AKG Perception 420 [7/28] Using your microphone

AKG PERCEPTION 420

4 Using Your Microphone

4.1 General Hints

The

PERCEPTION 420

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.

• Refer to fig. 4. Whichever polar pattern you se-

lected, 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 PF 80

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, use an

optional AKG W 4000 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 preattenuation pad in to increase

the microphone’s capability of handling sound

pressure levels to 155 dB.

• Low-frequency noise: To suppress low-fre-

quency noise such as air conditioning rumble,

footfall noise, or traffic sounds, switch the bass

cut filter in.

Fig. 4: Microphone front.