STUDIO PROJECTS C1, C3, C-4, LSD-2, T3 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]

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Studio Projects® Instruction Manual

• Professional Studio Microphones

• Ultimate professional build quality

• Pressure-gradient transducer

• Transformerless circuitry

• Large diameter pressure gradient capsule
employing 6 um gold sputtered Mylar diaphragms

visit our web site at studioprojectsusa.com

C S E R I E S M I C R O P H O N E S

• Ultra low-noise FET Preamplifier

• Dual Triode “6072” hand tested tubes (T3 Only)

• Multi-Pattern variable power supply (T3 Only)

• Heavy duty road case (All Models)

• Elastic heavy duty shock mount (All Models)

• Quality German “WIMA” components

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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

C1...................................................................................................................................5

C3.....................................................................................................................................6

T3..................................................................................................................................7

C4..................................................................................................................................8

LSD2.................................................................................................................................9

WHAT IS STUDIO PROJECTS?

There are many condenser microphone brands on today’s market. Studio Projects offers a better
microphone at a competitive price to meet a specific need. Primarily, the Studio Projects line was
created to provide exceptional engineering and performance at a fraction of the cost of most high
quality German microphones. By utilizing the best manufacturing techniques of today along with
quality components, Studio Projects microphones compete both in build, design and sonic perfor­mance with those famous German brands. The proof is in the listening.

Our company is partnered with Beijing 797 Audio Co., Ltd, a company that has been building
microphones since 1956. The result of this partnership is an award-winning, innovative and
dependable series of microphones which stand out in today’s market.

The microphones themselves are the evolution of many combined years of experience in the
music business as well as the manufacturing sector. Studio Projects is proud to continue to bring
quality products to market and we sincerely hope you enjoy our works.

DESCRIPTION / CARE

Although the Mylar diaphragm of the capsule is more robust than the PVC diaphragms of
the original German designs from the 1930s, it is extremely fine and liable to damage if
mishandled. There are two primary factors that must be remembered when handling these
microphones:

1) Keep the microphone dry.

2) Avoid any shock to the microphone such as would be caused by dropping, etc.

All electronic equipment should be kept dry, but it is even more important to avoid any damp
conditions when using condenser microphones, as this can cause partial short circuits in the
capsule itself. The result can be crackling noises and low output. Care should also be taken
to avoid using the microphone in the open air without substantial wind protection.

ELECTRICAL FEATURES

The C1, C3, LSD-2, and C4 use FET circuits to convert the extremely high capsule impedance
to a low impedance signal. The output is class-A, balanced and transformerless All C-Series
microphones are designed to ensure good common mode rejection, and protection from RF
interference, both of which can degrade the audio signal.

The C Series microphone, when compared to other makes and models, has very low noise
and is capable of handling sound pressure levels up to 148dB without distortion.

OPERATION

Since the C Series microphone can handle high sound volume levels, it can be used safely
near musical instrument amplifiers, kick drums, etc. If the source sound is very loud, however,
this may overload the microphone amplifier, or the mixer/preamplifier which the microphone
is plugged in to. If this occurs, simply engage the -10dB pad (if applicable), adjust the sound
level, or reposition the microphone.

The C1, C3 and T3, are addressed from the side marked by the Studio Projects logo. The
large diaphragm capsule inside the head grille has a smooth frequency response; therefore
the acoustic information translates smoothly and completely. The microphone maintains a wide
response when reproducing all transient material of music and speech whether used in an
ensemble setting, or in a voice-over studio. The microphones are well suited to tasks such as
voice recordings, strings, overheads, broadcast, and production use. Experimentation is key
for optimum performance and microphone placement is crucial to a proper recording.

The C4’s are best employed for spot miking instruments such as guitar, piano and wind instru­ments. They are also very good for ambience miking and Drum Overheads.

The LSD2 is primarily useful for single point stereo recording of ensemble performances, drum
miking, X-Y and mid-side techniques.

PROBLEMS

Should any microphone become damp and fail to operate properly (start crackling, or go
very quiet), simply place it in a warm and very dry environment for 24 hours. The ideal
environment is an airing cupboard. Studio Projects microphones are of robust build, but are
delicate instruments by nature. If the microphone fails to work after being dropped, it should
be returned in adequate packing to the supplier. Manufacturing faults are nearly non-existent
but should any fault occur, the microphone will be repaired (or replaced) free of charge.

CONNECTING UP

With the mixer volume down, using a high quality balanced and shielded XLR cable connect
the microphone to the preamplifier input and switch on the 48V phantom power. -IMPORTANT
NOTE- The C1, C3, C4 and LSD2 will not operate unless 48V phantom power is on.
The microphone should be powered up for about a minute until the polarizing voltage on the
capsule has fully stabilized. 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.

