AKG P120 High Performance General Purpose Recording Microphone User Manual

AKG P120 High Performance General Purpose Recording Microphone

Product Information

Specifications

• Model: P120, P220
• Features: Deep bass roll-off filter, Output level adjustment
• Connectivity: 3-pin XLR connector
• Accessories: Vary based on model (e.g., P120 includes a microphone and stand adapter)

Product Usage Instructions

Safety and Environment
Ensure to read the manual before operating the equipment.

Environment:
Take into consideration environmental factors.

Connection

• General: Follow the connection guidelines provided in the manual.
• Microphone Connection: Connect the microphone to a symmetrical input with phantom power using a 3-pin XLR connector.

Operation

Operating Instructions:
Experiment with microphone placement for optimal sound quality.

For cardioid microphones like the P120/P220, minimal sound is captured from the rear. Avoid blowing or singing directly into the microphone when recording wind instruments or vocals.

Cleaning

Maintenance:
Clean the microphone regularly, especially the diaphragm, to ensure optimal performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How do I adjust the deep bass roll-off filter?
  A: Locate the switch on the front of the microphone (6 dB/octave for P120, 12 dB/octave for P220) and adjust as needed to reduce low-frequency distortions.

• Q: What accessories are included with the P220 model?
  A: The P220 comes with a microphone, shock mount, carrying case, pop filter, desk stand, and external windscreen.

Safety and the Environment

ATTENTION

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.

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
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 and success!

Contents

P120:

• Microphone
• Stand adapter

P220:

• Microphone
• Spider shock mount
• Carrying case

Check that the packaging contains all of the items listed for your system. If anything is missing, please contact your AKG dealer.

Optional Accessories

• PF80 pop filter
• ST305 table stand
• W4000 external windscreen

Short description

• The P120 and P220 are heavy-duty, rugged condenser microphones built to the same strict quality standards as all other AKG products.
• The P120 uses a 2/3″ back electret diaphragm, while the P220 is a true condenser microphone with a 1″ large diaphragm.
• Designed based on AKG’s decades of know-how and feedback from sound engineers around the world using AKG studio microphones every day, these general-purpose microphones bring AKG studio quality to the worlds of recording, live sound, and broadcasting.

Features
The P120 and P220 share the following features:

• Cardioid polar pattern: The microphone is most sensitive to sounds arriving from in front of it while picking up much less of sounds arriving from the sides or rear (from monitor speakers or neighboring instruments). This makes the microphone equally suited for recording and onstage use.
• 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 150 dB (P120) or 155 dB (P220) without introducing perceptible distortion and built to resist high temperatures and humidity, the microphone will give excellent results in a wide range of applications.
• Bass cut filter: Selector 1 on the microphone front 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 6 dB/octave (P120) or at 12 dB/octave (P220) from 300 Hz downward.
• Switchable pre attenuation pad: Selector 2 on the microphone front lets you increase the headroom by 20 dB for distortion-free close-in recording. The attenuation pad prevents the microphone’s output level, particularly at low frequencies, from overloading the miniature transformers used in many mixer input stages, etc.

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 the Microphone

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

Operation

Operating instructions

• The P120 and P220 are general-purpose cardioid microphones 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.

The following hints apply to both the P120 and the P220.

• The front of the microphone is the side of the body with the AKG logo on it.
  • Therefore, always aim the logo at the sound source you are going to record!
  • Being a unidirectional (cardioid) microphone, the P120/P220 will pick up very little sound from the rear.
• 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 up to 150 dB (P120) or 155 dB (P220).
• Low-frequency noise: To suppress low-frequency noise such as air conditioning rumble, footfall noise, or traffic sounds, switch the bass cut filter in.

Cleaning

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

Troubleshooting

Problem

| Possible Cause|

Remedy

---|---|---
No sound| The power to the mixer and/or amplifier is off.| Switch the power to the mixer or amplifier.
The channel or master fader on the 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 microphone is not connected to a mixer or amplifier.| Connect a microphone to the mixer or amplifier.
Cable connectors are seated loosely.| Check cable connectors for 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 battery (batteries).

Check the cable and replace it if necessary.

Distortion| Channel gain control on mixer set too high.| Turn gain control down CCW.
The microphone is too close to the sound source.| Move the microphone further away from the sound source.

Switch the pre-attenuation pad in.

Crackling noises or low output| Partial short circuits due to excessive humidity.| Place the microphone in a warm, dry room and allow it to dry.

Technical data

P120

• Type: 2/3″ back electret condenser pressure-gradient microphone
• Polar pattern: cardioid
• Sensitivity: 24 mV/Pa (-32.5 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: 19 dB(A)
• Signal to noise: 75 dB(A) re 1 Pa
• Max. SPL for 0.5% THD: 130 / 150 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: 453 g (16 oz.)
• Bass cut pad: 300 Hz, 6 dB/octave
• Preattenuation pad: -20 dB

P220

• Type: 1″ large-diaphragm, true condenser pressure-gradient microphone
• Polar pattern: cardioid
• Sensitivity: 20 mV/Pa (-34 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: 16 dB(A)
• Signal to noise: 78 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: 514 g (18.1 oz.)
• Bass cut pad: 300 Hz, 12 dB/octave
• Preattenuation pad: -20 dB

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.

Microphones · Headphones · Wireless Microphones · Wireless Headphones · Headsets · Electroacoustic Components.

AKG Acoustics GmbH

• LAXENBURGER STRASSE 254, A-1230 VIENNA/AUSTRIA.
• PHONE: +43 1 86654 0
• E-MAIL: SALES@AKG.COM
• For other products and distributors worldwide visit www.akg.com.

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

References

• AKG

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