View larger KSM44A with Flight Case and Shock Absorber View larger Shure KSM44A Multi-Pattern Large Dual-Diaphragm Side-Address Condenser Microphone Premium microphone with three polar pattern options (cardioid, omnidirectional, bidirectional).Description The Shure KSM44A is a premium, large-diaphragm, side-address condenser microphone with multiple polar pattern options (cardioid, omnidirectional, bidirectional). The refined and sophisticated design of the KSM44A features an externally biased, dual 1-inch diaphragms, extensive internal pop filtering and PrethosTM Advanced Preamplifier Technology for a ground-breaking threshold minimum of self-noise. The KSM44A is the premier choice for the highest level of professional studio and stage performance. Applications The KSM44A provides superior results in any application requiring a high quality microphone. Some typical applications are listed: Voice-solo, background, voice-over or broadcasting. Acoustic instruments such as piano, guitar, drums, percussion, strings. Wind instruments-brass and woodwind, Low-frequency instruments such as double bass, electric bass, kick drum, Overhead miking-drums or percussion, Ensembles-choral or orchestral, and Room ambience pick-up-guitar amplifier or drums. (Acoustic environments and microphone placements strongly affect the sound obtained from mik- ing a source, especially with a high-resolution microphone like the KSM44A. You may need to experiment with placement, room treatments and polar pattern to achieve the best overall sound for each application.) Selecting a Polar Pattern The three position switch on the front of the microphone sets the polar response pattern. This changes the microphone’s sensitivity to sounds coming from different angles: Cardioid - Picks up sounds directly in front of the microphone and is least sensitive to those in back. This is most commonly used in studio recording and live-sound applications. Omnidirectional - Picks up sounds from all directions. Best for picking up room ambience and for miking several sources simultaneously, such as an ensemble or multiple singers. The om- nidirectional polar pattern exhibits no proximity effect. Bidirectional - Picks up equally from the front and back of the microphone while rejecting sounds from the sides. Often used for stereo recording (such as mid-side and Blumlein techniques). Selecting Low-Frequency Response A three-position switch on the back of the microphone lets you adjust the low-frequency response. Use the low-frequency filter to reduce wind noise, room noise, or proximity effect. Flat response - Provides the most natural sound in most applications. Low frequency cutoff - Provides an 18 dB-per-octave cutoff at 80 Hz. Helps eliminate floor rumble and low- frequency room noise from heating and air conditioning systems. This setting may also be used to compensate for proximity effect or to reduce low frequencies that make an instrument sound dull or muddy. Low frequency rolloff - Provides a 6 dB-per-octave rolloff filter at 115 Hz. Use this to compensate for proximity effect or to reduce low frequencies that could make an instrument sound dull or muddy. Frequency Patterns and Polar Patterns View larger Power Requirements This microphone requires phantom power and performs best with a 48 Vdc supply (IEC 61938). However, it will operate with slightly decreased headroom and sensitivity with supplies as low as 11 Vdc. Most modern mixers provide phantom power. You must use a balanced microphone cable: XLR-to- XLR or XLR-to-TRS. Features Prethos Advanced Preamplifier Technology: Class A, discrete, transformerless preamplifier provides transparency, extremely fast transient response and no crossover distortion. Minimizes harmonic and intermodulation distortions.Groundbreaking specifications: 4dB of self-noise and max SPL of 131 dB for a total dynamic range of 127 dB – an increase of 7 dB that defines the new standard for cleanly nuanced audio captureMultiple polar patterns–cardioid, omnidirectional and bidirectional–for maximum flexibility in a wide variety of recording applicationsDual 1 inch, externally biased, ultra-thin, 2.5 μm, 24 Karat gold-layered, low mass diaphragms provide superior frequency responsePremium electronic components and gold-plated internal and external connectorsSubsonic filter eliminates rumble from mechanical vibration below 17 Hz.Switchable 15 dB pad for handling extremely high sound pressure levels (SPLs)3-position switchable low-frequency filter helps reduce unwanted stand vibration noise or counteract proximity effectIntegrated three-stage “pop” protection grille reduces plosives and other breath noise