User Manual
5
5. Setting up your LCT 540 S
// Attach the included shock mount to a stable and sturdy microphone stand.
A shock mount isolates the microphone from structure-borne noise. Place the LCT
540 S in the shock mount and secure it by fastening the threaded nut turning it
counter-clockwise.
// Make sure the display faces the open side of the shock mount!
// If you are planning to record vocals or spoken word, make sure to use the supplied
LCT 50 PSx magnetic pop lter. The pop lter prevents plosive sounds that are
overloading the signal. Plosive sounds are occurring when pronouncing aspirated
plosives, which are sounds that are accompanied by a strong burst of breath, e.g.
P(opping) in spoken language.
// The pop lter also prevents the capsule being exposed to moisture, and in addition
to that, it looks great.
// Loosen the adjustment screw on the back of the shock mount. Adjust the angle
and then fastened it securely
// Connect the microphone via standard 3-pin XLR cable to your recording
device or preamp. Make sure it is capable of providing 48V phantom power (P48).
// Mute your microphone channel before you turn the phantom power on -
it produces a switch-on sound.
// Adjust the input gain and make sure you leave enough headroom (peaks around
-12 dBFS). This way you are safe from digital distortions and have a good
signal-to-noise ratio.
6. About condenser microphones
6.1. The basic principle of a condenser capsule
// A condenser capsule consists of a diaphragm, that is positioned in close
proximity to a solid metal plate hence forming a capacitor. This diaphragm is
electrically conductive.
// The lower the mass of the diaphragm, the more sensitive it is to changes in
sound pressure. In an audible frequency range, we can perceive these changes of
sound pressure, and commonly refer to them as sound. For our large diaphragm
microphones of the LCT series, we use 3 μm-thin gold-sputtered Mylar.
// Sound waves hit the diaphragm, making it moving back and forth. As the
capacitance changes according to the rhythm of incidental sound waves,
the electronics transform the change in capacitance into alternating voltage
- mechanical waves are converted into an electrical signal.
// Although the induced voltage is relatively high and could, in theory, be audible
on your headphones, the signal breaks down in an instant due to the internal
impedance of the capsule. An impedance converter and other electronics like an
internal amplier are used to process the induced voltage so that it can be safely
transmitted to following equipment.
// The condenser microphone has to be supplied with external power to generate
polarization voltage for the capsule and to power the internal electronics. This
external power source is commonly known as “phantom power”. (Microphones
with permanently polarized condenser capsules still need phantom power to
make the internal electronics work.)