Sennheiser MKE 2002 Instructions for Use - Page 5

TRIAXIALSTEREO MICROPHONE MKE2002 Operation Introduction The triaxialstereo microphone was developed from the basic idea that when recording, sound should be recorded where the person hears it i. e. via the eardrum Inside the ear. Thus an artificlal head was created containing condensor microphones In place of eardrums. The signals available at the microphone outputs are then recorded onto a 2-track tape recorder. Although this system does give the listener an impression of 3-dimensional sound, which was previously unheard of, it does have the disadvantage of being technically very expensive. Sennheiser has found another method 01 achieving the deslred dummy head microphone effect with the triaxial stereo mlcrophone MKE 2002. Development of this microphone was first of all based on investigatlons wh ich revealed that it is not absolutely vital to record the sound where the eardrums are located; instead it is quite sufficient to perform the sound recoroing by means of small, highly sensitive microphones at the outer auditory canal 01a human head. With thls recording technique it ISyour own head which creates your personal binaural recordings, resulting in a recording which is a good match for one made with a professional dummy head The enclosed demonstration disc "Triaxial Stereo Microphone 2" gives you the chance to prove for yourself how unlque the Sennheiser triaxial stereo mlcrophone iso 5 A. Inserting the battery The power is supplled from a 9 V-battery IEC 6 F 22. To insert the battery open the battery compartment cover at the supply section (Fig. 1). Slide the battery into the cover and slot this back Into the supply section. The slide control 3 should then be adjusted to the position 0. By pressing key 1 it can be ascertained - depending on how brightly the LED 2 lights up - whether the battery is delivering enough operational voltage or not. Since, after being stored for some time, the zinc-carbon batteries have the property of regenerating themselves to a certain extent, the key should i be held down for about 10 seconds, while observing the brightness of the LED, to ensure that the battery is fresh If brightness decreases noticeably, the batteries should be changed. An alkali-manganese battery ISto be preferred, since these batteries are more powerful and can be stored ~ Ionger than zinc-carbon batteries B. Connecting the microphone The MKE 2002 can be connected to almost any stereo tape recorder or stereo cassette recorder either directly or by using corresponding adapter cables. The circuitry is designed asymmetrically and may be connected according to DIN 45594 via contacts 3 and 5 (2 = ground) to low impedance inputs and via 1 and 4 (2 = ground) to medium or high Impedance inputs. For the correct connection of the MKE 2002 to your tape recorder please see the accompanying "Microphone connectlon manual", pp. 34 and 35. C. Setting up the microphone After connecting the triaxial stereo microphone to the tape recorder according to the instructlons, it is placed into the ears as shown in Fig. 3. Coloured rings on the capsules denote right (red) and left (yellow). In order to keep the welght of the supply unit and connecting cables away from the microphone, the supply unit should be placed in the jacket pocket or trouser pocket. The cable ISsupported on the cloth es by means of a clip on the lead from the microphone to the supply unlt so as to avoid rubbing nOlses. The microphone support keeps the microphone steady in an acoustlcally favourable position and reduces the disturbance noises which may arise when the head is moved slightly. The windscreen MZW 2002, available as an 'accessory, should be used for outside recordings. The dummy head (Fig. 4), included in the packaging of the MKE 2002 set, is designed for cases in whlch you cannot carry the microphone yourself, e. g. in radio plays. For recording the dummy head is screwed onto a i tripod e/s"-thread) and the microphone is mounted as described previously. The supply unit may be attached to the tripod with the special clip included in the set (Fig. 4). r ~ Recording with the triaxial stereo microphone Having completed all the necessary preparation, sit in the position in whlch the sound source to be recorded sounds best. (With live recordlngs of concerts, theatre or opera this is not always as unrestricted as for private productions, but all the same the resulting recording will be far more impressive than if simply uSlng a conventional hand-held microphone) Please take care to move the head as liWe as possible during the recording. When recordlng with the dummy head, place the latter on the spot where you hear the best sound. The tripod used should be extended to the height your head ISat when you are sltting. ;:,