Wildtronics 2021 All Purpose Parabolic Microphone Kit Instruction Manual
- June 5, 2024
- Wildtronics
Table of Contents
Wildtronics, LLC All Purpose
Parabolic Microphone
Instruction Manual
2021 Model
Thank you for purchasing the Wildtronics All-Purpose Parabolic Kit. Your new kit was designed for years of service, ease of use, and superior performance, and allows mounting of almost any existing microphone including the Wildtronics Micro Mic PIP, Micro Mic XLR, and Amplified Omni Microphones. The All-Purpose Parabolic is a modular system that will require some assembly. This manual will describe the many different ways this versatile microphone can be used and assembled. You may only use one method of mounting a microphone, but everything is included to meet your future needs. Use commonly available cables to connect your microphone to your recorder. Read the entire manual before installing your microphone.
Parts Identification:
Referring to the photo on page 2, the part names of the All-Purpose Parabolic Microphone are labeled. These names will be used throughout the manual to describe parts. The parabolic dish is not in the photo.
- Handle -includes a hand stop and a hole for a carrying strap.
- Backplate -includes the hub assembly.
- Foam Cable Clamps
- Adapter Sleeves -used for mounting different diameter microphones.
- 1/4-20 Screw -for mounting mini recorders that have tripod mount.
- Tube Retainer O-rings
- Inward Facing Windscreen -has holes on both sides.
- Outward Facing Windscreen -has hole on one side.
- Mic Tube
- Mic Clamp Thumbscrew
- Front Plate -includes a lip to hold a Secondary Windscreen Accessory
An optional Secondary Windscreen Kit is an available accessory. The kit includes the frame kit, secondary windscreen, and an o-ring mic mount kit.
- Secondary Windscreen Frame
- Secondary Windscreen Frame screws
- Mic Shock Mount Kit
- Secondary Windscreen Frame Spacers
- Secondary Windscreen
Assembly of Dish and Handle:
To assemble the Hub assemble to the parabolic dish, pick up and hold the Front Plate so that the flat side is pointed down and the beveled side is pointed up. Place the Parabolic Dish over the Front Plate. Now, place the Backplate over the rear of the Parabolic Dish. Insert the threaded hub of the Backplate into the Front Plate threads and gently rotate the hub clockwise to begin tightening. It should turn easily. Finish tightening the hub until it hits the stop.
Place Dish over Front Plate & place Backplate hub into threads.
Align the Backplate and tighten the hub by rotating clockwise.
Next, place the Handle onto the hub of the Backplate. The Handle may need some
loosening to fit over the hub. To loosen, rotate the foam grip part of the
handle counterclockwise relative to the metal clamp part of the Handle. Fit
the Handle clamp over the hub. Tighten the Handle clamp firmly by rotating
clockwise; the Mic Tube should then also be clamped. Don’t tighten all the way
until you install either the Mic Tube or the Mic Tube Eliminator into the hub.
The Mic Tube Eliminator is only used if using the Shock Mount system to mount
your microphone.
Place Handle clamp over the hub.
Tighten the Handle clamp. 3
Using the Mic Tube to mount a microphone:
The Mic Tube has a number of features and associated parts. Focusing works
as follows, the Mic Tube has an integral focus gauge with colored lines, A, B,
and C that correlates to the microphone focal points FI, the end of the tube,
and FO. When in use, lines A, B, or C will align at the rear edge of the
Backplate hub depending on which mic mounting method you use. All Mic Tubes
are now black and do not have colored markings, but the below illustration
clarifies the focus lines. When using a microphone pointed towards the dish,
align the Mic Tube line A at the rear hub edge for perfect focus. When using a
mic pointed away from the dish, align line C at the rear hub edge. Sometimes
it is preferred to defocus a subject that is less than twenty feet away by
pushing the focal point away from the dish by 6mm, and by 12mm if closer than
10 feet.
Installing a mic pointed towards the dish is the preferred way to use any
parabolic microphone, and works well with modern, shorter mics.
Omnidirectional microphones are preferred, but you may use a cardioid
microphone.
To install a mic pointed towards the dish: First, install one of the Foam
Cable Clamps, 4, inside the Mic Tube between the cable slot, 3, and the
beginning of the open slots. This foam piece blocks sound from the Mic Tube
causing inference with the microphone. Install your microphone so that the
element is flush with FI, and clamp using a thumb screw, 6. FI is at the end
of the open slots, exactly 1.0 inches deep. You may need to use one of the
Adapter Sleeves on your microphone so that it fits snugly into the Mic Tube.
