AMBIENT ASF-2 MKII Hydrophone Dive Aditech User Manual
- June 6, 2024
- Ambient
Table of Contents
Hydrophone
ASF-2 MKII
Introduction
- Nearly 400 million square kilometers of our planet are covered with water
- Only 1% of the habitat water is explored
- About 1000 species underwater communicate in an acoustic way
- Listen to a new World
Since 2005 Sonar Surround set the goal to make this unknown world audible in high-quality.
With new award-winning and patent registered techniques they were able to record the first underwater surround recordings ever.
With the 15th of August 2010 Sonar Surround became a part of Ambient Recording GmbH. Since the fusion, Ambient continuously developed new underwater products to be able to offer a complete underwater workflow.
» The professional Ambient underwater sound «
With the ASF-2 MKII we use parts of the ASF-1 technology to create an
affordable, great sounding hydrophone. It comes standardized with a 10m
moulded cable to make it easy to use – no extra equipment required. Just plug
it into your mixer or recorder and you are ready to go!
»Works with standard 48V phantom power«
Following our idea to create an underwater microphone for professional sound
recordists, we worked hard to build a hydrophone which can be fed directly
from standard 48V phantom power. Thus, this microphone works right out of the
box with all professional audio gear using standard XLR connections.
»Crystal clear, low noise audio«
With a frequency range of 70Hz upt to 100kHz, we designed an underwater
microphone able to capture the whole spectrum of sounds.
Package Contents
- ASF-2 MKII with moulded cable (10m)
- Manual
Safety Instructions
For your own safety and trouble-free use of the
Ambient Sound Fish please carefully read the instructions below. Always keep a
copy of these instructions and hand them out with the unit to other users.
Seawater is a very aggressive medium. Even though the ASF-2 MKII is only manufactured with materials offering a good seawater resistance, the unit has to be cleaned immediately after use in sea or chlorine water with plenty of fresh water to avoid irrevocable damage. Sea water could cause superficial corrosion that might change the color of the anodized aluminum housing. This is a natural process which won’t damage the unit nor affect the usability. If the corrosion is starting to dissolve the metal, stop using the ASF-2 MKII immediately and check if the housing is connected to any ground. (More info in “4. Powering”)
Never use the hydrophone within acids or bases. Never bend the acoustic sensitive membrane in any way. Keep out of hot environments and never expose to direct sunlight. Do not throw the hydrophone or expose to mechanical impact. Do not expose to hard vibrations.
Temperature changes apply stress to crystals on the piezo. Just like an instrument, give it a minute to acclimatize for best results. Especially when you go „fishing“ in cold water.
Only use genuine accessories (such as cables) supplied by an authorized dealer. Always check integrity and proper compatibility with all units connected to. Never open the unit. Inappropriate and unauthorized access will void the warranty and imply possible risks of harm to the user.
Follow the legal requirements for recycling electronic equipment when disposing the unit.
Powering / Electrolysis
The ASF-2 MKII can be powered by 48V phantom power supplied by professional
audio mixers & recorders.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis is a tough problem while working with electrical equipment in a
wet environment. To avoid any kind of electrolysis, the metal parts of the
ASF-2 MKII are not and should not be connected to the audio ground of the
unit. If the ground of the mixer / recorder is connected to the ground of the
boat and the audio ground of the hydrophone would be connected to the
hydrophone metal housing, the ASF-2 MKII would become the cathodic protection
of the ship. This would cause immediate irrevocable damage to the unit.
Unit Description
- 3-pin male XLR connector
- Acoustic sensor with special formulated PUR membrane
- anodized aluminum hydrophone body
- Hydrophone cable, length 10 m
Mains Hum
When using the ASF-2 MKII indoor, some general details have to be considered:
- The ASF-2 MKII is working with highly sensitive piezo sensors and therefore also sensitive to electromagnetic and electrostatic fields.
- Water picks up electrostatic radiation. Therefore, electronic devices known for electromagnetic radiation should be kept away from the water to be recorded in. (witching power supplies, fluorescent lamps, CRT displays or TV sets, etc.)
- To avoid the hydrophone from picking up hums, the water you are recording in should be grounded.
- Often, the easiest way is to connect the audio ground of your mixer/recorder with the water.
ATTENTION: Never do so when recording from a boat and your mixer/recorder is connected to the electric ground of the vessel. If you are experiencing inducted mains hum ALWAYS disconnect the ground of your mixer/recorder from the power supply ground (e.g. use battery power instead) before you connect the audio ground with the water.
