Shure WCM16 ISOMAX User Manual

MODEL WCM16 ISOMAX* HEAD-WORN CONDENSER MICROPHONE

GENERAL

The Shure Model WCM16 head-worn electret condens­er microphone is intended for wireless use by performers,
lecturers, and others who require the highest quality voice
pickup with maximum mo bility. Its wide frequency re­sponse, low RF susceptibility and reliable operation at tem­perature and humidity extremes make the WCM16 suitable
for virtually any vocal application. When used with the Shure
Body-Pack Transmitters, the performance of the WCM16
closely resembles the finest conventional vocal micro­phones.

Miniaturized active circuitry included in the cartridge as­sembly provides equalization that tailors the low-frequency
response to resemble the warm proximity effect of larger v o ­cal microphones. Because of this low-end response, it is not
necessary to position the microphone directly in front of the
mouth, thus avoiding much popping and breath noise, even
without the supplied foam pop screen.

The microphone’s hypercardioid unidirectional pickup
pattern provides maximum isolation from ambient noise and
from adjacent sound sources such as musical instruments,
loudspeakers and other performers. This permits higher
gain-before-feedback without loss or masking of vocals.

Model WCM16 User Guide

WEARING THE MICROPHONE HEADSET

1. Place the microphone on the user’s head so that the large
diameter band is horizontal across the back of the head. The
band may be completely hidden under the hair. The ends of
the headband should fit comfortably in front of the ears. Ex­tend or retract the adjustable headband (see Figure 1) to
achieve this result.

2. For maximum gain before feedback, carefully extend or re­tract the boom (see Figure 1) so that the microphone grille
(silver side) is within 40 mm (1-1/2 in.) of the left corner of
the mouth . It may be necessary to bend the headband tube
just in front of the left ear for optimum microphone position­ing. A slight bend downward and/or away is usually suffi­cient.

NOTE: The headband tubing will not withstand repeated
bending, so make this adjustment only once, if neces­sary.

3. If breath noise or popping is audible, install the supplied pop
screen so that the red dot on the pop screen corresponds to
the location of the microphone grille.

CARTRIDGE

12.7 MM
(1/2 IN.)

ADJUSTABLE

TA4F

CONNECTOR

CABLE

1.5 M

(5 FT)

PARTS OF THE WCM16 HEAD-WORN MICROPHONE

BOOM

ADJUSTABLE

HEADBAND

FIGURE 1

POP SCREEN

57.2 MM

(2-1/4 IN.)

Features:

Extra lightweight, adjustable headband stays secure and

•

virtually disappears while being worn

•

Response comparable to the finest conventional vocal
microphones

•

Hypercardioid polar pattern provides maximum isolation
from vocalist’s own instrument and those of other per­formers

•

Uniform polar pattern at all frequencies for maximum
gain before feedback

•

High input clipping level eliminates overload distortion

•

Supplied acoustic foam pop screen

•

Reliable at temperature and humidity extremes

2001, Shure Incorporated
27B2631 (AB)

POSITIONING THE MICROPHONE PICKUP

The hypercardioid unidirectional pickup pattern of the
WCM16 has maximum rejection of unwanted sound sources
at about a 110° angle each way from the front axis of the mi­crophone (see Figure 3). Directly to the rear of the micro­phone (at 180°) there is as little as 6dB rejection—not much
less pickup than at the front of the microphone (at 0°).

Sound sources that may cause feedback (such as moni­tor or P.A. speakers) or sound that you do not want to pick
up with the WCM16 (such as percussion instruments or oth­er performers) should NOT be placed directly to the rear of
the microphone. It is better to adjust positioning so that un­wanted sound sources are located at the 110° maximum re-

*WCM16 IS MANUFACTURED BY COUNTRYMAN ASSOCIATES

ISOMAX IS TRADEMARK OF COUNTRYMAN ASSOCIATES

Printed in U.S.A.

jection points. Note that when wearing the headset the rear
of the microphone points out towards the wearer’s left.

CONNECTING TO A TRANSMITTER

The WCM16 is configured for direct connection to a
Shure Body–Pack Transmitter, such as models T1, T1G,
T11, SC1, EC1, or LX1, using the attached cable.

MICROPHONE POWERING

The WCM16 is designed to be powered from the +5 Vdc

source at microphone connector pin 2 of a Shure transmitter.

SPECIFICATIONS (Measured using test circuit in Figure 4)

Type

Condenser (electret bias)

Frequency Response

50 to 18,000 Hz (see Figure 2)

1 cm

0.6 m (2 ft.)

TYPICAL FREQUENCY RESPONSE

FIGURE 2

Polar Pattern

Hypercardioid, uniform with frequency (see Figure 3)

o

180

o

150

o

120

o

90

–20 dB

o

60

–15 dB
–10 dB

–5 dB

o

30

0

250 Hz
500 Hz
1000 Hz

o

150

o

120

o

90

90

o

60

o

30

120

o

150

o

o

o

60

o

30

180

–20 dB
–15 dB
–10 dB

–5 dB

0

2500 Hz
6300 Hz
10000 Hz

o

o

150

o

120

o

90

o

60

o

30

TYPICAL POLAR PATTERNS

FIGURE 3

Maximum Sound Pressure Level

150 dB at 1% THD

Dynamic Range

121 dB

Output Noise

29 dB equivalent SPL, A-weighted

Signal-to-Noise Ratio

65 dB at 94 dB SPL

Polarity

Microphone:

Positive sound pressure on diaphragm pro­duces positive voltage on pins 3 and 4 with respect to pin 1
(ground) of microphone output connector

Receiver—1/4” Phone Jack Output:

Positive sound pressure
on diaphragm produces positive voltage on tip of receiver
1/4” output connector

Receiver—XLR Output:

Positive sound pressure on dia­phragm produces positive voltage on pin 2 with respect to pin
3 of the XLR output connector

Current Drain

0.35 mA

Recommended Operating Voltage

+5 Vdc (positive on pin 2, negative on pin 1)

Environmental Conditions

Operating Temperatures: –18

o

to 60oC

(0o to 140oF)

Storage Temperatures: –29o to 66oC

(–20o to 150oF)

Humidity: 0 to 95%

Cable

1.5m (5 ft), small–diameter, shielded, with miniature female
4–pin connector (Switchcraft Tini Q-G



type TA4F)

Case Finish (Microphone and Headband)

Matte black enamel

Net Weight

36 g (1.27 oz)

SPECIFICATIONS TEST CIRCUIT

VOUT

1

4
2

20 K

3

+5 V

MICROPHONE INTERNAL CONNECTIONS

RESPONSE

SHAPING

CIRCUIT

SHIELD

RED
WHITE

1

4

2

FIGURE 4

REPLACEMENT PARTS

Cable Connector WA330. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pop screen 36A624. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3

Output Impedance

1200 ohms

Output Level (close-talked at 1,000 Hz)

Open Circuit Voltage

–55.0 dbV (1.8 mV) at 0.6 m

1 Pascal=94 db SPL

SHURE Incorporated Web Address: http://www.shure.com
222 Hartrey Avenue, Evanston, IL 60202–3696, U.S.A.
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
In Europe, Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
In Asia, Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Elsewhere, Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

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