See more about using the Adapter Sleeves later in the manual. Next, install
the Windscreen, the one with holes on both ends. Place the larger hole onto
the small end of the Mic Tube and slide it towards and over the larger end
where the thumbscrew is located until it hits the thumbscrew. The smaller
opening will have a tight fit over the Mic Tube. Next, install one of the
o-rings, 1×1/16 inch, onto the Mic Tube. Place the o-ring at point 5, this
will become a cable retainer. Attach your mic cable to the mic and route the
other end of the cable under the o-ring you place at point 5, through the
cable slot, 3, and out the end of the Mic Tube. Assemble the other Foam Cable
Clamp onto the cable by opening the slice cut in the foam, placing it around
the cable and into the end of the Mic Tube. This will retain the cable in the
Mic Tube. Slide the mic cable and the Mic Tube into the Front Plate, and
through the Backplate hub towards the Handle. Assemble o-ring, 2, onto the Mic
Tube at focus position A. This o-ring retains the Mic Tube from falling out
when the handle is loose and helps set the focal point. Align point A to the
rear edge of the hub. Position and tighten the Handle, so it is near the rear
of the hub. You are ready to use the parabolic microphone.
Installing a microphone pointed away from the dish will result in decreased performance, but may be necessary when using longer microphones. Microphones used this way must be omnidirectional microphones. Foam cable clamp, 4, and o-ring, 5 are not used with this method. Install your microphone cable. Insert your microphone and cable into the small end of the Mic Tube until the element is even with focal point FO, which is 1.0 inches or 25mm out from the edge of the Mic Tube. This is the same distance as the thick section on the one end of the Mic Tube, which you can use as a ruler. You may need to use a mic Adapter Sleeve so your microphone will fit snugly into the end of the Mic Tube. See the section on using Adapter Sleeves below. Secure the microphone in place by tightening the thumbscrew, 6. Install a Foam Cable Clamp around the mic cable that exits the end of the Mic Tube, and insert it into the end of the Mic Tube to retain the cable. If you have a very long microphone, the Foam Cable Clamp may not be needed, as the mic body or mic connector may exit the Mic Tube. Insert the mic cable and Mic Tube into the Front Plate and through the hub of the Backplate until line C is even with the back edge of the hub. Install o-ring, 2, onto the Mic Tube in position C. Position and firmly tighten the Handle to the hub so the Handle is near the rear of the hub. Either slide the included Windscreen, the one with only one hole, or your own windscreen, over the end of the mic. The parabolic microphone is ready to use.
To adapt to a number of different microphone diameters, Wildtronics uses adapter sleeves that fit over the microphone and into the Mic Tube. Select the adapter you need from the table below. When using the thick sleeve, it is easier to insert the sleeve into the Mic Tube first than to place it on the microphone. When using a mic pointed towards the dish, be sure that the sleeve does not extend into the slots, of the Mic Tube past the F1 position. Align the slot in the sleeve 90 degrees from the thumbscrew for the best clamping.
Sleeves Use Table
Microphone Diameter| Sleeve Needed
18 -19.5 mm| Thick – Clear
19.5 – 22.5 mm| Thin – Clear
22 – 26 mm| No Sleeve Needed
Using the Wildtronics Micro Mic PIP:
The Wildtronics Micro Mic Pip microphone is a great, low noise,
lightweight, inexpensive microphone to use with your All-Purpose Parabolic
Microphone. It is powered using Plug-in Power, or PIP which is available on
many 3.5mm input devices. It requires 3-5 volt PIP, and the microphone is
driven only on the left channel. The right channel is grounded. It will work
with many DSLR and video cameras as well as mini audio recorders that have a
3.5mm microphone input. Our Amplified Omni Mics are better suited for use with
other lower-cost mini recorders since these recorders have higher input noise.
Installing the Micro Mic PIP uses the same instructions read earlier about
using the Mic Tube to install a microphone. There are just a few differences.
There is no need to use a Mic Sleeve. The o-ring on the Micro Mic PIP sets the
depth of insertion, whether you install it pointed towards or away from the
dish. A 6-foot cable is included with the Micro Mic PIP. When used pointed
towards the dish, use the 90-degree connector to connect to the mic. When used
pointed away from the dish, use the straight connector to connect to the mic.
This will make cable routing easier. You may curl any excess cable not used
into the Mic Tube before installing the Foam Cable Clamp into the rear end of
the Mic Tube.
