AKG C411 High Performance Miniature Condenser Vibration Pickup Instruction Manual
- June 4, 2024
- AKG
Table of Contents
C411III(L, PP)
HIGH-PERFORMANCE MINIATURE
CONDENSER VIBRATION PICKUP
Vor Inbetriebnahme des Gerätes lesen!
USER INSTRUCTIONS
Read the manual before using the equipment!
C411 High-Performance Miniature Condenser Vibration Pickup
LEGAL NOTICE
Publisher
| AKG Acoustics GmbH | AKG ACOUSTICS, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Laxenburger Straße 254 | 8500 Balboa Blvd. Dock 15 |
| 1230 Vienna | Northridge, CA 91329 |
| Austria | U.S.A. |
| Tel: +43 (0)1 86654-0 | Tel: +1 818 920-3224 |
| Fax: +43 (0)1 86654-8800 | |
| [email protected] |
Copyright
© 2015 AKG Acoustics GmbH
All rights reserved.
The information contained in this manual, including any drawings and photos
provided, is the intellectual property of AKG Acoustics GmbH.
In accordance with copyright law, it is not permitted for this document or
parts thereof to be reproduced or transmitted for any purpose in any form
using any means, whether electronic or mechanical, by photocopying,
recording, or using information storage and information processing systems
without the express, written consent of AKG Acoustics GmbH. Forwarding to
third parties is not permitted. This manual should be returned to us upon
request.
Updates
Dieses Manual kann ohne Vorankündigung geändert werden und stellt keine
Verpflichtung seitens der Firma AKG Acoustics GmbH dar.
Version 1.0
Publication date August 2015/EN
Printed in Hungary
SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT
Risk of damage
Please make sure that the piece of equipment your microphone will be
connected to fulfills the safety regulations in force in your country and is
fitted with a ground lead.
1.1 Environment
- **** In case of scrapping the equipment, separate the housing, electronics, and cables and dispose of all the components in accordance with the appropriate waste disposal regulations.
- The packaging is recyclable. Dispose of the packaging via an appropriate collection system provided for this purpose.
Description
2.1 Introduction
Thank you for your decision to buy an AKG product. Please read the user
instructions carefully, before using the unit and keep them in a safe place so
that you can refer to them in the future at any time. We wish you a lot of
fun!
2.2 Package content
- C411 III PP or C411 III L
- Adhesive compound
- Microphone bag
Check that the package contains all the parts given above. If anything is missing, please contact your AKG dealer.
2.4 Features
- Rugged vibration pickup for instrument miking on stage.
- Frequency response tailored to acoustic guitar, banjo, zither, and bowed string instrument miking.
- Complete with adhesive compound for mounting the pickup directly on the instrument.
2.5 Brief Description
The C411 III is a vibration pickup that converts the vibrations of an
instrument’s soundboard into an electrical signal. The C411 III has been
specifically designed for direct attachment to an acoustic guitar, banjo,
zither, or bowed string instrument and ensures absolutely accurate coloration-
free reproduction. The supplied adhesive compound for attaching the pickup
will leave wooden, plastic, and metal surfaces untainted.
2.6 Versions
The C 411 III is available in two versions:
- For 9 to 52 V universal phantom power. (3-m) permanently attached connecting cable with phantom power adapter with integrated 3-pin XLR connector.
- For use with the B23 L battery power supply, MPA V L phantom power adapter, or AKG Wireless bodypack transmitters. 5-ft. (1.5-m) permanently attached connecting cable with 3-pin mini XLR connector
Interfacing
The C411 III pickup is a condenser transducer and therefore needs a power
supply.
Using any power supply other than those recommended by AKG may damage your
pickup and will void the warranty.
3.1 C411 III PP
3.1.1 Connecting to Balanced Inputs
- Connect the phantom power adapter (1) on the pickup cable to a balanced XLR microphone input with phantom power.
- Switch the phantom power on. (Refer to the instruction manual of the unit to which you connected your pickup.)
- If your mixer provides no phantom power: Connect the phantom power adapter (1) to an optional AKG phantom power supply (2) and use an XLR cable (3) to connect the phantom power supply to the desired balanced input.
3.1.2 Connecting to Unbalanced Inputs
You may connect any AKG phantom power supply (2) to an unbalanced input,
too. Use a cable (3) with a female XLR connector and TS jack plug:
- On the XLR connector (4), use a wire bridge to connect pin 1 to pin 3 and the cable shield.
- Connect the inside wire of the cable to pin 2 on the XLR connector (4) and the tip contact of the jack plug (5). Unbalanced cables may pick up interference from stray magnetic fields near power or lighting cables, electric motors, etc. like an antenna. This may introduce hum or similar noise if you use a cable that is longer than 16 feet (5 m).