For the T3, use the supplied 7-pin XLR cable to connect the microphone to its power supply
(PST3). Use a balanced and shielded XLR cable to connect from power supply to mic pream­plifier. For the LSD-2, use the supplied Y-cable for stereo operation.

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C1

The C1 is a high quality true condenser pressure gradient microphone with
a FET impedance converter. The polar pattern is fixed cardioid. The C1
uses a transformerless circuit which features low noise and wide dynamic
range. The polar response is very linear with a slight rise in frequency
response between the 5 kHz to 12kHz range. Signals coming from the
side and rear are attenuated with very little phase coloration. The C1 also
features a three position switch on the rear which alternately enables a

-10dB pad, and a 150Hz high-pass filter.

The microphone is supplied with a shock mount, windscreen and heavy
duty road case with locking latches.

The capacitor element is manufactured to the classic Braunmuhl Weber
‘center electrode’ design which provides smooth extended frequency
response. The diaphragm material is 6 um Mylar with a vapor deposited
gold coating.

C1 SPECIFICATIONS

Type: Single diaphragm pressure

gradient condenser microphone

Polar pattern: cardioid.

Frequency response: 30Hz~20000Hz.

Sensitivity: 14mV/Pa=-37dB (0dB=1V/Pa).

Output impedance: <200 Ohm.

Load impedance: >1000 Ohm.

Max. SPL: 131 dB SPL for 1% THD @1000Hz (0dB SPL=0.00002Pa).

Noise: (Line): 27 dB (A weighted) ---17 dB.

S/N ratio: 77 dB.

Power requirement: 48 +/- 4V.

Current consumption: <2.5mA.

Circuit: transformerless output circuit, featuring low self noise

and large dynamic range.

Connector: Gold-plated 3-pin XLR

Pad: -10 dB

Low cut: 6 dB/Octave at 150 Hz.

Diameter: 2.1” length: 8.9”

Weight: 26.9oz

USING STUDIO PROJECTS MICROPHONES

Studio Projects solid-state microphones employ high quality externally polarized pressure
gradient transducers with FET impedance converters driving balanced, class-A output circuits.
The vacuum tube model T3 is a transformer balanced class-A circuit designed around the
12AY7 (6072) vacuum tube.

The 27mm capacitor element is based on the classic Braunmuhl Weber ‘center electrode’
design which provides a smooth extended frequency response with a slight bump in response
generally in the 5 kHz to 12 kHz region. The capacitor membrane is 6um Mylar with a vapor­deposited coating of gold over a proprietary bonding agent.

All models are supplied with an elastic shock mount system and although the microphones
are not particularly susceptible to sounds transmitted through the case, it is advisable to use
this shock mount wherever possible. The C1, C3, T3, and LSD-2 are more sensitive to sounds
from the front than from the rear and sides when used in the cardiod pattern. The front of the
microphone is indicated by the Studio Projects logo. To get the best quality, be sure the sound
source is in line with the front of the microphone. -IMPORTANT NOTE- For up close vocals,
a ‘nylon’ pop shield is recommended to avoid moisture damage to the transducer. Vocalists
should sing across the front of the microphone at a distance of 6” to 24”.

The C3, T3, and LSD-2 are Multi-Pattern microphones which provide cardioid, omni direc­tional, and figure of eight patterns. This allows the microphone to be utilized in a variety of
recording conditions: The cardioid pattern is directional and used to attenuate sound tran­sients occurring on the sides and to the rear of the microphone. The omni directional pattern
picks up sounds uniformly from all directions, although it becomes more directional at higher
frequencies. The Figure of 8 pattern rejects sounds from the sides (left/right) while equal but
180° out of phase signals are picked up from the front and rear of the microphone. These pat­terns will provide the user with a variety of approaches to a given recording application. The
T3 is additionally capable of hypercardioid - which is quite directional and especially useful in
attenuating sound from the sides and sub-cardioid - which offers some of the depth and pres­ence of the omni, while maintaining directionality as that of a cardioid.

ORIGINS AND MANUFACTURE

Studio Projects Microphones are manufactured in Beijing, China by 797 Audio to a specification
defined by Studio Projects, Torrance, California. All Studio Projects microphones are inspected
and tested at the factory, then inspected and tested again at PMI Audio Groups facility prior to
shipping. Studio Projects microphones meet the requirements of electronic equipment sold both
in the USA, Canada, and the European Union.

APPLICATIONS

• Close miking of instruments with high sound pressure levels

• Announcer’s mic for broadcasting/dubbing

• Home recording and project studios

• Vocalist recording

• Spot mic for: wind instruments, strings, percussion and guitar amps.

• XY - Coincident Cardioids

• Mid-Side Method

• Stereosonic Technique (Blumlein)

• Overheads

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