STUDIO PROJECTS B Series Instruction Manual

Studio Projects is manufactured and marketed under the direction of

PMI AUDIO GROUP

23775 Madison Street, Torrance, CA 90505

voice [phone] Facsimile [phone]

toll-free USA [phone]

Email [e-mail]

Studio Projects Instruction Manual

• Professional Studio Microphones

• Ultimate professional build quality

• Pressure-gradient transducer

• Transformerless circuitry

• Large diameter pressure gradient capsule
employing 3 um gold sputtered mylar diaphragms

visit our web site at studioprojectsusa.com

B SERIES MICROPHONES

• Ultra low-noise FET Preamplifier

• Dual Triode "6072" hand tested tubes (TB1 Only)

• Multi-Pattern variable power supply (TB1 Only)

• Heavy duty road case (TB1 Only)

• Optional Isolation Mounts

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INSTRUCTION BOOK CONTENTS

What is Studio Projects............................................................................................2

Description, Care .....................................................................................................2

Operation, Problems, Connecting up.......................................................................3

Using Studio Projects, Specification ......................................................................4

Origins and manufacture..........................................................................................4

Applications...............................................................................................................4

B1...............................................................................................................................5

B3 .......................................................................................................................................6

TB1...............................................................................................................................7

WHAT IS STUDIO PROJECTS?

There are many microphone brands on today’s market, and German microphones are the most
sought after. Studio Projects was created to offer a better microphone for a better price to meet a
need in today’s market. Studio Projects was designed with German engineering in mind. We offer
German quality and sound for a fraction of the cost. The proof is in the listening. By using custom 3
um capsules and German WIMA components, Studio Projects competes both in quality build, and
sonic performance with those famous German brands.

Studio Projects has partnered with 797 Audio, a leading manufacturer in China for over 50 years
that has been building some German brand microphones. We like them so much, we put their
name on all of our microphones. As a result of this partnership, our quality is significantly better than
other brands, as our partner has a vested interest in Studio Projects, mainly their name! PMI Audio
Group is a leading distributor of professional audio products.

Having many years of experience with microphones, Studio Projects was created to provide a quality
product at an affordable price. This will be evident as soon as you plug them in. Studio Projects will
continue to bring quality products to market.

DESCRIPTION / CARE

Although the “mylar” membrane on the capacitor is more robust than the gold foil used by the
original German designs of the 1930s, it is extremely fine and liable to damage if mishandled.
There are two safety factors that MUST be remembered when handling these microphones:

1) Keep the microphone dry.

2) Avoid wind or air blasts directly onto the capsule.

3) Avoid shaking the microphone. The B series uses a floating isolation mount that houses
the capsule. The housing eliminates vibrations but is not a stiff mount. Shaking will cause a
knocking sound inside your microphone and should be avoided.

All electronic equipment should be kept dry, but it is even more important to avoid any damp
conditions when using high quality condensor microphones. Damp can cause partial short
circuits in the polarizing voltage, this will cause crackling noises and low output. The most
important instruction for condensor microphones is NEVER blow at the capsule. Damage
caused by blast of air on the capsule are often permanent and require the complete
replacement of the capacitor element (capsule). Never use the microphone in the open air
without substantial wind protection.

ELECTRICAL FEATURES

The B1 & B3 is a “transformerless microphone”. With transformerless technology, the usual
output transformer is replaced by an electronic circuit. The B1 & B3 ensures good common
mode rejection, and prevents RF interference, that may influence the balanced audio signal.

The B1 & B3 when compared to other microphones has very low noise and is capable of
handling sound pressure levels up to 137 dB without distortion.

OPERATION

The B1 & B3 is capable of handling high sound volume levels so it can be used safely close to
musical instrument amplifiers, however, the B1 is best suited for those high volume applications.
If the amplifier sound is very loud, this may overload the microphone amplifier. Simply adjust the
level to the microphone or reposition it. It is a very low noise microphone and suitable for vocal
recording to the highest quality. The B1 and B3 are more suited for critical vocal recordings,
strings, overheads, Broadcast, and production use. Experimentation is critical for optimum
performance. Microphone placement is crucial to a proper recording.

The B1 & B3 is addressed from the front, marked with the Studio Projects logo. The large
diaphragm capsule inside the headgrille has a very smooth frequency response, therefore the
acoustic information is not affected in its tonal quality when recorded by the microphone. The
microphone maintains an excellent response reproducing all transient material of music and
speech without coloration.

PROBLEMS

Should any microphone accidentally become damp and fail to operate properly (start crack­ling, or go very quiet) then place it in a warm and very dry environment for 24 hours. The ideal
environment is an airing cupboard. Studio Projects are extremely resistant to physical
damage, but if the microphone fails to work after being dropped, it should be returned in adequate
packing to the supplier. A double test and inspection system means that manufacturing faults
are non-existent but should any fault occur, it will be repaired (or replaced) free of charge
excepting where the fault has been caused by physical damage.

CONNECTING UP

Using a high quality balanced and screened(shielded) audio cable, connect the B1 or B3
microphone to the microphone amplifier input and switch on the 48V phantom power. NOTE,
the microphone will not operate unless 48V phantom power is provided. The microphone
should be powered up for at least one minute before it will operate correctly as the polarizing
voltage on the capsule needs to stabilize. Some background noise is possible during the first
few seconds after switch on. Keep the gain controls on the microphone amplifier or mixer well
down as the output from the microphone is high (as most capacitor microphones). For the B3,
use the supplied cable to hook the microphone and power supply together. Use a balanced
and screened(shielded) audio cable to connect to a mic amplifier. DO NOT USE A PHANTOM
POWER SOURCE FOR THE TB1. The TB1’s supply powers the mic.

32

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