Owner's Manual
Additional Information
Using headphones
Warning: Turn the volume control down before using the headphones.
The
1/s'
' (3.5 mm) headphone jack
on
the rear of the microphone allows you
to
directly monitor your
recording without the delay that occurs when monitoring through your computer's headphone output.
When your preliminary setup
is
completed, and your
USB
microphone
is
connected
to
your computer's
USB
port (the microphone's blue
LED
is
illuminated), plug your headphones into the headphone jack
on the rear of the microphone. While talking into the microphone, you should hear yourself
in
the
headphones. (If
Mix
Control
is
set
on
COM you may not be able
to
hear yourself. Set Mix Control
between COM and MIC to assure you will
be
ab
le
to
hear live audio through your headphones.)
Adjust the volume by rotating the Headphone Level Control dial on the front
of
the microphone.
Note: The Headphone Level Control dial only adjusts the volume of the mic's headphone output;
it
does not adjust the microphone level.
Note: The AT2020USB+ is equipped with a high-output internal headphone amplifier that provides
superior clarity and musical detail
as
well
as
more volume overall.
Using
Mix
Control
The AT2020USB+ allows you
to
monitor previously recorded tracks while recording
new
audio. Adjust
the Mix Control
to
balance levels of live audio from your microphone and pre-recorded audio on your
computer. Turn the Mix Control dial towards COM (computer)
to
hear more pre-recorded audio; turn
the dial towards MIC (microphone) to hear more
of
your voice or instrument
in
the mix.
Selecting software
You
have many choices
in
recording software. Audacity, available for free online at
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/,
is
a widely used software program that provides
basic
recording software.
Setting your software levels
Correct adjustment
of
microphone level is important
for
optimum performance. Ideally, the microphone
level should be
as
high
as
possible without overloading the input
of
your computer. If you hear
distortion, or
if
your recording program shows levels that are consistently overloaded
(at
peak levels),
turn the microphone volume (or level) down, either through your control panel
(or
system preferences)
settings, or through your recording software. If your recording program shows insufficient level, you
can
increase the microphone gain either from the control panel (or system preferences) settings or
through your recording program.
No
further microphone level adjustments should
be
needed,
as
long
as
the acoustic input does not
change significantly.
Positioning your microphone
It
is
important
to
position the microphone directly
in
line
(on
axis) with the person speaking/
si
ngi
ng
or
instrument (or other sound source)
to
achieve the best frequency response of the microphone.
For use
in
speaking/singing applications, the ideal placement for the microphone
is
directly
in
front of
the person speaking/singing. The same placement is optimal when miking
an
instrument such
as
an
acoustic guitar, drums or piano. Experiment with different mic placements to find the best sound for
your particular setup.
Protecting your microphone
Avoid leaving your microphone
in
the open sun or
in
areas where temperatures exceed 110° F
(43
°
C)
for extended periods. Extremely high humidity should also be avoided.
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