Using the Shock Mount Kit to install microphones:
The optional Shock Mount Kit is another way to mount a microphone in the All-
Purpose Parabolic Microphone. Using the shock mount isolates accidental bump
sounds from reaching the microphone. The Shock Mount Kit includes a number of
o-rings that assemble onto the optional Secondary Windscreen Frame. The
1×1/16-inch o-rings attach to the Secondary Windscreen Frame tubes, and around
the 3/32 inch thick rings. See the included assembled photos. There are two
sizes of 3/32 inch thick o-rings given that fit different microphones. The
11/16 inch ID o-rings fit microphones that are 16-22mm in diameter. The 13/16
inch ID o-rings fit microphones 19-25mm in diameter. This range covers most
microphones, but if you have a different microphone, you can source an o-ring
to fit it at a hardware store. You can also use the Micro Mic PIP in this
mount.
Select the correct 3/32 thick o-ring that will fit over your microphone.
Assemble 3, 1×1/16 o-rings onto the 3/32 o-ring, by looping the 1/16 thick
o-ring around itself, and around the 3/32 thick o-ring. Assemble two of these
o-ring assemblies. Remove the top plate from the Secondary Windscreen by
removing the three screws retaining it. Place the o-ring assemblies over the
tubes and slide them down towards the Front Plate. Reassemble the top plate
onto the Secondary Windscreen Frame. Insert the Mic Tube Eliminator into the
Backplate hub and tighten the handle. Now, slide the o-ring assemblies away
from the Front Plate and insert your microphone into them. You can use your
microphone pointed towards the dish, recommended, or away from the dish. Align
your microphone so that the element of the mic is exactly 3 13/16 or 97mm from
the surface of the Front Plate. Connect and route your mic cable. Insert Foam
Cable Clamps around the mic cable and into the Mic Tube Eliminator. Install
your mic’s Assemble o-rings onto frame. windscreen. Your parabolic microphone
is now ready to use.
Using the Parabolic Microphone:
Parabolic microphones are highly directional microphones that have acoustical gain. They are intended to be used to increase the signal strength and isolate single subjects beyond the abilities of any other type of microphone. They have many uses including recording distant birds, animals, insects, people, background reinforcement, etc. Generally, point the microphone within 10-15 degrees of your subject. Since the microphone becomes more directional as the frequency increases, you should aim the microphone within two degrees of the subject for full frequency response. This is more critical for recording higher-pitched birds and insects. The All-Purpose Parabolic Microphone allows you to mount microphones in many different ways, but in general, the microphone will either be pointed towards or away from the dish. The recommended way to use a parabolic microphone is to point the microphone towards the dish. You may use a cardioid, but an omnidirectional microphone is recommended when pointed towards the dish. Sometimes, you may need to point the mic away from the dish due to microphone length or other experimental needs. You will not obtain all the gain and performance as you would if pointed towards the dish, and you must use an omnidirectional microphone when pointed away from the dish, since the microphone is operating backward. You may read our articles on Parabolic Microphone Theory and Use on our website to better understand parabolic microphones. Keep all the parts included in the All-Purpose Parabolic Microphone kit. If you don’t need all the parts now, you may have a need for a different application in the future that will make use of the parts. If you haven’t already purchased one, we highly recommend purchasing and using the Secondary Windscreen accessory for any outdoor application. Adding the Secondary Windscreen will allow you to record in winds up to 20MPH. Any higher than that, and the dish can get hard to handle, and you will likely pick up too much environmental noise the wind creates. The primary foam windscreens, of most microphones, are generally good for only 10-12MPH winds. A carrying strap is another accessory you may find very useful. It attaches to the carrying strap hole on the Handle.
Care:
The Wildtronics All-Purpose Parabolic Microphone doesn’t require much
maintenance. When the dish is dirty, disassemble, blow off excess dirt with
air, and clean with a mild dish detergent and water mixture and a microfiber
or a very soft cloth. Other recommended cleaners are Novus No. 1, Plexus,
Brillianize, or wipes used to clean flat screen tvs. Each dish is cleaned with
Brillianize before it ships from the factory. You can use Novus No. 2, and 3
to polish out haze and scratches that may develop over time. Don’t get the
microphones wet though, and do not use any solvents. Avoid contact with DEET
on any plastic products.
The most important warning is not to point the microphone at the sun, even if
it is cloudy. The large perfect parabolic shape not only focuses sound but
also radiant heat from the sun, like a giant magnifying glass. Pointing the
microphone towards the sun, even when it is cloudy, will quickly overheat and
damage the microphones, and start burning the windscreen material. We
recommend a maximum storage temperature of 200/93° F/C. Exceeding 200/93° F/C
may distort the parabolic dish permanently, also avoid load or stress on the
dish, at higher temperatures, such as setting the dish on it’s side, or
placing objects against the dish. Avoid any conditions that will bend, stress,
or distort the parabolic dish for longer periods of time. If you really need
to “roll” the parabolic dish to fit inside airline luggage, never roll the
0.060 thick clear dishes tighter than 8 inches (preferably 12 inches)
separating the edges, 12 inches minimum for the Black Ops dish. A slight
permanent set of a nonperfect parabolic shape may occur, which some think is
okay, but we do not recommend it in order to maintain a full high-frequency
response. Bending in the opposite direction for a while should reset the
parabolic shape, in most cases, if the above recommendations were followed.
