Description
NEVATON MC550 – Mono& Stereo Condenser Microphone with advanced multi-polar pattern functions
The Nevaton MC550 is a very versatile Large-Diaphragm Mono&Stereo Condenser Microphone with advanced multi-pattern functions. It features a 33mm dual-diaphragm symmetrical transducer where each diaphragm of the capsule has its own dedicated amplifier channel!
- Mode 1: XY-stereo with 180 degrees – use the included cable (XLR-5 to 2x XLR-3). The internal switch has to be set to “8” for a correct operation with that cable!
- Mode 2: Infinite polar pattern possibilities when the two sides of the dual diaphragm capsule are summed to mono with different proportions (using phase, pan and volume) – use the included cable (XLR-5 to 2x XLR-3). The internal switch has to be set to “8” for a correct operation with that cable! Note the color-code on the breakout-cable: White = front, Red = rear
With a console, soundcard or DAW the audio engineer can combine the two signals of the dual diaphragm of the Nevaton MC550 to produce any desired pattern – tweak the pattern to fit your exact needs! Infinite directional patterns can be created – from omnidirectional to cardioid, wide-cardioid, hyper-cardioid, figure-8 – and everything in between! You can change directional characteristics of the microphone at the recording and/or after the fact – in post production.
Below are some default polar patterns for your orientation, but note that any in between position is also possible!
- Omni – both capsules at equal gain, with no inverted phase
- Wide Cardioid – rear capsule 10dB lower than front, with no inverted phase
- Cardioid – front (or rear) capsule only
- Hypercardioid – rear capsule 10dB lower than front with inverted phase
- Figure 8 – both capsules at equal gain, rear with inverted phase
- Mode 3: When you use the microphone with the included mono-cable (XLR-5 to 1x XLR-3) you have two directly switchable directional characteristics: fig.8 and omnidirectional
The MC550 additionally features:
- Switchable attenuation: -10dB
- Switchable Low-cut filter (80Hz, 6dB/Oct)
- heated capsules (for parameter stability in very diverse climatic conditions).
Two switchable heating modes: 4mA or 8mA heating current
Additional note: With the stereo-cable the capsule benefits from a stronger heating effect than with the mono cable. - RF filter against radio interference
- Switchable LED – the LED can be switched off, useful for filmed stage performances etc.
- very low self noise of only 4dBA-7dBA, depending on the directional characteristic
The ultra-thin gold-coated diaphragms are made of polyethylene-terephthalate film and give the MC550 a warm, brilliant, and transparent sound. It has excellent transient response, a low self-noise level of only 4-7 dB-A (depending on the directional characteristic), and the ability to handle very high sound pressure levels up to 142dB. All capsule components have passed a special artificial ageing process to guarantee long-term stability. The internal construction is elastically mounted to attenuate handling noise. Additionally, the capsule is fixed on a special shock absorber to further reduce noise.
The amplifiers are Class ‘A’ transformerless designs utilising input transistors hand-selected for minimal noise. A switchable low-cut filter is provided to reduce low frequency interference and/or proximity effects.
The MC550 operates on 48V phantom power. A small LED indicates front position and shows when phantom power is switched on. The microphone body is made of brass with a grey non-reflective paint finish on an epoxy base. This makes it inherently immune to mechanical and atmospheric influences. A 3-layer metallic grille effectively protects the transducers from mechanical impacts and contamination by microscopic dust particles. Gold-plated 5-pin XLR output connector.
Two breakout cables are included:
a) XLR-5 to 2x XLR-3 connectors) and b) XLR-5 to 1x XLR-3
The microphone comes in a fine hardwood box.
Note: All switches are inside the microphone body! It is easy to access all switches as follows –
NEVATON MC 550 – Technical Data
Capsule diameter
|
33 mm
|
Directional pattern
|
Stereo: 180° 2x cardioid
Mono: cardioid, omnidirectional, fig.8 & freely configurable polar pattern: see text for explanation – omni, cardioid, wide-cardioid, hyper-cardioid, figure-8 and everything in between! |
Frequency-range
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20 – 20.000 Hz
|
Free Field Sensitivity at 1000 Hz and 1000 Ω |
not less than 20 mV/Pa
|
Equivalent SPL DIN/IEC 651
|
4 dB-A (cardioid)
7dB-A (omni, fig. eight)
|
Max. Sound Pressure Level [for THD 0,5%]
|
142dB
152dB (with -10dB switch) |
Dynamic range
|
135-138 dB
|
Nominal Impedance
|
20 Ω
|
Recommended Load Impedance |
1000 Ω
|
Current Consumption
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switchable: 4-8 mA
|
Supply voltage
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48 V
|
Diameter
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head: 51mm, body: 30mm
|
Length
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178 mm
|
Weight
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430 g
|
Relative humidity
Temperature range for stable operation
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90% (at + 20°C)
minus 20 °C to 45 °C |
Connector Type (both included)
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a) 5-pin XLR-type (male) to 2x 3-pin XLR-type standard
Front: White | Rear: Red
b) 5-pin XLR-type (male) to 1x 3-pin XLR-type standard
|
Pin assignment:
|
pin1: ground, pin2:phase(+), pin3:phase(-), pin4:phase(+), pin5:phase(-) |