Shure KSM44A Quick Start Manual

Over 90 years of audio experience has contributed to making this one of the finest microphones available. If you have any questions not answered in this guide, please contact Shure Applications Engineering at 847-600-8440, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, CST. In Europe, call 49-7262-92490. In Asia, call 852- 2893-4290. Our web address is www.shure.com. General Description The Shure® KSM44A is a premium, large-diaphragm, side-address condenser microphone with multiple polar pattern options (cardioid, omnidirectional, bidirectional). The refined and sophisticated design of the KSM44A features externally biased, dual 1-inch diaphragms, extensive internal pop filtering and Prethos® advanced preamplifier technology for a ground-breaking threshold minimum of self-noise. The KSM44A is the premier choice for the highest level of professional studio and stage performance. Features • Multiple polar patterns (cardioid, omnidirectional and bidirectional) for maximum flexibility in a wide variety of recording applications • Dual 1 inch, externally biased, ultra-thin, 2.5 μm, 24 Karat gold-layered, low mass, Mylar® diaphragms provide superior frequency response • Class A, discrete, transformerless preamplifier for transparency, extremely fast transient response and no crossover distortion. Minimizes harmonic and intermodulation distortions • Premium electronic components and gold-plated internal and external connectors • Subsonic filter eliminates rumble from mechanical vibration below 17 Hz • Switchable 15 dB pad for handling extremely high sound pressure levels (SPLs) • 3-position switchable low-frequency filter helps reduce unwanted back- ground noise or counteract proximity effect • Integrated three-stage "pop" protection grille reduces plosives and other breath noise • Internal shock mount reduces handling and stand noise Performance Characteristics • Extremely uniform polar response • Extended frequency response • Minimal self-noise • Exceptional low-frequency reproduction • Able to withstand high SPLs • High output level • No crossover distortion • Superior common-mode rejection and suppression of radio frequency interference (RFI) Applications The KSM44A provides superior results in any application requiring a high quality microphone. Some typical applications are listed below. • Vocals (studio or live) • Acoustic instruments such as piano, guitar, drums, percussion, strings • Brass and woodwind instruments • Low-frequency instruments such as double bass, electric bass, kick drum • Overhead miking for drums or percussion • Choral or orchestral ensembles • Room ambience or stereo miking Acoustic environments and microphone placements strongly affect the sound obtained from miking a source, especially with a high-resolution microphone like the KSM44A. You may need to experiment with placement, room treat- ments, and polar pattern to achieve the best overall sound for each applica- tion. Operation 1/5 ©2017 Shure Incorporated KSM44A Multi-Pattern Dual Diaphragm Microphone

phone to a floor or boom stand. Important: Thread the knurled locking ring securely to the base of the micro- phone. Do not overtighten. Power Requirements This microphone requires phantom power and performs best with a 48 V DC supply (IEC-61938). However, it will operate with slightly decreased headroom and sensitivity with supplies as low as 11 Vdc. Most modern mixers provide phantom power. You must use a balanced microphone cable: XLR-to-XLR or XLR-to-TRS. Positioning Position the front of the microphone, with SHURE® , towards the desired sound source. Position the rear of the microphone, with the vintage circle S logo, towards any unwanted sound sources. Selecting a Polar Pattern The three position switch on the front of the microphone sets the polar re- sponse pattern. This changes the microphone's sensitivity to sounds coming from different angles. Cardioid. Picks up sound directly in front of the microphone and is least sensitive to those in back. This is most commonly used in studio recording and live-sound applications. Omnidirectional. Picks up sounds from all directions. Best for picking up room ambience and for miking several sources simultaneously, such as an ensemble or multiple singers. The omnidirectional polar pattern exhibits no proximity effect. Bidirectional. Picks up equally from the front and back of the microphone while rejecting sounds from the sides. Often used for stereo recording (such as mid-side and Blumlein techniques). Note: As with all bidirectional microphones, sounds picked up from the back will be out of polarity with the source. Those from the front are in polarity with the source. CAUTION: The switch produces mechanical noise which, when amplified, may damage the loudspeakers. Turn down any loudspeakers or mute the microphone at the mixing console before using the switch. Selecting Low-Frequency Response A three-position switch on the back of the microphone lets you adjust the low-frequency response. Use the low-frequency filter to reduce wind noise, room noise, or proximity effect. Flat response. Provides the most natural sound in most applications. Low frequency cutoff. Provides an 18 dB-per-octave cutoff at 80 Hz. Helps eliminate floor rumble and low-frequency room noise from heating and air conditioning systems. This setting may also be used to compensate for proximity effect or to reduce low frequencies that make an instrument sound dull or muddy. Low frequency rolloff. Provides a 6 dB-per-octave rolloff filter at 115 Hz. Use this to compensate for proximity effect or to reduce low frequencies that could make an instrument sound dull or muddy. 20 1000 50 100 4 5 6 789 3 2 +5 0 –10 Hz dB Flat Response Low Frequency Cutof Low Frequency Rollof Setting Attenuation The attenuation switch lets you reduce the signal level without altering the frequency response. This can prevent extremely loud sounds from overloading the microphone circuitry. 0 dB For "quiet" to "normal" sound levels. -15 dB For use with extremely loud sound sources such as drums, horns, or loud guitar cabinets. Load Impedance Maximum SPL capability, output clipping level, and dynamic range vary with the input load impedance of the preamplifier to which you connect the micro- phone. Shure recommends a minimum input load impedance of 1000 Ω. Most modern microphone preamplifiers meet this requirement. Higher impedance results in better performance for these specifications. Shure Incorporated KSM44A Multi-Pattern Dual Diaphragm Microphone 2017/10/05 2/5