The Feather Light Parabolic Dish is available if you need a super light dish
that actually rolls to a 6-inch diameter, for up to 48 hours, which can be
great for traveling. For storage, keep the parabolic dish away from any
sunlight, in cool temperatures. Do not keep batteries in the microphone for
extended periods of time, as some batteries still leak and could corrode the
battery holder connections. If you need expendable parts such as windscreen
replacements, contact Wildtronics, LLC for service part pricing and
availability.
Warranty:
The Wildtronics parabolic microphone is warranted for 1 year against
manufacturer defects and limited operational problems when used under normal
conditions. Wildtronics will try to resolve any problems. No part of the
microphone will be covered under warranty if the microphone was pointed
towards a heat source or the sun, or stored at over 200/93° F/C, as this is a
user error that will cause damage to the microphone.
This product has been manufactured and tested to the highest quality standards
by Wildtronics, LLC. This Limited Warranty offered by Wildtronics, LLC covers
defects in material or workmanship in new Wildtronics, LLC products. This
warranty extends to the original purchaser only and is non-transferable. Only
consumers purchasing Wildtronics, LLC products from authorized Wildtronics,
LLC retailers, Wildtronics, LLC distributors, or through the Wildtronics, LLC
website may obtain coverage under our limited warranties.
What is covered? Wildtronics, LLC warrants this product against defects in
material or workmanship as follows: Wildtronics, LLC will replace at no charge
parts, or at its option, replace any assembly of the product that proves
defective because of improper workmanship and/or material, under normal use,
service and maintenance. If repair is not practical, with the consensual
agreement, Wildtronics, LLC may elect to refund the purchase price in exchange
for the return of the product.
How Long Does The Coverage Last? Our warranty period is 1year from the
documented date of purchase.
What Our Warranty Does Not Cover? Our warranties do not cover any problem that
is caused by:
A. Conditions, malfunctions or damage not resulting from defects in material
or workmanship.
B. Conditions, malfunctions or damage resulting from normal wear and tear,
improper installation, improper maintenance, misuse, abuse, negligence,
accident or alteration. In the specific case of the Parabolic
Dish Microphones, damage caused by pointing towards the sun or storing above
200/93° F/C causing heat destruction will not be covered.
C. Accessories, connected materials, and products, or related products not
manufactured by Wildtronics, LLC, or problems that are caused by connecting
products not manufactured by Wildtronics, LLC.
Our limited warranties are void if a product is returned with removed, damaged
or tampered with labels or any alterations (including removal of any component
or external cover).
How to File a Claim? Wildtronics, LLC will not provide any warranty coverage
unless claims are made in compliance with all terms of the warranty statement
included with your Wildtronics, LLC product and you follow the proper return
procedure. To request warranty service, you will need to provide:
- The sales receipt or other evidence of the date and place of purchase.
- A description of the problem.
- Obtain an RMA number by contacting Wildtronics, LLC for shipping information. You are responsible for the shipping to us, and we will ship the unit back to you (non-expedited) at our cost.
Accessories are available to enhance the usefulness and performance of
your microphone. Visit the Wildtronics.com website to purchase the accessories
and check for new accessory availability.
Secondary Windscreen Frame Kit: We highly recommend using the Secondary
Windscreen for all outdoor applications. The Secondary Windscreen will give
protection up to 20MPH winds, whereas the primary windscreens, that come with
the microphone, are good to about 12MPH winds. The Secondary Windscreen
stretches over the microphone assembly, attaches without clips, and still
allows you to see through the clear dish.
Product Registration:
Please register your microphone to hear about updates and for us to recognize
your serial number if you purchased through a distributor.
Name:……………………………………………
Address:…………………………………………….
Country:…………………………………………….
Phone number:………………………………….
Model #:……………………………………………….
Date of purchase:……………………………..
Email address:…………………………………
Serial #:……………………………………………….
Purchased from:……………………………
Email to customersvc@wildtronics.com or
mail to Wildtronics, LLC, PO Box 376, Newton Falls, OH 44444, USA.
Wildtronics, LLC PO Box 376
Newton Falls, OH 44444 USA +1 (330)-577-8814
customersvc@wildtronics.com
wildtronics.com
References
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