Earthworks C&C30 User Manual - page 5
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Figure 3a. Typical pick-up area (with full frequency
response) of an Earthworks cardioid microphone
indicated by extending arms
Figure 3b. Typical polar pattern (with full frequency
response) of an Earthworks cardioid microphone
Conventional Polar Response vs. Near-perfect Polar Response
Before reading this information, if you were asked to spread your arms to indicate
the width of the pick-up pattern of a conventional cardioid microphone, you would
probably indicate something like shown in Figure 2a. The actual polar response of a
typical conventional microphone is illustrated in Figure 2b. Notice that the shaded
area in Figures 2a and 2b is virtually the same. Outside of the shaded area there will
be a substantial loss of high frequency information.
In contrast, if one were asked to spread their arms to indicate the width of the pick-
up pattern of an Earthworks cardioid microphone, they would indicate something
like shown in Figure 3a. The actual polar response of an Earthworks cardioid mi-
crophone is illustrated in Figure 3b. Again, notice that the shaded areas in Figures
3a and 3b are virtually the same. Notice on the Earthworks microphone (Figure
3b) that even outside the shaded area there is a very minimal change or loss in the
level of high frequency information.
Figure 2a. Typical pick up area (with full frequency
response) of a conventional cardioid microphone
indicated by extending arms
Figure 2b. Typical polar pattern (with full frequency
response) of a conventional cardioid microphone
Earthworks ChoirMics
with a mini-flex goose-
neck can be positioned
quite easily
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Conventional Choir
microphones with
wire clips are
extremely difficult
to position
wire spring type element on the cable to position the microphone. Not much
fun for an installer on top of a tall step ladder. These types of microphones usually
require many trips up and down the ladder to position each microphone. Install-
ers will quickly appreciate the simplicity and ease of positioning of the Earthworks
ChoirMic which hangs straight and stable, and can be easily positioned with the
mini-flex gooseneck.
Other important design features of the ChoirMics is their high SPL handling up
to 145db SPL. Their extended high frequency response to 30kHz will improve
intelligibility and sound quality. The very short diaphragm settling time of the
ChoirMic will allow the listeners to hear detail never before possible (which is
masked by conventional microphones). The use of high current, Class A, low dis-
tortion electronics maintain the quality and integrity of the sound and allow high
frequency information to be sent easily through long lengths of cable without loss
of high frequency content.
Microphone Cable is Field Replaceable
The ChoirMic™ microphone cable is field replaceable in the event that a microphone
cable becomes damaged, or the use of a longer cable becomes necessary. To replace
the cable, loosen the set screw on the cap at the cable end of the microphone with
an Allen wrench. With the set screw loosened, hold the microphone body in one
hand and rotate the top cap with the other hand to remove the top cap. With the
top cap removed, pull on the microphone cable and the connector will come out.
This connector is a Neutrik model NC3FX-SPEC with gold contacts. You can
solder it like a standard XLR3 microphone connector.
To replace the top cap, first replace the locking push-button under the rubber grom-
met then push the reassembled connector back into the microphone body, mating
the connectors. Then hold down the locking push-button and slide the top cap over
it and screw the top cap back on. Once the top cap is screwed on, the locking push-
button will lock the connector into place. If you have any difficulty in replacing the
microphone cable, please contact the Earthworks factory for assistance.