User manual M-AUDIO SPUTNIK

[. . . ] The Philosophy Behind a World-Class Tube Microphone What's in a Name?2 2 2 3 4 6 7 8 8 8 9 Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of M-Audio's Sputnik multi-pattern vacuum tube large-diaphragm condenser microphone. Studio artists around the world rely on M-Audio microphones to capture acoustic performances with clarity and accurate tonal balance. The Sputnik tube microphone from M-Audio improves upon that reputation as a topof-the-line solution for applications requiring the smoothest, world-class sound. [. . . ] The Sputnik utilizes the dualdiaphragm design to capture two cardioid patterns (one from each side) and it sums them electrically in carefully configured phase and level combinations to create a smooth, even response all the way around. Figure-8: this pattern allows you to capture sound bidirectionally-- in other words, on the Sputnik's two opposing faces; but it has very strong rejection of sound sources located 90 degrees off-axis (i. e. , on the sides). This pattern doesn't exhibit any proximity effect--indeed it has a very even frequency response overall. You can use this pattern to capture, for example, the sounds of two Figure-Eight 2500 5000 10000 15000 4 - User Manual Also noteworthy about the Sputnik's head amp is that the cascode topology uses both the aforementioned vacuum tube and an n-channel depletion-mode JFET. The 6205M tube is on the top (with the JFET at the cathode) so the amp exploits the best properties of each device. You can't achieve these Vacuum Tube Amplifier results with a standard transistor amplifier or one of In addition to the capsule, the Sputnik's Class-A head the more common Class-A vacuum tube designs. It picks the audio signal off the capsule and Power Supply conditions it so that it can be sent out the microphone The Sputnik power supply features a sophisticated cable to an appropriate mic preamp. Its main circuit designed to ensure optimal performance of ingredient is a low-current hand-selected military- the Sputnik mic and audio signal path. The power grade 6205M vacuum tube--a diminutive pentode supply charges the parallel-plate capacitor formed wired as a triode. What's notable about this amplifier by the diaphragm and backplate of the capsule. The circuit is that it's an all-discrete transconductance power supply also provides the operating voltages design based on thermionic studies by researchers needed for the head amp. It starts up slowly by at Harvard University and the American Institute of heating the tube's cathode (filament) first and then Physics. The amplifier uses a classic cascode circuit it ramps up the voltage on the anode (plate)--which to increase the gain-bandwidth product and eliminate is why the power supply's LED indicator lights up the effects of parasitic capacitances (the "Miller gradually, over a 15-second period, to indicate when Effect")--giving the system a very wide frequency the Sputnik is "ready for launch. " response. There are lots of benefits to this circuit for a microphone because it yields a high output Additionally, the power supply has an automatic impedance which makes the mic very tolerant of load load-sensing circuit that compensates for varying conditions. (The output impedance of the Sputnik's transmission line impedances--so you can run cables cascode circuit is in the mega-ohms--dominated as long as 200 feet. by the plate resistor--so it behaves like a perfect current source. ) performers singing toward each other. The strong off-axis rejection (roughly 40dB of attenuation) can make it useful for, say, mic'ing a drum kit if you want to isolate individual drums or cymbals. Moreover, the Sputnik's figure-8 pattern is very symmetrical, which make it a perfect candidate for use in midside ("M/S") recording--a technique used to capture very accurately a stereo image with excellent mono downmix compatibility. User Guide - 5 English M-Audio Shock Mount The Sputnik's capsule is rubber-mounted internally, but you should still be careful to protect it from physical shocks and abuse. Always use the Sputnik with the included M-Audio shock mount on a sturdy mic stand. It's a comfortable, stable structure in which to seat the mic and it aids considerably in reducing unwanted low-frequency vibrations from your recording setup that can transduce into the audio path. The Philosophy Behind a World-Class Tube Microphone The purpose of any microphone is to capture a living sound. The mic does this by converting the acoustic energy of the source into its exact electrical equivalent, which you can then record. The accuracy of this conversion is the main criteria we use to determine the quality of a studio microphone. [. . . ] Coming back to the issue of microphone accuracy: our cascode tube circuit (described in the Features section) utilizes all of these desirable tube properties in order to allow you to record sounds more faithfully and realistically than with an "equivalent" transistor design. The tube circuit's higher dynamic range (due to higher operating voltages); greater tolerance for voltage spikes and graceful overload characteristics; and wider frequency response (due to a larger gainbandwidth product) make it ideal for use in a worldclass studio microphone. It's the sound you've heard on so many classic and clean-sounding recordings-- and it's the sound you'll hear with the Sputnik mic. What's in a Name? "Sputnik" is a funny thing to call a microphone, but we thought it was oddly appropriate. As you may know, in the 1950s the former Soviet Union launched its Sputnik Program for unmanned space missions--and Sputnik 1, launched 4 October 1957, was the world's first artificial satellite. [. . . ]