PERCEPTION 420

Please read the manual before using the equipment! Veuillez lire cette notice avant dutiliser le systme!
User Instructions. p. 2 Mode demploi. p. 14

Table of Contents

Page 1 Precaution/Unpacking. 3 1.1 Precaution. 3 1.2 Unpacking. Description. 3 2.1 Introduction. 3 2.2 Features. 3 2.3 Optional Accessories. Interfacing. 6 3.1 General. 6 3.2 Pinout. 6 3.3 Connecting the Microphone. Using Your Microphone. 7 4.1 General Hints. 7 4.2 Selecting Polar Patterns. 8 2

AKG PERCEPTION 420

Page 5 Cleaning. Troubleshooting. Specifications. 11 Frequency Response Graphs, Polar Diagrams. 12 The International Page. 26

1 Precaution/Unpacking

1.1 Precaution

2 Description

2.1 Introduction Thank you for purchasing an AKG product. This Manual contains important instructions for setting up and operating your equipment. Please take a few minutes to read the instructions below carefully before operating the equipment and keep the Manual for future reference. Have fun and impress your audience! The PERCEPTION 420 is a heavy-duty, rugged true condenser microphone built to the same strict quality standards as all other AKG products. Designed on the basis of AKGs decades of knowhow and feedback from sound engineers around the world using AKG studio microphones every day, this general-purpose 1-inch dual large-diaphragm microphone brings AKG studio quality to the worlds of recording, live sound, and broadcasting. 2.2 Features Selectable polar patterns: The microphones
Please make sure that the piece of equipment your microphone will be connected to fulfills the safety regulations in force in your country and is fitted with a ground lead. 1.2 Unpacking Check that the packaging contains all of the items listed below: Microphone Spider suspension Carrying case Mini poster Should any item be missing, please contact your AKG dealer.
transducer uses a dual diaphragm. This sophisticated technology allows you to select the optimum polar pattern (cardioid, omnidirectional, or figure eight) for every application. Gold-sputtered diaphragm: The diaphragm is made of a plastic foil that is gold-sputtered on one side only to prevent shorting to the back electrode even at extremely high sound pressure levels. All-metal body: The all-metal body adds to the rejection of RF interference so you can use the microphone near transmitter stations and along with wireless microphones or other communications equipment. The extremely rugged, heavy body and sturdy front grill protect the microphone from damage from tough handling on stage. High headroom, minimum distortion: Capable of handling sound pressure levels up to 155 dB without introducing perceptible dis3
tortion and built to resist high temperatures and humidity, the microphone will give excellent results in a wide range of applications. Polar pattern selector: Selector 1 on the microphone front (refer to fig. 1) sets the microphone polar pattern to cardioid, omnidirectional, or figure eight. Switchable preattenuation pad: Selector 2 on the microphone rear (refer to fig. 2) lets you increase the headroom by 20 dB for distortionfree close-in recording. The preattenuation pad prevents the microphone's output level, particularly at low frequencies, from overloading the miniature transformers used in many mixer input stages, etc. Bass cut filter: Selector 3 on the microphone rear (refer to fig. 2) further reduces low-end distortion caused by footfall or wind noise, etc. The filter also minimizes the proximity effect that close-in miking from less than 4 inches

Fig. 1: Polar pattern selector (1) on PERCEPTION 420 front. 4
Fig. 2: Preattenuation (2) and bass cut (3) switches on PERCEPTION 420 rear.
causes in any unidirectional microphone. The filter rolls off at 12 dB/octave from 300 Hz downward. 2.3 Optional Accessories PF 80 studio pop screen ST 305 floor stand W 4000 external windcscreen

3 Interfacing

3.1 General The microphone uses a true condenser transducer designed for 48-volt phantom powering to DIN 45 596/IEC 268-15. Neither the diaphragm nor the backplate are permanently polarized, so the
microphone needs an external power supply. 3.2 Pinout The microphone provides a balanced output on a 3pin male XLR connector: Pin 1: ground Pin 2: hot Pin 3: cold
3.3 Connecting the Microphone Refer to fig. 3 below. 1. Use an XLR cable to connect the microphone to a balanced XLR input with phantom power. 2. Switch the phantom power on. (Refer to the user manual of the unit to which you connected your microphone.)
Fig. 3: Connecting to a balanced input with phantom power. 6

4 Using Your Microphone

4.1 General Hints The PERCEPTION 420 is a general-purpose multipattern microphone for recording, broadcast, and onstage use. Every instrument radiates its sound in a specific way. Therefore, to get the best sound it is crucial to experiment with microphone placement. Refer to fig. 4. Whichever polar pattern you selected, it may be good to know which way the transducer axis is facing: the front of the microphone is the side of the body with the AKG logo and polar pattern selector (1) on it. When recording wind instruments or vocals, make sure not to blow or sing directly into the microphone. To avoid unwanted wind and pop noise or moisture problems, place an optional PF 80 pop screen from AKG between the microphone and vocalist/instrument.
Keep the microphone dry. Moisture from blowing or singing directly at the capsule from a short distance, or extremely high humidity may cause the microphone to start crackling or go very quiet due to partial short circuits in the polarization voltage. If you use the microphone in the open, use an optional AKG W 4000 windscreen to protect the microphone from moisture and reduce wind noise. High volume instruments: You can use this microphone for close-in recording of very loud instruments (brass instruments, kick drum, etc.). Just switch the preattenuation pad in to increase the microphones capability of handling sound pressure levels to 155 dB. Low-frequency noise: To suppress low-frequency noise such as air conditioning rumble, footfall noise, or traffic sounds, switch the bass cut filter in. 7

