AKG P420 Perception Condenser Microphone Instruction Manual

: June 5, 2024
: AKG

AKG P420 Perception Condenser Microphone

Safety and the environment

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.

Environment

At the end of the lifetime of the product, disconnect the housing, electronics and cable from each other and discard all components according to applicable disposal regulations.
The packaging is recyclable. Dispose of the packaging via an appropriate collection system provided for this purpose.

Description

Introduction

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 and success!

Optional Accessories

PF80 pop filter
ST305 table stand
W4000 external windscreen

Short description

The P420 is a heavy-duty, rugged true condenser microphone built to the same strict quality standards as all other AKG products.
Designed on the basis of AKG’s decades of knowhow and feedback from sound engineers around the world using AKG studio microphones every day, this general-purpose 1″ dual large-diaphragm microphone brings AKG studio quality to the worlds of recording, live sound, and broadcasting.

Features

Selectable polar patterns : The microphone’s transducer uses a dual diaphragm. This sophisticated technology allows you to select the optimum polar pattern (cardioid, omnidirectional, or figure eight) for every application.
Gold-sputtered diaphragm : The diaphragm is made of a plastic foil that is gold-sputtered on one side only to prevent shorting to the back electrode even at extremely high sound pressure levels.
All-metal body: The all-metal body adds to the rejection of RF interference so you can use the microphone near transmitter stations and along with wireless microphones or other communications equipment. The extremely rugged, heavy body and sturdy front grill protect the microphone from damage from tough handling on stage.
High headroom, minimum distortion : Capable of handling sound pressure levels up to 155 dB without introducing perceptible distortion and built to resist high temperatures and humidity, the microphone will give excellent results in a wide range of applications.

Features

Polar pattern selector: Selector 1 on the microphone front sets the microphone polar pattern to cardioid, omnidirectional, or figure eight.
Switchable pre attenuation pad : Selector 2 on the microphone rear lets you increase the headroom by 20 dB for distortion free close-in recording. The pre attenuation pad prevents the microphone’s output level, particularly at low frequencies, from overloading the miniature transformers used in many mixer input stages, etc.
Bass cut filter : Selector 3 on the microphone rear further reduces low-end distortion caused by footfall or wind noise, etc. The filter also minimizes the proximity effect that close-in miking from less than 4 inches causes in any unidirectional microphone. The filter rolls off at 12 dB/octave from 300 Hz downward.

Connecting to Audio Equipment

General

The microphone uses a condenser transducer designed for 48-volt phantom powering to IEC 61938 and needs an external power supply.

Pinout

The microphone provides a balanced output on a 3-pin male XLR connector:
Pin 1: ground
Pin 2: hot
Pin 3: cold

Connecting to Audio Equipment

Connecting the Microphone

Use an XLR cable to connect the microphone to a balanced XLR input with phantom power.
Switch the phantom power on. (Refer to the user manual of the unit to which you connected your microphone.)

Operation

Operating Instructions

The P420 is a general-purpose multi-pattern microphone for recording, broadcast, and onstage use.
Every instrument radiates its sound in a specific way. Therefore, to get the best sound it is crucial to experiment with microphone placement.

Operation

Whichever polar pattern you selected, it may be good to know which way the transducer axis is facing: the front of the microphone is the side of the body with the AKG logo and polar pattern selector (1) on it.
When recording wind instruments or vocals, make sure not to blow or sing directly into the microphone.
To avoid unwanted wind and pop noise or moisture problems, place an optional PF80 pop screen from AKG between the microphone and vocalist/instrument.
Keep the microphone dry. Moisture from blowing or singing directly at the capsule from a short distance, or extremely high humidity may cause the microphone to start crackling or go very quiet due to partial short circuits in the polarization voltage
If you use the microphone in the open air, use an optional AKG W4000 windscreen to protect the microphone from moisture and reduce wind noise.
High volume instruments: You can use this microphone for close-in recording of very loud instruments (brass instruments, kick drum, etc.). Just switch the pre attenuation pad in to increase the microphone’s capability of handling sound pressure levels to 155 dB.
Low-frequency noise: To suppress low-frequency noise such as air conditioning rumble, footfall noise, or traffic sounds, switch the bass cut filter in.

Selecting Polar Patterns

Each of the P420’s selectable polar patterns is virtually frequency independent so that reflected sound, too will be reproduced accurately and uncolored.

Cardioid (center setting): This is a standard setting for recording and gives excellent results on all kinds of voices and a wide range of instruments. Remember to aim the microphone front at the sound source.
Figure eight (left-hand setting): The microphone will pick up sounds arriving from the front and rear with equal sensitivity. Use this mode to mic up the side signal in M/S stereo recording or to record two sound sources (talkers, instruments) facing each other. It is also a good choice for cymbal overhead miking.
Omnidirectional (right-hand setting): This is the preferred setting for “all around the mic” recording, high quality ambience (audience sound) miking, or far-field recording in exceptionally good-sounding large or small recording rooms, etc.

Cleaning

Microphone

Use a soft cloth moistened with water to clean the surface of the microphone body.

Troubleshooting

Problem	Possible Cause	Remedy
No sound	Power to mixer and/or amplifier is off.	Switch power to mixer or

amplifier on.
Channel or master fader on mixer,

or volume control on amplifier is at zero.

| Set channel or master fader on mixer

or volume control on amplifier to desired level.

Microphone is not connected to mixer or amplifier.| Connect microphone to mixer or amplifier.
Cable connectors are seated loosely.| Check cable connectors for secure seat.
Cable is defective.| Check cable and replace if damaged.
No supply voltage| Switch phantom power on. Phantom power supply: connect to power outlet or insert battery (batteries).

Check cable and replace if necessary.

Distortion| Channel gain control on mixer set too high.| Turn gain control down CCW.
Microphone too close to sound source.| Move microphone further away from sound source.
Microphone sensitivity set too high.| Switch preattenuation pad in.
Crackling noises or low output| Partial short circuits due to excessive humidity.| Place microphone in warm, dry room and allow to dry.

Technical data

Type: 1″ dual-diaphragm, true condenser pressure-gradient microphone
Polar pattern: cardioid, omnidirectional, figure eight
Sensitivity: (cardioid) 28 mV/Pa (-31 dBV)
Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz(see frequency response trace)
Electrical impedance: ≤ 200 ohms
Recommended load impedance: ≥ 1000 ohms
Equivalent noise level to IEC 60268-4: 15 dB(A)
Signal to noise: 79 dB(A) re 1 Pa
Max. SPL for 0.5% THD: 135 / 155 dB SPL (0 / -20 dB)
Temperature range: -10 °C to +60 °C (14 °F – 140 °F)
Phantom powering: 48 V ±4 V to IEC 61938
Current consumption: ≤ 3 mA
Connector: 3-pin XLR (pin 2 hot)
Diameter: 54 mm (2.13 in.)
Length: 165 mm (6.5 in.)
Net weight: 530 g (18.7 oz)
Bass cut pad: 300 Hz, 12 dB/octave
Pre attenuation pad: -20 dB

Frequency Response (cardioid)

Technical data 01

Frequency Response (omnidirectional)

Technical data 02

Frequency Response (figure eight)

Technical data 03

This product corresponds to the standards stated in the Declaration of Conformity. You can request the Declaration of Conformity by e-mail from sales@akg.com.