3.2 C411 III L
The optional B23 L battery supply allows you to connect the pickup to balanced
or unbalanced inputs with no phantom power.
3.2.1 Connecting to Balanced Inputs
-
Connecting the cable: Push the mini XLR connector (1) on the pickup cable into one of the two mini XLR sockets on the B23 L (2) to the stop.
The connector will lock automatically.
Disconnecting the cable: To disconnect the cable, press the unlocking button on the mini XLR connector (1) and pull the connector (1) out of the socket.
To avoid damaging the cable, never try to pull out the cable itself! -
Connect the B 23 L (2) to the desired input.
Use a commercial XLR cable (3) to connect the B23 L (2) to a balanced input.
3.2.2 Connecting to Unbalanced Inputs
Refer to section 3.1.2.
3.2.3 Using the MPA V L
-
Connecting the cable:
Push the mini XLR connector (1) on the pickup cable into the mini XLR socket (2) on the cable of the MPA V L (3) to the stop.
The connector will lock automatically.
Disconnecting the cable: refer to section 3.2.1. -
Connect the MPA V L (3) to a balanced XLR microphone input with phantom power.
-
Switch the phantom power on. (Refer to the instruction manual of the unit to which you connected your pickup.)
-
If your mixer provides no phantom power: Connect the MPA V L (3) to an optional AKG phantom power supply (4) and use an XLR cable (5) to connect the phantom power supply (4) to the desired balanced input.
3.2.4 Connecting to a Bodypack Transmitter
Refer to the manual of your bodypack transmitter.
Use
4.1 Introduction
Since a soundboard vibrates differently in different places, you can get
different sounds by carefully selecting the spot where you mount the pickup.
Section 4.3 describes proven techniques that you may want to use as starting
points for your own experiments.
4.2 Attaching the Pickup to the Instrument
If you are going to attach the pickup to a lacquered surface, check the
condition of the lacquer coat first. If the lacquer coat is porous or cracked,
the adhesive compound
will lose some of its tack and may damage the lacquer coat further when you
remove the pickup.
- Remove the backing from the supplied adhesive compound.
- Press some of the adhesive compound (just enough to cover the “footprint” of the pickup) on the underside of the pickup.
- Press the pickup onto the bridge of your instrument or onto the soundboard, near the bridge.
4.3 Hints on Microphone Placement
| Guitar
---|---
| Violin
| Banjo
| Zither
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible cause | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| No sound | The power to the mixer and/or amplifier is off. | Switch power to the |
mixer or amplifier.
Channel or master fader on mixer or volume control on
the amplifier is at zero.| Set the channel or master fader on the mixer or
volume control on the amplifier to the desired level.
The pickup is not connected to a mixer or amplifier.| Connect pickup to mixer
or amplifier.
Cable connectors are seated loosely.| Check cable connectors for the secure
seat.
The cable is defective.| Check the cable and replace it if damaged.
No supply voltage.| Switch phantom power on.
Phantom power supply: connect to a power outlet or insert the battery
(batteries). Check the cable and replace if damaged.
Distortions| Gain control on the mixer set too high.| Turn gain control down
CCW.
Mixer input sensitivity too high.| Connect a 10 dB pre-attenuation pad between
the pickup cable and input.
Cleaning
Use a soft cloth moistened with water to clean the surface of the microphone body.
Technical data
| Type: | pre-polarized condenser transducer |
|---|---|
| Polar pattern: | Figure 8 |
| Frequency range: | 10 – 18,000 Hz |
| Sensitivity: | 1 mV/ms-2 (vibration pickup) |
| The impedance at 1,000 Hz: | 200 Ω, unbalanced |
| Recommended load impedance: | ≥1,000 ohms |
| Max. SPL for 1%/3% THD: | 96 dB / 103 dB |
| Powering: | C411 III PP: 9 to 52 V universal phantom power C411 III |
L: B 29 L battery power supply,
MPA V L phantom adapter,
AKG WMS bodypack transmitters
Current consumption:| approx. 2.2 mA
Cable length/Connector:| C411 III PP: 3 m (10 ft.) / 3-pin male XLR C411 III
L: 1.5 m (5 ft.) / 3-pin mini XLR
Finish:| matte black
Dimensions:| 27 x 14 x 9.5 mm (1 x 0.6 x 0.4 in.).
Net/shipping weight:| C411 III PP: 98 g (3.5 oz.) / 225 g (8 oz.) C411 III
L: 18 g (0.6 oz.) / 150 g (5.3 oz.)