The microphone grille consists of 3 separate mesh layers that act as an inte- gral pop filter. This helps reduce wind and breath noise. Depending on the performer, an external pop-protection screen or windscreen may be necessary when close-miking vocalists. Specifications Cartridge Type Dual-Diaphragm, Externally-Biased Condenser Polar Pattern selectable Cardioid, Omnidirectional, Bidirectional Frequency Response 20 to 20,000 Hz Output Impedance 50 Ω Sensitivity open circuit voltage, @ 1 kHz, typical Bidirectional Omnidirectional Cardioid –36 dBV/Pa[1] (16.8 mV) –37 dBV/Pa[1] (14.8 mV) –31 dBV/Pa[1] (29.8 mV) Maximum SPL 1 kHz at 1% THD[2] Bidirectional Omnidirectional Cardioid 139 dB151 dB 140 dB152 dB 134 dB150 dB 2500 Ω load PAD OFF 136 dB148 dB 137 dB149 dB 131 dB147 dB 1000 Ω load 139 dB151 dB 140 dB152 dB 134 dB150 dB 2500 Ω load PAD ON 136 dB148 dB 137 dB149 dB 131 dB147 dB 1000 Ω load Signal-to-Noise Ratio[3] Bidirectional Omnidirectional Cardioid 86.5 dB 88 dB 90 dB Shure Incorporated KSM44A Multi-Pattern Dual Diaphragm Microphone 3/5 2017/10/05

Bidirectional Omnidirectional Cardioid 131 dB 134 dB 130 dB 2500 Ω load 128 dB 131 dB 127 dB 1000 Ω load Clipping Level 20 Hz to 20 kHz, 1% THD 9 dBV 2500 Ω load 6 dBV 1000 Ω load Self Noise equivalent SPL, A-weighted, typical Bidirectional Omnidirectional Cardioid 7.5 dB SPL-A 6 dB SPL-A 4 dB SPL-A Common Mode Rejection 10 to 100,000 kHz ≥50 dB Attenuator Switch -15 dB Low-Frequency Filter Switch Flat, –6 dB/octave below 115 Hz, or –18 dB/octave below 80 Hz Connector Three-pin professional audio (XLR), male, balanced Polarity Positive pressure on diaphragm produces positive voltage on pin 2 with respect to pin 3 Power Requirements 11–52 V DC[4] phantom power (IEC-61938) 5.8 mA, maximum Net Weight 492 g (17.4 oz.) 0 1 2 3 0 [1] 1 Pa=94 dB SPL 1 [2]THD of microphone preamplifier when applied input signal level is equivalent to cartridge output at specified SPL 2 [3]S/N ratio is the difference between 94 dB SPL and equivalent SPL of self noise, A-weighted 3 [4]All specifications measured with a 48 Vdc phantom power supply. The microphone operates at lower voltages, but with slightly decreased headroom and sensitivity. Shure Incorporated KSM44A Multi-Pattern Dual Diaphragm Microphone 2017/10/05 4/5

Furnished Accessories A44ASM ShureLock® Cristal Elastic Shock Mount A44AM ShureLock® Cristal Swivel Adapter AK44C Carrying Case A44AVB Protective Velveteen Pouch RK383 Suspension Shock Mount Elastic Cord, Cristal (contains two) Optional Accessories A32WS Windscreen A32ZB Padded, Zippered Carrying Bag PS-6 Popper StopperTM A42PF A42SM Popper StopperTM Magnetic Pop Filter ShureLock® Rubber Suspension Shock Mount Certifications This product meets the Essential Requirements of all relevant European di- rectives and is eligible for CE marking. The CE Declaration of Conformity can be obtained from: www.shure.com/europe/compliance Authorized European representative: Shure Europe GmbH Headquarters Europe, Middle East & Africa Department: EMEA Approval Jakob-Dieffenbacher-Str. 12 75031 Eppingen, Germany Phone: +49-7262-92 49 0 Fax: +49-7262-92 49 11 4 Email: [email protected] Trademark Notices: The circular S logo, the stylized Shure logo, the word “Shure,” and “ShureLock” are registered trademarks of Shure Incorporated in the United States. “Popper Stopper” is a trademark of Shure Incorporated in the United States. “Mylar” is a registered trademark of E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company in the United States. These marks may be registered in other jurisdictions. Patent Notice: Pat. D447,131 Shure Incorporated KSM44A Multi-Pattern Dual Diaphragm Microphone 5/5 Shure Incorporated 5800 West Touhy Avenue Niles, IL 60714-4608 USA Phone: +1-847-600-2000 Email: [email protected]