Underwater Acoustics
The acoustic underwater differs in many ways from the airborne sound we are used to. The sound velocity underwater is varying between 1450 and 1550 m/sec depending on temperature, salinity, and depth. This results in 4 to 4.5 times bigger wave lengths as well as in a special sound phenomenon called the SOFAR, also known as Underwater Sound Channel. Horizontally sound can travel over huge distances whereas vertical propagation is strongly attenuated. Here are some useful advice:
- Sound Channels (USC, SSC, …) can be avoided by knowing their local depth
- To avoid the noise from braking waves on the boat carcass, take long enough cables to go down deep enough or prepare to record in greater distance to the vessel.
- Take time for detailed micro-phasing when recording in pools or artificial environments as bigger wavelengths underwater lead to greater distances between sound maxima and minima.
- Never forget how far low frequencies can spread underwater. Therefore, avoid touristic areas for documentary shots.
- Water owns a reflection factor close to 1. Thus airborne sound virtually can’t couple directly into water. This phenomenon can be used. If barriers reach close to the water surface (reefs, wave-breakers, e.g.) you can use them as acoustic barriers, independent of the current depth. This way you may find acoustic cover in a pool with 1m depth behind an 80 cm wooden block, even though the wavelength underwater wouldn’t suggest this.
Acoustic Specifications
Usable frequency range: Horizontal directivity:
Vertical directivity:
Receiving sensitivity:| 70Hz to 100kHz
omnidirectional ±3dB at 100kHz
270° ±3dB at 15kHz
-208dB re 1V/μPa
---|---
Calibration data obtained by Bundeswehr “Technical Center for Ships and Naval
Weapons, Maritime
Technology and Research” (WTD 71) in September 2021. Specifications here
represent the
measurement of a ASF-2 MKII test unit.
Physical Specifications
Dimensions (L / W / H):
Weight:
Power consumption:
Max depth:
Operating temperature:
Housing material:
Encapsulating material:
XLR-3M| 75 x 30 x 30 mm incl. bend relief
approx. 200 g
6 mA (@ 48V supply))
50 m
-5°C to +50°C (23°F to 122°F
anodized aluminum
Seawater resistant PUR system
Neutrik XLR 3-pin male (solder site)
---|---
| pin 1: ground
pin 2: audio Hot
pin 3: audio Cold
---|---
Warranty & Approvals
Warranty
Ambient Recording GmbH warrants the ASF-2 MKII hydrophone against defects
in materials and workmanship for a period of ONE (1) year from date of
original retail purchase. This is a nontransferable warranty that extends only
to the original purchaser. Ambient Recording GmbH will repair or replace the
product at its discretion at no charge. Warranty claims due to severe service
conditions will be addressed on an individual basis. THE WARRANTY AND REMEDIES
SET FORTH ABOVE ARE EXCLUSIVE. AMBIENT RECORDING GMBH DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER
WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. AMBIENT RECORDING GMBH IS NOT RESPONSIBLE
FOR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY BREACH OF
WARRANTY OR UNDER ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY. Because some jurisdictions do not
permit the exclusion or limitations set forth above, they may not apply in all
cases.
For all service, including warranty repair, please send the ASF-2 MKII, along with proof of purchase date to your retailer, or, if not applicable, to:
Ambient Recording GmbH
Schleissheimer Str. 181 C
DE – 80797 Muenchen, Germany
Please obtain a return authorization through the contact form on our website before sending in a unit.
Approvals
CE Conformity Statement:
Declaration of Conformity
According to ISO/IEC Guide 22
Manufacturer’s Name: Ambient Recording GmbH
Manufacturer’s Address: Schleissheimer Str. 181 C DE – 80797 Muenchen, Germany
declares that the product:
ASF-2 MKII
is in conformity with:
- EN 60950-1:2006 + A11:2009+A1:2010+A12:2011+AC:2011 + A2:2013
- EMC Directive: 2004 / 108 / EC 2014 / 30 / EC
- The unit described in this Conformity Statement fulfills the specifications of the directive 2011/65/EU of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union from 8th of July in 2011 for the limited usage of certain dangerous substances in electronic devices.
Updated October 2021 Philipp Schwab Ambient Recording GmbH
MADE IN GERMANY
Ambient Recording GmbH
Schleissheimer Straße 181 C | D – 80797 Munich | vox +49 89 360 55 10-0 | fax
+49 89 651 85 58
www.ambient.de |
[email protected]
© 2021, Ambient Recording GmbH