amplifier
with high impedance input (Fig. A-2). In the latter case,
Shure Model A86A Cable-Type Transformer is available
for coupling the low impedance line to the amplifier input.
The double winding primary of the Shure Model A86A
Cable type transformer permits coupling either a 30-50
ohm line or 150-250 ohm line to high impedance input.
The low and medium impedance positions are recom-
mended where long cable lengths are required or under
conditions of severe hum disturbances. The permissible
line length is practically unlimited, since neither response
nor level is appreciably affected by reasonable lengths of
line.
The high impedance position on the Model 556
Microphone may be used with any crystal microphone
amplifier or other amplifier with an input impedance of
100,000 ohms or more (See Fig. A-3). For best high
frequency response, the total cable lengths should not exceed 25 feet: longer cable lengths may be used with
some loss of high frequency response. The additional loss
at 5000 cycles is of the order of 2.5 db for an additional
25 ft. length of cable (50 ft. total) and 6 db for an
additional 50 ft. length (75 ft. total). If the Model 556
Microphone is being used in the high impedance position,
single conductor shielded cable may be used to provide
additional cable-lengths; also, the two-conductor cable
furnished with the Microphone may be replaced with
single conductor shielded cable, if the microphone is intended to operate directly into high impedance (grid)
input only.
(Over)
Model 556 Multi-Impedance
Broadcast "Unidyne" Dynamic
Microphone.
Dynamic)
Model 556 Broadcast Unidyne
Printed in U.S.A.
Operation:
No special precautions beyond ordinary
care are necessary in the operation of the Model 556 Dynamic microphone. It will operate efficiently and dependably under all ordinary conditions in hot and cold climates.
Dropping the microphone or other severe mechanical
shocks should be avoided.
Acoustic Considerations: The expression "Su-
per-Cardiod type" response simply means that the polar
characteristic of the microphone approximates a modi-
fied cardioid of revolution. There is a wide, useful pickup
angle at the front of the microphone while the response
at the sides is down 8.5 db from that at the front. The
rear response is down of the order of 15 db over a broad
range of frequencies.
teristic of the "Unidyne" should not be confused with the
relatively slight directional effect at high frequencies only
which can be produced by baffle effects in the conventional pressure microphone.
By directing the rear side of the microphone towards
the audience or other source of interfering sound, pickup
can be concentrated on the desired source. Reverberation energy pick up is decreased over two-thirds. The
microphone can be placed close to reflecting surfaces
without objectionable effects if the rear side of the microphone is toward the reflecting surface. This is particularly
valuable in small broadcast studios.
It is desirable to experiment with microphone placement and orientation in order to secure the greatest
benefits from the unidirectional characteristic.
The true unidirectional charac-
Model 556 "H" Position:
Open Circuit Voltage Level. . . . . . . .-57.5 db. (*)
Loaded With 100,000 Ohms . . . . . . . .-60.1 db. (*)
(*) 0 db. = 1 Volt Per Dyne Per Sq. cm.
(**) 0 db. = 1 Milliwatt with 10 Dynes Per Sq. cm.
Recommended Load Impedance:
Model 556 "L" Position 30-50 Ohms.
Model 556 "M" Position 150-250 Ohms.
Model 556 "H" Position 100,000 Ohms or More.
Specifications
1000 C.P.S. Response:
Model 556 "L" Position:
Open Circuit Voltage Level. . . . . . . .-84.1 db. (*)
Loaded With 40 Ohms. . . . . . . . . . . . -90.1 db. (*)
Power Level Into 40 Ohms. . . . . . . . . . . -56.1 db. (**)
Model 556 "M" Position:
Open Circuit Voltage Level. . . . . . . . . . -76.8 db. (*)
Loaded With 250 Ohms . . . . . . . . . . . -82.8 db. (*)
Power Level Into 250 Ohms. . . . . . . . .
-56.8 db. (**)
MODEL 556
Code Word RUMUB
Net Wt. 2¾ lb.
Shipping Weight
Height, Case *
Width
Thickness
Height, Overall *
Finish
*See Fig. C.
*
*
4½ Ibs.
8-3/8"
4-7/16"
3-3/16"
3-9/16"
Satin Chrome
27A32 (7-48)
Model 556 Microphone
Horizontal Polar Response
FREQUENCY-CYCLES PER SECOND
Fig. B. Typical Frequency Response, Model "556" Microphone.
BOTTOM VIEW OF ISOLATION UNIT
Guarantee:
teed to be free from electrical and mechanical
defects for a period of one year from date of ship-
ment from the factory, provided all instructions are
complied with fully. In case of damage. return the
microphone to the factory for repairs. Our guarantee is voided if the microphone case is opened.
Each microphone is guaran-
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