Fig. 4: Microphone front.
4.2 Selecting Polar Patterns Each of the PERCEPTION 420s selectable polar patterns is virtually frequency independent so that reflected sound, too will be reproduced accurately and uncolored. Cardioid (center setting): This is a standard setting for recording and gives excellent results on all kinds of voices and a wide range of instruments. Remember to aim the microphone front (see fig. 4 on page 7) at the sound source. Figure eight (left-hand setting): The microphone will pick up sounds arriving from the front and rear with equal sensitivity. Use this mode to mic up the side signal in M/S stereo recording or to record two sound sources (talkers, instruments) facing each other. It is also a good choice for cymbal overhead miking. Omnidirectional (right-hand setting): This is the preferred setting for "all around the mic" recording, high quality ambience (audience 8
sound) miking, or far-field recording in exceptionally good-sounding large or small recording rooms, etc.

5 Cleaning

To clean the surface of the microphone body, use a soft cloth moistened with water.

6 Troubleshooting

Problem No sound. Possible Cause 1. Power to mixer and/or amplifier is off. 2. Channel or master fader on mixer, or volume control on amplifier is at zero. 3. Microphone is not connected to mixer or amplifier. 4. Cable connectors are seated loosely. 5. Cable is defective. 6. No supply voltage. Remedy 1. Switch power to mixer or amplifier on. 2. Set channel or master fader on mixer or volume control on amplifier to desired level. 3. Connect microphone to mixer or amplifier. 4. Check cable connectors for secure seat. 5. Check cable and replace if damaged. 6. Switch phantom power on. Phantom power supply: insert batteries. Check cable and replace if necessary. 1. Turn gain control down CCW. 2. Move microphone further away from sound source. 3. Switch preattenuation pad in.

Distortion.

1. Channel gain control on mixer set too high. 2. Microphone too close to sound source. 3. Microphone sensitivity set too high.
Problem Crackling noises or low output. Possible Cause Partial short circuits due to excessive humidity. Remedy Place microphone in warm, dry room and allow to dry.

7 Specifications

Type: Polar patterns: Open-circuit sensitivity at 1kHz (cardioid): Frequency range: Impedance: Recommended load impedance: Equivalent noise level to CCIR 468-2: Equivalent noise level to IEC 60268-4 (A-weighted): Signal/noise ratio re 1 Pa (A-weighted): Max. SPL for 0.5% THD: Preattenuation pad: Bass cut filter slope:

Perception Mic Rebates

AKG PERCEPTION microphones have built a strong following among musicians and engineers as one of the best values in the market today. AKG PERCEPTION models conform to the stringent standards defined for AKG recording microphones based on the companys 61-year history. The PERCEPTION sound is smooth and warm, yet highlydetailed. Put AKG PERCEPTION mics to work on your next studio session or stage gig and let your audience truly hear your music. Perception 120 = $20.00 rebate Perception 220 = $30.00 rebate Perception 170 = $20.00 rebate Perception 420 = $50.00 rebate
How To Redeem Your AKG Cash Rebate
1. Fill out all the information below: NAME: ______________________________ ADDRESS: ___________________________ CITY: _____________ STATE: ___ ZIP: ____ E-MAIL: _____________________________ 3. Include a legible copy of your original sales receipt. The sales receipt must indicate the name of the authorized AKG dealer where the product was purchased, and the date the transaction occurred. 4. Include the original bar-coded EAN label from the microphones carton or the banderole of the case. 5. Mail this form along with the copy of the sales receipt and the bar-code EAN number to: AKG Perception Rebate Department 6075 P.O. Box 5008 Stacy, MN 55078-5008
2. Check which Perception model and the quantity you are redeeming the rebate for:
Perception Perception Perception Perception Qty:___ Qty:___ Qty:___ Qty:___ x x x x $20.00 $20.00 $30.00 $50.00 = = = = ______ ______ ______ ______
Terms and Conditions: Rebate applies to the purchase of Perception microphone models made at authorized AKG dealers in the United States between November 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008. Rebate forms must be postmarked by January 30, 2009. Please allow 68 weeks for rebate check delivery. To check on the status of your rebate, call 1-866-700-5538. This is a mail-in rebate and is for consumers only and is limited to a maximum of 5 per customer, household, family or organization. AKG dealers, distributors, their employees or their families are not eligible for rebates, nor may AKG dealers or distributors claim rebates on behalf of consumers. Rebate requests without proper documentation will be ineligible. Rebate checks cannot be sent to PO Boxes. AKG is not responsible for late, lost, damaged, misdirected, incorrect, incomplete, illegible or postage due requests that are not properly submitted for any reason. Keep copies of materials submitted for your records. Offer good only on purchases made in the U.S. and is open to U.S. residents only. Void where taxed, restricted or prohibited by law. Cash redemption value is 1/100 of 1 cent.

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